The Sultanate of Oman - Bits and Bites

I visited Oman twice.. once for just a few days, the second time for a wedding. It is a beautiful country.. perhaps more quiet and laid back than Dubai. I remember hearing lots of Swahili everywhere.. A long time ago many Omanis settled in East Africa.. and in the last few decades many have returned. I think Zanzibar was ruled by a Omani Sultan.. but not sure.. Anyways, I had a good time there.. didn't take too many pics though :)


Hah.. if u weren't sick of sand.. here's a little more..



The scenery changes every so often..





Here's the border between Oman and the UAE..



During my second crossing I was in the great company of four ladies.. aunts/cousins. The officials let all but one of us through.. They wouldn't let my cousin in because of some silly archaic rule.. I won't get into the details.. Anyways, we tried to reason with the clerks but they wouldnt budge.. They mindlessly followed protocol.

When we realized we were talking to a brick wall (well I was wandering around mostly.. looking for the washroom), the four ladies all pulled out their cell phones and started to search for some "wastaa" (getting something by knowing someone).. It took us about 30 or so minutes to find the right person.. Apparently, one of my Uncles' brothers is the Chief of police in Oman.. or something like that.. So it just took one call from him to set the clerks straight. They immediately let us through.. It's amazing what you can do with a little wastaa..

Anyways.. we finally arrived.. here's a picture of the beach near my aunt and uncles house.. I thought this guy was doing some funny stretches.





A big festival was to occur here, but I didnt go..



I spent a lot of time at shisha places (although I dont do shisha).. The place in this picture is called the Shadow.. They have a big screen outside where they usually show music vidoes.. Ocassionally they will start to play a movie.. and after 15 mins or so.. just as u get into the movie.. they'll change it and flip another movie.. and do the same thing again and again and again.. I felt like I was in a psych experiment.





I kept ordering Shai Magreb.. Morrocan tea.





I took this picture in a shopping mall.. We were there really early in the morning.. waiting for someone. I kept starring at the ceiling.. I remember a Omani guy came in with just his pyjamas on.. He was escorted out by a security guy.. but he took it well.. they shook hands and made some jokes.



I thought this was funny..



And this too.. I wonder who this Pocari person is.. Whoever it is.. I like the taste of their sweat.. and it's full of nutrients! :)



Oman .. and I think much of the middle east that I have seen is full of roundabouts with odd objects inside. I think they make some of these roundabouts just so they can shove something inside that they dont want to throw away.. like that piece of junk you keep in your room for no particular reason.. and this one is not even close to odd..



Here's my cousin Naji and his Banana tree.. he's very proud of it..





Here's my cousin Ibrahim, posing in traditional Omani garb..



He can also magically transform into Superman..





More to come..