For a lot of us, it is mentally exhausting to think of creative ways to engage in safe entertainment both indoor and outdoor. I have office mates who are noticeably not their usual self just because being stuck at home has severely affected their mental health.
To get any form of 'entertainment, one has to consider a lot of challenges. From the closure of most public spaces to the time crunch caused by the night lockdown to the safety measures one has to abide by and the rising temperature and quick-changing weather system, it feels like home is the only safe space to be confined in.
As an outdoor lover, I know for a fact that Oman has many captivating natural beauty. I've hiked different mountains, wadis and deserts and most, if not all of them, have taken my breath away.
Seeing how defeated my office mate in the face of surmounting Covid challenges inspired me to be on the lookout for places that would quench my thirst for being in nature without risking my health and that of others.
A few weeks later, I explored two lovely places in Oman. Having considered nearly all the challenges I've mentioned, I felt that this will be a good option for families to get refreshed and rejuvenated during the weekends without risking their health. Both of these places are beautifully maintained by the local authorities and residents and offer an insight into the history of Oman. But rather than elaborating about the history and tradition of the place which is already available on the internet, I would like to share why these places can be visited at this time.
These places are also within a 2-hours drive from Muscat and do not require four-wheel drives. Leaving Muscat at six in the morning would allow you to have a comfortable drive minus the searing heat of the midday sun. Considering the lockdown timings, these kinds of short, pocket-friendly trips are ideal getaways for families and also offer a glimpse into Oman's storied past. Most importantly since there is no crowding, the places are relatively safer to visit in the present scenario.
Abandoned Ruins at Al Hamra Village
This is a 400-year-old town in the northeastern part of Oman. The Al Hamra ruins are estimated to be between 700-1000 years old. You can stroll through the lanes of neatly lined mud-brick houses, walk into the gloomy rooms through the half-broken yet pretty doorways, some of those houses have stairs through which you can access the upper floors. But you need to be very careful while moving through these stairs considering their age and condition. While some houses are partially broken, some are still standing tall with pride and charm. The village is abandoned as all the residents have moved elsewhere to more comfortable dwellings. This place gives an essence of Oman in the olden days and the lifestyle of the people at that time. The place is picturesque and for people with interest in photography, it’s a must-visit. Bait Al Jabal Hospitality Inn is located in one of the oldest houses of Al Hamra. They have renovated the building and converted it into a hotel which gives you a feel of the traditional Omani style of living. This is the only option available for a stay-in in this village. They also have a beautiful terrace restaurant with an amazing view from the top.
Jabreen Castle
Approximately 185 km from Muscat towards Bahla, Jabreen Castle is one of the most beautiful historical monuments in Oman that I have seen. The castle is very nicely preserved and well maintained by the Government. According to the website they are open from Saturday to Thursday 9 am to 4 pm and on Friday 8 am to 11 am. I visited this place on a Saturday. There is an entry fee of 500 baizas and also an optional audio-guided tour is available with very minimal charges. I didn’t opt for the audio tour as most of the sections had information about its history and significance very nicely displayed.
The Jabreen Castle was built in 1675 by Imam Bil-Arab Bin Sultan. The castle is three-storey tall and has three wings featuring decorated windows, wooden balconies, different rooms like an armoury, women’s sitting area, numerous reception halls, library, rooms for storing food and dates, toilets/bathing areas, gender-wise separate jails, etc. One of the very interesting parts is that the ceiling of each room is uniquely and breathtakingly painted. The utensils used during that time are also preserved and neatly displayed for visitors.
The architecture, history and surroundings are so well blended and undoubtedly this is one of my favourite spots as of now.
Oman has a lot to offer, even during these critical times. Following the rules handed by the authority, there are also safe ways to navigate into different places in Oman. When we visited these two places, we stayed for almost 3 hours per location. During those visits, there was almost no other visitor.
Location :
Al Hamra - GPS : https://maps.app.goo.gl/6GyxkrMivUPULuYK9
Jabreen Castle – GPS : https://goo.gl/maps/WHhYss6yjjMQYxEt8
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