Footprints Travel mag Nov 2011-Jan 2012

Dive easy

Vol. 1, Issue 5 ,Vol. 1, Issue 5 , November 2011- January 2012,November 2011- January 2012, Winter SpecialWinter Special

Blessed with beautiful tourism sites

Spectacular wadis, Celebrity say & more

Balcony Laden Floating CondominiumSnorkelling with sea lions

Awafi Festival in RAKMost spectacular sites & more

Oman-Trail Globe-Trail

Oman’s first premier travel magazineOman’s first premier travel magazine

November 2011- January 20124

Readers Forum

It is neither the highest, nor the widest waterfall in the world, but it is the largest

– that much can be said about the Victoria Falls or more precisely, the Mosi-

oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders). The world heritage list recognises both

names. The claim is based on a width of 1,708 metres (5,604ft) and a height

of 108 metres (354ft) forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world.

Susan’s (Susan C. Thornton – May-July 2011 issue) story on Mosi-oa-Tunya

was fantastic because she took me on the same path that I had traversed on

and I concur on her sentiments: this is where nature is at her most powerful.

David Livingstone, a Scottish missionary and explorer, must have been truly

amazed at the sight. Like Susan mentioned, “imagine running into something

like this by chance”! Wow, I would go crazy. Thanks for taking us through this

natural wonder and we hope that we will be able to read more about such

wonders in future issues too.

Miguel J.Ruiz, Seeb

Jumping off a plane is not easy. I know. It took me nearly four years to do that. I

love adventure sports, but I am severely handicapped when it comes to heights…

in the sense, I have a great fear of heights. Right from childhood, I am having this

fear and finally my friends at my workplace decided that I should get over this fear.

During a trip to Dubai, they tried to get me unsuccessfully into Bungee jumping. I

tried to show off and said that I was not interested in Bungee jumping, but if there

was some way that I could jump off a plane, I was game. Little did I know that I had

put my foot in my own mouth as there was a skydiving club right there in Dubai and

my friends promptly took me there and signed up. Honestly, I still don’t know what

I did, or what happened, but that day I killed my fears, not only looking down from a

height, which was so many thousands of feet above and more importantly, jumping

off from that height. For nearly four years before the leap, I was mustering courage

to do it but never had the guts, then, suddenly from out of the blue, something

happened and I just broke free from my fears. It was a leap of faith for me!

Sanjith Aaron, Al Khuwair

The Okavango Delta is surely the perfect

location to have a luxury safari holiday.

We had such a fantastic time there (in

Botswana) and I cried when we had to

leave. We stayed at several camps; the

first one was a very small one but good

and the second one had a spectacular

setting – it was right on the delta. We had

some interesting episodes with hippos!

Jane Sims, Qurum

I agree with the author of the tandem

sky diving piece. The adrenaline rush

you gain by jumping off a plane is really

something. I must have done that dive

several months back and yet now even

when I talk about it or write about it, I get

a full rush of adrenaline. Wow! Nothing

like it!

Todd Ronald, Ghala

True leap of faith

White lions grace captured

Perfect location

Adrenaline zing

E-mail your letters to [email protected]

The wonder that thunders

I would like to congratulate you for this excellent

publication. In fact, the white lions’ photos and the

accompanying article (Issue 2 , August-October 2010)

is quite good and has a real impact. The grace and the

dignity of the lord of the jungle, although in a different

shade, is quite evident. I am not alone in praising the

Footprints and would like to add here that my friends

and colleagues also share the same sentiment.

Congratulations from all of us!

S.A.S. Naqvi,

Sports consultant, FMEC/OHA, Muscat


C o n t e n t sO

n t

he

cove

r

Design: Beneek Siraj

Published by: Muscat Press & Publishing House SAOC

Postal address: P O Box 86, PC 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos

Office location: Hatat Complex A, Office no: 212, II Floor

Ph: 24565697 Fax: 24565496

e-mail: [email protected]

Editor-in-chiefMohamed Issa Al Zadjali

Managing editorPriya Arunkumar

Work editorAdarsh Madhavan

Design and productionBeneek Siraj

PhotographerAli Raisi

Advt. & marketingShannon D’Souza, Priyanka Sampat

PrintersOman Printers

20

10

Snorkelling with sea lions in the

Galapagos Islands

The sea lions were not the only ones

whom the writer bumped into during

his watery sojourn: Two Galapagos

penguins, a marine iguana, reef sharks,

Sally Lightfoot crabs made their day!

“Balcony Laden Floating Condominium”

After P.N. Devaya’s recent

experience, he no longer considers

that description of large cruise ships

uncomplimentary. The balcony

with the stateroom elevated a

great experience to an absolutely

unforgettable one, he says

Globe-Trai l

1010

A joint venture with Zahara Travel and Service Bureau

presentationA

November 2011- January 2012 7

46 56

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Read what

Oman’s tourism

minister has to

say for those

who are yet

to visit this

tourism-rich

country

Spectacular Wadis, not just for bashing

A wadi is a dried up riverbed found

in the mountain valleys. Wadis come

into their own after heavy rains, when

the rivers start running again and

the vegetation is restored. However,

some wadis have year-round running

water, with deep, cool pools in which

it is quite safe to swim if the currents

are slow

Dive easy

Dramatic wall drop offs, scenic

coral lined fjords, several thousand

kilometers of coastline, clean and

unpolluted waters, fantastic sea

conditions…Oman is an untouched

paradise for divers.

Honey, my Venice is sinking

Some unique spots are under threat

of disappearing forever. So, try to

catch sight of them before they

disappear.

Oman-Trai l Oman-Trai l

Blessed with beautiful tourism sites


Oman is a country blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and resources. The

best part of this is that a major portion of it is still untouched, unexplored... Look at

the vast coastal line Oman is endowed with. How many of us have even explored

just a portion of it? We are content with the same beaches, same picnics with repeat

experiences.

Some years ago, a friend of mine suggested underwater diving to me. I have not yet

attempted to dive, though I have marked it in my hobbies list to pursue.

I am sure it is going to be a great experience, which will get you hooked on to diving

forever. Oman is indeed a safe country for all sorts of hobbies and I have never heard

of any accidents underwater!

So go ahead, take a dive in to a new world of beauty and serenity.

Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali

Editor-in-chief

Ready for a new underworld experience

Friend, phi losopher & guide


Words and photographs: P.N. Devaya

“Balcony Laden Floating Condominium”

A seven-day cruise in Alaska’s Inside Passage

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After our recent experience, I no longer consider that description of large cruise ships uncomplimentary.

