Last fall, I met an Omani man at my guest house in Delhi, India. When he learned I was a travel writer, he began to gush about Oman. “You must go! It is so beautiful. Muscat is gorgeous and people are so friendly.” I was sold. I added Oman to a list of Middle Eastern countries to visit this spring.
I arrived in Muscat, the capital of Oman, on a balmy March evening on the heels of visiting Dubai in the UAE. I’d thoroughly enjoyed my time in Dubai and, if reports I’d read on the Internet were any indication, I’d be even more wowed by Oman.
My first inkling that Oman might not be all that I hoped came a few minutes later. The driver of the taxi who met me at the airport started asking what I wanted to do in Muscat. I replied that I’d begin by taking the hop-on, hop-off Big Bus in order familiarize myself with the sprawling city. “Oh no! You don’t want to do that. It’s really expensive and you have to wait a long time between buses.” His warning was quickly followed with a sales pitch. He could show me everything I needed to see in half a day and it would cost only $65.
I wasn’t interested. As a photographer, I often need to wait for the right light, or for crowds to clear in order to get the best shot. As a writer, I must be able to roam at my own pace, soaking up the atmosphere, talking to locals, and musing over story angles. Being tied to a tour where I’m allowed 15 or 20 minutes at each stop simply doesn’t work. I politely declined, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Trapped in his vehicle, I suffered the hard sell all the way to my hotel.
It was late and I was exhausted by the time we reached my hotel. I wanted nothing more than to fall into bed and sleep for ten hours. But my room fronted on a six-lane highway and the traffic noise was so bad I knew sleeping would be impossible. I asked for and was given a second room…which had a balcony with sliding glass doors that would not lock.
As a solo female traveler, I have a few non-negotiable rules for staying safe. One of them is never to stay in a room where the doors won’t lock. Once again, I asked for my room to be changed. The third try was even worse. The room reeked like a dead animal and there were dark brown spots on the carpet the size of dinner plates. I’m sure the Filipino staff hated me by that time, but I had to demand a fourth room, which was finally acceptable.
My experience did not improve over the next five days. I began in Old Muscat, where the only interesting sites among a sea of whitewashed buildings were the Al Alam Palace and two 16th-century Portuguese forts. None of which were open to the public. With everything closed during the midday heat, streets of the old town were deserted. The only sign of life was four Omani men wearing the traditional Omani Dishdasha, an ankle-length white caftan, and round embroidered caps known as kumma. They strolled slowly down the middle of the street, eventually disappearing into one of the brilliant white palaces. Little did I know this would be the closest I would ever get to Omani culture.
Dejectedly, I turned my back on Old Muscat and headed back down the 4-mile Corniche. It was a beautiful seaside walk, but as in Old Muscat, everything along the way was closed. I arrived at the Mutrah Suq just as the market was opening for the evening and ducked inside to wander its cool narrow alleyways. Like any other market in the world, merchants hawked wares ranging from gold to spice to pashmina shawls. But every single one of the shop owners was an immigrant. I met friendly Pakistanis, Filipinos, Bangladeshis, and even Nepalis. But not a single Omani was to be found.
On day two I fended off multiple pushy taxi drivers, found the Big Bus stop, and sat down to wait. The bus arrived fifteen minutes later, but I wasn’t allowed to board. A cruise ship was in town and the company was busy shuttling passengers back to the ship. When the next bus finally arrived, it did an “abbreviated” route that ignored some of the stops shown on the company’s website.
We were well past the beach by the time I realized the driver had skipped it. My only option would have been to go all the way around and wait for the next bus. By that time it was too late. Even if I took a quick stroll on the beach and grabbed a late lunch, I would miss the last bus back. And a taxi back to the hotel would set me back another 25 bucks.
My Big Bus ticket was for two days, so I set out early the next morning. I was beginning to suspect that there was little to see or do in Muscat, and the Big Bus tour quickly confirmed my worst fears. Strangely, the two most visited sites, the Muscat Opera House and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, were not even included on the route. Unlike the hop-on, hop-off buses I’ve taken in dozens of other locations around the world, this one was a total rip-off. I did manage to see the mosque when a lovely French Canadian family at the hotel invited me to accompany them in their rental car. Good thing, too, because the taxi driver I’d hired to take me didn’t show up.
