Vol. 1, Issue 3 , February-April 2011, Autumn Special
Oman’s first premier travel magazine
View from the top
Oman-Trail
Globe-Trail
The View at Hail Al Shas Bait Al Safah: A live example Al Hamra: Steeped in history Bimmah sinkhole & more
A Gite experience Elephant orphanage Taman Negara national park Yoga destinations, places to visit before you die & more
Readers Forum
White lions – the high point If there was a high point in your last issue, (issue 2, August – October, 2010), it was indeed the tale of the white lions of Al Ain. The pictures were amazing and it was really a delight to read about the two-and-ahalf year old brother-sister white lions, Sanbona and Shamwari, of Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort (AWPR).
We are going to Al Ain
We must really appreciate the efforts of the AWPR in
There is a real wildlife park in Al Ain? I have been living in Oman for
this regard. Their noble aim of raising these two rare
so many years, yet, this is the first time that I am hearing about it. Al
lions in captivity spells the urgent need to understand
Ain is not too far off and I am surely going to take a peek, or rather,
that the African lion needs protection from extinction.
more than a peek, of these delightful animals at the AWPR. It was a
Sanbona and Shamwari thus become the real
real eye opener for me to learn that there are 4300 animals, out of
ambassadors for their wild cousins. Kudos to the
which, 30 percent are said to be endangered. The lions are amazing,
AWPR and kudos to the Footprints for sharing this
and I can’t wait to take my family to see them and the rest of the
story with all of us!
animals there during these holidays. Thank you Footprints! Farhan Ahmed, Muscat
Namita Bharadwaj, Al Khuwair
E-mail your letters to footprints@blackandwhiteoman.com
Zoo project in Musannah Reading about Al Ain park (AWPR) made me really wonder why we cannot have a similar set up in Oman too? Maybe someone should actually start it here in Oman. I am an animal lover and I am sure if someone or some big corporate moots this idea, many others with a similar bent of mind might join and take up this cause. Also, looking after animals is an amazing experience. I have, in the past, looked after several animals and am actually thinking of converting my small farm in Musannah into a mini zoo. Not now, maybe some five or six years later. But, that is a dream I will fulfill. Great story and it has served as an inspiration for me to rethink on this zoo project. Mazar Al Balushi, Musannah
Excellent article on Zanzibar ‘A journey through the ancient theatre’ Zanzibar by Aisha Abdullah Al-Kharusi in the last issue of Footprints was one of the finest short articles ever written (that I have read of) on Zanzibar. I thoroughly enjoyed the article and I would like to roundly congratulate the author for her efforts in bringing together a live feature on a place I love so much. Any story or article when infused with a personal touch brings out that element too. And this is quite evident in Aisha Al-Kharusi’s piece. I look forward to reading more of the author’s articles in the future too. Khalfan Touqi, Al Khoud
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August-October 2010
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C o n t e n t s Editor-in-chief Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Managing editor Priya Arunkumar Work editor Adarsh Madhavan Design and production Beneek Siraj Photographer Najib Al Balushi Advt. & marketing Swithun Fernandes, Aloni Mehta, Priyanka Sampat Printers Oman Printers
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Published by: Muscat Press & Publishing House SAOC Postal address: P O Box 86, PC 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos Office location: Hatat House, Office no: 212, II Floor Ph: 24565697 Fax: 24565496 e-mail: footprints@blackandwhiteoman.com
G lobe-Tr a il
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On the cover
A joint venture with Zahara Travel and Service Bureau
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Design: Beneek Siraj, Photo: Andreas Kern 6
February-April 2011
Pachyderms on the Pearl The Pinnawala elephant sanctuary is very popular among local and foreign tourists. The sanctuary offers a virtual elephant reality show, with the opportunity to observe the bathing elephants from the river bank Some nights in the Malaysian jungle The Taman Negara National Park in Central Malaysia is a haven for nature activities and offers visitors and travellers, especially the adventurous and curious ones, a never-ending opportunity to explore Malaysia’s rich, natural treasure of unspoilt verdant jungles, rivers and mountains
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Glo b e -T ra i l
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Trip to tranquility‌ A group of 14 friends in France made a three day trip to a Gite in the interior. A detailed report of their fun-filled trip
7 places to visit before you die Your mission in life would be incomplete if you don’t visit these places. Visit them before you die.
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Time stands still in Bait Al Safah Bait Al Safah is a 400-year old mud house built during the Yaroub dynasty, which today gives an insight into the lifestyle of the Omanis of a bygone era
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The view from The View If you are looking for a weekend getaway far from the madding crowd in Oman, there is no other better place than The View, which offers an amazing view of Al Hamra village
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View from Hail Al Shas The Hail Al Shas is a quaint old village perched atop the mountainous area above Al Hamra, just next to The View February-April 2011
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Friend, philosopher & guide
Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Editor-in-chief
Tribute to the past Sometimes, the past is a necessity. Most of us may
culture and traditions, passed on to them and tend
tend to forget about our personal past, but, then,
to create their own! And that is when the actual
we can’t forget our roots, our tradition, the culture
happenings of the past sadly get corrupted by the
and the ways and the happenings of the past…we
tongues of the new as they interpret the times of
can’t forget our ancestors and the way they have
yore to their own taste. But, not all.
lived in… which is why we need to preserve the happenings of yesteryear.
Recently, the Footprints team stumbled on a young Omani, Badr Mohammed Al Dahli, who has taken
And that is what people, societies and nations…
up a project in his native town of Al Hamra and
have been striving to do. They are attempting to
created a live museum, Bait Al Safah, unique to
preserve their rich heritage and culture, sometimes
Oman and the AGCC region.
without even the help of science and technology. We research, plan and archive traditions, costumes,
Walk in to the 350 year old traditional Omani home
and antiques to save the past for our future…
and you will meet an old couple, Muhanah bin Nasser and his wife Nasra, who are actually living
But, a major challenge for younger generations is the
there. They will take you through a day in an Omani
confusion surrounding what constitutes traditional
household…400 years back!
ways. Why did their ancestors resort to hold on
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to traditional values, traditional methods and the
What better way to preserve tradition than to live
like? These aspects are lost on many among the
those traditions in your day to day lives? What do
younger generation. Part of the confusion is due to
you say? Kudos to Badr and his team for recreating
claims of knowledge about the traditional ways by
and preserving the past in its trueness. I can only
various sources. Most people miscomprehend the
say that this is a fitting tribute to the past!
