9 - 12 June

Saturday 9 June 0700  Arabian Sea  Salalah is the capital of the Dhofar region of Oman.  Dhofar is prosperous because of the frankincense trade.

Currency – Omani Rial

We disembarked just after 0800 and boarded the bus and were introduced to Ali our guide.

We set off to the newest mosque which had only been built for 3 years.  We were allowed inside and were blown away with the enormous prayer room and the peaceful atmosphere of the building.

We then went to the Museum of Frankincense which had items dating over 5000 BC and even older. There was a very old copy of the Koran which was written in gold!!  The museum was build alongside an archaeological dig.  It was like a scene from a movie.

Frankincense Tree

Dig Site

Shopping came next.  We were taken to a street where we could buy frankincense and burners and some clothing.  I bought a white blouse which I needed for the choir and of course I bought some incense.

We were back on board and sailing by 1300 hours.  It certainly was a quick visit.  Lovely city.

Each sea day the ship has a reunion of various people like Freemasons, service members, teachers, medical people and more.  Well today was a meeting of Scout Leaders and there were about 6 people there.  I think there would have been more except that a lot of people had an afternoon sleep after coming back on board.  Most of them were Group Section Leaders except from Julien and me.  It was lovely, one lady met up with the Cub Leader of her sons.