Day 49 - Khasab, Oman: Fjords, Dhows & A Day of Deep Stillness






Today we arrived in Khasab, Oman, our final port of call in the Gulf countries. It was an early start, with the ship docking at 7am, and as soon as customs began clearing passengers, we were guided straight off the ship to begin our excursions.



We had chosen the Omani Fjords cruise on a traditional Dhow — a decision that filled me with quiet excitement… though Joe was less than impressed. The early start, the walk to the boats, and then discovering that seating was mostly cushions on the floor for several hours was not exactly his idea of comfort.

Thankfully, the captain and crew took an instant liking to Joe and kindly found him a seat on a bench behind the captain — a perfect solution.

As the Dhow glided away from shore, the gentle movement of the boat soon had Joe fast asleep. It was cold and windy, so we wrapped a towel around him, and then the crew went above and beyond — offering him a waterproof coat, then producing a sleeping bag to keep him warm, and even another to rest his head on.



Their kindness and attentiveness were truly heartwarming.

A Journey Through the Fjords

The cruise itself was deeply relaxing. The dramatic Omani fjords, rugged cliffs, and still waters created the perfect space for me to sit in silence, allowing my mind to quiet and my soul to gently rejuvenate.

The crew offered beautiful Omani hospitality throughout —
☕ Omani coffee
🍵 tea
🥤 soft drinks
🌴 dates and fruit

As we sailed along the coastline, our guide shared stories of the land and its history. We were shown a steep set of 440 steps carved into the mountainside — accessible only by speedboat. At the top, you can stand in one place and look out over two bodies of water:
on one side, the Arabian Gulf, and on the other, the Gulf of Oman.

We passed remote fishing villages, home to just nine or ten families each. These families live there during the winter months, fishing to earn a living. In the summer, when the heat becomes unbearable and the fish migrate to cooler waters, they move back to Khasab.



Life there is simple and resilient:

  • Children travel to school by speedboat

  • Supplies are brought from the mainland

  • Fresh water is delivered by tanker boats

  • In medical emergencies, a military helicopter lands to airlift patients to Khasab

It was another humbling insight into how differently people live — and how resourceful and adaptive human life can be.



Once again, we were blessed with the sight of dolphins swimming alongside the boat, effortlessly gliding through the water.

Unfortunately, the weather was too windy and overcast to stop for swimming, but the journey itself was more than enough.

Back Onboard & A Gentle Afternoon

Back on the ship, I grabbed a coffee and settled into my familiar rhythm of crossword and sudoku.

Joe headed off to catch the last of the Ashes, while I enjoyed the quiet.

We had lunch in Compass Rose, followed by a wonderfully lazy afternoon. Joe went up on deck with his audiobook… and promptly fell asleep again.

I recorded some of my EFT and hypnosis sessions, then allowed myself a little nap too — clearly a day for rest and restoration.

Joe later attended the Chanukah session, and in the evening we got changed and headed to dinner.

After dinner, we had a lovely video call with the boys, which always grounds us and brings a smile.

Tonight, the clocks go forward another hour.

Thankfully, tomorrow is a sea day, and after today’s early start and gentle drifting, a chilled day feels exactly right.

Daily Reflection:

Stillness can be found in motion —
on a Dhow drifting through fjords,
wrapped in kindness,
held by the sea.

Highlight of the Day:
✨ The crew’s care for Joe — blankets, sleeping bags, and genuine kindness — a reminder that hospitality speaks louder than words.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 7 - Lanzarote: Sunshine, Family, and a Tale of Two Ports

Image
The day began in a haze — quite literally. A thick morning fog had settled over the ocean, and for a while, the ship’s horn sounded regularly as we carefully made our approach toward Arrecife, Lanzarote . The mysterious mist wrapped around us like a soft blanket, but as we neared the island, the clouds lifted , revealing a clear blue sky and glorious sunshine. Disembarkation was a little slow today, as most of the excursions were departing at the same time, but eventually we were off the ship and ready for a wonderful reunion. Cousin Joe had sent us detailed directions and was waiting patiently for us at the port. Or so we thought! As we stepped out, we began walking… and walking… and walking . Poor Joe’s back was not particularly pleased about this unexpected trek, and as we checked in with Cousin Joe, he reassured us he was “just nearby.” What none of us realised was that there are two ports in Lanzarote — we had docked at the old commercial port , while Cousin Joe was waiting ...
Read more

Day 5 - A Day Without Wi-Fi: Casablanca Adventures and Serendipity at Sea

Image
  Another beautiful morning greeted us as we sailed into Casablanca — sunlight glinting off the water as we arrived into the port. There was an immediate sense of arrival in a city filled with colour, culture, and history. But as we soon discovered, Casablanca had a little surprise in store for us. Because it’s a naval port , all Wi-Fi was cut as soon as we docked — and it stayed that way for many hours, long after we had left the harbour. At first, the silence felt strange, a sudden digital stillness in our usually connected world. But as the hours passed, it began to feel… refreshing. A day without Wi-Fi turned out to be a quiet gift — unless, of course, you’re Joe! Joe had to head into town to collect the medicines that were missing from our luggage. Since no taxis are allowed into the port and the shuttle bus had already left, two kind gentlemen kindly offered him a lift into town . It was such a lovely reminder of the goodness of strangers and the small kindnesses that m...
Read more

Day 3 - Our First Day at Sea: Finding Our Rhythm

Image
  There’s something magical about waking to the gentle movement of the ocean. This morning, I slipped out onto the deck just as the sun began to rise — soft hues of pink and gold spilling across the sky. The ship was quiet except for the sound of the waves, and it felt like the perfect setting for a mindful start to the day. I walked the deck, breathing in the salty air and feeling gratitude wash over me with each step. After my morning walk, I found a quiet spot for meditation and my daily EFT tapping session — a grounding way to tune into the energy of the sea and the peace of the moment. Afterwards, I treated myself to a blissful morning in the spa — a pampering start that left me feeling completely relaxed and radiant. Meanwhile, Joe enjoyed a lazy, leisurely morning in our suite catching up on his broken nights sleep. We met later for a lovely lunch in the Compass Rose restaurant, enjoying fresh, beautifully prepared dishes and the gentle hum of conversation around us. J...
Read more