I haven’t heard anything about Oman. In June 2015, I took a 3-week trip to Greece with a stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
I took the opportunity to look for nearby destinations from Dubai for a quick visit and found a 40-minute flight to Muscat, the capital of Oman. Curious, I searched for “Oman attractions” on Google.
The country appeared to be a mysterious paradise with its canyons, beaches, and deserts. Opting to explore alone while my family went back to Brazil from Dubai, I opted for a well-known hotel, the Shangri-la Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, and planned for a brief 3-day stay to safely explore the main attractions of the small country.
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I was astonished by the unique sight of a desert with stones instead of sand, alongside the sea, during my journey from the airport to the hotel.
I could see why the luxurious Shangri-la network is renowned as one of the top in the world upon arriving at the hotel. The hotel itself is so fantastic that I could happily spend my entire stay there, with its fabulous restaurants, private beach, pool, and diving center. It might just be the best hotel I’ve ever stayed at.
The exchange rate between the Brazilian Real and the Omani Riyal was 10 to 1, indicating that even though it may seem inexpensive, items would actually be quite costly.
After looking up travel agencies and hotel tours online, I found that the tours I wanted would cost me at least a thousand reais per day, which seemed outrageous. Since I believe in living life to the fullest and adding the “Dubai-Mascate” leg to my original flight only cost R $ 140, I decided to go for it despite the high cost.
Fortunately, I discovered while conversing with the taxi driver that he provided similar rides and I could haggle the price with him. As a result, I managed to do the same tours for just one-third of the cost, which even covered the return trip to the airport.
There is always a risk involved in such arrangements, but the driver recommended by the hotel concierge at the airport was highly praised for his services. Feel free to leave a comment here if you would like his contact information. I had a similar experience on a previous trip which turned out well.
When I was by myself, I left a note in my hotel room saying that I would be out visiting certain places with a specific driver and contact information.
At the start of our trip, we made a stop at the Wadi Ad Dayqah Dam in Quriyat, which is the biggest dam in the country. Dams are massive structures constructed on rivers to harness water flow for farming and electricity, and they typically have lakes and water storage areas.
The location is stunning, and I had no prior knowledge of what a Dam was, as Oman has numerous dams, wadis, and sinkholes.
I really enjoy it! It feels like beginning the day on a positive note, but even better 🙂
We then went to Wadi Shab, a location I was eager to visit, approximately 2 hours away from the hotel in Tiwi. Upon arrival by car, you can park and board a boat for a low cost (around 1 Riad), which will transport you across the river to begin the trail.
The entire path is stunning, featuring vibrant emerald waters, lush vegetation in the canyons, and rocky formations. Along the route, there are natural pools, waterfalls, and even a cave with a submerged entrance.
Oman boat trip
chsyys/UnPlash
It was quite uncomfortable to walk the tennis trail as my feet kept sinking in the water. It would have been impossible to bear without proper water shoes, but I managed to survive. (haha)
The location was incredibly stunning, resembling a movie set, and it was nearly deserted.
We visited Fins Beach near the stunning Wadi Shab, located on the coast between Muscat and Sur. It was peaceful and deserted, with a vivid blue hue that mirrored the sky.
Our final destination of the day was the Dabab Sinkhole, located 113km from Muscat. Oman has numerous unique sinkholes with water, creating distinct and stunning landscapes unlike anything I had seen before.
It is a crater filled with water, functioning as a natural pond with fish.
Geologists have confirmed that the Dabab Sinkhole is a natural formation resulting from the interaction of dissolving limestones with calcium carbonate and water, contrary to the legend of it being formed by a meteorite impact.
While in the Middle East by myself, I experienced a cultural surprise when I wore a long-sleeved swimsuit without a low neckline to be cautious. Upon leaving the water, I realized a family watching from above, and my guide advised me to put on a skirt as it was more appropriate in that setting.
As we drove back to the car at the top, we chose an empty path to avoid encountering anyone, as all the Muslim women around were fully covered from head to toe.
I believe it is crucial to show respect for the local culture. I advise against women wearing bikinis, as even exposing my legs caused some discomfort. Nonetheless, Oman is truly incredible, and its natural pools are delightful.
That day was truly amazing and well worth the money spent.
The following day, Ali, my driver, showed me around the key attractions of Muscat such as the Royal Palace, the Souk, and the Opera. I will share more about this in the future 😉
Explore additional recommendations from Oman.
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- Petra, located in Jordan.
- International Travel Insurance
- Yemen
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