10 Fast Facts About Oman - E to L

Electricity: The electrical system is based on 220/240 AC volts with British-type plugs.

Facilities for the physically challenged: Most hotels and public places provide facilities and make special arrangements for physically challenged visitors.

Getting around: Oman has a modern network of roads and motorways. Several car-hire companies offer a range of vehicles, including four-wheel drives for visitors who are heading off-road. Taxis are the easiest way to get around Muscat. It is best if you agree on the fare beforehand, as taxis are not metered. Most hotels can arrange transport for guests, including limousines or bus services for larger groups. The world’s fastest diesel-powered passenger ferries, the Shinas and Hormuz catamarans (www.nfc.om), link Muscat directly with Oman’s northernmost peninsula, Musandam. They are the first of a fleet of five high-speed vessels that will improve access to more remote areas of Oman for residents and tourists alike.

One of the most popular ways to see Muscat is aboard one of the city’s new Big Bus Tours (www.bigbustours.com). Tourists and locals alike may explore the city on double-decker buses. The hop-on, hop-off tours stop at 12 Muscat landmarks, including the Royal Palaces, Muttrah Souk and the new Royal Opera House.

Getting there: Muscat International Airport is located 30km from Muscat city centre. It offers both international and domestic flights. Flying from Heathrow, award-winning national carrier Oman Air (www.omanair.com) offers daily, 7 hour, non-stop direct flights from London to Muscat. Oman Air is also the country’s domestic airline, offering 42 flights a week to Salalah in Dhofar, and daily flights to Musandam (Khasab Airport). Many other international airlines fly into Muscat, including British Airways (direct), Gulf Air via Bahrain, Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi, Emirates Airlines via Dubai and Qatar Airways via Doha, as well as Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa and Swiss Air. Qatar Airways also fly’s to Salalah via Doha. 

Government: Oman is known formally as the Sultanate of Oman. The country is an absolute monarchy ruled by Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who ascended to power in 1970 and his appointed cabinet.

Health: While tap water is safe for drinking, most Omanis opt for locally bottled mineral water. Most hotels have medical help available and the country possesses a modern medical infrastructure in terms of private and government medical facilities.

Hotels: Oman currently offers over 12,792 rooms including many three, four, five and one six-star properties including leading hotel brands: Ritz-Carlton Al Bustan Palace, Shangri-la Barr Al Jissah, Grand Hyatt Muscat, Intercontinental Muscat, Crowne Plaza, The Chedi among others. This is set to increase to 19,415 by 2015.

Most recently the Juweira Boutique Hotel (www.juweirahotel.com) was designed by Egyptian architect Adel Mokhtar, this five-star resort is based at Salalah Beach. As well as more than 100 elegant guestrooms, the hotel boasts 21 luxury suites. All rooms and suites possess private sea-facing terraces. The Duqm City Hotel a 117 room business hotel equipped with comfortable rooms and business amenities opened its doors at the end of 2012 catering for business travellers seeking affordable and contemporary Omani hospitality along with the 4 Star, 200 room Duqm Crowne Plaza both ideally located from which to visit the Duqm Rock Gardens. A dozen eco-friendly luxury tents were added to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve’s (www.rasaljinz-turtlereserve.com) accommodation options in early 2013. An 800-metre walkway links the spacious tents, located atop a picturesque hill, to the reserve’s Scientific and Visitor Centre.

Language: Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken.

Local Time: GMT + 4 hours

Location: The Sultanate of Oman is the third largest country in the Arabian Peninsula. The United Arab Emirates splits the country, with Oman’s northern Musandam Peninsula separated from the larger Omani mainland by approximately 100km. The warm waters of the Arabian Sea lap the country’s East Coast. 

Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om

8 Fast Facts About Oman - A to C

Alcohol: Alcohol is served in licensed hotels, clubs, bars and international restaurants.