For the remainder of my time in Oman, I decided to focus on day trips outside of the capital city. I’d read about jeep tours in the surrounding Sahara-like dunes, off-roading through rugged mountain scenery, and wadis where hidden emerald pools offer opportunities for a cool dip. I tried my favorite go-to booking site, GetYourGuide, and even Viator, without success. Not only are tours in Oman extremely expensive, the minimum number of participants for any tour was two people. As a single person I would have had to pay double, even if other customers joined the same tour. The cheapest option was $250 for a half-day trip to a wadi. I just said no.
I spent my last day wandering around the Mutrah area, eating horrible fast food and trying to meet locals other than taxi drivers. The only Omanis I found were squatting on the sidewalk in front of a sand pit, playing an ancient game known as hawalis. The chess-like game involved moving a series of pebbles among four rows of holes dug in the sand. The men refused to acknowledge me and even my requests to take a photo went unanswered. Lacking denial, I snapped the photo. I stood there a while longer, trying to decipher the rules of the game, but their snub made me increasingly uncomfortable. I later learned the centuries-old game, which is just as incomprehensible as the local culture, is exclusive to Oman.
Others may wax lyrical about Oman, but the only friendly people I met were immigrants. And the countryside may indeed be beautiful, but since all the tours were exceedingly expensive, I never saw it. There is no published information about bus routes and no rapid transit. Even renting a car is problematic. My new French Canadian friends told me horror stories about getting lost in the interior on roadways completely devoid of any directional signs. Oman doesn’t have a clue how to handle tourism. Until it does, I can find lots of other places to spend my money.
Author’s note: Since publishing this article, I have been flooded with comments from travelers who love Muscat. I’m the first to say that different places resonate with different people. I may not want to return, but those of you who are intrigued by Oman as a destination may find both this comprehensive travel guide to Oman and this 10-Day Oman Itinerary helpful.
Its true what she said. I was in oman multiple time and omani texi drivers lmao beyond everything ??
im going to touch you
well said
I was planning to go to Oman with children, but I am now thinking twice. The bad taxi drivers and dodginess sound like a no-no for me.
Don’t let this terrible article discourage you from going to Oman. We went to Muscat for 3 days with our daughter this December after a week in UAE and we liked Oman more.
We had an amazing time and want to go back to see the rest of the country. We visited a lot of sites and never felt unsafe.
The author clearly didn’t do her research when planning her trip. It is not a trip that can be done on the cheap. Stay in the nicest place you can afford and hire a driver for private tours. It’s a beautiful country and the people are lovely.
Thank you for your review. I’m sorry you are being bullied for your authentic opinion.
false opinion*
i cant believe this. oman is best country my son born oman now he cry. this article very bad i rate 0 stars.
I was planning to visit Oman next month, and I came across your article. I hope the tourism situation has improved for good.
You sound like a horribly entitled and prejudiced woman who should truly hang up your travel writing boots. This is an absurd interpretation of Muscat and only one that could be written by an American who is incapable of enjoying the simple unsullied life. It sounds like if it’s not bright lights and plastic then you aren’t interested. Why don’t you just go to Las Vegas? Imagine the scene, you, a single American woman, who clearly does not understand the Muslim culture, hovering over a group of men in the street expecting to be pandered to. Of course they will ignore you. Did you even have an Arabic word in your head to pass yourself or be civil? No, you just expect the sea to part for the great white American. The only good thing this article will do is hopefully ensure fewer Americans travel to Oman because my god you don’t half spoil places with your utter lack of intelligence. I am embarrassed for you.
Well said
?
She has just Expressed her experience and opinion as a human being and you are judging her for that. Your attitude is Not acceptable at all
I have lived as an expat in Oman for the last 2 years and having just read your article I felt uncharacteristically compelled to respond.
I have thoroughly enjoyed discovering this beautiful country – however having a 4×4 car is a MUST for travelling around.
From wild camping on white sandy beaches to stunning wadi walks with swims in cool turquoise water leading to caves with waterfalls, drives up the 2000m high mountains with stunning views over the dramatic gorges below especially during the Damask rose season, the starlit desert camps, walks through palm filled oasis, old villages, traditional souqs (recommend Nizwa for a more ‘Omani’ experience). Many historical castles & forts, Museums. Day trips to the beautiful Daymaniat Islands to snorkel with turtles and tropical fish – and in August with Whale Sharks. To top it off – fabulous hotels around Muscat and at the top of the Mountains – day passes are certainly affordable. Hotels also offer great buffet lunches on weekends. Travel a bit further out of Muscat to the coastal turtle reserve, further still to Salalah in the south for a different experience – dramatic waterfalls, lots of camels, frankincense forest …. The list goes on…..
