Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Smoking
Unlike in other parts of the Middle East, smoking is not particularly prevalent in the Arabian Peninsula. This has
something to do with the strict interpretation of Islam and the discouragement of dependency on stimulants of any kind;
partly to do with the general lack of advertising in most of the region; and partly to do with government drives to dis-
suade the young from starting the habit.
That doesn't mean to say you won't encounter smoking. The expat communities from India tend to smoke quite heav-
ily and everyone across the region (even fashionably dressed young Arab women in city areas) enjoys a
sheesha
(water
pipe filled with scented or fruit-flavoured tobacco) from time to time.
A government ban on smoking in public places, including restaurants, is in place in UAE and Oman. All top-end ho-
tels offer nonsmoking rooms and there are always nonsmoking sections in more expensive restaurants.
Solo Travellers
Travel for Arabic people and Asian expats entails large convoys of family groups and great gatherings at the airport. As
such, solo male travellers are often regarded either with sympathy or with suspicion, as it is inconceivable to most Ara-
bian Peninsula people that someone might choose to travel alone.
A woman travelling on her own is an even hotter topic of discussion. Women will want to adopt you, men will either
ignore you (out of respect) or treat you as a token man. Either way, you will inevitably be showered with well-meaning
solicitations for your safe-keeping, extra help on public transport and even offers of accommodation.
Without Arabic, travelling in the Arabian Peninsula can be lonely at times: the roads are long and the deserts wide.
Without an established network of tourism facilities, you may spend days without seeing another Westerner.
Single rooms are available in most hotels, though they're often just a few dollars cheaper than double rooms. Walking
around alone seldom presents a safety problem.
One word of caution: if you travel away from urban areas in your own vehicle alone, you need to be quite resourceful.
Many roads see very little traffic and you could wait hours before help arrives. It is not recommended that you go off-
road alone.
Telephone
All the Peninsula countries have good networks and International Direct Dialling (IDD) facilities via satellite links.
Most cities and large towns have public telephone offices (either part of the post office, or privately run) from where
you can make international calls and send faxes.
International calls cost up to US$2 per minute for most destinations. Rates don't usually vary during the day or night,
but in some countries there are reductions at weekends. Public phones accept coins, phonecards and, in some countries,
credit cards.
Mobile Phones
The use of mobile phones is widespread throughout the Peninsula and every country has its own (state-owned) national
network. Some of these run on the GSM system (as in Europe), so if your phone works on GSM and your account al-
lows you to roam, you'll be able to use your mobile on the Peninsula.
In other places you'll have to buy prepaid SIM cards. Beware though: the cost of using a mobile in some countries is
higher than calls made on a landline.
