Saturday, August 27, 2011

OMAN

MUSCAT
Hotels
Chedi Muscat – 32 North Ghubra; 011-968-2-452-4400; ghmhotels.com; really, only place to stay.
Sights & Sites
Al-Mirani Fort – Harbor (west of Old Muscat).

MUSANDAM PENINSULA
Hotels
Six Senses – Zighy Bay; 011-968-2-673-5555; zighybay.com; remarkable engineering feat; 82 villa resort.

SALALAH
Sights & Sites
Al-Baleed Archaeological Park (Visitor Centre of Land of Frankincense) – Sultan Qaboos Street (next to Crowne Plaza Hotel); omanet.om/english/tourism/herit/archo.asp?cat=tour&subcat=herit1; early Bronze & Iron Ages; earliest settlement here dates to 2K BCE; significant structures include Citadel, City Wall & Grand Mosque; illuminated with flood lights at dusk; best time to visit is in late afternoon, then staying until sunset.
Hasik – 200 km drive from Salalah-Mirbat-Sadh-Hadbeen-Hasik; considered among most beautiful beaches in world.
Job’s Tomb – Jabal Ittin (Jabal Qara); next to mosque; tomb underwhelming but trip worth effort, just for along way sightseeing.
Queen of Sheba’s Palace (Sumharam) – Khor Rori (Dhoafar); omanet.om/english/tourism/herit/archo.asp?cat=tour&subcat=herit1; archaeological park with ruined fort & palace.
Shisr – 2 hours south; “Atlantis of Sands”; sink-hole, well, Arab fort, and ancient structure.

SHARQIYA SANDS DESERT
Hotels
1000 Nights Camp – Wahiba Sands; 011-968-9-944-8158; 1000nightscamp.com; tents in desert; camels.

SUR
Sights & Sites
Ras al-Jinz Turtle Reserve – Ras Al Jinz (on beach); 011-968-9-655-0606 or 011-968-9-655-0707; rasaljinz-turtlereserve.com; each night, sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs; 14 rooms and restaurant; can stay night and enjoy guided night tour.

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