Job Discussion Forums

saren · Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 70

I am an English teacher in the Middle east planning a travel route, (which places to include, exclude) in Oman for a 3-4 week trip in Jan/Feb. I am looking for the "The Best of Oman"

CRITERIA for LIST:
1) memorable/dramatic scenery, landscape photography, or specifically where to find the best (viewpoints, vistas, city views, natural views, panoramas, skylines, sunsets, etc..)? Also looking for the unique outdoors, hikes/hilltops/lookouts, and other amazing, breathtaking views?
2) lovely/charming streets, cute villages, hidden nooks/places, and magnificent/attractive architecture?
3) authentic/unforgettable "local" travel experiences or non-typical, interesting/special experiences (full of original character), and unique only to the local area.
4) specialty/unique regional cuisine/gastronomy

Thanks for your additions

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-Muscat, Trekkingoman dot com has some great hiking ideas, Old Muscat town, what's there really?, take drives to other parts of Muscat for viewpoints over the mountains, Shatti al qurm walk on the beach, Al Bustan viewpoint at hotel, Muttrah souk, Al Ghubrah mosque, Sultan Qaboos mosque, Hikman dunes, but where are they? Wadi Al Kabir viewpoint, Muscat festival website is still down, what can I expect in 2009?

-Just outside Muscat, Nakhal, Rustaq towns
-Nizwah, fort, Bahla, early morning friday goat market, Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn sites, Ibri town, Hajar-Al Gharbi mountain range, Al-hamara town, Misfat town, El Ibriyyeen? What is it?, Jebel Akhdar mountain, Jebel Shaam mountain,

then south to Ibra, Wadi Bani Khalid, Sharqia/Wahabia sands, how do I try sandboarding? I would also like to rent a car, but I have limited funds. I have friends in Oman who can do the driving/guiding for free, but I need to rent the car/insurance? What kind of deal can I get for 2-3 days?

-Sur (south of Muscat on the coast), Majlis Al Jinn/Kehf Salma cave, Qalhat town, Tiwi town, Hajar-Al Sharqi mountain range, Sharqia sands

What is Sawadi, near Suhar?

-Near Yemeni border, Salahah, Frankinsense trial, Al-balid, Shisr, Khor Rori,

Omani Food: Mashuai, Maqbous, Rukhal w/honey, Laban, Yogurt pistachio drink, Halwa, Lokhemat

Which prepay provider is better? Nawras, or Omanmobile? I only need an Omani number (to contact my Omani friends in Oman by SMS), no roaming or International calls, just cheap SMS is sufficient. After 4 weeks in Oman, I am going to UAE for 3 weeks, it would be good to know which provider has bettern international SMS rates in case I have Omani credit leftover after my trip in Oman is done.

bomzis1 · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 29

There is a serious of marked hikes in Oman. You can get a copy of the maps at the English bookstore in Qurm- if I remember correctly it's "The Family Bookstore"??

I walked parts of two of these hikes- The hike that starts at Wadi Ghul in a desrted village and is follows the Wadi, the biggest gorge in Arabia. It's brilliant- even though I didn't get that far I really enjoyed exploring the abandoned village and the view was impressive.

Also, I walked for a few hours up the walk that goes from Wadi Bani Khaled to Wadi Tiwi. It had nice views. It's an overnight hike- probably could do three days to really enjoy it. My mate walked it but because it was in April it was pretty hot so he ran out of water and the trail markers were hard to follow. He ended up arriving at Wadi Tiwi at midnight on the second day.

Must- sees are Ras al-Jinz for the turtles (and beach) and Wadi Shab for the hidden waterfall in a cave. If you go to Wadi Shab during a weekday chances are that you'll have it to yourself. I think this was the most amazing place I saw in Oman. The dunes of the empty quarter / Wahiba Sands were great. We just drove up to the base of some of the dunes next to the road and hiked up barefoot for a few hours. We left pre-dawn so the sand was cool and when it strated getting hot ran back down the dunes.

saren · Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 70

Perfect, thank you!

But the turtles are probably during another season? I am going in February

carnac · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:47 pm Post subject: a good information source

Please see the website for the publication "oman 2day" at http://www.apexstuff.com/ot/200812/index.asp
and do some digging into past and current issues. Good possibilities for excursions are always available there. The editor is an avid explorer of off-the-track venues, and an ace photographer as well. Directions for travel include setting the odometer for accurate driving, as well as GPS coordinates.
Have fun, and welcome!