View from the top
Vol. 1, Issue 3 ,Vol. 1, Issue 3 , February-April 2011,February-April 2011, Autumn SpecialAutumn Special
Oman’s first premier travel magazine
The View at Hail Al ShasBait Al Safah: A live example
Al Hamra: Steeped in history Bimmah sinkhole & more
A Gite experience
Elephant orphanageTaman Negara national parkYoga destinations, places to
visit before you die & more
Oman-Trail Globe-Trail
Readers Forum
If there was a high point in your last issue, (issue 2,
August – October, 2010), it was indeed the tale of the
white lions of Al Ain. The pictures were amazing and
it was really a delight to read about the two-and-a-
half year old brother-sister white lions, Sanbona and
Shamwari, of Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort (AWPR).
We must really appreciate the efforts of the AWPR in
this regard. Their noble aim of raising these two rare
lions in captivity spells the urgent need to understand
that the African lion needs protection from extinction.
Sanbona and Shamwari thus become the real
ambassadors for their wild cousins. Kudos to the
AWPR and kudos to the Footprints for sharing this
story with all of us!
Namita Bharadwaj, Al Khuwair
There is a real wildlife park in Al Ain? I have been living in Oman for
so many years, yet, this is the first time that I am hearing about it. Al
Ain is not too far off and I am surely going to take a peek, or rather,
more than a peek, of these delightful animals at the AWPR. It was a
real eye opener for me to learn that there are 4300 animals, out of
which, 30 percent are said to be endangered. The lions are amazing,
and I can’t wait to take my family to see them and the rest of the
animals there during these holidays. Thank you Footprints!
Farhan Ahmed, Muscat
Reading about Al Ain park (AWPR) made me really wonder why we
cannot have a similar set up in Oman too? Maybe someone should
actually start it here in Oman. I am an animal lover and I am sure if
someone or some big corporate moots this idea, many others with a
similar bent of mind might join and take up this cause.
Also, looking after animals is an amazing experience. I have, in the past,
looked after several animals and am actually thinking of converting my
small farm in Musannah into a mini zoo. Not now, maybe some five or
six years later. But, that is a dream I will fulfill.
Great story and it has served as an inspiration for me to rethink on this
zoo project.
Mazar Al Balushi, Musannah
‘A journey through the ancient theatre’ Zanzibar by Aisha Abdullah
Al-Kharusi in the last issue of Footprints was one of the finest short
articles ever written (that I have read of) on Zanzibar. I thoroughly
enjoyed the article and I would like to roundly congratulate the author
for her efforts in bringing together a live feature on a place I love so
much.
Any story or article when infused with a personal touch brings out that
element too. And this is quite evident in Aisha Al-Kharusi’s piece.
I look forward to reading more of the author’s articles in the future too.
Khalfan Touqi, Al Khoud
White lions –
the high point
We are going to Al Ain
Zoo project in Musannah
Excellent article on Zanzibar
E-mail your letters to [email protected]
August-October 20104
Ther
e is s
ervi
ce.
And
then
ther
e is w
orld
clas
s hos
pita
lity
.
Ther
e is s
ervi
ce.
Ther
e is s
ervi
ce.
And
then
ther
e is w
orld
clas
s hos
pita
lity
.A
nd th
en th
ere i
s wor
ld cl
ass h
ospi
tali
ty.
Ther
e is s
ervi
ce.
And
then
ther
e is w
orld
clas
s hos
pita
lity
.
360°
Vie
w o
f Fi
rst
Clas
s
Th
ere
is s
ervi
ce.
An
d th
en th
ere
is w
orl
d c
lass
ho
spit
ali
ty.
Th
ere
are
air
lin
es. A
nd
then
ther
e is
Om
an
Air
.Fly
the O
man A
ir A
irbus
A330 n
on-s
top f
rom
Musc
at
to L
ondon,
Fra
nkf
urt
, M
unic
h,
Pari
s, M
ilan,
Bangk
ok,
Kuala
Lum
pur,
Mald
ives
and C
olo
mbo i
n a
bso
lute
lu
xury
. Take
off
to n
ew
heig
hts
of
flyi
ng
com
fort
on o
ur
new
fleet
of
Air
bus
A330s.
Fro
m i
ndust
ry-l
eadin
g Fir
st C
lass
Min
i Su
ites
to a
larg
e l
eath
er
couch
to
sit
back
and r
ela
x in
. Fro
m B
usi
ness
Cla
ss fl
atb
eds
wit
h f
our
abre
ast
seati
ng
to u
nri
valled e
nte
rtain
ment
on s
tate
-of-
the-a
rt T
hale
s i5
000 A
udio
Vid
eo
On-D
em
and S
yste
m t
hat
is s
tandard
in e
very
seat
wit
h liv
e T
V c
hannels
. Top t
hat
wit
h w
i-fi f
aci
lity
, la
pto
p c
harg
ing,
SM
S, p
hone a
nd e
mail a
ccess
fro
m y
our
seat*
. Choose
your
favo
uri
tes
from
the s
ignatu
re c
uis
ine a
nd e
njo
y deligh
tful cu
stom
er
serv
ice t
hat
truly
pam
pers
you.
Expe
rien
ce fl
ying
tha
t is
sim
ply
a cl
ass
apar
t on
Om
an A
ir,
the
nati
onal
air
line
of t
he S
ulta
nate
of
Om
an.
For
more
info
rmat
ion v
isit
our
websi
te o
r ca
ll +
968 2
4531111
*Tel
epho
ne a
nd w
i-fi f
acilit
y on
sel
ecte
d r
oute
s on
ly
ww
w.o
man
air.
com
February-April 20116
C o n t e n t sO
n t
he
cove
r
Design: Beneek Siraj, Photo: Andreas Kern
Published by: Muscat Press & Publishing House SAOC
Postal address: P O Box 86, PC 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos
Office location: Hatat House, 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
PhotographerNajib Al Balushi
Advt. & marketingSwithun Fernandes, Aloni Mehta, Priyanka Sampat
PrintersOman Printers
22
10
Some nights in the Malaysian jungle
The Taman Negara National Park in
Central Malaysia is a haven for nature
activities and offers visitors and
travellers, especially the adventurous
and curious ones, a never-ending
opportunity to explore Malaysia’s rich,
natural treasure of unspoilt verdant
jungles, rivers and mountains
Pachyderms on the Pearl
The Pinnawala elephant sanctuary
is very popular among local and
foreign tourists. The sanctuary offers
a virtual elephant reality show, with
the opportunity to observe the bathing
elephants from the river bank
Globe-Trai l
1010
A joint venture with Zahara Travel and Service Bureau
presentationA
February-April 2011 7
14 56
38
50
5614
28The view from The View
If you are looking for a weekend
getaway far from the madding crowd
in Oman, there is no other better
place than The View, which offers an
amazing view of Al Hamra village
View from Hail Al Shas
The Hail Al Shas is a quaint
old village perched atop the
mountainous area above Al Hamra,
just next to The View
Time stands still in Bait Al Safah
Bait Al Safah is a 400-year old
mud house built during the Yaroub
dynasty, which today gives an
insight into the lifestyle of the
Omanis of a bygone era
Trip to tranquility…
A group of 14 friends in France
made a three day trip to a Gite in
the interior. A detailed report of
their fun-filled trip
7 places to visit before you die
Your mission in life would be
incomplete if you don’t visit these
places. Visit them before you die.
