author - oman observer

Al Hoota Cave occupies a cherished spot in my heart; it was the site of one of my earliest caving adventures back in 2002, accompanied by a spirited group of French friends. The vivid memories of that...

The Sultanate of Oman stores more than 500 forts, watchtowers, and citadels dotting its coast and inner regions. Many of these historical landmarks remain undiscovered, concealed by the passage of...

They are like the arteries keeping the body alive. Oman’s ingenious ancient system, Aflaj, has kept the arid country’s fields and date palm groves green for thousands of years. The traditional...

Joey Abou Jaoudeh was dwarfed by the huge rock he was ascending, overlooking the Tannourine valley. Facing the Mediterranean to the west, the imposing cliff offers a breathtaking view of the valley...

It is thirteen years since the Jewel of Muscat made its epic voyage across the Indian Ocean, following the ancient trade route east from Oman to Singapore.The dhow, which was built along the lines of...

If you are seeking respite from the scorching summer temperatures that plague the Gulf Arab countries, there is no need to embark on a long journey. Just 1,000 kilometers south of Muscat lies Salalah,...

Within Oman's stunning Al Hajar mountain range, Jabal Akhdar, also known as the ‘Green Mountain,’ has long been a hidden gem. Until the 1990s, this spectacular destination was restricted to locals...

On July 27, a dear friend, Khamis al-Subhi, sent me a message with a sad voice. He said, “Good morning, Khaled. Sorry to disturb you early in the morning, but I wanted to tell you that our dear...

A few months ago, some French friends sent me a message asking if I could guide their friends to discover a few hidden gems in Oman. As usual, I am very happy to share the beauty of this amazing...

It was like an explosion of happiness and joy. We fell into each other’s arms and started jumping like kids.” With these words, 85-year-old Lebanese cave explorer Sami Karkabi recalled the...

The Sultanate of Oman is extremely rich in stunning sites where campers can build their tents and enjoy intimate and direct contact with Mother Nature. Venturing into the untamed heart of Oman unveils...

A number of specialised museums, most backed with private money and displaying private collections, have been popping up in Beirut, offering an instructive and cultural experience.Among the best known...

My four friends and I had to wait for two years before we could finally manage to have a holiday at the same time in order to cross the tunnel joining the three-window cave to Al Tahiri Cave in Selma...

Tiwi, one of the most difficult and spectacular wadis to cross, is among my favourites. In the past, it was one of the most arduous wadis in Oman that took two days to explore, but the trip became...

A few years ago, I was part of a team that was working on a production for the French channel FR3 about African music in Oman. The team of four people included journalist Veronique Nizon, her...

After asking my friend Marhoun from Halhal whether he came across any rock carvings in the mountains near his village, he called me last February. “Khaled, my uncle told me that he saw some carvings...

It was thanks to a tip from one of my patients, Adil bin Saleh Al Zakwani, that I had the chance to visit a little known cave in Wadi Al Mueidin in Jabal Akhdar that local people call “Al Dawa”...

Around two hours drive from Muscat, Selma plateau hosts Majlis al Jinn, one of the biggest chambers in the world and at 1300 m altitude above sea level, one of the most intriguing cave network to...

It was a sunny day of March 2020 when I headed with family and friends to a mountain near the village of Maabit to check a new sinkhole, unaware of the great discovery that we would eventually...