Awards: In May 2010 Khasab Fort, located in Musandam, was awarded a prestigious award for excellence at the Museums & Heritage Awards ceremony. In 2011, the country was awarded Business Destinations’ Best Destinations for Cultural Tourism in the Middle East 2011 Travel Awards. Muscat was coined Arab Tourism capital for 2012 by the Tourism Ministers of the Arab League Nations and named one of 2012’s top ten cities to visit by Lonely Planet. Condé Nast Traveller voted Oman one of 2013’s top holiday destinations to watch. The Guardian names Muscat DiveCentre as one of the top 100 holiday beach 2014. ABTA Magazine names Oman as one of the top 12 destinations to watch in 2014. In September 2014 Oman’s UK office won the Travel Bulletin Star Award as Star Middle East Tourist Board.

 

Business hours: Oman’s weekend begins on Friday afternoon and continues through Saturday, in line with the majority of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. Government offices are closed the whole of Friday and Saturday. The Omani work week runs Sunday to Thursday. Banks, embassies and consulates are open from 8am to noon, Sunday to Thursday. Most shops and malls open from 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 9pm. During Ramadan, shops close later at night.

Climate: The coolest time to visit Oman is between October and April, with daytime temperatures between 25°C and 35°C and night time temperatures around 17°C to 19°C. The weather is hotter and more humid in summertime, which stretches from April to September. For year-round mild weather, head to the Southern Dhofar region, which also enjoy a refreshing monsoon season between June and September. Air-conditioning is the norm in vehicles and most buildings, including hotels, conference centres, exhibition halls and shopping malls.

Clothing: Lightweight summer clothing in cotton or blends is ideal most of the year. Sweaters or a light jacket may be needed for the cooler evenings. The dress code in Oman is comparatively relaxed, but legs and shoulders should be covered outside the hotels, where revealing and inappropriate clothing may be considered offensive

Currency: The rial (RO) is the Omani currency and is divided into 100 baisas. The rate of conversion is £1 = RO 0.65 or $1 = RO 0.39 as of August 2014. Banks and exchange bureaus are found throughout Muscat.

Credit cards: All major credit cards are accepted in major hotels, stores and larger shops. However, cash is primarily used in traditional souks, and bargaining power is increased with the ready availability of hard currency. ATM machines are available in some hotels, Muscat Airport, cities and larger towns throughout the country.

Customs: No customs duty is levied on personal effects brought into Oman. It is forbidden to import drugs and pornographic material. Duty free shops are available at Muscat International Airport on arrival and on departure. The shops sell a variety of products including alcohol and cigarettes.

Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om

3 Things You Must See And Do Muscat

Perhaps what is striking about Muscat Governorate and its states is the breathtaking intermingling of ancient cultural heritage and modern style.

You will see houses, gates, old markets, small shops, and winding roads redolent of authentic history, side by side with modern markets, shops, buildings, and streets stamped with modern architecture.

If you are heading to Muscat on your next holidays or even if you haven't consider it yet or you are not sure what to see and do once in there, then this top 6 list is for you:

1. Mutrah Souq: every place has its distinctive flavour and every city has a market that relates its stories, embraces its history and accompanies its evolution. If you enjoy visiting public markets, you must see Mutrah Souq, the most beautiful market your eyes will ever see!

2. Botanic Garden: a set of documented living plants for scientific research, as well as for conservation and display. One of the largest botanic gardens in the Gulf region. 

3. Al Bustan Beach: sprawls over the beach and overlooks the mountains that intertwine with the hotel’s sands and beaches. These mountains lend the beach an unsurpassed sense of privacy.

You can find in Muscat a wonderful variety of nature: golden beaches, mountainous heights, and golden sand dunes. There is so much to see and do in Muscat, the choices are endless...

See more on our Pinterest board: Oman | Muscat

A distinctive natural diversity: Dhofar

Dhofar Governorate is famous for its seasonal weather, locally known as monsoon or “Khareef”,

when it witnesses its best period, clothed in lush greenery and its hills surrounded by white fog. Light rains drizzle to cool the air. During this time, it is frequented by many visitors, especially from within Oman and the neighbouring countries. Salalah Tourism Festival takes place from 15 July to 31 August every year. The festival is part of Khareef(monsoon) that extends from the end of July until the beginning of September.

Dhofar Governorate stretches over an area of one third of Oman and forms the Sultanate’s southern part. Dhofar includes a distinctive natural diversity where the coast blends with the mountains and the desert in wonderful harmony so that the mountains look like a fertile crescent, rising to a height of 1,500 metres and then descending into a flat plain that embraces sandy beaches stretching for hundreds of kilometres.

