Page 116 - A Hand Book of Arabia Vol 2_Neat

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I

COMMUNICATIONS
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thither are detailed in the following chapter. Route No. 67, which
starts from Makalla, or alternatively from Shiheir, leads to Terlm
and Qabr Hud by way of Shibam and Seyyun. The road first
traverses the narrow coastal plain and, after ascending the plateau
by stages, reaches the heads of the group of tributary wadis, all of
which lead, after abrupt difficult descents, northward into the main
Hadhramaut Wadi. The route detailed here takes the course of
the Wadi el-!Aisar and the Wadi Dd’an (or Wadi Kesr). It is
possible for camel transport, but is difficult in places owing to the
nature of the abrupt ascents and descents encountered, which make
riding impossible.
Supplies. Water is brackish in the first stage, but elsewhere
generally good and plentiful, with the possible exception of some

parts of the third and fourth stages. Fodder is generally sufficient,
but the supply at the third and fourth stages cannot be depended
upon. General supplies are non-existent and, although livestock
is often plentiful in the interior regions through which the route
passes, the people are fanatical and refuse to sell to non-Moslems.

Route No. 68 is an alternative track from Shiheir to Shibam. It
is suited mainly for camel transport, but is difficult in places owing
to the hills ; horses can, however, be taken all along it.

Supplies. Water is obtainable at each stage, but the quantity
available at the second and fourth stages is doubtful. Fodder for
camels may be procured, except along the second and third stages.
General supplies are practically non-existent. Livestock is to be
' obtained except at the second and third stages, where it is only
ter be had if the Bedouin flocks happen to have found grazing.

Route No. 69, from Makalla to Lashkharah, which is the last
described in this section, is a connectipg-route between Hadhra­

maut and Oman, passing through Dhofar and along the south-east
coast of the Oman Sultanate. Its length is nearly a thousand
miles, it follows the coast-line, and passes through some extremelv
barren and desolate country, especially in its closing stages after
leaving the Dhofar plain. It presents no physical obstacles and is
not difficult for camel transport, while the first half from Makalla
to Murbat would be possible also for horses. The track runs on the
top of the cliffs or along the beach, sometimes making a detour
inland to avoid a patch of rough basalt or a stretch of soft sand
With the exception of the fertile plain of Dhofar the ^country
traversed is bleak anti barren ; towards its close the track winds
among low sand-hills. It rarely leaves the coast except where it