OMAN SPECIAL

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by Inder Raj Ahluwalia


If you’ve been waiting to experience the delights of the Arabian Nights, just cast a glance at Oman.

Uninterrupted sunshine bathes a unique blend of magnificent Arabian heritage. And welcoming one is tradition, hospitality, discovery and adventure. Not only will it fulfill your fantasies, you’ll come away relishing the entire experience.

SHOP TILL YOU DROP: For a taste of genuine local flavor, visit Muscat’s Muttarah, a busy commercial centre renowned for its cornice, girdle- shaped promenade, bay and harbour with romantic old dhows and visiting cruise ships and naval vessels. Lining the promenade are offices, shops, cafes, trading-houses and souks, notably the Muttarah Souk with some shops the size of a small lounge, others no bigger than a walk-in closet. Meander through the maze of this market souk with its seemingly endless corridors of little shops, wade through stalls of vegetables and dates, and see the day’s catch on display in the busy fish souk. Incense smell and excitement prevails. 

Bargain and enjoy yourself. Munch on ripe dates and sip mildly spiced herbal tea, and discover why Arabian shopping can be delightful, exciting and tiring at the same time. The temptations are inescapable, with antiques, historical artifacts, object d arts, electronics, textiles, spices, jewellery, clocks, watches, tribal rugs, and khanjars (curved ceremonial daggers) lining shelves. The souks also offer a typical ‘market-day’ oriented atmosphere, with robust activity.

FEAST LIKE A ROYAL: The bounties of the land and sea feature on your menu, and end up on your table. Domestic meals include famous regional dishes, notably Thareed, Harees, and Mohammar.  Typical ingredients used include varieties of meat, fish, rice, and vegetables. All this is washed down with light tea.  Rounding off the meal are sweet preparations like Aseeda and Halwa.


Rozna Restaurant

Treat your stomach and senses at an eatery fit for the kings. Rozna is a top-drawer Omani restaurant, whose grandiose building and décor is excelled only by its excellent cuisine. 

Built like a castle, it has canons guarding the entrance. Entering, one steps into the large courtyard flanked by individual rooms, with stairs at each corner providing access to upper floors. This is where the tables are set. The tables are plain wood, the chairs have colourful cushions, and the polite waitresses are dressed in traditional Omani costumes. For a truly grand meal, order Qabuli, Fattah, Omani Shuwa (barbeque), Lobia (camel meat), Babloh, Fish Matafy, Qashaa, and an assortment of soft drinks and juices. Salads are omnipresent.   

CULTURE & HERITAGE SHOWCASED:  Visit Bait Al Zubair Museum, which serves as a valuable link between Oman’s past, present and future and contains a fine antique collection that includes traditional and historic Omani weaponry, jewellery, costumes, domestic utensils, as well as recreated urban and rural environments.


Several other sites and institutions across the country also showcase national heritage. Al Hazm Castle, Bahla Fort, and Jabreen Castle contain traditional artifacts and weapons.


Arbeen Village


EXPERIENCE RESTORED HERITAGE: Misfaht Al Arbyeen is the name, and delightful is the game. The little hill-perched village is ranked among the world’s prettiest, and with good reason. Houses perched on large rocks, narrow alleys, stone pathways, old buildings, cafes, and guest-houses combine to create a small paradise. A leisurely walk around the old village can take about 30 minutes, and is an experience to cherish. Enhancing the overall experience, are wonderful views of the valley.


Wahiba Sands

EXPERIENCE DESERT DELIGHTS: Looking like something that has stepped right out of the pages of the Arabian Nights, Wahiba Sands personifies desert scenery and charm.  

Sand dunes stand as silent sentinels guarding vast tracts of desert and scrubland, and there’s not a soul in sight.

There’s plenty to do. One can climb up to the top of the sand dunes, feel his feet sink into the soft sand, walk around as far as one can, and, significantly, watch the sunset.

A good place to bed down is Desert Nights Camp, which sprawls between sand dunes, close to a city named Bidiya, and has all the trappings of a desert holiday centre. Servicing guests is a spacious dining room, accommodation in both rooms and tents; and a host of activities like trekking, desert walks, dune buggy rides, safaris, and camel rides. Dinners are accompanied by ballad-singing musicians.


Anantara Resort

PAMPER YOURSELF: Enjoy indulgent stays at classy, deluxe hotels. My pick would be Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, that nestles on a plateau surrounded by low hills, and offers sterling hill and valley views.

This classy hotel’s whole experience is defined by its ‘sense of space’, thanks to its strong branding and superb landscaped gardens that set the relaxation tone. Specialty restaurants pride themselves on their platters, while a,swimming pool, and spa complete the package on offer.


Amauge Perfumes


INHALE LUXURY: Stop by at Amouage, which means ‘waves’ in Arabic. Located in Muscat, this is the perfume company’s flagship outlet, with a swanky factory and varied showrooms. On display are their top perfumes, and a guided tour reveals the history, background, and heritage of the high-quality perfumes, tastefully showcased. Matching the quality, are the prices of the products, the most expensive perfumes costing 660 OMR.

With all these attractive attributes, Oman is fast becoming an ‘all weather’ tourist destination.

The time to visit the country is NOW.

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