I feel that you hadn’t researched your trip and maybe hoped that the experience would ‘come to you’. Had you done so you would have realised that the shops/souq would be closed from 1-4pm due to the hot climate. Also forget public transport – you need to hire a car to get around – ideally a 4 x4 otherwise you will be limited to where you can access eg mountains, desert some off road tracks. I agree tours can be expensive – however I don’t think Oman is pitching itself as a destination for back packers – It’s aiming to attract wealthier tourists who are looking for a country with natural beauty with the comfort of top hotels.
Finally – why would you expect a tour of the Palace? This isn’t a Disney theme Park – this is an ancient culture to be respected and accepted for what it is.
Really lovely list of place. Thank you for sharing this information.
Hi there, as an omani i would like to apologise for you not enjoying your time in Oman, muscat which is indeed very rare to hear from a tourist. Oman has drastically improved in the tourism sector, even before it wasn’t that bad. Anyways I don’t have to prove it to you as you can Google it yourself . However Oman is pricey you need to have a budget for it but you’ve been to Dubai but you couldn’t afford muscat? Very Strange.
The way you described your stay in the hotel show’s that you chose the cheapest hotel which is why again to have a decent experience you should have had a budget that could get you a better experience . Other than the many house guests that are clean and super affordable that we have, there are many affordable hotels now.
Muscat has many things to do especially mattrah there are so many museums and forts, it seems that you did not research before coming or you could have asked the local’s as we were named the county of piece for a reason 🙂
Sorry but so many things you have mentioned just don’t add up, muttrah souq with no Omanis?? There are many Omani shop owners who employ Indians and pakistaníes but they still exist in the souq
I’m really sorry for the missed opportunity as a photographer you could have truly enjoyed exploring the treasures of our country sadly you missed out on so many things by assuming Things and not asking around.
If you ever plan to come again you are more than welcome i know for a fact you will enjoy your time as we are always happy to help and offer our services even for free and do whatever it takes to make our guests feel welcome because that’s who we truly are.
Best wishes
Dont bother inviting her…Value people who respect ur country instead.
I loved in Muscat Ruwi for 9 lovely years as a child and I so so so so desperately want to come again for a 4 day trip! I studied in Indian central school Muscat in Jibroo and Darset! My daddy was working for the American Embassy in Muscat and I have very fond memories of Muscat Ruwi. We attended the Protestant church in Ruwi. I am planning to make a trip in Jan end. I have even found out the visa details too. But I do not want to travel alone. I need company and I just hope my friend is ok to come along. Oman is just so nostalgic and such an amazing place!!! My daddy is no more and that is all the more reason I want to go and visit Muscat at least for 4 days. I SO WANT TO!
The country has vistas, yes and is definitely worth a look.
The locals however, have a thin veneer of ‘niceness’ which can erode extremely quickly.
In business, I have never encountered such back-stabbing, crookedness & basic frauds. I work for the government here – I see it every day from the humble local to the top ministers.
Even the Omani ‘top investors/businessmen’ wont work with fellow Omanis – fact.
The UN tried to introduce a huge humanitarian project here (bio-agriculture) but even they gave gave up because of the ‘seagulls’ each wanting their cut.
It’s infrastructure is poor at best but all is way too expensive and they don’t pay enough to get quality staff, chefs, etc – leading to bad customer service and over-priced average food.
And you’ve been to India?????
Three times. Solo each time. Love India.
I was in india one time for business.
Never again….. All of my coowrkers and me had a stomach flu, never seen so much filth in one place, people smell horrible, traffic and pollution are just beyond everything I have seen in my life. Never again. I will gladly go to Oman 100 times more.
Ethan, I totally agree with you. I am an Indian who has been living in Oman for over 14 years. I am proud to be Loving in such a beautiful and hospitable Nation.
I’ve noticed that any article online remotely critical of Oman as a tourist destination seems to be lept on by various angry ex-pats and locals alike. Even relatively tempered accounts of a negative experience are met with vitriol and accusations of ignorance.
It’s to the point where I wonder if these are even real people, or trolls paid by Oman’s tourist board.
Barbara: your experience is valid and thank you for sharing it.
Thank you so much Joe. I hadn’t thought to check the IP addresses to see if the comments were all coming rm one source. I’ll do that!
Don’t waste your time.
The negative comments regarding your posting are most definitely genuine.
For my own part, I am retired, living in Oman by choice, and far from being paid, I actually pay for the privilege.
Look me up on Google.
Hi Neil, I hope to visit Muscat Oman on a cruise ship, one day. What is the best way for me to see the sites I’d like to see? The cruise ships rob you blind, rush in areas I want to explore & provide hours to sit on a beach, which I’m not interested in doing while I am exploring a new location for one day. Please email me at [email protected] Any other info would be greatly appreciated! TY!
No that’s not true, it’s just very rare that Oman gets negative comments that’s why everyone is confused.
I’m an American currently living in Oman, previously having lived in Abu Dhabi for years. I completely agree with Ethan’s comment. I can’t take this article seriously. You failed to do your research before coming here, take your time and truly know the country. You complained from the very beginning. Bless your heart.
Hi Donna, I hope to visit Muscat Oman on a cruise ship, one day. What is the best way for me to see the sites I’d like to see? The cruise ships rob you blind, rush in areas I want to explore & provide hours to sit on a beach, which I’m not interested in doing while I am exploring a new location for one day. Please email me at [email protected] Any other info would be greatly appreciated! TY!
Hi Donna,
I hope to visit Muscat Oman on a cruise ship, one day stop. What is the best way for me to see the sites I\’d like to see? The cruise ships rob you blind, rushes in areas I want to explore & provide hours to sit on a beach, which I\’m not interested in doing while I am exploring a new location for one day. Please email me at [email protected] Any other info would be greatly appreciated! TY!
I’m an Omani. I agree with you 95%. Here we glorify the past and history but do nothing now. We do not have good spots for to boost tourism as we see in UAE and Qatar. We do not have cycle path. No good public transport system. The roads are dangerously built.
I traveled around the world, What are basic services in other countries you can not find it here.
Its good to be real and say what it is with no painting. For me as a local. I have 4×4 and drive camp where ever I like because i know where to go where to drink and so.. what a tourist can do ?!
Most of Omanis whish when they have a holiday to travel to UAE or Europe. No wonder why 🙂
Well, Thank you for visiting Oman
In addition of the negative comments during my stay in oman i experience local negative attitudes, while i was walking in al ain road to nizwa fort every single vehicle horning unto me and yelling some strange words that i don’t understand exactly like “Dug dug sadike” never mind
how ever the taxi charges me $13 box for single roads trip i saw that it quiet expensive!
and the locals in nizwa souq are too harsh and aggressive for i tough they will welcome me as a visitor in reverse they ask for my personal mobile number for unknown reasons.
However thy place is good enough but i rather not to suggest it. sokeep safe who travel in oman.
try to travel and Witness my experiences
Please speak for yourself khalid, if you wish to live somewhere else you’re more than welcome to do so just don’t make false accusations
Actually, one of the nicest aspect of Oman compared to your neighbors is how nice the old charm and character is honored. This is why I thought it was the most relaxing and interesting place in the Gulf. The author had a bad experience and it sounded to me like she was tired and overwhelmed. Going to a country blindly is a bad idea and she should have planned better. Oman did not deserve this kind of review since so many have enjoyed their visits and the people, including myself.
As an Omani who spent much time outside of the country and has been living in Oman for the past 5 years, I have to agree with Khalid. It’s refreshing to hear some genuine opinions on tourism in Oman, and it’s true that we are much less developed in our tourism sector than nearby countries such as Qatar and the UAE. As a local I spend most of my leisure time either boating or camping, there are some beautiful landscapes and sites to visit here but they are lacking in services. Also, the hotels are ridiculously expensive. In terms of value for money I would have to say that the UAE is a more attractive destination, although Oman does have more natural beauty.
Perhaps you should temper the title of your article. It is incredibly emotive and quite controversial, especially since you don’t seem to have experienced much of Muscat at all. The city that I have called home for the past 7 years is hardly recognisable to that which you describe in your article.
i think you should indeed delete this article as it is not giving accurate information about Oman. Omanis are one of the friendliest nation on the world. Please check “Expat Insider 2021” report, Oman is the 4th friendliest country among 59 countries.
