Evidence of Arab progress seen..... Arab sails around the world..... possibly reaches 8th century!!!
Posted on 03/31/2009 3:21:16 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Reigniting international interest in Oman’s long maritime heritage and emulating the fabled feats of one of the country’s most renowned mariners, the legendary Sinbad, an Omani sailor has become the first Arab ever to sail non-stop around the world.
Sailing as a crewman onboard the 75-foot trimaran 'Musandam', 33-year-old Mohsin Al Busaidi was welcomed home by thousands of his countrymen waiting dockside when his yacht anchored in the historic trading port of Muscat on Friday for the first time in 76 days.
Setting out on 08 January, Al Busaidi sailed over 24,000 nautical miles crossing the Southern Ocean and passing the legendary Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.
During the epic voyage 33-year-old Al Busaidi, who was accompanied by two Englishmen and two Frenchman, endured huge seas, storms, freezing conditions, a diet of dried food and, unless it rained, no showers.
The round-world sail was part of a wider project to help reignite Oman's maritime heritage, inspire local youngsters to take up sailing and showcase the country as a cruise destination to an international market.
Sultanate of Oman Tourism Director Australia & New Zealand, Mona Tannous said the event, initially conceptualised by the Oman Ministry of Tourism, had played a major role in displaying Oman’s proud maritime history to a watching world.
“This increase in awareness has also proven a catalyst for an increase in activity for the local cruise industry with several of the more established operators seizing on the opportunity to roll out a new range of adventure and short cruise programs in local waters,” she said.
These range from sailing on traditional ‘dhows’ to luxury boutique launches and yachts.
One of the most popular cruise destinations, she said, is the Musandam Peninsula, the name bestowed upon Al Busaidi’s trimaran.
Musandam, famed for its carved limestone fjords, wadis and empty beaches, has for many years proven a popular destination for adventure-minded travellers looking to combine a visit to historical Muscat with a cruise to the region.
Evidence of Arab progress seen..... Arab sails around the world..... possibly reaches 8th century!!!
If it sounds too good to be true it probably is...
Sorry dude, but the vikings beat you by how many centuries?
Ibn Battuta travelled the entire Islamic world centuries ago but he wasn’t an Arab, he was a Berber.
It only took the A-rabs 4,000 years to sail the world, but then again it’s not like a majority of ethnic groups can say they have someone who’s done the same.
lol
The arabs are ‘catching up’....
A flying carpet would have been better.
As long as it wasn’t made by Airbus.
Call me Ishmael...
I’m just glad there weren’t any skyscrapers for him to crash into.
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