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Why travel to Oman?

March 30, 2018 by Cathy Arkle 42 Comments

I recently returned from a fascinating Middle Eastern journey that included Oman. 

Why Travel to Oman? | She Paused for Thought

The first question people asked was, Why travel to Oman? Well, sit down while I explain…

It doesn’t surprise me that most people know very little about Oman, one of the oldest independent states in the Arab world. One reason might be because Oman is one of the youngest countries for tourists to visit. Up until 1970, there were no hotels in the country! In 1987 the Omani government decided to ease visa restrictions opening up the tourist boom.

When you think of Oman from now on, imagine jaw-dropping mountainous landscapes with a green oasis at its base…

Omani landscape in Oman

and majestic orange sand dunes – those of the Wahiba Sands…

sand dune in Oman

and turquoise blue water nestling up to creamy sand beaches in what many call the ‘Middle Eastern Riviera’.

Beach at Sur, Oman

These are just a few reasons to travel to Oman.

I want to give you an overview of Oman, to share my travels and tastes, then hopefully you’ll understand why I traveled to this remote exotic land.

Oman map

The official name of the country is the Sultanate of Oman. It is about the size of New Mexico with a population estimated at 5,119,745.

Oman is 82 percent desert. But it isn’t what you might think of when you think about a desert.

Oman landscape

Lunar-style landscapes jet upwards out of seemingly nowhere.

You won’t find any rivers here, but, there is water in underground springs, wells, and wadis.

Wadis traditionally refer to a valley that has a dry riverbed which contains water only during times of heavy rain, forming an oasis.

wadis in Oman

Even though Oman now enjoys status as one of the safest countries in the world it has a vibrant, swashbuckling past due to its strategic location along the maritime trade routes. When you explore the countryside you’ll find the artifacts of more than a thousand forts and watchtowers. Most towns have at least one.

Nizwa Fort in Oman

 Nizwa Fort was built in 1668 AD and is Oman’s most visited national monument.

It is a tradition in Oman to greet a visitor with a bowl of dates and Qahwa (black coffee with cardamom) in a very small cup.

Drinking Omani tea

My Mom and I enjoying a coffee with our Omani dates and desserts.

Traditionally Omani people drink coffee in a thousand little sips, each served separately. You simply shake your cup if you want more, or hand your cup back to the host to say you are finished.

The cuisine, Oh! The cuisine…

As if the geography and the hospitality weren’t enough, the cuisine is exotically decadent. It’s an ancient fusion of staples from African, Middle East, Asian, and Indian foods. (More on this in an upcoming blog).

Food of Oman

Dishes are often based on chicken, fish, and lamb, as well as the staple, rice. Most Omani dishes are perfumed with a rich mixture of spices, herbs, and mildly piquant marinades, thanks to the maritime trade that passed through the ports of Oman in the 19th century.

When serving guests in Oman, the meal is arranged on the floor, and everyone sits on gorgeous carpets and pillows.

Dinner in Oman

Oman imports 98% of its food. Even though oil (900,000 barrels per day) is the major export of Oman, fish and dates form a significant portion of its economy.

dates in Oman

Oman has more than 250 indigenous varieties of dates.

I was surprised we were served Mountain Dew everywhere. Apparently, it is the top-selling beverage in Oman. It is sometimes referred to as “Omani-Alcohol.”

Fable fun…

One of the Omani desert’s most fabled creatures, the Arabian oryx is thought to be the inspiration of the mythical unicorn.  

Arabian oryx in Oman

At the time of Aristotle (4th century BC), it was customary in Egypt to bind the horns together of young Oryx antelopes which had been caught: These would then grow together into a single horn – the source of many legends.

The undisputed favorite animal of the Arab world, however, is the Arabian camel (Dromedary Camel – one hump).

Camels in Oman

Even though they appear to be roaming free in the wild, someone owns them. I fell in love with these beautiful and affectionate creatures who always look like they are smiling!

