Day 1: 27 January 2004. The first day we crossed over the border and made our way through Nizwa, continuing as far as the Gharba resthouse. There were extensive stretches of roadwork south of Nizwa and very little to see just a gravel plain with small bushes and the odd oil or gas well, and the occasional camel.

Day 2: 28 January. Aiming to reach Salalah this day we left early at 7:15 and stopped for gas and lunch at Haima. From there we continued on through Thumrait to Salalah. The descent to the city was steep and there was a nice viewpoint over the city on the way down. There were quite a few camels, cattle and goats grazing on the shoulders and sometimes blocking the traffic. As we did not have the energy to search out bargain accommodation we spent our first night in town at the Crowne Plaza Resort (formerly the Holiday Inn). We went for a walk on the beach and were impressed with how long (10 kms) and white it was. The air temperature was comfortably warm. Supper in the hotel restaurant.

Day 3: 29 January. The first thing we did was to move 500 meters down the beach to new accommodation at the Salalah Beach Villas at the rate of 22 riyals/night. After that we made a tour to the east of Salalah and saw Taqah Fort, spectacular cliffs, Mirbat village, the Tomb of Bin Ali and Tawi Attayir Sinkhole (250 m deep). Supper at Pizza Hut.

Day 4: 30 January. We decided to take it easy in the morning and Rachel and I played on the beach in front of our villa. After lunch we made a tour to the west and saw the cranes of Salalah Port, lots of camels on the road in Raysut and the blowholes at Mughsail Beach. On our way back to town we visited Jobs Tomb, which is spectacularly located on a ridge overlooking Salalah. Supper at a Chinese restaurant.

Day 5: 31 January. We tried to visit the museum but it was closed due to the Eid religious holiday. We wandered through one of the souqs and bought frankincense, an incense burner and locally-produced perfume. Back at our villa we could see dolphins swimming close to shore. In the evening we shopped at Lulu Center Supermarket.

Day 6: 1 February. This was the day of our departure. At breakfast we chatted with an elderly couple from France. Past Thumrait the Trooper had engine trouble. That day we reached Haima though a combination of driving and towing by Curtis. Two Indian garages had a look at the engine, but were unable to repair it. We had dinner at an Indian restaurant and spent the night at the Haima Motel (15 Riyals).

Day 7: 2 February. We left quite early (7:35) hoping to reach Al Ain that day. By 10:00 we reached Gharba, where we had stayed the first night. Curtis towed us to most of the way back, although I drove through Nizwa, Bahla and Ibri under the Troopers own power. In Nizwa we ate our lunch in what we thought was vacant lot and were greeted by boys shooting birds with an air rifle. We reached the Mezyad border point at about 6:00 pm, and reached our home not long after that. The next day we gratefully accepted a CD with pictures Robert had taken with his digital camera, which nicely supplemented the pictures we took ourselves. Based on our experience, I would definitely like to return, but by air, as the drive was long and boring. I might consider driving again if I had fewer time constraints and a reliable new vehicle. It would, however, be interesting to get there by the coastal route. #