Hello everyone! Welcome back, as we continue our Oman journey. We have a packed schedule today. We will first visit Quriyat dam. Located in Quriyat, 75 km from Muscat, Wadi Dayqah is home to one of the largest dams in the Arabian Peninsula. Good wishes from Countryside Travels.
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Quriyat Da, or Dayqah Dam was built in 2012 to collect the rain falling from the high peaks and to control the water flowing through to the villages below. The result is a stunning fresh water lake and river which extends 7 km from the main body of the dam. While preserving the ancient falaj irrigation system, the dam effectively regulates the water surges cascading down the hillside. The lake, has the capacity to store 100 million cubic meters of rainwater. A trip to this dam is a must for all visitors and residents of Oman to view this construction wonder set in a desert terrain amidst mountains. 'Wadi' means channel of a watercourse that is dry except during periods of rainfall, while 'Dayqah' in Arabic means narrow torrent.
After enjoying the beautiful view of the dam set across the mountains and the wadi, we went across to the other side to explore the tourism complex. We were happy to find the centre for visitors (spread over 1,281 sq m area) which allowed visitors like us to have a look at the whole site. The entire area was landscaped beautifully, with shaded seating areas, water fountains, paved internal roads, car parks and restaurant. However, access to the lake was restricted, with no swimming or fishing activities permitted.
The Dayqah dam in Oman is set in a desert terrain against a mountainous backdrop. At 75m high, the roller compacted concrete dam covers an area of 400m across the wadi gorge and is the tallest dam in the country. With available water stored primarily for potable use, the 100 mn cu m capacity reservoir also maintain the ancient 'aflaj' flows serving the agricultural activities in the neighbouring villages like Quriyat.
In Oman, 'Aflaj' is the plural of the word 'Falaj', which denotes the irrigation system.
So, this is it, at this beautiful place. Its time now to head back to Sur, but before that we will visit Bimmah Sinkhole.
Bimmah sinkhole was formed in limestone by a collapse of a large cave chamber. Earlier locals believed that this hole was formed by a meteorite ("piece of Moon").
The sinkhole is approximately 50 by 70 m large, 20 – 30 m deep. At the bottom is located a deep blue-green lake with a heap of rock – remnants of the collapse.
Municipality has developed a park around the sinkhole, and there is a built concrete stairway leading to the lake. Locals and tourists often enjoy a refreshing bath in the lake. There is a free parking here.
There are high walls that surround the sinkhole, so if you want to take photos from above the sinkhole, you will need to scale this walls. The bimah sinkhole is filled with fresh water that comes from mountains, as well as sea water that comes in from underground, at the deepest section of the sinkhole, which is around 300 feet deep, that’s why the water is little salty.
Well diving is forbidden here, but few people do try cliff jumping., especially the locals, however this should be done with caution, as the jump from the top is roughly 90 feets and you may injure yourself if not careful..
When visiting the sinkhole, its wise to dress modestly and keep your swimming kit in your bag, since you can change at the restroom facilities here.
Its getting late and we need to head back home to Sur. After dinner, which today we are going to prepare ourselves, we are going to travel to Muscat. So its time to say goodbye to this place.
In 30 to 40 minutes , we will reach Sur.
So, we are back at our place, and we are cooking food. Today we are trying our hand at egg curry. Hope it is good and tastes delicious. Well, the food indeed was very tasty, we have had our dinner and now we will move towards Muscat, and it should take around 2 hours for us to reach.
So , we have reached Muscat and have checked in to our hotel. I will just show you the rooms, it is a nice, decent hotel. Its night already, we will move outside to get a glimpse of the city and catch up with our people in the Market.
We will now return to our hotel and take rest, as it was a very tiring day. Tomorrow we will head to Marina Bandar al Rowdy and the historical Mutrah market.
So, we have checkout from our hotel and we are looking for a taxi that can take us to Marina Bander Al Rowdha, later we will go to Mutrah traditional market.
We have arrived at the place now, and will look for our service provider, JCC Tours.
Marina Bander Al Rowdha is located in the city of Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman, specifically on the coast of the Sea of Oman, near the Al Hajar Mountains.
You'll get to explore the marine world and coral reefs and experience diving among various fish. If you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of dolphins leaping on the horizon. Moreover, you can enjoy boat paddling in the Sea of Oman, rent a yacht, engage in water skiing, and much more.
Operating hours here are Daily from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Few changes during the holy Ramadan, and you should seek information before coming.
Marina Bander Al Rowdha is a special place for unique water activities and games in the Sultanate of Oman, known for its enchanting atmosphere nestled amidst the mountains.
The range of activities and tours from Marina Bandar Al Rowdha is extensive. From dolphin spotting tours, diving, deep sea fishing, snorkeling tours to traditional dhow cruises.
Well now move towards Mutrah market.
Mutrah Souq or market is one of the oldest markets in Oman, dating back about two hundred years. Its antiquity has perhaps increased the extent of its beauty, magic, and allure.
You cannot see Mutrah Souq from the outside, as it stretched deep within the city. The market starts at a gate facing the Sea of Oman and Mutrah Corniche and ends with another gate in the city’s old quarters that usually receive the majority of visitors coming from other Omani towns and villages.
So, this is it for the day. We will meet you in our next video.
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