Come to Oman

09/06/2012

Grand Mosque, Oman

In 1992 Sultan Qaboos directed that his country of Oman should have a Grand Mosque. A competition for its design took place in 1993 and after a site was chosen at Bausher construction commenced in 1995. Building work, which was undertaken by Carillion Alawi LLC took six years and four months.
The Mosque is built from 300,000 tonnes of Indian sandstone. The main musalla (prayer hall) is square (external dimensions 74.4 x 74.4 metres) with a central dome rising to a height of fifty metres above the floor. The dome and the main minaret (90 metres) and four flanking minarets (45.5 metres) are the mosque’s chief visual features. The main musalla can hold over 6,500 worshippers, while the women’s musalla can accommodate 750 worshippers. The outer paved ground can hold 8,000 worshippers and there is additional space available in the interior courtyard and the passageways, making a total capacity of up to 20,000 worshippers.

09/06/2012

The Ras Al Jinz nature reserve

The Ras Al Jinz nature reserve was established in 1996 when the Ras Al Jinz national nature reserve and the Ras al Hadd national scenic reserve were merged into one order to better protect the sea turtles and their natural environment. The protected area stretches over 120 square kilometers with a 45 kilometer coastline, extending for one kilometer into territorial waters. The reserve houses numerous six thousand-year- old archaeological sites of fishermen villages and tombstones. Excavations, too have unearthed several important relics- most notably Oman's first wooden boat and the peninsula’s oldest incense burner. These ancient remnants are reflective of the trade relations that linked fishermen to the inhabitants of the remote oases of the distant desert and commercial activities with Mesopotamia, India, Africa and China.

The Ras Al Jinz Scientific and visitors Centre offers a truly unique experience- the fascinating scene of sea turtles nesting in a completely natural environment. The centre will also aim in promoting social responsibility and sound environmental practices in the framework of an awareness raising program.

For more details visit : www.rasaljinz-turtlereserve.com

05/06/2012

Oman Air launches new Tehran service

Oman Air will launch a new daily service between Muscat and the Iranian capital Tehran from 1st September 2012. Flights will depart Muscat for Tehran at 0200 (3 days per week) and 0930 (4 days per week) and return from Tehran at 0610 (3 days per week) and 1240 (4 days per week) all times local, offering good connections to onward destinations within Oman Air's network.

The new Muscat-Tehran route will be operated using Oman Air's new Embraer 175 regional jets, which offer superb levels of comfort in both Business and Economy Classes. The airline took delivery of two of these much-acclaimed aircraft in 2011 and two more will enter service later this year.

Announcing the new service, Wayne Pearce, Oman Air's Chief Executive Officer, said:"We are extremely pleased to be launching our new service between Muscat and Tehran and to be offering customers the opportunity to travel aboard our outstanding Embraer 175 regional jets. Tehran offers visitors the opportunity to gain insights into not only Iran's unique culture, but also its rich and ancient history. Furthermore, Tehran is a major business hub and we anticipate strong demand from both business and leisure passengers.

In addition to giving travellers from Oman and beyond the opportunity to visit Iran, Oman Air's new service will offer Iranian visitors the chance to fly non-stop to Muscat and to experience the hospitality, rich culture and unique landscapes of the Sultanate.

The addition of the new service to Tehran continues the rapid growth of Oman Air over the last 30 months. This has seen significant increases in the size of the airline's fleet, major expansion of its network to include more than 40 destinations and the introduction of a range of new products and services, including the pioneering of complete cellphone and wi-fi connectivity aboard Oman Air's Airbus A330 aircraft.

Over the same period, revenues and passenger numbers have increased dramatically, with customers showing their approval of the airline's combination of quality and value by not only booking further flights, but also voting for Oman Air in a series of awards. As a result, Oman Air was presented with the 'Service Excellence, Middle East' and 'Best Business Class Seat in the World' prizes at the World Airline Awards 2011, which are organized by Skytrax, as well as the 2012 Business Destinations Travel Award for 'Best Business Class Airline, Middle East'.

05/06/2012

OMANI STAR AL HARTHY AIMING TO MAINTAIN SERIES LEAD AT OULTON

Oulton Park in Cheshire hosts rounds seven and eight of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship this coming weekend, 9th/10th June, where Oman Air Racing Team driver Ahmad Al Harthy is focused on maintaining, and hopefully increasing, his already impressive Pro-Am 1 Class points lead.

