At 61, Carmen Gonzalez, has explored much of the world, yet Oman left an impression unlike any other. Born in Buenos Aires to Spanish parents, she has lived in Spain, France and Germany; and journeyed widely across Asia and the Middle East. Her verdict on Oman is emphatic: “Oman is a real gem: safe, peaceful, with amazing landscapes, rich culture and incredibly hospitable people. Anyone who visits will be pleasantly surprised”.
For Carmen, Oman challenged the stereotypes often associated with Muslim countries in the West, revealing instead a land of warmth, beauty and authenticity. “One should get rid of prejudices based on religion. Yes, fanaticism exists, but it is the exception. In Oman, I met some of the kindest and most respectful people”.
Her first impression of Muscat was love at first sight. “Modernity blends seamlessly with tradition. You have fine restaurants, an opera house; and mountains and dunes integrated into the city. There are no skyscrapers trying to break world records like in the Emirates and even the modern buildings carry an Arab touch”.
The Rub Al Khali or the Empty Quarter — left perhaps the deepest mark. “The beauty of the dunes, the remoteness, the silence — it’s unforgettable. We didn’t see a single car for two hours and camped alone at the foot of Ramlat Jadilah, said to be one of the world’s highest sand dunes. That isolation left an impression I will carry forever”.
Jabal Shams, Oman’s ‘Grand Canyon’, was equally breathtaking. “Waking up as the sun rose over the cliffs was unforgettable”, she recalls. The northern regions, with their forts, wadis and traditional villages, offered culture and adventure, while the far south gave her solitude — pristine beaches, endless roads and quiet desert nights broken only by the cries of seagulls. She spent ten days travelling with two Spanish friends, Paula and Cristina, visiting Nizwa, the wadis and Jabal Shams.
For Carmen, Oman’s people were just as memorable as its landscapes. On Masirah Island, she was welcomed by a local man of modest means who insisted she stay for lunch. “He had never met me before, yet he served us a huge spread of Omani food on the floor, in the traditional way and wasn’t happy until we promised to return the next day”.
Other encounters included being taken on a night drive to spot turtles, invited for tea by an Omani family camping nearby and rescued when her car got stuck in the sand — twice. “Everywhere, people were kind, respectful and eager to help. Not once did we feel unsafe wild-camping”, she says.
Her journey reinforced her lifelong philosophy: “Always approach the unknown with an open mind. Don’t let media or hearsay shape your view. Go and experience it yourself. The Middle East has a bad press in the West, but it is there that I met some of the most wonderful people on this planet”.
Although she found it harder to meet locals through hotels, platforms like Couchsurfing opened doors. In Muscat, she stayed with Arcelle, a Filipina schoolteacher who guided her through the hills and later travelled with Massoud, an Iranian adventurer who joined her on a nearly two-week tour of southern Oman. “Both were amazing and I still stay in touch with them”, she says.
Carmen’s exploration of Oman is far from over. She hopes to return to Musandam, famed for its fjord-like khors and to Salalah during the next Khareef Dhofar Season. “Oman has given me so much already”, she smiles, “but I know there is more magic waiting”.
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