Amazing Oman

Our tour in Oman was well-planned, followed by a whirlwind of enjoyment that seemed to disappear rapidly within two weeks, and any concern relating this tour, except for booking tickets for five people, was evaporated as soon as we arrived at the Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka. 

It was Ramadan, so we arrived late at night as our flight was due at 7 am the next morning. Using two credit cards, we enjoyed our suhoor in two different five-star lounges, rested for a while, and descended to the ground floor, the departure lounge, for a final exit to board our plane.

Though it was raining, we could see the rain-drenched runway from our lounge. When a plane belonging to Turkish Airlines landed safely, we saw water sprinkled like a tiny waterfall sprouting from under the plane’s wheels. Next, our plane was supposed to land, allowing the Salam Airways fleet to land for a return flight to Oman. But to our awe and surprise, the aircraft attempted twice to land but failed and kept soaring again at a flyable height. Soon it disappeared, and we were informed that it had landed safely at Kolkata, India.

We had been waiting patiently for the plane to return from Kolkata as the agent declared a rescheduled time to fly at 10 am. The aircraft returned and landed safely this time, but we could not start our journey as the pilot went out for a layoff. A hue and cry arose about the uncertainty of the possible flight time, and as most of the passengers were fasting, the Salam authority managed a three-star hotel in the ‘Uttara’ area, and they had sent us there to rest. They arranged our iftar, and we were brought to the airport at 8 am. Who would have missed an opportunity to have a heavy and delicious dinner at a five-star lounge? We entered two luxurious lounges, two people with one credit card, like before, all free of charge—not bad at all. What do you say? So the five-star amenities compensated for our delay. Anyway, we could fly at 10 am, this time with no further delay.

Throughout our two-week stay, we deliberately chose the most attractive and best places with natural beauty and architectural wonders, and among them, Mutrah took first place. As I said before, I have had a plan for Oman, especially for Salalah, ever since I saw a few videos on YouTube about Salalah during Khareef (monsoon season). Oman is a familiar place for Bangladeshis. We stayed on the university campus for eight days, though each morning we used to get out to a specific place. Between our sightseeing in Muscat and the nearby areas with tourist attractions, we rarely missed the affinity of nature in the truly natural environment.

Muscat is a city that offers a diverse range of attractions, catering to various types of travelers looking for different natural environments. I want to highlight Muscat’s strategic locations that we experienced during our tour.   During Ramadan, the Royal Opera House was closed for renovation, so we chose the following noteworthy, beautiful, and remarkable places in Muscat. 

The drama that started in Dhaka very soon ended in Muscat when we arrived at Muscat International Airport. However, it took time to find my sister-in-law, an assistant professor. (civil engineer) at Sultan Qaboos University. But my first impression of Oman was good, as I got valuable information about a multistory car parking zone from a Pakistani national who helped me find him at 3 am. It was time for suhoor’ as we reached Sultan Qaboos University Campus, seeing my close relatives all our tiredness wiped out after we had forgotten what time it was, day or night. So, our favorite, comfortable abode was a duplex house situated in the outer extended exterior of the university campus, from where our entire Oman trip began and continued for two weeks.

All myths will disappear soon, as unbelievable and breathtaking experiences await you if you are a dedicated nature lover and love to enjoy luxury amid nature. Trees, plants, and flowers have been my true friends since my boyhood, and I never missed the true color of nature, every year, every season, as they gradually changed with their tincture, hue, and scent. 

We stayed on the university campus for eight days, though each morning we used to get out for a specific place. Between our sightseeing in Muscat and nearby areas worth of tourist attractions, we rarely missed the affinity of nature in the truly natural environment.

What if you have never visited a country in the Middle East?

And, have you heard only about sand, rocks, and deserts? 

All myths will disappear soon, as unbelievable and breathtaking experiences await you if you are a dedicated nature lover and love to enjoy luxury amid nature. Trees, plants, and flowers have been my true friends since my boyhood, and I never missed the true color of nature, every year, every season, as they gradually changed with their tincture, hue, and scent. 

The university was named after Qaboos bin Said al-Said, the Sultan of Oman from 1970 until 2020. 

The university can accommodate more than 7,000 students. It is the only public university in the country, proudly nestled in a beautiful valley beneath the majestic Oman Mountains.

From 2010 to 2015, the university enrolled students from 38 different countries, while scholars originated from 69 nations. Additionally, the institution engages in partnerships with universities worldwide, having established agreements with educational institutions in Asia, Europe, Australasia, North America, and South America. The university upholds seven fundamental principles: professionalism, excellence, dedication, honesty, loyalty, cooperation, and fairness.