Going into the fourth race meeting of the 2012 season with a 31 point advantage over his closest rival, the 30-year-old from Muscat has enjoyed a superb run since the beginning of the campaign with four Pro-Am 1 victories from six starts and two other podiums.

Setting a very high standard at Brands Hatch, Donington Park and, most recently, a very wet and blustery Thruxton some five weeks ago, Ahmad is determined to continue the superb momentum at Oulton Park – a circuit regarded as perhaps the greatest driver challenge in the UK.

“Time has really flown by since the last round”, he said, “I’ve enjoyed the break though as it was a very busy start to the season with three race meetings all close together and a lot of travelling, we needed the gap in the calendar to recharge our batteries a little bit.

“I’ve always said Oulton Park is a track that has a special feel, unlike some others in the UK you can have a few seconds to breathe at certain points but it’s also very demanding and a real challenge. It’s a place where we always have exciting races in Porsche Carrera Cup GB.”

The Oman Air, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Oman Ministry of Tourism, Nawras, National Bank of Oman and Muscat Eye Laser Centre-supported driver always relishes the prospect of competing at Oulton’s 2.23-mile Island Circuit and has enjoyed great success there over the last couple of years.

Achieving his maiden Pro-Am 1 pole position at the track during the Porsche Carrera Cup GB event last year, Ahmad went on to secure a double podium finish and also posted the fastest Pro-Am 1 lap during the first encounter. In 2010, his first year in the category, he also visited the Oulton podium.

Up to now, the 2012 season has been the best yet of Ahmad’s sportscar racing career and he sees no reason at all why he shouldn’t be able to continue his rich form when the championship resumes this weekend.

“We have to focus hard, keep the momentum going and try and do the best we can”, he added, “It’s been a fantastic start to the season, four wins and the championship lead after the first six races is an incredible feeling. We have to keep working incredibly hard but if we do that, we can continue to push for the number one spot in the championship right to the end of the season.”

Following pre-event practice on Friday, 8th June, qualifying for rounds seven and eight of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB season will take place at 11.45 on Saturday, 9th June. Both races will be contested on Sunday, 10th June, with the first scheduled to begin at approximately 13.00 and the second at 16.25.

Round seven is due to be screened live in the UK on ITV4 and ITV4 HD with the addition of online streaming at the www.itv.com/btcc website. Round eight will also be shown live on the ITV website but will be screened on ITV4 later in the evening, starting at 20.00, due to a clash in the afternoon with the French Open tennis final at Roland Garros.

05/06/2012

The Chedi Muscat Hotel
Situated on the stunning Boushar Beachfront in Oman, where crystal Gulf waters mirror images of glorious mountain ranges, The Chedi Muscat Hotel Oman is an oasis of mysticism and luxury. Simple elegance, stylish furnishings and subtle bursts of vibrant hues, characteristic of traditional Omani architecture, distinguish an ageless charm, which the hotel exudes.
Designed in the style of traditional Omani architecture, The Chedi Muscat Hotel Oman features a 370-meter private beach and two swimming pools one of which is dedicated for the exclusive use of adults. Each category of rooms has its own magnificent view of the water gardens or the Hajar mountain ranges of Oman.

03/06/2012

Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

The experience is elevated at Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, Sultanate of Oman. Three hotels await your arrival. And each gets better as you explore.
Visit : http://www.shangri-la.com/muscat

03/06/2012

Governorate of Musandam

Governorate of Musandam lies in extreme north of the Sultanate. It is separated from the rest of the Sultanate by a strip of UAE land. Its rough mountains rise to 1800 metres above sea level.
Governorate of Musandant is distinguished for its strategic location, with part of it known as Ras Musandam - overlooks the international water passage called the Strait of Hormuz.

Governorate of Musandam consists of four wilayats: Khasab. bukha, Daba Al Bayah and Madha. Khasab town is the regional center of the Governorate located 481 kilometers from the capital Muscat. Wilayat Khasab is situated in the north corner of the governorate. It has taken its name from the fertility of its soil, and it has a port (Khasab port). As regards Wilayat Daba AI Bayah, it is situated in the south east of Musandam. Its inhabitants depend on fishing, agriculture and ship building.

03/06/2012

Salalah Tourism Festival 2012

Promotional Video for Salalah Tourism Festival 2012

Visit : www.salalahvisitors.com

02/06/2012

Did you plan for Summer vacation?

