As a child, we used to watch cartoons and read illustrated comic books about the 'Adventures of Sindbad.' Back then, I never imagined that one day, due to professional reasons, I would live in this country. With a long-held mindset, I had some ignorance and discomfort about this Sultanate-ruled Middle Eastern country.
When I first set foot in Oman’s capital, Muscat, in February 2010, many surprises awaited me. A Muslim country in the Middle East, where women are working in the navy and air force with their heads held high. There are no restrictions whatsoever!
In 1856, due to inheritance issues, Oman was divided into two parts—Oman and Zanzibar. The people of Oman are of mixed appearance. Many people from Zanzibar live here. Short and dark-skinned, these Zanzibaris are surprisingly well-mannered—it's hard to believe unless you see it yourself. Oman also has many Baloch people, who came from Balochistan long ago and settled here. It is said that once, Oman fought a war with its neighboring country, Yemen. At that time, soldiers from Pakistan arrived in Oman. After the war, they never left.
I thought to myself, if there’s any part of the world that could be called a heaven, it must be this country. In terms of peace and cleanliness, Oman is among the top five countries in the world. Yet, before 1980, Oman was an underdeveloped country. A massive transformation occurred when Sultan Bin Mohammad took power. Oman had natural oil resources, but with rapid modernization, the country transformed into a modern and liberal one. It operates as a dictatorship, but not a tyrannical one. There is almost no crime. One can walk safely on the streets at midnight, adorned in jewelry. There are no robberies or sexual harassment in Oman. I've been living here for 15 years and have never heard of such incidents. It's hard to believe, isn’t it? But it’s true.
Two temples, a Krishna temple and a Shiva temple, as well as a large Catholic church in Oman, are a testament to the country’s acceptance for other religions. In the Shiva temple, Bengalis celebrate Durga Puja with great devotion, worshiping a small idol of Durga with utmost reverence. The construction of these temples and the many welfare activities for Indians are greatly attributed to the contributions of Gujaratis. Kachhi traders from the Gujarat coast of India came to Oman by sea and started various businesses. Old Muscat and New Muscat—two parts of the Muscat city.
At the Matrah port, the Sultan’s personal ship and warships are anchored. One can see old wooden boats. A little further are palaces, museums, and important offices. There’s no hustle and bustle. It’s a surprisingly peaceful, quiet place. In Old Muscat, you can see houses from an older era. It feels like time has stood still here.
A short distance away, there is a fisherman’s village, Sidab, and nearby is a marina. From here, you can rent a boat to travel in the deep Arabian Sea and watch the dolphins dancing. Dolphins leap and jump in hundreds, which is a spectacular sight to remember.
All of Oman is surrounded by moderately high mountains. The combination of the sea and rugged mountains creates a beautiful landscape, wrapped in peace. 75 km from Muscat, the Kuriat Dam is a popular tourist spot. It is also known as ‘Wadi Dekha’. The water from the dam is used for agricultural purposes. Oman experiences very little rain annually. The rainwater that comes down from the mountains can be quite destructive. The rainwater is collected in the Kuriat Dam. It is a large, pleasant garden.
155 km from Muscat is Nizwa, an ancient historical city. This city, located in northern Oman, was once the capital. The Nizwa Fort and the old 'souq' (marketplace) are must-see sights. The oasis of date palms and the high mountain ranges add to Nizwa's charm. ‘Jabal Akhtar’ and ‘Jabal Shams’ are hill stations. Jabal Akhtar, part of the Al Hajar mountain range, is a beautiful location. ‘Jabal Akhtar’ means green mountain. Located 3000 meters above sea level, Jabal Akhtar grows many roses and apricots. We visited here last December. From October to March, the weather in Oman is pleasant. Many tourists visit during this time.
'Jabal Shams' is known as the Grand Canyon of the Middle East. Wadi Gul, the canyon, is located in the midst of thousands of mountain ranges. 300 years ago, goods were transported to this Omani village along narrow, dangerous paths by donkey or mule.
Another wonder of Oman is the ‘Al Huta Caves’. These caves, discovered by the locals thousands of years ago, are located beneath Jabal Shams. The limestone formations were created by acidic water, and these natural wonders are remarkable. Stalactites and stalagmites of various mineral forms hang from the ceiling. The cave is divided into several chambers, and fossils and crystals are visible.
Not far from Nizwa is Bahla Fort, the oldest fort in Oman. This 13th-century fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Bahla is known as the ‘City of Black Magic.’ The city of Madinat-Al-Shahar is said to be frequented by ‘jinns.’ Black magic is practiced here, though the government has banned it. It is said that someone was once killed by a stone thrown at them. Many stories circulate about this.
Sur is another ancient city of Oman. It is famous for its Turtle Beach. The most attractive place is the vast sand dunes of Wahiba Sands. These are high sand dunes, and driving up and down the steep hills in a four-wheel-drive vehicle is quite an adventure. Many people stay overnight in tents. Bedouins from other tribes of Oman also live here.
20 km from Sur is Qalhat, a village mentioned in Ibn Battuta’s book. The ancient port city has been destroyed several times by earthquakes. The tomb of Bibi Mariyam is one of the prominent sights. Bibi Mariyam was the wife of Bahā al-Dīn Ayāz, the king of the Hormuz empire. The tomb still stands in ruins, representing the glory of Qalhat, once a thriving port city and capital. Marco Polo praised this city. Once a prosperous and shining city, it became a ghost town, eroded by time. The capital was moved to Muscat. Over time, Oman slowly transformed into a powerful yet peaceful country.