A quick trip to the Strait of Hormuz
The barren, yet intriguing landscape alongside the Strait of Hormuz. Photos: Brian Coogan
Financial columnist Brian Coogan writes about the impact of global events on New Zealand’s economic recovery. He also has personal experience with the current choke point for trade following a visit to the Strait of Hormuz. Here are his observations.
OPINION: On a visit to Dubai back in 2017, staying with in-laws working there, we ventured up through Ras Al Khaimah and into the Oman governorate of Musandam - that’s the pointy bit that juts out into the strait.
Getting through the border was an experience in itself with three checkpoint stops and you’re reminded that 30 miles across the sea is Iran, they are the enemy and they don’t play nice so [the Omani’s] are real careful who they let onto their side. A New Zealand passport is a good one to have.
So, we arrive at our hotel on the coast just outside the region’s main town of Khasab. Straight out from the hotel is the Strait of Hormuz, we’re just off the tip.
The first thing that strikes you are the huge mountains, completely baron, nothing grows there; too hot, too little rain, even grass is not a thing, no lawns, just dirt and rocks, even the soccer field is on rock. It’s like living in a quarry as you can see by the photo, even the trees along the roadside are imported and watered daily to survive.
The barren, yet intriguing landscape alongside the Strait of Hormuz. Photos: Brian Coogan
So, everything is imported. At the hotel there’s a selection of NZ wines, NZ beef and lamb on the menu and we take a day trip on a Dhow boat up through the fiords that are the very tip and there’s a fruit bowl on the table with Royal NZ Gala apples. Our produce is everywhere there.
On the way back a speed patrol boat sporting three machine guns cruises by giving us a wave, a reminder of the security issues in the region.
Out and about in the town of Khasab, the locals are very friendly, welcoming, enjoying life and love Kiwi’s.
Worth the visit [maybe just not right now].