Detour back inland towards the mountains – the coastal road is too hectic for me. Stop for lunch in Hazm, where the local castle is closed because of restoration work inside, but the beautifully carved wooden entrance doors make it worthwhile the small detour.

Once the midday heat has abated, I continue to nearby Wadi Al Hoqain and the adjacent village with the same name. Beautiful date plantations, wadi and falaj. Get invited by local Salem to sleep inside.