Oman

Diana Darke has known Oman for over 30 years when she first worked there for the Omani government in 1980. With a BA in Arabic (Oxford) and an MA in Islamic Art and Architecture (SOAS, London) her in-depth cultural background knowledge is second to none.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION

Chapter 1Background Information
Geography , Climate , Historical overview , Government and politics , Economy , People , Language , Religion , Education , Culture ,Natural history and conservation

Chapter 2Practical Information
When to visit , Highlights , Suggested itineraries, Tourist information , Tour operators , Red tape , Oman embassies and consulates overseas , Getting there and away , Health , Safety , What to take , Money and budgeting , Getting around , Accommodation , Eating and drinking , Public holidays and working hours , Shopping , Activities , Photography , Media and communications , Cultural etiquette , Giving something back

PART TWO THE GUIDE

Chapter 3 Muscat
Getting there , Getting around , Tourist information , Tour operators , Where to stay , Where to eat , Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping , Media and communications , Other practicalities , What to see and do , Muttrah, Muscat Old Town , Sidab , Haramil , Al Bustan , Bander Jissah , Qantab , Bander Khayran , Fahal Island , Yiti , Quriyat , Ruwi, Qurum , Qurum Beach , Madinat Qaboos , Al Khuwair , Bowshar , Ghubra , Azaiba , Seeb , Al Khoud , Excursions beyond Muscat

Chapter 4 The Batinah Coast and Plain
Getting there , Where to stay , Where toeat , Other practicalities , What to see and do ,Barka , Al Sawadi , As Suwaiq , Al Khaboura, Saham , Sohar , Liwa , Shinas , The Batinah Plain , The Rustaq Loop , Rustaq

Chapter 5 Musandam
Getting there , Getting around , Tour operators , Where to stay , Other practicalities , What to see and do , Driving tour of Musandam , Bukha , Qida and Tawi , Khasab , Kumzar , Khora'Najd , Sal al A'la , Jebel Harim , Dibba , Madah

Chapter 6 The Dhahirah
Getting there , Tour operator , Where to stay , Ibri , Wadi Hawasina , Al Dariz , Bat , Yanqul , Wadi Fidda , Dank , Buraimi
Chapter 7 The Dakhiliyah
Getting there , Getting around , Tour operators , Other practicalities , What to see and do , Fanja , Bidbid , Al Firfareh , The Sumail Gap , Sumail , Al Hobe , Mutti , Wadi Halfayn and the Persian Steps , Izki , Birkat al Mawz , Wadi Muaydin , Saiq plateau , Jebel Akhdar , Nizwa , Seih al Barakat , Fiqain , Manah , Izz and Adam , Tanuf , Hamra , Misfah , Al Hota Cave and Sharfat al Alamayn , Wadi Ghul, Jebel Shams, Wadi Nakhr Gorge (The Grand Canyon) and Falcon's View , Bahla , Jebel Kawr and Al Ghafat

Chapter 8 The Sharqiya
Getting there , Tour operators , Where to stay , Where to eat , Other practicalities , What to see and do , Along the inland route from Muscat to Sur , Al Rawdah , Akhdar , Samad , Lizq , Al Mudaybi , Sinaw , Ibra , Al Mudayrib , Al Mintirib , Wahiba Sands , Wadi Bani Khaled , As Saleel Natural Park , Jalaan Bani Bu Hassan , Jalaan Bani Bu Ali , Al Ashkhara , As Seelah , Along the coastal route from Muscat to Sur , Wadi Dayqah , Dibab and the sinkhole , Bimah and Umq , Fins to Tiwi , Shaab and Tiwi , Qalhat , Sur , Al Ayjah , Ras al Hadd , Ras al Jinz , Masirah Island

Chapter 9 Al Wusta
Where to stay and eat , The Arabian Oryx Sanctuary , Muscat to Salalah , The Hallaniyat Islands

Chapter 10 Dhofar
History , The Dhofaris , Getting there , Getting around , Tour operators , Where to stay , Where to eat , Other practicalities , What to see and do , Salalah , Taqa , Khor Rori and Sumharam , Mirbat , Jebel Samhan , Sadah , Halaniyat Islands , [may be deleted from ch 10 as already in ch 9] Thumrait , Shisr and Ubar , Wadi Andhur , West of Salalah , Mughsail , Raykut

Appendix 1Language

Appendix 2 Glossary

Appendix 3 Further Reading

Index