The balcony with our stateroom elevated a great experience to an absolutely unforgettable one.

Golden Princess was laden in so many ways.

True, we had 2,600 passengers and 1,000 crew, but there were loads of choices: dining, entertainment,

activities and interesting places, with remarkable service all round.

Floating over the open sea and Alaska’s Inside Passage, it was smooth sailing all the way, thanks to

good weather and ship stabilisers.

Like an upmarket condominium; all amenities, no jostling crowds, well designed spaces, well honed

procedures.

Plus, the view kept changing.



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We sailed from Seattle on a sunny

Saturday evening, straight to Juneau

two nights later. Our rental van was

waiting, so we weren’t tied to tour bus

schedules and took our time savouring

every experience (Mendenhall Glacier

and Nugget Falls – wow!) with time left

for some extempore exploration. The

serene and scenic Shrine of St Therese

on a small, wooded island overlooking

the bay was a fortunate find off Glacier

Highway. On Douglas Island we drove

along a scenic local road, saw a deer up

close and finally returned to the ship’s

onboard attractions.

In Skagway the next morning, our pre-

booked excursion on the White Pass

& Yukon Route turned out to be one

of the high points of our cruise, with

exhilarating scenery varying from coast

to summit with rocks, greenery and snow

all coexisting.

From the modern comfort of our vintage

rail coach, we saw parts of the trail where

thousands of men, women and pack

horses had headed for distant gold. The

train hugged steep slopes that had been

blasted building this line. In Dead Horse

Gulch far below, 3,000 pack horses had

died while attempting what took us just

10 minutes to cross. The abandoned steel

bridge there had been world famous and

one of the railway’s many engineering

marvels in 1901. It was a journey through

both geography and history. After that

three-hour train journey, we explored

Skagway, soaking in gold rush and

railway lore.

The coldest day followed, cruising in

slow whisper mode inside Glacier Bay

National Park, wearing layers of winter

clothing lugged across continents just for

Alaska.

Poolside aft (back of ship)

Deck - putting course

Stateroom

Deck chess - Lifesized


Park Rangers came on board providing

a running commentary on the impressive

glaciers and wild life while ensuring that

the ship followed all Park rules. This is a

World Heritage Site and, with Admiralty

Island, one of the largest internationally

protected Biosphere Reserves. Each

winter, humpback whales migrate from

Glacier Bay, with its half a ton per whale

daily meal plan, to breeding grounds in

Hawaii. They return in summer; 4,500

km and 40 days each way between bed

and board. We welcomed them back.

Other creatures also thrive in Glacier Bay

thanks to the efforts of conservationists

and Park authorities. For example, there

are over 4,000 sea otters today in Glacier

Bay, from none 20 years ago.

Early next morning came Ketchikan, with

its large collection of old carved-wood

totem poles portraying native legends

and family histories. We walked around

town, enjoying poles, parks and streams,

the youngsters took a long steep hike

up a mountain and finally there was

shopping near the docks.

The next leg, a long one, brought us

to Victoria where we spent our limited

time walking through scenic residential

neighbourhoods, verdant public gardens

and busy downtown streets. Too quick

for such a lovely town, but we had to

reach Seattle early next morning.

After this, our small group of family and

friends all went separate ways with time

to reflect on a wonderful week with rare

queues and no body scans. Though

tinged with sorrow and disappointment

on a personal level, overall we had a

holiday that would be difficult to replicate.

We were lucky to be among friends, able

to plan well in advance and then leave it

to OUA Travels to get us some very good

deals and suggestions from cruise line,

hotels and car rental. Also fortunate was

the almost perfect weather, quite rare in

Alaska.

Hats off to Balcony Laden Floating

Condominiums.

Visit: http://www.princess.com/learn/

ships/np/index.html

Mendenhall glacier near Juneau

In Glacier Bay

Ship’s bridge from balcony

In the inside passageNovember 2011- January 2012 13


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MV MalaspinaThis mainline ferry is the senior vessel of the Alaska Marine Highway System fleet.

We were lucky to hear the tribute to Malaspina on our cruise ship’s public address system and privileged to admire her sailing by;

a beauty built over 40 years ago and still providing an essential service with the fleet. Malaspina’s routes serve various Inside

Passage communities from Bellingham near the US/Canada border going north to Ketchikan, Juneau, Haines, Skagway and other

places in between. She can carry 499 people and 88 vehicles.

There are many communities in Southeastern Alaska (which includes the Inside Passage) that have no road access and are almost

totally dependent on ferries and barges to transport people, vehicles and freight. Even where there is road access in theory, it is

usually not a viable option. The distance between Skagway and Haines, for example, is about 30 km by ferry and about 500 km by

road.

In this situation, the Alaska Marine Highway System plays the vital role of providing regular scheduled transportation services

equivalent to a railway or bus line.


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May-July 201116

1899 model snow plow

Ketchikan street and stream

Ski shop - faced with skis

Douglas Island road


The White Pass & Yukon Route

The arrival of nearly two million dollars worth

of Klondike gold caused a media frenzy

in depression ridden North America and a

stampede ensued - the Gold Rush of 1897.

Stampeders generally sailed Alaska’s Inside

Passage to Skagway and Dyea before the

overland trek to the Klondike. Approximately

100,000 left, 40,000 reached, 4,000 found

gold, 400 became wealthy and perhaps 40

retained that wealth.

White Pass & Yukon Railroad Company began

construction of a narrow gauge railroad in

May 1898. In hindsight that was too late, the

Gold Rush having peaked the previous winter.

Though they completed their “impossible” task

in only 26 months, the railway was redundant

before its first locomotive steamed.

They had invested $10 million, employed

tens of thousands of workers and 450 tons of

explosives to blast through the solid granite of

steep coastal mountains. The track climbed

almost 900 metres in 30 kilometres, with

grades up to 3.9 per cent, cliff-hanging turns

of 16 degrees, two tunnels and many bridges

including the steel cantilever bridge over Dead

Horse Gulch, the tallest in the world in 1901.

Was it all a waste? Not at all.

The White Pass & Yukon Route went on to

become a fully integrated transportation

company providing passenger and freight

infrastructure for Yukon’s population and

mining industry.

