Postcards from Oman – natural wonders Photos by Roxana Farca

According to Rougb Guide*, the sultanate of Oman is “one of the best places in the Gulf to experience traditional Arabia. Quiet stretches of coast are shaded with nodding palm trees and dotted with fishing boats. Mudbrick villages nestle amid sprawling date plantations or cling to the sides of remote valleys. Craggy chains of towering mountains are scored with precipitous canyons and rocky wadis, while the wind-blown dunes and gravel plains of the great inland deserts stretch away into the distance.” After two visits to Oman, I can certainly say there is no exaggeration in this promise.

We have seen deep and clear turquoise waters, dry mountains and lunar landscapes, marvellous colours in the desert and some unforgettable sunsets. That is why my Oman galleries begin with landscapes. In this post you will be able to see shots of the desert (Wahiba Sands), the Hajar Mountains (mainly from the Balcony Walk, a famous and easily accessible trekking route), two canyons, (Wadi Bani Khalid) and several beaches on the Arabian Sea (part of the Indian Ocean).

In the following galleries I will post scenes from rural and urban Oman.

*Thomas, Gavin (2013-10-17). The Rough Guide to Oman