Globe-Trai l Oman-Trai l
February-April 20118
Sometimes, the past is a necessity. Most of us may
tend to forget about our personal past, but, then,
we can’t forget our roots, our tradition, the culture
and the ways and the happenings of the past…we
can’t forget our ancestors and the way they have
lived in… which is why we need to preserve the
happenings of yesteryear.
And that is what people, societies and nations…
have been striving to do. They are attempting to
preserve their rich heritage and culture, sometimes
without even the help of science and technology.
We research, plan and archive traditions, costumes,
and antiques to save the past for our future…
But, a major challenge for younger generations is the
confusion surrounding what constitutes traditional
ways. Why did their ancestors resort to hold on
to traditional values, traditional methods and the
like? These aspects are lost on many among the
younger generation. Part of the confusion is due to
claims of knowledge about the traditional ways by
various sources. Most people miscomprehend the
culture and traditions, passed on to them and tend
to create their own! And that is when the actual
happenings of the past sadly get corrupted by the
tongues of the new as they interpret the times of
yore to their own taste. But, not all.
Recently, the Footprints team stumbled on a young
Omani, Badr Mohammed Al Dahli, who has taken
up a project in his native town of Al Hamra and
created a live museum, Bait Al Safah, unique to
Oman and the AGCC region.
Walk in to the 350 year old traditional Omani home
and you will meet an old couple, Muhanah bin
Nasser and his wife Nasra, who are actually living
there. They will take you through a day in an Omani
household…400 years back!
What better way to preserve tradition than to live
those traditions in your day to day lives? What do
you say? Kudos to Badr and his team for recreating
and preserving the past in its trueness. I can only
say that this is a fitting tribute to the past!
Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali
Editor-in-chief
Tribute to the past
Friend, phi losopher & guide
Globe-Tra i l
November-January 2010-201110
on the Pearl
November-January 2010-2011 11
Words: Ben Snyder Photographs: Priya Arunkumar
February-April 201112
Globe-Tra i l
Little Appu blew his small trumpet
and rumbled up to his two-legged
master, who was holding a large milk
bottle in his hand. Appu is no more than
three feet tall. He bumps into his master,
nuzzles him and then proceeded to
thirstily drink from the bottle. Soon, his
baby brothers and sisters followed him
and they all vied to be fed. Cameras
whirred from the background as each
tourist photographer tried to capture the
images of these cute little pachyderms
being bottle fed with milk drooling from
either side of their mouths.
It is 1.30pm and lunchtime for the
residents of the elephant orphanage
in Pinnawala, Sri Lanka, a place for
abandoned and wounded elephants to
recover.
Elephant feeding Just some minutes ago, the whole herd –
right down from the babies to lumbering
adults and even some handicapped ones
-- had trooped into the eating area for
their lunch. While the babies were fed
with milk, the larger elephants were fed
with native greens like coconut palms,
jackfruit tree leaves and kitul tree logs.
The elephants are watered, bathed and
fed at proper timings. The daily routine
begins at 8am, when the elephants are
taken out of their stalls and allowed
to graze for about two hours. Around
10.30am, they are taken to the nearby
river known as Ma Oya.
In fact, most tourists to this ‘Pearl
of the Indian Ocean’ (as Sri Lanka is
known) make a beeline to the elephant
orphanage at Pinnawala, and then wait in
anticipation to see the herd taken for their
morning bath to Ma Oya.
February-April 2011 13
Worth seeingElephants walking obediently in a single
file along the gravel pathway to the river
have always been cited as a sight “worth
seeing”.
Proper arrangements have been made
for the tourists to sit in the shade, enjoy
their choice drink and delicious food and
watch the elephants frolic in the flowing
waters of Ma Oya.
Some of the elephants are seen lying
down in the water and happy mahouts
scrubbing the bodies of these gentle
giants. After their water fun, they are
taken for their lunch and then again taken
back to the river.
Shelter for the wounded
The elephant orphanage was started
in 1975 by the Wildlife Department of
Sri Lanka on a 25-acre coconut land
near the Ma Oya river. The objective
was to provide a shelter for abandoned,
stranded and wounded elephants; a
place where they will be fed and cared
for before resettlement.
Apparently, the orphanage has the
largest herd of captive elephants in the
world. Most of the elephants are healthy,
while, one (*) is known to be blind and
another, which has lost its front right leg
to a landmine.
Bathing beauties
The orphanage is very popular among
local and foreign tourists. The main
attraction is the opportunity to observe
the bathing elephants from the broad
river bank as the herd interact socially,
bathing and playing.
It is open to the public, daily and all
admission fees are used to look after
the elephants. Visitors to the park can
view many different aspects of the care
and daily routine of the elephants, bottle
feeding of the baby elephants, feeding of
adult elephants, and of course, bathing.
The aim of the orphanage is to simulate
nature.
(* Not sure if there are more)
Located in the district of Kegalle, in the province of Sabaragamuwa, the Pinnawala elephant sanctuary is about 87kms from the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo. To reach Pinnawala by road from Colombo, one has to travel along the Colombo-Kandy highway, and near the 82nd milepost, turn towards the village Rambukkana. If travelling by train, one has to get down at the Rambukkana railway station and it is about two kilometers from there.
RE
AC
HIN
G T
HE
RE:
February-April 2011 13
Globe-Tra i l
November-January 2010-201114
November-January 2010-2011 15
Words: Rajesh Kumar Badhragiri Photographs: Byju Sirajudeen
February-April 201116
Globe-Tra i l
We need to get away from it all
sometimes. And that is how and why we
(around 14 friends, including families) got
far, far away from the madding crowd to
a Gite (*) recently.
The Gite was in Lascombes, which
was around 140kms from Toulouse, in
France. The house was on top of a small
hill, surrounded by a lake. Perfect setting
in perfect company. We made merry for
three days at the Gite and it was one
of the most memorable and exciting
experiences of our lifetime.
The Gite owner was French and she
could hardly speak English, but she made
up for that with her warmth. She took us
around the house somehow managing
to convey to us the lovely places to visit
around the area.
We felt like we were in some movie.
