Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(admission OR3; 9am-5.30pm)
This quirky museum is more open house than historical dis-
play. Three ladies accompany guests around their traditional house (half of which is miss-
ing the roof) in the aged and crumbling village of Al-Hamra. They demonstrate the culin-
ary arts of juniper oil production, Omani bread-making and coffee bean grinding and
there's an opportunity for a photoshoot in traditional regional costume. Sitting cross-
legged in the
majlis
(seating area), surrounded by photos of local sheikhs, sampling coffee
and dates and exchanging sign language with the ladies, is an experience not to be missed.
The museum is in the old part of Al-Hamra. Park by the roundabout at the western end
of town and walk along the street past the historic old Yemeni-style buildings. The ladies
will spot you before you see them in the interior gloom of the downstairs entrance.
Sleeping & Eating
The View$$
ECOLODGE
(
booking office 24 400873, at the lodge 97 748031;
www.theviewoman.com
; half board r with/without view OR80/
70; )
High above Al-Hamra, this comfortable tented accommodation boasts a su-
perb location hovering over the Al-Hamra basin. A competent restaurant, boasting its own
kitchen garden, and excellent staff have won this lodge many regular visitors so reserva-
tions are necessary. You can bring your own wine.
To reach the lodge, follow the brown signs from the village of Al-Hamra, a dizzying
1400m below. The 7.5km ascent is steep and 4WD is essential. A 1km walk from the
View leads to some interesting villages.
Misfat
25
There is a sealed road from Al-Hamra up to this mountain-hugging village (which is
sometimes spelt Misfah), making it one of the few mountain villages that is easily access-
ible without a 4WD. The mountain flank, draped in date plantations and a terraced se-
quence of stone houses in the foreground, is very picturesque and often seen in promo-
tional literature on Oman. For the best view of the entire village, turn right by the tourist
park, pausing to read the informative Ministry of Tourism signboards. The boards indicate
a number of great hikes in the area, ranging from an easy 30-minute stroll through the vil-
lage to a nine-hour hike in the mountains.
Accommodation is available at
Misfah Guest House
( 99 338491; bandb.misfah@gmail.com; half
board s/d OR30/50).
This family-run enterprise, in the heart of Misfat village, is housed in a
