Travelling Through Oman
MUSCAT:
Tip 1 – Don’t forget to barter at the Souq!
Tip 2 - I recommend visiting the Bait Al Zubair Museum upon arrival in Muscat so you have a better underestanding fo the country you are visiting.
ACCOMMODATION:
There is a range of accommodation in Muscat. I stayed at the luxurious Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa which is a three-hotel resort exclusively located on the bay at Barr Al Jissah (20 minutes’ drive from town) The large property is nestled against a dramatic backdrop of rugged mountains and the spectacular waters of the Gulf of Oman.
Tip 1 - Enjoy freshly-prepared Omani seafood right by the beach at Bait Al Bahr restaurant, the resort’s ideal spot to catch the setting rays of the sun over the tranquil Gulf of Oman.
Tip 2 - Wake early (before the heat of the day) and wander along the resorts beach, a gorgeous start to one’s day!
For a hotel located in Muscat city I recommend the Grand Hyatt Muscat. This property overlooks the Arabian sea and is close to a major shopping centre.
Tip 1 - Enjoy a pre-dinner drink/dine at the hotels “Safari Rooftop Grill House” which is Muscat’s premier al fresco venue. The view over the city & sea is stunning!
WADI'S:
Tip 1 – When visiting a Wadi make sure you wear your swimmers under your clothes. When visiting Wadi Shab make sure you have suitable footwear, take a hat & plenty of water. The hike into and out of the Wadi is exhausting in the heat… even for fit bodies!
STAYING IN THE DESERT:
Tip 1 – Don’t leave an opened bag near the window or it will be filled with sand in the morning!
Tip 2 – Make sure you view the night stars!
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
November to mid-March, (to avoid the monsoon) Daytime temperatures average 25°C. For the rest of the year, much of Oman is oppressively hot and hazy, particularly between May and August. It was getting rather hot during the day (over 36c) when I visited in late March.
TOP THINGS TO DO IN OMAN:
- Visit a Wadi and in particular, walk in wonder though Wadi Bani Khali.
- Explore the copper-coloured dunes of the Wahiba Sands by camel or 4WD
- Overnight in a desert camp.
- Try a traditional “Shisha” pipe (which can prove interesting even for non-smokers! Green apple flavour is the best!)
- Explore the old town of Nizwa.
- Eat - Harees – steamed wheat, boiled meat, lime chilli, onions and garnished with maowaal (dried shark) & shuwa (marinated meat cooked in an earth oven) and chocolate made from camels milk!
- Drink - Camel’s milk and try a local coffee (Beware, it’s strong!)
- In a word - Tasharrafna (Nice to meet you).
- Random fact - The coastal town of Sohar will forever be remembered as the starting point for Sinbad’s epic journeys!
OMAN OVERVIEW:
- Small pretty villages were embedded in the mountains/countryside throughout Oman.
- Numerous small forts dot the landscape.
- When driving watch out for wild camels in the countryside, they are a common sight to see.
- Most roads outside the capital area have low volumes of traffic
- Keep in mind when visiting any Mosque it is a custom for women to wear clothes that cover their heads, (no hair to be seen) arms & legs. Even the men are preferred to be in long trousers and shirt. I kept this in mind at all times whilst in Oman and kept my arms and legs covered in light-coloured cotton clothing. A head clothe for the desert is handy too for when the wind picks up!
- I felt safe at all times in Oman considering my location in the world. Many people have the concept that any area in or near the Middle East is dangerous. I felt safer in Oman than in Brisbane!
- If time permits I highly recommend travelling out of the city of Muscat and into the stunning countryside. Refer to my Oman travel diary.
Did I mention how stunningly beautiful Oman is (city/country) in both day and night?