A very successful transportation innovator,

they pioneered inter-modal (ship-train-truck)

movement of containers in 1956. In 1994, they

were designated an International Historic Civil

Engineering Landmark, an honour shared by

only 36 world civil engineering marvels such as

the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty and Panama

Canal. Operations were suspended in 1982

but the railway reopened in 1988 as a seasonal

tourism operation and is today Alaska’s most

popular shore excursion carrying almost

400,000 passengers during the May to

September tourism season.

Visit: http://www.wpyr.com/

On our old rail coach

Coping with weather and terrain

Trail of 1898


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Alaska Cruise

A cruise may not be the best way to

experience the immense depth and

variety of Alaska, but it is perhaps the

most convenient, comfortable and cost-

effective way of sampling America’s last

frontier.

Alaska covers about one fifth of

continental US, with almost no road

networks and very low population.

While it is possible to study how native

Alaskans lived in harmony with nature;

forests, mountains, sea, rivers, wildlife

and glaciers, there are hurdles of

logistics, safety and expense that would

deter most travellers. A cruise is a good

way to gain a first exposure.

Selection of a particular cruise would

depend on one’s wants, personal tastes,

budgets and priorities. It would be good

to get group consensus on these before

starting to research various options.

Typically, Alaska cruises depart from

Seattle, Vancouver or San Francisco.

They could be one way or round trip with

durations measured in days, weeks or

months.

There is a wide range of choice in

cruise companies and ships, catering to

different profiles and segments.

We found answers to almost all our

questions in various references online,

including sites like CruiseAlaska and the

TripAdvisor Alaska Forum. The cruise

company’s site is essential reading.

WP&YR track carved into granite mountain side

Snorkelling with sea lions in the

Galapagos Islands

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Was it…an alien? A being from outer space swimming in the seas? What? Our eyes popped out of our snorkels as we came face to face with a lion – but, a sea lion!

It was the first live underwater encounter with a sea lion and it will remain an unforgettable experience! We were visiting the Bartolome island, which is the

youngest volcanic islands of the Galapagos, when we came in close contact with the sea lions, who are not only very curious, but also very playful creatures. They swam and swam around us. Snorkeling with sea lions was an indescribable experience!



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The sea lions were not the only ones

whom we bumped into during our watery

sojourn: Two Galapagos penguins,

a marine iguana, reef sharks, Sally

Lightfoot crabs made our day!

Animals aren’t afraid of humans. At least

not in the Galapagos Islands! This is one

amazing behaviour that you will witness

throughout your stay in this island

paradise.

The Galápagos Islands (official name:

Archipiélago de Colón; other Spanish

names: Islas de Colón or Islas Galápagos)

are an archipelago of volcanic islands

distributed around the equator in the

Pacific Ocean, 972 km (525 nmi) west of

continental Ecuador, of which they are a

part. Wildlife is its most notable feature.

The Galápagos Islands and its

surrounding waters form an Ecuadorian

province, a national park, and a biological

marine reserve. The principal language

on the islands is Spanish. The islands

have a population of around 23,000.

The group consists of 15 main islands,

three smaller islands, and 107 rocks

and islets. The islands are located at

the Galapagos Triple Junction. It is also

atop the Galapagos hotspot, a place

where the Earth’s crust is being melted

from below by a mantle plume, creating

volcanoes. The oldest island is thought

to have formed between five million

and 10 million years ago. The youngest

islands, Isabela and Fernandina, are

still being formed, with the most recent

volcanic eruption in April 2009, where

lava from the volcanic island Fernandina

started flowing both towards the island’s

shoreline and into the center caldera.

The islands are geologically young and

famed for their vast number of endemic

species, which were studied by Charles

Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle.

His observations and collections

contributed to the inception of Darwin’s

theory of evolution by natural selection.

Since the Galapagos Islands are a

national park you will have to pay an

entrance fee of $100 per person. So

visiting the Galapagos is expensive but if

you’re interested in the animals and their

environment it is worth it.

Magical experience Once there, you will be taken through

some of the most incredible environments

ever imagined, from the awesome

moonlike volcanic landscape of Sierra

Negra Volcano to the natural habitat of

the Giant Tortoises in the Highlands of

Santa Cruz.

What makes a visit to the Galapagos

Islands such a magical and unforgettable

experience is the encounter with

wonderful and unique animals. Some

of them may include the Galapagos

sea lions, Galapagos giant tortoises,

marine Iguanas, lava lizards, blue-

footed boobies, flamingos, frigate birds,

pelicans, Darwin´s finches, Galapagos

fly-catchers, Galapagos mockingbirds,

etc.

Lonesome George Speaking of giant tortoises, the real

attraction of the Charles Darwin Research

Centre in Peurto Ayora is the tortoise

breeding centre. Here, you can see not

only full grown examples of the species

that gave the islands their name but also

baby ones. One of the enduring stars is

Lonesome George, aged between 90 and

100, who is the last remaining member of

the Isla Pinta subspecies.

Described by the Guinness book of world

records as the “rarest living creature”,

it is the only known living Geochelone

abigdoni tortoise. His companions are of

a similar but different species.

Lonesome George, weighing 90kg (14st

2lb) was a native of Pinta, an isolated

northern island of the Galápagos. By the

late 1960s, it was noted that the tortoise

population on the rarely visited island had

dwindled close to extinction. George,

discovered in 1972, was immediately

brought into captivity at the Charles

Darwin research station on the island of

Santa Cruz.

Tortoises on the Galápagos have been

hunted for their meat by sailors and

fishermen to the point of extinction.

Charles Darwin, when he arrived in the

Galápagos in 1835, described how he

and the crew of the Beagle lived entirely

on tortoise meat. Also, the habitat of the

tortoises has been eaten away by goats

introduced from the mainland.



Islands in the stream

Bartolomé IslandA young island where you can climb atop the summit of a once active volcano, gaze

across a panoramic view from the famous ‘Pinnacle Rock’; crystal clear waters give you

a chance to snorkel with schools of tropical fish, swim along with penguins. On the other

side of the island encounter sea turtles and white-tipped sharks.

Tower (Genovesa) Island Tower Island is one of the most spectacular islands in Galapagos. After a wet landing

on Darwin Bay’s coral beach, wind your way past tide pools where swallow-tailed and

lava gulls gather. Enter a forest of mangroves where colonies of great frigate birds nest.

The males inflate their red-throated pouches to attract females that fly overhead. Take

a ‘panga’ or dinghy ride along the jagged shoreline. See the beautiful red-billed tropic

bird. At Prince Philip’s Steps, find storm petrels and the elusive short-eared owl, and

watch the famous red-footed boobies nesting in palo santo trees.

