Al Mazara

Wadi Dayqah dam, Lake and the virgin landscape

How would you feel, if you happen to visit a pristine lake surrounded by unspoilt landscape, that too in a scorching dry country like Oman all of a sudden? Wouldn’t it be a pleasant surprise? What’s more could an explorer in Oman ask for, than a visit to Al Mazara – a hidden treasure carefully preserved by nature as a surprise gift to the visitors!

It was not so long after my beginning of life at Muscat that I started to appreciate the beauty of the sunlit naked brown mountains of the country. By that time, I just had some brief orientations of the hot rocky capital of Oman between my busy schedules and lots of surprises of the unknown land were waiting to be explored. Because, as they say Oman is not only about beaches and rocky mountains, it also offers hidden treasures for explorers and nature lovers.

It was November and the climate was beginning to become pleasant when one of my colleagues offered us a trip to Al Mazara without letting us know what it exactly is. I searched all overt Internet but couldn’t find anything. We went ahead and it turned out to be a fabulous trip both the journey and the destination. We thanked them for taking us to this little known gem of nature.  Since then, we have been to this place many times. Whenever, we had a guest or a relative, we made it a point to show them this amazing place.

The Lake of Al Mazara

The views: The dam, which was built on the wadi Dayqah to generate hydroelectric power has resulted in opulence of blue water in the lake. It has also dried up the wadi. It is only when the dam releases water, the wadi gets flooded. And when this happens, people in large numbers flock to the wadi to enjoy the cool waters of the wadi.

The Lake of al Mazara

The park at Al Mazara

However, swimming and fishing are not allowed in the lake. Public are not even allowed to go near the lake. It can only be viewed from the park. For this, one needs to enter through the gate of the wadi daqah dam and drive upwards through the slopes. There is ample parking space and a restaurant near the park. The first view from the park is the large blue lake surrounded by majestic brown hills. Moving ahead, one can see the dam and walk over it to reach the view point. The view point offers all encompassing 360° view of the lake on one side and the wadi on the other. The large green vegetation under the shadow of date palm trees which decorates the bank of the wadi can also be seen from there.

Wadi Dayqah Dam

Wadi Dayqah Dam

View from Wadi Dayqah Dam

The lake of al Mazara

It is also possible to reach the base of the dam. For this, one needs to come out of the park and drive downwards towards the base area. If you are lucky, you would visit this place on a day when the water is released from the dam. This is the place which offers a marvellous view of the water gushing out of the dam and one can hear the sound of water and can feel the scattering droplets of water all over body. What’s more, it even makes colourful rainbows when the sun shines on the water droplets that moisten and fill up the air that blows all over the place.

Water being released from Wadi Dayqah Dam

Rainbow formation at Wadi Dayqah Dam

In case you want to visit the wadi, you need to come out of the campus of the wadi Dayqah dam and move ahead towards the small Omani village through a narrow road. Once you reach the wadi, you need to park the car and walk down. As I said, there is nothing in the wadi unless they are releasing water on a fine day. However, there are lots to explore in the farmland where the Omani farmers grow varieties of fruits and vegetables such as papaya, banana, eggplant, etc. The farm is protected from the sunlight by a large number of date palm trees and irrigated by water cannels from the lake. I would strongly recommend you to buy some dates and other fruits from the farmers. If you are lucky you will be there in the right season and meet the right person to buy the fresh fruits.

Full flowing Wadi Dayqah

Omani farmland near Wadi Dayqah

A lot of things have been told in details about what Al Mazara could offer to you. However, it is not only this incredible place that would mesmerize you. The journey to this place is equally enchanting. So, now I must tell you about the panoramic path that leads to this place through grand mountains and imposing landscapes.

The journey: It was a Friday morning and we started from Muscat at around 9:30 am. It’s just one and a half hours drive along the ups and downs of the mountain road. Soon after, we took a left turn from the Hatat roundabout towards Al Amerat. It’s an old road which was completely destroyed during hurricane Gonu in 2007. The new road was under construction then. The new elevated road curved in the lofty mountains and connected with tall bridges was opened in the year 2013. This road offers a scenic drive and presents a breathtaking view of the valley and the mountains. 

New road to Amerat

After reaching Amerat, we turned left from the 4^th roundabout towards Quriyat. It’s a wide highway surrounded by mountains. The road leads to Sur through a small town called Quriayt. The road from Quriat to Sur offers a scenic coastal drive about which I will write in another blogpost.

For now let’s steer towards the beautiful lake of Al Mazara. After driving for about  80 kilometres from Al Amerat, we would take a right turn just before reaching Quriyat and move towards Hail Al Ghaf (a new signpost “Wadi Dayqah Dam” has recently been enacted). We would then cross a wide bridge over a wadi. The wadi remains dry most of the times but it had clear signs of water flow. Whenever there is a rainfall, the wadi gets flooded with water. A few minutes after crossing the wadi, we would again turn right on the signpost Al Misfah. A few more kilometres and we then turn left on the signpost Al Mazara. We would now ascend for about about 10 kiliomers along the sloppy road and finally reach the gate of the dam.

On the way to Al Mazara

On the way to Al Mazara

Entrance to Wadi Dayqah Dam

During the whole journey, one thing you can not escape here is the hills that come in different sizes, shapes and colours! As I said earlier, Oman is such a jewel of nature that will even make you enjoy the beauty of naked mountains! I do not know how and when these mountains were formed and who has painted them in so many varied colours, but the view was astounding with Black, red, pink, yellow, violet, maroon and so many unknown colours that adored the rocks of the hills. Some of them are marble stones, some looked like a stack of sand papers, some looked like iron hard and some like a brownie ice cream!

