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Muscat, Oman |
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Fast Facts: |
Fairytale gateway to the
splendors of the Sultanate of Oman; a must-see stop on any cruise
to the Middle East |
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Coordinates: |
23° 61' N 58° 54′ E |
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Population: |
730,000 |
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Official
language: |
Arabian;
English spoken everywhere |
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Currency: |
Rial; Euro and US Dollar
accepted |
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Time: |
UTC+4
(Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat) |
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Best
time to visit: |
November - April |
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Don't
miss: |
The
stunning desert, the friendly locals, the wadis and the exotic
city of Muscat |
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ShipParade link: |
AIDAcara -
Persian Gulf (2007) |
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Useful link: |
Oman Tourism
(official site) |
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Muscat climate chart
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Metric |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
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Avg.
high (C) |
25 |
26 |
29 |
34 |
39 |
40 |
38 |
36 |
36 |
35 |
30 |
27 |
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Avg. low
(C) |
17 |
17 |
21 |
24 |
29 |
31 |
30 |
28 |
27 |
24 |
21 |
18 |
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Avg.
precip. (mm) |
12.7 |
25.4 |
15.2 |
17.8 |
7.6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7.6 |
12.7 |
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English/US |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
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Avg.
high (F) |
77 |
79 |
85 |
94 |
103 |
104 |
101 |
97 |
97 |
95 |
86 |
80 |
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Avg. low
(F) |
63 |
63 |
69 |
76 |
84 |
87 |
86 |
83 |
81 |
76 |
69 |
65 |
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Avg.
precip. (in) |
05.0 |
1.00 |
0.60 |
0.70 |
0.30 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.30 |
0.50 |
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Muscat photos |
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First observation after setting
off in a convoy of 4WD's: Oman is different. Ruled by a
Sultan, this country has remained loyal to its heritage, while
at the same time enjoying all the benefits of the oil boom.
Another observation: the people here are well dressed, well
groomed and very friendly. As we leave the city of Muscat, the
desert landscape takes over. There's our first camel of the
day! Photo © 2007 Bart de Boer |
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We make a brief stop at the Wadi
Bani Khalid, an oasis hidden in a barren mountain range.
Indiana Jones, eat your heart out! Photo © 2007 Bart de Boer
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With its palm trees, green water
and clear blue skies overhead, this place is like a fairy
tale. Photo © 2007 Bart de Boer |
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Beautiful Omani women. Photo © 2007 Bart de Boer |
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Next stop: the Wahiba Sands,
Oman's version of the Sahara desert. The desert is still home
to nomads, who breed camels here. Our 4WD's race through the
desert - an exhilarating ride! Photos © 2007 Bart de Boer |
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Yeah!! There we go, slippin' and
slidin' down a giant sand dune. This is SO much fun! Photo ©
2007 Bart de Boer |
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Everything you would expect of a
desert ... and more! Photo © 2007 Bart de Boer |
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We end our unforgettable day with
a delicious lunch (including camel kebab), served in a desert
tent camp. After lunch, it's a good 2½ hour drive back to
Muscat and our ship. We will be back!
Photos © 2007 Ilona Lafleur |
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