Monday, May 28: After Mario and I leave Bidbid, we head to the pottery souq at Fanja, where we find unglazed pots, baskets, brooms, chests, gaudy fake flower arrangements in cellophane, dried fish & limes, incense burners, straw mats, tacky brightly colored ceramic animals and the goat fodder we saw the Bangladeshi boys harvesting in Bidbid.
pottery at the fanja souq
brooms for sale!
hanging pottery
fake flowers in cellophane!
goat fodder for sale??
After the souq, we take a walk up to the walled village and watchtower, perched high on a hilltop overlooking the modern town. Towers galore dot the surrounding hills. We find a decaying mishmash of ruined mud brick buildings, along with some more modern and apparently inhabited buildings.
the walled ruins of Fanja
the view of modern Fanja from the ruins of old Fanja
through the ruins
windows on Fanja
the Sultan’s photo painted on one of the houses in the midst of the Fanja ruins
view of modern Fanja from the ruined hilltop
watchtowers on surrounding hilltops
the ruined ruins
We can’t believe how crazy we are walking around in these temperatures. However, Mario comments that we are in fact doing it, so it must not be impossible. Agreed! Onward we go to Muscat, to share a drink along the humid coast at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
I really like Fanja, there is something so charming about the place.
Yes, I agree Princess. I’d really like to explore further….
Your photos just never cease to amaze me!!
Hi Cee, that’s a great compliment coming from you, the greatest photographer ever! Thanks so much for your kind words!!