Close up of camel

Did you know that in Oman there are camel beauty contests?

camels

What makes them beautiful? Well, apparently their height and long neck, the size of their nose, and downward dangling lips.

These contests are worth more than $30 million in prizes. I guess that is enough to make people cheat. Twelve camels were recently disqualified from a contest in Saudi Arabia after judges found out they were given Botox to improve their features. Read about it here.

Stylin’…

Women wear a loose black cloak called an abaya over their personal choice of clothing, and a hijab that covers their hair and neck. Some women cover their faces, but most do not.

Women

In some regions, particularly among the Bedouin, women still wear the Batoola (burqa).

Burqa

The burqua, Oman-style (batoola), mimics a falcon’s beak, with a strip of fabric covering the eyebrows that then runs down the center of the nose. Originally worn as protection from the harsh, desert climate to help keep sand and dust out of the nose and mouth, and it also serves as a garment of modesty.

As a note of interest, the falcon is the national bird and falconry is one of the important sports in the country. (I will explore this more in another post.)

Women reserve wearing their traditional dress for special occasions, or for entertaining Westerners like us…

Traditional dress for women in Oman

Omani men wear a Dishdasha—an ankle-length robe. Its main adornment, a tassel (furakha) sewn into the neckline, can be dipped in perfume. (A must if you go to the fish market!)

Traditional dress for men in Oman

I didn’t see an Omani man without a hat. They wear Turbans (formal and required if working for the government) which must take time in the morning because there are nearly 10 ways to wear the Omani turban. The hat I saw the most, though, was the Kumma – a round shaped hat, adorned with embroidery patterns.

Shop talk…

Oman also has one of the oldest marketplaces in the world – The Mutrah Souq.

Shopping in Oman

This marketplace has so many colorful little shops where you can buy exotic items like Frankensense—that you eat, pottery incense burners, kummas, perfume and traditional craft items along with the usual touristy knick-knacks.

Shops in Muscat Oman

One of the great things about Oman, something that makes it easy for the tourist, is that signs are in Arabic and English… even if the translation is a bit off!

Sign in Oman

Politically speaking…

Politics takes place in a framework of an absolute monarchy whereby the Sultan of Oman is the head of state and the head of government. The current ruler, Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, is the longest-serving ruler in the Middle East – he began his reign in 1970 and has made great progress modernizing the country.

Why travel to Oman?

I’ve taken it upon myself to advertise Oman – I love it there! And I highly recommend it, because it’s not overrun by tourists, the food is wonderful, the people are kind, and the geography is spectacular. And those camels, oh those gorgeous camels…

The best time to visit Oman is in winter as the summer is too hot. Maybe I’ll see you there next winter because I cannot wait to return!
…and then, she paused for thought.

Yum

Filed Under: Good Information, Travel Tagged With: Cuisine of Oman, Oman, Oman tourisim, Why travel to Oman?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather

    March 30, 2018 at 1:08 pm

    These photos are amazing! I love reading about your trip, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      March 30, 2018 at 5:52 pm

      Thanks Heather, it was truly an amazing place.

      Reply
  2. Cheri Newell

    March 30, 2018 at 2:29 pm

    All of your world travels have been amazing… thank goodness I can live vicariously through you!!! I loved all of the photos… but my favorite… you and your mom having coffee… and that camel giving you a hug and kiss!!!

    Reply
    • ShePaused4Thought

      March 30, 2018 at 3:27 pm

      Thanks Cheri. There were so many great moments on this trip.

      Reply
  3. Sara

    March 30, 2018 at 3:13 pm

    What a wonderful experience! Thank you for sharing!! I can’t wait to read more posts about it in the future. <3

    Reply
    • ShePaused4Thought

      March 30, 2018 at 3:27 pm

      Thanks Sara, starting to work on some Omani recipes, so it should be fun.

