An ArcticTropic friend, Siham Sharples, who lives in Dubai, recently travelled by auto with her family to nearby Musandam, Oman. Musandam is at the northern tip of the country,where the Straits of Hormuz join the Persian Gulf.

Fortress towns dot the countryside.

The Khasab Castle is built upon an old Portuguese fortress from the 1700s.

Coastal highways afford beautiful views. At this time of year the weather is dry and mild, about 22C ( 73 F), while in the summer it is ferociously hot, up to 50C ( 122 F ).

Beautiful old fishing boats,known as Dhows, ply the waters of the Straits between Oman and Iran.

Snorkeling and diving look like excellent possibilities.

The Mid Day Prayer Call at Şehzade Mosque summons the faithful.

The Blue Mosque – one of the biggest and most important in the world.

Relaxing in the Mosque. Many Saudis visit Istanbul for vacation.

Prayer Times. They change daily according to sunrise and sunset.

In the Grand Bazaar.

Many items unavailable elsewhere.

Fresh from the Caspian of Northern Iran.

ArcticTropic slipped into a Time Warp while wandering the back halls of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar last Saturday, transponding from 2012 into1932.

Another traveling ArcticTropic friend, Bill Tubbs, of Bay Head NJ is currently in Morocco. He has taken some great pictures and we’re posting a few of them here. Above are the Medina walls in Essaouira. Essaouira is a fishing port few hundred klicks west of Marrakesh,where the desert meets the cold Atlantic Ocean. In summer it’s a great place to take a break from the 115 degree heat inland. Often the temperature doesn’t go above 70 !

Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah,Ouarzazate.

Driving up the Atlas Mountains.

In the Sahara near the Algerian Border

The Middle East meets the Mediterranean providing a great adventure mix – skiing in Baalbek, sailing and surfing in Beirut – often on the same day. Even during wartime outbreaks, most of the country is relatively peaceful.

ArcticTropic currently has three locations in Lebanon – with room for many more! Go HERE to visit the sites directly.