At the most I know is that a zillion years is required for formation these natural wonders. Nature takes its own course and creates marvels. Man makes endeavours to create the same wonders in a much less time. The rocks and sands of Oman have tasted time eternal. The natural spring water lake of Al Mazara from where the Wadi Dayqah originates has taken a different course with the construction of the barrier for generation of hydroelectric power.

The pristine Lake and the virgin landscape

Some more views of the  Lake

The Lake and the virgin landscape

The view of the resort

View from the top - the lake of Al Mazara

The place has also changed in last 3 years. The good thing is that a small resort with a park overlooking the lake has been built. The bad thing is that access to a part of the lake has been restricted for visitors. There has also been increase in the tourists over the years and nowadays the place becomes crowded on weekends. Many Indian movies have used this place as a backdrop for filming songs. The place is gradually finding a mention in many travelogues and is becoming a must visit attraction.

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Beaches of Oman

Do all beaches look similar? If Sun, Sands and Waves are the only ingredients of a beach, they do. Then why do some beaches appeal more than the rest? What makes a beach special? Why do people flock to some particular beaches and avoid the rest of the bunch?

I still remember the sight of my life’s first beach view at Rushikonda beach of Vizag, India. Since then I’ve had many beach experiences- the most unforgettable of all these was an aerial view of   Blue Bay of Mauritius on my honeymoon trip.

Fortunately, I happen to stay at Muscat, Oman, which is home to many spectacular beaches. The Gulf of Oman on the east and Arabian Sea on the south of Oman bestow some breathtaking views and plethora of aquatic life. Tourists come to this country to see dolphins, birds and green turtles and fall in love with its magnificent beaches.

Here are some of the great beaches of Oman I visited time and again during the last 2 and half years. 

 Qantab Beach:

This one is a unique beach decorated by brown rock formations. Visiting this place before noon would offer a breathtaking view of shining rocky islands reflecting the sunlight. The rocks are located right on the sea and are of different size, shape and architecture. Boating on the sea through these rocky islands is a must do activity of Qantab beach.  It’s also an ideal place for swimming, snorkelling and barbequing, particularly during the evening when the weather is nice, the sea winds are around and the amber rays of the setting Sun colourise the sea surface.

Qantab is located just at a 20 minutes drive from the heart of Muscat. Not far from the beach, there is this beautiful resort of Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah. The short drive from Qantab towards this resort offers some amazing views of the sea and the rocky hills which are worth clicking for a perfect postcard of Muscat.

Shangri La's Barr Al Jissah resort near Qantab Beach

Yitti Beach: 

20 Kilometres from Qantab, and you are here at Yitti. Another exciting beach, much larger than Qantab. The excess sands at the beach might turn you off at the first place but the long stretch of beach offers an ideal opportunity for jogging. You can also give a try to rock climbing or a more subtle family picnic. It’s a happening place and you can choose from playing football to quad biking.

Qurum Beach:

This one is my favourite weekend pastime. What makes me come to this place again and again? May be it is the proximity to the city, or the clear sand & water, or the 3 kilometer long stretch of beach, or maybe I love relaxing on the green lawn under the shades of coconut trees! Whatever be the reason, this plain vanilla beach attracts all – natives, expats and tourists. Many big hotels which are located on this beach have made this place a roaming ground for all kinds of tourists and beach lovers.

Beach of Sur:

Sur has some of the finest exotic beaches. Being the easternmost tip of Oman, Sur has best of both the seas – Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.  The rich marine life and vibrant sea have made Sur a tourists’ heaven. Turtle watching and bird watching form major tourist interests. Many beach in and around Sur such as Ras Al Hadd, Ras Al Jinz, have become famous for Green Turtles that come to this place for laying eggs at the beach. The 200 km drive from Muscat to Sur along the coastal road is also an experience to remember.

 Tiwi Beach:

This beach is located along the new Sur road from Muscat to Sur. This is the place where Wadi Tiwi meets the sea. This is an oasis full of green water, trees and vegetation. The beach is filled with small stones and as such not ideal for any activity. However, it’s an ideal spot for picnic and bird watching, particularly near the wadi. The breathtaking view of the sparkling blue water and the clean beach would beckon everyone who happen to pass by the bridge over the wadi.

Al Sawadi:

Just take a barefoot walk at this beach and you will be mildly pinched by something in your feet. Look down and you will be delighted to see innumerable sea shells of myriad of colours.  These seashells that decorate the shoreline of Al Sawadi beach is the result of the rich aqua life of the sea. Probably that is why this beach has become an ideal snorkelling and diving destination.

There are a number of resorts near this beach. Tourists also don’t mind to travel the distance of 110 km from Muscat to enjoy the marine life of Al Sawadi. Boats are available on hire, which can be used to visit the nearby islands. These islands are ideal for a family picnic.

Anonymous:

Finally, take a look at this tiny yet secluded beach. Located not far from Qantab beach, this romantic escape would require you to take a boat ride or to take the challenge of climbing down the rocks! There are many such unknown or lesser known beaches all around Oman that would be a delight for adventure seekers or those looking for an offbeat beach experience.

This is not an exhaustive list of the beaches of Oman. I am yet to visit many other great beaches of this country about which I’ve heard fascinating descriptions such as the beaches of Dhofar, Sohar and Duqm.  

Now, coming back to – what makes a beach special? Based on my experience I would say – friendly local people, complimenting landscapes, nice weather, availability of recreational facilities, richness of marine life and above all great company are the perfect ingredients to make a beach getaway special. The beaches of Oman may not be part of every traveller’s wish list, but they wouldn’t disappoint one if you evaluate a beach based on these parameters. The secluded and unspoilt nature of some of the beaches would appeal one and all beyond doubt. 

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