Pete’s adventures in Salalah part 3

 

 

 

We are still here in Salalah with all but one yacht moored up together all safe and sound.  A few of the crews have taken the opportunity to head back home for a short while or to go off touring.  The remaining crews are looking after their boats, and where required run generators, and engines, making sure all is in working order.  The only thing we can’t keep on top of is the constant dust which coats everything inside and out. 

 

The days seem to go quite quickly and we have got into a routine of doing jobs on the boat in the mornings when it’s cooler, and either sightseeing in the afternoon, or heading off to the Hilton to get away from the dusty old port.  As you can see we have recently had some visitors in the form of cruise ships and over the past three days a US carrier called Boxer.  More about Boxer later.

 

The Beach

On Wednesday I organised a trip to the beach we had visited previously, to do some snorkelling and have a BBQ.  Only a few BWR crews had been there before so we headed off in a convoy in the direction of the Yemeni boarder.  They call the road that heads west the Balfour Beatty road, as they were the contractors that built it.  It was engineered so that the Oman army could transport tanks to the boarder quickly and is very spectacular.

 

On As described before the location is stunning and with the sea brimming with wild life.  And here are just two of them.  Our events organizers Mark and Chris enjoying the warm clear water.

 

Whilst our team of fishermen were off catching Lobster for the BBQ, I was catching photos of the underwater sights.

 

 

A large shoal of small fish and a beautiful Emporia Angel fish.  

 

 

Lurking under a rock was this Blue Spotted Ray.

 

 

Two of our fishermen Allden and Brian.

 

 

What a catch!  The guys managed to catch eight of these Spiny Lobsters.  Those who eat seafood had half a lobster each. We had difficulty fitting them onto the BBQ’s.  Some of the other crews had brought salad and bread. A feast fit of king Neptune ensued.

 

 

Allen speared his first fish so Gavin showed him how to fillet it.  As I mentioned this location is stunning but not only that, it’s practical as well having a rock overhang to shade under. 

 

 

 

After we had eaten it was time to head back to the Blow Hole Cafe and have coffee.  On the way we did a little bit of exploring along the dirt road to the West where we came across yet more stunning scenery.

 

 

 

Some of the intrepid beach party.

 

 

We have a geologist with us on the BWR, Steve from Aspin.  He was explaining the sedimentary limestone that goes to make up this desert landscape.

 

Here is Steve and Maria with Mark and Chris chilling out at the Hilton the next day.  It’s a hard life out here you know.

 

The deserted pool at the Hilton with our three brave fishermen relaxing.

 

This is in stark contrast to the last couple of days when the Hilton was overrun by a contingent of the 1500 Marines and 1000 Navy personnel from USS Boxer an amphibious assault ship.  http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=43858

The good natured crew of the ship were definitely out for a good time and did a lot of drinking.  It took Mark over an hour to get served at the bar on Friday.  We even encountered them yesterday at the Oasis club where we had a great night watching India win the cricket cup final.  I got particularly friendly with one of the Harrier pilots who although rather drunk kept me and a few others entertained with his aviation stories.

 

 

Yesterday also saw me and Ian from Lucy Alice head into town to get PG Tips tea bags.  We found them just outside the air force base where they used to fly Hunters.  We also passed the rather large mosque in the middle of Salalah. We are trying to keep busy.

 

Less than a month now until our ship arrives.  We hope!!!!!!

 

That’s all for now.

 

Pete.