A fortunate set of circumstances gave us the opportunity to take a few days away and explore the Musandam Peninsula. Sue had been given a day off in lieu after working one Friday and the Ministry of Education announced the dates for the Eid holiday in time for us to organise something.

The Musandam Peninsula is part of Oman on the northern tip of the Arabian Peninsula sticking out into the Gulf of Oman. The Straits of Hormuz separates Oman from Iran. Where we dived was only about 30 miles from Iran.

The northern most marker is where we went diving. Abu Rashid Island.

Spectacular underwater scenery – cliffs, caves, ledges and overhangs and corals together with crazy currents that at times were probably the fastest I have ever dived in but then suddenly stopped and left you drifting gently along.

The dive centre was in Khasab – zoom in on the map. We stayed at their villa which had date palms all around, complete with dates drying in the sun.