Tales from Jabal Akhdhar
It’s a collection of five stories written and curated by author Azhaar Ahmed and illustrated by Ibtihaj Al Harthi. The stories were a result of meeting the locals, of knowing inter-generational...
Summer essentials for outdoor lovers
Despite the sweltering heat, there’s no stopping an outdoor lover from either going to the beach or exploring a wadi. Take for instance Omani outdoor lover Ahmed al Jaabri who this weekend joined a...
In search of delicious locally-grown grapes
They were as small as marbles hanging in bunches, their lime green nakedness caressed by the remaining dew from the night before reflect the early morning sunlight making it a memorable sight to...
A winning photographer’s secret: The pursuit for contrast, symmetry and reflection
He has won countless of awards from all over the world but he gets the same nagging feeling every time he joins a competition. He is one of the three Grand Master distinction holders from India...
The hidden world of the kumzaris
It is inhabited by an estimated 4000 people — a cove so small and remote observers describe it a village frozen in time. Located at the northernmost part of Oman, it strategically overlooks the...
Renewed interest in night photography
Oman is the first in the region to host a nature reserve for stargazing. This has been the headline of major newspapers a month back as His Majesty Sultan Qaboos released Royal Decree No. 40/2019...
Time to get ready for Khareef
You would probably say it’s too early to discuss travel plans for the Khareef season but if there’s anything we’ve learned in the past, you can never plan too early when it comes to this hotly...
Not for sale: The giant art pieces of Yousuf al Nahwi
The Oman International Art Fair held in March at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre was a massive affair bringing some of the world’s best artists under one roof. While established and...
Hunting the sands for geodes
A few kilometres from Thamrait, littering the desert sand are petrified cauliflower “stones” that crumbles under the weight of car tyres. They vary in size — some as small as marbles while the...
Watching underwater life without getting wet
Bandar al Khairan continues to cement itself as one of the country’s best natural waterparks being the go-to destination for many campers, divers and underwater-activity enthusiasts. Barely an...
The Grande Dame of Muscat undergoes major upgrade
It’s out with the old and in with the new. And no one deserves this more than the Grand Dame of Oman — The InterContinental Hotel Muscat. When Muscat was just an open space dominated by sand,...
Six light activities to try to diversify Ramadhan routine
There are a few changes that happen during Ramadhan. Timing hours for business operations become shorter but despite this, the hours seem to feel longer probably because many are fasting. People are...
THE WEEKEND WARRIOR : The challenge for storytellers in the Middle East
If you’d been to the cinema this week, then you would definitely have noticed “Aladdin” — the live adaptation of one of Disney’s beloved classic children stories. You would have noticed the...
Jokha al harthi: first arabic author to win booker Literature prize
Questions have gone unanswered. Phone calls ignored. And those who sneakily gotten to her only managed to get one or two quotes. It’s easy to imagine what 2019 Man Booker Prize winner Omani novelist...
Embracing the spirit of giving this Ramadhan
YERU EBUEN - They were all dressed impeccably — the boys in their pristine white dishdashas and the ladies in their traditional Omani dresses. They took the stage with full confidence, trying to...
Iftar: An avenue for people to appreciate each other’s food
She pounded heavily on the wok in front of her not minding the busy to and fro movement of the people around her. The air was filled with the delicious smell of cooked meat and spices. Whenever she...
How Salut tells the present about the past
YERU EBUEN - Salut has gone under the radar for most of these years only generating interests from hardcore archaeology fanatics and history buffs. Understandably so, it is yet to be fully recognised...
Jabal Akhdhar natives are good assets in tourism
As Switzerland is to Europe, Jabal Akhdhar is to the Middle East. The ‘green’ mountain is a treasure trove, rich in cultural history, and visible marine fossils that date back two and half million...
WADI BAT’s pools are seriously beautiful
[gallery type="thumbnails" columns="5" ids="542812,542811,542809,542806,542803"] Deep into the heart of Al Batinah Governorate, in the mountainous area of Liwa, is a small village that has thrived...
Wedding fair helps take edge off of wedding planning
Reporter Mai al Abria knows all too well that preparing for a wedding is a big challenge for couples who wanted to get married. There are multiple factors to consider and without the right contacts...