Santiago (James) Island Puerto Egas - This is a wonderful location for looking for octopus, starfish and other sea

life caught in the tide pools. At low tide, catch a glimpse of marine iguanas as they feed

on exposed green algae. Watch for great blue herons, lava herons, oystercatchers and

yellow-crowned night herons. Our walk ends at the grottos, deep pools of clear water

where we encounter fur sea lions that were once on the verge of extinction.

Fernandina (Narborough) Island Punta Espinosa - Located in the western part of the archipelago, Fernandina is the

youngest and most pristine island found in Galapagos. Hundreds of marine iguanas, the

largest colony in Galapagos, bask in the sun along the rugged shoreline. Observe sea

lion harems with resident bulls carefully guarding their territory. Flightless Cormorants

build their nest on the point and Galapagos Hawk fly overhead. Evidence of recent lava

flows formed by an active volcano stretch their way around the coast.

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Hood (Española) Island Walk along seemingly endless stretches of sandy beach where you’ll find colonies of

sea lions. Swim and snorkel with the sea lions and enjoy the colorful diversity of sea life

near Gardner Islet.

Other species endemic to Galapagos and found on Espanola include Darwin’s Finches,

Galapagos Doves and Galapagos Hawks. Observe a unique species of marine iguana

identified with traces of red and green colorings. Colorful lightfoot crabs crawl along the

shoreline near to the famous ‘blow hole’.

Isabela (Albemarle) Island Tagus Cove - Six volcanoes flowed together and formed Isabela, the largest island in

Galapagos. On a nature walk, discover a salt-water lagoon, a scenic overlook, and a

spectacular view of lava fields, volcanic formations and the ocean. Note graffiti dating

back to the 1800’s is written on the rocky cliffs. Explore Tagus Cove in pangas or sea

kayaks and find Galapagos penguins and other seabirds.

Santa Cruz Island Watch the scenery change as we wind our way through all seven vegetation zones found

in Galapagos. From June to January you can find giant tortoises on a private farm in the

highlands.

We also visit Los Gemelos ‘The Twins’, a pair of large pit craters where we find the bright

red male vermilion flycatcher. Afterwards, we head to ‘the tunnels’, the largest lava tubes

found in Galapagos.

After lunch at a highland ranch, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Scientists

from all over the globe work at the station and conduct biological research from anatomy

to zoology. Get your picture taken with the giant tortoises. Observe year-old tortoises

and learn about the captive-breeding program.

Next, stroll through the town of Puerto Ayora (population: 10,000) –the largest town in

the Galapagos. Buy souvenirs, mail postcards and absorb local charm in the social heart

of the Islands.



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The Galapagos island is also host to the world’s rarest living creature –

‘Lonesome George’ – one of the enduring stars among the giant tortoises



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on December 16

Awafi FestivalRas Al Khaimah

begins in

The 9th Awafi Festival will begin this December 16, 2011 in Ras Al Khaimah. An elaborate opening ceremony has been planned, the higher organising committee of

the festival said.The opening ceremony for the festival will be held at the Awafi Stadium in the Awafi

area, which is a key tourist destination in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

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According to Faisal Abdul Aziz Al

Matar, general coordinator of the 9th

Awafi Festival, the organising committee

has approved to re-establish the opening

ceremony as a key attraction of the

festival after it was left out in the last few

editions.

The ceremony will reinforce the status

of Awafi Festival as one of the major

events in the emirate, while enhancing

the festive spirit of the activity. Moreover,

organisers also aim to further promote

the festival among local, regional and

international tourists by holding a more

elaborate opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony will last about

45 minutes. One of the key highlights

of the ceremony is the screening of a

documentary about the emirate of Ras

Al Khaimah which has been produced

by a Dubai-based company under the

supervision of the higher organising

committee of the Festival. The ceremony,

which will feature a special fireworks

display, will also felicitate the Festival’s

‘guest of honor’.

“We are working hard to produce

a distinctive, elegant, concise and

culturally sensitive ceremony that befits

the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and Awafi,

highlighting the value of the festival as

a great manifestation of the tourism

offerings, heritage and natural beauty of

the emirate,” Al Matar said.

The opening-day activities will also

include the opening of the new heritage

village in the area, and the unveiling of

the world’s largest gathering of ‘Toyota’

cars, a world-record attempt which is one

of the main activities of the festival this

year. A representative from the Guinness

World Records will be present to witness

the attempt. The current record is 223

cars, which was established in the UK.

In the event that a new world record

is set, the Guinness World Records

representative will officially announce the

feat during the opening ceremony.

This year’s Awafi Festival features a

number of crowd-drawing sporting

championships that will gather different

teams representing UAE companies,

institutions and communities. There will

be a football tournament to be held at the

Awafi Stadium, a Jiu Jitsu championship

in the closed hall of the UAE Club in

Saih Albrairat, Ras Al Khaimah, an ‘arm

wrestling’ championship, and a ‘bench

press’ championship.

The Festival, which will conclude on

January 5, 2012, will also host a ‘tug of

war’ championship, while the organising

committee is currently considering

hosting a bodybuilding championship as

one of the festival activities.



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If you have followed the news recently, you would have come across an item, which speaks about how the most spectacular sites are slowly disappearing. It is true (we are replaying the news item here for your perusal). Whatever the reasons, human or natural, some unique spots are under threat of disappearing forever. So, try to catch

sight of them before they disappear.

Honey, my

is sinking

VENICE

One of the gems of Europe, Venice is used to living in

close proximity with water. It is laced with canals since it

is basically built on islands and on pilings over a lagoon.

However due to the rising Adriatic Sea, these canals are

causing more than a hundred floods a year in the city.

In a few years time, this could rise up to 250 floods a

year. To prevent the city from becoming the next Atlantis,

government officials have launched Operation Rialto and

Project Moses which would elevate city landmarks and

create mobile seawalls respectively. In effect, Venice has

sunk by around 7cm a century for the past thousand years,

but a report suggests that process has sped up and in the

last 100 years, Venice has sunk by 24cm. Climatologists

believe that Venice could be uninhabitable by 2100.



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THE AMAZON RAINFOREST



More than 20 percent of the world’s oxygen is produced in Brazil’s

Amazon rainforest, which is why it’s often described as the lungs of

the planet. The Rainforest is one of the world’s natural marvels, with

more than half of the estimated 10 million species of plants, animals

and insects on earth, living in its tropical forest. However, between May

2000 and August 2005, Brazil lost more than 132,000 square kilometers

of forest—an area larger than Greece — and since 1970, over 600,000

square kilometres of Amazon rainforest have been destroyed. With de-

forestation running at such a rapid rate, experts estimate that the last

remaining rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years.