The house was picture perfect, isolated,
and on top of a small hill. There was a
beautiful lake nearby, verdant hills and
greenery in plenty. And more importantly,
peace and tranquility in abundance!
There was a small room outside the
house where we had arrangements for
table tennis, dart games and Petanque.
Another important member of the team
was Tituf, the friendly dog of the house
owner, who became our pet.
The team, on the whole, was happy and
they slowly moved around the house
to just get the feel for the place. Every
member of the team had felt that they
were in a different planet altogether.
Isolated, no worries, their mind was
really relaxed and the element of joy
was palpable. We ate, drank, danced
the night away, and all our work, all our
problems seemed far, far away and as
insignificant. We drowned our problems
with some mouthwatering veg and non
veg barbecue items.
February-April 2011 17
Weather was a worry, especially when
the forecasts seemed grim, gloomy and
cloudy. But, Mother Nature never let us
down. It was bright and sunny the next
morning, and we enjoyed a sensational,
continental breakfast, replete with
delicacies, breads, milk, cheese, jams,
corn flakes, eggs... What a perfect way
to start the day!
After breakfast some of us took the car to
visit places around the Gite, some played
table tennis, while others busily tried to
calm their girlfriends for previous nights’
spats.
We all regrouped at the Gite at 12 noon
and moved off to the Millau Bridge. Millau
is a village at a distance of 192kms from
Toulouse. Significance of the bridge is
that its center pillar is taller than Eiffel
Tower.
We rocked the village roads and the
cars zoomed towards Millau, which was
60kms away from our Gite. We were
struck by the beauty of the landscape,
which was on the banks of a river.
Although it was a detour from our trip, it
was a pleasant interlude.
The landscape had peace and tranquility
written all over it and there was also a
small park for children nearby the river.
It had slides, see-saw, swings etc…
and for some moments, we let our hair
down, behaving like excited kids. We
also made a short visit to the river and
then continued on our journey towards
the bridge, which we reached within the
next half an hour.
The bridge was an engineering marvel,
an excellent blend of science and
technology. A 10 minutes video of
the bridge’s construction at the expo
hall lent us an insight into its intricate
construction.
In the hall they also displayed prototypes
of various phases during the construction.
After an hour of visit and photography we
went to see a gorge which was 75 kms
away from the bridge.
On the way we soothed our eyes and
senses viewing the amazing landscapes.
But, as it was getting dark and also
drizzling, we had no other choice but
to drop our plans to visit the gorge and
head back to our Gite.
Returning to the Gite, we swung into a
realm of fun, relaxation and gorged on a
new set of delicacies – hot fried chickens,
Indian flavoured bajjis to counter the cold
weather outside. This evening it was a
retro party where we played songs from
the early 1960s and 1970s. The dance
and the dancers were the same. The
dinner was special with rotis and spicy
vegetable curry.
The next morning was a bit dull, with
clouds covering the sun. So, we chose
to explore the lake near the Gite. There
were two huge windmills near the Gite,
which also serve as landmarks. Near the
windmill was a vast vacant field where
we decided to play cricket and seven
stones, but due to the excess velocity of
the winds we had to abandon the cricket
plans.
Sunday afternoon lunch was extra special
with spicy chicken curry, chicken fries for
the non-vegetarians and vegetable curry
with bajjis for the vegetarians.
We all were set for the trip to the cheese
factory in Roquefort. Roquefort cheese
is famous in France. This village is at a
distance of 220kms from Toulouse.
The drive to the cheese factory from our
Gite was wonderful. The landscapes on
the way were mind-blowing; I can assure
that we had not seen such beautiful
greenery in our life. On the way to the
cheese factory our GPS crashed and we
had to drive with signboards as reference.
We reached the factory after a 45 minutes
drive. At the Roquefort–Papillion cheese
factory, we viewed a 15 minutes video on
the history and evolution of this brand.
After the short film, we visited the
factory interiors where pretty young
women explained the various stages in
cheese making. Some of our friends had
purchased cheese and other products
that were on sale in the factory.
We then had travelled to a nearby village
for food and snacks. We were driving
around the place for almost 30 minutes
to find parking and another 20 minutes to
find a place to set food.
Some of us wanted to trek and they left the
Gite in the dark hours. Tituf accompanied
them and they had a wonderful time
during the trek. It was dark and the way
ahead was not visible.
The team managed to move around
valleys, flowing water with only a torch
and successfully completed their journey.
The team managed to move around valleys, flowing water with only a torch and
successfully completed their journey. It was a real challenge, in an unknown place, with no proper trekking equipments and so all had a
feeling of accomplishment
February-April 201118
Globe-Tra i l
November-January 2010-201118
February-April 2011 19November-January 2010-2011 19
February-April 201120
Globe-Tra i l
It was a real challenge, in an unknown
place, with no proper trekking
equipments and so all had a feeling of
accomplishment. The trek team returned
late in the evening.
Sunday night’s dinner was the best, as
we had our traditional biriyani and curry,
which tantalised our taste buds. It would
be an injustice, if I failed to mention in my
article about the food, drinks, snacks we
had during those three days.
Mouth watering delicacies, food from
various cultural regions of India – North,
South, East, West. I should say our taste
buds were for a real test. We were not
able to identify a standout item, all were
equally good.
Dessert needs a special mention here;
and, as far as the food was concerned,
we never felt that we had even stepped
out of our homes.
All good things have to come to an end.
And, on reflection, the three days felt like
some joyous marriage celebrations, with
all members active, chatting and happy.
This trip had all the flavours, strong
bonds amidst the team, an opportunity
to know each other, peaceful moments
with Mother Nature.
(*) Gite is a house rented for a weekend
or for a week or more, away from the
cities.
February-April 201120
February-April 2011 21
Millau BridgeMillau is a village at a distance of 192kms from Toulouse. Significance of
the bridge is that its center pillar is taller than Eiffel Tower
February-April 2011 21
February-April 201122
Globe-Tra i l
February-April 2011 23
Some nights in the
We put our heads out of the tent, sucked in the jungle air, stared at the stars above and quietly listened to the night music. The nights at Taman Negara National Park in central Malaysia is always full of life.
November-January 2010-2011 23
February-April 201124 FebFeebrruaruaruaruru ry-ryryryryryry AprAprAprprAprA rAprp ilil lil 20120102012012012011111122422242424444422
Globe-Tra i l
We had rented out a tent and
other camping equipment from the park
headquarters and then camped in an
open space surrounded by the jungle. Of
course, there were other campers too,
but, the experience was really something.
My wife and I had never pitched camp
in the middle of the jungle and this was
quite an experience.
We camped for three days and it was
the most unbelievable experience ever.
And the nights, although it was difficult
to sleep through the night sounds in the
jungle, was still a different experience.
