Expat Daily News: Visa Application for Oman

Have you ever wanted a taste of Arabia without fear of terrorism? The Sultanate of Oman, a country bordering the UAE, Saudi and Yemen, makes a perfectly soft landing via the international airport for those wanting to experience the Middle East...safely.

Home of Sinbad the Sailor, delicious dates, ancient Portuguese forts and fine frankincense, Oman is exotic indeed. The Queen of Sheba thought so; she acquired her aromatic resin there.

On the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, much of Oman has ocean breezes to counteract the heat. Mountains, sand and sea are a geologist’s dream. The people are friendly. Men in cotton dishdashas -white, black, blue, brown and lavender, wear colorful embroidered caps, called kummars, often wrapped in a turban style muzza or fine cloth covering. Bedouin women in vibrantly colorful dress are visible, but most Omani women prefer the traditional black abaya and hejab in public. As a tourist, you can wear your regular attire, but women...be modest. The requested standard is that adult females cover their elbows and knees. That’s easy enough to do, still comfortable, and negates stares.

A large Indian population and a surprising number of Chinese inhabit Oman, so count on an international smorgasbord of food. Four and five star hotels serve pork bacon with your chef-prepared breakfast omelet. In Muscat, drive thru Mickey D’s and try the MacArabia, a uniquely delicious Arabian flatbread, with grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, a mayo-style sauce and the required French fry tucked inside. Wash it down with your favorite Starbucks, popular in Muscat as well.

Many accommodations include a kitchen; modern grocery stores are abundant, including a Carrefour venture with the company in France – think Sam’s/Costco. Be sure to sample the plethora of spices, olives, dates, feta cheese, and yogurt available.

Drinking water safe, electricity abundant, roads modern, Oman is easily traversed. Sultan Qaboos bin Said, a popular monarch with his subjects, made sure that the arid sand along the highways be beautifully landscaped, manicured and irrigated. He is also responsible for the beautifully designed Grand Mosque, open to the public. Shorts are discouraged on men; women, cover arms, legs and head for guided tours.

Muscat’s Arabian souq is located in the heart of Muttrah with abundant gold and silver, dhows (boats) visible from the sidewalk. Nizwah, a few hours from Muscat, has the feel of a farmers’ market, with demonstrating artisans. Ancient forts and castles are scenically scattered along the drive.

Heat is intense; pack cotton with your camera. The air is dry; ignore anyone saying otherwise. I have lived in Sumatra, Indonesia and South Louisiana; I know humidity. Bring swimwear. The hotels have pools and are accustomed to less modest attire in that setting. Scuba diving/snorkeling and bird watching are there when the climate and terrain overwhelms.

Oman, an unusual combination of sand, mountains, sea and hospitality with modern perks beckons those tired of the usual. An online Visa application is conveniently located at this website: http://www.rop.gov.om/visa/english/onlineservices_visaapplication_main.aspx

Author: Nita Risher McGlawn

For a comprehensive and up to date guide on the Sultanate of Oman purchase the eBook published by EscapeArtist.com Click here to download