One can imagine the magnificence of this province when most parts of the Arabian Peninsula witness a rise in temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius in summer. But, in Salalah, the capital of Dhofar that lies 1,040 kilometres away from Muscat, temperatures never rise above 27 degrees Celsius. There are daily flights between Muscat and Salalah, as well as other Arab Gulf states.

Dhofar Governorate Wilayat are: Salalah, Taqah, Mirbat, Sadah, Shalim and Halaniyat Islands, Dalkoot, Rakhyut, Thamrit, Mokshin, Al Mazuna.

Discover more about Dhofar in our Pinterest board: Oman | Dhofar

The pulsating heart of Oman: Muscat

Muscat Governorate is considered the pulsating heart of Oman. It is linked to Port Sultan Qaboos by Muttrah Corniche where the visitor to Muscat can view the wonderful variety of nature: golden beaches, mountainous heights, and golden sand dunes (Bawshar Sands).

Perhaps what is striking about Muscat Governorate and its states is the breathtaking intermingling of ancient cultural heritage and modern style. You will see houses, gates, old markets, small shops, and winding roads redolent of authentic history, side by side with modern markets, shops, buildings, and streets stamped with modern architecture.

This allows Oman to preserve its historic character, and at the same time enjoying its contemporary spirit. Muscat is renowned as one of the cleanest Arab capitals, and has gained the honour of winning the Cleanest Arab City Contest several consecutive times.

Muscat as a city has played a prominent historical role due to its strategic location.

Muscat Governorate Wilayt are: Muscat, Mutrah, Bawshar, Al Seeb, Qurayyat, and Al Amirat.

Discover more about Muscat in our Pinterest board: Oman | Muscat

AlWasta Beaches: Cleanliness And The Purity Of Their Waters

AlWasta Governorate is located to the south of the Governorate of A'Dakhiliyah and A'Dhahirah

Governorate. It is flanked on the east by the Arabian Sea, on the west by The Empty Quarter, and by Dhofar Governorate to the South. It occupies a large area in the middle of the Sultanate.

Its beaches stretch for vast distances along the Arabian Sea. These beaches are famous for their cleanliness and the purity of their waters. This has resulted in an increase of marine plants which give the water its green colour. You can also find other types of plants swaying in the shallow waters of Barr Al Hikman (Al Hikman Peninsula). 

Many birds pass this area during their annual migration. On land, the moderate climate, influenced by the annual autumn season in Dhofar, helps the growth of a variety of plants and rare mammals such as the Arabian oryx and the Nubian ibex. In addition to all this natural wealth, the area abounds in a large number of oil and gas fields, making it rich on every score.

AlWasta Governorate Wilayat are: Hima, Mahut, AD Duqum, AL-Jasir

Discover more about Muscat in our Pinterest board: Oman | AlWasta

Tradition and unforgettable enjoyment: Musandam

The Musandam Peninsula is located on the northern border of the Sultanate of Oman. The high

mountains in this region rise for more than two thousand metres above sea level. The mountains spread out in a naturally geometrical way. This area also contains the most important waterway, The Strait of Hormuz.

The juxtaposition of sea and mountains is considered one of the exclusive features of this area. Excursions in boats and traditional ships give the visitor unforgettable enjoyment, while diving fans at the beautiful coral reefs can plunge to their hearts’ content. Archaeological sites also abound in this area.

Khasab is the Governorate of Musandam's regional centre and is located 570 kilometres from Muscat. Khasab, home to Khasab Port, it is located in the far north of the governorate and takes its name from its fertile soil. Khasab Governorate is famous for its magnificent villages and the thrilling roads that lead its mountain tops. Khasab can be reached by daily flights from Muscat, by sea in fast ferries and by car through a road that cuts through the United Arab Emirates.

Governorates of Musandam Wilayat are: Khasab, Bukha, Diba, Madha.

Discover more about Musandam in our Pinterest board: Oman | Musandam

The beauty, diversity and abundance of sea life in Oman

Oman is one of the most popular diving destinations in the region. It has an exceptionally diverse marine life and a number of marine cliffs, small islands, bays and caves, as well as a diverse and unique marine life and coral reefs. The best months for diving in Oman are the period from April to July, but diving can be enjoyed at all times.

