Assalamualaikum
🔵Cerita kami melawat Wadi Shab diteruskan dengan bahagian kedua.
🔵Jom kita saksikan keindahan suasana perjalanan di Wadi Shab yang unik dan epik ini.
🔵Every now and then we came upon beautiful varying sized pools at the foot of the high cliffs.
🔵Greenery, including date palms and smaller green plants, thrives around the water, creating a vibrant oasis effect within the rugged canyon landscape.
🔵A stunning desert oasis scene nestled between towering, rugged cliffs under a bright blue sky featuring a wide, rocky riverbed, which leads into a deep canyon.
🔵High, golden-colored canyon walls sculpted over millennia by water dominate the landscape, providing a dramatic backdrop.
🔵In contrast to the arid rock, areas of vibrant green vegetation and date palms are visible, highlighting the presence of life and water in the valley.
🔵As a first timer exploring a desert environment on foot, I was completely captivated by the unique and breathtaking wadi landscape.
🔵This wadi was a genuinely stunning and unprecedented sight.
🔵Though much of the immediate area is a dry bed, the wadi is known for its crystal-clear, turquoise or emerald green pools and streams further along the trail, which are the main attractions for visitors.
🔵This is one of the scenic, emerald-green natural pools found along the popular hiking route in Wadi Shab, Oman. The pool is a part of the stunning gorge system, known for its dramatic contrast between the arid, towering rock cliffs and the lush vegetation that lines the water's edge.
🔵The pools are nestled within a canyon featuring high, steep, rocky walls. The terrain around the pools is often stony or covered in small pebbles, and some rocks can be slippery due to moss or algae.
🔵I just love this photo taken by my wife! It provides a crucial sense of scale, highlighting the immense size of the cliffs relative to human size and the substantial width of the pool.
🔹Me, walking near the water's edge, appears minuscule compared to the sheer height and breadth of the rock face behind me.
🔹The cliffs tower dramatically overhead, extending far beyond the top edge of the photo frame. The rock formation appears easily hundreds of feet high, emphasizing the rugged, imposing nature of the gorge landscape.
🔹The pool stretches a significant distance to the left (toward the cave entrance) and seems quite wide.
🔹By visual estimation using my height, the width of the pool visible in the foreground might be around 20-30 meters across.
🔹By framing me into the photo, it helps illustrate that while the pool looks very swimmable, it is a substantial natural feature, not just a small puddle.
🔵On similar observations, this image too effectively and more clearly captures the immense scale of the gorge and cliffs by using the people in the photograph as a powerful size reference point.
🔹The towering rock walls dwarf the individuals, making them appear tiny in comparison to the vast natural landscape.
🔹The people in the photo are reduced to small figures against the backdrop of the massive, steep canyon walls.
🔹This juxtaposition highlights the sheer verticality and breadth of the surrounding rock formations, some of which are estimated to be over 200 meters (over 650 feet) high in parts of the region.
🔹I just love capturing landscapes in wide-angle shots format as they emphasize, in this situation, the expansive nature of the wadi, which is a valley that fills with water during rains.
🔹The human figures, scattered across the wide, pebbled riverbed, provide perspective on the significant distance and space available within the gorge itself. The entire hiking trail is about 5 km long, further indicating the vastness of the area the people are exploring.
🔵Perhaps it was just me being a wide-eyed tourist, coming from a non-desert country, what more could I ask for when presented with such breathtaking and unique wadi landscape, like in this photo.
🔵Wadi Shab offers a unique and diverse blend of natural beauty and an adventurous experience that is difficult to find elsewhere.
🔵My inner 'goggle-eyed tourist' was fully engaged; presented with such a unique wadi landscape, I honestly couldn't ask for more.
🔵This oasis-like setting amidst the rugged Omani landscape is a visually striking and unexpected sight.
🔵Hailing from a lush climate, I found myself utterly spellbound by the rugged majesty and stark beauty of this unique wadi setting.
🔵This breathtaking wadi vista was everything I could have imagined and more.