There are two sports complexes available, one designated for male students and the other for female students. Each facility is equipped with football fields, athletic tracks, outdoor stadiums, volleyball courts, 

indoor sports halls, a swimming pool, and squash courts. 

The campus architecture showcases buildings crafted from white and pink sandstone, meticulously aligned on an axis with one end facing Mecca. Furthermore, there are distinct entrances for men and women, along with segregated seating arrangements within the classrooms.

The university mosque is the epitome of man’s thirst for aestheticism, though despite having a beautiful mosque on campus, almost all buildings incorporate a designated prayer room.

We stayed on the university campus for eight days, though each morning we used to get out for a specific place. Between our sightseeing in Muscat and nearby areas worth of tourist attractions, we did not miss the affinity of nature in the truly natural environment.

Mutrah is located on the northeastern coastline with Muscat Harbour, Mutrah Corniche, Mina Qaboos, Al Mirani Fort, Al Jalali Fort, Quantab Beach, Yiti Beach, Jebel Sifa Beach, Kalbou Beach Park, Riyam Park, Mutrah, and Sangri La Resort, all of which are worth visiting. 

The port of Muscat is guarded by two magnificent forts: Al-Jalali Fort on the east and Al-Mirani Fort on the west. These forts, perched high on the rocks, overlook the sparkling blue waters of the Gulf of Oman.

 In the past, their primary purpose was to protect the port of Muscat. 

Al Jalali Fort or Mutrah Fort, also known as Ash Sharqiya Fort, was constructed by the Portuguese in the 1580s, on top of an earlier Omani fortress to safeguard the harbour after Muscat had been twice attacked and sacked by Ottoman forces. However, the fort was eventually seized by Omani forces in 1650, and when the Civil War ended in 1747, the fort underwent extensive reconstruction.

Occasionally, Al-Jalali functioned as a sanctuary or a detention centre for a royal family member. Throughout the 20th century, it operated as Oman’s primary penitentiary until its role ceased in the 1970s. In 1983, Fort Al-Jalali underwent restoration and was repurposed into an exclusive museum showcasing Omani cultural heritage, exclusively open to esteemed guests visiting the nation.

Access to this fortress is only granted with a permit. To apply, visit the Ministry of National Heritage’s contact page on their website.

 Fort Al-Jalali was known as the third defensive structure along the Muscat shoreline, positioned just north of the main harbour and equipped with sufficient artillery to repel potential invaders.

The fortress boasts a captivating feature: a sizable circular tower that served as a final line of defence. Within its walls, visitors can explore an educational yet slightly dull display showcasing the region’s geography and ecosystem. However, the true gem of the fort lies in the replica of two structures native to the Musandam Peninsula. The first is Bait al-Qufl, also known as the House of Locks. During the summer months, the nearby agricultural families sought refuge in these partially buried stone structures to safeguard their valuable possessions while they relocated to the seaside.

Naturally, reaching the location involves a steep ascent. Visitors who are not interested in history or archaeology may notice something missing upon arrival: only remnants of ancient weaponry and a contemporary French Hotchkiss cannon perched on battlements and turrets. Although we did not have much time to enter the central tower, the vistas from its summit were undeniably breathtaking.

There are quite a few beaches in Mutrah, though these beaches are not like general beaches, and they are placed near arid land with hard rock formations. The waves we found were quiet, with arid mountains all around them, especially Quantab beach, surrounded by black rocks. Other beaches are Yiti  Beach, Jebel Sifa Beach, and Kalbou Beach. 

This is the sultan’s primary residence, showcasing modern Islamic design with its vibrant gardens and the picturesque Mutrah Harbour. Known as the Flag Palace, it serves as the ceremonial home of Sultan Qaboos and is situated at the core of the historic Old Muscat. Al Alam Palace serves as the official residence of the Sultan of Oman and is used for ceremonial purposes. It is where formal events, including the reception of international guests and leaders,take place. In the early 1970s, the old official residence, Bait Al Alam, was demolished to make way for the construction of this new palace. However, Sultan Qaboos tends to prefer his other residences in Al Seeb or Manah, as he rarely makes appearances at Al Alam Palace. Though the palace compound is not a vast area, the main palace building and its encircling buildings and installations are worth viewing against the background of a line of hillocks. An artistic combination of Yellow-blue in an array of vast whites will remind you of a painting on an easel.   Flowers are a common phenomenon anywhere in Oman, so everything is there for you to soothe your eyes with and spread beauty – a perfect blending of natural objects and habitation.

The entrance to the main building was prohibited for general viewers like us, though we did not face any problems either seeing everything situated on the outer surface of the campus or taking snapshots of the main building and its installations.