In the mornings, we went walking and
although we did not see elephants or
other wild animals (which they say are
there), it was still exciting because of the
anticipation the whole journey raised.
Don’t walk off the path But, the wild, big trees, the dense
vegetation and the insects and small
animals can engross you forever. The
jungle is teeming with life. There are
thousands of insects, frogs, lizards and
innumerable other creatures. But, when
we were camping, we were told that we
should not go off the trail. Of course,
we did and we had to pay the price.
Once, we followed some leafy-looking
creatures into the woods off the main
trail and then we got lost. We had gone
just 100 to 150 metres off trail and then
we realised why the officials had warned
us not to get off the track. You know it
was in the morning hours, yet, when we
got lost, it seemed as though the jungle
had suddenly become dark. Besides this,
it was hot and humid and we had our
clothes sticking to our skin.
We did manage to find our way out of this
meandering jungle and vowed never to
veer off the path again.
Camping is just the tip of the iceberg at
the Taman Negara park, which is one
of the oldest, if not the oldest, unspoilt
rainforests in the world. It is estimated to
have evolved over 130 million years.
Haven for nature activities The park is a haven for other nature
activities like bird watching, wild-life
watching, boating, mountain climbing,
caves exploring, jungle trekking, river
rafting, photography, walking on
suspended walkways, nighttime safaris
and the like.
Taman Negara offers visitors and
travellers, especially the adventurous and
curious ones, a never-ending opportunity
to explore and experience Malaysia’s
rich natural treasure of unspoilt verdant
jungles, rivers and mountains. During an
earlier visit to the park some years ago,
we had just one day and we made the
most of it.
February-April 201124
February-April 2011 25FFFeFFebFebFebFebeebFe rruarrur ry-y-y-y-y-AprAprAprAprprAprApp il ilil il 2012010120111 25252525
We went on the canopy walkway, of which
there are only four or five in the world. For
those who have fear of heights, this is not
the place to be on. There are plenty of
other such excitements at the park.
Awed by the diversity When you first enter the National park, you
will perhaps feel awed and overwhelmed
by the richness, diversity and beauty of
the plants and trees species there. This
is not surprising as one-third of all the
world’s flowering plants are found in
Malaysia.
You will find that the largest plant
community in Taman Negara is the
lowland rainforest – where although
trees are dominant, they co-exist with
other plant forms like shrubs, parasites,
climbers, lichens, fungi and others.
To the herbal and plant naturalists, our
advice is do take your time to identify
and marvel at the richness, age and sizes
Taman Negara can be reached via three main park entrances. Of these, the most popular and easy – and the standard route for most travellers- is via Kuala Tahan. The journey to Kuala Tahan is an exciting one requiring a road or rail as well as a river journey. The access routes to the other main parts of Taman Negara are generally adequate but problems may arise due to the less developed public transport available.
RE
AC
HIN
G T
HE
RE:
of the diverse plant and tree species.
Tall and huge trees stand imposingly in
the jungle, like lords of the low species
below.
Location, location, location
Located mainly in the delightful Malaysian
state of Pahang, Taman Negara also
straddles the borders of two other
states in the north, namely Kelantan
and Terengganu. It is accessible via
several popular and main access routes,
although there are other less developed
access points.
With an area of 4,343 square kilometers
(1,676 square miles) or more than a
million acres, Taman Negara is the largest
park and the most extensive protected
rainforest area in Malaysia.
Besides the dense virgin jungle, it also
houses Peninsular Malaysia’s highest
mountain in the Tahan Range, namely,
Gunung Tahan at 2,187 meters (7,173
feet). As a protected area, tree-cutting
or logging and other commercial
development and activities are strictly
prohibited. So far no commercial logging
has occurred.
February-April 2011 25
February-April 201126
Globe-Tra i l
Situated about 45kms off the coast of Terengganu, Pulau Redang is the largest of the state’s
island. It is famous for its picture-postcard views and fabulous dive sites. The most popular stretch
is the 800m Long Beach. It has one large resort and many smaller chalets lining the shore. Further
away on the northeastern coast is Teluk Dalam Kecil, a sheltered cove that houses a five star
resort. Berjaya Air, a private carrier, provides direct air links to the island. Alternatively, Redang is
accessible by sea. The jumping-off points are the Shahbandar Jetty situated in Kuala Terengganu
town, or Merang Jetty, situated about an hour’s drive from Kuala Terengganu.
Pulau Redang (Redang Island)
Must Do:• Snorkeling at the Marine Park
• Explore the 31 dive sites on the Island
• Take a walk along the breathtaking Long Beach
• Play beach volleyball
• Enjoy a jungle walk to see monkeys, squirrels and birds
November-January 2010-201126
February-April 2011 27November-January 2010-2011 27
February-April 201128
Globe-Tra i l
places to visitbefore you die
Regardless of whether you are bitten by the travel bug or not, there are some places that you MUST visit
before it is…well, time to go.
February-April 201128
February-April 2011 29February-April 2011 29
February-April 201130
There is no point in fretting about
a time when you have to go; some go
early, others, late. But, whatever, just
remember the adage that if you are still
alive, it only means that your mission is
not yet complete. And one of the most
important items among your missions
could be the lovely places that you have
to visit.
Sometimes, it may cost a pretty penny to
visit these places (no, not all though), but
what the heck, you can’t take it with you
anyway and if you should die in pursuit of
completing this list, then you would have
died seeing what only a handful of other
people would have seen in their lifetime.
Forget what you have seen or heard,
the world is a beautiful place and some
places are much more striking than you
could ever imagine. It can be engineering
marvels like the Taj Mahal or Frank Lloyd
Wright’s Fallingwater House; a hike
across Grand Canyon or a ride along
China’s Yangtze River, or even a sun rise
over Machu Picchu or seeing Iguazu Falls
by the light of a full moon...
Here is a random list, which we hope to
update in every issue of the Footprints.
Taj MahalThis mausoleum located in Agra, India, is
one of the most recognisable structures in
the world. It is an incredible architectural
wonder of our more modern world, and
one of the most beautiful buildings in
the world. Built by the Mughal emperor
Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife,
Mumtaz Mahal, it is widely considered as
one of the most beautiful buildings in the
world and stands as a symbol of eternal
love.
Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal
architecture, a style that combines
elements from Persian, Islamic and
Indian architectural styles. In 1983, the
Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
The Great Wall of China The Great Wall of China was built in
the Qin, Han and Ming dynasties as
defensive fortifications during the
warring states periods of the Yan, Zhao
and Qin dynasties. However, it did
not become known as the Great Wall
until the Qin dynasty. The construction
required an army of labour that included
soldiers, prisoners and average people
to complete the more than 4163 miles of
the wall. With a history of more than 2000
years, this is one destination that cannot
be missed out on.
