Arrival in Salalah, Oman, Monday, April 16, located in the southeast
corner of the Arabian Peninsula on the Gulf of Aden. While traveling through the Gulf of Aden we saw plenty of warships protecting the ships. Salalah is the capital of the southern Omani
province of Dhofar. The population is
approximately 200,000 and it is the second largest city of Oman.
Salalah is known as the “perfume capital of Arabia”. Southern Oman has a near monopoly on the production
of frankincense. Trees of the Boswellia
family flourish here and produce the aromatic resin that is the basis of
incense. The trees refuse to grow in
most places; therefore merchants in this area grew very wealthy on the
production of frankincense. You can purchase
your own aromatic frankincense at the souk.
Salalah is also known for its holy site pilgrimage by many
to visit Job’s Tomb, where the legendary prophet is believed to have been laid
to rest.
Many passengers decided to hire a taxi to take them to town,
6 miles away from the port. Very quickly
many minds were changed as the “special taxis” were charging $40 for a one-way
trip!
Cindy made her first trip down the gangway on her crutches
today and visited a vendor table. She
quickly discovered it takes a lot of energy since she hasn’t been out of the
wheelchair for 4 weeks.
Sail away at 5pm. We
will have 4 sea days before arriving Aqaba, Jordan.
