23 October 2009
Batinah Coast (Sohar ,Barka)
Sohar lies about halfway between Muscat and Dubai, 200km north west of the capital. It was once the maritime capital of the country and an important distribution centre for the locally produced copper. Sohar is renowned for its fort with in-house museum, the lively Fish Souk and for being the birthplace of the legendary Sinbad the sailor.
Our first stop Sohar Fort Museum, but unfortunately it was closed for maintenance when we got there.
Market area-selling hay
The coast of Sohar, where Eewen saw a dolphin out in the sea when we were driving passed the coast.
Barka Castle is a major landmark on the Batinah Coast, located only a few hundred metres from the shore of the Gulf of Oman.
The Ostrich Breeding Farm in Barka is rather interesting. The farm started in 1993 when the eggs were imported from South Africa. They were the first ostriches to have hatched in Oman. An ostrich can produce 40 to 70 eggs and takes about 42 days to hatch.
The ostrich can grow between 2.1 and 2.5 in height and weighs between 110-130 kg in Oman. They live about 60-70 years, the oldest ostrich on record was 81 years of age.
The ostrich is a territorial animal and very inquisitive.
The male ostrich becomes very aggressive during the breeding season and carries a powerful kick, and we certainly can believe that as we actually witnessed this right in front of us!!!
An ostrich egg weighs between 1 kg to 1.6 kg depending on the age of the hen. They normally lay the eggs every second day for approximately 12-30 days followed by a spell of one to two weeks.
We had such jolly time seeing the camels in the farm too.
and Crocodiles too but they have certainly adapted the Omani way of life, naps in the hot afternoon, so please do not disturb.................
He.he don't wake me up, otherwise..........
