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Oman

The Sultanate of Oman (Arabic: سلطنة عُمان) is on the eastern side of the Arabian Peninsula. Under the radar of most visitors to the Gulf, Oman is peaceful and prosperous, with amazing natural sights and hospitable people.

Regions
Oman has two exclaves separated from it by the United Arab Emirates, the Musandam Peninsula and Madha.

Cities

 * - the historic capital and largest city
 * - oasis town which is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site
 * - border crossing town adjacent to Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates
 * - gateway to the Wahiba Sands
 * - adjoining the capital city and just as historic
 * - contains one of the best-known forts in Oman
 * - the south, which is almost tropical at the time of the Kareef
 * - one of the legendary homes of Sindbad
 * - where dhows are still made by hand

Other destinations

 * - a majestic range, the highest in the Arabian Peninsula, which stretches into the United Arab Emirates.
 * - tiny exclave of Oman completely surrounded by the United Arab Emirates
 * - a real desert island experience awaits on this haven for turtles and other wildlife
 * - a rocky exclave on the Straits of Hormuz with some magnificent wadis
 * - massive rolling dunes as far as the eye can see

Understand
Until Sultan Qaboos bin Said exiled his father, the previous Sultan, in 1970, Oman was an under-developed nation, almost completely closed to visitors and badly manipulated by the British, although never annexed. After the accession of Qaboos, education, public works and tourism took off throughout Oman.

Omanis are friendly people and very helpful to visitors. In turn, tourists should respect the ways and traditions of the Omani people.

Omanis are proud of their country's rapid progress and of their heritage as one of the great seafaring nations. Excellent schools and hospitals, good governance, and on-going infrastructure improvements are all important characteristics of this once introverted and closed nation.

History
The oldest known human settlement in Oman dates to the Stone Age.

Sumerian tablets refer to a country called Magan, a name thought to refer to Oman's ancient copper mines. The present-day name of the country is believed to originate from the Arab tribes who migrated to its territory from the Uman region of Yemen. Many tribes settled in Oman making a living by fishing, herding or stock breeding and some present day Omani families are able to trace their ancestral roots to other parts of Arabia.

From the 6th century BCE to the arrival of Islam in the 7th century CE, Oman was controlled or influenced by three Persian dynasties: the Achaemenids, Parthians and Sassanids. By about 250 BCE the Parthian dynasty brought the Persian Gulf under their control and extended their influence as far as Oman and established garrisons in Oman. In the third century CE the Sassanids succeeded the Parthians and held the area until the rise of Islam four centuries later.

Centuries after the rise of Islam, Oman became a sultanate under a maritime empire and maintained links with the Portuguese and British Empires. In the 19th century, the Omani Empire reached its height under Sayyid Said bin Sultan. In 1970, following influence with the United Kingdom, Oman became a modern nation under Sultan Qaboos ibn Said until his death in 2020.

In the 21st century, Oman is positioning itself as a hub for diplomacy in the Middle East, having played an important role in mediating the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023.

Climate
The climate generally is very hot, with temperatures reaching 54°C (129°F) in the summer, from May to October.

Annual rainfall in Muscat averages 100 mm (3.9 in), falling mostly in the winter. Dhofar is subject to the southwest monsoon, and rainfall up to 640 mm (25.2 in) has been recorded in the rainy season from June to September.

While the mountain areas receive more plentiful rainfall, some parts of the coast, particularly near the island of Masirah, sometimes receive little to no rain at all within the course of a year.

Read

 * Explorer Publishing, Oman Off-road: 26 Adventurous Routes. Given the dearth of available topo and road maps for the country, this book is indispensable for visitors looking to explore Oman's most outstanding sights, many of which are off the tarmac. Routes and points of interest are described in detail, with satellite imagery and GPS coordinates. Outside of the Gulf region the book may be difficult to find, but it is usually in stock at the bookshop in the arrivals terminal at the Muscat airport, as well as in select bookshops in the city and in the UAE, where it is published.

Religion
Officially Oman is a Muslim state, and the Sultan and the vast majority of Omanis are Ibadi Muslims. However, Oman is a very tolerant country; there is a significant Sunni minority in Salalah, Sur and the northern parts of Oman and active Shiite communities in Muscat, Suhar, Al- Khabourah and Saham. Hindus have their temples in Muscat and one is said to be at least 350 years old.

People
Omani citizens make up the majority of Oman's total population and consist of many different ethnic groups. Oman is home to its shipbuilders, who over the passage of time, have mastered the design of wooden trading ships.

Visitor information

 * Oman Tourism website

Talk
Arabic is the national language, but most Omanis will speak good to excellent English, and particularly so in major tourist areas and cities. An English-speaking traveller should have no language difficulties unless he or she really travels "off the beaten track".

The historical presence of Indian traders has meant that Hindi or Urdu will be understood in some urban areas. In the southern Dhofar region, a Semitic language called "Jibbali" is spoken. Swahili, and Baluchi are languages spoken by ethnic minorities in Oman, especially in the capital Muscat. The presence of a large number of expatriates from the Indian state of Kerala, has made Malayalam a prominent language.

Visas
Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) may enter Oman without a visa and stay indefinitely.

A single entry visa can be obtained upon arrival at any air, land or sea terminal by citizens of the following countries:

The 30-day visa costs 20 rials, 10-day one - 5 rials. You can pay online before arrival at the Royal Oman Police e-visa website or at MCT airport where you need to get the visa from the money changers which add a 1 rial commission. Your passport should be valid for no less than 6 months from the date of arrival. Any visa fees can be paid using UAE dirhams at a rate of ten dirhams to one Omani rial. At the airports, visa fees can be paid in any Gulf Co-operation Council currency, euros, and US dollars.
 * EU citizens and other Europeans including nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and Vatican City but not Cyprus and Malta.
 * Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, China, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Moldova, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Oman has a common visa facility with the Emirate of Dubai. If you pass through Dubai immigration and are granted a visa to Dubai for at least 3 weeks, you will then be entitled to a free-of-charge visa for 3 weeks to Oman. You will need to show your passport stamp from Dubai to the Omani immigration officers. Visas are sold by private businesses at some ports of entry and these people may not be familiar with this and will try to convince you that you need to buy a visa from them. If it is your first visit to that particular port of entry, it may be difficult to know how to navigate past these people. If you make it to an immigration officer they will be familiar with the visa fee waiver and allow you to enter without paying. The countries benefiting from this type of visa are: Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy, Britain, Sweden, Greece, Austria, Ireland, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Belgium, Norway, The Netherlands, Denmark, South Korea, Japan, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Vatican City, Monaco, Andorra, and San Marino.

This scheme is with the Emirate of Dubai only and not with other emirates of the UAE, therefore, if you enter the UAE via Abu Dhabi or elsewhere, then your UAE visa will be granted by some other emirate and while this allows you to travel within the UAE and to Dubai, the Omani visa fee will not be waived.

Citizens of Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia can apply for a one-month visit visa only at air terminals.

The visa can be extended another month by submitting your passport to the Royal Omani Police in Muscat, however there is one line, and the wait can be as long as 2 hours. The concept of personal distance is different in the Middle East than it is in Europe. Queue jumping may be a problem for Europeans unless you set aside that personal distance concept. If you are on a budget and need to extend your visa, consider taking a trip to the United Arab Emirates. Buses are 10-12 rials return. A same-day round trip flight to Sharjah on Air Arabia costs about 50 rials. Even a taxi would be an option. Visa is not required for nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states and a short stay visa will be granted on arrival to residents of GCC member states and regardless of nationality.

GCC expatriate residents are granted a visit visa valid for up to 4 weeks (extendable by 1 week) for a fee of 5 rials.

Customs
It is prohibited to bring firearms, narcotics or pornographic publications into Oman. Non-Muslims are permitted to bring two litres of alcohol into the country at Muscat International Airport only. You are not allowed to bring alcohol into the country in private cars at land border crossings.

By plane
Virtually all international flights arrive at Muscat (Seeb) International Airport in Muscat. There are also regional international flights to Salalah. Purchasing a visa on arrival in Salalah can be quite difficult, as the airport is small and immigration officials tend not to have change for larger notes.

Oman Air is the flag carrier of Oman, operating an extensive network of flights around the Middle East and India, but only select destinations in Europe and Asia. Most large Middle Eastern and European airlines also fly to Muscat. The most frequent connections are via Dubai (DXB).

By boat
The port in Muscat is used by cruise ships. There are regular ferry and fastboat lines between island Masirah and Shannah port. Additionally, there are fastboats from Musadam peninsula and city Khasab and ferry port Shinas in Northern Oman. Schedule and booking on NFC Online page.

