Sultanate

Who knew Surfing in Oman is a thing? While Oman is best known for many wonderful things includeing its expansive dunes, towering mountains, endless wadis, aromatic roses, and delicious honey; surfing in Oman is not one of them. However, quietly, this sport is alive and practiced by a group of friendly locals who tell me the waves are surprisingly good.

In this episode of the Sultanate we meet three guys from the very welcoming group, Oman Surfers. Nasser al Gadani, Maynard "Japz" Ringor, and Gigante take a break from their surf session at Joe's Point to fill me in on all the details about surfing in Oman.

We discuss the locations of the surf breaks, the best season for surfing in Oman, the dangers, and how to get involved.

These guys are the real deal. Caring, passionate watermen who are open to sharing and newcomers. So, if you are interested to try your hand at surfing in Oman as a beginner or as a seasoned rider, be sure to look these guys up.

You can view the map of all the surf breaks in Oman at the associated episode post on my website. Check it out! Sultanate Ep 022: Muttrah Fish Souq Links

• Oman Surfers - Facebook
• oman.surf - Instagram
• Map of the surf breaks in Oman

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Music: "Surfing Day" by Marcos H. Bolanos

Do you like what you hear?

Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at www.beyondtheroute.com. You can also leave the show a review on iTunes. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Bonus cilp from episode 22 of the Sultanate.

listen to the full episode here. Follow the show and find more about Oman at:

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This month on the Sultanate podcast we go on a surfing safari with the Oman Surfers. The episode launches on the 12th of November, 2017. Subscribe using Sticher, the iOS Podcast app, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you don't know how to do that, click this link.

Music: "Surfing Day" by Marcos H. Bolanos

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Recently the Muscat Municipality opened the doors to the long awaited Muttrah Fish Souq, so I'm down here poking around and finding out what's changed under the roof of this modern building. Has tradition and charm left when we tore down the old? Let's find out!

In this episode of the Sultanate I bring my microphones down to the tour around the new souq.

You can view images from this visit to the souq at the associated episode post on my website. Check it out! Sultanate Ep 021: Muttrah Fish Souq Links

• Sultanate Ep 007: Muttrah Souq
• 6 Fun Things to Buy at Muttrah Souq
• Riyam - Muttrah Hike (C38)

Follow the show and find more about Oman at:

• www.beyondtheroute.com
• Facebook
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Do you like what you hear?

Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at www.beyondtheroute.com. You can also leave the show a review on iTunes. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

This month on the Sultanate podcast we head down the newly opened Muttrah Fish Souq. The episode launches on the 5th of October, 2017. Subscribe using Sticher, the iOS Podcast app, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you don't know how to do that, click this link.

Follow the show and learn more about Oman at:

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In Oman you have to be flexible, and that's exactly what I needed on my last Salalah road trip. My friends and I found ourselves stuck in the mud!

In this episode of the Sultanate, my friend John and I take you along with us on a nine day trip from Muscat to Salalah and back again. Something you might be considering to do yourself. Along the way we visit rich lagoons, interesting geological sights, historical towns, tourist sights, friends, and a muddy pasture.

There are so many sights to see in Salalah and Dhofar, including many ways to reach the area from Muscat. This Salalah road trip is just one option for an itinerary, but one I've been recommending to readers for years. It gives you a little bit of everything, and a heavy helping of adventure.

You can view images from our trip down the coast at the associated episode post on my website. Check it out!

Bottom line, if you have just over a week to visit Dhofar, consider taking the coastal route for a little more excitement. It is definitely off the beaten track. If you have less time for your holiday you might consider flying from Muscat to Salalah and hiring a car from the airport. That'll give you more time to see the sights of Dhofar. Also, don't try to do it all! Fourteen days is too short, in my opinion, to really enjoy both the south and north of Oman. Plan your trip wisely.

Sultanate Ep 020: Stuck in the Mud - Salalah Road Trip Links

• City Hotel Duqm Review
• 7 Things to See Around Duqm

Follow the show and find more about Oman at:

• www.beyondtheroute.com
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Do you like what you hear?

Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at www.beyondtheroute.com. You can also leave the show a review on iTunes. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Bonus cilps from episode 20 of the Sultanate.

listen to the full episode here. Follow the show and find more about Oman at:

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Join me on a road trip to Salalah. The episode launches on the 11th…. September 11, 2017. Be sure to subscribe using Sticher, the iOS Podcast app, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you don't know how to do that, click this link.

Follow the show and find more about Oman at:

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No other wadi in Oman packs so much excitement into such a small place as Wadi Ta'ab. This little canyon has it all. Isolation, rappels, swims, jumps, sheer walls, and beauty. However, all these features require respect or the canyon will punish you.

In this episode of the Sultanate I take you along with me to Wadi Ta'ab. Also joining us are my friends Franc, Gilles, and Marion. All of us are experienced climbers and two of us, myself and Gilles, have completed this canyon route before, but never in the dead of summer. Wadi Ta'ab is located in the Eastern Hajar Mountains at an altitude of about 500 meters along the dirt track that reaches Salmah Plateau. This whole mountain is made up of limestone, which is a soft stone that erodes easily, creating large caves and deep canyons. Along with Wadi Ta'ab, in this area you'll find the 7th Hole Cave opening and the world renown Majlis al Jinn.

Safety

Canyoning is dangerous! Do not attempt to enter this wadi unless you know exactly what you are doing. Help is very far away. With that said, canyoning is very exciting when done with expierenced guides like twenty3 extreme and Muscat Adventure Center. These companies can take you here safely, and get you home in one piece.

For today's trip through Wadi Ta'ab, suffering from heat exhaustion is our biggest concern. Inside the canyon the temperatures are not too bad because we have shade and the water to cool off in. However, to exit the wadi we must climb up the side of a cliff in the direct sun. This is not for the weak.

We also have to keep watch for vipers which like to feed on the frogs in the wadi. These snakes really don't want anything to do with us two legged animals, but it is easy to accidentally step on one if he didn't hear us coming. If you get bitten it'll take an long time to reach the hospital. So, better to be cautious.

Lastly, we have new ropes to use on the big rappels. We hope they are long enough. There is no room for error.

Put on your harness and swimming trunks, we're heading to Wadi Ta'ab!

You can view images from Wadi Ta'ab at the associated episode post on my website. Check it out!

Sultanate Ep 019: Wadi Ta'ab Links

• twenty3 extreme
• Muscat Adventure Center
• Learn more about the Eastern Hajar Mountains: Salmah Plateau, 7th Hole Cave, Majlis al Jinn

Follow the show and find more about Oman at:

• www.beyondtheroute.com
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter

Do you like what you hear?

Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at www.beyondtheroute.com. You can also leave the show a review on iTunes. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Join me in Wadi Ta'ab. The episode launches on the 11th…. August 11, 2017. Be sure to subscribe using Sticher, the iOS Podcast app, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you don't know how to do that, click this link.

Follow the show and find more about Oman at:

• www.beyondtheroute.com
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter