|
|
Join me, Trygve Harris, on an epic aromatic journey throughout time to the ancient Frankincense route of southern Arabia. The Sultanate is pristine and beautiful with austere magnificent deserts, rugged mountains, and the warm clear turquoise of the Arabian sea licking Oman's immaculate white sand beaches.  Over the course of 2 weeks we will travel throughout Southeastern Arabia, visiting local bazaars, including the famous Hafa Frankincense Souq of Salalah, the Muttrah Souq in Muscat, and the Friday livestock market at Nizwa. We will visit Frankincense trees, both the coastal and desert varieties, the ancient Dhow Shipyards at Sur, the tiny Rose harvest on Jebel Akhtar, and, of course, the Desert, where we will camp with the Bedouin.
All accommodation will be in lovely 4 and 5 star hotels with full amenities. There will be two nights of camping, one at a traditional Bedouin camp in the romantically beautiful Wahiba Sands, and one on the beautiful and remote Dhofar coast, near Hasik. You can see a picture of this area, just here above.
This trip is tentatively scheduled for April 27-May 10, 2008 so as to be sure to coordinate with the rose harvest, which is very short.
We are still working out details, so if you have any questions, please send me, Trygve, an email:
oman@enfleurage.com
|
|
Answers to some immediate questions you might have.
Is Oman safe for Americans? And are we welcome?
Yes. And yes. I have spent about 10 weeks there in the past 2 years and have found Oman to be an oasis of serenity and calm. Omanis are famous for their hospitality and generosity. Also, there is a differentiation made between American people and the government. No one hates us. You will most likely be surprised and touched by the warm welcome.
Do I have to wear a burka? No, of course not. You are a foreigner and guest and no one will expect you to dress like that. But Omanis dress conservatively, so you should as well, no bare shoulders or shorts for men or women. So, anything else is fine. As it will be hot, cotton is an excellent choice of fabric and anything loose fitting is going to be much more pleasant.
What about food? Omani cuisine is pretty simple and basic rice or bread and meat or fish. There is also plenty of Indian food available, and Lebanese is very popular as well. Each of our hotels serves Continental cuisine in any case and we can accommodate special needs. I am vegetarian and there has never been an issue at all. There are even American fast food franchises in Muscat so any and all should be accommodated with no problem. For more information on Omani food and customs, please visit Traditional Omani Food
What about shots? Are there any special health precautions? No shots necessary. Any prescription medicines should be brought with you, naturally, but there are international standard clinics and hospitals in the Sultanate. While these are free to Omani nationals, it's a good idea to make sure your policy will cover you abroad if necessary. Bottled water is plentiful and there are no hygiene issues Oman is almost compulsively clean and tidy in every way. For more information please visit the World Health Organization
What kind of documentation do I need? You need a passport with at least 6 months validity left on it. For Americans, visas can be obtained at Seeb Airport upon entry, or you can apply for a visa ahead of time at the UN Mission in New York or the embassy in Washington. If you don't have a passport, you can apply for one at the post office if there is no passport agency near you. US Passport Agency
Will I be able to bring stuff back with me? Aromatics? Souvenirs? Absolutely. Oman has a huge tradition of crafts of all kinds. Frankincense and other incenses will present no problem at customs. Flying with large amounts of essential oils is problematic these days, but otherwise you should be fine. Whatever you buy; aromatics, incense burners, textiles, silver and copper work, woodwork, even Omani weaponry will be no problem at all with the exception of some antique daggers, with hilts made of rhino horn. For more infomation, please visit the US Customs Website US Customs For other nationalities, please check with your own governments.
What are these pictures?The top picture here is the lovely coast near Hasik, where the Howjary gum comes from. We'll be camping there for a night.
The next one is a stout and weathered frankincense tree in the desert at Wadi Dowkah.
The next photo is one of the frankincense stores at the Haffa Souq in Salalah.
Then we have a close up of some of the frankincense qualities available. You can buy a pre-weighed bag, or in bulk, like at one of our grocery stores.
This mountain picture is the village of Al-Aqr, on Jebel Akhtar. Roses and fruit grow here on these mountains terraces. We will be getting a good and close-up look at this tiny harvest.
|
Itinerary
Day 1 (April 27) - arrivals all day and evening. Check in to Beach Hotel, decompress.
Day 2 (April 28) - Sightseeing in Muscat-Old Muscat, Muttrah Souq, Beit al Zubair, Welcome dinner at Mumtaz Mahal-Overnight at Oman Beach Hotel
Day 3 (April 29) - Spend day in Muscat-Seeb , sightseeing, Amouage perfumery, Sultan Qaboos Mosque, - Dinner and Shisha at local restaurant-overnight at Oman beach Hotel.
Day 4 (April 30) - after Breakfast, Drive to Jebel Akhtar-arrive Jebel Akhtar Hotel in early afternoon-visit rose terraces, walk between Al-Aqr and Al-Ayn, see distillations. Dinner and Overnight at Jebel Al Akhtar Hotel.
Day 5 (May 1)-- Morning visit to local Souq, optional drive to the juniper forest. Drive to Nizwa and check in Falaj Daris hotel. Nizwa city tour in late afternoon/evening. Possible visit to Jabrin Fort. Dinner and overnight at Falaj Daris. Relaxing poolside.
Day 6 (May 2) - Morning Souq in Nizwa, Livestock market. Drive to Wahiba Sands desert camp. Evening dune drive, camel ride, traditional Bedouin evening’Äôs entertainment. Overnight there in traditional Bedouin camp.
Day 7 (May 3) - Early Morning desert exploration. Drive to Sur-See Dhow factory-drive along coast road back to Seeb-stopping for sightseeing, swimming-take 20:20 flight to Salalah. Check into Crowne Plaza. Dinner and Overnight there.
Day 8 (May 4) - Chill in Salalah-City Tour--Drive to Wadi Dowka frankincense park to cavort with the desert (Nedjdi) Frankincense trees-El Baleed ruins of old frankincense route port-Evening in Al Haffa Frankincense Souq. Dinner and overnight at Crowne Plaza. Henna treatments will be arranged if desired.
Day 9 (May 5) - Drive along the Dhofar coast to Hasik, frankincense Howjary area-visiting Historical places along the ancient frankincense route: Khor Rori, Mirbat, Hadbeen, and through the Jebel Samhan Nature Reserve. Overnight camping and cookout on the beach near Hasik-see whatever stage of frankincense production or transportation is possible here. Snorkling, diving, fishing, as liked.
Day 10 (May 6) - Drive back to Salalah. Check into Crowne plaza. Afternoon at leisure-opportunites for Henna. Bakhoor demonstration if possible. Relaxing at beach, pool.. Evening at Haffa souq-frankincense and bakhur. Overnight at Crowne
Day 11 (May 7) - Drive west towards Yemen-Mughsayl Blow hole, Jobs Tomb, Raysut frankincense trees. Picnic lunch in Mountains. Return in afternoon-leisure at Crowne, Dinner and Overnight at Crowne. Activities here open depending on interest.
Day 12 (May 8) - Free day in Salalah-Beach, pool, gardens, trips into the city, etc. Overnight at Crowne plaza
Day 13 (May 9) - departure for Muscat, Dubai, etc. from Salalah Airport
|
|
|
|
