Job Discussion Forums

[TravellingT]

I will be arriving in Muscat toward the end of August and I am curious to know what sort of stuff the other expats do for fun, entertainment and/or exercise? Does anyone have a gym they would recommend? I know there is a men's rugby team but is there a women's team? What are some good bars to go to? Thanks.

[omanized]

Well ! What isn't there to do? A list of things I have done and / or want to do in Muscat and Oman....

jogging, with clubs or alone
swimming, pools or in the lovely ocean, fantastic long race from Fahal island to the PDO beach - beyond my ability

triathalons

road riding, club or alone - awesome out from Muscat through Bousher, past the airport and beyond

tennis - most hotels, some schools, many tournaments

ice hockey - yes! , many tournaments in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and the biggie in Dubai - 18-20 teams from the GCC and also Europe and the far east

softball - leagues, floodlit diamonds with a clubhouse and cold beers

gyms - many at the hotels or others

rugby - for women? I don't know

soccer / football

Irish football

quiz nights

drinking at many pubs and restaurants, also some entertaining and seedier 'speakeasys' with racy stage shows

camping, boating, kayaking, surfing, kite surfing, beach volleyball, 4X4 adventures , cave trips to massive caves, wadi trips and swimming, hiking, bird watching, fox spotting, dog walking, horse riding, beer drinking, shisha puffing, weight gaining, weight losing, sunset watching, sweetheart hugging, full moon gazing, govt. paperwork frustrating, patience maintaining, pleasant and friendly student teaching, lunch and dinner invites, Eid holiday family gatherings, shuwa ( underground roasted goat) eating, Dubai travelling, shopping, money spending, money saving, summer heat surviving, winter weather loving, walking in the rain, avoiding driving when it rains.......

I have done over 80 % of this and continue to do most things, the most recent unfortunately is the weight gaining ( damn summer heat ! ) oh, I forgot, excuse making for the weight gaining...

Oman is fantastic - many people come for a short time and stay for a long time - it is much easier to move from job to job now but hopefully you have a good one to keep for a few years - once you are here it will be easy to find these things to do - at the very least , just soak up the sun and marvel at the natural beauty that surrounds the city

omanized

[TravellingT]

Omanized - thanks for the reply. You've provided me with a lot of information. When you mention 'clubs' do you mean country clubs? That is what they have here in Egypt and it can be quite expensive to be a member for a year. Do they have gyms like Gold's? or any other big chains?

You mentioned Irish Football...(I think)...is it only for guys? or can girls play as well?

Thanks again for your help

[veiledsentiments]

I can tell you that the Clubs are very different from those in Cairo - where they are often rather snobbish affairs. I didn't know anyone who joined a club in Oman. I'll let Omanized tell you more of the activities question, as I am not sports or bar oriented. One thing not mentioned was that there is a branch of the Hash... it is beautiful country for their runs, if you are into their silliness.

BTW... Be ready for real culture shock coming from Cairo. You will be going from the noisiest, dirtiest, most chaotic part of the Middle East... to the most quiet, pristine corner. Whereas Cairenes are loud and brash and always ready to debate all and sundry at the top of their voice... the Omanis are soft-spoken, polite, and respectful. These are my two favorite places in the whole world.

VS

[TravellingT]

Yes I do expect to have a bit of a culture shock but it is also one of the reasons why I have chosen to spend a year in Oman. I hear nothing but great things about the country and the people and am really looking forward to exploring it further.

As for the clubs in Cairo - you're on the mark that it is more of a 'meet and greet' rather than a chance to be athletic (except for the kids who run wild).

Cairo is a great city though...

I'd be interested in learning more about the HASH - you have any contact numbers? I have friends who do it and have a great time. I'm open for meeting people any way I can.

[stoth1972]

http://www.muscat-hash.org/

If it's like the hash in other cities, run/walk and booze go hand in hand!

[TravellingT]

Omanized - Is it expensive to rent a car? How easy is it to get around the country? How expensive is it to travel in-country? Is it expensive to fly to the surrounding countries? Thanks.

[omanized]

It's about 140-160 rials to rent a car for a month - a liitle Toyata Echo or something. It is very easy to get around as most roads are paved - even some leading to remote areas like some coastal beaches.

The only expense to travel in country is fuel and that is cheap. A bus to salalah is less than 10 rial I think, ditto for a bus to Dubai.

Flights can be cheap to surrounding countries - depending on the airline and the schedule you are willing to deal with.

omzd

[TravellingT]

Just out of curiosity Omanized - how long have you been in Oman? You appear to be a wealth of information...

As for the bus - how long are the bus rides? would it make sense to rent a car during my stay? Will I have to get an Omani License? or will my international license be sufficient for the duration of my stay?

How's the public transportation? easy? not worth the bother?

How spread out is Muscat?

[veiledsentiments]

TravelingT,

You didn't mention how long you are staying. Muscat is really a string of neighborhoods running for miles and miles. It is like living in an outer suburb - you seem to always want to go two suburbs over. A car is crucial if you plan to be there for long. Local buses are rare and I honestly never met anyone who had used them in my years of living there. There are plenty of taxis, but that gets pricey.

An international license is only good for very short term - a car rental place would know the answer to that one. Changing your US or European license is relatively easy, but you need a proper letter from an employer. No test involved... just an hour or two at the Motor Vehicle office. (other nationalities have to take lessons and the test)

If you will be there less than a year, I would rent a car. If you are thinking 2+ years, I would buy a car.

VS

[TravellingT]

Thank VS - I will actually only be in Oman for a year. You mentioned that public transport is either pricey (taxi's) or hard to come by (buses) therefore I will probably look into renting a car while I am there in order to make the most of my year.

[TravellingT]

VS (I nearly forgot) - is it required under Omani law that all employers give employees a transportation allowance?

Thanks

[veiledsentiments]

I believe so because it seems to always be there. Not that it will help out much with car rental costs. But, it will be worth the investment to have the freedom to explore.

(be sure that your home driving license has a few years to run... they won't accept it if you only have around a year on it.)

VS

[bridget824]

Hi TravellingT,

I'm moving to Muscat in early August and I already shipped over flags for flag football. I played on a co-ed team here in the states and absolutely LOVE it - though I'm not very good. But I was hoping to meet some girls and guys that would want to play. If they don't have women's rugby, would you consider flag football?

Bridget

[TravellingT]

Hi Bridget!

I've only ever played flag football in gym class in elementary school but I am sure I could be talked into trying it. Anythign to meet people and have fun.

What school/college will you be working at?

T