TAKE PHOTOS, LEAVE FOOTPRINTS
SCOTT DICKEN
Photos: Scott Dicken
F
rom the bustling Arabic marketplace of Mutrah Souk where fragrant frankincense wafts through the air, to the beauty of the country’s forts, mosques and turquoise sheltered waters of the Musandam Peninsula, Oman caters to all tastes. It’s capital Muscat, once a pivotal Middle East trading port, is often overlooked by tourists opting for the glitzy opulence of nearby Dubai and Abu Dhabi, completely missing Oman’s timeless Arabic charm. Heading out of the capital city offers a chance to experience 16 | September 2021
a traditional Bedouin way of life in small villages tucked into the base of the Hajar mountains or dotted amongst the country’s many wadis. If you’re looking to visit a country steeped in mysticism that is cultivating a dynamic new market for tourism then you’ve come to the right place. Here are my top 5 reasons for visiting the beautiful country of Oman:
Diversity of Landscape For photographers, Oman truly is the land of plenty. From the never-ending red
sands of the ‘empty-quarter’ that spans Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the UAE, to the Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain) range, Oman has a dizzying diversity of landscapes that capture the imagination and will enliven any holiday slideshow. In just a few days you have the opportunity to visit deserts, mountain ranges, sparkling seas, towering fjords, otherworldly canyon wadis, and the deep oceanside sinkhole; Bimmah. The Middle East automatically conjures images of Bedouin tribes crossing vast deserts by
camel, but Oman’s lush green valleys and rolling mists of the Southern Dhofar region stand in stark contrast.
Culture Muscat is the perfect place to get acquainted with the culture of Oman. Muscat Old Town houses the opulent ceremonial palace of Sultan Qaboos, the Al Alam Palace in addition to the surrounding Mirani and Jalali 14th Century Forts. For a taste of commercial life head to bustling Mutrah souk; the city’s oldest traditional
Arabian market. This is where you’ll be able to buy your souvenirs including leather shoes, gold and antiquities whilst taking in the smells of frankincense that linger in the air. However, the real cultural highlight of Muscat is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Here, you’ll be able to learn more about Islam whilst partaking in the customary kahwa - cardamom coffee and sugar-glazed dates at the on-site cultural center.
Nature Although Oman has its fair Old Town Crier
