Nizwa and Al-Dakhiliyah region

We found a 4WD and a driver, Said, and headed south from Muscat. We visited:
-small villages with mud-brick houses and little farms with fruit trees, including refreshing "falaj", the traditional irrigation channels
-a well-renovated 17th century castle called Jabrin
-towns with old city walls like Bahla
-up from the tallest mountain called Jebel Shams we spotted the "Grand Canyon" of Oman, and
-Nizwa's souq, fort and mosque.
Despite the always present haze and the oppressive heat (40+ degrees C), we enjoyed the picturesque landscapes. A car with a/c helps a lot.
Mercedes