Today we went on a long trip, but we had our fantastic driver/guide’Ahmed’ from Zahara tours. Ahmed is Omani and he delighted in explaining Omani Culture and History. For example: Did you know that Oman is ranked as the ninth safest country in the world, according to the World Economic Forum? (With Finland rated as the safest followed by Qatar and the UAE). Omanis above the age of 22 years old, are entitled to subsidised land. Oman is a rich country, being an oil producing nation, and the Omani’s love their ruler, Sultan Quaboos bin Said al Said. Unfortunately he is already 76 years old and has no children, so everyone wonders what will happen if the Sultan passes away.
We visited Nizwa and walked through the ancient capital of Oman, visited the fort and the air-conditioned souks and tried some delicious dates and ‘kahwa’, Omani coffee flavored with cardamom.Then we went up the mountain to Jebel Shams. The name means ‘Sun mountain’ and the highest point lies at 3010 meters. They call it the Grand Canyon. On the way back we made some more stops and returned to the hotel safely after a 500 km long drive. But it was worth it!!!
Tomorrow an early visit of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and two more site visits at the Bustan Palace and the Shangri-La.
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