Oman - Oman, UAE and Arabian Peninsula - page 357

Shopping
Walking sticks make an unusual souvenir of the region. With their axe-tops, used tradi-
tionally for cutting wood, killing snakes and keeping children in order (at least according
to one local), these sticks are the emblem of the Shihuh tribespeople - the main ethnic
group in the Musandam Peninsula. They carry them in place of the camel stick on formal
occasions. Ones with silver decoration cost OR55-plus and the easiest place to find one is
at the gift shop just inside Lulu's.
Getting There & Away
The Musandam Peninsula can easily be visited as a long weekend trip from either Muscat
or Dubai (two hours by road). From Muscat, a great way to visit is to fly to Khasab for an
eagle-eyed view of the mountains and take the memorable high-speed ferry around the
khors on the way back. Another option offered by Oman Air Holidays ( www.omanair.com ) is to fly
both ways for OR145 per person including two nights at the Golden Tulip Hotel in
Khasab.
AIR
Oman Air ( in Khasab 26 731592, in Muscat 24 531111; www.omanair.com ) has flights between Khasab
and Muscat (OR24 each way, 1¼ hours) every morning at variable times. The office in
Khasab is on the main roundabout opposite the grand mosque, and flights depart and ar-
rive from the military air base.
BOAT
National Ferries Company ( in Khasab 26 731802, in Muscat 24 715252; www.nfc.om ) operates a service
to/from Muscat at 3pm (one way/return OR23/44, five hours). There are two services per
week. To enjoy the journey in style, consider paying the extra for business class (OR45/
85). You can take a car (including car rental) on the ferry for an extra OR50 return. The
trip is punctuated with dinner, a film channel and attendant dolphins that can't quite keep
up with the fastest catamaran in the world. The journey through one of the busiest ship-
ping lanes in the region is worth taking for the spectacular cruise into the harbour at either
end.
CAR
Driving to and from Muscat (eight hours in either direction) involves getting a road permit
(for some residents - check with your sponsor or HR manager), insurance for two coun-
tries, and passing through checkpoints no fewer than eight times. On an Omani visit visa,
this is not the best use of time.