The Great Pyramids of EgyptOne of the eight wonders of the world
and an incredible sight to behold, the
pyramids certainly make our top list. It
is believed that the pyramid was built
as a tomb for fourth dynasty Egyptian
pharaoh Khufu and constructed over a
14 to 20-year period.
February-April 2011 31
Khufu’s vizier, Hemon, or Hemiunu, is
believed by some to be the architect
of the Great Pyramid. It is thought that,
at construction, the Great Pyramid
was originally 280 Egyptian cubits tall,
146.5 metres (480.6 ft) but with erosion
and absence of its pyramidion, its
present height is 138.8 metres (455.4
ft). The pyramid remained the tallest
man-made structure in the world for
over 3,800 years, unsurpassed until the
160-metre-tall spire of Lincoln Cathedral
was completed c. 1300.
The Coliseum in Rome Another incredible sight from the ancient
world, bringing home the power and
might of ancient Rome. The Coliseum is
truly colossal - it stands 50 meters (165
feet) high and measures 185 meters (600
feet) long. It was large enough to hold
50,000 roaring spectators when it was
inaugurated in 80 AD.
Today, it is one of the most dramatic,
historic and recognised archaeological
monuments on earth. The Flavian Roman
emperors built the Coliseum of Rome for
entertaining their subjects (and to distract
their minds from the woes of the time).
SerengetiThe Serengeti in Tanzania hosts the
largest migration in the world, which is
said to be one of the 10 natural travel
wonders. The region contains several
national parks and game reserves.
Serengeti is derived from the Maasai
language, Maa; specifically, ‘Serengit’
meaning ‘Endless Plains’.
Approximately 70 larger mammals and
some 500 avifauna species are found
there. This high diversity in terms of
species is a function of diverse habitats
ranging from riverine forests, swamps,
kopjes, grasslands and woodlands.
Blue Wildebeests, gazelles, zebras and
buffalos are some of the commonly found
large mammals in the region.
Louvre The Louvre is located on the bank of
the Seine River, Paris, France. Originally
constructed as the fortress of Philippe
Auguste in 1190, Charles V oversaw the
first modernisation process (r. 1364-
1380), which resulted in what was to
be the beginnings of one of the largest
palace complexes in the world. As
museums go, the Louvre is quite simply
a mammoth. The word ‘museum’ may
even be unfitting when it comes to the
Louvre: the collections are so vast,
diverse, and breathtaking that visitors
may have the impression of navigating
a maze of distinct artistic and cultural
worlds. It has become the globe’s most-
visited museum, and an enduring symbol
of French excellence in the arts.
Grand Canyon The majestic Grand Canyon in the state
of Arizona in the United States is one of
the seven natural wonders of the world
and the most visited national park in
North America. Called the ‘most sublime
spectacle on earth’, the Grand Canyon
is awe-inspiring, unimaginably huge and
spectacularly beautiful. Sightseers gasp,
artists rejoice and everyone feels humbled
by the sight. Nothing can prepare one for
the enormity of the Grand Canyon, which
is 277 miles (446 km) long, 10 miles
(29km) wide and 1.83 miles (6000 feet)
deep. It is almost as if the heart and soul
of the earth has suddenly been laid bare.
February-April 201132
Globe-Tra i l
February-April 201132
February-April 2011 33
The Coliseum in RomeThe Coliseum is truly colossal - it stands 50 meters (165
feet) high and measures 185 meters (600 feet) long. It was
large enough to hold 50,000 roaring spectators when it was
inaugurated in 80 AD
February-April 2011 33
February-April 201134
Globe-Tra i l
February-April 201134
February-April 2011 35
Random
destinations for this holiday
This holiday, getting in touch with your inner self should be your number one priority. Why not?
You deserve it! Many might dissuade you saying that you can’t try to find inner peace in a luxurious
atmosphere… That is so far removed from the truth. Today, yoga is a ‘must have’ at all luxury destinations, and a formal yoga retreat is a vacation experience you
will always cherish.
February-April 2011 35
February-April 201136
Globe-Tra i l
Some of these resorts also offer special spa treatments and even eco-excursions.
The truth is, yoga has quickly become one of the most sought-after forms of relaxation in the world.
And, stressed out men and women are forever on the lookout to learn yoga in order to gain both physical and mental balance and to find a sense of inner peace.
New yoga retreats are announced every year, not only at five-star locations, but in some of the world’s most secluded destinations as well. Take a look at this random selection:
US BOZEMAN, MONTANA
INDIA
Big Sky Yoga Retreats
www.bigskyyogaretreats.com
Located at 7,500 feet in the Madison
mountain range an hour north of
Yellowstone, the Big EZ Lodge is
entrenched in the heart of nature and
is the perfect complement to those
seeking a quality yoga getaway. The
lodge was built with native timber and
natural river rock throughout, which
brings the outdoor elements into the
13 well-appointed guest rooms and
common areas. Inspiration from the
wonderful setting is the big draw,
where yoga is combined with the great
outdoors through nature hikes and
outdoor activities after yoga sessions
that focus on technique. Views are
awesome and starlit nights under the
big sky are the norm, but don’t be
afraid to indulge in the fine mountain-
themed cuisine and offerings on the
wine list. A game room, workout room
and a large hot tub, complete with
waterfall, is a great way to end each
day at this mountain getaway.
Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Pune
A must-visit place for any serious yoga practitioner, the institute is run by
the indefatigable, 90-year-old grand old man of Indian yoga, B K S Iyengar,
and his children. The Iyengar school emphasises in-depth study of asanas
(anatomically correct postures) and pranayama (breathing).
It teaches students to adapt and modify their exercise routine depending on
the environment. Situated in Pune, 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Mumbai,
the institute caters to advanced students of yoga.
So before packing your mat and heading for India, learn the basics from a
certified Iyengar teacher in your country. Admission for a month-long $450
course is selective, and you
can spend up to 18 months
on a wait list. Those who
make the cut have to make
their own arrangements
for boarding and lodging in
Pune. Iyengar, called Guruji,
or master, counts global
celebrities such as Annette
Bening among his students.
In fact, there are many resorts where yoga classes are offered on a daily basis. While instructors remain on site daily, you will also find them offering special retreats at least once a month with visiting
instructors from around the world.
Big EZ Lodge
February-April 2011 37
BRAZIL
NEPAL
CANADA
Sao Carlos, São Paulo
Jatoba Terra Prana Lar Yoga
www.yogabrasil.com/nam.htm
Situated in the Brazilian countryside, Jatoba
Terra Prana Lar Yoga retreats consist of
meditation, mantras, Kundalini yoga, Yin
yoga, Hatha yoga, partner yoga, Karma
yoga, silent walks, sacred dances, fire
rituals and Zen Shiatsu. The retreat also
boats a sweat lodge, a fresh water pool,
and the requisite vegetarian meals complete
with homemade cheese, bread and yogurt.