🔵In the embrace of Oman's arid heart, where golden canyons slice the sky, a secret unfolds: a jewel of water, vibrant and cool. This emerald pool, nestled deep within the Wadi Shab gorge, is a mirage made real, a testament to nature's quiet persistence.
🔵The crystal-clear liquid shimmers like polished serpentine, a striking counterpoint to the stark, sun-baked rock that surrounds it. It is a liquid soul, a haven of green life amidst a landscape of stone and sun, whispering tales of hidden springs and ancient trails. The smooth, wet pebbles at its shallow edge catch the light, drawing the eye into the deeper, inviting mystery where the towering cliffs meet the water's serene surface.
🔵The sheer novelty of this desert oasis left me completely awe-struck.
🔵The air hummed with Oman's arid heat as we followed the vast trail, a path worn by time and occasional floods.
🔵We were fortunate to have the best companion, Mr. Maher of Muscat during our Oman vacation. The rapport we built was instant and profound; by journey’s end, it felt as though we had known each other for years 😃.
🔵The crunch sound of dry earth on our feet continues as we were pushing past a cluster of date palms and scrubby green life.
🔵We eventually reached the main attraction: a large, permanent pool of emerald green water.
🔹According to Maher it is a permanent body of water that held water year-round.
🔹The constant water presence of emerald green pool is one the main features of the wadi that attracts tourists.
🔵Visitors hike through a series of natural, emerald-green or turquoise-blue pools, which are clear and inviting. The water remains year-round, which is not the case for all wadis, making it a reliable and picturesque swimming destination.
🔵What do the layers seen on the facade of this cliffs means or represent?
🔹The distinct layers visible on the cliffs of Wadi Ash Shab represent millions of years of geological history and sedimentation.
🔹The primary rock type is Eocene Seeb limestone, and the layering is a visual record of ancient marine environments.
🔵Here's what the layers mean:
📘Ancient Ocean Deposits: The limestone layers were formed from sediments deposited on a shallow, warm ocean floor between 34 and 55 million years ago during the Eocene epoch.
📘Rich Marine Life: These sediments were rich in marine life, including fossils of corals, clams, and sea slugs. The layers represent successive periods of accumulation of these organic and inorganic materials on the seabed.
📘Uplift and Erosion: Over millions of years, tectonic forces (the Arabian Plate being pushed northward) uplifted the seafloor high above current sea level, forming the Hajar Mountains and the towering cliffs seen today.
📘Canyon Formation: The wadi (valley) itself was subsequently carved by the action of water flowing down from the mountains year-round, eroding the rock and exposing the ancient, stratified layers that create the dramatic canyon walls.
📘The varying colors and thicknesses of the strata reflect different conditions during deposition, such as changes in water depth, sediment input, and climate over geological time scales.
🔵The dry, sun-baked rock contrasts sharply with the inviting, crystal-clear turquoise and emerald pools of water below. The air temperature can be very warm, especially in the sun, making the occasional cool breeze and the eventual swim a highly refreshing reward.
🔹The hike builds anticipation, as the path eventually leads to a series of pools and a narrow passage that must be swum through to reach a hidden cave and waterfall. This "secret" final destination makes the entire journey feel worthwhile and magical.
🔵We didn't swim; we just took videos and pictures 😄.
🔹The wadi (valley) is nestled between high, arid, and rust-colored canyon walls made of limestone, which have been carved by water over millions of years.
🔹A series of crystal-clear, emerald-green or turquoise pools of fresh water are present throughout the canyon, offering a striking visual contrast to the surrounding dry, rocky terrain.
🔹The landscape includes a hiking trail that follows the water's course, with sections of rocky terrain and pathways that require navigating streams and boulders.
🔵I wondered, archaeologically, were there ever any settlements in Wadi Shab especially near the pools?
🔹Yes, archaeological evidence confirms there were ancient settlements in the broader Wadi Shab area, specifically near a permanent source of freshwater, with some remains found close to where the wadi meets the sea.
