The crew of amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) departed Muscat, Oman, Jan. 12, after a four-day port visit.

The liberty visit gave Sailors and Marines a chance to relax and experience the rich heritage of Oman.

While in port, Sailors and Marines took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the sights of Oman by taking part in various Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) sponsored events and explore the local culture.

MWR activities included a Muscat City tour, a tour of Nizwa, Bahla and Jabrin Forts, exploring multiple wadis, snorkeling, hiking, fishing, and day trips to Wahiba Sands, Wadi Bani Khalid and Jebel Shams.

Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Joseph Lee said this was his first trip to Oman and that he took part in the Wadi Shab Coastal Trek.

In Oman, a wadi is a bed or valley of water and Wadi Shab is one of the more scenic wadis in the area, boasting a famous keyhole in which people travel from all over the world to swim through.

"I didn't know what to expect, but it was nice," said Lee. "I got a lot of exercise and the keyhole was amazing. It's definitely something I will remember."

Lee said that he felt privileged to have had the experience of traveling to Oman and seeing the country through the MWR tours.

"Walking through all those rocks and pebbles barefoot was painful," Lee said with a laugh, "but when I finally made it to the keyhole and jumped into that water, it was worth it. It's like a secret spot that nobody knows about."

Whether out on an MWR excursion or shopping at the souks, Sailors and Marines interacted with the Omani locals and learned more about the region's culture and rich history.

"The people of Oman were very friendly who shared stories and facts about their culture with us," said Machinist's Mate 1st Class Carolina Hummel. "This is why Oman was a great liberty port."

Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG) and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

For more news from Expeditionary Strike Group 2, visit www.navy.mil/local/esg2/

For more news from USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), visit www.navy.mil/.