Metzilla
Let’s fly!
So then I started the trip in my 51. Country, that should be Oman. Just in time for the long Easter weekend, that I have extended even for a day, I flew with Oman Air to Muscat.
Muscat
On Friday morning at 6:30 pm at the airport arrived, I was a taxi ride later in my hotel, Ramada Qurum Beach, that I had previously booked already a night in wise foresight, so I also already early in the morning a domicile in the distance could relate.
I chose the 4-star hotel because it is located in Muscat, herself, I could therefore explore the city on foot and still provides one, around 1 km away, access to the beach. Because I wanted to jump into the sea of course at least one time, this was a prerequisite.
Since I had booked 2 day tours, it was also important that I am for the pickup in the city. In short, my ideal and priced good choice.
The first day, or better afternoon spent I have explored my area to the East. Defying temperatures of over 35 degrees, I managed to also but a bit far, so I came up after Qurum, a suburb of Muscat. Then I get friend with a taxi driver, at least as long as I could learn the price for the friendly service, but this later.
So my newly won friend and traveling companion took me on a unplanned trip highlights in Muscat, why not.
Since I’ve already heard of muttrah, I gave in at least the first target. Arrived he has then also kindly offered me an hour to pick up again. Muttrah is really very nice. I fought myself through the Souq and the watchtowers on the rocks looked at me. On a watchtower, I had to stall even to a spontaneous Selfie, I don’t know because im looked so exotic or native, but better in the Middle instead that only be a Part of (…and on the image in the background).
After a short break with an Arabic coffee, I went along the waterfront promenade, where actually the taxi drivers again found myself (if I wanted that or not). I tagged the next destination that what looked like a UFO on a rock with my finger. To see the images here.
Next we went to the Palace of the Sultan, and finally to the really beautiful great mosque, which is named after this ruler. Truly a highlight in Muscat and a must-see. Especially in it, with a giant carpet, which was once the largest in the world including Guiness book entry and next to it a giant chandelier (and many smaller) from Murano glass and Swarowksi crystals. Wonderful! Should you visit in any case.
Then we went back to the hotel, where I then got raised the unearthly Bill, which I down 20%, but then it had to pay the rest of course. Well, i’m also one of this tourists and switch off abroad once the mind. Anyway, I had thus already seen but the most important without preparation, without having to make me ever big smart. I noted that was really the most important…. on Monday as I still wanted to visit the rest of the “supposed”. More are available in addition to some beautiful alleys, buildings, etc. actually no longer. The city is also to keep in 3 colors, as the Sultan decided this.
Roof top bars and similar you will not find by the way in Oman, since the houses only could build to a maximum of 5 floors, as i heard. Because it reflects as well the authenticity of the country. What is good, because in Dubai there’s really very little original.
Wadi Bani Khalid
Wadi…what? I think it was the first picture I saw of the Oman respectively, which prompted me to go there soon. A Wadi, a riverbed, but actually a oasis in the mountains or a stone desert.
There are many in Oman, I booked a trip to Wadi Bani Khalid. This trip includes a trip through the desert and a visit to a Bedouin camp. To say it short the (sand) desert gave me 2-3 good pictures and around 10 min off-road fun and visiting the camps, 2 cups of Arabic coffee, a few dates and a few nice but not notable information about the life of the Bedouin. Due to my travels in Morocco, Egypt and the Emirates, I knew of course even much of it. Yet it was a filler of this day excursion for me but rather until it went to the Wadi.
Wow and how beautiful it is there true. Really a very special experience. Since I as mentioned above, because of the image of a Wadi’s on Oman as really attention became. So far, I’ve seen no comparable “Oasis” anyway, on my travels.
After the really good lunch buffet there, I could then also sometimes dive into the fresh water. My next surprise was perfect, next to this great environment, I then felt the fish. Yes, first I have definitely felt it before I noticed it. Herrlich, a free scrub and a pedicure! What you can see only in aquariums or in health centres, lives here naturally and freely! Very exciting as the fish first gently and then getting bolder skin nibble off. Feet, knees and keeping your hands under water, also the perfect manicure! The nature is so surprisingly diverse yet again on the new and offers an unknown experience yet again.
