Nakhql Fort is a fortified spur of rock that watches over a wadi (seasonal river) in the Batinah region of Oman. It’s position controls the most important resource in the desert, water. The wadi is sustained by seasonal waters that flood the valley and through the use of sophisticated irrigation systems they have fed Arabia for thousands of years.
I visited this fort around three years ago and it was remarkably cool inside for a structure that sticks so prominently above the shaded canopy of the wadi valley. Amongst the vast fortified walls of the fort were intricate painted ceiling beams and antique musical instruments. We had the fort to ourselves and the whole time I imagined how insane one would have to be to attempt to take such a fortress.
There is something quite surreal to drive hours through baking wastelands and then enter a verdant sea of date palms as far as the eye can see. The pictures might not capture the high 40 degree Celsius weather, I think myself and my friend were the only living creatures foolish enough to brave the sun.