Oman Offers Combined Relax With Sea, Dessert
By Yoon Won-sup
Korea Times Correspondent
MUSCAT, Oman ― Now is the time to take a short vacation to escape the cold season as Korea enters the middle of winter.
To Koreans' mind, the most preferable overseas destination would be tropical sea resorts in Southeast Asian countries, but here is the combined relaxation resorts of desert and sea in the Omani capital of Muscat.
Oman, the fabled land of Sindbad the sailor, is famous for its rich sea life, the variety of unspoiled landscapes, vast deserts, rugged mountains, numerous forts, wild life and most importantly the friendly Omani people.
Plus, this is the right time to visit Oman when the temperature is not that high in the Middle East country. Between October and April, temperatures average 30 degrees Celsius during the day and 18 degrees at night.
Mohamed al Toobi, under-secretary of the Omani Tourism Ministry, said, ``Foreigners flock to Oman from October to February mainly for tourism purpose. During this period, travelers are required to book early because all hotels are fully booked.''
The under-secretary is not exaggerating the availability of hotel rooms as managers there also told The Korea Times that it is almost impossible to get a room without several weeks prior reservation.
The first impression foreign travelers get upon arrival in Oman is probably the cleanness. It is very hard to find any trash in the streets ― actually it is prohibited to throw away rubbish in public places.
The second eye-catching thing is a unique style of architecture ― tidy and gray with harmony of circles and squares.
And then, strangers can find the well-woven nature of sea, mountains and deserts as well as generous people. Basically, Oman rejoices in nature preserved in good condition thanks to its Islamic-based rule and its leaders.
Water Life in Oman
Muscat means ``anchorage,'' so it's hardly surprising that the sea is an integral part of Omani life.
Among other things, this is the birthplace of the legendary sailor Sindbad in Sohar, 200 km north west of Muscat. A visit to the Sohar Fort Museum will be enough to learn about the nation's long history of sailing expertise.
In the capital, Muscat, are wooden Dhows ― traditional Gulf sailing vessels. A ride on the boat has many high points ― one can look around every monument in Muscat from the sea and can also experience old Omani sailors' sea life. It takes about one year to build the traditional boat, which lasts for more than 100 years.
If you stay in Muscat, don't forget to take a dip in the sea because you will find some of the cleanest waters containing lots of small fishes. Further out you may be able to find dolphins.
For those who are to see magnificent underwater nature, there are plenty of world-class diving locations in Oman. Oman has a long coastline and a variety of underwater treasures: coral reefs and shipwrecks provide a multitude of dwellings for an array of marine life.
However, keep in mind that all divers must have a diving permit from the Royal Omani Police to dive and most obtain their permits through the club or dive centers they dive with.
Life in the Desert
For any Korean, the most exotic experience in Oman will be a night in the desert.
First, it is like a roller coaster ride in 4WDs over steep sand dunes. Second, it's fun to see goats and camels just walking around without paying much attention to tourists who just like to take photos of them. Third, a night in a tent offers the starry sky and the opportunity to reflect on oneself because of the deserts' emptiness.
The desert camps also offer activities such as camel rides or desert cycles for kids.
As of December, there are six or seven desert camps based 220 km south of Muscat, according to the Omani Ministry of Tourism.
Each camp has about 30 small tents where two cots are prepared without electricity. But the camps provide food and some entertainment such as traditional music performances and dances around the campfire.
A special atmosphere is created when people get together before the campfire in deserts, enjoying music and dance.
One of guests at the campfire said, ``I never thought that I could dance without booze.'' It is illegal to drink in public in Oman.
Attractions
Numerous historical forts throughout Oman are towering testimonies to the country's long and sometimes turbulent history. Two of them are Jalai Fort and Mirani Fort in Muscat Old Town.
A mosque tour is also interesting as Oman has a fascination for breaking world records at Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
In 1992, Sultan Qaboos decided he wanted the world's biggest mosque and the world's largest hand-woven carpet in the mosque's prayer room. The mosque was opened in 2001 with the capacity for 20,000 worshipers.
To buy or look around a market, visit Mutrah Souk near the port of Muscat. People will find not only the usual Omani buys such as spices, frankincense and sandalwood, but also banana leaf, camel skin baskets and gem encrusted snuff boxes.
Before leaving Oman, it is an unforgettable experience to taste traditional Omani sweet dates.
Tour Tips
There is no direct flight between Seoul and Muscat, and a viable option is to stop over in Bangkok or Dubai.
One thing Koreans must keep in mind when traveling to Oman is that they should be careful about drinking alcohol. Alcohol cannot be purchased at local supermarkets but is available at hotels and restaurants.
It is illegal to carry alcohol around or drink alcohol outside. But overall, the attitude to alcohol in Oman is far more relaxed than in some other parts of the Middle East.
For more information, visit the tour Web site of the Omani Ministry of Tourism at www.omantourism.gov.om.