Six Senses Zighy Bay

Six Senses Zighy Bay is located on the northern Musandam Peninsula in the Sultanate of Oman, a simple 120 minute journey from Dubai. The setting of this beautiful indigenous village style accommodations and private marina is spectacular, with the dramatic mountains on one side and a 1.6-kilometer sandy beach at Zighy Bay, on the other.

E-mail: [email protected]

02/06/2012

Nizwa Fort


Nizwa Fort, built by Imam Sultan bin Saif al Ya'arubi in 1668, is the biggest fort in the Arabian Peninsula with an exterior diameter of its circular structure of 150 feet, and over 115 feet high. The fort was once used as the Imam's headquarters and is a stronghold designed to withstand some of the most aggressive sieges. The traditional doors are inches deep and over the lintel of each is a hole through which boiling oil could be poured over the marauding enemies .

30/05/2012

People of the desert

Evidence of human occupation in the Wahiba dates as far back as 8000 years. Janabah, Mawalik, Hikman, Amr and Wahiba are some of the tribes who settle there.

Like all Omani people, the bedouins are extremely hospitable to all who visit. There house is traditionally an open home to those who pass by. You will notice the Bedouins are pristine in their appearance, well spoken and educated. With an exception of a top of the range 4x4 the families of the Wahiba uphold a traditional lifestyle, making a living by farming mostly camels and goats. They obtain their water supplies from the many springs in the area.
Younger members of the tribal families are more accustomed to modern life, taking jobs in large companies and ministries; however most prefer their peaceful, undisturbed life in the rolling dunes.

30/05/2012

1000 Nights Camp

1000 Nights Camp is the only one of its kind at Wahiba Sands. Our guests will enjoy not only a spiritual, cultural-but luxury experience of staying in-style at the heart of Wahiba Sands.

The setting among the Cineraria trees emphasizes the beauty of the virgin golden sand dunes surrounding the camp. In certain
mornings you can even see how the fog disappears gradually as the sun rises.

30/05/2012

Sifawy Boutique Hotel - Oman

A tranquil haven of relaxation, Jebel Sifah is located 45km away from downtown Muscat. The scenic destination is fringed by sandy white beaches and turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea, and surrounded by the majestic Hajjar mountain range. The distinctive appeal of Jebel Sifah as a destination lies in it being a beckoning getaway with close proximity to the capital city, accessible in less than an hour’s drive. On your way to Jebel Sifah, you will pass through the peaceful fishing village of Sifah. Beautiful views of the mountains, the sea and its friendly people all make this modest unobtrusive village a wonderful neighbour to have.

28/05/2012

Oman Museum to Showcase National Treasures

The RO12 million Oman National Museum, which will occupy an area of 13,757 square metres and incorporate state-of-the-art technologies, will be located near the Al Alam Palace, at the foothills of the Al Hajar mountains.

The museum, which will feature 10 galleries, classrooms and studios for interactive sessions with schoolchildren and a 70-seat indoor café, will focus on subjects such as art and culture, archaeology, architecture, ethnography, costumes, calligraphy, literature and music.

Other facilities will include an 80-seat lecture hall and two seminar rooms that can accommodate 50 and 30 people, respectively.

28/05/2012

The national dress for Omani women includes a dress worn over trousers (sirwal) and a headdress (lihaf). Usually, the materials used are of very colorful, vibrant colours. Traditionally, Omani women would wear a kind of wooden platform shoe, but nowadays, most prefer to wear sandals. The cut of the clothing differs in various regions, as do color, embroidery and materials. Women complete their outfit with gold jewelry and cosmetics, opting for either brand-name or traditionally-made items.

28/05/2012

Muscat school to be made museum

Link: http://main.omanobserver.om/node/96627

By Kabeer Yousuf — The first formal school in the capital area, Al Sayidyah School which stands testimony to the history of education in the Sultanate of Oman, will be converted into a museum by the end of this year. Necessary renovation and other restoration works to preserve this 1970 school are ...

28/05/2012

Civil aviation to come under focus

Link: http://main.omanobserver.om/node/96647

MUSCAT — Keeping in line with Oman's Vision 2020, the development of air transport in Oman not only contributes to enhancing the country's Civil Aviation sector, but also contributes to the growth of the tourism and logistics sector. Airports in Oman come under the auspices of the Oman Airports Mana...

26/05/2012

Dear Friends ,

Do you wish to know more about Wadi Hawasina ?
If you know some thing could you tell us ?