holding the fort
in Oman BY Tatyana Leonov
Oman oozes an intoxicating mix of old and new worlds, and the two amalgamate seamlessly for a rich and memorable travel experience.
I
t’s interesting what people first notice upon arriving in a new country. In India it might be the chaos – the smells, sounds and colours interlacing for the ultimate frenzied punch. In Paris it’s the love … young lovers holding hands, seasoned couples staring into each other’s eyes and the Eiffel Tower screams love without even trying. These countries have been accessible to tourists for so long that most people who visit know enough to arrive with expectations … whether they want to or not. The Sultanate of Oman, often simply referred to as Oman, was only opened to westerners 25 years ago and what tourists notice first varies significantly. It’s evident why – there is just so much to take in! The big cities are not garish, instead
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vacationsandtravelmag.com
vacationsandtravelmag.com
radiating in their tasteful and unpretentious look. The countryside is the same as it was hundreds of years ago … left almost untouched its beauty is awe-inspiring. And the people … that’s what I notice first. Their warm nature and big-heartedness exceeds any expectations. Although it’s mostly men that work in tourism and it’s these men that cement my conclusion - the women I meet are just as friendly, if a little quieter and more reserved. The Omanis love to joke, but it’s not just their smiles and kind nature, but also their passion for their country – for its history and also its future. Because touring in Oman will almost always involve travelling with a guide and meeting plenty of locals along the way, it’s these people’s attitudes that will shape your experience – which is one of the most
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