Founder and former dancer Lila established
the retreat on her family farm in 2000 after
traveling the world and studying yoga. She
also offers a children’s programme and a
fresh organic garden designed to help you
reconnect with mother earth. Be sure to take
a trip to the nearby sacred waterfall, too.
Pokhara
Pokhara has recently been cited as Nepal’s top yoga
destination. About 2,900 feet above sea level and 1,000
miles from the nearest ocean, it’s a city of 200,000 smack in
the middle of Nepal. It has a busy downtown strip where, for
years, trekkers and thrifty backpackers have come, many
to pick up supplies before heading out on the Annapurna
Range. These days, it’s the silence in the hills that is calling.
About a dozen back-to-basics yoga retreats have opened
in and around Pokhara in recent years, transforming this
once-partying hub into what might be Nepal’s top yoga
destination. For those wanting a quiet place to meditate,
away from the crowds, this is it.
Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
Paradise Found Yoga
www.paradisefoundyoga.com
Specialising in Kundalini Yoga, Paradise Found Yoga offers both
scheduled and private retreats with two daily yoga classes as well as
meditation, art therapy and spa sessions that include aromatherapy,
hot stone Shiatsu massages, reflexology and Reiki. Take advantage of
the hiking excursions on the shorelines of Cusheon Lake on Salt Spring
Island. Relax in the gardens, enjoy the vegetarian meals, sink into the
outdoor hot tub and enjoy the individual attention that comes with
allowing only eight guests at a time. And with only a dozen other homes
on the lake, privacy is guaranteed in this picturesque setting.
February-April 201138 February-April 201138
Oman-Tra i l
February-April 2011 39
The ViewThe view from
February-April 2011 39
February-April 201140
Oman-Tra i l
February-April 2011 41
There is something special about
the early morning skies, especially when
you are gazing at it from an area of over
1400 feet above sea level. If it is before
sunrise, then rest assured that you can
see God painting on an empty canvas. It
is as though a large, invisible, paint brush
was experimenting on it.
A dab of red here, a bit of yellow there,
was that blue, yes, yes, and a tinge of
orange there, then a swab of purple over
there, a bit of black and then again yellow
here, a bit of golden… a riot of colours
merging and unmerging, coalescing and
then diffusing and then swirling again…
These are the moments before sunrise
atop a mountain above Al Hamra village,
which is around 200kms away from
Muscat.
Paint, my love We pulled our caps tightly on to our
head, adjusted the sweater’s flap on to
our necks in a bid to ward off the early
morning cold and then tried to video
record this painting-in-process. After
sometime we stopped shooting and
slowly drank in the rise of the sun, from
the far off mountains, with our naked eyes.
At our height, we could literally sweep the
expanse in a complete semicircle.
Above us in the sky, God was painting
and below us, a whole town was sleeping,
unaware of nature’s lovely morning play.
The occupants of the tents (around 15 of
them) behind where we were standing
were also slowly waking up to this reality,
more fascinating than a mere dream.
We, the early birds, wanted to see how
the view from our vantage point would
look like at dawn, as compared to the
night and the late afternoon hours.
Best-ever views For, the mid-afternoon before, we had
driven up an easy, but winding eight
kilometers dirt track from Al Hamra
village, which took us directly to ‘The
View’, an eco-luxury property located
right at the entrance of Hail Al Shas
village.
February-April 201142
Oman-Tra i l
February-April 2011 43
SERENE SETTING:The mountain top locale has ‘luxury’ written all over it. This ‘Eco Luxe’ retreat, is an
ideal getaway with 15 exclusive luxury tents for a relaxed and comfortable stay
February-April 201144
Oman-Tra i l
A recent entry into the Sultanate’s
tourism spots, The View, aptly named,
offers visitors an amazing view of Al
Hamra village. Other than offering what
could probably be one of the best-ever
views possible in the many touristic
locations in the Sultanate, The View also
hosts around 15-well appointed luxury
tents replete with a nice-sized bathroom
and balcony views.
Luxury written all over The mountain top locale has ‘luxury’
written all over it, right from its entrance to
the sprawling tents, some of which have
direct view of the village. In other words,
those lucky enough to get these tents
can sit on their own elevated balconies
to have a view of their lifetime right from
their tent. Others, who have obtained
the tents behind this area can still get
down below the elevated balconies and
enjoy the view from there. Corrugated
seats, hammocks and comfy chairs and
a nighttime campfire in the centre of the
tents make it a delightful experience.
Far from the madding crowd What is comforting at The View is the
sheer silence that envelops the area,
especially when darkness falls. For those
wanting to be far away from the madding
crowd, and those who are lovers of
silence, this is the place to be, as we
found out on a recent trip there.
Perfect sanctuary
When we reached the locale at noontime,
most of the tourists had gone out for the
day. The beauty of The View is that it
offers itself as a perfect sanctuary in the
midst of the mountainous arena. Those
wanting to trek or explore the mountain
area can do that at leisure and get back
to The View before dusk. The nearby
locales include the famed mud houses
of Al Hamra, the traditional village of
Misfat Al Abryeen, or the intriguing Al
Hoota caves. The Bahla and Nizwa forts,
the Jibreen castle, the traditional Bahla
pottery area are all easily accessible from
The View. To the west of Al Hamra is the
road to Jebel Shams (mountain of the
sun), the tallest peak in Oman at 3010
metres.
The mountainous area also features
rocky promontories and steep gorges,
which are also attractive for tourists.
Those merely wanting to view and ponder
the majestic grandeur of the surrounding
peaks and gorges are also likely to find in
The View, an ideal location.
Ideal weekend getaway
In fact, The View has all the necessary
requirements for those wanting to get
away from it all. The silence of the locale,
the grandeur of the mountains, the
impressive play of the stars above during
the night and the cool, at times cold, but
always pleasant, climate offers the best
weekend getaway.
After all, what do you want from a
holiday? Relaxation, peace of mind, a bit
of quietness and in short, a place to chill
out, far from the madding crowd: At 1400
metres above sea level, this is one of the
best-ever luxury soaked spots that you
could escape to in Oman.
The mountain top locale has ‘luxury’
written all over it, right from its entrance to the sprawling tents, some of which have
direct view of the village
February-April 201146
Oman-Tra i l
February-April 2011 47
View from the topWake up to the sun rise… curl in to the hammocks with your favourite book; wind it all
up with the sun set and the fascinating night view of the glittering lights of Al Hamra
village. Warm up to the campfires… The View looks down on almost the entire Wilayat
of AI Hamra with the town of AI Hamra and its substantial date plantations creating a
patchwork of green in the distance amid the brown hues of the mountains.