By car
There are multiple border crossings from the United Arab Emirates into Oman some of which are listed below:
 * Hatta border at Wadi Hatta and Al-Wajajah (this crossing can only be used by GCC Nationals)
 * Wadi Jizzi between Sohar and Buraimi,
 * Jebel Hafret leading to Ibri and Nizwa,
 * Khatmat Milahah from Fujairah
 * from Ras al Khaimah emirate to Bukha/Musadam
 * from Fujeirah emirate to Dibba/Musadam.
 * Al Ain (Abu Dhabi) 3 border posts, (Khattm Al Shiklah) street border post (serving expatriates)

Driving directions and border crossing from Abu Dhabi to Muscat- For Abu Dhabi residents crossing to Oman, there are 3 border posts in Al Ain - Buraimi Border post (reserved exclusively for GCC Nationals)), Hilli Border post (also exclusively for GCC Nationals) and Khatam Al Shukla street border post (serving expatriates, you will not find any traffic signal in the city indicating the direction of the border).

Roads are excellent and the border crossing is quite easy. Don't forget to bring along some cash, as you have to pay for the visa to enter Oman, and also, as of 2019, many petrol stations, especially in southern Oman, take only cash. If you are taking a car from the UAE into Oman, you will need to produce evidence at the border that the car is insured in Oman. There is a departure tax of 35 UAE dirhams when leaving the UAE by car, and an 2 rials tax when leaving Oman by road.

Weekends and public holidays are very busy at the various borders that UAE shares with Oman as residents and visitors cross into Oman for tourism purposes as well as visa runs. Crossing during the work week (Sunday to Thursday) will avoid much of the crowds.

Additionally, make sure that your passport is stamped with the relevant entry and exit stamps. This should go without saying, but some border officials will forget part of the procedure and cause administrative hassles later. Additionally, crossing from Oman to the UAE is often a chaotic business, so it is easier to miss out on the all-important stamp than one might expect.

Crossing from Oman to Yemen is significantly more challenging, and those of an adventurous bent should familiarise themselves very carefully with the regulations regarding that border. In previous years, there has been a law that no solo female travellers can exit Oman to Yemen. Additionally, bear in mind that the easternmost parts of Yemen are exceptionally remote.

While a border (unmarked) exists between Oman and Saudi Arabia, this is a very inadvisable crossing, as it involves going through most (if not all) of the Empty Quarter and there are no permanent roads.

By bus
There is a regular bus service between Muscat and Dubai in the UAE. There are private operators as well as the state owned Mwasalat (formerly Oman National Transport Company) and the ride (which usually takes between 4 and 5 hours) is quite comfortable, thanks to the excellent roads.

Mwasalat operates the Dubai to Muscat and Dubai to Salalah routes. The bus to Muscat departs from Al rigga road in Deira, Dubai at 07:15 and in the afternoon. The bus to Salalah departs at 15:00 from the same bus station. The tickets are bought at Al Manhal stationery by the bus stop and cost 55 UAE dirhams one way to Muscat (Dec 2010). The bus stop is hard to find, it is close to the Caravan restaurant and close to the Dnata building, the taxi drivers know where the bus stop is. To go to Nizwa you need to go with the Salalah bus. Dress warm for the bus ride and prepare for border control including baggage check! If you enter UAE through Dubai you don't need to pay for Visa for Oman, show your stamp at the border control.

By plane
Oman Air is the national carrier and flies regularly between the two airports in the country (Muscat/Seeb, and Salalah). Air Arabia offers flights to Salalah and Muscat from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

By bus
There are regular, daily bus services connecting the bigger cities within Oman (Muscat, Salalah, Sohar, Sur and Nizwa). There are several, daily bus services from Muscat to Dubai. There is one bus a day from Muscat to Abu Dhabi. For details see the pages of the Oman National Transport Company.

Mowasalat is state-operated public transportation company in Oman. The company operates bus lines which connect some of the major cities in Oman.

By taxi
All taxi drivers in Oman are Omani nationals as this is a protected profession. In Muscat there are call/telephone taxi services. Whilst safe and generally turn up when you want them to the costs are comparatively high. Look for "Hello Taxi" and "Muscat Taxi" amongst others.

The orange-badged taxis are usually owner-operated, these are un-metered with negotiated fares before departure. If you get a very cheap price, then do not be surprised if the Taxi stops to add extra passengers unless you request for it to be private. You may ask for engaged, just say 'engaged taxi' to the driver, and you will pay for all the seats (4) and now have the taxi to yourself. Women must always sit alone in the back. This is for your own safety and comfort.

There are also mini-buses (Baisa buses), the principle is you share the bus or car with others and pay a lower price as a result. This is how women living in Oman travel if they must use public transport. Women should sit next to other women if there are any in the bus. Men should move to other seats. If they do not move immediately, simply stand at the door, looking at them expectantly. They will take the hint and move. Although this might feel strange to foreigners, it is expected behaviour for Omanis. Not sitting next to a man will avoid any unfortunate situations of mixed signals.

By car
Driving around Oman in your own (rented) car is quite easy. A four-lane road connects Muscat and Nizwa and a four-lane highway goes from Muscat to Sur (however, between Muscat and Quriyat it is still one lane each way through the mountains).

There are still large parts of the Sur - Muscat route that has no mobile phone signal. If you break down be prepared to wait it out. Or hitch a ride to the next town and find a mechanic to bring back to your vehicle.

Lovely seaside camping can be found between Muscat and Sur. Best to take the paved route to Sur, then over to Wadi Shab to find your way safely into this coastal road. If you intend to drive in wadis (unsealed valley roads in river beds) a 4WD is highly desirable. You can never be sure how the road will be and if it starts raining the wadis will turn into rivers quickly.

If at all possible, hire a 4-wheel drive. There is spectacular off-road driving to be had in Oman, and you will want to veer off the tarmac again and again.

Since about 2001 Oman has been experiencing severe flash flooding annually. The force of the water rushing down the rock hard treeless mountains do push even landcruisers off the road and upside down. Beware. If you see dark clouds or rain starts, find high dry ground, shelter and stay put. You can put a call into the local authorities to see if they can advise you better. The problem is the flash floods move quickly from town to town; it is easy to get trapped by washed out roads. Many wadi crossings have white and red poles to indicate when it is safe to cross the wadi in case of a flood. These are painted white on the bottom and red on top. If the water level reaches the red-painted part, do not attempt to cross, even in a 4WD.

If you managed to get a map of Oman regard it as how Oman would like to have the roads. Some roads might be drawn as well-built streets but are not even paved. Roads not visible on the map might just end and may even be painted till the end!

The typical rented car has a limit of 200-250 km per day. Prepare to pay and negotiate for extra kilometres. Monthly rates sometimes include unlimited kilometres.

Petrol in Oman is very cheap by European and even North American standards. As of June 2016 the price for regular petrol was approximately 0.17 rials per litre, even cheaper than in neighbouring United Arab Emirates.

In order to try and limit the rather frightening road death toll, the motorways/dual carriageways are littered with speed cameras. In the centre of Muscat they are every 2 km, not all look like they are active - but be warned. According to locals, the tolerance on the speed cameras is 19 km/h.

See
Oman is famous for its historic forts which are the country's most striking cultural landmarks. There are over 500 forts and towers which were the traditional defence and lookout points to deter potential invaders. Some of the best examples are in the capital, Muscat. Jalali and Mirani forts stand at the entrance to Muscat Bay and date from the early 16th century.

Bahla Fort at the base of the Djebel Akhdar highlands is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has 7 miles of walls. It was built in the 13th and 14th centuries when Bahla was a thriving oasis town.

Oman's rugged mountains offer some stunning scenery and probably the best opportunities for driving in dry wadis anywhere in the world. Many of the wadis have made roads (often unsurfaced but decent enough) while others require serious off-roading. You can easily get well off the beaten path into remote areas.

Huge desert dunes roll for as far as the eye can see at Wahiba Sands.

Oman's beaches are major breeding locations for various species of sea turtle. Masirah Island is the perhaps best bet where four species breed, including the largest number of leatherbacks anywhere in the world.

The country has vast expanses of desert, hundreds of kilometres of uninhabited coastline, and mountains of over 2,740 m (9,000 feet).

Do

 * Drive off-road to explore Oman's most outstanding sights.
 * Go scuba diving off the coast of Oman in places like Masirah.
 * Visit tribal Bedouin villages in the Musandam Exclave.
 * Take a cruise on a dhow, an Omani/Emirati traditional fishing boat.

Money
The currency in Muscat is the Omani rial, denoted by the symbol "ريال" (ISO currency code OMR). Wikivoyage uses "RO" to remote the currency. One rial is made up of one thousand baisa (also written baiza, Arabic: بيسة). The Omani rial is tied to the US dollar at 1 rial = US$2.6008 making it one of the largest units of currency in the world; exchange rates on the streets are a percentage point or two lower.

