The Spirit of the World ( On and Off)
A Land of Contradictions
The Sultanate of Oman on the Arabian peninsula is some what of an enigma It shares the peninsula with Yemen and Saudi Arabia and currently should be in the middle of huge military conflict. However, Sultan Qaboos, the longest serving leader in the Middle East, has managed to keep his country a neutral entity in the region. Not an easy task, I would say.One reason is that the people of Oman practice the Ibadi School of Islam not Sunni or Shia. The Sultan also provides free education and medical care for the citizens.
It is a peaceful and welcoming country to explore. I just read comments by readers of the The Oman Times, the newspaper of the country. Solo female travellers wrote that they felt perfectly safe in the country. That's a very difficult thing to say of anywhere in the world. I can echo that feeling along with saying it was one of the most relaxing road trips I have experienced.
However, on the other end of the spectrum, are reports of torture of dissidents, laws forbidding criticism of the Sultan, and poor treatment of foreign workers. After all, Oman participated to a large degree in slave trading. They once ruled Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean, now part of Tanzania.
Muscat, the capital city, is one of the most beautiful cities I have seen. The harbor and the lantern-lined boulevards that lead to the harbor from this hillside are uncluttered, well planned and magnificent. This Mosque named after the Sultan in located on the highest hill in the city.
If you should ever need a guide, this guide gives quality and caring service. www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009409804193&__tn_...
A Land of Contradictions
The Sultanate of Oman on the Arabian peninsula is some what of an enigma It shares the peninsula with Yemen and Saudi Arabia and currently should be in the middle of huge military conflict. However, Sultan Qaboos, the longest serving leader in the Middle East, has managed to keep his country a neutral entity in the region. Not an easy task, I would say.One reason is that the people of Oman practice the Ibadi School of Islam not Sunni or Shia. The Sultan also provides free education and medical care for the citizens.
It is a peaceful and welcoming country to explore. I just read comments by readers of the The Oman Times, the newspaper of the country. Solo female travellers wrote that they felt perfectly safe in the country. That's a very difficult thing to say of anywhere in the world. I can echo that feeling along with saying it was one of the most relaxing road trips I have experienced.
However, on the other end of the spectrum, are reports of torture of dissidents, laws forbidding criticism of the Sultan, and poor treatment of foreign workers. After all, Oman participated to a large degree in slave trading. They once ruled Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean, now part of Tanzania.
Muscat, the capital city, is one of the most beautiful cities I have seen. The harbor and the lantern-lined boulevards that lead to the harbor from this hillside are uncluttered, well planned and magnificent. This Mosque named after the Sultan in located on the highest hill in the city.
If you should ever need a guide, this guide gives quality and caring service. www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009409804193&__tn_...