February-April 2011
Globe-Trail
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November-January 2010-2011
on the Pearl Words: Ben Snyder Photographs: Priya Arunkumar
November-January 2010-2011
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L
Elephant feeding ittle Appu blew his small trumpet
Just some minutes ago, the whole herd –
and rumbled up to his two-legged
right down from the babies to lumbering
master, who was holding a large milk
adults and even some handicapped ones
bottle in his hand. Appu is no more than
-- had trooped into the eating area for
three feet tall. He bumps into his master,
their lunch. While the babies were fed
nuzzles him and then proceeded to
with milk, the larger elephants were fed
thirstily drink from the bottle. Soon, his
with native greens like coconut palms,
baby brothers and sisters followed him
jackfruit tree leaves and kitul tree logs.
and they all vied to be fed. Cameras
The elephants are watered, bathed and
whirred from the background as each
fed at proper timings. The daily routine
tourist photographer tried to capture the
begins at 8am, when the elephants are
images of these cute little pachyderms
taken out of their stalls and allowed
being bottle fed with milk drooling from
to graze for about two hours. Around
either side of their mouths.
10.30am, they are taken to the nearby river known as Ma Oya.
It is 1.30pm and lunchtime for the residents of the elephant orphanage
In fact, most tourists to this ‘Pearl
in Pinnawala, Sri Lanka, a place for
of the Indian Ocean’ (as Sri Lanka is
abandoned and wounded elephants to
known) make a beeline to the elephant
recover.
orphanage at Pinnawala, and then wait in anticipation to see the herd taken for their morning bath to Ma Oya.
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February-April 2011
Worth seeing Elephants walking obediently in a single file along the gravel pathway to the river have always been cited as a sight “worth
Bathing beauties
seeing�.
The orphanage is very popular among
Proper arrangements have been made
local and foreign tourists. The main
for the tourists to sit in the shade, enjoy
attraction is the opportunity to observe
their choice drink and delicious food and
the bathing elephants from the broad
watch the elephants frolic in the flowing
river bank as the herd interact socially,
waters of Ma Oya.
bathing and playing.
Some of the elephants are seen lying
It is open to the public, daily and all
down in the water and happy mahouts
admission fees are used to look after
scrubbing the bodies of these gentle
the elephants. Visitors to the park can
giants. After their water fun, they are
view many different aspects of the care
taken for their lunch and then again taken
and daily routine of the elephants, bottle
back to the river.
feeding of the baby elephants, feeding of adult elephants, and of course, bathing.
Shelter for the wounded
The aim of the orphanage is to simulate
The elephant orphanage was started
nature.
in 1975 by the Wildlife Department of Sri Lanka on a 25-acre coconut land
(* Not sure if there are more)
near the Ma Oya river. The objective was to provide a shelter for abandoned, place where they will be fed and cared for before resettlement. Apparently, the orphanage has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. Most of the elephants are healthy, while, one (*) is known to be blind and another, which has lost its front right leg to a landmine.
REACHING THERE:
stranded and wounded elephants; a
Located in the district of Kegalle, in the province of Sabaragamuwa, the Pinnawala elephant sanctuary is about 87kms from the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo. To reach Pinnawala by road from Colombo, one has to travel along the Colombo-Kandy highway, and near the 82nd milepost, turn towards the village Rambukkana. If travelling by train, one has to get down at the Rambukkana railway station and it is about two kilometers from there.
February-April 2011
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November-January 2010-2011
Words: Rajesh Kumar Badhragiri Photographs: Byju Sirajudeen
November-January 2010-2011
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Globe-Trail
W
We felt like we were in some movie. e need to get away from it all
The house was picture perfect, isolated,
sometimes. And that is how and why we
and on top of a small hill. There was a
(around 14 friends, including families) got
beautiful lake nearby, verdant hills and
far, far away from the madding crowd to
greenery in plenty. And more importantly,
a Gite (*) recently.
peace and tranquility in abundance!
The Gite was in Lascombes, which
There was a small room outside the
was around 140kms from Toulouse, in
house where we had arrangements for
France. The house was on top of a small
table tennis, dart games and Petanque.
hill, surrounded by a lake. Perfect setting
Another important member of the team
in perfect company. We made merry for
was Tituf, the friendly dog of the house
three days at the Gite and it was one
owner, who became our pet.
of the most memorable and exciting experiences of our lifetime.
The team, on the whole, was happy and they slowly moved around the house
The Gite owner was French and she
to just get the feel for the place. Every
could hardly speak English, but she made
member of the team had felt that they
up for that with her warmth. She took us
were in a different planet altogether.
around the house somehow managing
Isolated, no worries, their mind was
to convey to us the lovely places to visit
really relaxed and the element of joy
around the area.
was palpable. We ate, drank, danced the night away, and all our work, all our problems seemed far, far away and as insignificant. We drowned our problems with some mouthwatering veg and non veg barbecue items.
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February-April 2011
We all were set for the trip to the cheese In the hall they also displayed prototypes
factory in Roquefort. Roquefort cheese
Weather was a worry, especially when
of various phases during the construction.
is famous in France. This village is at a
the forecasts seemed grim, gloomy and
After an hour of visit and photography we
distance of 220kms from Toulouse.
cloudy. But, Mother Nature never let us
went to see a gorge which was 75 kms
down. It was bright and sunny the next
away from the bridge.
morning, and we enjoyed a sensational, continental
breakfast,
replete
The drive to the cheese factory from our Gite was wonderful. The landscapes on
with
On the way we soothed our eyes and
the way were mind-blowing; I can assure
delicacies, breads, milk, cheese, jams,
senses viewing the amazing landscapes.
that we had not seen such beautiful
corn flakes, eggs... What a perfect way
But, as it was getting dark and also
greenery in our life. On the way to the
to start the day!
drizzling, we had no other choice but
cheese factory our GPS crashed and we
to drop our plans to visit the gorge and
had to drive with signboards as reference.
After breakfast some of us took the car to
head back to our Gite.
visit places around the Gite, some played
We reached the factory after a 45 minutes
table tennis, while others busily tried to
Returning to the Gite, we swung into a
drive. At the Roquefort–Papillion cheese
calm their girlfriends for previous nights’
realm of fun, relaxation and gorged on a
factory, we viewed a 15 minutes video on
spats.
new set of delicacies – hot fried chickens,
the history and evolution of this brand.