      Reply
  4. Sue @ It's Okay to Eat the Cupcake

    March 30, 2018 at 3:53 pm

    You live the most exciting life! Your photos are just beautiful – they transported me right to Oman with you. (I really love the juxtaposition of the “I <3 Oman mug in the midst of all the intricately painted ceramics… 🙂 ) I love dates, but had no idea there were so many varieties ~ I hope you'll be sharing a recipe that uses them!

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      March 30, 2018 at 5:50 pm

      Thanks Sue. Just goes to show you there is something for everyone pretty much where ever you go. I will look for a date recipe. We were quite fond of the chocolate covered dates. Guess you really don’t need a recipe for that. LOL.

      Reply
  5. Wesley Grose

    March 30, 2018 at 4:00 pm

    Applause, applause!!! With your gorgeous photos and story telling you made us feel a little bit like we had been there ourselves………i love those gorgeous hanging lamps in the souq wish I had some for the patio! ….Hope you get to go again soon and can’t wait for the story to continue……..Please drop in to deliver a little cup of that cardamom coffee….I’m feeling the Friday afternoon drag about now, I love cardamom and I love coffee so sounds line a win-win!!! 😉 . ~xoJulie~

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      March 30, 2018 at 4:23 pm

      Thank you Julie! I wish you could have been there as you would have loved it. If you grind your own coffee, you can put 3-4 cardamom in with your beans to enjoy a great tasting coffee. I first had it in Jordan and have been making it for years. Just the right touch of spice.

      Mom wanted those lamps SO bad. They were so gorgeous.

      Reply
  6. Faye Levy

    March 30, 2018 at 4:24 pm

    What a fabulous post! Thank you! Yakir and I enjoyed reading it together.

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      March 30, 2018 at 5:51 pm

      I am so happy Faye. It was such a wonderful place, hope you both can get there someday.

      Reply
  7. Linda Valen

    March 30, 2018 at 7:19 pm

    Nobody tells a great story better than you, Cathy!!! As you write, I feel like I am on an amazing guided tour with you and the pictures really add to your stories!! Your adventures are intriguing, what you see and hear and learn about the different cultures you go to are extremely interesting and your food ideas are amazing! You should write a book (or many)!

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      March 31, 2018 at 8:30 am

      Thank you Linda for coming along for the ride. I appreciate your kind words.

      Reply
  8. Maggie

    March 30, 2018 at 8:20 pm

    Great blog, Cathy! It brought back memories for me. I still dab a little Frankincense on my face each morning and regularly add the Cardomom to my coffee. My grandson did a Business Internship there and enjoyed it very much. Oman wants to create business relationships with the world and offer lots of opportunities to young people. So glad you and your mom had a wonderful trip.

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      March 31, 2018 at 8:29 am

      Wow that is really interesting Maggie! I wonder if I am too old for that business internship! LOL.

      Reply
  9. Pam

    March 30, 2018 at 8:57 pm

    I love your blog and I would love to go there. Your pictures are amazing.

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      March 31, 2018 at 8:28 am

      Thank you Pam. I think Oman has something for everyone. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Susan Herrmann Loomis

    March 31, 2018 at 3:31 am

    Ok, Cathy, when will you organize another trip to Oman. I will come with you! What a wonderful post.

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      March 31, 2018 at 8:27 am

      You got a deal Susan! Let’s do it.

      Reply
  11. Brenda

    March 31, 2018 at 4:50 am

    Such beauty in nature, architecture and even in their cuisine. Thanks for sharing this amazing adventure with us.

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      March 31, 2018 at 8:27 am

      Thanks Brenda, so glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  12. Nanette La Salle

    March 31, 2018 at 9:40 am

    Wonderful post! Your Mom is such a good sport! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      March 31, 2018 at 3:47 pm

      Yes, my mom is such a great travel partner. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Elaine Barrus

    April 1, 2018 at 2:59 pm

    Cathy,
    How generous of you to share so much of your travel experiences with us. You could be employed by the Office of Tourism in so many exotic places. You’ve wet my appetite, and now Oman is on my list of places to visit. Thank you for such a vivid and informative virtual tour.

