A Tourist Mecca- Oman

The great Indian writer and journalist Khushwant Singh once wrote’ Before dying one must visit Muscat’

How true it is! I got a first taste of the Oman’s hospitality on one of the flights which had a very adorable, lively and perky airhostess, whose name, ‘Zohra Mohammed’ still brings the recollection of her charming face! 

The Air hostess

Having undertaken scores of journeys one rarely remembers the air hostess! A very friendly individual, she made us feel, the economy class passengers, no less than VIPs on board the Oman Air flight! We got to know of her Egyptian background which was in a way responsible for her ‘legendary Queen Nefertiti like features’, and a clear diction reflecting her good education.  This was the first hand introduction to a country and its lovely people!

We had planned our journey to Europe by Oman Air recently, and due to paucity of time had to skip the lovely destination! I regret the decision for not having been to this beautiful country. The immaculate white robed officials were immensely polite in the cool confines of the huge airport despite blazing heat outside. It was one of the rare things to find captions in Hindi and even announcements being made in Hindi, a welcome change on a foreign soil. I could see more foreigners scrambling at Idli.com the lone Indian restaurant, at the sprawling airport for the Indian cuisine! 

The Kabuliwallah

I was truly impressed by the bounties of the desert nation like dry fruits, dates and seeds reminding me of the Kabuliwallh (a character from noble laureate Dr Rabindranath Tagore’s tale by the same name of a dry fruit peddler)

Oman though an Islamic State, has a system of adult franchise to elect the government and also women are now stepping on the center stage to perform bigger roles. Every year 17 Oct is celebrated as Omani Women’s Day and many pro women events are held across the country. Since the year 2008, the women in Oman also have a right to own the land! This is truly incredible!

Omani Kahwa and Dates

Among the foods I adore are the Omani Kahwa, or coffee/tea laced with cardamom powder and Halwa made from butter, wheat and sun seeds and pistachios and dates! Most of the other popular food preparations are meat and fish based which are very popular including the kebabs, shwarmas and biryanis!

 Given an opportunity to see the places in Oman, I would love to visit a traditional souk like Mutrah  Corniche where the items like gold/ silver curved daggers are sold ! It was once said that there used to be so many people in such narrow alleys that one had to light a candle to find the way even during daytime due to darkness, as sunlight could not enter!

The curved dagger

Mutrah Croniche

The first scene of the epic movie, ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ in which a spec in the desert that keeps getting bigger till the hero, Peter O’Toole emerges saddled on a camel back in the vast desert, remains etched in my memory.( Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud1zpHW3ito )

Wahiba Sands

I wish one day, I too can experience the same in the wilderness of sand dunes of Wahiba ! A starlight night with Bedouins in company, with traditional music at a campsite would be a perfect outing in the midst of a desert! It will also give an opportunity to see the ‘Wadis’ in the vicinity.

Falaj

Some other things which would be well worth a pursuit while in Oman is a visit to one of the ‘Falaj’ or the traditional water irrigation system in Oman which is on the World Heritage List, undertake a frankincense trail where the frankincense trees grow, cruise on a dhow in the deep blue lagoons and also witness a  camel race!

The list keeps getting longer but at least these are a few experiences I would love to cherish on Oman holiday! The time to make up for the loss of missing out on the lovely destination and enjoy the warmth of the people is just around the corner.

PS:   1. Names used have been changed to protect the identity of the individuals

       2. Pictures Kind courtesy Google and video link to You Tube

       3. This post is my entry for the blog contest sponsored by Ministry of Tourism, of the Sultanate of  Oman (http://www.omantourism.gov.om) and Indiblogger