Oman’s unique blend of natural wonders

Oman’s unique blend of natural wonders
By Euronews
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From coconut fringed beaches and crystal clears seas to rocky mountains and a desert straight from one thousand and one nights, Oman’s landscape

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From coconut fringed beaches and crystal clears seas to rocky mountains and a desert straight from one thousand and one nights, Oman’s landscape surprises at every turn. The first episode of Oman Life travels through the country, exploring its most stunning scenery.

The south of the country is also known as the “Caribbean of the Orient”. Every summer the Dhofar region around the city of Salalah catches some Monsson rains and turns into a green paradise. And when it rains, the nearby valley reveals its stunning beauty. The natural park Wadi Darbat straddles the hills.

Musallam Hassan Masoud, a desert guide, said, “When you come from the desert you can’t believe it. There is water, a lake, there is greenery. There is a beautiful canyon, which you couldn’t imagine on the Arabian Peninsula.”

But the region is also famous for frankincense. Bedouin Ahmed Mohammed Hawas has been tending his trees for 30 years. When he cuts the bark, the white sap becomes pearls of Frankincense resin. “These trees are very precious to us. They are our national treasure,” he said. “Some of the Frankincense is used for perfume, some for medicine and some is used against bad spirits.”

With the enchanting “Scent of Oman” wafting us along, we continued the journey, going north to another green paradise: the “Jabel Akhdar” mountains, also called the “Green Mountain”. Clinging to vertiginous cliffs were orchards growing figs, peaches, apples, roses and pomegranates.

It’s all possible because of the 4,000-year-old UNESCO world heritage irrigation system Falaj. These ancient water channels are an ecological marvel;sending water run through the villages using the natural slopes.

At the foot of the mountain Said Al-Shureiky ensures the water keeps flowing. As a Waqil he is responsible for distributing water to more than 10,000 people. “We’ve distributed water since the ancient times, and we still do it the same way,” he said. “I learned the job from my elders.”

From the “Alps of Oman” to the sands of the Sharqiya desert, locals and tourists alike love driving up and down the dunes. They’re up to 200 metres high. They say it’s an adrenaline packed experience, almost like being at sea in a storm.

The fabulous dunes stretch to the edge of the Indian Ocean. The desert is more than 6,000 years old and home to the Bedouins. Salma Al-Wahaibi and her family have lived here all their lives. She wants to keep their heritage alive and pass on her knowledge to the next generation. She says they have maintained their traditions including keeping camels and sheep, just like it was in the past.

In the next edition of “Oman Life” we’ll explore the country’s rich marine life and witness a unique natural wonder: we watch the eggs of the endangered green turtle being laid and then hatching.

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