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Call of the wild

Abdulaziz al balushi
Deputy CEO
National Bank of Oman

“Vacations give you a chance to explore the beauty of the world. As I love nature, I like going to places which are quiet and peaceful,” says Abdulaziz al Balushi. Given his penchant for nature, countrysides, forests and islands are top-draw vacation spots for Balushi.

Instead of going on an annual vacation, he prefers to split up his leave into two or three tranches of ten-12 days each. “During such short holidays, the only restriction is that one cannot go to far away destinations where three to five days are spent travelling.” The family usually takes a vacation to Europe or the Far East.

Having studied in England, the place remains an abiding favourite. “I have my family and friends in England. Moreover, I know the place like the back of my hand so I usually rent a car and drive around the scenic countryside.”

A combination of nice food, quiet locales and value-for-money holidays makes the Far East a favourite option. But even in Malaysia or Thailand, it is not the big cities like Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur that attract him.

“I prefer Langkawi Island or Phuket to the big cities. Going to the smaller places gives a chance to experience the local culture.”

A vacation is also a chance to sit back and think about new ideas and strategies. “With the mind being free from daily chores like numbers and assignments, one sees things from a completely new perspective. One comes back fresher and it is almost like starting a new life.”

The perfect holiday

adbullah al salmi
Executive vice president
Regulatory Affairs Capital Market Authority

“The best place to go is where you are not really reachable,” says Abdullah al Salmi. While this may not be entirely possible in today’s wired world, it is definitely worth a try. He is a firm believer in the virtue of taking vacations. “It is important for executives to get away from one’s routine and see things as an outsider. It also gives one time to share with one’s family.”

Salmi goes about choosing his vacations meticulously. Rule one: there should be something for everyone – the kids, his wife and himself. A destination is chosen only if it suits the needs of the entire family. Rule two: change is the essence of making every holiday memorable. “You need to experiment with places, one needs to do something different every time.”

While his personal preference will be various resorts and spas in the hinterlands of Malaysia and Thailand, he is always prepared to forsake those in favour of Genting Highlands or Bangkok to accommodate the preferences of his family members. He fondly remembers a visit to the Lake District in England. “There were quite a few lakes and I enjoyed it thoroughly.”

While on vacation, Salmi loves experimenting with different cuisines. “With the world becoming a global village, you get Arabic cuisine both in the Far East and Europe, but the point is to enjoy something which is different from home.” He is already looking forward to his next break. “I come back fresh and with a lot of new ideas after every vacation.”

White city charms

MOHAMMED AL ShIkELy
Senior manager marketing
Oman Air

“A vacation to Amman, the capital of Jordan, is both enjoyable and educational,” says Mohammed al Shikely. A mix of the traditional and modern, Amman (referred to as the White City) offers a variety of historical sites like the citadel and the Roman Theatre along with an impressive array of restaurants and shopping areas.

“While going on a holiday we usually choose a place which has something for the children. My kids love to visit places where they can ask a million questions.” The Dana Nature Reserve with its numerous species of birds and animals is well known for its rugged beauty and diversity. Over the years Shikely has acquired a taste for historical sites and museums.

The family enjoys beaches and being close to the sea. The Gulf of Aqaba with its crystal clear waters remains a favourite as it offers a variety of water sports like water skiing, windsurfing and diving.

Coming to cuisine, Jordan offers the best of choices both in terms of variety and taste. “While most people do not think about food as an important factor, once you are at a place it has the potential to make or mar a vacation.”

Apart from Jordan, Shikely loves travelling to Germany. One, as he has a number of friends in Germany he feels at home. Second, he enjoys the beauty of the countryside. “I usually like to go to places where tourists do not go, it could be a small village which gives an opportunity to see the way people live in a country.”