Oman & Emirates

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (Muscat, Oman 2017)

Day two in Oman had us beat the crowds to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat, having it virtually for ourselves. It's one of the most beautiful and extravagant modern mosques in the world. The mosque first opened in 2001 and took six years to build. It features an amazing blend of Islamic, Middle Eastern, and Omani architectural styles, and also hosts one of the world’s largest handmade Persian rugs and one of the world’s biggest chandeliers, with 600,000 shining bright Swarovski crystals and weighing some 8,5 tons! Photo made during #NGExpeditions trip to #Oman, traveling the sands of time.

Misfat Al Abriyeen (Al Dhakhiyla, Oman 2017)

Misfat Al Abriyeen is a unique mud brick mountainous village located 1,000 m above sea level on the mountain foothills surrounding wilayat Al Hamra. The village boasts amazing agricultural terraces, beautiful alleys, and old houses built on top of solid rocks, surely as means of providing security during the olden times. Photo made during #NGExpeditions trip to #Oman, traveling the sands of time.

Muttrah Fish Souq (Muscat, Oman 2017)

Last day in Muscat. Before leaving the country's capital, we stopped at the Muttrah Fish Souq close to the fishing port. As I wandered around, a local pointed me to the pier, where the wish was usually offloaded from the small boats. Sure enough, I came across this group of fisherman who was removing today's catches from the net. It was a moment I would most definitely have missed had I not decided to check out the backstage of the Muttrah Fish Souq. Photo made during #NGExpeditions trip to #Oman, traveling the sands of time.

Jabreen Castle (Bahla, Sultanate of Oman 2017)

Built in the late 17th century, Jabreen Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Oman. What makes this castle so unique is that it was built during a time of peace, constructed as a palace by a ruler who was passionate about science and art and that made it the most beautiful historic castle found in the Sultanate. The castle is three stories tall, features two towers, numerous receptions halls, dining areas, meeting rooms, a courtroom, a library, and classrooms. The interior design of the castle features decorated windows, wooden balconies, arches with inscribed Arabic calligraphy, and breathtaking ceiling artwork. I made this portrait at the entrance of the main hall, leading to the interior courtyard. Photo made during a #NGExpeditions trip to #Oman, traveling the sands of time.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 2017)

This architectural work of art is one the world’s largest mosques, with a capacity for an astonishing 40,000 worshippers. It features 82 domes, over 1,000 columns, 24 karat gold gilded chandeliers and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet. The main prayer hall is dominated by one of the world’s largest chandeliers –10 meters in diameter, 15 meters in height and weighing twelve tons. The mosque's first ceremony was the funeral of its namesake, Sheikh Zayed, who is buried at the site. Photographing the place is not easy. Getting there early and beating the crowds is the only way. I shot this super wide in order to give a sense of place (16mm + Circular Polarizing filter).

Beauty knows no border (Arabaian Desert, UAE 2017)

Amazing morning in the desert, right before leaving the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. I shot this portrait of beautiful Ayesha as the sun slowly rose above the sand dunes. She reminds me that beauty knows no border nor religion. I hope her generation will keep having the opportunities they deserve to thrive no matter where they live, whatever religion they may believe in or the color of their skin. Photo made during a #NGExpeditions trip to #UAE, traveling the sands of time.

Muttrah Fish Souq (Muscat, Sultanate of Oman 2017)

One more from the Muttrah Fish Souq. As I wandered around the market, I looked for creative ways to compose my visual story, describing the sense of place, the chaos, the coming and going of people and fish which has been going on for thousands of years in this trading port. Photo made during a #NGExpeditions trip to #Oman, traveling the sands of time.

Wadi Aday (Muscat, Sultanate of Oman 2017)

Tucked away between the mountains outside Muscat, Wadi Aday is the largest dry riverbed in the area. I captured this posed portrait of Zahra in an abandoned house, alongside the wadi. I wonder how much daily life has changed since the original owners used to live between these mud brick walls. Photo made during a #NGExpeditions trip to #Oman, traveling the sands of time.

Discovering Jabreen Castle (Bahla, Sultanate of Oman 2017)

As I explored the interiors of Jabreen Castle, this door leading to one of the palace courtyards really caught my attention, inviting the warm outside light to penetrate inside the cool interior of the halls, full of shadows. Built in the late 17th century, Jabreen Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Oman. What makes this castle so unique is that it was built during a time of peace, constructed as a palace by a ruler who was passionate about science and art and that made it the most beautiful historic castle found in the Sultanate. The castle is three stories tall, features two towers, numerous receptions halls, dining areas, meeting rooms, a courtroom, a library, and classrooms. The interior design of the castle features decorated windows, wooden balconies, arches with inscribed Arabic calligraphy, and breathtaking ceiling artwork. Photo made during a #NGExpeditions trip to #Oman, traveling the sands of time.

The Bronze Age Tombs of Al-Ayn (Ad Dhahirah, Sultanate of Oman 2017)

Lined up dramatically atop a rocky ridge, the beehive tombs of Al-Ayn are one of Oman’s most celebrated prehistoric sites, representing one of the most complete and well-preserved ensembles of necropolises from the 3rd millennium BC worldwide. Little is known about these stone structures or the culture that constructed them. The archeologists have concluded they formed a necropolis, even though not a single human or animal bone has been recovered from the monuments. Behind the beehive structures of Al-Ayn, stands the impressive backdrop of the Jabal-al-Misht (‘Comb Mountain’). This panoramic composite of 7 vertical photos helps you appreciate the sense of place this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo made during a #NGExpeditions trip to #Oman, traveling the sands of time.

Al Ain Palace (Al Ain, UAE)

Known as the Al Ain Palace Museum, the former home of the late UAE founder, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Palace was once a political and social hub. Built in 1937 and then renovated in 1998, the building finally became a museum in 2001 and now houses a large collection of material about the ruling family. Photo made during a #NGExpeditions trip to #UAE, traveling the sands of time.