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THE DEAD SEA

Globe-Tra i l



It’s the world’s most salty body of water, famous for its healing

properties and the fact that no matter how hard you try, you simply

can’t sink in its buoyant waves! However, the Dead Sea is under threat

of draining dry. In 2006, according to the now ex-Jordanian Minister

for Water and Agriculture, Hazem Nasser, “There is a declination in

the level of the sea at about one metre every year.” Jordan is lobbying

for more water to be pumped into the Dead Sea from the Red Sea. The

authorities say that unless nearly two billion cubic metres of water per

year is pumped into the Dead Sea, it will disappear in 50 years time.


Globe-Tra i l

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF


It is predicted that if carbon dioxide emissions continue the way they do, 95

percent of the Great Barrier Reef would be gone in four decades along with

more than 300 species of corals and 1,500 species of marine animals. Also, this

reef serves as a protection for Polynesian towns including Moorea. Without it,

they will become more vulnerable to storms and tsunamis. It is believed that

the cause of this destruction are rising sea levels and intensifying storms.

Again, this can be traced to green house gas emissions. According to the United

Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Great Barrier Reef,

and the nearly $5 billion tourist industry built around it, could be “extinct” by

2050. This is due to climate change and pollution. A process called bleaching

happens when the acidity of the ocean increases due to the absorption of

carbon dioxide, which kills off the micro-organisms that make up the reef.



THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

Globe-Tra i l



Built around 2000 years ago to keep out the marauding hordes, the

Great Wall of China is a dazzling man-made achievement. At its

peak, the Great Wall reached 4,500 miles from South Korea to the

Gobi desert. However, the World Monuments Fund has put the Great

Wall on a list of the 100 most endangered structures and the Beijing

Daily Newspaper reported that, “Around a third of the 2000-year-old

structure is merely rubble and the same amount again has completely

disappeared”. Sandstorms are to blame for a more than 37-mile

stretch of the wall being destroyed, although a great deal of the wall

has been destroyed thanks to generations of farmers using the wall

to build and repair their homes and farms.



THE ALPINE GLACIERS

Globe-Tra i l


Also known as The Alps, this range of snow-capped mountains can

be all but gone by the end of the century according to scientists. This

is caused by warming temperatures and irregular rains in the area.

Decline in tourism value is just the first problem that the melting Alps

pose. According to geologist Christian Bodgal, the toxic chemicals

trapped in the glaciers could end up in lakes in a few years.



Oman-Tra i l



Blessed with beautiful

tourism sitesSo you have never visited Oman? If you are reading this, then read

what Oman’s tourism minister has to say for those who are yet to visit

this tourism-rich country.

“The Sultanate is blessed with an array of beautiful tourism sites

and vibrant and rich history, which gives the country a clear edge

over the other countries of the region. Khareef Salalah, the rugged

mountainous ranges, wadis and mountainous villages and pristine

beaches are some of the attractions on offer in the Sultanate,” says

Sheikh Abdulmalik bin Abdullah Al Khalili, tourism minister.

He also added that Oman’s unique selling point (USP) was cultural

tourism. “We have hundreds of castles and forts spread across

the country. We can exploit their potential,” he said in his first-ever

interview with Footprints. Cultural tourism is that part of tourism, which

focuses on culture and cultural environment of a region, including

landscapes, values and lifestyles of the community, heritage, visual

and performing arts, industries, traditions and leisure pursuits of the

local population.

The target set for tourists visiting Oman in the Eighth Five Year

Development Plan is 2.5 million tourists by 2015. The total number

of tourists is expected to rise year on year in the coming years. Our

endeavour will always be heading towards achieving the highest

possible growth rates and will take the necessary steps and measures

to accomplish that,” the tourism minister said.


Excerpts:

What is the best part of being a tourism

minister?

The best part of my appointment as

the minister of tourism is the honour

bestowed on me by His Majesty Sultan

Qaboos bin Said, which avails me the

opportunity to serve my country to the

best of my ability. The tourism industry

is a very promising sector with vast

potential in as far as income generation,

job creation and helping in achieving

regional development are concerned. The

industry is also very challenging, which

demands extra efforts and enlightened

work from all of us as major stakeholders.

From a banker to a minister of tourism

- how exactly has the transition been?

Apparently, this looks like a big change

in the field of work, in reality; there is not

much of a difference between the two

fields - banking and tourism. Managing

a banking enterprise or tourism sector

needs the utilisation of modern and

advanced technologies and new

practices in both fields. That is why I felt,

from my first day in office, that I am no

stranger to the tourism field. I can safely

say that the transition has been quite

smooth and free of any big problems or

constraints.

What are your immediate

responsibilities as a tourism minister?

As I have said before, this is the first

year of the Eighth Development Plan,

where efforts will be directed towards

the completion of on-going projects

from the previous development plan.

Action will also be needed to expedite

the finalisation and approval of the

new tourism law. The upgrading and

improving the regulations and rules on

a continuous basis is an important part

of my responsibilities. Another important

responsibility which ranks high in our

agenda is the stability and satisfaction

of the ministry’s staff about their present

status and future prospects as well.

What are the goals of the tourism

ministry?

You know that 2011 is the first year of

the current Five Year Development Plan

2011-2015. So the current goals for the

first year will represent the starting phase

towards the implementation of goals

pertinent to the following objectives

approved in the current plan:

• Firm commitment to and application

of the standards and principles of

sustainable tourism development

• Achieving regional balance in tourism

development

• Encouraging and promoting domestic

tourism

• Implementation of the human resource

development strategy in tourism

establishments

• Provision of the appropriate

environment for attracting private sector

investment

• Diversifying tourist products

• Participation of local communities in

tourism development

• Developing small scale enterprises in

tourism sector

The Sultanate can promote cultural

tourism as a unique selling point (USP),

by exploiting the hundreds of castles and forts spread across

the country. The current development

programmes undertaken by the

ministry to equip and furnish these sites

with relevant services and facilities would

strengthen their position as a unique

selling point

Oman-Tra i l


Have the protests in the country

created a dent in the tourist arrivals to

the country or affected the Sultanate’s

tourism drive in anyway?

