bahla: the sultan qaboos mosque, bahla fort & old bahla

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Oman, Travel

Thursday, April 5: Today, I go to Bahla to see the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, built in 1996, Bahla Fort and the remains of old Bahla.  Bahla is about 40km west of Nizwa and is famous for its huge fort as well as being the hangout for devilish jinn and other mystical phenomenon.

I walk around the perimeter of the mosque taking pictures of the beautiful building and the gardens of petunias and marigolds.

the Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Bahla

the mosque with the gardens in front

another view as I walk around the mosque

white petunias around the mosque

marigolds and minarets

beautiful flowers around the mosque

the courtyard at the mosque

reaching for heaven

After leaving the mosque, I go to see the Bahla Fort, which I can only view from the outside.  This is one of Oman’s biggest forts with huge walls and irregular towers, bastions and crenelated walls.  The fort is believed to be pre-Islamic, although the present structure was mostly rebuilt during the 17th century.  The fort fell into disrepair during the 20th century and was actually near total collapse when it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.  At this time, it was closed for a huge renovation project, which continues to this day, 25 years on.

Bahla Fort, construction disrupted by jinn… 🙂 

Rumor has it that the local jinn (ghosts, spirits, even possibly witches) are at fault.  Omanis believe that black magic or alchemy abound in this area.  It is said that every time part of the fort is renovated, the jinn come in during the night and undo whatever repairs have been done.  Another legend has it that Indian laborers went in to do repair work and disappeared.  Of course I’m skeptical about the truth of these tales.

another view from the outside of Bahla Fort

After my walk around the fort, I wander into old Bahla, a cluster of mudbrick houses in various states of dilapidation, protected by old gateways, walls and towers.  The village has been largely abandoned but it is very picturesque nonetheless.

walking into old Bahla

into old Bahla

a house in old Bahla

passageways through old Bahla

see through views

We climb to heaven most often on the ruins of our cherished plans, finding our failures were successes. ~ Amos Bronson Alcott

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52 pick up: anticipation (bahla fort)

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52 Pick Up

Thursday, April 5:  This week I came across yet another photo challenge. It’s created by Sherene at PRINT-SENSE photography & design.  One of the interesting rules to this photo challenge is the following: “Each image must be taken during the theme week. No scrounging back through last year’s photos for “a good one”. That would be cheating and the challenge is about taking new photos with new inspiration!”

Here’s the quote about this week’s challenge: “There is nothing better than that feeling of anticipation!  The fluttery heart for something we truly desire.  Our challenge this week is to capture anticipation.  Anticipation for an event, trip or just a special treat.  This may be something you are patiently, or maybe not so patiently waiting for, or even the very emotion of anticipation.”

It was really a challenge for me to think what I could photograph in Oman during this week  for this theme, without cheating and looking back at my archives.  Finally, I came up with an idea to drive to Bahla this morning and take photos of Bahla Fort. This is one of Oman’s biggest forts with huge walls and irregular towers, bastions and crenelated walls.  The fort is believed to be pre-Islamic, although the present structure was mostly rebuilt during the 17th century.  The fort fell into disrepair during the 20th century and was actually near total collapse when it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.  At this time, it was closed for a huge renovation project, which continues to this day, 25 years on.

People ANTICIPATE the Bahla Fort will be renovated one of these days, but in 25 years it hasn’t been done. Are the jinns at fault?

My Omani friend Moo tells me the jinn are at fault. Jinn are apparently ghosts or spirits, maybe even witches (?), which are part of the local legend of Bahla.  Omanis believe that black magic or alchemy abound in this area. Legend has it that in Bahla’s past, people were turned into cows or goats, or they simply vanished into thin air when they leaned on certain fence posts.  I ask a shopkeeper in Nizwa souq about this today, and his eyes sparkle when I bring it up.  He shakes his hand, “in the past, in the past!”  I say, you mean the jinns are in the past?  They’re gone now?  “No, we think that in the past, but no more!  We don’t think this any more!”

are the jinn responsible for thwarting the much-anticipated renovation of the Bahla Fort?

According to Moo, every time part of the fort is renovated, the jinn come in during the night and undo whatever repairs have been done.  Another legend has it that Indian laborers went in to do repair work and disappeared.  Of course I’m skeptical about the truth of these tales.

anticipated opening date of Bahla Fort: UNKNOWN. If the jinn have their say, maybe never??

So, I guess it’s been 25 years and people are still anticipating the completion of Bahla Fort’s renovation.  I personally anticipate it will not be completed during my time in Oman.  🙂

share your world: cee’s life questions (week #17)

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share your world

Thursday, April 5: I’m a little behind in answering Cee’s life questions this week: Cee’s Life Photography Blog: Share Your World (Week 17).  Finally, here they are.

At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?

I guess it depends on the definition of “recent” to determine the answer to this question. If recent means in the last month or so, I would say I felt most passionate and alive when I took a hike through the lovely paradise village of Wekan with my friend Mario.  We walked with our cameras around our necks, taking pictures of the gardens and the amazing views.  And Mario is wonderful company, smart, funny, adventurous and energetic. I’m lucky to count him as my friend.

Walking through Wekan: feeling alive and passionate about life! 🙂

If I define “recent” as the last 6 months, I would say I felt most alive and passionate on my trip to Jordan last November.  Everything was a surprise there, especially the quality of light, the shadows, the way the sunlight painted the towering red walls of Petra, the desert of Wadi Rum, a surprise encounter with a fun-loving Italian, and the amazing people I met there.  I adored it!!

Minako from Japan and me on the way to the Dead Sea in Jordan

What individual item of food would you not eat, even if it was served to you at the Queen/President’s dinner table? (Something ordinary.)

I would never eat squid or any kind of meat that is chewy or gristly or has marbles of fat through it.  I hate the textures of these kinds of things; frankly, they make me gag.

If you could choose between Wisdom and Luck, which one would you pick?

I would pick wisdom because luck is capricious and fickle.  Wisdom is something that grows within us with each passing experience, while luck comes and goes at whim and is totally out of our control.

What was the last time you went to a new place?

This morning I visited the Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Bahla, Oman.  I had seen it many times passing by on the road, but today I stopped there and took some pictures.  I try to go someplace new every weekend!  🙂

The Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Bahla, Oman