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What's happening in and around Oman this April

Around Oman, by dirt bike
Off road thrills are set to combine with adventure tourism promotion as four bikers set out to complete a journey around the sultanate. Ian Greasby, Simon Humphreys, Tim Redman and Scott Shankland will cover a total distance of 3,500km, almost completely off road, over a period of seven days.

Starting March 23, they will ride between ten to 12 hours a day. Their trip will take them over the Hajar Mountains, through the dunes of the Sharqiya Sands, to the wilayat of Mahoot and also to Salalah.

Group leader Ian says that he anticipates the fourth day, which will see the group ride along the Yemeni border to the west and northwards following the border of Saudi Arabia, to be the most interesting. “I have never ventured through this part of the country before and there are virtually no tracks to follow,” explains Ian. To make the journey less treacherous, each rider will carry a global positioning system device (GPS), as well as their mobile phones in case of an emergency. In addition, a friend of Ian’s will act as base controller, whereby if any of the bikers fail to contact him at the allotted times, he will alert the authorities. “We don’t anticipate any major problems, but we are fully prepared,” Simon adds.

Although this particular adventure has no specific charity focus, Simon explains that if it were to become an annual event, the group would certainly consider using the next tour as a platform to fundraise. Meanwhile, in order to finish the journey in style, the four riders are expecting to be met by around ten other dirt bikers so that they can travel the final 200km from Rustaq to Muscat together. The bikers were excited about seeing new parts of Oman and to face the challenges of the journey as a team. They are being sponsored by the Crowne Plaza Hotel Muscat and Honda, which will also allow the bikers to use their workshop facilities in the city, if needed.

Turtle spotting
Among the visitors at Shangri-La’s Barr al Jissah Resort and Spa are the rare green turtle and the hawksbill turtle. And to get to know more about these two species, you can talk to Mohammed al Hasani, the resort’s turtle ranger. For a long time now, sea turtles have been making their way onto beaches throughout Oman to lay their eggs. Their nesting has become very popular with sightseers and the Omani government has appointed turtle rangers to make sure that these rare creatures experience the minimum of disruption during their annual pilgrimage. In the 2006 turtle season (January to August), the resort’s beaches were visited by 106 turtles that laid 10,600 eggs.

Mohammed, who has had training on the behavioural trends of different species of turtles on Masirah Island and Ras al Hadd that are renowned for their turtles, encourages guests to watch the egg-laying from non-intrusive positions. Also, the nesting turtles are nurtured during their time ashore and temporary barriers, which are erected to protect their nests from people walking on the beach, remain in place until the eggs hatch. The beaches at the resort remain unlit at night and the exterior lights of the hotel are designed so that these turtles are not put off from coming ashore.

Green turtles are the largest of the sea turtles found in Oman and are now classed as an endangered species, although they are the most common species found in the country. They can be identified by their dark brown, round carapace, four pairs of large plates, small head and small rounded beak. They can reach up to 1.2m in size and weigh up to 200kg. Females are estimated to reach sexual maturity between 37 and 49 years of age, and they can nest up to five times a season, with intervals of up to 14 days between nesting and two to three years between seasons. They can lay more than 100 eggs in a clutch.

Hawksbill turtles are one of the smallest species of sea turtles and are named for their pointy, slightly hooked beak, which is accentuated by their narrow head. They have two pairs of plates between their eyes, compared to the single plate found on green turtles, and this is sometimes their only distinguishing feature. An adult hawksbill turtle can reach up to 80cm in length and 50kg in weight, and can lay well over 100 eggs in a single clutch. Hawksbill turtles are listed as critically endangered.

The sound of thunder
Providing further options for those looking for customised adventure tours in Oman is the destination management company Desert Thunder. The Muscat-based company provides a range of activities, both on land and at sea, for small groups as well as individuals. Their land adventures include wadi bashing, wadi trekking, turtle viewing, bullfighting and horse riding. Oman’s deserts and mountains are covered through dune bashing, camel safaris, staying overnight at desert camps, sand skiing, visiting Bedouin villages, as well as treks through Jebel Akhdar, Jebel Shams and Snake Canyon, the 200m deep fissure at Wadi Bani Awf.

Desert Thunder own and run three boats offering a variety of sea adventures, from dolphin watching and big game fishing to overnight sailing trips along Oman’s coast. There are chartered as well as scheduled trips to choose from, among them a sundowner cruise, on the boats that are fitted with GPS, radar and VHF radio. The Jinan al Bahr yacht is available for full day and overnight trips, sailing along the coast of Oman from Muscat to Sur, or for half day trips of lesser distance. The yacht has a maximum capacity of 25 passengers and has ten berths in five double air conditioned cabins. 55ft VIP yacht Al Tayf, has a maximum capacity of 20 passengers. Sea Thunder is a ten metre rigid hull inflatable boat that operates dolphin watching and coastal tours of Muscat several times a day. It is crewed by a minimum of two fully qualified RYA crew and the captain has over 12 years experience in Omani waters. Tours last 90 minutes and include an informative coastal tour pointing out a number of historical sites along the coast as well as travelling further into the Gulf of Oman in search of dolphins.

Also on the cards are heritage and souq tours, covering the Nizwa, Bahla and Jabrin forts, and the Sinaw camel market and the Muttrah fish souq among others. You can choose from half day, full day or overnight adventures, and the company can organise a detailed itinerary for you.

For more details, visit www.desertthunderoman.com

Head of state
You might never have the chance to drive it, but you’ll soon have the opportunity to have a look at Mercedes-Benz’s latest efforts. The manufacturer is the only carmaker that has for over eight decades developed and built Pullman limousines – and it is doing it again. Its engineers are currently developing a new luxury limousine which integrates the highest level of protection for governments, businesses, monarchs and heads of state.

Specialists work on the theory of integrated special protection. In effect this means that, rather than retrofitting the protective elements in the doors, rear wall, side panels, roof lining, firewall, etc. of an already finished vehicle, they fully integrate them into the body shell. The first of the new Mercedes-Benz State Limousine is due to be delivered in the
first quarter of 2009 and can be serviced at any Mercedes-Benz service outlet worldwide.

How much of a car do you have?
Meet Girish Shivanand, who turns the tables on what you need to tackle one of Oman’s steepest roads. Photos that he sent us , shot on his last trip to Oman from the UAE, prove that anything is possible, if you have the will – and the car. Says Girish, “Last month I did manage to do the Al-Hamra-Haat-Balad Seet-Rustaq route – the most horrible route for a saloon car. After the drive, I must tell you that I wouldn’t attempt doing it again. Never ever!”