Banknotes that circulate are in 0.100 rials (a small, green banknote and not to be confused with the 20-rial note), 0.500 ($1/undefined$) rial, 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50-rials. Coins in circulation in Oman come in denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 baisa.

There are ATMs at the airport and plenty of them in Muscat and every main town, although not all of them take foreign cards. You can change foreign currency at the counters inside the airport and at money exchanges throughout Oman.

Shopping
The Omani national symbol is the silver-sheathed dagger known as the khanjar. These vary widely in quality and cost, but almost every shop will stock several different models. Most of the modern ones are made by Pakistani or Indian craftsmen under Omani direction, while many are actually made in Wazirabad Pakistan or India. There is a large variety in quality, from the handles to the sheath. The best handles are made of silver-adorned sandalwood, while the lesser quality handles are made of resin. Look carefully at the sheath to determine the quality of the silver work. A good quality khanjar can cost more than 700 rials. Typically, those will come in a presentation box, and include a belt.

Another reminder of the country's tribal past is the walking stick known as arsaa. This is a cane with a concealed sword in it, which can prove quite a talking point at home. In many countries, it will prove a talking point with customs officials rather than friends and family. In Musandam, the khanjar is frequently replaced by the Jerz as formal wear, a walking stick with a small axe head as the handle.

Omani silver is also a popular souvenir, often made into rosewater shakers and small "Nizwa boxes" (named for the town from which they first came). Silver "message holders" (known as hurz, or herz), often referred to in souks as "old time fax machines" are often for sale as well. Many silver products will be stamped with "Oman" on them, which is a guarantee of authenticity. Only new silver items may be so stamped. There is a large quantity of 'old' silver available which will not be stamped. Although it may be authentic, stamping it would destroy its antique value. Caveat emptor are the watch words. Stick to reputable shops if you are contemplating buying antique Omani silver of any sort.

There is a wonderful selection of Omani silver available as jewellery as well. Items for sale in the Muttrah souk may not be genuine Omani items. Instead visit Shatti Al Qurm just outside of Muscat or the Nizwa Fort.

For any purchases of silver, knives, and sword-canes, make sure that you can legally import the amount you purchase back into your home country. Travelers thinking of bringing their purchases home via airplane should rather mail their purchases back, as it is usually an easier way since you won't have to cart the purchases around Oman or through security and customs.

The distinctive hats worn by Omani men, called "kuma", are also commonly sold, particularly in the Muttrah Souk in Muscat. Genuine kumas cost from 80 rials.

Frankincense is a popular purchase in the Dhofar region as the region has historically been a centre for production of this item. Myrrh can also be purchased quite cheaply in Oman.

As one might expect, Oman also sells many perfumes made from a great number of traditional ingredients. Indeed, the most expensive perfume in the world (Amouage) is made in Oman from frankincense and other ingredients, and costs around 50 rials. You can also find sandalwood myrrh and jasmine perfumes.

Opening hours during the holy month of Ramadan are very restricted. Supermarkets are less strict, but don't rely on being able to buy anything after iftar. At noon, most shops are closed anyway but this is not specific to Ramadan.

Using credit cards in shops is hit or miss. It is better to get cash at an ATM. Small denomination notes are hard to come by but necessary for bargaining. Unless you are in a supermarket, restaurant or mall bargaining is recommended, and this should be conducted politely.

Eat
Omani food tends to be simple but rewarding and filling. Rice is the main staple and so is bread. The national dish is called " Qabuli", consisting of; spiced rice, lamb or chicken, split peas and caramelized onions. It can be found in many restaurants across the country. Another popular dish is "shuwa" which consists of a whole roasted lamb wrapped around banana or palm leaves and marinated in a plethora of different spices, before being buried underground and cooked for an overnight. Shuwa is often served with plain rice but in some upscale restaurants it can be served as a sandwich with fries and ketchup. You have to try harees whenever possible, which is a porridge-like dish of cracked wheat, ghee, chicken or beef and some spices. With a long coastline, Oman has a rich seafood culture and freshly caught fish served with a salad and rice is not unheard of for lunch.

Street food is now becoming a trend. Make sure to try shawarma- strips of chicken or lamb grilled on a rotating spit, shaved and served in a wrap with an abundance of pickles, vegetables, tahini sauce (if lamb) or garlic sauce (if chicken) and French fries or deep fried chickpeas and beans balls called "falafel". They can be found in many street corner cafeterias for a very cheap price. For an authentic delicacy try barbecued meat marinated in tamarind and chili called "mishakeek". It can be bought from the stalls along just about any beach in Oman.

Omani sweets are well known throughout the region, with the most popular being "halwa". This is a hot, semi-solid substance which behaves a little like honey and is eaten with a spoon. The taste is similar to Turkish Delight. Omani dates are among the best in the world and can be found at every social place and at offices.

Luckily, you can find just about any cuisine in Oman. Be it Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Lebanese, Persian, Turkish, Tex-Mex or Indian; it's all there! American franchises like McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut and Papa John's are extremely popular, especially among the younger generations

Drink
Alcohol is available only in some restaurants and large hotels and is usually very expensive (ranging from 1.5 rials for a 500 ml Carlsberg to 4 rials). Drinking alcohol in public is prohibited, but you can get your own drinks and enjoy at public areas but in privacy such as camping by beaches, sands, mountains, or actually in any remote areas. Only foreign residents can buy alcohol from alcohol shops and with certain limits. But an alcohol black market is widely spread around the cities and alcohol can be found easily.

Foreigner travellers are allowed 2 litres of spirits as duty free baggage allowance. Visitors can buy spirits at the duty-free shop in the arrival lounge.

During Ramadan, drinking anything in public is prohibited, even for foreigners. Take care to drink in the privacy of your room.

Sleep
Oman has the full spectrum of accommodation - from ultra-luxurious hotels to extremely rustic huts in the desert constructed from date palm leaves.

Oman has been attempting to turn itself into something of a five-star destination for the well-heeled traveller, there are five five-star hotels in the capital. This does not pose a problem to the budget-minded in Muscat, and even outside of the capital there is still a range of budget options. In some parts of the country, however, accommodation may be limited to higher-end hotels and resorts.

Work
Working in Oman requires that you hold a residence permit. In common with other Gulf countries, you must be sponsored by an employer to obtain a residence permit. It's not uncommon for people to enter on a tourist visa then look for a job - this is fine. Penalties for the employer are substantial if they are caught employing illegals, although this naturally varies depending on how good their connections are.

The majority of positions are filled by expats from the sub-continent. Positions for Europeans tend to be restricted to upper management levels or specialised occupations, so don't expect to pick up a position as you pass through unless you are prepared to work for very little!

Stay safe
Homosexuality is a crime in Oman. LGBT tourists should be self-aware.

Driving in Muscat can sometimes be a problem, although this is due more to congestion than bad driving on the part of the locals. Outside of the major cities, a common driving risk is falling asleep at the wheel due to the long stretches of featureless desert. Driving in Oman calls for attention to the unexpected. It has 85.3 road fatalities per 100,000 motor vehicles, which is more than double the UAE and much higher than most European countries.

Omani drivers outside of the cities tend to drive very fast and pass with impunity. Driving at night is especially hazardous as many drivers fail to turn their headlights on, or are unaware of people crossing the road on foot for example on the road from Sohar to Muscat. Camels will walk into the road even if they see cars approaching, and collisions are often fatal for both camel and driver.

See the above section on driving in wadis for off-road safety.

Female travellers should be careful to dress modestly, as not to offend local customs.

Visiting gambling and adult sites is also a crime in Oman. Internet censorship in Oman is very serious, so you need to be careful to stay safe online.

Stay healthy
Bottled drinking (mineral) water is easily available at most stores. Tap water is generally safe; however, most Omanis drink bottled water and to be safe, you should too. 500ml bottles of water will generally cost 100bz in the majority of shops with a 1.5l bottle costing only 200bz.

Oman is warm year-round and summers can be extremely hot. Always carry drinking water with you and be wary of de-hydration in high temperatures. If you're not used to the heat it can sneak up on you and cause serious health problems.

Several people have tried to cross stretches of the Omani desert on their own in a rented 4WD. Some of these people have died or got rescued just in time.

Travelling through a desert requires proper preparation. It looks easy from a modern air-conditioned 4WD, but if that fails you are suddenly back to basics.

Never go off-road alone. A minimum of two to three cars (of the same make) is the rule. Leave your itinerary with a friend with clear instructions if you do not return in time. Take at least:
 * recovery tools: spades, rope (and attachments), sand mats or ladders
 * two spare tires and all required equipment
 * a good air pump (high capacity)
 * sufficient water (at least 25 litres more than you think you will need for drinking)
 * sufficient petrol: there are no petrol stations in the middle of nowhere.

If you have – or can get – a satellite phone, take it. (Mobile phones work only in limited areas.) Check your car before embarking on such a trip.

