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Oman travel tips?

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Viridiana

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Hello all,

I'm going on a 3-week trip through Oman in March, and wonder if anyone has any tips to share about the country? I'm going to have a local guide/driver with me and the itinerary is pretty wide-ranging, but it's my first trip to the Middle East and would love to hear from anyone who's shot there before. Especially about great photogenic spots or interesting cultural highlights in Oman, and best ways to engage local people for photographs, etc.

BTW I'm bringing a D700, 14-24/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 80-200/2.8 and a few fast and light primes.

Thanks a lot in advance,
Friederike
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http://www.friederikepaetzold.com
 
I strongly suggest you do not rent an American flag themed Hummer for your local travels., or wear any Salmon Rushdie t-sirts.
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You Will Never Walk Alone
 
Yeah, and I'll leave my Pabst Blue Ribbon gimme cap and 'Pork: The Other White Meat' bumper sticker at home too...
Wanchese said:
I strongly suggest you do not rent an American flag themed Hummer for your local travels., or wear any Salmon Rushdie t-sirts.
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You Will Never Walk Alone
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http://www.friederikepaetzold.com
 
Ha! Pabst and pork...have you driven by my double wide before?

Good luck on your trip. I envy you. Hopefully someone with some knowledge of the area will pipe in with some real info for you.
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You Will Never Walk Alone
 
Pabst and pork, two great flavors that taste better together...

Thanks for the well wishes...just hope I don't get projectile camel spit all over my gear!
Wanchese said:
Ha! Pabst and pork...have you driven by my double wide before?

Good luck on your trip. I envy you. Hopefully someone with some knowledge of the area will pipe in with some real info for you.
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You Will Never Walk Alone
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http://www.friederikepaetzold.com
 
But what a picture that would be! With your compositional acumen, even camel snot would be intereesting. I looked at your on line portfolio....very nice.

--You Will Never Walk Alone
 
Thank you very much for your nice comments...and for taking a moment to look at my site!
Wanchese said:
But what a picture that would be! With your compositional acumen, even camel snot would be intereesting. I looked at your on line portfolio....very nice.

--You Will Never Walk Alone
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http://www.friederikepaetzold.com
 
I visited Oman over 30 years ago, and I am sure that things have changed a great deal since then. When I was there, I seemed to notice a very "british" influence in the city traffic.... lots of round abouts, as well as driving on the right side of the road. Unlike the driving conditions in the rest of the middle east, they followed more conservative way to travel.. following traffic rules at the intersections, traffic lights, etc.

I did not stay long in Muscat, and then travelled to Masirah Island. The guests on one of the main hotel were full of british expatriates, and I also recalled that they have "Hash House Harriers" organization, promoting a runners club in the City. My memories of the town and the souq (market) were rather sketchy now, but the people on the streets seemed to be rather friendly.

That is what I can recall about the Capital City. It was a brief trip. Don't forget to visit the Muscat Castle. You should try to take a photo at night with a glowing reflection from the waterfront.

Masirah Island has beautiful unspoiled beaches, but I don't think the island is open for public. That is all that I can remember. I wish I could return and see it again for the second time.
 
Anyone who drinks Pabst while eating pork requires scrutiny. My choice is Schlitz with NC pulled pork BBQ.
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You Will Never Walk Alone
 
Mmm, you're making me wish it was summer already...but instead there's a Nor'easter on the way, ouch.
Wanchese said:
Anyone who drinks Pabst while eating pork requires scrutiny. My choice is Schlitz with NC pulled pork BBQ.
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You Will Never Walk Alone
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http://www.friederikepaetzold.com
 
Hi there,

Great place to visit, believe me. Muscat is nice, but nothing over-exciting in my opinion. Still, the waterfront has some charm and you will find brilliant local food. Fishmarket is worth a look and a few clicks, for sheer local life, local fauna and the boats. Beware of the smells though.

My personal highlight is the Wahibah sands, about 2h from Muscat, on the other side of the rocky mountainous chain behind the capital. There are some tremendous villages on the way and around, just stop when you feel like it: stone houses, mud houses, great people, local mosques and real local life as ever.

You'll also notice lots of stone watch towers in the countryside, looking like a long string of lighthouses to guide the traveller.

