Az ősi erődöktől a türkizkék vizű szurdokokon át a delfinek lakta tengerpartokig, Ománban mind a történelem, mint a természet lenyűgöző. Csatlakozzon Lilly Douse-hoz, amint bejárja Maszkatot, Nizwát és a Wadi Shab-szurdokot.
00:05From my base in Qatar, I travel the world to discover incredible places
00:10filled with culture, luxury and adventure.
00:13Along the way, I meet the people, taste the flavors
00:17and experience the moments that make each destination unforgettable.
00:22Today, I'm traveling from Qatar to a land of coastlines and ancient heritage.
00:32I'm here in Oman, a country known for its grand mosques, historic forts and rich culture.
00:41In this episode, I'll be discovering Oman's iconic landmarks,
00:45its drastic landscapes and the stories that give it its identity.
00:51First up on my travels is the country's capital, Muscat.
00:55It's home to one of Oman's most recognizable landmarks,
00:58the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
01:01Here, I'm meeting Sepideh, a local tour guide.
01:05So Sepideh, this is the Grand Mosque.
01:08What is its significance in Oman?
01:11Actually, it was a gift from Sultan Qaboos to the nation
01:14and it was opened in 2001.
01:17So the entire mosque can accommodate up to 20,000 of worshipers.
01:22As we wander around, Sepideh explains how the mosque blends Islamic and Omani design.
01:28Featuring a 50-meter tall dome, 90-meter minaret and an array of arches and courtyards.
01:35So here we are inside the Grand Mosque.
01:38It is overwhelming how huge it is.
01:40And this carpet is what you notice first.
01:42Exactly, this is the main highlight of the mosque.
01:46It was the biggest hand-woven one-piece carpet in the world.
01:50600 people, they've woven it in four years.
01:534,200 square meters and it's 21 tons.
01:57The mosque is known for its open-door policy, allowing visitors to explore during set hours.
02:03It's one of Muscat's must-see landmarks and a highlight for anyone visiting the capital.
02:09Next up on my tour, it's time for a spot of shopping.
02:13We are heading to Mutra Souk, one of the oldest marketplaces in the world.
02:18The main thing I would recommend is the frankincense.
02:22Frankincense.
02:23Frankincense.
02:24They call it Loban, which is the souvenir of Oman.
02:26Frankincense comes from the sap of local Boswellia trees, which is steam distilled to produce essential oil.
02:33It traditionally is burned as incense, but is also eaten for its medicinal benefits.
02:43As we travel further into the soup, we discover a whole range of goods on display,
02:48from cashmere scarves to traditional clothing and silver jewelry priced by weight.
02:53No trip to Oman is complete without sampling the local cuisine.
02:59And after a day spent exploring the city's most beautiful corners,
03:03we stop at Ramsa restaurant, where a feast of delicious dishes awaits.
03:08Camel meat, which you should have it with Omani bread and honey.
03:12You're gonna try it, you will love it.
03:14And this is mishkaak, and that's the mandi chicken.
03:18So which one you're gonna try first?
03:20Which one am I gonna try?
03:22I would like to try, let's try the shua.
03:27I sample each dish, savoring the unique flavors of Omani cuisine,
03:31and finish with some sweet treats before the final stop on our tour.
03:37Welcome to the Royal Opera House.
03:39Here is the biggest opera house in GCC.
03:42And the third one in Arab region, after Egypt and Syria.
03:48I mean, it is very grand, look at the space.
03:51Yeah, it's really, look at the design, which is very impressive.
03:55Sepi Day guides me through the Opera House, highlighting its key features.
04:00The grand entrance, a remarkable collection of musical instruments gifted to the Sultan,
04:06and the stunning Theatre Hall.
04:08I can only imagine how a performance is here,
04:11with such a huge venue and a beautiful stage.
04:16Oman is a country full of history.
04:18And so I am heading to the Oman Across Ages Museum,
04:22where I am meeting with Haitham Al-Hina'i,
04:25cultural relations administrator at the museum.
04:28Oman's history can be divided into four eras, with the first dating back over 800 million years ago.
04:39Can you imagine that we have dinosaurs here in Oman, and also we have elephants.
04:43So many and many animals do not exist anymore.
04:46But in the old days we have it here in Oman.
04:48So here you are going to see many evidence.
04:50Can I walk on it?
04:51Yes, you can walk, it's OK.
04:52I can walk across the ages.
04:55Moving forward to human settlements in Oman, Haitham explains how remains found in ancient graves reveal the daily lives of early settlers,
05:04along with the animal species that once shared their environments.
05:09So Lily, we are done from the stone era and we move to the bronze era.
05:14In bronze era we have a new civilization, they call it Majan.