Indian flavoured bajjis to counter the cold We all regrouped at the Gite at 12 noon
weather outside. This evening it was a
After the short film, we visited the
and moved off to the Millau Bridge. Millau
retro party where we played songs from
factory interiors where pretty young
is a village at a distance of 192kms from
the early 1960s and 1970s. The dance
women explained the various stages in
Toulouse. Significance of the bridge is
and the dancers were the same. The
cheese making. Some of our friends had
that its center pillar is taller than Eiffel
dinner was special with rotis and spicy
purchased cheese and other products
Tower.
vegetable curry.
that were on sale in the factory.
We rocked the village roads and the
The next morning was a bit dull, with
We then had travelled to a nearby village
cars zoomed towards Millau, which was
clouds covering the sun. So, we chose
for food and snacks. We were driving
60kms away from our Gite. We were
to explore the lake near the Gite. There
around the place for almost 30 minutes
struck by the beauty of the landscape,
were two huge windmills near the Gite,
to find parking and another 20 minutes to
which was on the banks of a river.
which also serve as landmarks. Near the
find a place to set food.
Although it was a detour from our trip, it
windmill was a vast vacant field where
was a pleasant interlude.
we decided to play cricket and seven
Some of us wanted to trek and they left the
stones, but due to the excess velocity of
Gite in the dark hours. Tituf accompanied
The landscape had peace and tranquility
the winds we had to abandon the cricket
them and they had a wonderful time
written all over it and there was also a
plans.
during the trek. It was dark and the way
small park for children nearby the river.
ahead was not visible.
It had slides, see-saw, swings etc…
Sunday afternoon lunch was extra special
and for some moments, we let our hair
with spicy chicken curry, chicken fries for
The team managed to move around
down, behaving like excited kids. We
the non-vegetarians and vegetable curry
valleys, flowing water with only a torch
also made a short visit to the river and
with bajjis for the vegetarians.
and successfully completed their journey.
then continued on our journey towards the bridge, which we reached within the next half an hour. The bridge was an engineering marvel, an excellent blend of science and technology. A 10 minutes video of the bridge’s construction at the expo hall lent us an insight into its intricate construction.
The team managed to move around valleys, flowing water with only a torch and successfully completed their journey. It was a real challenge, in an unknown place, with no proper trekking equipments and so all had a feeling of accomplishment February-April 2011
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November-January February-April 2010-2011 2011
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It was a real challenge, in an unknown place,
with
no
proper
All good things have to come to an end.
trekking
Mouth watering delicacies, food from
And, on reflection, the three days felt like
equipments and so all had a feeling of
various cultural regions of India – North,
some joyous marriage celebrations, with
accomplishment. The trek team returned
South, East, West. I should say our taste
all members active, chatting and happy.
late in the evening.
buds were for a real test. We were not
This trip had all the flavours, strong
able to identify a standout item, all were
bonds amidst the team, an opportunity
equally good.
to know each other, peaceful moments
Sunday night’s dinner was the best, as we had our traditional biriyani and curry,
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with Mother Nature.
which tantalised our taste buds. It would
Dessert needs a special mention here;
be an injustice, if I failed to mention in my
and, as far as the food was concerned,
(*) Gite is a house rented for a weekend
article about the food, drinks, snacks we
we never felt that we had even stepped
or for a week or more, away from the
had during those three days.
out of our homes.
cities.
February-April 2011
Millau Bridge Millau is a village at a distance of 192kms from Toulouse. Significance of the bridge is that its center pillar is taller than Eiffel Tower
February-April 2011
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February-April 2011
Some nights in the
We put our heads out of the tent, sucked in the jungle air, stared at the stars above and quietly listened to the night music. The nights at Taman Negara National Park in central Malaysia is always full of life.
November-January February-April 2010-2011 2011
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Globe-Trail
Don’t walk off the path
W
e had rented out a tent and
other camping equipment from the park headquarters and then camped in an open space surrounded by the jungle. Of course, there were other campers too, but, the experience was really something. My wife and I had never pitched camp in the middle of the jungle and this was quite an experience. We camped for three days and it was the most unbelievable experience ever. And the nights, although it was difficult to sleep through the night sounds in the jungle, was still a different experience. In the mornings, we went walking and although we did not see elephants or other wild animals (which they say are there), it was still exciting because of the anticipation the whole journey raised.
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Feebrrua Feb February-April ruaryru ry Apr Apprrill 2011 201 0 1
But, the wild, big trees, the dense
Camping is just the tip of the iceberg at
vegetation and the insects and small
the Taman Negara park, which is one
animals can engross you forever. The
of the oldest, if not the oldest, unspoilt
jungle is teeming with life. There are
rainforests in the world. It is estimated to
thousands of insects, frogs, lizards and
have evolved over 130 million years.
innumerable other creatures. But, when we were camping, we were told that we
Haven for nature activities
should not go off the trail. Of course,
The park is a haven for other nature
we did and we had to pay the price.
activities like bird watching, wild-life
Once, we followed some leafy-looking
watching, boating, mountain climbing,
creatures into the woods off the main
caves exploring, jungle trekking, river
trail and then we got lost. We had gone
rafting,
just 100 to 150 metres off trail and then
suspended walkways, nighttime safaris
we realised why the officials had warned
and the like.
photography,
walking
on
us not to get off the track. You know it was in the morning hours, yet, when we
Taman
got lost, it seemed as though the jungle
travellers, especially the adventurous and
Negara
offers
visitors
and
had suddenly become dark. Besides this,
curious ones, a never-ending opportunity
it was hot and humid and we had our
to explore and experience Malaysia’s
clothes sticking to our skin.
rich natural treasure of unspoilt verdant jungles, rivers and mountains. During an
We did manage to find our way out of this
earlier visit to the park some years ago,
meandering jungle and vowed never to
we had just one day and we made the
veer off the path again.
most of it.
We went on the canopy walkway, of which
of the diverse plant and tree species.
feet). As a protected area, tree-cutting
there are only four or five in the world. For
Tall and huge trees stand imposingly in
or
those who have fear of heights, this is not
the jungle, like lords of the low species
development and activities are strictly
the place to be on. There are plenty of
below.
prohibited. So far no commercial logging
other such excitements at the park.
logging
and
other
commercial
has occurred.
