Q: Why did you choose Oman? (This question generally comes right after, "Where is Oman?")
A: At first, we looked at traveling to West Africa (Benin, Senegal). Since April is the rainy season, we decided that the risk of heavy rains and flooding was too high. We didn't want to get stuck in a tiny fishing village for 2 weeks, unable to travel around and see the rest of the country, so we looked at Northern Africa (Morocco, Tunisia), Eastern Africa (Egypt) and parts of the Middle East (Jordan, Petra, Turkey). We wanted a country that matched these criteria: a) no one had been there already, b) no one wanted to travel there in the future with a significant partner/family member and c) it was a country that was traditional and authentically Middle East, but safe enough for women to travel around alone. We focused our attention on some of the other countries in the Middle East (Saudi, UAE, Yemen) and, thanks to Hana's superb research skills, found Oman.
A: At first, we looked at traveling to West Africa (Benin, Senegal). Since April is the rainy season, we decided that the risk of heavy rains and flooding was too high. We didn't want to get stuck in a tiny fishing village for 2 weeks, unable to travel around and see the rest of the country, so we looked at Northern Africa (Morocco, Tunisia), Eastern Africa (Egypt) and parts of the Middle East (Jordan, Petra, Turkey). We wanted a country that matched these criteria: a) no one had been there already, b) no one wanted to travel there in the future with a significant partner/family member and c) it was a country that was traditional and authentically Middle East, but safe enough for women to travel around alone. We focused our attention on some of the other countries in the Middle East (Saudi, UAE, Yemen) and, thanks to Hana's superb research skills, found Oman.
Q: What are you looking forward to the most about your trip?
A: For me, I can't wait to be in the desert. To sleep overnight in a tent on the sand. To experience the breathtaking heat, dryness and spiritual magic that I find in the desert. And I can't wait to ride a camel!
Q: Do you have to wear a veil/burqa while you are there?
A: To be respectful to the locals, we have to dress conservatively and ensure that our shoulders and knees are not bare. In the hotels, we can be more relaxed with shorts/t-shirts, but outside of the hotels, and especially in the smaller villages, we will be covering ourselves up.
Q: How long of a flight is it to get there? What is your flight path?
A: We fly from Montreal to Amsterdam to Abu Dhabi to Muscat. We leave at 6:25pm on Saturday April 4 and arrive at 8:55pm on Sunday April 5th. (This includes the +8 hours time difference between Ottawa and Oman).
Q: Is alcohol permitted in Oman?
A: From what I've read, alcohol is permitted in restaurants and hotels in Oman. Local businesses can purchase a liquor permit to purchase alcohol, but individuals cannot. Travelers arriving in Oman are allowed to bring 1 bottle of wine into the country.
If you have other questions, please send them to me or post them in the comments. I'd be happy to try and answer them for you.
~ Lala
Q: How long of a flight is it to get there? What is your flight path?
A: We fly from Montreal to Amsterdam to Abu Dhabi to Muscat. We leave at 6:25pm on Saturday April 4 and arrive at 8:55pm on Sunday April 5th. (This includes the +8 hours time difference between Ottawa and Oman).
Q: Is alcohol permitted in Oman?
A: From what I've read, alcohol is permitted in restaurants and hotels in Oman. Local businesses can purchase a liquor permit to purchase alcohol, but individuals cannot. Travelers arriving in Oman are allowed to bring 1 bottle of wine into the country.
If you have other questions, please send them to me or post them in the comments. I'd be happy to try and answer them for you.
~ Lala
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