People in general and tourists in particular

are very sensitive with regard to their

personal safety and security and their

decision to travel to any place outside

their usual place of residence depends

on the stability of the destination they

would like to travel to. The recent

protests, though limited and sporadic,

impacted on the inflow of tourists to

the Sultanate. As observed by our

representative offices in some European

countries, a considerable number of

bookings were cancelled or postponed

during those months. However, such

impacts are always temporary and the

sector has been known for its resilience

and usually recovers from shocks, faster

than other sectors of the economy. The

Sultanate’s developmental efforts in the

area of tourism will continue and more

robustly than before. We are determined

to get a fair share of the tourism market

that is concomitant with the Sultanate’s

diversified natural resources and rich

heritage.

Will Oman employ a new tourism

strategy post protest era?

I don’t really think that there is any need

for employing a new strategy to cater

for the post protest era. As I have said

before the protests of recent months in

the Sultanate were limited and sporadic

and both the protestors and the

government officials involved, were very

wise and rational in settling the demands

either immediately for those related to

employment or unemployment benefits,

with a solid promise for addressing the

other demands in the appropriate time.

The implementation of the tourism

strategy will continue as planned, at

least for the coming few years. The

revision and updating of the strategy is

a continuous exercise necessitated by

the rapid changes in the regional and

international tourism markets.

Have the number of tourists been

increasing year by year and what is the

scope of attracting 12 million by 2020

(as per the vision for Oman’s Economy

-Oman 2020)?

The total number of tourists in 2009

reached 1.5 million, which was less

than the level in 2008, standing at 1.6

million. Furthermore, the target set for

this indicator in the Eighth Five Year

Development Plan is 2.5 million tourists

by 2015. These figures for tourists

visiting the Sultanate at present would

not support the realisation of the 12

million tourists objective by 2020 (as

mentioned in the question above). The

total number of tourists is expected to

rise year on year in the coming years. The

rate of growth would depend on many

factors. Some are controllable, while

others are not. However, our endeavour

will always be heading towards achieving

the highest possible growth rates and will

take the necessary steps and measures

to accomplish that.

What, according to you is the most

attractive tourism factor of Oman –

What would you like to say to those

who have never visited the Sultanate;

Oman’s biggest tourism USP?

The Sultanate is blessed with an array

of beautiful tourism sites and vibrant

and rich history, which gives the country

a clear edge over the other countries

of the region. Khareef Salalah, the

rugged mountainous ranges, wadis

and mountainous villages and pristine

beaches are some of the attractions

on offer in the Sultanate. However,

the Sultanate can promote cultural

tourism as a unique selling point (USP),

by exploiting the hundreds of castles

and forts spread across the country.

The current development programmes

undertaken by the ministry to equip

and furnish these sites with relevant

services and facilities would strengthen

their position as a unique selling point.

The political and economic stability of

the country under the wise and prudent

leadership of His Majesty the Sultan is

also a good support and promotional

aide to the unique selling point.


Oman-Tra i l


Dive easyDramatic wall drop offs, scenic coral lined

fjords, several thousand kilometers of coastline, clean and unpolluted waters, fantastic sea conditions…Oman is an

untouched paradise for divers. Oman is still one of the best-kept secrets in the diving world. It offers superb diving almost all year round, with an abundance

of sea life. Diving itself is relatively easy with light surface conditions, zero to mild currents and generally good to excellent visibility. With a variety of sea life to feast your eyes on and superb dive sites there should be nothing stopping the diver from

coming to this virgin paradise.


November 2011- January 201248 November 2011- January 201248

November 2011- January 2012 49November 2011- January 2012 49

The opportunities are galore for the

rank novice as well as the experienced

professional. The sea is a draw for

everyone and there are many who come

to Oman to just enjoy this underwater

experience. Water is considered to be

the lifeblood for the body and soul and

there are many out there who are drawn

to the sea by some mysterious force.

And there are many amongst us who

automatically feel a tug towards water.

But, it is people like Stanley Berlin who

actually take the plunge.

Passion for the underwater worldIt was not mere love, but pure passion

that saw Berlin plunge headlong into the

underwater world somewhere in 1988.

Since then, for the last 23 years he has

been diving in some diverse locations,

or the other, with his passion for the

underwater world getting stronger by the

day.

Berlin’s 23 years diving experience range

from Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives,

Thailand, Egypt, India and now in Oman.

He is currently the managing director of

Omanta Scuba Diving Academy, which

he claims is Oman’s first diving academy.

Ideal scuba diving destination“Scuba diving is one of the biggest

passions in my life,” this burly man with

a flowing goatee and shining pate, tells

us. “I chose Oman to set up the first five

star Professional Association of Diving

Instructors (PADI) certified scuba diving

academy. With 1,700 km of coastline

and clean, unpolluted waters, and hardly

around 200km explored, Oman is one

of the best diving destinations in the

world. The tourism industry here is in

its infancy and the growth potential is

phenomenal. I saw the gap in the market,

the benchmark was not too high and with

our government focusing on the tourism

industry, I feel, the market is all set to

capture, not just locally, but globally.”


Oman-Tra i l


Oman enjoys good sea conditions with an average visibility of 15 to 30 m. Diving is relatively easy and is a year round activity. During winter months, the sea temperature drops to 20 to 25 C° and a 5 mm wetsuit may be necessary. In summer, as the sea temperature rises, a 3 mm wetsuit will suffice


Berlin feels that if the scuba diving

industry has to thrive, it was necessary to

have divers in place, trained professional

instructors and quality equipment. “So

how do we get it done? Through an

academy that trains the people on scuba

diving with all professional standards

and requirements. Once the training

is done, we will give them a certificate

and give the local market the means to

welcome local residents and tourists.

With that aim Omanta Scuba Diving

Centre came up, as a one-stop shop to

fun diving, education diving and retail of

equipments.”

It is the only dive centre to have a full time

PADI course director, Graham Hogg, on

staff enabling it to run Instructor level

training in all areas. They also have a full

range of safety and first aid equipment

on each vessel and in the dive centre as

well as a full range of PADI teaching aids

for students.

Business waiting to explode “Diving is a yearlong activity and can be

pursued by all with basic good health and

inclination. Like every other sport a little

bit of discipline is welcome too. A good

sea is all you can hope for. It is a sport

that provides adventure and enjoyment,

especially in Oman, with its dramatic wall

drop-offs and scenic coral lined fjords,

ranging in depth from 6-40 m.

“Oman enjoys good sea conditions with

an average visibility of 15 to 30 m. Diving

is relatively easy and is a year round

activity. During winter months, the sea

temperature drops to 20 to 25 C° and

a 5 mm wetsuit may be necessary. In

summer, as the sea temperature rises, a

3 mm wetsuit will suffice.

