February 2018
Oman
February, 2018
Oman. Beautiful Oman. Lily white Oman.
After landing in Muscat, pass through customs and see the Omani men and women in their national dress.
Men wear an ankle length collarless gown with long sleeves, called dishdashas; accompanied by either one of two forms of headdress... the Masai, an embroidered wool turban tied neatly around the head or a Kuma, a hand embroidered cap with small holes to keep cool from the hot Omani sun. Omani woman wear a dress over trousers (sirwal) and a headdress (lihaf). Their outfits are colorful and vibrant.
Muscat, the capital of Oman, is wedged between the Gulf of Oman and rugged hills and mountains. Downtown Oman is on the shoreline, has a small market, food stands and restaurants. Alcohol is only served in hotels, so no bar hopping outside of the hotels. The vast majority of mosques and buildings are lily white, reflecting the heat from the hot sun.
Leaving the capital, the infrastructure is very modern, newly paved highways make traveling very easy and convenient. Drive to Shariqya Sands, a region of desert southeast of Muscat, and do not be surprised to spot a pack of camels traveling along with you on the highway. The desert is a gift, driving a 4 by 4 up and down the dunes is an adrenaline rush. All tires need to be deflated to 18 psi, so the wheels and car do not sink into the sand... as you leave they are re-inflated by the locals for a small fee. An evening in the desert was magical... dark, quiet and an outdoor sky filled with stars, a private planetarium.
The cuisine of Oman is influenced by different cultures and countries. A must is the braised camel served in a rich and spicy sauce (no, it does not taste like chicken) a bit gamey but the spices enrich the flavor. Rice is a staple, along with the bread and the grilled assortment of meats and fish.
It’s a must visit and not on most people’s list of places to visit... but it should be.
After landing in Muscat, pass through customs and see the Omani men and women in their national dress.
Men wear an ankle length collarless gown with long sleeves, called dishdashas; accompanied by either one of two forms of headdress... the Masai, an embroidered wool turban tied neatly around the head or a Kuma, a hand embroidered cap with small holes to keep cool from the hot Omani sun. Omani woman wear a dress over trousers (sirwal) and a headdress (lihaf). Their outfits are colorful and vibrant.
Muscat, the capital of Oman, is wedged between the Gulf of Oman and rugged hills and mountains. Downtown Oman is on the shoreline, has a small market, food stands and restaurants. Alcohol is only served in hotels, so no bar hopping outside of the hotels. The vast majority of mosques and buildings are lily white, reflecting the heat from the hot sun.
Leaving the capital, the infrastructure is very modern, newly paved highways make traveling very easy and convenient. Drive to Shariqya Sands, a region of desert southeast of Muscat, and do not be surprised to spot a pack of camels traveling along with you on the highway. The desert is a gift, driving a 4 by 4 up and down the dunes is an adrenaline rush. All tires need to be deflated to 18 psi, so the wheels and car do not sink into the sand... as you leave they are re-inflated by the locals for a small fee. An evening in the desert was magical... dark, quiet and an outdoor sky filled with stars, a private planetarium.
The cuisine of Oman is influenced by different cultures and countries. A must is the braised camel served in a rich and spicy sauce (no, it does not taste like chicken) a bit gamey but the spices enrich the flavor. Rice is a staple, along with the bread and the grilled assortment of meats and fish.
It’s a must visit and not on most people’s list of places to visit... but it should be.