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      April 2, 2018 at 9:22 pm

      You are so kind Elaine, I am so happy to share my experience with Oman. I do hope you travel there someday as it worth the trip.

      Reply
  14. Sharon Horning

    April 2, 2018 at 2:50 pm

    Hi Cathy, I visited with your mom today to catch the highlights of your trip. You could write a travelogue for a magazine because your pictures and descriptions are outstanding. Your mom loves traveling with you,and I’m so happy that you both stayed well and had a wonderful experience. Thanks for your post, it was so informative about a country I knew little about.

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      April 2, 2018 at 9:21 pm

      Thank you for your kind words, Sharon! I am so happy you enjoyed the photos and were able to share our experience with us… even if it was through this post.

      Reply
  15. Greg Henry (@sippitysup)

    April 4, 2018 at 11:27 am

    wow. this really impresses me. I love to travel to unexpected places. And this is one of the most unexpected! GREG

    Reply
    • ShePaused4Thought

      April 5, 2018 at 9:33 am

      It was a very impressive country. At every turn, it was unique, unexpected and intriguing.

      Reply
  16. Lentil Breakdown

    April 5, 2018 at 8:31 am

    Wow, I knew nothing about this country! Thanks for sharing your most adventurous adventure!

    Reply
    • ShePaused4Thought

      April 5, 2018 at 9:31 am

      Seriously, I didn’t know anything about it either, outside of a cookbook I read. It is a great find.

      Reply
  17. tobeginwithin

    April 6, 2018 at 8:59 pm

    I love it Cathy! Thank you for taking the time to make this post. So interesting, definitely makes me want to go visit there!

    Reply
    • ShePaused4Thought

      April 6, 2018 at 9:51 pm

      Thank you. I really think Oman should be on everyone’s bucket list.

      Reply
  18. Kelly Page (@TastingPage)

    April 10, 2018 at 10:23 am

    You’ve now put yet another place I must visit on my travel list. I love everything about Oman, but especially that beautiful display for dining. What a set up! Who knew they had so many dates as well. Thanks for the education. Looking forward to learning more about the cuisine from you on upcoming posts!

    Reply
    • ShePaused4Thought

      April 11, 2018 at 11:30 am

      Oman is such a unique place and I know you would love it. Dining is very communal which is always fun.

      Reply
  19. Coco in the Kitchen

    April 11, 2018 at 10:21 am

    I’d lose total control of my wallet in the bazaar!

    Reply
    • ShePaused4Thought

      April 11, 2018 at 11:28 am

      Yes Coco is was a real challenge! 🙂

      Reply
  20. Christina Conte

    April 15, 2018 at 8:10 am

    I didn’t read this until now as I wanted to really take the time to enjoy it and I’m so glad I did! Honestly, Cathy, Oman was NEVER on my radar, but now it’s on my list of “to visit” countries! What a fabulous trip you and your mother had there! Amazing sights and the food, too! I have to say, the botox camel contest disqualifications gave me quite a chuckle! Toooo funny!

    Thanks for sharing the beauty of visiting Oman! I hope I can go one day!

    Reply
    • ShePaused4Thought

      May 1, 2018 at 6:56 pm

      I am so happy you enjoyed it. I am endless fascinated with this country. I do hope I inspired a few people to get out of their comfort zones to discover something so unique.

      Reply
  21. Nanette La Salle

    March 21, 2019 at 10:59 am

    Beautiful ladies, wonderful trip! Great pictures too! Thanks for sharing.
    Love!!!!!!

    Reply
    • ShePaused4Thought

      March 21, 2019 at 4:39 pm

      Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply

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Welcome to She Paused 4 Thought! I’m Cathy - a farm girl from Iowa living in Los Angeles. Let’s cook, laugh, travel & have fun together. Read More…

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