Awed by the diversity
Located mainly in the delightful Malaysian
When you first enter the National park, you
state of Pahang, Taman Negara also
will perhaps feel awed and overwhelmed
straddles the borders of two other
by the richness, diversity and beauty of
states in the north, namely Kelantan
the plants and trees species there. This
and Terengganu. It is accessible via
is not surprising as one-third of all the
several popular and main access routes,
world’s flowering plants are found in
although there are other less developed
Malaysia.
access points.
You will find that the largest plant
With an area of 4,343 square kilometers
community in Taman Negara is the
(1,676 square miles) or more than a
lowland rainforest – where although
million acres, Taman Negara is the largest
trees are dominant, they co-exist with
park and the most extensive protected
other plant forms like shrubs, parasites,
rainforest area in Malaysia.
climbers, lichens, fungi and others. Besides the dense virgin jungle, it also To the herbal and plant naturalists, our
houses Peninsular Malaysia’s highest
advice is do take your time to identify
mountain in the Tahan Range, namely,
and marvel at the richness, age and sizes
Gunung Tahan at 2,187 meters (7,173
REACHING THERE:
Location, location, location
Taman Negara can be reached via three main park entrances. Of these, the most popular and easy – and the standard route for most travellers- is via Kuala Tahan. The journey to Kuala Tahan is an exciting one requiring a road or rail as well as a river journey. The access routes to the other main parts of Taman Negara are generally adequate but problems may arise due to the less developed public transport available.
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Pulau Redang (Redang Island) Situated about 45kms off the coast of Terengganu, Pulau Redang is the largest of the state’s island. It is famous for its picture-postcard views and fabulous dive sites. The most popular stretch is the 800m Long Beach. It has one large resort and many smaller chalets lining the shore. Further away on the northeastern coast is Teluk Dalam Kecil, a sheltered cove that houses a five star resort. Berjaya Air, a private carrier, provides direct air links to the island. Alternatively, Redang is accessible by sea. The jumping-off points are the Shahbandar Jetty situated in Kuala Terengganu town, or Merang Jetty, situated about an hour’s drive from Kuala Terengganu.
Must Do: • Snorkeling at the Marine Park • Explore the 31 dive sites on the Island • Take a walk along the breathtaking Long Beach • Play beach volleyball • Enjoy a jungle walk to see monkeys, squirrels and birds
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places to visit before you die Regardless of whether you are bitten by the travel bug or not, there are some places that you MUST visit before it is…well, time to go.
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February-April 2011
February-April 2011
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T
here is no point in fretting about
a time when you have to go; some go
Here is a random list, which we hope to
early, others, late. But, whatever, just
update in every issue of the Footprints.
remember the adage that if you are still alive, it only means that your mission is
Taj Mahal
The Great Wall of China
not yet complete. And one of the most
This mausoleum located in Agra, India, is
The Great Wall of China was built in
important items among your missions
one of the most recognisable structures in
the Qin, Han and Ming dynasties as
could be the lovely places that you have
the world. It is an incredible architectural
defensive
to visit.
wonder of our more modern world, and
warring states periods of the Yan, Zhao
one of the most beautiful buildings in
and Qin dynasties. However, it did
Sometimes, it may cost a pretty penny to
the world. Built by the Mughal emperor
not become known as the Great Wall
visit these places (no, not all though), but
Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife,
until the Qin dynasty. The construction
what the heck, you can’t take it with you
Mumtaz Mahal, it is widely considered as
required an army of labour that included
anyway and if you should die in pursuit of
one of the most beautiful buildings in the
soldiers, prisoners and average people
completing this list, then you would have
world and stands as a symbol of eternal
to complete the more than 4163 miles of
died seeing what only a handful of other
love.
the wall. With a history of more than 2000
people would have seen in their lifetime.
during
the
years, this is one destination that cannot Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal
be missed out on.
Forget what you have seen or heard,
architecture, a style that combines
the world is a beautiful place and some
elements from Persian, Islamic and
The Great Pyramids of Egypt
places are much more striking than you
Indian architectural styles. In 1983, the
One of the eight wonders of the world
could ever imagine. It can be engineering
Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World
and an incredible sight to behold, the
marvels like the Taj Mahal or Frank Lloyd
Heritage Site.
pyramids certainly make our top list. It
Wright’s Fallingwater House; a hike
is believed that the pyramid was built
across Grand Canyon or a ride along
as a tomb for fourth dynasty Egyptian
China’s Yangtze River, or even a sun rise
pharaoh Khufu and constructed over a
over Machu Picchu or seeing Iguazu Falls
14 to 20-year period.
by the light of a full moon... 30
fortifications
February-April 2011
Khufu’s vizier, Hemon, or Hemiunu, is believed by some to be the architect
Serengeti
of the Great Pyramid. It is thought that,
The Serengeti in Tanzania hosts the
a mammoth. The word ‘museum’ may
at construction, the Great Pyramid
largest migration in the world, which is
even be unfitting when it comes to the
was originally 280 Egyptian cubits tall,
said to be one of the 10 natural travel
Louvre: the collections are so vast,
146.5 metres (480.6 ft) but with erosion
wonders. The region contains several
diverse, and breathtaking that visitors
and absence of its pyramidion, its
national
reserves.
may have the impression of navigating
present height is 138.8 metres (455.4
Serengeti is derived from the Maasai
a maze of distinct artistic and cultural
ft). The pyramid remained the tallest
language, Maa; specifically, ‘Serengit’
worlds. It has become the globe’s most-
man-made structure in the world for
meaning ‘Endless Plains’.
visited museum, and an enduring symbol
over 3,800 years, unsurpassed until the
Approximately 70 larger mammals and
of French excellence in the arts.