Respect
Before he died in 2020, Sultan Qaboos did more to develop the nation than any Arab leader, or most world leaders in recent history for that matter. Qaboos is held in the highest regard — even revered — by the vast majority of Omanis. Visitors should refrain from making any comments or statements that could be construed as disrespectful.

The Omanis are generally humble and down-to-earth people. The usual rules of respect when travelling in a Muslim country should be followed in Oman, even when locals appear to be a little less "uptight" than their neighbours. Homosexuality is illegal due to Islamic law but is practised with discretion; however as elsewhere in the Gulf it is taboo to discuss such topics.

While Omanis may not say anything to foreigners who dress in tight or revealing clothing, it is considered to be very disrespectful. Yes, some visitors push the goodwill of the Omanis in choosing their attire, but a little sensitivity goes a long way. A rule of thumb is that women should always keep shoulders, knees, and midriff covered, and avoid tight or revealing clothing. For men, shorts should be worn only for outdoor activities; longer shorts (i.e. at or below the knee) are fine in the city.

Staring is quite common in Oman; children, men and women are likely to stare at you simply for being a foreigner, especially if you travel off-season and in out-of-the-way places. This is not meant as an insult, it rather shows an interest, and a friendly smile will leave children giggling and showing off, and the adults happily trying out their few English phrases. Depending on which area of Oman you are in, smiling, though, may not be a good idea. In larger areas in which the locals have had excessive amounts of one-on-one experience with foreigners, smile away. Outside of Muscat and Salalah, it's not advised to smile at anyone of the opposite sex regardless of how friendly they are (save for tour guides) as nearly any interaction with the opposite gender (even holding doors open, picking up something that has fallen and handing it to the owner, eye contact, etc.) is viewed as flirtatious. It is especially important for Western women to take into account that an innocent smile saying, "I see you seeing me, do you need something" means "I'm interested, come closer" to most Omani men. They live in a heavily gender segregated society and so any chance they have to speak to the opposite gender is usually viewed as having at least semi-sexual overtones.

Under Omani law, an Omani can be taken to court for insulting another person, whether it is calling them an insulting name (one of the more common Arabic insults of "donkey," "dog," "pig," "sheep," etc.) or worse. Omanis, although "humble" are extremely sensitive to anything they perceive as criticism whether personal, national, or anything they perceive as being directed at the Gulf. Although Saudi Arabia is usually a fair target for jokes in the Arab world (especially in the Levant), Omanis don't take well to it. What Westerners would usually consider hypersensitive is fairly normal in Oman and due largely to the fact that Omanis have grown up in an environment in which criticism and name-calling is more or less outlawed. This is especially important to know for those who come to teach Omanis, unlike those from the Levant and parts of north Africa where teasing and intellectual "jousting" can be used as a form of building relationships or a sign of friendship, it doesn't work here and Omanis do not interpret it positively, save for those who have lived in the West or have worked with Westerners for extended periods of time.

As Oman is a member of the Arab League, its stance on Israel is one much like the other members, including the boycott. However, the Omani government was one of the first to recognize the existence of Israel, and has essentially been a liaison between the Arab League and Israel on multiple occasions, including setting up a meeting between the Israeli government and PLO leaders in the mid-2000s. Oman allows foreigners who travel to Israel to enter it for similar reasons, but it still participates in the boycott and holders of Israeli passports (citizens of Israel and dual-citizens of Israel and another country) aren't allowed entry. Due to this, the topic of Israel is best left undiscussed.

While Oman is very socially and politically liberal compared to its neighbors in the region, it remains an absolute monarchy where criticism of the Sultan is rare and the citizens can't elect direct leaders (they can elect representatives for certain positions, but the true power remains with the Sultan). On the flipside, most Omanis loved and/or respected Sultan Qaboos, so very few Omanis ever lodge any complaints. It is best for the traveller to avoid talking about the Sultan in a negative manner, and with Omani politics in general.

The "official" state religion, the Ibadi branch of Islam, is one of the most tolerant branches of Islam, in stark comparison to the Wahhabist Saudi Arabia. Ergo most Omanis will be open and accepting with travellers of other religions and creeds. However, Islam is still taken very seriously in Oman (not as much as in other states, though), so the traveller should refrain from making anti-Islamic comments or degrading Islam.

Connect
The country code for Oman is 968.

Dialling out from Oman you will need to dial 00 + International Code + Number

Dialling into Oman callers use +968 followed by an 8 digit number...

These 8-digit numbers generally start with a 9 if it is mobile number, and with 2 for land lines, though other numbers will eventually start to get used.

Pre-paid mobile SIMs are available from several counters at the airport arrivals area. Your passport details are required to register the SIM. Often the staff will be helpful in activating the SIM for use when you buy.

Cope
Visitors may be interested in the monthly English language lifestyle magazine, Oman Today, which is widely available in Oman.

title: Oman


text:
Omarama

Omarama is a small town in the Mackenzie Country of New Zealand's South Island that has more gliders parked in hangars than families tucked up safe at home. That's because it's one of the best places on the planet for setting sailplane records.

Its world famous gliding centre, where scenic glider flights into the Southern Alps are available, as well as a pilot training school, is 30 km south of Twizel and 100 km south of Mount Cook.

By car

 * Omarama is at the junction of State Highway 8 between Twizel and Cromwell, and SH83 from Oamaru. Drive times are 1.5 hours from Wanaka, 2.5 hours from Queenstown and 4.5 hours from Christchurch.

By (powered) plane

 * Christchurch has the nearest international airport.
 * Queenstown has the nearest major domestic airport.

By bus
Intercity (Newmans Coach Lines) have one coach per day from Christchurch and one from Queenstown.

See

 * Clay Cliffs, $5 per vehicle. 15-min drive through a natural heritage protected site looking at natural erosion that has occurred due to the Ostler fault.
 * Clay Cliffs, $5 per vehicle. 15-min drive through a natural heritage protected site looking at natural erosion that has occurred due to the Ostler fault.

Do
Gliding between September and April:
 * Canterbury Gliding Club operate from the airfield during January.
 * Hang Gliding, 0800 02 45433. Take an at least 20 minute flight over Omarama.
 * Canterbury Gliding Club operate from the airfield during January.
 * Hang Gliding, 0800 02 45433. Take an at least 20 minute flight over Omarama.

Eat

 * Kahu Café on the airfield, between the camping ground and the hangars. Coffee and meals.
 * The Wrinkly Rams Café. Omarama's best food and coffee. More info in the "See" section above.
 * The Wrinkly Rams Café. Omarama's best food and coffee. More info in the "See" section above.

Go next

 * South-west on Highway 8 to Wanaka and Cromwell in the Queenstown-Lakes district
 * North on Highway 8 to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park and Lake Tekapo
 * East on Highway 83 to Oamaru on the coast

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Omarama


text:
Omey Island

Omey is a tidal Island in Connemara off the coast of County Galway in the west of Ireland. From the mainland the island is inconspicuous and almost hidden: you could drive along the coast road and not even realise the island exists in the panoramic view below you. It's a stunning landscape with sand-dunes and rolling hills, a lake, boulders, grass, flowers, cows and rabbits.

Understand
When the sea surrounds the island the atmosphere changes as if everything is at peace and in harmony. Poets, philosophers, writers and artists have been inspired by this sensation. Omey is as much a part of the spirit of the community as the people are. This is a place of joy and sorrow, of life and death. Don’t be fooled into thinking that time stands still here. Everything is constantly moving and changing with shifting sands, water, rocks and skies. This is a mysterious place.
 * Connemara National Park website

Get in
First reach the mainland village of Claddaghduff, which is 12 km northwest of Clifden, with no public transport up the lane.

The strand from Claddaghduff to Omey Island is passable for about 3 hours either side of low water. Look this up on a tide predictor such as Easytide, using Clifden Bay as the base port, and Apr-Oct remember to factor in Daylight Saving Time. If you're hiking, be ready to start crossing soon after the water drops, since you want several hours to get around, and it's pointless coming to Omey if you have to keep glancing at your watch. With a car, maybe leave it an hour to dry out and minimise the salt spray into the vehicle. You don't need 4WD, but do stick to the marked route across.

See
There is an abundance of rabbits, birds and flowers and a virtually wild herd of cows roams freely. A bit closer to captivation an old donkey called Snowy patiently grazes a little field with an occasional carrot from his admirers.

Make sure to get to the two rock mounds on the highest point. Above the lake see if you can identify Love Heart Rock not far from the poet Richard Murphy’s Octagonal Retreat.

Bring a kite to catch the wind or some golf balls and clubs to meander to the head. Hire a bike or there’s pony trekking locally.The landscape is ever changing; no two photographs will be the same. There is some visible history including the Sunken Church, the Holy well and ancient middens.

