Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
To get to the edge of the Sharqiya Sands by public transport, take a Muscat-Sur bus (from
Muscat/Sur OR3/2) and ask to be dropped off at Al-Qabil Rest House. It takes three hours
from Muscat and 1½ hours from Sur. There are six buses per day in either direction.
The sands run parallel to the Muscat-Sur Hwy and the easiest access into the sands
(with your own vehicle) is at Al-Mintirib.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Ibra
25 / POP 27,200
Ibra, the gateway to the Sharqiya Region, enjoyed great prosperity during Oman's coloni-
al period as the aristocratic locals set sail for Zanzibar and sent money home for planta-
tions and luxury residences, still in evidence in the old quarter of town. The tradition of
farming is continued today, with rich plots producing vegetables, bananas, mangos and, of
course, dates. A watchtower punctuates the top of each surrounding hill, indicating the
prior importance of the town - an importance it is beginning to enjoy again with the ar-
rival of a university and large regional hospital. Ibra makes a pleasant stop-off for those
heading to Sharqiya Sands.
Sights & Activities
Ibra has a lively
souq
that is at its most active on a Wednesday morning. Arranged around a
double courtyard, the greengrocery takes pride of place in the centre, with local melons
and aubergines making colourful seasonal displays. A working silver souq, where
khan-
jars
(tribal curved daggers) and veil pins are crafted, occupies several of the shops around
the outer courtyard, muscling in between carpentry shops where elaborately carved doors
are still made. Look out for a shop called 'Sale and Maintenance of Traditional Firearms
& Rifle Making': there's always an energetic huddle of old men engaged in comparing an-
cient weaponry around the tables outside. You will probably also notice piles of flattened
and dried fish - a local delicacy, still prized despite the modern road system that brings
fresh fish to Ibra via the neighbouring wet fish market.
To reach the souq by car, turn right off the Muscat-Sur Hwy at a sign for Al-Safalat
Ibra, just past the Sultan Qaboos Mosque; the souq is about 500m on the right. If coming
by bus, say you're heading for the souq and ask to be set down near Al-Yamadi turning.
Women may be tempted to visit on a Wednesday morning when the nearby
women's souq
attracts women-only buyers and sellers from all over the region, selling a variety of handi-