🔵Key Archaeological Findings:
📘Prehistoric Occupation: A significant archaeological site, designated Wadi Shab-GAS1, shows evidence of occupation dating back to the Neolithic period (4th and 3rd millennium BC).
📘Location and Resources: The settlement was strategically located in a rich environmental niche, on a cliff facing the sea and importantly, near a permanent source of freshwater. The abundance of water was a crucial factor for sustained human presence in the otherwise arid environment.
📘Structures: Excavations have uncovered well-preserved stone structures, including circular huts and fireplaces, indicating a settled community.
📘Lifestyle: The inhabitants were likely a population of fishers, as indicated by findings of shell hooks, net-sinkers, and prominent fish remains in faunal deposits. They also engaged in local craftsmanship, such as making softstone jewelry (earrings and beads).
📘Burials: A small group of burials and a cemetery were also discovered at the site, providing insights into the funerary practices of these ancient people.
📘Later Periods: The area has seen continuous significance; there is also evidence of later occupation, including Islamic-era structures near the surface of the archaeological site.
🔵While the exact location of the Neolithic site is closer to the coast at the mouth of the wadi, the presence of permanent freshwater sources (like the pools further upstream) were undoubtedly key to sustaining human life and activity throughout the valley for millennia. The traditional villages and terraced plantations still present today further highlight the historical importance of the wadi's water resources.
🔵Nestled between the sheer rock faces was a pool of liquid jade. Not the brown, dusty water of the desert, but an impossible, crystal-clear emerald pool that seemed to drink the light and hold it in its depths. The bottom was a mosaic of smooth, wet pebbles, each one gleaming under the sun. It was a mirage made real, a haven of green life in a land of stone.
Amidst the canyons deep, where sun and rock collide,
A liquid emerald flows, where secrets softly hide.
The towering walls of gold embrace the cool, clear stream,
A haven of green life, a desert-dweller's dream.
Here, travelers find solace, in waters turquoise bright,
A stunning, silent pool bathed in the Omani light.
From pebbled shores they dive, beneath the endless sky,
Where ancient stone meets water, and weary spirits fly.
🔵Taking a short rest after walking for about 30-40 minutes from the time we got off the boat. We could feel the fatigue because the path we walked through was unpaved, including passing through areas along the riverbank slope with large rocks.
🔵Alhamdulillah, we went to Oman at the right and suitable time/season, which was winter with a comfortable temperature.
🔵But we didn't get exhausted because Maher (our tour guide) took us through the wadi trail at a relaxed pace.
🔵The journey to this pool itself is an integral part of the experience, requiring a short boat ride, a moderate hike over rocky terrain, and swimming through several pools to reach the final cave. This combination of activities provides a unique sense of adventure and exploration that engages visitors physically and rewards them with spectacular views.
🔵The specific combination of a dramatic canyon landscape, perennial clear water, an adventurous route, and a secret waterfall cave sets Wadi Shab apart as a truly exceptional and unforgettable natural wonder in Oman.
🔵Seterusnya kami berjalan semula ke jeti boat.
🔵I was absolutely in awe just by looking these yellow-brown limestone cliffs that were originally carbonate sediments deposited in shallow, warm ocean waters between 55 to 34 million years ago, a time when the region was beneath the sea.
🔵Imagining how this primary mountains in the region of Oman, the Al Hajar Mountains, were formed by the collision of the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
🔵This massive mountain-building event raised ancient seafloor sediments, including Late Cretaceous through Paleogene marine limestones, high above current sea levels, forming towering cliffs that now enclose the wadi.
🔵It was astonishing to think that over millions of years, year-round flowing water from the mountains has carved a spectacular gorge through these resistant limestone rock layers, creating the dramatic canyon walls and intricate rock formations seen today.
🔵Jom kita naik bot menyeberang sungai ini untuk ke tempat parking.
🔵Bergambar bersama pemandu bot.
To be continued.
Till the next coming entry, inshaAllah. Meanwhile do take care.
No photograph or videos may be reproduced, downloaded, copied, stored, manipulated, or used whole or in part of a derivative work, without written permission from Syed Amran. All rights reserved.
