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TRANSPORTATION
Oman Air has daily flights between Muscat and
Salalah, and regular services to Sur, Khasab,
Dibba and Massirah Island. Intercity buses serve
most main provincial towns daily. Renting a car
in the Sultanate is easy but not cheap. You're
more likely to take advantage of Oman's extraordinarily
comprehensive system of service taxis and microbuses.
Drivers will depart when they have a few passengers,
expecting to pick up and drop off other passengers
along the way; it's a very cheap way to get around
providing you're in no particular hurry. You can
also take a taxi or microbus 'engaged' (ie, privately)
by paying for all of the seats in it. Only Muscat
has a local bus system. Muscat Airport is 40km
(25 miles) west of the city. There are car rental
agencies at the airport and taxis and buses are
available.
Cars
For visiting most of Oman's natural and historic
landmarks, one has to go offroad. Therefore, 4
wheelers are highly recommended. A 4 wheeler will
serve the purpose of crossing rocks, boulders
and waterbodies and carrying all the load, as
shown here.
Taxis
Many visitors, if not hiring cars, tend to use
taxis, which are reasonably priced. There are
a number of metered cab firms now. Agree the price
first if using an orange and white taxi. Mini-buses
travel all over the commercial areas, stopping
and picking-up on request. This form of transport
is particularly cheap.
The Oman National Transport Company is the state-run
bus service which has a network of routes throughout
the Sultanate. Long distance coach trips leave
Ruwi bus station to the likes of Salalah for RO
16 return, making this a comfortable and cheap
form of transport. The national carrier, Oman
Air, flies to Salalah, Khasab and Masirah Island
and is the only airline to make domestic flights
within the Sultanate. Masirah Island has a regular
ferry service to and from the mainland, but all
other boat services are provided through tour
operators. There are no trains in Oman.
Buses
Baiza Buses! Just flag them down and pay a few
hundred baizas to go pretty much anywhere in the
country, mind you if you really want to explore
oman a car is the best way.
Motorbikes
Motorbikes are not very popular due to the climate.
There is also the safety factor. Large bikes such
as Harley Davidsons are fairly cheap, and there
is an active Harley Owner’s club as well
as the Muscat Motorcycle Club. |
| SOCIAL SCENE
Oman is a surprisingly green country, particularly
in Dhofar, due to its location on the monsoon
paths. Landscaping and beautification are priorities
of the municipalities, and gardens, parks and
grassy knolls line the main highway. The countryside
is varied, from rugged mountain ranges to desert
sands, to green, lush wadis (riverbeds).
The climate in Muscat is markedly different to
that in Dhofar: during the winter, Muscat enjoys
temperatures of, average, 300C, dropping to around
180 C at night. However, in the summer, Muscat
bakes in 45-480 C, while Dhofar cools down in
the light monsoon rain.
The Omani people are friendly and welcoming to
visitors. Although Arabic is their main language,
English is spoken frequently and is often used
as the lingua franca. Despite their relaxed air,
the Omanis are quite conservative people and respect
for their privacy and, in particular, their religion,
should always be observed. Modesty is the keyword
in how to dress. Women should wear loose, long
garments, ensuring that their shoulders and knees
are covered. Men should wear long trousers and
tops with sleeves. Swimming costumes are fine
for the beach or the pool. During the holy month
of Ramadhan, all Muslims fast during the hours
of daylight. Visitors to the country should remember
that eating, drinking and smoking is not allowed
in public at this time.
Sultan Qaboos bin Said is Oman's ruler. He acceded
to the throne in 1970 and in the space of 32 years
has transformed his country into one which boasts
modern and innovative healthcare, education, telecommunications
networks and a stable economy. Although the Sultan
has ultimate power in governing his country, the
daily administration of the land is performed
by various Ministries. The Sultan is a well-respected
leader, both at home and in the international
arenas. In recognition of his role in Middle East
peace keeping, he was presented with the International
Peace Award in 1988 by the National Council on
US-Arab Relations.
A visit to the Sultanate is sure to surprise
and delight. Holidays can be as adventurous and
energetic, or relaxed and uncomplicated as you
choose.
International restaurants are found all over
Oman, from fast-food outlets to fusion cooking,
haute cuisine dining to hamburgers. Prices range,
and a three course meal can be found to suit any
budget. Most hotels will have a number of international
restaurants providing food from the likes of Mexico,
France, Thailand, Japan and Indonesia.
Traditional Omani Food is fairly simple, but
by using various marinades and impregnating meat
with spices, the result is a mouth-watering concoction
which stimulates the tastebuds. Chicken, fish
and mutton are regularly used in dishes. A favourite
drink is laban, a salty buttermilk. Yoghurt drinks,
flavoured with cardamom and pistachio nuts are
also very popular.
Alcohol may be purchased in the hotel bars and
restaurants and certain independent restaurants.
Oman has a surprisingly varied wildlife, both
on land and in the surrounding waters. Strict
laws have been established to ban hunting as a
number of indigenous animals have now become endangered,
such as the Arabian leopard and the Arabian Oryx.
Nature reserves have been set up throughout the
Sultanate to protect the natural habitats of mammals
such as the leopard, oryx, gazelle, taher, ibex,
desert foxes and wild cats.
The warm waters are home to 22 species of whale
and dolphin. Oman is a member of the International
Whaling Commission and follows the Convention
of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
guidelines in preventing the trade of endangered
animals. Turtles are attracted to Oman's shores
and turtle breeding reserves are located at Ras
al-Jinz and the Dimaaniyat Islands. Oman has a
profusion of exotic marine life and some of the
best dive sites in the world. In particular, the
Hallaniyat Islands and the Dimaaniyat Islands
offer chances to see beautifully coloured tropical
fish and unusual hard and soft corals.
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