Turtle Watching in Oman:

Thousands of sea turtles migrate annually from the shores of the Arabian Gulf, the Red Sea and Somalia to lay their eggs on the Sultanate’s shores. Oman has five of the seven species of sea turtles. They are: The Green Turtle, found on most Omani beaches and plentiful in Ras Al Hadd, Ras Al Jinz, Masirah Island and Ad Daymaniyat Islands; the Loggerhead Turtle that nests on Masirah Island, the shores of Dhofar and Ad Daymaniyat Islands; the Hawksbill Turtle that nests on the shores of Muscat and Ad Daymaniyat Islands; the Olive Ridley Turtle that nests on Masirah Island; and the Leatherback Turtle which is found in Omani waters but does not nest in the Sultanate.

Whale Watching in Oman:

The most famous types of whales that visit Oman are: Bryde’s Whales or Tropical Whales, Blue Whales, Humpback Whales, Sperm Whales, Dwarf Sperm Whales, Cuvier's Beaked Whale, Pygmy Killer Whales, Killer Whales, Melon-Headed Whales and False Killer Whale. Note that the dolphins seen in Omani waters belong to the whale species.

Discover more about Sea Life in Oman in our Pinterest board: 

Oman | Sea Life

OMAN MINISTRY OF TOURISM SPONSORED THE ORCHID SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN’S EXHIBIT AND WON GOLD AT CHELSEA!

The Oman Ministry of Tourism sponsors of The Orchid Society of Great Britain’s stand GP/H1 for the second year running after a very successful show last year with their gold medal winning exhibit are delighted to win a gold medal again in 2014. Oman has many exotic orchids including Eulophia guineensis, Eulophia petersii, Habenaria myodes and Habenaria malacophylla which are all native to Oman.

Two orchids native to Oman appear on the display this year including the beautiful and easy-to-grow Eulophia guineensis, and the more unusual Eulophia petersii. Eulophia guineensis grows in the tropical highlands in southern Oman, and has attractive pink and white flowers with the extravagant ‘lip’, which is characteristic of most orchids. The first Botanical Garden is being created near Muscat, Oman’s capital which aims to display the entire flora of the Sultanate, including its native orchids.

This year’s team:
Mrs Valerie Micklewright – Hon. Sec. of the OSGB, Chelsea 2013 Gold medallist
Lady Samantha Hurley – Editor OSGB Journal, Chelsea 2013 Gold medallist
Mr André Roux – contributor to the OSGB Journal, London Orchid Show 2013 Gold medallist

For more information on Oman please visit: www.omantourism.gov.om

                                   

Discover the richness of the Omani life

Oman's history tells stories of heroism, courage, wisdom, patriotism, love and devotion to homeland.
This brings us closer to understanding the richness of the Omani cultural experience which has contributed to the building of modern Oman.

Oman’s strategic location has played a major role in many campaigns and regional conflicts in this region. Oman overlooks the Arabian Sea, the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Gulf. It also controls the Strait of Hormuz, which is one of the most important facilities in the region, linking the Sea of Oman with the Arabian Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz is a gateway to all ships coming from the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.

Al Wattih in Muscat Governorate is one of the first inhabited cities. Modern archaeological discoveries suggest that humans settled in it during the Stone Age, i.e. more than 10,000 years ago.

The Babylonians and the Assyrians settled in Oman because they wanted to control the trade route that linked Asia to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

With the spread of Islam, and Mazin Bin Gadhubah joining Islam as the first person in Oman and his emigration to Medina to meet the Prophet, Peace be upon Him, the first mosque was built in Oman. This is Al Midhmar Mosque that still stands to this day in Wilayt Samail . These events paved the way for the two kings of Oman at that time, Jua’fer and Abd Ibni Al Jalandi, to enter Islam wholeheartedly and with utter conviction after receiving a letter from the Prophet, Peace be upon Him. A Hadith mentions that the Prophet, Peace be upon Him, said “God’s mercy be on the people of Al Ghubaira” (i.e. the people of Oman). “They have believed in me although they had not seen me”. Also stated in the sermon our Master Abu Bakr Al-Sidiq, the caliph of the Prophet, Peace be upon Him, to the people of Oman: “People of Oman you, you have entered Islam voluntarily although the Prophet has not come to your land on foot or on horse. You have not opposed him as other Arabs opposed him, and you have not called for separation or dispersion. May God unite you in benevolence.”

