Going to Oman (North and South)

[YarisSi]

As it says above I'm going to Mascat and Salalah from early December over Christmas. My parents have been before mainly to the Mascat area. They've done driving on dunes and stuff.

Anyone have any suggestions of good things to see and buy and experience? Apparently were going to remote parts of the south so I don't think traveling to places is an issue.

Thanks

[TimW]

My dad has been to oman about 3times in last 2months..he came back on tuesday actually. he may recommend stuff but he has gone on business..

>> Edited by TimW on Friday 28th October 10:21

[r988]

Is that where they kidnap tourists to extort money from the government? or am I thinking of Yemen?

[CupraR]

Just don't mention the war.

[puggit]

There's a chap on the S2000 forum (www.s2ki.com) who lives in Dubai. He sometimes takes the coast road from the UAE/Oman border in to Oman along the coast for a blatt.

The pics are awesome

[YarisSi]

What war?

Actually my cousin has just got back from one of the palaces.

[bga]

I used to live in Salalah & still visit occcasionally so here's my 2 panneth

North:

Outside of Muscat some places worth visiting. Favourites of mine are Nizwa - Cool fort & traditional town setup with mud huts, falajes (very small water courses for irrigation) and a fair bit of vegetation.
Sur is quite a well known town where they still build dhows & have more forts. Ras al Hadd is nearby with good beaches & IIRC you get turtles there occasionally.
Further North is Sohar where Sinbad (the sailor, not brookie character ) apparently lived.
Mutrah/Matrah is also nearby & has a great souq

South:

The Dhofar region is where I spent most of my time. The main features in this area are the beaches, the Mirbat plain & the mountains. X-mas is a good time to go as it's past the monsoon & the area is still greenish

THe best beach by far is Mughsail. It's a really long beach with some great waves & a load of blowholes at one end. These are pretty spectacular when there is a swell.

Out past Mughsail & Raysut and towards Yemen there is spectacular scenery thanks to the mountains. By the Yemen border there are loads of dugouts left over from the Oman/Yemen hostilities. Look around & you can find live ammo & shell cases etc. Be careful as they have been know to explode when handled & cause a bit of damage! It also pays to be careful in this area. The Yemeni's are a bunch of mad mullahs & a few years ago used to fire a coupel of warning shots with their ancient martini-henry rifles. On the Oman side the people are lovely. Chances are, they will ask you for baksheesh (small bit of money - almost like "luck money" at some point. If you do talk to Omani's outside of the cities, you will get a much better response if you take any sunglasses off. Also don't be worried of they offer to swap camels & goats for any females in the party

Back to stuff to see, IIRC Jobs tomb is in the mountains towards the Yemen if you are into historical stuff. Somewhere in the region are the ruins of what is reputed to be the Queen of Sheba's palace. In fact there a few ruins based around what was the trade in Frankinsence (the trees are still around & are bled for the resin).

The most spectacular view in the area is from the edge of jebel Samhan. If my failing memory serves me right you can look over the Mirbat plain & see the whole area - just don't look straight down.

I think that's it. Oman is a fantastic country & I enjoyed living there more than any of the other Arabic states I visited/lived in. I'm sure you will have a great time. It's pretty safe (most of the crime is carried out by imported workers) and people are generally very friendly.

Cheers

bga

[YarisSi]

Thats fantastic thanks for such a great response and it is the stuff my family are into.
I don't think they would want to swap camels for my mum (do they like little girls because my brother looks like one) but I would definately do it for 2. I've heard there quite expensive, camels not mums.

>> Edited by YarisSi on Friday 28th October 11:37

[bga]

YarisSi said:

Thats fantastic thanks for such a great response and it is the stuff my family are into. I don't think they would want to swap camels for my mum (do they like little girls because my brother looks like one) but I would definately do it for 2. I've heard there quite expensive, camels not mums. >> Edited by YarisSi on Friday 28th October 11:37

Camels are very expensive if you run them over, less so to buy (unless its a racing camel - seriously).

I'm afraid your brother may not be great currency, although if he has blonde hair & fair skin, may generate a bit of curiosity in the more remote places. You could always try bargaining & see what happens

[sadako]

Great place. I saw the turtles at Ras-al-had twice now and ended up rescuing them twice. The first time we found fishing nets on the beach with a load of baby turtles trapped inside, we freed them and took them to the water. We managed to save all but two. The second time one of the adults became stuck in another turtle hole after laying herown and trying to return to the water. It took six of us to lift it and get it back to the flat sand so it could continue into the water. Turtles are really heavy!

I think i'll always have those memories with me. Just remember desert sensibility. Always have water, Shake your shoes before you put them on to make sure scorpions and spiders havnt crawled in there.

Find a fishmarket and try the fresh shark, its amasing. The baracuda is also really tasty.

[andy mac]

I've stayed in a hotel right on the border with Oman. The Hatta fort Hotel. Stunning food, stunning views, and stunning hotel! Lovely, and relaxing Of course this is really in no way related to you visiting Oman, so I shall quietly exit stage left....

[bigtone]

YarisSi said:

What war?

www.britains-smallwars.com/Desert_song/index.htm

My dad saw action there, but the whole thing wasn't nearly as broadcast as other smaller conflicts

[bga]

bigtone said:

YarisSi said: What war? www.britains-smallwars.com/Desert_ My dad saw action there, but the whole thing wasn't nearly as broadcast as other smaller conflicts

There were still UK guys (hereford lads?? - I knew they operated there in the 70s) there in the late 80's training Omani troops & keeping an eye on things.

[bigtone]

bga said:

There were still UK guys (hereford lads?? - I knew they operated there in the 70s) there in the late 80's training Omani troops & keeping an eye on things.

Thats it, Mirbat and all. Wouldn't be surprised if they still operated over there now, in smaller numbers for the sultanate, plus ideal terrain for training etc