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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| Omani women enjoying a walk on the beach |
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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| Pool - beach - sea |
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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| View of the marina and marina bay beach from our apartment |
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?
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| Map of Oman with Al Mussanah's location indicated |
The Hotel & Grounds
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| Millennium hotel entrance at night |
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| Date palm trees on the grounds during sunset |
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| Millennium hotel corniche |
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| Millennium hotel pool at dusk |
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| Apartment complex with Marina ramp in the foreground at dusk |
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| The mini beach at the marina |
Corniche
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| Infinity pool, corniche & beach |
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| Corniche at sunset |
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| The Corniche runs adjacent to the beach |
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| Ansu at the pool patio overlooking the beach and ocean at dusk |
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| The infinity pool that runs adjacent with the corniche at dusk |
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| The outdoor pool shower next to the corniche |
Millennium beach
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| Beach sunset -section of the beach in front of the swimming pools |
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| Omani man walking on the beach |
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| The neighbouring fishing village in the distance |
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| Setting sun |
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| Pondering & watching the sunset |
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| Late afternoon walk picking up shells |
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| Beach sunset |
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| Mom taking a stroll on a windy beach |
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| Tidal pools during high tide |
Our wedding anniversary beach walk
On 6 December 2011, we had our third wedding anniversary. We drove from Rustaq, where we still lived during that time, before our permanent move to the Millennium, and had a late afternoon beach stroll. After our walk, we enjoyed a meal at one of the Millennium restaurants.
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| At the Millennium car park |
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| Beautiful sunset |
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| washed up coral on the beach |
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| Ansu enjoying the afternoon |
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| At the Millennium porch restaurant |
Fishing village nearby
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| Fishing boats on the beach - Neighbouring fishing village |
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| Fishing boats on the beach - Neighbouring fishing village |
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| Fishing boats on the beach - Neighbouring fishing village |
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| Fishing boats on the beach - Neighbouring fishing village |
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| Fishing boat on the beach - Neighbouring fishing village |
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| Seagulls on the beach - Neighbouring fishing village |
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| Fishing boats on the beach - Neighbouring fishing village |
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| Omani fishermen - Neighbouring fishing village |
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| Fishing boats on the beach - Neighbouring fishing village |
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| Fishing boats on the beach - Neighbouring fishing village |
Locals from the village relaxing on the beach
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| Omani women, from the neighbouring fishing village, in informal wear enjoying the beach near the Millennium |
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| Omani women, from the neighbouring fishing village, in informal wear enjoying the beach near the Millennium |
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| Omani girls, from the neighbouring fishing village, in informal wear enjoying the beach near the Millennium |
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| Fishermen putting out to sea - the neighbouring fishing village |
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| Omani women, from the neighbouring fishing village, in informal wear enjoying the beach near the Millennium |
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| Omani women, from the neighbouring fishing village, in informal wear enjoying the beach near the Millennium |
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| Omani kids, from the neighbouring fishing village |
Pure Beach
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| Selfie |
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| The beach late afternoon |
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| Little sea crab |
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| Footprint - proof I was there |
To view Millenium hotel grounds and facilities, click here!
To view a room with a view, our Millennium apartment, click here!
To view eating and dining at the Millennium, click here!
To view water sport at the Millenium Marina, click here!
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