Do
Walking, swimming, snorkelling, fishing, bring a boat or canoe? You’ll amaze yourself at how much entertainment you can squeeze out of one little sandy island. Before long you’ll find yourself collecting yellow shells or white quartz stones. When was the last time you caught a crab? Explore the shore and rock pools at low tide. Boulder hopping, how’s your balance?

Watch the sun set or the tide close or the moon rise.

 * Cleggan Riding Centre sometimes visit to trek along the beach, see Clifden for details.

 * Omey Races are held on the beach in early August, timings depend on the tides.

Buy

 * Sweeney’s in Claddaghduff has a bar with food, post office, general store and filling station.
 * Omey Island Map + Guide + DVD, by Sean Corcoran, may be available in Clifden bookshop; it's not available on Amazon.
 * Omey Island: A Geological and Human History, by Heather Greer, 1st edn 2018. Cleggan: Connemara Doorstep Publishing. And see County Galway for other publications.

Eat

 * There's nothing here beyond what you bring. Sweeney's on the mainland does bar food, if you can reach it.

Drink
With your toes in the sand and the tide closed behind you, share a bottle of wine with the setting sun. There’s often music on in Sweeney’s Bar on the mainland so make sure to catch up with your neighbours for a sing-song!

Sleep

 * There are two houses available for self-catering on Omey Island. Or you could camp, with tent or camper van.

Connect
As of June 2020, Eir has mobile outdoor coverage on the island but not 4G; Three has decent 4G and Vodafone is scratchy. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * From nearby Cleggan you can take a ferry to Inishbofin Island.
 * Letterfrack further up that road is the usual access point for Connemara National Park.
 * Clifden is going to feel like a bustling metropolis after Omey, and as for Galway city....

title: Omey Island


text:
Omiš

Omiš is an old city located on the Adriatic Coast in Dalmatia, Croatia.

By plane
Take a flight to Split Airport and then get a bus to Omiš.

By bus
You can use services from frequent buses that come in and go from Split, Makarska, Sibenik, Dubrovnik, Rijeka, Mostar. Local bus line 60 departs from Sukoišanska bus terminal in Split every 30 minutes; the bus stops by the Green Market near the end of the Riva in Split (get the bus on the southbound side of Zagrebacka Ul. if boarding here) and then follows the coast road to Omiš. A one-way ticket to Omiš costs €3 (available in bus), while a round-trip ticket costs around €5 and can be bought only at kiosks.

By taxi
There is taxi-van service that can be used from Split and Makarska.

By boat
There is a ferry service from Ancona, Italy. Take a ferry to the Port of Split and then use the bus to get to Omiš.

There are local boats that run several times a day from Islands of Brac, Hvar, Korčula and Vis. Take them to Split and then use the bus or taxi service to get to Omiš.

Get around
You can get around the city by car, local taxi and bus service, or tourist trolley. You can also rent a bike or moped from tourist agencies. However most people find it sufficiently comfortable to get around on foot, because Omiš is relatively small city.

See

 * Visit the historic churches of Omiš
 * Beautiful city beach (Velika Plaza)
 * The city museum and harbour
 * Beautiful city beach (Velika Plaza)
 * The city museum and harbour

Do

 * Listen to the Festival of Dalmatian Klapas
 * Participate in summertime activities the Fishing Nights, Crazy Dives and Pirates Nights
 * Take a trip up to the canyon of Cetina. Information on organised boat trips is hard to come by, but touts on the main road bridge over the river will be sure to usher you toward a boat. Boats leave once they have filled up, and a trip takes 1-1½ hours. Expect to pay at least 10euros.
 * Go rafting on the beautiful river Cetina
 * Take a ferry trips to the islands of Brac and Hvar
 * Go and visit the city of Makarska, Split, Solin and Trogir and enjoy the beauty of old architecture.
 * Visit surrounding places (Nemira, Stanici, Lokva, Duce, Dugi Rat)
 * Go to the basketball, soccer, and water polo games
 * Do canyoning in Zadvarje (30 km from Omis)

Buy

 * Traditional folklore clothes
 * Omiš post cards
 * Handmade sculptures with city symbols
 * Traditional Croatian schnaps

Eat

 * Try Dalmatinski Prsut-Dalmatian smoked ham (ham smoked and dry on specific way)
 * Fritule and Krostule (home made cookies)
 * Jela ispod peke (meals prepared in the traditional way at the local restaurants)
 * Local sea-food specialties
 * Restaurant "Puljiz" old town: fresh fish, lobsters, steaks, not expensive, long tradition, terrace, always fresh food.

Drink

 * Rakija: hard alcohol made either from grapes or plums
 * Prosek: sweet liquor

Sleep

 * There are apartments for rent located all over the city that are relatively inexpensive.

Go next

 * Ruskamen

title: Omiš


text:
Omihachiman

Ōmihachiman (近江八幡市) is a city in Shiga prefecture, Japan.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a partly multilingual guide site.

By train
Ōmihachiman is on the JR Main Line, also called the JR Biwako Line between Kyoto and Maibara, which are the closest Shinkansen stops. JR Ōmihachiman is about 30 min from Kyoto and 20 min from Maibara.

By car
From the Meishin Expressway, Ōmihachiman is about 20 min north of the Ryuo (竜王) Interchange, 20 min west of the Yokaichi (八日市) Interchange, and about 40 min southwest of the Hikone (彦根) Interchange. Parking is available at the Obata-cho Visitor Center: ¥500 for cars and ¥2000 for buses.

Get around
Take the north exit from the JR station, where there is a small tourist information office and a city bus terminal. All the major tourist attractions are some distance away in the older part of town near Lake Biwa. The tourist office will provide a guide map (in Japanese) outlining a walking tour of the main sites, each clearly identified on the map by image and number key. Many of the signs by the main attractions are bilingual in Japanese and English. The loop through the old town begins and ends near Hachiman Elementary School in Ikeda-cho, 25 min on foot or 5 min by bus down the main street to and from the station (Ekimae Ōdori, which becomes Obata-chō-dōri 小幡町通り). The basic walking tour covers 6 km and takes 1.5 hours on foot, perhaps 4 hours with stops included. An optional, 5-km detour to the scenic lakeside village on Sainoko ("West Lake" but east of the old town) would add an extra hour.

See
The old part of this city is practically an outdoor architectural museum, designated by the Japanese government as a national preservation district as well as an important cultural landscape. It was an important commercial center from at least the early Edo Period, when prosperous Omi merchants controlled trade across Lake Biwa between the Kinki and Hokuriku regions (and up as far as Matsumae in Hokkaido). From 1905 until 1964, it was the home base of William Merrell Vories, a missionary, educator, entrepreneur, and architect who designed many early Western-style buildings in major Japanese cities. Because Omihachiman was not bombed during World War II, it preserves many fine old merchant houses from the Edo Period as well as many unusual Western-style buildings that Vories designed during the Meiji and Taisho eras.
 * Mount Hachiman
 * Hachiman-yama Ropeway
 * Hachiman-yama Castle Ruins
 * William Merrell Vories Museum
 * Mount Hachiman
 * Hachiman-yama Ropeway
 * Hachiman-yama Castle Ruins
 * William Merrell Vories Museum

Go next

 * Higashiomi
 * Hikone
 * Nagahama
 * Yasu
 * Ryuo
 * Koka
 * Kusatsu
 * Otsu
 * Kyoto

title: Omihachiman


text:
Omkareshwar

Omkareshwar is a river island in the Narmada River in the shape of Om (ঔঁ) in Madhya Pradesh, India.

Understand
Omkareshawar is 80 km from Indore. It is a religious place, one of the 12 Jyotirlings of Shiva.

By plane
Rani Ahilyabai Airport at Indore (80 km) is the nearest airport.

By road
Road connectivity is good with Indore and Maheshwar, both 80 km from Omkareshwar. Bus and taxis are available from both the places. There is a bus stand in city centre. During days buses are easily available.

Note : Due to lockdown buses is usually not available easily. For cab Jagghoomiya.com is giving more options for omkareshwar

By train
The nearest railway stations are Khandwa Junction (70 km) and Indore (80 km). Buses are available from Khandwa. However Indore is more well connected. The other railway station which is not in the main line is Omkareshwar Road (12 km).

Get around
Omkareshwar is a small town and the main temple is on an island connected by two foot bridges. Hence walking is the best option to explore the city. Both the main temples of Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar are within walkable distance.

Eat
As a holy city, Omkareshwar is strictly vegetarian.

Sleep
There is a very good facility run by Sant Gajanan Seva Sansthan that provides food and accommodations at "reasonable" rates. There were 2 or 3 guesthouses in town catering to foreigners in 2012, with the usual prices, comparable to other North Indian locations. Just ask, the town is very small.