With the election of Ibn Masood, the first imam, in 751 AD, the Imamate era began in Oman and lasted four centuries until 1154. Several attempts were made to restore the rule of the Imamate in Oman in the mid-fifteenth century, but did not succeed.

During the period 1498-1507 AD, the Portuguese tried to control Oman. Omani history tells the story of the Omani people who expelled the Portuguese with their struggle and heroism. Nasser bin Murshid was elected Imam in 1624.

Because of the coastal location of Oman, the Omani navy occupied a leading position regionally. This sparked the ire of the Portuguese, who did not forget their devastating defeat. Fierce battles erupted between the Portuguese Navy (which had made India its base after the liberation of Oman) and the strong Omani navy. After a fierce battle, the Omani fleet was able to defeat the Portuguese fleet.

In 1698, the Omani Empire then expanded to include the cities of the African east coast, stretching from Mombasa to Kila, Zanzibar, Pemba and Bata. Mozambique remained under Portuguese rule until the twentieth century.

Oman had been the target of a number of attempts by the Persians to invade its territory, but the steadfastness and heroism of the Omanis were successfully combined to defeat the occupier. The invaders were defeated, underscoring the exploits of Omani heroes in defending their lands. This great victory was achieved at the hands of Imam Ahmed bin Saeed Al Busaidi, who defeated the Persians and was elected imam.

With the advent of 1970 came the dawn of a modern renaissance in the Sultanate, with the beginning of the prosperous era of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, may God protect him.

Discover more about Oman Life in our Pinterest board: Oman | Life

A must when visiting Oman: Turtle Watching

Thousands of sea turtles migrate annually from the shores of the Arabian Gulf, the Red Sea and Somalia to lay their eggs on the Sultanate’s shores. Oman has five of the seven species of sea turtles.

They are: The Green Turtle, found on most Omani beaches and plentiful in Ras Al Hadd, Ras Al Jinz, Masirah Island and Ad Daymaniyat Islands; the Loggerhead Turtle that nests on Masirah Island, the shores of Dhofar and Ad Daymaniyat Islands; the Hawksbill Turtle that nests on the shores of Muscat and Ad Daymaniyat Islands; the Olive Ridley Turtle that nests on Masirah Island; and the Leatherback Turtle which is found in Omani waters but does not nest in the Sultanate.

At night, these turtles carrying their heavy shells on their backs, drag themselves out of the water to the beach, and strenuously and with great difficulty, dig a hole in the sand using the tips of their paws so as to bury their eggs and then return to the sea. After about 55 days, the eggs hatch and baby turtles come out to start the most dangerous journey of their lives, trying to avoid hungry foxes, crabs and birds and push their way towards the sea where they can find safety in the waters. Watching the turtles’ night dash to the sea is among the most popular tourist activities.

Discover more about Sea Life in Oman in our Pinterest board: Oman | Sea Life

The Evolution Of Architecture - A Measure Of A Nation’s Civilisation

The evolution of architecture is a measure of a nation’s civilisation and Oman abounds with a number of cultural buildings that stand as a testament to this art. As a visitor to the cities of Oman, you will surely observe the diligent efforts to preserve this ancient and traditional architecture that is characterised by its simple lines. It avoids high rises, yet maintains an understated elegance of its own. The castles, forts and walls are a testament to an architectural style that has defence in mind, the most famous being Jabreen Castle and Bahla Fort and Walls (Sur Bahla), included in the World Heritage Sites list.

Like the country’s diverse terrain, architectural styles vary in Oman with the change of scenery. The types of houses built in Musandam Governorate are examples of this diversity. There are the mountain houses, houses like Bayt AlQefel (the lock house), Bayt Al Areesh Al Mua’laq (the hanging vine house) built to employ the natural air currents to form a cooling system able to beat the scorching heat of the summer months. Misfat Al `Abriyyin village in A'Dakhiliyah Region is considered another outstanding testament to this environmentally friendly style of architecture.

As Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Wilayt Bawshar, Muscat Governorate, is a live monument housing a collection of Islamic art. In addition to its distinctive architectural features and the innovative approach to the construction of the mosque itself, its corridors display a rich array of the art of Islam.

Discover more about Oman History 

The Most Important Component Of The Omani Dress: Hooked Dagger

A normal or hooked dagger is the most important component of the Omani dress. Omanis are keen to acquire daggers and appear wearing them at official events, national celebrations and weddings. Due to the succession of this social custom from one generation to another, the dagger-making industry has survived the passage of time, albeit with modern improvements.

The Omani dagger is an authentic heritage the present generation is keen to pass on to their children. The dagger is also a symbol of manhood and pride among Omani men, who wear it on their leather belts over the dishdashah (long outer garment). Its front section is made of small connected silver pieces, or it may be elegantly embroidered with silver or gold threads.

A dagger’s price is determined by the raw material it is made of, usually iron, silver or gold. Although silver daggers are the most common, especially for making the dagger handle, the blade case too determines a dagger’s price. There is the giraffe case, which is the most expensive because it has been banned, and cases made of buffalo skin, sandalwood, and the bitter orange

Discover more about Oman Life in our Pinterest board: Oman | Life

The Most Beautiful Market Your Eyes Will Ever See: Mutrah Souq

Every place has its distinctive flavour and every city has a market that relates its stories, embraces its history and accompanies its evolution. If you enjoy visiting public markets, you must see Mutrah Souq, the most beautiful market your eyes will ever see!

Mutrah Souq is one of the oldest markets in Oman, dating back about two hundred years. Its antiquity has perhaps increased the extent of its beauty, magic and allure.

You cannot see Mutrah Souq from the outside, as it stretched deep within the city. The market starts at a gate facing the Sea of Oman and Mutrah Corniche, and ends with another gate in the city’s old quarters that usually receive the majority of visitors coming from other Omani towns and villages.

Mutrah Souq is a prototype of old Eastern markets, characterised by narrow winding alleys roofed with wood. This Souq goes by another name among the Omanis: the Market of Darkness, due to its myriad of alleys and roads lined by shops that block the sun during the day. This name applies specifically to the section that extends from the Prophet's Mosque to Khawr Bimbah. And as if two names were not enough for this souq, the east and west parts of Mutrah Souq, separated by Khawr Bimbah, are also known as “the small market” and “the large market”. The Market of Darkness is the small market, whereas the large market is the wholesale market.

When passing through this souq, your senses are tantalised by the aromatic smells of frankincense, incense and Arabian perfumes. Mutrah Souq is known for its handicrafts like silverware, daggers, traditional cloth, new apparel and shoes, in addition to the famous Omani sweets (Halwa), spices and braziers (receptacles in which incense or frankincense is burned)

Discover more about Souqs 

3 Featured destination for Golf in Oman

Although relatively new to the Sultanate of Oman, Muscat now has three 18 hole grass golf courses within easy reach of each other, with more expected to be launch in the near future. For those wanting to learn the game, each course also has an Academy staffed by qualified golf instructors who will be happy to guide you through the early stages.

The climate makes golfing most popular in Oman between the months of September and May.

Featured destination for Golf in Oman

1. Almouj golf  designed by Greg Norman, the course at Almouj Golf will provide a challenging 18 holes of varying lengths and configurations. Norman has captured the essence of the surrounding environment and enhanced it to produce a links style course that runs alongside over two kilometers of beach. The course is 7,342 yards in length, and highlights include a daunting Par 3 island green and a challenging Par 5 that stretches for over 600 yards. The breathtaking views of the Sea of Oman and the Hajar Mountains are visible from everywhere on the course.

Almouj Golf is also home to a golf academy with a state of the art swing studio, driving range and private golf lesson area. Dining facilities are available and offer true Omani hospitality welcoming all guests, irrespective of golfing prowess.

Norman believes that Oman's first PGA standard course is one of the best that he has been involved with anywhere in the world and anticipates that over the coming years Almouj Golf will gain global recognition.

2. Muscat Hills Golf a truly unique golf development, comprising an 18-hole PGA-certified green golf course and a high quality residential development on the outskirts of Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Golf in Oman has been developing over the past 3 years on grass however golf has been played on Sand Golf Courses for a long period of time in Oman. Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club is located between the mountains and the sea, the club is only 5 minutes drive from the Muscat International Airport.

The par-72, 18-hole golf course is the first grass golf course in Oman and has long been a cherished dream of H.H. Kais al Said. Paul Thomas from David Thomas Associated Ltd designed the course to complement all of the natural features, while the lush green fairways and greens provide a startling contrast to the rugged desert terrain.

3. Ghala Valley is unique in the Middle East. Built into a natural wadi (dried up river bed) it follows its course through a beautiful setting of mountainous backdrops and spectacular sea views.

Originally created as a sand course in 1971, Ghala Valley Golf Club opened the first nine holes of its new grass course in December 2010 and the back nine was completed in 2012. Although a members club, it is open to the general public subject to prior booking.

Discover more about Golf in Oman in our Pinterest board: Golf | Oman

3 Featured Destinations for Birds Watching in Oman

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

Visitors can see many species of birds in each of Oman’s different regions. Al Hikman Peninsula, Masirah Island, Al Wusta Governorate beaches, the Lagoons, the beaches and springs in Dhofar are ideal places for bird observation. Many of these species live in Dimaniyat Islands and in Musandam.

Barr Al Hikman is located in the centre of Oman’s east coast in AlWasta Governorate (the central region), 500 kilometres south of Muscat. This island is considered one of the most important bird migration stations both in Oman and Southeast Asia. Many birds congregate here, especially water birds coming from as far as Siberia’s northern shores.

In addition to being a sanctuary for birds and fish of all kinds, the existence of coral reefs off its shores make it a favourite destination for divers.

Masirah Island is located in south east Oman, and is within the administration of A'Sharqiyah South Governorate. It is surrounded by several other islands, Marsis, Cha’nazi and Kalban. Marsis is the largest island in Oman and is a landmark in the middle of the sea. To the viewer, it looks like a jewel amid the azure waters. The visitor is enchanted by the island’s beautiful and diverse natural environment, clearly seen  in its abundant marine life. The island has expansive agricultural fields. Because of the fertility of its soil, plants quickly spring up after rainfall. The island also has a number of mountains on Ras Halif, Rasia, Al Ija and other places, and enjoys temperate weather year round.

Dimaniyat Islands Nature Reserve is located in Wilayat AlSeeb in the Governorate of Muscat and Wilayat Barka in Al Batinah, and lies about 18 kilometres off the coast of Barka (70 kilometres west of Muscat, the capital). Its total area is 100 hectares (247 acres) and is composed of nine islands. The reserve features pristine beaches on which the white sands are caressed by the sea’s crystal blue waters. This reserve has a rich natural heritage and is replete with several kinds of coral reefs, including some examples that are quite rare. The island is home to a large number of sea turtles that lay their eggs and nest there, as well as a magnet for migratory and indigenous birds.

Discover more about Birdwatching in Oman in our Pinterest board: Oman | Birds watching

Geological Stories: Muscat Geo - Sites

In Oman, geological stories can be found everywhere. Some are presented on a dramatic scale such as in the massive folding and faulting that can be seen on parts of Oman's 700 km long mountain range. Echoes of momentous geological events can even be found in the hustle and bustle of urban areas. For example visitors to Muscat Corniche need only to look at the surrounding hills in order to imagine the scene around 90 million years ago, when these Ophiolite rocks were part of a several kilometer thick slab of oceanic crust slowly being pushed over the top of the northern coastline of Oman. This unusual over thrusting continued for around 20 Million years, pushing rocks that originated from deep below the ocean, hundreds of kilometers inland.

30 geoheritage sites have been selected in the Muscat region for you to explore, and on the way to learn more about the history of our planet. Each site can be visited either on its own or as part of a discovery trail. Wherever the topography of a location allows, you will find sign boards with illustrated information about the site. Free of charge i-tourguide applications for smart phones can be downloaded from either the link below or the bar code on the signboard. These enable guidance utilizing satellite navigation (GPS) and provide multimedia information to give you a better understanding of the geological processes.

to download please click here:

Android application
IPhone application

Discover more about Geo Sites in Oman in our Pinterest board: Oman | Geo Sites