Job Discussion Forums

[manoflettersk466]

Good run down Duffy! I've been a couple of times with my students to the Gravity defying road....just but the car in neutral and Bang! up up up you go...very odd sensation....but my father the scientist says it is merely an optical illusion...that the laws of the universe hold true even in Oman!! Still worth the trip though....and you must carry on up the same road (gravel...but I did it in a normal rental car no problem) to a small park on the left...a few miles up the winding road. There is a small wadi and a dam. The area is magical: full of birds, lizards and rare trees, I've only seen there.

There is a restaurant in Mirbat, near the coast that you were probably smelling...they specialize in fish.

When you go east again you Must go past Hasik, all the way to the end of the road...just a km or so further east....there are some awesome geological formations there...just into a protected park area...then the road ends.

The road block between Mugysayl and Yemen is actually well inside Oman. There are hours of windy roads yet to go through before you get anywhere near Yemen....the maps are deceptive...those roads are steep and winding.....You should take those roads and go on to Rakyhut...the drive is beautiful....but make sure you have a FULL tank of gas!! fill up when you pass Mughsayl.

Re Omani character: so many things to remember...like the cab driver who turned the meter off....and insisted on showing me his favorite sites in Salalah....or the Policeman I asked directions from who insisted I get into his car, so he could drive me to the place I could not find...or the students who invited me into their homes in Sadah / Taqah to share the delicious huge meals...........
ok...i wanna go back.....

[Duffy]

VS you are too kind with your comments I have never been to Atlanta, after you recent meteroligical experiences - don't think I want to (nothing personal you understand ) have been to Boston though, Worked for BU in London on their internship programmes, had to cross the pond a few times to touch base. Only saw a postage stamp sized bit of the USA, am planning to return though, even if just to do the Civil War trail, that tme in US history fascinates me.

Anyway, hope my little input will give someone an insight to Salalah

[Duffy]

Thanks MOL.

That adds to our list of places to go, whyare some people so negative about Oman??? Its a great place as long as you take away the expat from yourself soon after you arrive. Look forward to those palces, anywhere else??

Duffy

[Duffy]

MOL,

We are coming back next week, are you out there now?? how about a meet up??
DO you like Pizza?? NO seriously, would like to meet up with you after we get back you can PM me if you want - up to you.

Duffy

[manoflettersk466]

No sadly, I'm here is grey, wet, cold Vancouver Canada.... but (inshalla) I hope to get back over there in the new year ... unless I get hired full time at the college here in BC I'm working at ............we shall see.

The area above Taqah has lots of differents sites..........not sure I can give very good directions.......my students told me which way to go...."teacher turn left .... teacher turn right"....but I know we visited the caves & sink holes around Shihayt, Tawi Atayr, and Tayq & Madinat al Haqq ...........

http://vindon2.tripod.com/oman/

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/a5bf5/

[veiledsentiments]

Duffy,

To be honest, I've never been to Atlanta... I just picked a metro area where you probably wouldn't even get enough snow ever to need 4WD, but you have people commuting in Pajaros and Hummers. They are quite useful where I live now, no wadis to bash, but plenty of snow to impede your progress... which is why I will soon be heading to Arizona - following the path of the ducks currently flying overhead. Yesterday's snowfall has melted, but it was a strong suggestion of things to come...

I too have never understood people who are negative about Oman. I suspect that the vast majority have been stuck with one of the bad employers. But, usually even they speak well of the country and the people...

VS

[Aliskander]

Restaurant in Mirbat - called Shahra and does the best cuttlefish EVER. Just ask for it to be fried and have it with plain rice, heaven.

Sadah - this is basically the first of the Abalone fishing villages. Abalone diving is restricted to Omanis only and only if they are granted a licence. No licence - no diving or if you do then it is hello salalah prison. The diving starts at Sadah and gradually moves up the coast - Hadbeen, Hasik, Shuwaymiah being the most important and prolific places. As a visitor please avoid these areas for the abalone season. Usually you won't be allowed near the diving areas anyway. But it quite fun to drive to Sadah village and see the Abalone drying on peoples roof tops. If you go to Hadbeen or Hasik you will see the traders build racks to dry them on.

Hallaniyat Islands - through the tour / dive company i do part time work for we have just started taking divers to these islands. We actually have a UK expedition taking place on the islands at the moment looking for the City of Winchester and two Portugese wrecks they have heard about. So far the search is going well (thanks to the GPS and all the other fancy equipment!). The Hallaniyats are really beautiful but are not a day trip - 2 - 21/2 hours from Salalah to Hasik then 4 hours by boat to the islands! Worth coming over and camping there - fabulous diving and great fishing.

For Arabic food try Bin Atique (good food, TERRIBLE service) or Ofair.
I am so pleased there is another Salalah fan on this site at last!

[petesmith999]

hi all

im new to this, but i spent a year in salalah from 2006 - 2007 and had a great time. my company put us up in the crowne plaza in private villas.
im now looking at moving to another company with a permanant position in salalah. i read with interest the write up by duffy and need to know more as i would be renting my own place this time and bringing family over. anyone know where the al bustan residential complex is??

cheers all
pete

[Rob Taylor]

Duffy: 2 much info. already!