I’m living in Oman for 4 years now, as a solo woman, never ever had any bad experience. They have been always so helpfull, kind, welcoming and warm. I’m not working here but settled because there is no better country than Oman in the world.
Also taking a photo of Omanis without their consent is unacceptable. It’s not allowed even by law. Even if there is no law, i found it quite disrespectful. I’m also a traveler and i never do that.
Moreover, Oman is an expensive country. You should have been ready for it. Seems like you were not willing to spend any money to explore the country. That is also awkward.
Hi fallinlovewithoman,
I hope to visit Muscat Oman on a cruise ship, one day stop. What is the best way for me to see the sites I’d like to see? The cruise ships rob you blind, rushes in areas I want to explore & provide hours to sit on a beach, which I’m not interested in doing while I am exploring a new location for one day. Please email me at [email protected] Any other info would be greatly appreciated! TY!
Dana
To enjoy Oman as a tourist you probably need to get a car. But it’s as simple as that – just go for a drive! Amazing scenery.
I understand you didn’t have a very good experience but to say that you HATED the country was a bit weird. sort of clickbait.
Actually the author is right. i live there for 2.5 yrs because for my work. There are some good locals specially at your workplace but there are also some of the worst youll meet in your workplace. I was able to sit and eat with locals , i went to their cultural houses but “some” are just evil bosses. They used the pandemic to blackmail and not pay you for your rights and benefits. Talking about nice places are true but most of the good places are far and is expensive to go there or atleast you have your own car which is good. Anyone who says bad to this lady means you are just proving the facts that you are what you are. No offense but this is reality check …
Hi Barbra, I’m sorry you had a difficult time in Oman. It seems like you didnt get a chance to meet with many locals to really give you a feel for the culture and the country.
I do hope you decide to give the country another try, our door is always open. ?
I find it amazing to read all those comments disagreeing with the author employing the most juvenile of logical fallacies. ‘I was there….I liked it…..Thus your experience is invalid and wrong! These are the same type who spout the ‘If you don’t like it…LEAVE! passive aggressive ultimatums. You only embarrass yourselves!
Declan,
If you really want to see juvenile, try reading Victoria’s comment from April 7th. Here we have someone who is so uniformed that she has not realized that “clothes police” exist in all cultures, and have do so since time immemorial. On Youtube today, I saw a blonde Karen in the USA threatening another woman with hellfire and damnation because she was wearing a long-sleeved top that Karen thought “made her look naked”.
This is almost as silly as the “experienced traveler” who comes to a country and does not bother to familiarize herself with details like public transport routes, or opening times, and rejects advice from local experts.
you sound like the type of dude who jerks off to his own voice.
That would appear to be your fantasy. Neil McBeath
Hello Barbara
Thank you for taking the time to write your review regarding your experience in Oman (or more specifically, Muscat). While I understand as to why someone would take offense at your post, you have the right to express yourself as you see fit in your personal blog.
It is important for you to remember that when visiting a highly observant Islamic nation one should refrain from interacting with members of the opposite gender. I learned this the hard way when I attempted to embrace a young woman wearing a hijab back in high school. I suggest you give Muscat another chance but it sounds to me as if you will not grow to love It. There are many places on Earth that we dislike at first, yet learn to live (Los Angeles for me) and others which no matter what I will do my best possible to avoid (Las Vegas or Toronto). I found your article well written and interesting and I look forward to reading more of your travel insights. Have a blessed week
Thanks so much Andrew. I appreciate your kind words.
As an expat living from childhood Oman, Muscat was a great place to enjoy my childhood. Never had any bad experiences life was great then. But as i grew up i started to notice how omani citizens actually saw me. Not all were criticizing towards me. I do have omani friends from my college who are amazing, supportive and really friendly towards me and i love that about them. But when it comes to me in a public place i have experienced a really bad way of how an omani lady was offended by my outfit.when all i wore was a good pair of jeans and top. I was at a public park with my family . Me and my dad were sitting and talking on our mats under a tree. So later i laid down side ways to relax . Then one omani lady behind us came straight to my dad and me just started complaining that “her husband was staring at me and looking at my bottoms” and that she didnt like what i was doing. So she told me to sit straight up or leave just because her dumbass husband was staring at me that really offended her. She also told me that i dont like what you are doing im sorry but my husband is staring at you. So she was offened by me just because her husband was staring at girls. Like i never expected this to happen. So my dad just apologized her and we had to leave that park. This what i hate about this country. Some citizens are so backwards that they really hurt people and they dont even realise it.
