Category: Muscat & Northern Oman

Northern Oman’s built history stretches back 5,000 years, its one of the Arab world’s most enduring cultures. Today its interconnected through modern highways and impressive mobile telecom networks

Jews in Sohar Oman

Records of the Jews in Sohar Oman stretch back to as early as AD 950 when Buzurq ibn Shahriyar wrote about the Jewish merchant Ishaq bin Yahuda in his book “Book of the Wonders of India.” According to this text, Ishaq bin Yahuda traded between Sohar and China some 50 years earlier, where on a visit to Sohar he apparently had goods valued in excess of 3 million Dinars.

Bertram Thomas describes Jews living west of Sohar during the initial period of Islam, one of whom met Amr bin Al As, the Prophet’s representative to Oman.

Monument Jewish Cemetery Sohar Oman
Monument Jewish Cemetery Sohar Oman

Wellstead described the Jews arriving in Muscat in 1828, from the ‘exactions and tyranny of Continue reading “Jews in Sohar Oman”

Airbnb Adventures in Oman with Six Strangers from around the world

Airbnb took Six Strangers from around the world and sent them on the first Airbnb adventure where you can “ditch the tourist trails and go deeper with wildly unique adventures around the world”. Where would Airbnb send them? 24 hours later they landed in Continue reading “Airbnb Adventures in Oman with Six Strangers from around the world“

UNESCO sites of Bat, Al Ayn and Al Khutm

In north-western Oman are the ancient tombs and monuments associated with the UNESCO sites of Bat, Al Ayn and Al Khutm. UNESCO’s International Council on Monuments and Sites describes Bat as ‘the most complete and best-known site of the 3rd millennium BC’.

UNESCO - Bat Tomb - Oman
UNESCO – Bat Tomb – Oman

The sites were inscribed Continue reading “UNESCO sites of Bat, Al Ayn and Al Khutm”

SALUT FORT BAHLA OMAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE near Bisya is well worth visiting - if its made possible by the Oman government

Salut, the archaeological hill fort, is some 26km southwest of Bahla in northern Oman. It may well turn out to be at the centre of the most important Oman archaeology site.

However, it’s hardly known and is, at the moment, not ‘open’ for casual visits. If entry is permitted, I have included it in my updated Bradt Guide to Oman, below.

Salut, Bahla Oman Archaeological Site
Salut, Bahla Oman Archaeological Site – scale see people on hill.

The site is at the flood plain formed by Continue reading “SALUT FORT BAHLA OMAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE near Bisya is well worth visiting – if its made possible by the Oman government“

Oman’s Top 5 things to do June

June though its mid-summer is often not as searing as May, that’s often because the rise in humidity also drops the temperature; so Oman’s Top 5 things to do June takes that into account. This year the start of June is part of the month of Ramadhan, and probably the 4-6 June will be Eid, so do take that into account when making plans.
So here are the top 5 things to do in June in Oman.

Bowling at Fun Zone - Muscat Oman’s Top 5 to do June
Bowling at Fun Zone – Muscat

Indoor bowling included in Oman’s Top 5 to do June as its a great activity during Ramadhan as Continue reading “Oman’s Top 5 things to do June”

Kempinski Muscat should open late 2017

Gearing up for a late Autumn opening is the Kempinski Muscat. The hotel is one of the key tenants of Al Mouj Muscat the residential enclave in the west of Muscat.

Kempinski Muscat (Artists concept)
Kempinski Muscat www.woodsbagot.com (Artists concept)

Like AlMouj, the Kempinski Muscat’s ultimate owner is Oman’s government though Omani Hospitality Company. Set on the community beach that extends for a couple of kilometres towards AlMouj Golf, the PGA Continue reading “Kempinski Muscat should open late 2017”

12 Days of Christmas in Oman Day Twelve

Day Twelve in Oman coincides with New Years Day. What better start to the New Year than to see the sun-rise on the year’s first day and what better place than at Ras Al Jinz Arabia’s most easterly place.

SunRise Ras Al Jinz Oman
SunRise Ras Al Jinz Oman

The promontory Continue reading “12 Days of Christmas in Oman Day Twelve”

My Lucky Weekend

in Muscat

What a weekend full of good fortune I could pass on.  On Saturday Jojo Bird of ‘What’s Happening Muscat, Oman?‘ tagged me to say that I had just won a great prize of an HTC phone from eSaver in Muscat- the first prize I’ve won in soooo many years living in Oman. JoJo had told the group the day before about a Philipino teacher who had just died of cancer leaving 6 young children without a parent. Continue reading “My Lucky Weekend”

Throw Down the Anchor

your guide to Muttrah Souq

If you have ever wandered around Mutrah Souq and wondered about its history the book Thrown Down the Anchor is a great read, written by Maxine Burden. Its full of personal recollections of the time, not so long ago, when the souq was the hub of all things commercial in the Muscat area.

Throw Down the Anchor - the story of Mutrah Souq
Throw Down the Anchor – The Story of Mutrah Souq

Fortunately, it includes all personalities Continue reading “Throw Down the Anchor”

Camilia Restaurant Ruwi for Dinner

Since the area is still quiet we took a meal in Camilia Restaurant Ruwi before work starts again tomorrow. I’ve been a customer since 1986 and guess this is probably one of the longest established restaurants in Oman. I suspect Camilia has had several managers over its history and the current person must be the best there has been.

Camilia Salad
Camilia Restaraunt Salad

From the remarkably genuine Continue reading “Camilia Restaurant Ruwi for Dinner”