Come to Masira
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July | 2019 omran.om يوليو | 2019 come to masira for the perfect beach getaway & kite-surfing destination Inside Story Escape to Alila Jabal Akhdar Art & culture with Abdullah Al Sabah omani hospitality reflected in design at atana musandam resort History in Focus nizwa: experience the history of Omani life July | 2019 Published by for Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN) /@CrownePlazaMuscatOCEC /@CrownePlazaMuscatOCEC 2 1 CP-OCEC Magazine Ads.indd 2 02/10/2018 11:43:34 contents July | 2019 04 Family Fun 06 Adrenaline 08 Come to Masira 12 Inside Story 16 History in Focus 20 Art & Culture 22 Get with Nature 24 Bright Beginnings 26 What’s Cooking hayyakum 30 OCEC 32 Partner 34 Icons of OMRAN dear reader, Welcome to Panorama, our seasonal supplement and information about new places, people and designed to give a deep insight into Omani tourism, experiences with each exciting issue. 38 High Flyers local communities, heritage, culture, and natural In our inaugural edition, we take our readers on ‚‚ landscape. The launch of Panorama is in line incredible journeys across the Sultanate; we explore our aim is to with our objective to play an important role in Masirah which was named Serepsis by Alexander 40 OMRAN Map paving the way for the tourism sector to support The Great, we also go windsurfing, hike up Jabal take you on the government’s economic diversification plans Akhdar with Abdullah al Sabaah, and zip-line in Al an incredible and showcase our commitment as a responsible Musannah. In this issue, we take our readers on an journey that developer of tourism in Oman. adventure through the wandering tunnels of Nizwa As the name of this issue suggests, Panorama Fort, take the challenge of our local Via Ferrata will give you will capture a wide view of the Sultanate. Our aim in Alila, and go bird watching in the Al Ansab a varied view is to take you on an incredible journey that will give Wetland, and so much more! you a varied taste of all that our country has to offer You will also get to know one of our development of all that our and the diverse projects and tourism attractions in partners, we will visit Muscat Bay, one of the largest country has OMRAN’s portfolio. From the mountains, wadis integrated tourism projects in the Sultanate, and and beaches which have made Oman the jewel of the Chef Malik Al Jahdhami will give us a true taste OMRAN Corporate Affairs Dept. HoD Business Development Dept. Business Development Department to offer Arabian peninsula, to the hidden treasures, unique of Oman by sharing his special recipe for one of Sheikh Qais Zahir Al Hosni Fatima Mohammed Al Gheilani Prem Varghese viewpoints and our age-old heritage which makes a the most popular traditional dishes. We also cover Sulaiman Ali Al Maqbali Abdulaziz bin Shihab Al Shukaili trip to the Sultanate a true one-of-a-kind experience. upcoming events in Oman, share the impressive Badriya Abdul Rahman Al Siyabi Karen Jane Stephen When we envisioned Panorama, we were success stories of entrepreneurship in the tourism Dalida Deeb Abdulnour Ali Jawish adamant that our stories would attract not just the sector, and introduce you to one of the hidden thousands of visitors that we welcome to Oman each soldiers in the world of Tourism. The intellectual property rights of all published material is owned by OMRAN and it is therefore strictly prohibited for any year, but also the residents who have the privilege of We hope you enjoy reading Panorama as much as content from this edition to be published or re-published for any and all purposes, be it in print or digital, without referring to the experiencing this incredible country each and every we have enjoyed creating it for you! company and obtaining prior written consent for the same. 2 day. Panorama will give them the insights 3 contact us : [email protected] Family Fun scientifically hawana aqua park Al Hoota Cave was cre- ated, like many other caves swimming, games & endless fun in Oman, by the chemical dissolution of limestone by Oman has a wide range of luxurious hotels and spas, restaurants, malls with the very latest acidic water. It all starts technology and brands, and fun parks for the when rainwater dissolves entire family. Situated just a 20-minute drive carbon dioxide from the away from Salalah International Airport, the atmosphere or soil, produc- Hawana Aqua Park is a prime example of the ing a dilute carbonic acid latter. that dissolves the limestone Encompassing over 65,600 sqm of space, as it runs over it, thus the aqua park welcomes up to 1,500 guests on a forming the cave. Scientist daily basis; providing them with the complete estimated the time it takes fun-filled aquatic experience encompassing 12 slides, a wave and family pool, a toddlers’ aqua for water