Day 118 Saturday May 11,2024 Khasab, Oman

Arrival: 10:00 All Aboard: 19:30 Departure: 20:00

The last two days have been spent cruising the Arabian Sea as we make our way towards Khasab, Oman another new country for us. Khasab is a town and local capital of the Musandam Governate which is an exclave of Oman bordering the United Arab Emirates at the tip of the Musandam Peninsula by the Strait of Hormuz. At its narrowest point the Persian Gulf is about 56 km (35 mi).

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passageway leading to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. We were to continue our journey through the Suez Canal after our two-day stop in Dubai but due to the conflict in the Middle East our cruise plans were changed and we have been rerouted around Africa.

As we make our way into the port speed boats race by the ship which I learn later are Iranian boats which come to Oman daily with their products to sell. They must return to their country every night as there is a 400% tax levy on goods purchased or exchanged should they remain in the country overnight. I did not see it but around 18:00 flotillas of Iranian boats were speeding back to their country.

Khasab has been dubbed the "Norway of Arabia" because of its extensive fjord like inlets and barren mountains.

We have booked an afternoon Dhow cruise to the Omani Fjords. Three dhows are ready for our tour. We are on with our segment friends Karen, Tom, Joy and Ed which are affectionally called seggies by the world cruisers. As we climb onto the dhow, we see lots of carpets and pillows where we can sit comfortably on the floor of the dhow and relax while watching the extraordinary landscape that surrounds us.

What an isolate place that is very barren. At one point the dhow drops its anchor for most of us to take a plunge into the crystal blue waters.

Returning to port our departure is 20:00 for the short cruise to Dubai, UAE 95 nautical miles away where we will spend two days one night here.