The sands themselves are incredibly pretty and wild. I'd suggest you stay overnight for evening and morning tones. You might come across bedouins, desert-dwellers, with their tents and STUNNING homemade cardamome coffee - a speciality of the country, but the best one I got was with them.

In the mountains themselves, there's out-of-this-world climbing to be had, like climbing on a Mars-hot moon. When you need to cool down, head for the wonderful wadis.

I went there 4 years ago as part of my honeymoon, and at the time at least I didn't feel any animosity (I'm French, my wife English) whatsoever. The understanding at the time was that Oman was a tolerant Islamic country. Might have changed slightly, I have no idea.

Masirah island is open to the public, and there's good surfing depending on the season. Other than that the south-west of the country is greener as it gets the monsoon.

Almost forgot: there's a new huge mosque in the outskirts of Muscat, the biggest in the country, and it's worth a trip.

If you enjoy your trip as much as I did, you'll be a very happy man.

Best regards,

Denis

PS: if goes without saying but it's always worth saying again, being sensitive to local customs is a good starting point, and that means no nudity (and too much nudity) when in public or in religious establishments.
 
One more thing: 'salam alekoum' when saying hello, 'alekoum salam' when returning a hello, and 'shukran' for thank you always useful...

Denis
 
Lucky you. I pine for a good Nor'Easter. Might fly home ito the OBX in anticipation of another snow storm. Nothing like sitting on the deck watching the wild Atlantic. With Schlitz and BBQ.

Might make you a happy man.
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You Will Never Walk Alone
 
I lived there in the mid 1990s.

Oman is fantastic. My immediate advice is Nizwa (the market including goat trading), Naql Fort, the Wahiba sands, the empty quarter. If you can make it to the south Salalah is fairly interesting. Jebel Akhdar is awesome. Yiti beach is worthwhile especially if you want to camp on an outstanding beach. Bandar Khayran is accessable by boat and car I think and there's cool mangroves and a major flamingo colony. The beaches at Ra's al Hadd are superb.

Dress modestly. Women should wear dresses with short sleeves and hemlines below the knees. Men should wear long pants and shirts in public. If you are at a beach, keep cover up clothing available. Omani's are kind gentle people.

Enjoy and please share your photos,
Brent
 
Ha!

That sounds great. What I'm seeing for a Nor'Easter right now is a lot of soggy snow landing on a dirty sidewalk and the cadavers of cannibalized bikes...
Wanchese said:
Lucky you. I pine for a good Nor'Easter. Might fly home ito the OBX in anticipation of another snow storm. Nothing like sitting on the deck watching the wild Atlantic. With Schlitz and BBQ.

Might make you a happy man.
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You Will Never Walk Alone
Click to expand...
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http://www.friederikepaetzold.com
 
Thanks a lot Denis, Brent and Paul--really appreciate your taking the time to post your memories and tips. I'm getting really psyched for this adventure. I think I'm going to be hitting most of the spots you mentioned (will be in Muscat, Musandam, Salalah, Dohfar, Al Sharqiah, Maseerah Island, Al Dakhilyah and Batinah). It sounds like a country with surprising variety in climate and natural attractions...not just the typical "desert landscape" that might pop into mind at first...
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http://www.friederikepaetzold.com
 
Hi V,

I live in Dubai and had done quite a lot of travel photography trips to Oman..

my flickr link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paddyrags/

let me know the dates and i will see if i can join you during one of the weekends..

I have covered Muscat, Ruwi, Tiwi, Sur, and Salalah Jabel-E-Shams via road with my familiy..I will be more than happy to accompany you one of the weekends

Its a big country when compared to the European country though the fun would be going around in 4 wheeler.

my contacts are;

[email protected]
Mob - +971505050377

Lets see if we can link up and i too have D700, 24 70 F2.8, 85 F1.4, 50 f1.4, 180 f2.8 sigma 120-400 f3.5-5.6

I will get my Nissan Xtrail which is enough for Oman Tracks.

Cheers
Ragz
 
You can question what pulls me back again and again to Oman its the People .. absolutely gorgeous.. nature very welcoming and hospitable .. always trying to help..

Oh my god i saw your web site.. i would be your apprentice for at least a weekend it will be honor for me to be with you on your shoots..and learn a bit..
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Cheers
Ragz
 
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