English Teacher in Oman
Staying at the Millennium Hotel
Al Musannah, Oman
December 2011 – July 2012
Background
After 3 months of living in Rustaq, we could bear it no
longer. About 40 km from Rustaq, near Al Musannah, a five-star hotel, called
the Millennium stood ready for our patronage. Built for the 2010 Asia Beach
games, it was and still is a gem in rural Oman. It had apartments to rent for
400 OMR per month, and we decided to do so with or without our employer's
assistance.
In order to sustainably continue our employment, we were
willing to pay out of pocket. Initially, we got a studio apartment, but later
due to the internet not working in our room, we were upgraded to a spacious one
bedroom at no extra cost. We stayed in the hotel for 7 months until we finished
our contract.
During this time we went through many ups and downs; my wife broke her ankle
and I had to assist her with everything whilst at the same time preparing for
my final exam for a research component for a BA (Hons) degree in Development
Studies I was in the process of doing, but it made me stronger....I
survived.....my wife survived.....and I passed the exam. After my exam, I spent
many hours on the beach picking up seashells or just relaxing at the infinity
pool. We also explored Al Musannah with our rented Toyota Yaris and took many
incredible pics of rural Omani culture, such as fishing villages.
During our stay, we also took many trips to the capital of Oman, Muscat,
especially Muttrah Corniche where we could watch the ships and Omani dhows on
anchor and browse for souvenirs at the Muttrah Souq. We also made two trips to
the UAE, once to Al Ain, where my brother just started a teaching position, and
to Fujairah and Dubai with Eva, a South African friend, and colleague.
Oman is not the most advanced place in the world, but it has a rustic
authenticity unparalleled. It has fresh air, lots of sun and wide open spaces,
and it's not uncommon to be noticed by locals and to be invited into their
homes. The Omani's are soft gentle people with lots of hospitality. It is, in
my opinion, the best country in the Gulf to settle down and build a life, as
the Omani's are very accepting and inclusive. The pace here (excluding driving)
is also much slower than in the neighboring UAE.
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| Millennium hotel entrance at night |
About Oman
Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, is an
Arab country on the south-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Holding a
strategically important position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, the country
shares land borders with the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi
Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest, and shares marine borders with
Iran and Pakistan.
From the late 17th
century, the Omani Sultanate was a powerful empire, vying with Portugal and
Britain for influence in the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. At its peak in
the 19th century, Omani influence or control extended across the Strait of
Hormuz to modern-day Iran and Pakistan, and as far south as Zanzibar (today
part of Tanzania, also former capital). As its power declined in the 20th
century, the sultanate came under the influence of the United Kingdom.
Historically, Muscat
was the principal trading port of the Persian Gulf region. Muscat was also
among the most important trading ports of the Indian Ocean.
Oman is an absolute
monarchy. The Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said has been the hereditary leader of
the country since 1970. Sultan Qaboos is the longest-serving current ruler in
the Middle East and sixth-longest current reigning monarch in the world.
Oman has modest oil
reserves, ranking 25th globally. Nevertheless, in 2010 the UNDP ranked Oman as
the most improved nation in the world in terms of development during the
preceding 40 years.
A significant
portion of its economy is tourism and trade of fish, dates, and certain
agricultural produce. This sets it apart from its neighbours’ solely
oil-dependent economies. Oman is categorized as a high-income economy
(Wikipedia).
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| My favorite pic I took at the Millennium - Sunset through the grass |
Enjoy the best of lifestyle resort and leisure by crystal-blue waters at Millennium Resort Mussanah. Experience perfect relaxation, with panoramic views over the Hajar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman. The world-class outdoor sporting facilities in our resort include an 18-hole mini-golf course, tennis courts, and five swimming pools, one of which is exclusive to families, zipline, floating water park “Aqua Fun”, PADI dive center.
Our resort’s private 54-berth marina allows for water sport, sailing, snorkeling and yacht charter options, as well as customized holiday packages and excursions.
Our exceptional beach resort in Musssanah has been the recipient of multiple awards from 2015 MENA Travel, 2017 & 2018 World Luxury Hotels, 2017 Luxury Travel Guide, 2018 Hotel Middle East Award, 2018 Arabian Travel Awards, 2018 Haute Grandeur Awards and TripAdvisor.
With 308 spacious accommodations, a state-of-the-art Health & Fitness Club and Zayna Spa offering relaxation treatments from around the world, couples, families and business guests will be sure of a restful stay at our luxury resort in Oman. Kids and adults will love the onsite diving and sailing school, zip-line and aqua fun. Come stay, live and play in the lap of luxury.
For those who wish to explore the local area, Rustaq & Nakhal Fort, the Harjar Mountains, Mussanah Fort, and Damaniyat Island are all nearby, as well as a local fish market (Millennium hotels: online)
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| The view of marina and beach from our hotel balcony |
About Al-Musannah
Al-Musannah or Al-Musannah (Arabic: المصنعة) is a town in the Al Batinah Region of
northern Oman. As of 2010, it had a population of 6,291 [Wikipedia].
What does the Lonely planet say about Al Musannah?
"Musannah is the home of Oman's navy, docked at Wudum
naval base. Quite fittingly, then, the town has also earned itself a name as
the destination of choice for nautical adventures.
Indeed, the Millennium
Resort that punctuates the flat shoreline of Musannah, at the edge of the
shrubby Batinah Plain was initially established to accommodate athletes during
the second Asian Beach Games of 2010 and that event left behind a legacy of
sailing, kayaking, and swimming that has since been supplemented with a range
of other water sports, including a water park".
Where is Al-Mussanah?