Night dives are popular and divers

are often astonished by the amount

of phosphorescence found in Oman’s

night-time waters,” Berlin noted.

“One cannot deny that scuba diving is a

fascinating underwater recreation sport –

it is a business waiting to explode into a

major industry in Oman,” he added.


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Divers can feast their eyes on a host of colourful fish



Oman-Tra i l



There are several wonderful dive sites

around Muscat, the Capital area,

including Fahal Island, the Damaniyat

Islands and Bandar Khiran. Whatever

the choice of site, underwater life is

abundant; a variety of intact hard and

soft corals and a spectacular range of

fish can be seen. Most often a sea trip to

these sites is often rewarded by the sight

of dolphins.

Safe diving Scuba diving is quite safe, Berlin said.

“It is as safe as swimming, provided

you are trained by a certified instructor

and use relevant equipment. When you

are underwater, you need to follow the

rules and use your common sense then

you will enjoy the world of scuba diving

and the experience of exploring the

underwater world.

“And it is not too difficult to learn –

especially if you are comfortable in a

pool. The training is in three modules,

theory or classroom part, the pool

sessions followed by four scuba

training sites. You progress as you learn,

reviewing and using the skills as you go

along, under the expert supervision and

guidance of PADI instructors.”

Fish in water

People from all walks of life come in

to learn diving, Berlin said. “From the

ones who are scared of the sea, fishes,

and even the equipment to those who

don’t have a care in the world... It only

takes couple of hours to teach them fun

diving, though professional diving takes

more hours and training. Scuba diving

is not an easy sport. It is a different

experience. The alien equipment

you carry underwater makes you

uncomfortable and tired. A simple task

can be very difficult to execute under

water. The virtually suspended position,

the weightlessness causes discomfort

and makes you nervous. You are literally

floating and become part of a totally new

environment, the aquatic life. And then

you become very conscious of every

breath you take. The breathing becomes

more laborious and tough. It is not tough;

it is just that in a new environment, in a

floating condition with the diving gear,

you feel totally out of place…. But once

you master it, it is a whole new beautiful

world out there. The aquatic life will keep

you hooked for the entire life. You will

come back for more. You will be like a

fish in water!”

No fishing policy

Berlin has a very sane water policy.

Whatever he does in the water, he is not

one to take anything out of it. “The life

beneath is a path I chose. Every dive I

take is a new experience and leaves me

with a feeling to protect the underwater

beings. I never go fishing, because it

takes out of the ocean. I would rather

leave the aquatic beings down there safe

and swimming… every person living and

working in the tourism field should take

it as a responsibility to take care of their

eco system. Only last week we took up

reef cleaning, the diving centre being a

project AWARE partner.”



Oman-Tra i l



not just for bashingwadisSpectacular



Oman-Tra i l



Keyhole diving To reach this cave, you have to swim

through a pond of crystal clear water

and dive through a narrow keyhole, and

you can surface inside this magnificent

cave. You jump into the water, from the

waterfall inside.

The cave offers the opportunity to climb

up into the ceiling. But more magical

than the cave is the wadi I was in – Wadi

Shab, considered to be one of the most

spectacular wadis in Oman!

Mysterious qualities This wadi, which is located between

the capital Muscat and the town of Sur,

Oman, is worth a visit. It lies in Niyabat

Tiwi, wilayat of Sur, and is around 26kms

from Quriyat. The wadi combines the

attractions of coastal areas and inland

wonders. It has at least seven pools of

emerald green water and is studded with

dramatic boulders.

One of the pools is in a cave (where I was

in) where light streams in dramatically

from above. When you swim in it, you are

able to hear your splashes echoing inside

the cave and it has a very mysterious

quality.

Gorgeous destinationWadi Shab, which is a beautiful canyon

oasis, is considered to be one of the most

gorgeous destinations in Oman. Beyond

the breathtaking entrance, the wadi

rewards you with views of aquamarine

By A. Risaldo

I climbed seven metres, right upto the ceiling, inside this magical cave, and then leapt, piercing the crystal clear water into hundreds of ripples. It is great sometimes to be alone and away from it all! I was not only far away from it all, but I was down, deep inside this enchanting cave, which is located some kilometers away from the capital, Muscat. I was not exactly alone; my partner was out there on the rocks, sketching and painting and well, keeping guard of our things.

pools, waterfalls and terraced

plantations; kingfishers add glorious

splashes of colour. For the adventurous,

there are plenty of opportunities for

(discreet) swimming and a visit to this

partially submerged cave where I was in.

Oman’s landscape is punctuated by

a string of wadis along the banks of

which lush date plantations flourish.

These pockets make attractive sites for

picnicking and excursions and some of

them have water around the year.

A wadi is a dried up riverbed found in the

mountain valleys. Wadis come into their

own after heavy rains, when the rivers

start running again and the vegetation

is restored. However, some wadis have

year-round running water, with deep,

cool pools in which it is quite safe to

swim if the currents are slow, available

information on the wadis note.

On the whole, wadis are only accessible

with a four-wheel drive vehicle, as the

terrain can be extremely bumpy. Wadis

are green, lush oases of palm trees,

grasses, and flowering shrubs. It is

always safest to visit wadis in a group

or with a tour guide. Although they are

beautiful places, they are often remote

and car breakdowns can happen to

anyone. Visitors must also be on the alert

for rain clouds, as sudden downpours

can lead to flash floods, which are highly

dangerous when in the gorges.



Oman-Tra i l



About seven kilometers away from Wadi

Shab starts Wadi Tiwi which extends 36 km

inland and ends at a mountain village known

as Mibam. Many groves and fruit trees grow

along the course of this wadi from which the

azure blue sea can be seen as you climb up

the hills and descend into the valleys. Some of

the other well known wadis include Wadi Bani

Khalid, Wadi Al Abyadh, Wadi Dhaikah etc.

Wadi Bani Khalid Wadi Bani Khalid is about 203 km far from

Muscat. It is the best-known wadi of the

Sharqiyah region. Its stream maintains a

constant flow of water throughout the year.

Large pools of water and boulders are

scattered along the course of the wadi. As a

geographical area, Wadi Bani Khalid covers a

large swathe of low land and mountains.