160-metre-tall spire of Lincoln Cathedral
some 500 avifauna species are found
was completed c. 1300.
there. This high diversity in terms of
Grand Canyon
species is a function of diverse habitats
The majestic Grand Canyon in the state
ranging from riverine forests, swamps,
of Arizona in the United States is one of
Another incredible sight from the ancient
kopjes,
woodlands.
the seven natural wonders of the world
world, bringing home the power and
Blue Wildebeests, gazelles, zebras and
and the most visited national park in
might of ancient Rome. The Coliseum is
buffalos are some of the commonly found
North America. Called the ‘most sublime
truly colossal - it stands 50 meters (165
large mammals in the region.
spectacle on earth’, the Grand Canyon
The Coliseum in Rome
parks
and
grasslands
game
and
feet) high and measures 185 meters (600
is awe-inspiring, unimaginably huge and
feet) long. It was large enough to hold
Louvre
spectacularly beautiful. Sightseers gasp,
50,000 roaring spectators when it was
The Louvre is located on the bank of
artists rejoice and everyone feels humbled
inaugurated in 80 AD.
the Seine River, Paris, France. Originally
by the sight. Nothing can prepare one for
constructed as the fortress of Philippe
the enormity of the Grand Canyon, which
Today, it is one of the most dramatic,
Auguste in 1190, Charles V oversaw the
is 277 miles (446 km) long, 10 miles
historic and recognised archaeological
first modernisation process (r. 1364-
(29km) wide and 1.83 miles (6000 feet)
monuments on earth. The Flavian Roman
1380), which resulted in what was to
deep. It is almost as if the heart and soul
emperors built the Coliseum of Rome for
be the beginnings of one of the largest
of the earth has suddenly been laid bare.
entertaining their subjects (and to distract
palace complexes in the world. As
their minds from the woes of the time).
museums go, the Louvre is quite simply
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February-April 2011
The Coliseum in Rome The Coliseum is truly colossal - it stands 50 meters (165 feet) high and measures 185 meters (600 feet) long. It was large enough to hold 50,000 roaring spectators when it was inaugurated in 80 AD
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Random
destinations for this holiday This holiday, getting in touch with your inner self should be your number one priority. Why not? You deserve it! Many might dissuade you saying that you can’t try to find inner peace in a luxurious atmosphere… That is so far removed from the truth. Today, yoga is a ‘must have’ at all luxury destinations, and a formal yoga retreat is a vacation experience you will always cherish.
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In fact, there are many resorts where yoga classes are offered on a daily basis. While instructors remain on site daily, you will also find them offering special retreats at least once a month with visiting instructors from around the world. Some of these resorts also offer special spa treatments and even eco-excursions. The truth is, yoga has quickly become one of the most sought-after forms of relaxation in the world. And, stressed out men and women are forever on the lookout to learn yoga in order to gain both physical and mental balance and to find a sense of inner peace. New yoga retreats are announced every year, not only at five-star locations, but in some of the world’s most secluded destinations as well. Take a look at this random selection:
Big EZ Lodge
US BOZEMAN, MONTANA Big Sky Yoga Retreats www.bigskyyogaretreats.com Located at 7,500 feet in the Madison
INDIA
mountain range an hour north of
Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Pune
entrenched in the heart of nature and
Yellowstone, the Big EZ Lodge is is the perfect complement to those
36
A must-visit place for any serious yoga practitioner, the institute is run by
seeking a quality yoga getaway. The
the indefatigable, 90-year-old grand old man of Indian yoga, B K S Iyengar,
lodge was built with native timber and
and his children. The Iyengar school emphasises in-depth study of asanas
natural river rock throughout, which
(anatomically correct postures) and pranayama (breathing).
brings the outdoor elements into the
It teaches students to adapt and modify their exercise routine depending on
13 well-appointed guest rooms and
the environment. Situated in Pune, 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Mumbai,
common areas. Inspiration from the
the institute caters to advanced students of yoga.
wonderful setting is the big draw,
So before packing your mat and heading for India, learn the basics from a
where yoga is combined with the great
certified Iyengar teacher in your country. Admission for a month-long $450
outdoors through nature hikes and
course is selective, and you
outdoor activities after yoga sessions
can spend up to 18 months
that focus on technique. Views are
on a wait list. Those who
awesome and starlit nights under the
make the cut have to make
big sky are the norm, but don’t be
their
arrangements
afraid to indulge in the fine mountain-
for boarding and lodging in
themed cuisine and offerings on the
Pune. Iyengar, called Guruji,
wine list. A game room, workout room
or master, counts global
and a large hot tub, complete with
celebrities such as Annette
waterfall, is a great way to end each
Bening among his students.
day at this mountain getaway.
own
February-April 2011
NEPAL Pokhara Pokhara has recently been cited as Nepal’s top yoga destination. About 2,900 feet above sea level and 1,000 miles from the nearest ocean, it’s a city of 200,000 smack in the middle of Nepal. It has a busy downtown strip where, for years, trekkers and thrifty backpackers have come, many to pick up supplies before heading out on the Annapurna Range. These days, it’s the silence in the hills that is calling. About a dozen back-to-basics yoga retreats have opened in and around Pokhara in recent years, transforming this once-partying hub into what might be Nepal’s top yoga destination. For those wanting a quiet place to meditate, away from the crowds, this is it.
CANADA Salt Spring Island, British Columbia Paradise Found Yoga www.paradisefoundyoga.com Specialising in Kundalini Yoga, Paradise Found Yoga offers both scheduled and private retreats with two daily yoga classes as well as meditation, art therapy and spa sessions that include aromatherapy, hot stone Shiatsu massages, reflexology and Reiki. Take advantage of
BRAZIL
the hiking excursions on the shorelines of Cusheon Lake on Salt Spring
Sao Carlos, São Paulo
Island. Relax in the gardens, enjoy the vegetarian meals, sink into the
Jatoba Terra Prana Lar Yoga
outdoor hot tub and enjoy the individual attention that comes with
www.yogabrasil.com/nam.htm
allowing only eight guests at a time. And with only a dozen other homes on the lake, privacy is guaranteed in this picturesque setting.
Situated in the Brazilian countryside, Jatoba Terra Prana Lar Yoga retreats consist of meditation, mantras, Kundalini yoga, Yin yoga, Hatha yoga, partner yoga, Karma yoga, silent walks, sacred dances, fire rituals and Zen Shiatsu. The retreat also boats a sweat lodge, a fresh water pool, and the requisite vegetarian meals complete with homemade cheese, bread and yogurt. Founder and former dancer Lila established the retreat on her family farm in 2000 after traveling the world and studying yoga. She also offers a children’s programme and a fresh organic garden designed to help you reconnect with mother earth. Be sure to take a trip to the nearby sacred waterfall, too.