Go next

 * Maheshwar
 * Mandu
 * Indore
 * Hanuwantiya

title: Omkareshwar


text:
Omoa

Omoa is a city of 54,000 people (2020) in Honduras. It is a town on the Caribbean Sea coast, just west of Puerto Cortes and a short journey north of San Pedro Sula.

Understand
Omoa was the main Caribbean port of Honduras until the mid-19th century. Now it is a very laid-back, very small, picturesque beach town and a pleasant day trip from San Pedro Sula.

Get in
Take the divided highway from San Pedro Sula to Puerto Cortes. Turn north and drive for about 15 minutes. You'll see the signs for Omoa. Turn right at the sea-life fountain and go about 800 m (half a mile) to the beach.

Get around
The beach area of Omoa is small and walkable, but there are cabs available. It would be easy enough to walk from the beach area to the fort for many people.

See

 * The beach
 * The beach

Eat
Sunset Playa Resort Honduran and North American style food. Everything from seafood, fresh fish, burgers and the best pizza in Honduras. Located on the beach in Omoa. Cold Beer, A/C, friendly atmosphere. English and Spanish spoken. +504-658-9166 or +504-3369-0494

Sleep

 * Hospedaje Roli’s Place. L80 for camping or hammock (You can't pitch your tent in the garden though); dorms with private or shared bathroom. Nice garden setting, 80m from the beach. Cooking facilities, bikes, hammocks and kayaks available. Foreign owner does not seem to care about visitors too much and the treatment is likewise. Not very welcoming or friendly. No internet facilities or Wi-Fi for guests. Special price for mariners.

title: Omoa


text:
Omo National Park

Omo National Park is in south-western Ethiopia, towards the border with South Sudan and Kenya, and west of the Omo River.

Understand
Located in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region on the west bank of the Omo River, the park covers approximately 4068 km2, about 870 km southwest of Addis Ababa; across the Omo is the Mago National Park and the Tama Wildlife Reserve.

History
Omo National Park was founded in 1980. In October 2008, African Parks announced they were giving up the management of the Omo National Park and leaving Ethiopia. African Parks stated that sustainable management of the Ethiopian parks is incompatible with 'the irresponsible way of living of some of the ethnic groups. The organization has trouble dealing with the indigenous population trying to continue its traditional way of life within the park borders.

Landscape
Major land features include the Omo River on the east, the Maji Mountains, the Sharum, and Sai plains to the north and west, and the Illibai plains and Dirga Hills to the south. There are three hot springs, and the park is crossed by some rivers, all of which drain into the Omo. The Mui River crosses the middle of the park before joining the Omo River. Much of the park is at 800 m but the southern part by the Neruze River drops to 450 m. The highest peak of Maji Mountains which is located within the park is 1541 m above sea level.

Flora and fauna
The park offers excellent opportunities to view wildlife with 73 species of mammals and 312 species of birds. It is home to large herds of buffalos, zebras, elands, beisa oryxes, tiangs, Lelwel hartebeests, dik-diks, bushbucks, reedbucks, and Grant's gazelles. Other mammals that are elusively rare to find include elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, bushpigs, African wild dogs, giraffes, oribis, klipspringers, greater kudus, hyenas, black rhinoceros, hippopotamuses, and warthogs. Primates such as the Mantled guerezas, Olive baboons, and De Brazza monkeys also live within forested areas.

The vegetation of Omo National Park is mostly open savannah, thickets, and riverine woodland.

Get in
Although an airstrip was built near the park headquarters on the Mui River, this park is not easily reachable; the Lonely Planet guide Ethiopia and Eritrea describes Omo National Park as "Ethiopia's most remote park."

title: Omo National Park


text:
Omsk

Omsk (Russian: Омск ohmsk) is the capital of Omsk Oblast, Siberia, and is a regional hub for Western Siberia and the Altai mountains in Russia, as well as northern Kazakhstan.

Understand
Founded in 1716 as a fortress on the Imperial Russia's expanding southern frontier, by 1850s Omsk grew to become the capital of Western Siberia and parts of Central Asia. The construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway in the late 1890s brought a rapid development boom, culminating in an extravagant 1910s World Fair, around the time of which Omsk acquired much of its neoclassical architectural heritage. Largely due to its strategic importance as the gateway to Siberia and the Russian Far East, Admiral Kolchak of the anti-Soviet White Army chose Omsk as his base and "capital of Russia" in 1918–1919.

Today, Omsk is Russia's seventh largest city with a population of over 1.5 million. An Omsk visit is one of the highlights of a trip to Siberia for the city's attractive and bustling 19th century center, and its numerous cultural opportunities. Literature lovers will find a special interest in Omsk, as it was Dostoevsky's home during the majority of his exile from Saint Petersburg.

By plane

When taking a taxi from the airport, be sure to negotiate the price in advance and take a legal taxi.

By train
The southern and northern branches of the Trans-Siberian Railway converge at Omsk. Trains arrive from Moscow (40 h) and the Russian Far East (4-5 days) daily.

The railway station is south of city centre. Buses and trolley-buses run to the centre up Bolshoi Marxa Prospekt, fare approx ₽25, the conductors issue tickets on board and give change within reason.

By foot
The city center around Lyubinsky prospekt is easily walkable and is best explored on foot. In autumn 2017 Lenin St south of the River Om is being dug up and is difficult to walk along, but businesses there and the cathedral remain open.

By public transport
Public transport operates from 06:00 to 23:00 and will take you to most places you need to go. Route maps are available online. A ticket for a bus, trolleybus, or tram costs ₽22 and a ride in a marshrutka costs ₽20-25.

Trolley N4 & N7, and buses N50, 60 and 69 are particularly useful.

By taxi
Taxis are plentiful and there are several taxi companies operating in Omsk.

See
The historical part of town is centered on Lyubinsky prospekt, near the confluence of the Om and Irtysh rivers. It is lined with century-old buildings of former merchant salons, residences, and larger commercial, government and religious establishments. The area now has some of the poshest shopping and the best nightlife in the city.

Ulica Krasnyh Zor' (aka Nikol'skij prospekt) leads from the Cossacks' cathedral to a few blocks of historical carved-wood houses. This street can give an idea what Omsk and Siberia used to be like for centuries before industrialization. Unfortunately, these houses are not yet protected as cultural heritage landmarks and may eventually be demolished.

Buy
Omsk is rich in shopping. There is a big difference between the rich and the poor in the city, and this is visible in its shopping malls. While there are shops with extremely cheap goods, there are also modern, upscale malls where every shop is very expensive; a simple shirt at one of these stores could be £100, for example, and a handbag £200. Nevertheless, Omsk offers some great shops with lots of goods.

Eat
American chains including McDonald’s, KFC, Subway, Friday's, and Sbarro have locations in Omsk.

Nightclubs

 * Angar Kemerovo st., 1/3  8 381 290-57-77

Stay safe
Dangerous areas of the city are Neftyaniki (town of oilmen), Amurskiy posyolok (Amur settlement), Port Arthur, Staryi Kirovsk (Old Kirovsk), and the area of the Omsk tire plant.

Consulates

 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan

Go next
Omsk is a convenient hub for several regional attractions. Distances are large and locals will consider a city 700km away to be 'nearby'. However, trains are reliable.

 * Tobolsk and Tomsk are the oldest cities of Siberia. Because the main transportation arteries originally bypassed them, the towns stayed small, avoiding the typical Soviet development, and retaining their unique picturesque characters. They are reachable by overnight train, or, in the case of Tobolsk, by speed jet boat along the Irtysh River (10-12 hours). Irregular boats also operate to Khanty-Mansiysk and Salekhard, within the Arctic Circle, a 2783 km journey taking six days (see timetable). This is the best way to see the West Siberian terrain, grand rivers, and rural lifestyle. For some towns, this boat is the only access to the outside world.
 * Barnaul (16 hours by train or a 1½ hour flight) is the gateway to the Altai mountains and national parks.
 * Kazakhstan is accessible by train - Petropavlovsk (4 hours), Astana (12 hours), or bus - Pavlodar (8 hours).

title: Omsk


text:
Omsk Oblast

Omsk Oblast (Russian: О́мская о́бласть OHM-skuh-yuh OH-blust') is a region in Western Siberia, which borders Tyumen Oblast to the northwest, Tomsk Oblast to the northeast, Novosibirsk Oblast to the east, and Kazakhstan to the south.

Cities

 * — One of Siberia's most important cities and one of Russia's largest, an excellent stop on the Trans-Siberian Railway
 * — one of Siberia's first cities in the 16th century and the "mother" to many of Siberia's most important cities as it was an expeditionary base; it is a sleepy town home to a number of historical churches
 * — a historic old Siberian fortress town (1627), which contains a huge zoo; its hippopotamuses made the news by turning up in a nearby lake and giving a couple drunk fishermen a real scare!