Wadi Al AbyadhOne of the Al Batinah region’s best loved

valleys is Wadi Al Abyadh which lies some 30

km away from Muscat-Sohar highway. With a

four-wheel drive vehicle, it will be a memorable

experience to explore this wadi, which is vested

in green vegetation and white boulders and

rocks, from which the wadi probably takes its

name. The rough road runs through the middle

of the wadi. There are pink oleander trees and

many beautiful birds.

Wadi Dhaikah Wadi Dhaikah lies in a grand canyon about 90

km eastwards from the Bait Hattat (Wadi Adei)

roundabout in Muscat. As many as 120 other

wadis lead to this great valley which features

as a large natural park extending from Wilayat

Dima W’attayyeen in the Sharqiyah region to

the Wilayat of Qurayyat in the Governorate of

Muscat.

It is easy to reach Wadi Dhaikah from the

highway, but after 20 minutes venturing into

the wadi one is surprised by massive boulders

and deep pools before coming across the

famous fruit farms of Al Mazarea and many

other attractions. In some places along Wadi

Dhaikah, the valley becomes narrow and its

walls shoot up and change into high, wonderful

cliffs.



Celebr i ty say


He came for a cause; he spread his words of wisdom among the autistic

kids as well as the tiny tots’ teachers and caretakers in Oman. He lent an

insight into the lonely world of autism that he had traversed on many years

ago…Daniel Tammet, a high functioning autistic savant and one of the

world’s 100 living geniuses, was bowled over by the warmth of the people,

when he visited Oman in May this year.

But what impressed this British writer with a savant syndrome the most was

the Muttrah Souq. A quick visit, to one of the oldest marketplaces in the

Arab world, had Tammet wanting more. The sights, the sounds, the colours,

the tradition, the culture and the sheer uniqueness of the ‘treasures’ of the

souq was something out of the world for Tammet who vowed to return in the

future “just to be part of this unusual cultural slice of life”.

Daniel Tammet embraces the oldest souq of Oman

AirlinesFlight Information (24 hours): 24 519456

Aeroflot: 24 704455

Air Arabia 24 700828

Air France 24 562153

Air India 24 799801

Air New Zealand 24 700732

Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24 701128

British Airways 24 568777

Cathay Pacific 24 789818

Egypt Air 24 794113

Emirates Air 24 792222

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Indian Airlines 24 791914

Iran Air 24 787423

Japan Airlines 24 704455

Jazeera Airways 23 294848

Jet Airways 24 796680

Kenya Airways 24 660317

KLM 24 566737

Kuwait Airways 24 701262

LOT Polish Airlines 24 796387

Lufthansa 24 796692

Malaysian Airlines 24 560796

Middle East Airlines 24 796680

Oman Air 24 707222,

24519953

PIA 24 792471

Qatar Airways 24 771900

Qantas 24 559941

Royal Jordanian 24 796693

Saudi Arabian Airlines 24 789485

Singapore Airlines 24 791233

Sri Lankan Airlines 24 784545

Sudan Airways 24816565

Swiss Air 24 787416

Syrian Airways 24797567

Thai Airways 24 705934

Turkish Airlines 24 475030

Art galleries Al Madina Art Gallery 24691380

Bait Muzna Gallery 24739204

Omani Heritage Gallery 24696974

Omani Society for Fine Arts 24694969

Raj Relics 99329842

Yitti Art Gallery 24564297

BookshopsBorders 24558089

Family Bookshop, Qurm 24564391

Madinat as Sultan Qaboos 24600084

Turtles 24696217

House of Prose

(Used books) 24564356

CinemasAl Nasr Cinema 24831358

Al Shatti Plaza 24693557

Markaz al Bahja Cinema 24540855

Stars Cinema 24791641

Embassies and consulatesAlgeria 24 605593

Austria 24 793135

Bahrain 24 605074

Bangladesh 24 567379

Belgium 24 562033

Canada 24 788890

Chile 24 561977

China 24 696698

Colombia 24 816264

Cyprus 24 490200

Denmark 24 526000

Egypt 24 600411

Finland 24 701454

France 24 681800

Germany 24 832164

Greece 24 706648

Holland 24 603706

India 24 814120

Iran 24 696944

Iraq 24 604178

Ireland 24 797083

Italy 24 693727

Japan 24 601028

Jordan 24 692760

Korea 24 691490

Kuwait 24 699627

Lebanon 24 695844

Malaysia 24 698329

Mexico 24 561977

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Mozambique 24 594207

Netherlands 24 603719

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Pakistan 24 603439

Palestine 24 601312

Philippines 24 605140

Portugal 24 561400

Qatar 24 691153

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South Africa 24 694793

Spain 24 691101

Sri Lanka 24 697841

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Sweden 24 708693

Switzerland 24 568202

Syria 24 697904

Taiwan 24 605695

Tanzania 24 601174

Thailand 24 602684

Tunisia 24 603486

Turkey 24 697050

United Arab Emirates 24 600988

United Kingdom 24 609000

Uruguay 24 568202

USA 24 643400

Yemen 24 600815

LibrariesBibliothèque Française: 24681874

British Council Knowledge

and Learning Centre: 24681000

Oman Chamber of

Commerce and Industry: 24707684

Public Technical

Library Science: 24673111

United States Information

Service: 24643400

Raspberry’s Books: 95086074

MuseumsBait Adam 24605033,

99356676

Bait Al Baranda 24714262

Bait Al Zubair 24736688

Children’s Museum

24605368/9

Currency Museum 24641510

Muscat gate Museum 24739005

Nakhal Fort museum 26781384

National Museum 24701289

Natural History Museum 24641366

Omani-French Museum 24736613

Oman Heritage Museum 24600346

Planetarium: 24675542

Sayyid Faisal bin

Ali Museum 24641650

Salalah Museum 23294549

Sohar fort Museum 26844758

Sultan’s Armed

Forces Museum 24588700

Sur Maritime Museum 24541466

Special interest groupsAmerican Women’s Group 24594751

Environment Society

of Oman 24482121

Historical Association

of Oman 24563074

Horticultural Association 24605493

Indian Social Club 99322713

Muscat Amateur Theatre 24562511

Oman Bird Watching Camp 24695498

Omani Women Association 24602800

Royal Omani Amateur

Radio Society 24600407

Woman’s Guild of Oman

www.womensguildoman.org

TaxisAl Dar Taxi 24700555

Hello taxi 24697997

Muscat Cab 96429096

Info

rmat

ion

Travel ler ’s guide

August-October 201064


www.blackandwhiteoman.com

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Footprints Travel mag Nov 2011-Jan 2012