5 Reasons Why You Should Absolutely Visit Salalah This Year

Towards the end of June each year, as the Khareef (monsoon) season begins, the landscape around the southern city of Salalah, is almost magically transformed. The dull browns are replaced by rolling green hills, misty woods and sparkling mountains springs.

1 - Because of its incredible rock formation.
The rocky outcrops on the beach in Mughsayl contain many blow holes that spout dramatically during high tide.

2 - Because there are gorgeous landscapes.
Travel down long winding wadis through dense forest set along rocky slopes and see them suddenly disappear into the mists.

3 - Because you can have so much fun.
The annual Khareef Festival offers the best in entertainment for the whole family.

4 - Because its stunning green colours.
Overnight, the rugged brown hills around Salalah are transformed magically into a lush green landscape.

http://travelleroasis.om/en/

5 - Because of its mountains.
Green mountains drop to the very edge of the Indian Ocean.

During Khareef season, temperature drop to a comfortable 30 degrees making Salalah a perfect place to escape the summer heat and enjoy the annual Khareef Festival which takes place every July and August. The Salalah Tourism Festival runs from mid June to the end of September.


New website for travellers heading to Dhofar here:  travelleroasis.om/en/ 
Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om 

What Are The Best Birdwatching Spots in Oman?

What are some of the best bird watching places in Oman? What are some common bird species there?

Oman witnesses huge swarms of migratory birds during their seasonal journey between their nesting habitats and the places where they spend winters, especially birds migrating from Europe and East Asia. Many birds, especially water fowl, migrate from far away regions like northern Siberia, and travel about five thousand kilometres.

In this article we will show you some of the best Birdwatching sites in Oman:

Birdwatching sites in north Oman and Musandam

The most productive birdwatching site in the capital area is the sewage treatment ponds at Al Ansab Lagoons. They are truly a manmade bird paradise and well over 50 species could be recorded on a single visit. Waders are much in evidence most of the year with breeding Black-winged Stilt and Red-wattled Plover. White - tailed Plover, March Sandpiper, Spotted REd-shank and Common Snipe are present all winter. Mid winter is time for several species of duck including the threatened Ferruginous Duck. Steppe, Greater Spotted and Imperial Eagles, Lappet-faced and Egyptian Vultures as well as Marsh Harriers make regular appearances.  

Birdwatching sites in central Oman and Masirah Island.

During the migration many birds are attracted to manmade water pools. Masirah Island can be reached by car ferries running high tide from Barr al Hikman. Masirah and Barr al Hikman are home to hundreds of thousands of birds during the winter months, mainly Greater Flamingos, herons, wanders, gulls and terns. Great Knots are known to winter here. This is probably the most important wintering area in all of Arabian for waders, but the most interesting areas can be difficult to find without local knowledge. 

Birdwatching sites in south Oman

The southern province of Dhofar is quite unlike any other in Oman. A summer monsoon from June to September dramatically changes the mountains and foothills into rolling grasslands and dense woodlands. All the main birdwatching sites are conveniently located within and hour's drive from Salalah - from Mirbat 60 km in the east to Mughsayl 45 km in the west. Seabirds abound in autumn and can be seen from vantage points near Mirbat, Raysut and Mughsayl. The coastal lagoons, called khors, from Khor Rouri in the east to Khor Mughsayl are always worth a visit and usually hold Greater Flamingo, Glossy Ibis and Spoonbill plus a variety of herons, ducks and waders. The spring at Ain Razat and Ain Hamran east of Salalah are well sign posted on the route towards Mirbat and are excellent for the local bird specialities. The farmlands around Salalah should be checked for raptors, White Storks, larks wagtails and pipits.  

The best time for birdwatching

Timing is critical for a successful visit. The great majority  are passage migrants and/or winter visitors. The fall migration of waders is impressive from late August. Gulls and terns arrive in September and October which are peak months for warblers as well. By the end of October the numbers of eagles build up with a peak in early November when Sooty Falcons depart for their wintering grounds. December, January and February are ideal months Weatherwise with maximum temperatures in the mid to upper 20's. Great Black - headed Gulls change into their breeding dress during February. Pied Wheatears and Menetries's Warblers herald the start of the spring migration in early March with European and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters following in mid month. Ducks, raptors and gulls will be heading north in March. A strong migration of shrikes, warblers and buntings may be seen in April with European Rollers arriving by the end of the month. The migration ends with a massive concentration of Marsh Warblers in mid May. 

Looking for more information?

Birdwatching Guide to Oman (2008) by Dave E. Sargeant and Hanne & Jens Eriksen. 

Common Birds in Oman (2005) by H. & J. Eriksen.

Oman Bird List, Edition 7 (2005) by J. Eriksen and D.E. Sargeant.

For further information on birds in Oman, visit the website: 

Birds in Oman 

Bird watching in Oman

Please, take a moment to leave your comment below! 

  Beauty has an address ~ Oman

Top 10 Awesome Things To Buy In Oman

What are some of the most beautiful things to buy in Oman? What can Oman offer to its visitors?

Oman offers a wonderful range of traditional Arabian products both natural and manufactured, ranging from inexpensive bags of aromatic frankincense and tubs of bukhoor through to elaborately wrought khanjars and chunky Bedu jewellery.

In towns like Mutrah, Nizwa, Rustaq and Salalah, trading is a way of life. The aim is not just to buy and sell, but also to pour coffee, share it with friends and catch up on the news. 

