Roses and Queen Elizabeth’s birthday

This time of year is peak season for the Damask rose harvest in Jabal Akhdar.

Jabal Akhdar Roses
Jabal Akhdar Roses

The petals are collected as the material for the region’s well known Rose Water, which surprisingly isn’t the floral aroma  so well known from Bulgaria but a smoky, ashy wood smoke that would do credit to one of the more earthy men’s fragrances.

Queens Birthday Music
Queens Birthday Music

A visit up to the heights is made more appealing by the 10c drop in temperature, a nice change as the summer heat of Muscat increases.
Later in a warm and humid Muscat, I enjoyed the reception celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s birthday at the British Ambassadors,  Dr Noel Guckian, residence in Muscat. We were entertained by the Royal Air Force of Oman band and the Muscat Singers.

Author: Tony Walsh

Tony Walsh - author and tour leader through Arabia