05:19And Majan, it means the land of bronze and it was located in different era in Oman.
05:27Oman was famous for its rich copper resources and advanced shipbuilding skills.
05:36The region played a vital role in trade, exporting copper and stone to Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley.
05:45Haitham tells me more about the country's ancient dynasties, which were dependent on Oman's maritime power,
05:52building forts to protect its towns and trade routes.
05:56Guided by one of the world's oldest dynasties, the nation later modernized rapidly under Sultan Qaboos.
06:11To experience Oman's history firsthand, I'm visiting Niswa Fort, one of the country's most iconic landmarks,
06:18built in the 17th century as a home for the ruler of the country, known as the Imam.
06:23I'm meeting with engineer Hatim Ambasiadi, executive director of the fort.
06:30Hatim leads me through the fort's entrance and while the walk feels effortless,
06:36it quickly becomes clear just how carefully fortified and strategically designed this historic stronghold really is.
06:44This is the original and it's built with the material we call it here in Oman, Saruj.
06:50Saruj.
06:51Yes, it's burned mud mixed with rocks.
06:54Very strong.
06:55Very strong, yes.
06:56And you have to burn it under 850 degrees and it takes from 14 to 21 days to work as strong as a cement.
07:04That's why this fort here took 12 years to be built.
07:11The fort is a huge circular tower built on solid rock, could withstand cannon fire and offered views in every direction.
07:19Inside, narrow corridors, hidden doors and false staircases created a clever defence system to stop intruders.
07:26It's remarkable to imagine the skill and complexity involved in constructing such a formidable stronghold.
07:41At the top, sweeping views over Niswa, date palms and distant mountains show why this vantage point was so important for defending the city.
07:51And here you're surrounded by the mountains.
08:00By the mountains, yes.
08:01It's 360 degree views of mountains.
08:03Exactly.
08:04So you have one way in, one way out, so easy to spot the intruders when they come.
08:09Next we head into the castle, once home to rulers and officials, where open living quarters, meeting rooms and courtyards
08:18reveal how governance and daily life balance defence and administration.
08:36We also visit the Imam's residents, whose simple furnishings reflect both leadership and modesty.
08:42Niswa Fort and Castle provide a window into Oman's past, leaving a lasting impression of the city's history, culture and enduring spirit.
08:57Oman's natural landscapes are as dramatic as its history.
09:00Tucked between Oman's dramatic cliffs, Wadi Shab is a hidden oasis, brimming with turquoise pools and cascading waterfalls.
09:10Today, I'm exploring this natural wonder with Abdullah, the Oman Roar Explorer.
09:16Hey.
09:17Abdullah, hello.
09:18Nice to see you.
09:19Welcome.
09:20Thank you very much.
09:21What incredible scenery behind us.
09:22Yeah, this is, we are now in Wadi Shab, so where we will go to see the Wadi.
09:27First, we need to take a boat from here to the other side and then we will do the hike to the nice pool up there.
09:36To get across the water, we board a boat for a very short ride before joining a hike that leads through a lush canyon with shaded paths and natural limestone pools along the way.
09:47Here is the donkey. The local, they use the donkey here for the transportation, you know, from here to up to the old village. They used to live there, but not anymore.
10:04Though the village is now abandoned, Wadi Shab remains a magnet for travelers in search of a hidden mountain oasis.
10:11Strolling past its crystal clear pools, it's easy to understand why adventurers from around the world are drawn here.
10:21Some pools are famous for adventure, like this one, which hosted a Red Bull cliff diving competition.
10:28So they come here in 2012, they organized cliff diving, they jump from this cliff.
10:32Oh, not from here, but from up there.
10:35From up there, yes. How maybe around 27 meters high, yeah.
10:40Hidden waterfalls, emerald pools and towering cliffs create a paradise in the heart of Oman.
10:47Along this hike, countless hidden gems await, with even more stunning Wadi's to explore in the surrounding area.
10:53Something you really can't miss out on when you're in Oman is getting out on their crystal clear waters.
11:01So that's exactly what I'm doing.
11:04I am boarding a small boat operated by GCC Tours, which offers boat trips from Muscat Port.
11:11The sea was beautifully calm and turquoise in color.
11:15As we made our way into the open waters, the captain quickly spotted the dolphins.
11:22Soon we were surrounded by them, their sleek bodies cutting through the water with ease.
11:28The dolphins swam alongside the boat, leaping and diving in smooth, controlled motions.
11:35It was incredible to watch them up close, moving effortlessly through the sea.
11:39Oman is full of surprises. It's beauty, it's peace and it's people.
11:47And of course, it's dolphins.
11:49There's so much to explore here and I really haven't touched the surface, but it's time for my next adventure.
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