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The view from
The View
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February-April 2011
T
here is something special about
the early morning skies, especially when
Paint, my love
you are gazing at it from an area of over
We pulled our caps tightly on to our
1400 feet above sea level. If it is before
head, adjusted the sweater’s flap on to
sunrise, then rest assured that you can
our necks in a bid to ward off the early
see God painting on an empty canvas. It
morning cold and then tried to video
is as though a large, invisible, paint brush
record this painting-in-process. After
was experimenting on it.
sometime we stopped shooting and slowly drank in the rise of the sun, from
A dab of red here, a bit of yellow there,
the far off mountains, with our naked eyes.
was that blue, yes, yes, and a tinge of
At our height, we could literally sweep the
orange there, then a swab of purple over
expanse in a complete semicircle.
there, a bit of black and then again yellow here, a bit of golden… a riot of colours
Above us in the sky, God was painting
merging and unmerging, coalescing and
and below us, a whole town was sleeping,
then diffusing and then swirling again…
unaware of nature’s lovely morning play. The occupants of the tents (around 15 of
These are the moments before sunrise
them) behind where we were standing
atop a mountain above Al Hamra village,
were also slowly waking up to this reality,
which is around 200kms away from
more fascinating than a mere dream.
Muscat.
We, the early birds, wanted to see how the view from our vantage point would look like at dawn, as compared to the night and the late afternoon hours.
Best-ever views For, the mid-afternoon before, we had driven up an easy, but winding eight kilometers dirt track from Al Hamra village, which took us directly to ‘The View’, an eco-luxury property located right at the entrance of Hail Al Shas village. February-April 2011
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SERENE SETTING: The mountain top locale has ‘luxury’ written all over it. This ‘Eco Luxe’ retreat, is an ideal getaway with 15 exclusive luxury tents for a relaxed and comfortable stay
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A recent entry into the Sultanate’s tourism spots, The View, aptly named,
Far from the madding crowd
offers visitors an amazing view of Al
What is comforting at The View is the
Hamra village. Other than offering what
sheer silence that envelops the area,
could probably be one of the best-ever
especially when darkness falls. For those
The mountainous area also features
views possible in the many touristic
wanting to be far away from the madding
rocky promontories and steep gorges,
locations in the Sultanate, The View also
crowd, and those who are lovers of
which are also attractive for tourists.
hosts around 15-well appointed luxury
silence, this is the place to be, as we
Those merely wanting to view and ponder
tents replete with a nice-sized bathroom
found out on a recent trip there.
the majestic grandeur of the surrounding peaks and gorges are also likely to find in
and balcony views.
Perfect sanctuary
44
The View, an ideal location.
Luxury written all over
When we reached the locale at noontime,
The mountain top locale has ‘luxury’
most of the tourists had gone out for the
Ideal weekend getaway
written all over it, right from its entrance to
day. The beauty of The View is that it
In fact, The View has all the necessary
the sprawling tents, some of which have
offers itself as a perfect sanctuary in the
requirements for those wanting to get
direct view of the village. In other words,
midst of the mountainous arena. Those
away from it all. The silence of the locale,
those lucky enough to get these tents
wanting to trek or explore the mountain
the grandeur of the mountains, the
can sit on their own elevated balconies
area can do that at leisure and get back
impressive play of the stars above during
to have a view of their lifetime right from
to The View before dusk. The nearby
the night and the cool, at times cold, but
their tent. Others, who have obtained
locales include the famed mud houses
always pleasant, climate offers the best
the tents behind this area can still get
of Al Hamra, the traditional village of
weekend getaway.
down below the elevated balconies and
Misfat Al Abryeen, or the intriguing Al
enjoy the view from there. Corrugated
Hoota caves. The Bahla and Nizwa forts,
After all, what do you want from a
seats, hammocks and comfy chairs and
the Jibreen castle, the traditional Bahla
holiday? Relaxation, peace of mind, a bit
a nighttime campfire in the centre of the
pottery area are all easily accessible from
of quietness and in short, a place to chill
tents make it a delightful experience.
The View. To the west of Al Hamra is the
out, far from the madding crowd: At 1400
road to Jebel Shams (mountain of the
metres above sea level, this is one of the
sun), the tallest peak in Oman at 3010
best-ever luxury soaked spots that you
metres.
could escape to in Oman.
February-April 2011
The mountain top locale has ‘luxury’ written all over it, right from its entrance to the sprawling tents, some of which have direct view of the village
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February-April 2011
View from the top Wake up to the sun rise‌ curl in to the hammocks with your favourite book; wind it all up with the sun set and the fascinating night view of the glittering lights of Al Hamra village. Warm up to the campfires‌ The View looks down on almost the entire Wilayat of AI Hamra with the town of AI Hamra and its substantial date plantations creating a patchwork of green in the distance amid the brown hues of the mountains.
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Footprints also spoke to a young German couple, Iris Miltzow and Toralf Rustenbach, who were staying at The View about their impression of the area and also how they came to know of this locale.
48
February-April 2011
I
ris and Toralf were visiting Oman for the first time. They were already smitten
by the country, its people and the topography. The icing on the cake was this stay atop The View, they chorused, adding that they were quite impressed by Oman. “We always go to a different country on our vacations and this time, while browsing through the net, we came across Oman and we were quite intrigued. One thing led to another and we are now here in Oman and most importantly, enjoying the country from this superb mountain top locale,” the duo said. Both were of the view that Oman was more than what they had imagined. “Though Oman is still not that well know in some parts of Germany, we were quite keen to try it out. “Without doubt, this is a very safe country and there is genuine warmth among the people here, which is quite congenial for tourists. Especially for the first timers! It is very important for first time visitors to Oman, as first impression is quite often everything. “And, right now, sitting on top of The View, we feel quite safe and relaxed. This spot is awesome and quite a welcome change for us both.” The German duo said that they found The View to be a focal point for them to visit all of the surrounding tourism locales, and at the same time enjoy the luxury of five-star accommodation on top of a mountain! “In a nutshell, we can say that The View is like Oman’s topography, unique,
REACHING THERE:
different and in many ways, out of this world!”
A 2 ½ hrs drive from Muscat to Nizwa (175 kms), and a 45 minutes drive from Nizwa towards the direction of Al Hoota Caves, you will reach Al Hamra village (200kms). An eight kms uphill drive takes you from Al Hamrah to Hail Al Shas village. The View is located at 1,400 metres above sea level.
