Late in 2007, I made my first trip to Oman, in the Middle East. One of the many highlights was my brief trip into the Wahiba Sands in the Sharqiya Region. Amazing. I was particularly blown away as this was my first visit into any sand dune. Though I was limited to about four hours of daylight all together, it was more than enough to see and feel the power of the dunes. As my photos will show you, I was completely taken by the many shapes and designs that the wind and sand conspire to make.
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat is an amazing feast for the eyes, without question an architectural and religious highlight of the city and country. Named after the reigning Sultan, the mosque is full of highly polished marble, incredibly large Persian carpets and crystal chandeliers, it is certainly opulent, though the major cyclone that hit Oman in 2007 did some major damage to the gardens on the grounds. Regardless, the mosque is a very peaceful and tranquil place to visit. The visiting schedule is somewhat limited for non-Muslims, and the dress-code is rigid -- do your homework before visiting, and you'll surely enjoy yourself.
Beyond the sands and the mosque, there are countless other amazing sites to take in. A truly beautiful country, that certainly surprised me.