Talk
Expect that some knowledge of Russian will greatly assist you in your travels here.

Get in
Omsk is a major stop (and indeed, one of the best stops) on the Trans-Siberian Railway. This capital city is also the "terminus" for the Trans-Siberian Railway's South Ural branch.

Omsk Tsentralny Airport, serviced by flights from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk, and Andijan, Uzbekistan.

Do

 * Cruising, whitewater rafting, and canoeing along the Irtysh, Tara, and Shish rivers
 * Hunting

Go next
The next major stops on the Trans-Siberian Railway are Tyumen to the west and Novosibirsk to the east. The first major stop to the west along the South Ural Branch of the Trans-Siberian Railway is Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan.

title: Omsk Oblast


text:
Ondorkhaan

Ondorkhaan (also spelled Öndörkhaan and Undur Khan, Mongolian: Өндөрхаан) is a city in Eastern Mongolia. It was renamed Chinggis City (Чингис) in 2013 to honor the great conqueror born in the north of the province. Government sources (including maps and buses) will generally use the new name, however Mongolians are more likely to know it by the old one, and using the old name for internet searches helps avoid the many other conflicting uses of the name "Chinggis".

Understand
Ondorkhaan is home to about 15,000 people and is the capital city of Hentii province. The area around the city has been occupied by permanent settlement since at least 1660 when a monastery was constructed where the center of the city now sits, which at one point had over 1,000 monks. However, all the monks were driven out in the 1930s and the buildings destroyed in the 1950s. Today, one of the most noticeable features of the place is the unusually large number of statues of Genghis Khan (even by Mongolian standards)

By plane
There is no functioning airport in Ondorkhaan.

By bus
Buses from Ulaanbaatar depart daily at 08:00, and perhaps at other times, from the east-bound station on Peace Ave, a few kilometers east of Suukhbaatar square. Tickets can be purchased inside the building and up the stairs, and cost 13,000 ₮ in May 2018. The drive should take 5–6 hours, including a few stops for passenger exchanges, and one rest break.

Get around
Ondorkhaan is aligned along a southwest-northeast axis, and is about 5 km long. Most travel is done by walking, but taxis are common. There is a taxi stand in front of the West Market. Also, just standing beside the road and stretching your arm will flag a taxi. The rate is 500 ₮/km.

See

 * Turkic Balbal – 7 km southwest of town (past the old airport) is a stone man from the Turkic era. Look for the blue habuks blowing in the wind. The intricacies of the stone carving and the age of the stone man are very impressive. Be sure to bring a small offering of food or money to leave at the balbal.
 * Turkic Balbal – 7 km southwest of town (past the old airport) is a stone man from the Turkic era. Look for the blue habuks blowing in the wind. The intricacies of the stone carving and the age of the stone man are very impressive. Be sure to bring a small offering of food or money to leave at the balbal.
 * Turkic Balbal – 7 km southwest of town (past the old airport) is a stone man from the Turkic era. Look for the blue habuks blowing in the wind. The intricacies of the stone carving and the age of the stone man are very impressive. Be sure to bring a small offering of food or money to leave at the balbal.
 * Turkic Balbal – 7 km southwest of town (past the old airport) is a stone man from the Turkic era. Look for the blue habuks blowing in the wind. The intricacies of the stone carving and the age of the stone man are very impressive. Be sure to bring a small offering of food or money to leave at the balbal.
 * Turkic Balbal – 7 km southwest of town (past the old airport) is a stone man from the Turkic era. Look for the blue habuks blowing in the wind. The intricacies of the stone carving and the age of the stone man are very impressive. Be sure to bring a small offering of food or money to leave at the balbal.

Buy
Ondorkhaan is home to many Buryats (or Buriyads), which is an ethnic people from Siberia. There are bootmakers in the city that make boots called "Buryats", which are known for their warmth. A typical pair will cost ~60,000 ₮. Also, there are many bakeries in Ondorkhaan that make Buryat bread, which is fluffier, lighter, and sweeter than traditional Mongolian bread. To find the bread, go into any of the supermarkets/delguurs and look for the bread section.

Budget
There are many guanzs on the main street of Ondorkhaan. The fare is typical Mongolian (hooshur or buuz). The pricing is essentially the same and the service is quick. If you are in a hurry or on a tight budget, try one of these. There are multiple guanzs on the first floor of the Ogooj (өгөөж) building. The Ogooj building is the 2-story yellow building in the center of town on the main road.

Mid-range

 * China Restaurant, is on the first floor of Hotel Negdulchin. It is an upscale restaurant that focuses on traditional Mongolian and Chinese platters. The food portions are large, so you may want to consider sharing.
 * Khangard (хангард), is the most popular upscale restaurant in town for the locals. The menu is very broad and includes many traditional dishes, along with chicken and Italian fare. A VIP room is available.
 * Och (өч), specializes in large dishes of traditional Mongolian food. The décor is very modern and clean and this restaurant stays open later than others.

Connect
As the Aimag capital and a regional hub, the town is well served by cellular towers. A visitor in May 2018 reports 5 bars HSPA+ (LTE) service on the Unitel network.

Stay safe
There are pick-pockets (including children), primarily in the markets and the main shopping district. Also, beware of drunk people and avoid them.

By car
Taxis and meekers (vans) travel daily between Ondorkhaan and all major cities (UB, Choibolsan, Baruun-Urt). The price is negotiable based upon the number of travelers, the type of vehicle, and the final destination. A taxi from Ondorkhaan to UB (small car) typically costs 30,000 to 45,000 ₮ each way. In Ondorkhaan, the taxi/meeker stand is in front of 4th school near the sports complex.

By bus
This is the most economical way to travel between Ondorkhaan and other major cities. Here is the bus schedule (as of 2011):

Ondorkhaan to Ulaanbaatar: 10,000 ₮ each way, leaves Ondorkhaan post office at 08:00 everyday, arrives in UB at 14:00, tickets purchased the day before or the morning of in the post office (center window). This bus includes stops at soums along the road, including Baganuur and Mandaltsenker. The bus stop in UB is Bayanzurk Teevrin Tovchoo, which is about 8 km east of Sukhbaatar Square.

Ondorkhaan to Bor-Undur: 8,500 ₮ each way, leaves Ondorkhaan post office at 08:00, Monday, Thursday, Saturday only, arrives in Bor-Undur at 15:00, tickets purchased the day before or the morning of in the post office (center window). This bus includes stops at soums along the way.

Ondorkhaan to Choibolsan: 15,000 ₮ each way, ask the ticket window for where and when the bus leaves (changes regularly), tickets purchased the day before or the morning of in the post office (center window). This bus includes stops at soums along the way.

Ondorkhaan to Baruun-Urt: 15,000 ₮ each way, ask the ticket window for where and when the bus leaves (changes regularly), tickets purchased the day before or the morning of in the post office (center window). This bus includes stops at soums along the way.

It is recommended to purchase tickets early the day before because the seats do fill up. Also, if the bus is full, tickets will be sold for the center aisle, which will require the rider to sit on a plastic stool in the aisle or stand for the duration of the ride.

title: Ondorkhaan


text:
One day in Bangkok

One day in Bangkok is a one day and night sightseeing tour through Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.

Understand
Bangkok's cultural heritage dates from 1782, when King Rama I built his new capital in Rattanakosin. In this itinerary, you'll explore this historic island with its famous temples in the morning. When the sun gets at its strongest, it's best to cool down in some air-conditioned malls or indoor attractions. The evening will show you more of Bangkok's modern face, with its bustling and hip nightlife scene.

Note that the Grand Palace, Bangkok's most popular attraction, is purposely not included in this itinerary. As the Palace is located right next to Wat Pho, you can visit it instead or even try to squeeze in both if you wish, but the palace grounds are so large that it's probably best to visit it on a separate day.

Prepare
Bangkok is relatively close to the equator, so do not underestimate the heat. Start out early if you can, because temple-tramping during the afternoon heat is draining and there won't be much air conditioning along the way. Drink enough fluids, but don't carry huge bottles of water in your backpack, as there are plenty of convenience stores selling cooled beverages. As you will be walking most of the time, wear comfortable shoes and dress for the climate. Don't go overboard though, pants must have long sleeves and shoes must be neat, as temples and neat restaurants have strict dress codes. There are surprisingly few (good) places to eat in Rattanakosin, so pack in a good breakfast before you go.

There are two parts to this itinerary: a morning of canal cruises and tramping through temples, and two choices for an evening of entertainment, fine food and drinks. As you will be criss-crossing through the city the whole day, get familiar with Bangkok's public transit system. The BTS Skytrain and MRT Metro are the easiest ways to move around Sukhumvit and Silom. Getting to Rattanakosin can best be done over water, with the Chao Phraya Express Boat and the Saen Saep Express Boat. You can also pullover a metered taxi.