February-April 201148
Oman-Tra i l
Footprints also spoke to a young German couple, Iris Miltzow and Toralf Rustenbach, who were staying at The View about their impression of the
area and also how they came to know of this locale.
February-April 201148
February-April 2011 49
Iris and Toralf were visiting Oman for the first time. They were already smitten
by the country, its people and the topography. The icing on the cake was this stay
atop The View, they chorused, adding that they were quite impressed by Oman.
“We always go to a different country on our vacations and this time, while browsing
through the net, we came across Oman and we were quite intrigued. One thing
led to another and we are now here in Oman and most importantly, enjoying the
country from this superb mountain top locale,” the duo said.
Both were of the view that Oman was more than what they had imagined. “Though
Oman is still not that well know in some parts of Germany, we were quite keen to
try it out.
“Without doubt, this is a very safe country and there is genuine warmth among the
people here, which is quite congenial for tourists. Especially for the first timers! It
is very important for first time visitors to Oman, as first impression is quite often
everything. “And, right now, sitting on top of The View, we feel quite safe and
relaxed. This spot is awesome and quite a welcome change for us both.”
The German duo said that they found The View to be a focal point for them to visit
all of the surrounding tourism locales, and at the same time enjoy the luxury of
five-star accommodation on top of a mountain!
“In a nutshell, we can say that The View is like Oman’s topography, unique,
different and in many ways, out of this world!”
A 2 ½ hrs drive from Muscat to Nizwa (175 kms), and a 45 minutes drive from Nizwa towards the direction of Al Hoota Caves, you will reach Al Hamra village (200kms).An eight kms uphill drive takes you from Al Hamrah to Hail Al Shas village.The View is located at 1,400 metres above sea level.
RE
AC
HIN
G T
HE
RE:
February-April 201150
Oman-Tra i l
February-April 201150
February-April 2011 51
View from
Hail Al Shas
February-April 2011 51
February-April 201152
Oman-Tra i l
Baaa, a kid (baby goat) bleets as
it hurriedly tries to get out of our path
from the little Hail Al Shas village, which
is perched atop the mountainous area
above Al Hamra.
The little one gets out of the path but
several nannies (mama goats) and Billies
(papa goats) jump into the fray and our
car swerves off the path again, trying to
avoid them.
Some of the goats seem to be at ease
with our 4WD, but others were a bit
restless and they either moved in front or
got behind our vehicle, which made both
to and fro movement, nigh to impossible.
So, we did the sanest thing possible –
that is to stop and get down as some
kids of the village milled around the four-
wheeler.
We made the traditional greetings to the
enthusiastic children and we asked them
to take us to the elders there. From a
small enclosed area, which served as a
meeting point or a shelter, a middle aged
man greeted us and ambled towards
the car. This was Said bin Hamed bin
Ruzaik Al Nasri.
A village of 100 people The latter, who was working as a security
staff of Al Hamra school, was only too
glad to give us an idea about this quaint
little village. “We are around 100 people,
that is around 20-odd families, here
currently,” Said Al Nasri said, adding that
it was a very old village and all of them
were living here for generations. “This
village started off as a small settlement
many, many years ago. Now, it has
slowly grown to a village with 20 and
more families.”
Said bin Hamed Al Nasri
February-April 2011 53
February-April 201154
Oman-Tra i l
Goats, goats, goats…“What is our village famous for? Well,
I would say we are primarily known for
our goats – as you can see –,“ he said,
sweeping his hand at the many frisky
goats, which still played cat and mouse
games with us, coming close and then
skipping away.
The selling of goats are their main income
source as well as staple food (meat as
well as milk). “Goats – they are in plenty
here and we are also lucky enough to
have good supply of water,” Said Al Nasri
added. He pointed to the electric posts
and said off late, they were also blessed
with power, thanks to the benevolence of
the government, which ensured that the
sweep of modernity and development is
seen in ever nook and corner of Oman.
The village children also get their
education from the schools located
below their village. “Most of our children
study in schools in Al Hamra and Nizwa,”
Said Nasri said.
Green village
Thanks to the rains, there is no shortage
of water, and the village was also quite
green. “We are self-sufficient here and
we are hopeful that the future generations
will strive to make this a better place to
live in.
Right now, we have nothing to complain
about because we are able to enjoy
pleasant climate throughout the year.
The winter, which is just starting, would
of course be quite cold. But, it is alright
– it is different here, atop the mountain!”
Tourism makes the world closer, smaller
Earlier, visitors would often just pass
through, but off late, there are more
visitors here than ever before, Said Nasri
pointed out. “I would say that this new
property (The View) is actually bringing
in many tourists here – and we always
welcome them, though not many are able
to converse with us or vice versa.
“Besides, there is the trekking and cycling
trails too, so, there is lot of activity, which
is nice. “Sometimes, the trekkers, the
cyclists come to our village and ask us to
pose for them, which we oblige!”
Inaccessible Until 1994, this village was not accessible
as there weren’t any roads, save for some
goat and natural trekking trails. “Then we
depended on donkeys to travel up and
down to Al Hamra, but not so now,” Said
Nasri said.
Future bodes wellToday, he said, there were number of
them who went outside the village, got
themselves educated and employed in
public and private sector organisations.
“So, the future bodes well for us – we
have only seen our village grow, although
slowly, but that is how we like it to be!”
February-April 201154
February-April 2011 55
Dried – but tasty Marinated meat – spiced and dried up and stored for future – pieces beaded
through strings are hung on the makeshift shelters for future consumption.
Goat milk and meat are the staple diet for the villagers of Hail Al Shas.
The Hail Al Shas village is just a hop, skip and jump away from The View. You could take the trail on the right of The View and keep going straight until you reach this mountain top village. R
EA
CH
ING T
HE
RE:
February-April 201156
Oman-Tra i l
Time stands still in
November-January 2010-201156
February-April 2011 57November-January 2010-2011 57
February-April 201158 November-January 2010-201158
Oman-Tra i l
November-January 2010-2011 59
Inspiring locale400-year old mud houses built during the Yarouba dynasty
February-April 201160
Oman-Tra i l
Helloooooo... Crispy Rukhal anyone?Adding on to the tales of the historic past of Bait Al Safah, the womenfolk made
us some wafer-thin crispy Rukhal bread and piping hot Omani kahwa
February-April 2011 61
February-April 201162
Sixty year old Saada Al Abri sings
this semi-plaintive and hummable Arabic
song as she slowly, rhythmically, grinds
the cereals in line with her folksy tune.