So funny and in reading all the comments about how amazing it is I have to say I’d heard similar from others and yet we HATED it. So boring and Nizwa was the same.
We lived in the UAE and drove over for a week. Ended up in saying “you know we could be home in 4 hours and eating good food and drink…” And no we don’t need glitz. We are travelers and loved quiet but this place…Spot on feedback from you thanks.
Yep, back to tacky UAE. If you thought it was boring, you obviously didn’t look around, and there are wonderful restaurants in Oman, and beautiful hotels. The people are also FAR more humble than the grab grab Emiratis. Muttrah is lovely, beautiful beaches, stunning hotels, incredible scenery, but obviously wasted on you. But you’re right, probably better off in tacky UAE, branded, sanitised, cliquey expats, copy paste cities, franchises, skyscrapers, fast cars, and empty souls. Oman is for the humble and more down to earth types.
Mutrah is nothing but unremarkable. Oman is famous for having hugely overpriced hotels, terrible customer service, and aging infrastructure. What I have lived in five stars hotels in Oman, are unheard of even in road-side dumps in South America. In terms of tourism, you can’t even compare to UAE. Its not about your personal preference. Dubai alone receives over 10 million tourists per year. Oman receives 1/4 of that, many comong as package deals to Dubai which include a few nights in Muscat. Customer service and pricing in UAE kicks the ass of any hotel in Oman. Oman is way more beautiful than UAE. But tourism is not only about landscapes. In Oman people feel they are being ripped off.
Thanks so much Kate. A few have agreed with me, and thank goodness we still have a right to express our own opinions.
Barbara, I just have to say that having spent the majority of my childhood growing up in Oman as an expat, Oman may not have been perfect, but your distasteful description of your very limited experiences are simply ignorant, to say the least. I know others have commented about this, but it truly is disrespectful to photograph locals in Oman without their permission. Despite your claim to travel, I find it hard to believe that you give any real effort to learning the culture of the places you visit. You could have easily learned from a multitude of travel sites about Oman that it is impolite to photograph locals without their permission. Speaking on your visit in the U.A.E., Dubai and the other more affluent cities of the Arabian Peninsula are (at least to those who actually spent time in the region) have a far more imbalanced proportion of immigrants to locals. I assume you only liked Dubai more because you are used to a certain degree of luxury and gentrification. Bartering (such as in your taxi experiences) is common in Oman, and while white people are certainly more likely to be pushed to spend money, it is hardly different in any other country that relies on white tourism to thrive. Did you actually spend any time during your visit in the interior or did you turn your nose up entirely because you couldn’t find a tour? Seeing as you are a travel writer, I would like to believe you would have a few ways to get around new countries without relying on tours. If you had spent any real time with a local Omani family, you would have realized that Omanis are truly some of the most hospitable people in the Middle East on account of the Ibadi branch of Islam they follow. I am offended and disgusted by your lack of poise and outward disrespect of a country and a people that you failed to understand.
Ethan, your critique of the article is beyond rude.
Gregory, it’s very accurate though…
Ethan, I totally agree with you. I spent the most interesting five days in Muscat last february (2020) visiting museums, mosques, public buildings such as the Opera House, masterfully maintained gardens and public parks, frequenting local restaurants where I had stimulating experiences. I think that researching informations on the destination one wants to visit is the basis for a successful trip. Ms Weibel cannot define herself as a journalist, perched in her presumption, and closure towards different cultures.
I actually agree with this. While it may sound rude to others, I’m afraid i’d have to agree with you, Ethan.
I don’t find you rude. I also was an expat in that beautiful county. My children went to school there, my husband was an officer on the sultan’s yacht. We had a wonderful life, living among the local people in Al kuhware who were very friendly and hospitable. You are so right about not photographing without permission. Also expat women do have a dress code to address. Covered to elbows and to the knees. Both my children attended the royal flight school, and had a amazing education being ahead of the English children when we returned to the UK.
I have nothing but fond memories of Nizwa, wadi bani Khalid, Qurerem beach. The corniche, and souqu. Wadi bashing in general visiting turtle beach.