Visitors, too, can take the pulse of an Omani town by exploring its souqs or covered markets, their stalls stacked with incense, produce, spices and antiques. Omanis like to shop in the cool of the evening. To enjoy the souqs at their most lively and atmospheric, visit after sunset.

In this article we will show you the top 10 things travellers can buy in Oman.

1. Frankincense.

2. Pottery incense burner.

3. Omani honey and dates, available in most souq.

4. Hand thrown pottery.

5. Amouage perfume.

6. Traditional craft items (woven baskets, mats, tribal weaving, camel trappings).

7. Khanjar (dagger) - but make sure you check first if you can import this into your country!

8. Bedouin handmade silver jewellery.

9. Replica miniature dhow.

 10. Wooden Mandoos (dowry) chests studded with brass tacks.

What would you buy in Oman? Is there anything else you would include in this list?

Please, take a moment to leave your comment below! 

Beauty has an address ~ Oman   

27 Photos Of Oman That Will Make You Pack Your Bags And Go

Natural beauty, fascinating traditions and heartfelt hospitality make Oman a country you really should get to know better. From luxurious 5-star beach resorts to sleeping under the stars in the desert, Oman’s diverse landscapes will take your breath away.

Royal Opera House Muscat  

Royal Opera House, Muscat (iwillbehomesoon/500px)

Nakhal Fort

Nakhal Fort (beautyeye/flickr)

Caving

Ash Sharqiyah (pierrehaut/flickr)

Nizwa Fort

Jalali Fort

Flickr: Robert Tyabji / Via: Flickr

Musandam

Musandam (panoramas/flickr)

Muthra

Mutrah (Krishna Kumar/flickr)

Al Alam Palace

Flickr: Tristan Schmurr / Via: Flickr

Real adventure

Bandar Khayran

Salalah

Salalah (saf eins/flickr)

Qantab

Flickr: Bilal Sarwar / Via: Flickr

Diverse marine life 

Wadi Darbat, Salalah

Wadi Darbat, Salalah (wajahatmahmood/flickr)

Muttrah Souq

Wadi Bani 

Wadi Bani Khalid (andries3/flickr)

Amazing wildlife

Mountain camps

Dimaniyat Islands Nature Reserve 

Unspoilt beaches

Unique golf scene

Hospitality and gastronomy 

Desert experiences

Unspoilt water

Luxury hotels

Mirani Fort

Flickr: - Reji / Via: Flickr

Non-stop daily flight from Heathrow to Muscat with Oman Air; daily flights with Etihad from London, Dublin, Glasgow and Manchester

Still don't know where to go for your next holiday? If you need more reasons to visit Oman please see 101 Things to See and Do in Oman. 

Please, take a moment to leave your comments or thoughts below!

  Beauty has an address ~ Oman  

You Need To See These Magical Coastlines in Oman

Where are the Oman's greatest coastlines? Do you love to spend time by the shore?

With is long, quiet beaches, tropical bays in the shade of palm trees, towering cliffs that drop into the ocean and 3,165 kilometres of coast, Oman is the ideal destination for anyone who loves to spend time by the shore.

From Muscat, the coast is sandy, with a calm sea and long stretches of beach boasting a wealth of facilities and water sports opportunities. To the north, Musandam Peninsula is famous for its dramatic fjords plunging into the sea to create spectacular inlets and coves. To the south, the Salalah region is full of banana plantations and tropical beaches with turquoise water and palm trees bordering the golden sands. 

The Oman Sea and Arabian Sea host a huge variety of animal species such as turtles, whales and dolphins, while their depths are home to coral reefs, long stretches of which are still intact. 

In this article we will show you what traveller can expect from the Omani Coast

Enjoy the coast in Muscat 

The vibrant capital city of Muscat is blessed with many beaches and a calm sea suitable for year-round swimming. A large number of outstanding tourist facilities makes it an ideal base for visitors who want to combine relaxation by the sea with exploration of the country’s inland regions.

The most popular public beach is Qurum, just a short distance from the city centre.

Bandar Khayran, a bay that is a popular snorkelling spot .

A trip to the Dimaniyat Islands Nature Reserve is another must-do experience, particularly for diving enthusiasts.

Wadi Shab and Wadi Tiwi along the coast of Sur, also enticing snorkelers and divers.

Appreciate the picturesque seaside of Sur and Ras Al Hadd 

Local fishing boats, souks and museums, is a great base for exploring Oman’s rich maritime history.

Visit some of the dhow shipyards in Sur to marvel at the craftsmanship and reflect on modern innovation and development.

www.bradtguides.com

Adore Salalah and Dhofar 

A completely different side to Oman can be found in the far south of the country. Gorgeous sandy bays lie between crystal-clear water and lush green palm groves. 

In the town of Salalah you can see tropical fruit plantations and stalls loaded with coconuts, bananas and mangos. It is the perfect place to sit back and relax.

Admire Musandam 

The best way to appreciate the rugged, fjord-like terrain of the Musandam Peninsula is to view it from the sea. 

In Khasab, half- or full-day trips include dolphin watching, snorkelling and kayaking can be organised on a traditional Omani dhow. 

These are only part of the magnificent coastline of Oman. Its difficult to capture their splendour through images, you must go there to see them. 

The serene environment and the gravel beach is something that one should be looking for. Watching sunset in some of these coastlines would be one of the most peaceful moments of your life.

What are your favourite beaches location in Oman? Would you add any of them on your holiday bucket list?

Please, take a moment to leave your comment below! 

Beauty has an address ~ Oman