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Living in Oman
Shopping
Supermarkets can be found in all areas of Oman, though the
range of items available will be more limited in the Regions. In Muscat there are several
reasonable supermarket chains, as well as somewhat more expensive supermarkets, such as
the Matrah Cold Store in Medina Qaboos where a complete range of western products is
available. Beer and spirits are similar in price to the same products overseas, but wine
is more expensive. Alcohol is available only in special shops and with a liquor permit
which can be purchased through a routine process. The rate of inflation in Oman is at
present minimal. Salaries are tax-free.
Transportation
In Oman a car is considered necessary for expats to get to and
from work and for socialising, since locations are quite far apart and the public
transport system is not sufficiently developed, by western standards, to provide a
convenient enough alternative to private cars. The road system is excellent, with dual and
triple carriageways in the capital, and well maintained black top roads connecting the
principal towns throughout the Sultanate. Roads off the main highways are graded and
generally require a 4 wheel drive vehicle.
It is possible to take a reasonable long term lease on a
rental car. In order to buy a car it is necessary to have a resident's visa and to possess
an Omani driving licence. An Omani licence is valid for 10 years at the cost of RO 20.
While nationals of most countries can obtain an Omani licence on production of their
national licence, British citizens are required to take a driving test.
Social Life
Expatriates in Oman find that they rely much more on their own
resources for entertainment than in the Western context. While social life is often
patterned in groups of expatriates, with a little effort it is not difficult to join Omani
circles, especially in the Regions of Oman.
The Muscat area is a ribbon development of about 70 km long by approximately 3 km wide.
There are clusters of towns, containing the hamlet of Muscat, where the Diwan is housed in
the Royal Palace; the port of Muttrah featuring traditional Omani markets; the commercial
centre, Ruwi; the predominantly residential areas of Qurm, Medina Qaboos and Al Khuwair;
and finally, Seeb, where the international airport is situated. The
CfBT office is located in Medina Qaboos (MQ).
In Muscat, there are several international hotels with
restaurants, bars and sports facilities. There are walking groups which meet regularly,
and there is an excellent scuba diving club. There are amateur dramatic groups such as the
Muscat Amateur Theatre and also several music groups, notably the Early Music Group for
choral chamber music and the Muscat Singers for popular music. There are a variety of
other groups and associations in Muscat, such as the Historical Association which offers
lectures on Oman history and culture along with excellent field trips to points of
interest including visits to archaeological sites and camping amid geological splendours.
There are splendid opportunities for outdoor activities in
Oman's magnificent nature. Exploring, hiking, camping swimming, scuba diving, bird
watching and camera safaris are among the favourite activities. Especially popular is wadi
bashing, where four wheel drive vehicles are used to cross flowing wadis to access
beautiful camping sites and hiking tracks.
Almost all of the towns where CfBT LLC places
staff have at least one hotel with a licensed bar. Muscat has many licensed restaurants
and several hotels with lounges. There are two magnificent five star hotels in Muscat: the
Al Bustan Palace and the Hyatt Regency. The Al Bustan is situated on two hundred acres of
gardens around a very beautiful private bay and features an immense cathedral-like lobby
and Arabian suites. It is here that the Sultan houses visiting Heads of State in luxurious
private chambers. The Hyatt combines the architectural and decorative splendours of East
and West and presents an opulent aspect with well chosen furniture and a beautifully
appointed garden lit by flames on tall Egyptian columns in the evenings. The night clubs
at the Hyatt are always lively.
In summary Oman offers a wonderful variety of social
activities from simple pleasures in nature to the sophistications of city life.
Geography and Climate
The Sultanate of Oman lies at the south-western edge of the
Arabian peninsula with borders covering approximately 300,000 kms and is sparsely
populated. The
coastline runs for some 1,700 kms by the Arabian Sea through. The distance from the
capital,
Muscat, on the northern coast to the southern city of Salalah is about
1,300 kms. Geographical features of Oman include a unique geology with spectacular
mountain ranges in both the north and south, reaching a height of 3,075 metres at Jebel
Akhdar just north-west of Muscat.
There are beautiful, unspoiled beaches with white sands
stretching for miles and plenty of opportunity for scuba diving, snorkelling and swimming.
Nature-lovers can observe a variety of birds and the famous green turtles at Ras al Hadd
south of Sur on the furthermost tip of the Oman coast.
The mountain areas abound with
a network of wadis with lovely green alpine pools, often shaded by date palms. The golden
dunes of the Wahiba Sands are popular for camping under the stars. The famous Rub al
Khali, the Empty Quarter, covers the south-western part of the
Interior. In the
south eastern corner of the Sultanate, near the Yemeni border on the Arabian Sea, lies the
garden city of Salalah with coconut and banana groves, watered by monsoons.
The winter climate is pleasantly warm with sunny skies almost
every day and average daytime temperatures of 25 degrees Centigrade. In the hottest
months, midday temperatures can reach 50 degrees and above, but everyone adapts with the
help of air conditioning. Except for the summer monsoons in Salalah, rainfall is confined
to a few days in the later winter months.
Language, Customs and People
The official language of the Sultanate is Arabic, but English
is widely used, especially in the commercial sector. All road signs are in both Arabic and
English. There are two local daily English language newspapers and an English FM radio
station. A knowledge of Arabic is useful in the workplace. Omanis are always pleased if an
expatriate can speak at least a little Arabic. Lengthy greetings are customary. People do
not rush into
business without exchanging courtesies. In the
Regions
of Oman basic Arabic is
often a prerequisite for communication.
Oman is a Muslim country, Islamic values, which govern almost
all aspects of life, are fundamental and must be viewed with sensitivity.
Living in an
Islamic country means, for instance, that modesty in dress and manner of behaviour is
expected. All expatriates are expected to show respect during the holy month of Ramadhan,
and should eat, drink and smoke only in private, or in officially designated places,during
the daylight hours of Ramadhan.
Great value is placed on the family and traditional values.
Omanis are very involved with their own families, and are consequently interested in the
families of their guests. Traditionally, the people of Oman are exceptionally friendly,
kind and hospitable. Visitors to the regions are readily invited for dates and coffee at
home.
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