february-2012

TRAVEL OMAN
pouring over the mountains and trekkers heading into
the dawn light.
Donkey safaris, mountain biking, rock collecting hikes,
cultural excursions and nature walks set off from the
campsite, attracting visitors who shun the fi ve-star hotels
and residents who need time out from the daily slog.
Businessman Steve, a British expat who has lived in
Muscat for seven years, regularly heads to the hills on the
local Th ursday/Friday weekend.
“Once the cooler weather has arrived, we pack up the car
every other weekend, camping on the beach or a place like
this, just to get away from the air-conditioning and to
stretch the legs aft er a week in the offi ce. Friends back home
never suspect that Oman has an outdoor scene — they
either think it’s shiny and full of malls like Dubai, or that
we’re working all the time. I can’t get out of my desk chair
quick enough come Wednesday aft ernoon when I’ve got a
weekend of hiking ahead of me. And it’s normally about 10
degrees cooler in the mountains than it is in Muscat, too.”
He packs up the family Toyota Prado — complete with
booster seats in the back — and drives deeper into the
mountains, camera resting on the dashboard.
It’s an experience that comes highly recommended. v
58 Holland Herald
A trader
in Nizwa
Oman fact fi le
Yemen
Arabian Gulf
United Arab
Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Undemarcated borders
Bordered by the UAE, Saudi
Arabia and Yemen, Oman
adopted Islam in the 7th
century and was conquered
by several foreign powers,
with evidence of British
infl uence from the 19th and
20th centuries still visible.
GETTING THERE
KLM operates fi ve direct
fl ights per week to Muscat
International Airport from
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
WHY GO?
The warmth of the people,
and stunning landscapes that
will have you reaching for the
extra camera batteries and
memory cards.
WHERE TO STAY
For fi ve-star luxury in Muscat,
opt for The Chedi (lhw.
com), which is 10 minutes
from the airport, boasting a
sleek, dark-tiled infi nity pool
and the ideal location for
exploring the capital (lhw.
N
Oman
Gulf of Oman
Europe
Africa
Muscat
Muscat
International
Airport
Wahiba
Sands
Arabian Sea
com). A further 30 minute drive
away is the Al Bustan Palace
(ritzcarlton.com), which sits
on the coastline with views
of the mountains and some
of the fi nest restaurants in
Muscat. If travelling south, The
View (theviewoman.com) is
a permanent camping spot
that can help with outdoor
activities plus cultural trips to
nearby towns and attractions.
MORE INFORMATION
omantourism.gov.om
DON’T FORGET
You can take this magazine
with you, or read the article
again at holland-herald.com.
Oman
Map: Allan Grotjohann