to dissolve 10mm play area, and pool-front seating areas. of rock is about 100 years. With wacky rides such as the ‘Walhalla So, one can only imagine Wave’, ‘Space Bowl’, and the ‘Body Blaster’ for al hoota cave how long it took to create a adults; and the ‘Clown Shower’, ‘Octopus’ and cave formation as spectacu- ‘Frog’ slides for its more younger visitors, the one of the region’s stunning natural lar as Al Hoota. Fascinating park ensures there is something for everyone wonders awaits you and your family features such as stalagmites, to enjoy. stalactites and of course Visiting families can also rest assured that the magnificent lion of Al everyone is in safe hands. Every facility and ride is maintained to the highest standards and Hoota Cave are formed by is operated under the constant supervision of mineral deposits as water qualified staff. ESTIMATED TO BE OVER TWO MILLION YEARS OLD AND LOCATED AT THE FOOT OF JABAL SHAMS, drips into or moves through The Hawana Aqua Park also introduced a THE STUNNING AL HOOTA CAVE WOULD HAVE STAYED HIDDEN WERE IT NOT ACCIDENTALLY STUMBLED the cave system. ‘Ladies Night’, with extended opening hours UPON BY A SHEPHERD HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO. TODAY THE CAVE IS THE FIRST AND ONLY ONE IN THE There are also many and entrance permitted only for women every ARABIAN PENINSULA THAT HAS BEEN EQUIPPED TO FACILITATE TOURIST VISITS. other animal species living Thursday; however, boys under the age of five in the cave including bats are also permitted. During this time all mobile WITH JUST OVER 500M OF THE CAVE MADE EASILY ACCESSIBLE, A VISIT TO THIS NATURAL JEWEL IS A phones, photography, and videography are should visit this cave at least once. It is an such as the Rhinopoma TRULY UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE. Muscatellum, together with prohibited for extra privacy and all on-duty staff experience of a lifetime, one that must be seen are women. several other arthropods, Your visit to the Al Hoota Cave begins bats, arthropods, molluscs, spiders, snails and first-hand. The sheer detail and astonishing The Hawana Aqua Park is a true one-of-a- through the vast mountainside, steep valley, water beetles. delicacy with which Mother Nature has molluscs, spiders, snails, and kind destination in Salalah and a must visit. It and long tunnel leading to its entrance. Despite As one of the projects that lie under its direct carved out these caves is a true sight to behold. water beetles. is destinations like these that play an integral being just a few minutes long, this breath-taking supervision, this once in a lifetime experience It is also enjoyable to see visitors’ surprised role in transforming Oman into a diverse ride is only a taste of what is to come. at the Al Hoota Cave is carefully curated by expressions, and sometimes that of fear, when tourism destination, one the entire family can facilities: enjoy. Once through the fortified door, you will the Oman Tourism Development Company we tell them that we are standing under millions be guided down a fixed path into the depths (OMRAN). The experience was itself designed of tons of rocks,” says Seelem. However, in • Geological exhibition of the cave passing by countless stalactites and to provide visitors with a perfect blend of order to protect and maintain the unique entrance fees during khareef • Gift shop stalagmites along the way. As explained in detail entertainment and learning; resulting in a fun ecosystem of the cave for future generations, season: • Restaurant by your guides along the way, these stunning yet knowledgeable experience that is perfectly only 750 visitors are allowed to visit the cave • Adults and children above 1.1m: OMR 7 ‚‚ • Mosque features, including gorgeous formations such suited for families and visitors of all ages. per day. This is why it is vital that all visitors • Under 1.1m: OMR 4 an incredible as the magnificent lion of Al Hoota Cave, are With special focus being given to its younger pre-book their tickets. Given its unique beauty • Rest-rooms • Children under the age of 3: Free adventure for formed by dissolution of limestone and mineral demographic, children will get to know and and easy accessibility for the entire family, this is • Free Wi-Fi • Special rates: corporate and groups the whole family, deposits over millions of years as water drips meet a group of fun cartoon characters inspired one location you most definitely wouldn’t want • Parking especially curated into or moves through the cave system. Your by the natural wonders of the cave. The first of to miss on your visit to Oman. • Kids play area daily opening hours to engage and guided tour will last approximately 45 minutes these characters is Laith, the undisputed King fri - wed: 10.00am - 7.00pm educate children and is available in both Arabic and English.