Falaj Archives - Tony Walsh توني والش

Salut Fort Bahla Oman Archaeological Site near Bisya is well worth visiting - if its made possible by the Oman government

Salut, Bahla Oman the archaeological site is some 26km southwest of Bahla in northern Oman. It may well turn out to be at the centre of the most important Oman archaeology site.

However, it’s hardly known and is, at the moment, not ‘open’ for casual visits. If entry is permitted I have included it in my updated Bradt Guide to Oman, below.

Salut, Bahla Oman Archaeological Site – scale see people on hill.

The site is at the flood plain formed by Continue reading “Salut Fort Bahla Oman Archaeological Site near Bisya is well worth visiting – if its made possible by the Oman government“

Aflaj and Leopards in Oman

The Royal Geographical Society held a couple of events mid-week; the Shackleton photography exhibition and talks about Leopards in Oman and the Sultanate’s Aflaj (the plural of Falaj) organised by Nigel Winser.

With a large crowd , including several Continue reading “Aflaj and Leopards in Oman”

Y Magazine of Oman does a double page about the book.

Y Magazine’ s Kate Ginn rang me last week regarding the book and after a chat asked for photos. I of course expected a short piece with a photo or two. So it was fantastic to open up Y Magazine this morning and see a double page spread about the book. You can read it here http://www.y-oman.com/2013/03/heritage-hunter/ (thanks Kate)

Y Magazine article about Walking Through History

Special Offer on Oman UNESCO Book ready to launch on February 14

Do you live in Oman? Would you like a great price on the book ‘Walking through History’? Its all about Oman’s 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Bat, Al Ayn and Al Kutm; Bahla; 5 Aflaj Systems and the Land of Frankincense.

Filled with unique colour images and well researched information – this is the first Coffee Table Book about Oman’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites .

If you want it as a gift or to enjoy yourself – Crème de la Crème magazine have decided to help support the book’s launch.

Pick up a copy of the new February issue of Crème de la Crème magazine. Then take the magazine into their office of the building on ’ al Elm Street‘ in Al Khuwair ‘(opposite the Platinum Hotel off Dohat al Adab Street ) – and you will get Rial Omani 5/- off a copy of the book – its already in the Al Roya warehouse for the launch on February 14^th.

Walking Through History – sample of printed book arrives – so the publication is on schedule

I dropped into Al Roya’s office and saw the ‘dummy’ of my book.

Front Cover Book Walking Through History

All the pages have Continue reading “Walking Through History – sample of printed book arrives – so the publication is on schedule”

Omans shimmering mountains

are searched for a falaj

Somewhere underground is water – but in a parched landscape with a shimmering heat haze – where?

Over the stony landscape we searched Continue reading “Omans shimmering mountains”

Oman’s water resources

An unbelievably small flow of water allows a village to survive up in Oman’s mountains

In the upper reaches of Oman’s Jebel Akhdar mountains I came across this tiny cascade of water. The groove running left to right is a small man made channel a few centimetres wide in which the trickle is collected in .

A small flow of water for agriculture in Oman

Then in a small fountain/waterfall (bottom right of the image) it drops into a collecting pool which feeds into a Falaj. For some 200 people in a small hamlet this is their agricultural water supply. Its drinking water is another similar sized source – topped up with occasional deliveries from the valley 1500ft below.