But, she does not stop when visitors
stop by to see her work. Instead, she just
pauses between her song and explains
the meaning of the words to us…
Clouds come and goEven the pitter patter of rains disappear
Bursting into smithereens on the rooftops…
But, I grind on, for I can’t stop…I have mouths to feed
Even when the rains stop…
I have mouths to feedEven though the rains may stop…
At the Bait Al Safah, the songs must
play on…This 400-year old mud house
built during the Yarouba dynasty, many
hundreds of years ago, is an inspiring
locale, and so are the lively old and
young Omanis there. It is considered to
be one of the most important landmarks
in the history of the region because it
showcases the lifestyle of the Omani
ancestors and gives an insight to visitors
and locals of a bygone era. It is today a
living example of life in Al Hamra prior to
the renaissance of His Majesty Sultan
Qaboos bin Said.
Oman-Tra i l
February-April 2011 63
This four-storey building was originally
the permanent residence of a prominent
family of Al Hamra, and later it was
restored by the owner’s grandchildren.
After that, the current owners, with the
help of the tourism ministry opened its
doors to the public and since then have
been receiving tourists from Oman,
region and around the world. Muhanna
bin Nasser Al Abri is the current owner.
Khadra Tourism, a locally based tourist
agency, is currently looking after the
monument and has outlined a daily
programme, which includes folklore and
traditional Omani dances alongside an
exhibition of traditional handicrafts.
We were greeted at the entrance by
Sheikhan Hamad bin Mohammed Al
Dahly, a young and enterprising Omani
lad who took us around the monument.
Sheikhan was appointed by Badr bin Said
bin Mohammed Al Dahly, the manager of
the Bait Al Safah project, to guide tourists
in the mansion. He also helped us try on
some of the Omani traditional dresses,
including the dishdashas, turbans,
women’s dresses and head covers.
Meeting the old Omani couple, Salim bin
Marhoon bin Salim Al Abri and his wife,
Nasra bint Ali bin Mubarak Al Abri proved
to be a double delight.
While Salim spun tales of the historic
past of Bait Al Safah, Nasra took us to
her kitchen, where her colleague made
us taste some wafer thin crispy Rukhal
bread, and piping hot Omani kahwa.
Nasra roasted peanuts from the side,
while her colleague greeted us with a
very cheery and musical ‘Hellooo!”
To soak in the history of a bygone era,
a visit to Bait Al Safah is a must. Most
tourists who are now visiting The View
make it a point to take a tour of Bait Al
Safah.
(Entry to Bait Al Safah is OMR1)
February-April 201164
Oman-Tra i l
February-April 201164
February-April 2011 65
Praba Iyer, a tourist from the USA, dipped her toes into the blue-green
crystal clear waters and immediately some little fish went and nibbled on them.
Tourists from all over make a quick and refreshing stopover at the Bimmah
Sinkhole, which is around 6kms from Dibab, along the coast, on the graded
road from Muscat to Sur.
The sinkhole, which is about 500 metres inland and 40 metres wide and
20 metres deep, is in the middle, in a fenced off area, of a park called the
Hawiyat Najm or Sinkhole park. The sinkhole connects all the way to the sea.
Apparently, the green and blue colours are a result of the salty water meeting
with fresh water. Praba wanted to go for a swim in the waters, but she had not
come equipped for the same, so postponed the swim for another time. Most
tourists and locals often go for a proper swim in the waters of the sinkhole.
Geologists say that the sinkhole was created when a limestone cavern
collapsed, while the locals say a piece of the moon fell from the sky to make
this hole. The underwater tunnel leads to sea, which is 500metres away. The
sinkhole is ‘tourists friendly’ and has concrete steps leading down to the pool.
There are a couple of shelters and also toilets at the entrance. There is an
attendant at the entrance, but no entry charge for the park.
Take the Amerat road towards Quriyat direction. Go straight towards Sur and you will find the Bimmah Sink hole signposted towards the right, on the mountain side. Turn right and enter the curved road towards the coast.
RE
AC
HIN
G T
HE
RE:
February-April 201166 February-April 201166
February-April 2011 67February-April 2011 67
Tourist friendly BimmahThe sinkhole is ‘tourist friendly’ and has concrete steps leading down to the pool.
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
Ethiopian Airlines 24 660313
Gulf Air (toll-free number) 800 72424
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
Morocco 24 696152
Mozambique 24 594207
Netherlands 24 603719
Norway 24 603706
Pakistan 24 603439
Palestine 24 601312
Philippines 24 605140
Portugal 24 561400
Qatar 24 691153
Russian Federation 24 602894
Rwanda 24 487978
Saudi Arabia 24 601744
Somalia 24 697977
South Africa 24 694793
Spain 24 691101
Sri Lanka 24 697841
Sudan 24 697875
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 201068
www.blackandwhiteoman.com
Read our magazine ONLINE
Oman’s First Free Fortnightly Magazine
Log on to
blackwhite OmanFind us on facebook
Ad
va
nta
ge
Co
rpo
rate
A p
rofe
ss
ion
al w
orld
wid
e t
ea
m w
ith
se
ve
ral y
ea
rs o
f e
xp
erie
nc
e a
nd
ric
h e
xp
ert
ise
, se
ve
ral q
ua
lity
aw
ard
s t
o o
ur
cre
dit a
nd
lon
g
as
so
cia
tio
n w
ith
ma
jor
loc
al c
orp
ora
te, i
t is
a t
es
tim
on
y t
o t
he
qu
alit
y s
erv
ice
an
d c
om
pe
titiv
e p
ric
es
we
pro
vid
e t
o o
ur
cu
sto
me
rs. B
y
virtu
e o
f o
ur
Glo
ba
l Ne
two
rk S
erv
ice
, yo
u a
re a
pa
rt o
f th
e T
rav
el s
erv
ice
ne
two
rk t
ea
m, c
on
sis
tin
g o
f 2
20
0 lo
ca
tio
ns
in 1
40
co
un
trie
s, a
ll
with
th
e c
om
mo
n g
oa
l of
de
live
rin
g c
us
tom
er
se
rvic
e p
ar
ex
ce
llen
ce
. Yo
u g
et
the
ad
va
nta
ge
of
Wo
rld
Wid
e C
us
tom
er
Ca
re p
rog
ram
!!
GL
OB
AL
NE
TW
OR
K,
PR
OF
ES
SIO
NA
L S
ER
VIC
ES
:
Co
rpo
rate
Tra
ve
l S
erv
ice
s
Tra
ve
l M
an
ag
em
en
t S
olu
tio
ns
to
su
it y
ou
r B
us
ine
ss
Tel:
(+9
68
) 2
44
00
811
, F
ax
:– (
+96
8)
24
40
08
18,
Em
ail
: sa
les
.ma
rke
tin
g@
za
ha
ratr
av
el.
co
m,
We
bs
ite
: ww
w.z
ah
ara
tra
ve
l.c
om
Expe
rienc
e Mat
ters
Onlin
e Offl
ine A
ll Aro
und
the w
orld
Exp
erie
nce M
atte
rs