On the other side of the Wadi’s were still natural water slides available, where you can plunge into the River.
Anyway, I enjoyed my time in this Wadi and around around really. A clear recommendation for visiting Oman! It was fortunately not too full of people, as I was afraid of that, therefore sufficient space in and around the Wadi around, there was.
We went after a final Cup of coffee then again (some kilometres) back to the Hotel.
Nizwa Fort and Souq
The next day we went to Nizwa. The former capital of Oman, which is located in an oasis in the mountains. The most impressive if you can reach the city of the Giants is sure watchtower in the Nizwa Fort. Somewhere unnaturally big and especially the scope is very impressive.
The Fort had not only military significance but offered also classrooms and libraries. I enjoyed the time here myself in a maze of terraces, stairs, layers and corridors to move and shoot some pictures. My Guide explained many interesting details about Nizwa and this Fort, such as also, it was almost impossible to break into the Tower, since many traps and obstacles were installed.
And the view from the top of the Tower in Nizwa has really something to offer.
After the Fort we went then to the Souq, which moved me like many others in the spell. You feel surrounded with the oriental scents, artistic handicrafts and above all the hustle and bustle and acting again like in 1001 night. Simply wonderful! Clearly, we in Europe have the markets, with fresh fruit and fruit, but has the market in Arab countries in addition to the foreigners but also for the locals but this still a far greater importance than at uns…und you can feel every step you make here through the old streets in Nizwa.
After the Souq, we left Nizwa and have made us the way into the mountains.
The desert and the mountains
I’ve actually already mentioned the desert, respectively the short Offroadtrip in the sandy desert and the visit of the Bedouin camp. In addition to the short duration, it was certainly a great experience with the off-road vehicle to drive on the sand dunes! Can I certainly recommend, but if the Bay at best a longer trip of only this includes.
So it went in the mountains. The landscape is increasingly changed. Really interesting that Yes apparently the entire Middle East was formed from volcanoes and lava. Anyway, on the way to the mountains, we saw many black lava fields. The way itself was also exciting, since we passed villages were built and hidden in the mountains.
Then it went away again, always up higher, “Grand Canyon” of Oman or the highest mountain to the Jebel Shams. I’m even today still not sure. Anyway, a canyon with stunning views and many mountain goats, which had their own territory there waiting for us.
And in addition to the safe places, which are designed to prevent spontaneous suicide attempts, there are also many many unsecured, where the Canyon is really free and beautiful.
Much more there but here (above 2000 meters) also cannot be seen. The temperature dropped to, nice for this time of year cold 28 degrees, what was really even welcome. We drove down so again the way after 2-3 further impressions and photos, where we stopped only to find my lost sunglasses. Which is maybe even down there in the Canyon (Note picture puzzle).
After this trip, my guide took me directly to a pub, because I now really even needed a beer and it is very difficult in Oman to get such a simple. My hotel was a dry hotel as my guide reassured, so he gave me the tip with the pub. And Yes, we know the forbidden taste Yes always best and this Stella beer was top notch and the crowning of this day.
Oh yeah, what I you almost have embezzled, this first-class Yemen typical lunch is. Although it might not be so looked but tasted it has fantastic.
What yet?
I spent the last day then effectively on the sea, because the search brought me to other highlights of Muscat to realize, that I had seen already the most important. This Beachday, I have really enjoyed, celebrated the lunch with a fish and yet again visited this pub with live music in the evening.
On Tuesday it was back then. Decided on Monday still in the short term to upgrade with discount to business class, which is a really great experience with Oman Air. Alone “Check-in” is similar to the reception of a 5-star hotel, the lounge is amazing, and the flight with 202cm legroom and Chair to Bed Funktion just beautiful! After the Text you can find some impressions.
Yes and then the trip was behind me. Country no. 51, on the 5. of May I go to Sarajevo!
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Metz.illa
