I enjoyed a visit to the new museum space in Salalah which celebrates the maritime heritage of Oman and especially Dhofar . It adds to the Frankincense and Heritage Museum and creates the nicest Museum in Oman. While enjoying a cup of tea in the adjacent tea-room I enjoyed a chat with Tariq who looks after one of the shops – though not so busy when I visited it Tariq explained that during the monsoon period in mid-summer the innumerable visitors make it difficult to keep up with demand.

While in Dhofar – I enjoyed an interesting day to the west of Salalah. As we walked along the sea-cliff edge I was regaled with tales about the famed Arab explorer Ibn Battuta when he came by ship 700years ago to the area. They were told by a resident of a village nearby with a clarity that makes it clear that the verbal history of the country is alive and well. The day was rounded off by hospitality in the mouth of a wadi near the sea , in the form of Goat stew with rice,  from the very personable and respected owner of a contracting company engaged on road construction nearby .