If you keep an eye on your budget, the day won't cost more than 1,000 baht, unless you visit Siam Ocean World, which by itself is already a whopping 990 baht (discounts available online). Entry of temples and short taxi rides are not more than 50 baht, while mid-range lunch and dinner are around 250 baht each. If you are really on a budget, you might want to eat at street restaurants for not more than 50 baht a meal.

Morning
If your accommodation is around Sukhumvit or Silom, your starting point will be Ratchathewi station (N1), easily reached from the Skytrain Sukhumvit line. Take exit 1 and head a few hundred metres south (after walking down the stairs, turn 180 degrees and walk down the street) and walk over the bridge across the Saen Saeb canal. To your right, you will see the small, rickety pier called Saphan Hua Chang. Board the next canal boat that comes barreling down towards the west (make sure the boat is heading left as you stand on the pier, from under the bridge) — but move quickly, because these boats don't wait for lingerers! Pay your fare (9 baht) and enjoy a view into the backyards of Bangkok. Some points of minor interest that you will pass along the way include:

 * Jim Thompson House, an attraction in itself and worth a visit if you have some spare energy later;
 * Bobae Market, one of Bangkok's largest and cheapest clothing markets (not many tourists around here!).

Disembark at the Phan Fa Lilat terminus near the Golden Mount. If your accommodation is around Khao San Road, you can just get here on foot. To your left, you'll see a small bridge with oncoming traffic, and a large bridge with multi-lane traffic. Cross the large bridge, pass the white Mahakan Fort and cross the street for Wat Ratchanaddaram, one of Bangkok's unappreciated temples. Entry is free (although a recommended donation of 20 baht is requested), just take your shoes off and climb into the tower for a bird's-eye view of Rattanakosin.

Once finished, head back to the main street and hail a metered taxi (not a tuk-tuk) for a quick trip to Wat Pho; if you insist on the meter, this won't cost you more than about 50 baht. Entry into Wat Pho will set you back 200 baht, with a free bottle of water included. The world's largest Reclining Buddha is in the perennially busy building to your right as you enter from the northern entrance. For good luck, you can do as the Thais do and buy a bag of 25-satang coins (20 baht) to plink, plink, plink into the pots behind the Buddha. Explore the rest of the large complex, and if you feel like taking a break, pop into the famous massage school at the eastern side of the temple grounds (from 320 baht for 1/2 hour).

When done, exit through the west gates (behind the Reclining Buddha) and look for signs pointing towards the pier of Tha Tien, which you will find half-hidden past a market alley full of stalls selling dried squid and such. You will see the white spires of Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) across the Chao Phraya river. Hop aboard the angular little ferry and pay 4 baht (each way) for the trip. Seeing Wat Arun closer from the gardens around it is free, although quite frankly, it looks better from a distance. You will be charged 50 baht if you want to climb up (increasing to 100 baht on June 1, 2020). Note how the decorations of the spires are in fact all made from millions of bits of smashed white porcelain painted with patterns! Head back across the river on the ferry you came on and cross the pier to the Chao Phraya Express Boat dock, clearly identified with blue-and-white signs. As of April 2018, there are maintenance works for the express boat pier on the Wat Pho side as indicated on signs on the pier, so boats to both directions are leaving from the Wat Arun side, removing the need to cross the river again. Head to Pier 2 for southbound (downriver) boats, wave down the next downriver express boat and ride down all the way to Oriental Pier (N1) for 13 baht. From there, get to the Mandarin Oriental, often judged as the best hotel in the world. Just walk down the alley leading from the dock and turn left. Reward yourself with a drink at the famous Bamboo Bar, although (alas!) live jazz is played only in the evenings. It's expensive though: a beer will cost you a whopping 250 baht. You won't get in if you are wearing sandals either.

From the Oriental, head for the Saphan Taksin BTS station (S6) by either taking the express boat one more stop downriver to Sathorn Pier (Central) or by walking out onto Charoen Krung Road, turning right and walking some 15 minutes south.

Afternoon
Take a breather from the sweltering heat at the hotel swimming pool... or, if you still have energy to burn, go shop in any of the air-conditioned shopping meccas in Siam Square. Teens will love MBK Center and women will love Siam Paragon and Emporium, at least as long as their credit limits allow. Families may like to visit the Siam Ocean World in Siam Paragon, which sets back a whopping 900 baht for adults and 700 baht for children. All attractions can be found at the Siam Skytrain station, except Emporium, which is headed at the Phrom Phong Skytrain station in Sukhumvit.

If you're up for more cultural sights, you might want to visit Jim Thompson's House, which you've seen earlier when boating your way through the canal. The former residence of the American expat Jim Thompson is a kind of ideal-house in Thai-style, and a nice escape from the traffic chaos elsewhere in downtown. Entry is 100 baht and it is easily accessed by the National Stadium Skytrain station. From there, walk 200 metres north into Soi Kasemsan 2.

Evening
Two alternative routes here: either the traditional Bangkok of teak houses and go-go bars, or the brash new Bangkok of super hip restaurants and clubs.

Traditional
Dine at Baan Khanitha, a fair hike down Sukhumvit Soi 23 from Skytrain Asok (E4). Excellent Thai food, although the amount of chili is toned down for tourists (just ask, and they'll spice it up if you're brave enough to try!). Particular favourites here are the pomelo salad (ยำส้มโอ yam som oh) and roast duck in red curry (แกงแดงเป็ด kaeng daeng phet). Mains mostly range around 300 baht.

Hop on the Skytrain and change trains at Siam for Sala Daeng station (S2). Follow the crowds a few hundred metres down Silom Road and through the street market until you spot the signs of Patpong to your right. Pick a go-go bar of your liking, perhaps King's Castle III if you're adventurous and want to see transvestites strutting their stuff. Beers around 70 baht a pop.

Superhip
Dine at Long Table, a fair hike down Sukhumvit Soi 16 from Skytrain Asok (E4). A super slick lounge in scarlet where you will lie on futons and dine at one long table on a multi-course meal of Thai inspired fare with a twist, complete with breathtaking views of Bangkok's cityscape. Very expensive by Bangkok standards though, so expect to pay around 1,500 baht per head with drinks. Reservations are recommended. Feel free to stick around for an active nightlife all days of the week.

Take a taxi to the State Tower at the western edge of Silom Road, easily spotted thanks to its golden dome, and then ride the elevator to the 63rd floor for the Sirocco and Sky Bar, the world's tallest rooftop bar/restaurant with mind-boggling nighttime views of Bangkok below. Drinks are 400 baht and up, with a live jazz band for free. Take note that both of these have a dress code: no shorts or sandals.

Stay safe
Touts can be a hassle at many of the better-known tourist sights. Don't trust a single word of unsolicited advice, especially if it involves temples closed for Buddhist holidays, 20-baht tuk-tuk rides and/or their cousin's jewellery shop. Don't let strangers steer you away from your intended destination.

When taking a taxi, be sure to insist on the meter. If the driver refuses, or quotes silly prices, just walk out and get a different one, as usually there are plenty of them available. If multiple taxis refuse to take you, or you just want to ride it once, you can take a tuk-tuk, but always agree on a price in advance.

In the go-go bar zones, beware of touts who try to drag you into the upstairs bars with offers of ping-pong shows and 100-baht beer. The beer may well be 100 baht, but the "show" you'll be treated to will be 1,000 baht or more. Rule of thumb is, if you can't see inside from street level, the establishment is best avoided.

title: One day in Bangkok


text:
Onekaka

Onekaka is a rural district on the coast between Takaka and Collingwood in Golden Bay, at the northwestern tip of the South Island, New Zealand. It has a population of around 250. The name Onekaka is from Māori and could be translated as 'hot sand' or 'hot beach'.

Dairy farming is a significant activity, occupying a large proportion of the area. A significant number of artists and craftspeople live in the area giving the community a colourful and green feel.

An ironworks operated here from 1924 to 1935, with a tramway running to a wharf. The works produced pig iron and pipes until the operation proved uneconomic. An old hydroelectric plant for the iron works was restarted in 2003 and feeds the national grid.

Get in
From Takaka or Collingwood, take State Highway 60 (SH 60), which is the only road that runs right through the district.

Takaka Aerodrome is 9 km away at Puramahoi and has regular flights on small aircraft by Golden Bay Air from Wellington, Nelson and Karamea. The airline also does charter flights and scenic flights. You can rent a car at the aerodrome.

See

 * The glow-worm trail across the way from the Mussel Inn is lovely to wander through once you've had a few.

Buy
Composting toilets.

Eat
At the Mussel Inn.

Go next

 * Collingwood – depart here for Farewell Spit
 * Takaka – to buy some of the Mussel Inn beers and cider, because you can take it away from Takaka, while you're not allowed to take it away from Mussel Inn itself!

title: Onekaka