Oman through my eyes..

Well I haven't been able to get all the pics that I liked and wanted but I will post what I did manage to scavenge. I had recently been to Oman and decide dto do a post on the same.
In Oman I was mostly on the road to Samail and Nizwa. I stayed with some wonderful people who on the last day drove me around Muscat which was the highlight of my trip. Unfortunately I was largely miserable in Oman because unlike Mumbai, NYC or even Angeles city it has no form of public transport. And there is virtually no life there. No day life, no night life. It is arid and dry. And being the independent, inquisitive, bird that I am, I almost died of boredom.
I've said to many and have to say this again, if you want to be an ascetic, you don't need to go to Tibet. Oman will do just fine.
Most of the land is covered with undulating rock mountains and date palms which happens to be the specialty of Samail. The first time you see those huge mountains in the day it is awe inspiring, but then you see one, you seem them all. The roads are cut between these mountains, the homes/villas spaced really far and no person is out on the road or walking. By the way there are very few buildings that have more than three floors in Oman. Homes or bungalows is the typical residence here, wit three or more families sharing one. Buildings are mushrooming in Muscat but elsewhere, its like stepping into life three decades ago.  Everybody is in a car. That's the only form of accepted technology.

If you're into forts and architecture there are things to see. The Sultan's palace is one such place with beautiful corridors and a garden. Its best to visit in the evening while taking a walk along the beach, also makes for some splendid time. While the Omani people are very friendly, its hard to find expats who will mingle and do much. From the immigration to the malls, Omanis are respectful and helpful.


Sultan's palace, Muscat
The place has one church for the whole country in Muscat and if you need to do anything, have fun, go to the mall, beach picnic you have to travel to Muscat for it which is crazy, given that you have no vehicle for the same. In short its a nice place to see, maybe work too, but there's nothing else you could possible do in Oman to socialize. Maybe you could go to the wadis (which are shallow rivulets everywhere in Oman) and swim with friends. But for the young and restless, its drab.
The Sultan's first boat, and his yacht behind


  
 
So that's it for this week.
Songs on my playlist: A little bit by Jessica Simpson. Happy weekend.