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February-April 2011
View from
Hail Al Shas
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B
aaa, a kid (baby goat) bleets as
it hurriedly tries to get out of our path from the little Hail Al Shas village, which
We made the traditional greetings to the
is perched atop the mountainous area
enthusiastic children and we asked them
above Al Hamra.
to take us to the elders there. From a small enclosed area, which served as a
The little one gets out of the path but
meeting point or a shelter, a middle aged
several nannies (mama goats) and Billies
man greeted us and ambled towards
(papa goats) jump into the fray and our
the car. This was Said bin Hamed bin
car swerves off the path again, trying to
Ruzaik Al Nasri.
avoid them.
A village of 100 people
Said bin Hamed Al Nasri
Some of the goats seem to be at ease
The latter, who was working as a security
with our 4WD, but others were a bit
staff of Al Hamra school, was only too
restless and they either moved in front or
glad to give us an idea about this quaint
got behind our vehicle, which made both
little village. “We are around 100 people,
to and fro movement, nigh to impossible.
that is around 20-odd families, here
So, we did the sanest thing possible –
currently,” Said Al Nasri said, adding that
that is to stop and get down as some
it was a very old village and all of them
kids of the village milled around the four-
were living here for generations. “This
wheeler.
village started off as a small settlement many, many years ago. Now, it has slowly grown to a village with 20 and more families.”
52
February-April 2011
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Goats, goats, goats… “What is our village famous for? Well, I would say we are primarily known for our goats – as you can see –,“ he said, sweeping his hand at the many frisky goats, which still played cat and mouse games with us, coming close and then skipping away. The selling of goats are their main income source as well as staple food (meat as well as milk). “Goats – they are in plenty here and we are also lucky enough to have good supply of water,” Said Al Nasri added. He pointed to the electric posts and said off late, they were also blessed with power, thanks to the benevolence of the government, which ensured that the
Thanks to the rains, there is no shortage of water, and the village was also quite
“Besides, there is the trekking and cycling
green. “We are self-sufficient here and
trails too, so, there is lot of activity, which
we are hopeful that the future generations
is nice. “Sometimes, the trekkers, the
will strive to make this a better place to
cyclists come to our village and ask us to
live in.
pose for them, which we oblige!”
Right now, we have nothing to complain
Inaccessible
about because we are able to enjoy
Until 1994, this village was not accessible
pleasant climate throughout the year.
as there weren’t any roads, save for some
The winter, which is just starting, would
goat and natural trekking trails. “Then we
of course be quite cold. But, it is alright
depended on donkeys to travel up and
– it is different here, atop the mountain!”
down to Al Hamra, but not so now,” Said Nasri said.
Tourism makes the world closer, smaller Earlier, visitors would often just pass
Future bodes well
seen in ever nook and corner of Oman.
through, but off late, there are more
Today, he said, there were number of
visitors here than ever before, Said Nasri
them who went outside the village, got
The
pointed out. “I would say that this new
themselves educated and employed in
property (The View) is actually bringing
public and private sector organisations.
in many tourists here – and we always
“So, the future bodes well for us – we
welcome them, though not many are able
have only seen our village grow, although
to converse with us or vice versa.
slowly, but that is how we like it to be!”
sweep of modernity and development is
village
children
also
get
their
education from the schools located below their village. “Most of our children study in schools in Al Hamra and Nizwa,” Said Nasri said.
54
Green village
February-April 2011
REACHING THERE:
The Hail Al Shas village is just a hop, skip and jump away from The View. You could take the trail on the right of The View and keep going straight until you reach this mountain top village.
Dried – but tasty Marinated meat – spiced and dried up and stored for future – pieces beaded through strings are hung on the makeshift shelters for future consumption. Goat milk and meat are the staple diet for the villagers of Hail Al Shas. February-April 2011
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Time stands still in
56
February-April 20112010-2011 November-January
November-January February-April 2010-2011 2011
57
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February-April 20112010-2011 November-January
Inspiring locale 400-year old mud houses built during the Yarouba dynasty
November-January 2010-2011
59
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Helloooooo... Crispy Rukhal anyone? Adding on to the tales of the historic past of Bait Al Safah, the womenfolk made us some wafer-thin crispy Rukhal bread and piping hot Omani kahwa
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February-April 2011
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Clouds come and go Even the pitter patter of rains disappear Bursting into smithereens on the rooftops… But, I grind on, for I can’t stop… I have mouths to feed Even when the rains stop… I have mouths to feed Even though the rains may stop…
S
At the Bait Al Safah, the songs must ixty year old Saada Al Abri sings
play on…This 400-year old mud house
this semi-plaintive and hummable Arabic
built during the Yarouba dynasty, many
song as she slowly, rhythmically, grinds
hundreds of years ago, is an inspiring
the cereals in line with her folksy tune.
locale, and so are the lively old and
But, she does not stop when visitors
young Omanis there. It is considered to
stop by to see her work. Instead, she just
be one of the most important landmarks
pauses between her song and explains
in the history of the region because it
the meaning of the words to us…
showcases the lifestyle of the Omani ancestors and gives an insight to visitors and locals of a bygone era. It is today a living example of life in Al Hamra prior to the renaissance of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
62
February-April 2011
This four-storey building was originally the permanent residence of a prominent family of Al Hamra, and later it was
Meeting the old Omani couple, Salim bin
Nasra roasted peanuts from the side,
restored by the owner’s grandchildren.
Marhoon bin Salim Al Abri and his wife,
while her colleague greeted us with a
After that, the current owners, with the
Nasra bint Ali bin Mubarak Al Abri proved
very cheery and musical ‘Hellooo!”
help of the tourism ministry opened its
to be a double delight.
To soak in the history of a bygone era,
doors to the public and since then have
a visit to Bait Al Safah is a must. Most
been receiving tourists from Oman,
While Salim spun tales of the historic
tourists who are now visiting The View
region and around the world. Muhanna
past of Bait Al Safah, Nasra took us to
make it a point to take a tour of Bait Al
bin Nasser Al Abri is the current owner.
her kitchen, where her colleague made
Safah.
us taste some wafer thin crispy Rukhal Khadra Tourism, a locally based tourist
bread, and piping hot Omani kahwa.
(Entry to Bait Al Safah is OMR1)
agency, is currently looking after the monument and has outlined a daily programme, which includes folklore and traditional Omani dances alongside an exhibition of traditional handicrafts. We were greeted at the entrance by Sheikhan Hamad bin Mohammed Al Dahly, a young and enterprising Omani lad who took us around the monument. Sheikhan was appointed by Badr bin Said bin Mohammed Al Dahly, the manager of the Bait Al Safah project, to guide tourists in the mansion. He also helped us try on some of the Omani traditional dresses, including
the
dishdashas,
turbans,
women’s dresses and head covers. February-April 2011
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February-April 2011
P
raba Iyer, a tourist from the USA, dipped her toes into the blue-green
crystal clear waters and immediately some little fish went and nibbled on them. Tourists from all over make a quick and refreshing stopover at the Bimmah Sinkhole, which is around 6kms from Dibab, along the coast, on the graded road from Muscat to Sur. The sinkhole, which is about 500 metres inland and 40 metres wide and 20 metres deep, is in the middle, in a fenced off area, of a park called the Hawiyat Najm or Sinkhole park. The sinkhole connects all the way to the sea. Apparently, the green and blue colours are a result of the salty water meeting with fresh water. Praba wanted to go for a swim in the waters, but she had not come equipped for the same, so postponed the swim for another time. Most tourists and locals often go for a proper swim in the waters of the sinkhole. Geologists say that the sinkhole was created when a limestone cavern collapsed, while the locals say a piece of the moon fell from the sky to make this hole. The underwater tunnel leads to sea, which is 500metres away. The sinkhole is ‘tourists friendly’ and has concrete steps leading down to the pool. There are a couple of shelters and also toilets at the entrance. There is an
REACHING THERE:
attendant at the entrance, but no entry charge for the park.
Take the Amerat road towards Quriyat direction. Go straight towards Sur and you will find the Bimmah Sink hole signposted towards the right, on the mountain side. Turn right and enter the curved road towards the coast.
February-April 2011
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66
February-April 2011
Tourist friendly Bimmah The sinkhole is ‘tourist friendly’ and has concrete steps leading down to the pool.
February-April 2011
67
Information
Traveller’s guide Airlines Flight Information (24 hours): 24 519456 Aeroflot: 24 704455 Air Arabia 24 700828 Air France 24 562153 Air India 24 799801 Air New Zealand 24 700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24 701128 British Airways 24 568777 Cathay Pacific 24 789818 Egypt Air 24 794113 Emirates Air 24 792222 Ethiopian Airlines 24 660313 Gulf Air (toll-free number) 800 72424 Indian Airlines 24 791914 Iran Air 24 787423 Japan Airlines 24 704455 Jazeera Airways 23 294848 Jet Airways 24 796680 Kenya Airways 24 660317 KLM 24 566737 Kuwait Airways 24 701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24 796387 Lufthansa 24 796692 Malaysian Airlines 24 560796 Middle East Airlines 24 796680 Oman Air 24 707222, 24519953 PIA 24 792471 Qatar Airways 24 771900 Qantas 24 559941 Royal Jordanian 24 796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24 789485 Singapore Airlines 24 791233 Sri Lankan Airlines 24 784545 Sudan Airways 24816565 Swiss Air 24 787416 Syrian Airways 24797567 Thai Airways 24 705934 Turkish Airlines 24 475030 Art galleries Al Madina Art Gallery Bait Muzna Gallery Omani Heritage Gallery Omani Society for Fine Arts Raj Relics 99329842 Yitti Art Gallery Bookshops Borders Family Bookshop, Qurm Madinat as Sultan Qaboos Turtles House of Prose (Used books) Cinemas Al Nasr Cinema Al Shatti Plaza 68
August-October 2010
24691380 24739204 24696974 24694969 24564297
24558089 24564391 24600084 24696217 24564356
24831358 24693557
Markaz al Bahja Cinema Stars Cinema
24540855 24791641
Embassies and consulates Algeria 24 605593 Austria 24 793135 Bahrain 24 605074 Bangladesh 24 567379 Belgium 24 562033 Canada 24 788890 Chile 24 561977 China 24 696698 Colombia 24 816264 Cyprus 24 490200 Denmark 24 526000 Egypt 24 600411 Finland 24 701454 France 24 681800 Germany 24 832164 Greece 24 706648 Holland 24 603706 India 24 814120 Iran 24 696944 Iraq 24 604178 Ireland 24 797083 Italy 24 693727 Japan 24 601028 Jordan 24 692760 Korea 24 691490 Kuwait 24 699627 Lebanon 24 695844 Malaysia 24 698329 Mexico 24 561977 Morocco 24 696152 Mozambique 24 594207 Netherlands 24 603719 Norway 24 603706 Pakistan 24 603439 Palestine 24 601312 Philippines 24 605140 Portugal 24 561400 Qatar 24 691153 Russian Federation 24 602894 Rwanda 24 487978 Saudi Arabia 24 601744 Somalia 24 697977 South Africa 24 694793 Spain 24 691101 Sri Lanka 24 697841 Sudan 24 697875 Sweden 24 708693 Switzerland 24 568202 Syria 24 697904 Taiwan 24 605695 Tanzania 24 601174 Thailand 24 602684 Tunisia 24 603486 Turkey 24 697050 United Arab Emirates 24 600988 United Kingdom 24 609000
Uruguay USA Yemen Libraries Bibliothèque Française: British Council Knowledge and Learning Centre: Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Public Technical Library Science: United States Information Service: Raspberry’s Books: Museums Bait Adam 99356676 Bait Al Baranda Bait Al Zubair Children’s Museum 24605368/9 Currency Museum Muscat gate Museum Nakhal Fort museum National Museum Natural History Museum Omani-French Museum Oman Heritage Museum Planetarium: Sayyid Faisal bin Ali Museum Salalah Museum Sohar fort Museum Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum Sur Maritime Museum
24 568202 24 643400 24 600815
24681874 24681000 24707684 24673111 24643400 95086074
24605033, 24714262 24736688
24641510 24739005 26781384 24701289 24641366 24736613 24600346 24675542 24641650 23294549 26844758 24588700 24541466
Special interest groups American Women’s Group 24594751 Environment Society of Oman 24482121 Historical Association of Oman 24563074 Horticultural Association 24605493 Indian Social Club 99322713 Muscat Amateur Theatre 24562511 Oman Bird Watching Camp 24695498 Omani Women Association 24602800 Royal Omani Amateur Radio Society 24600407 Woman’s Guild of Oman www.womensguildoman.org Taxis Al Dar Taxi Hello taxi Muscat Cab
24700555 24697997 96429096
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