Go with Henry: Millennium surroundings

Sunday 24 June 2012

Millennium surroundings - rural Al Musannah

English Teacher in Oman

Exploring 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 Beach Resort 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, date plantation communities, camels, goats, etc.

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 kind, gentle people with lots of hospitality on offer.

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.

On my way to work - Camel in an open field near the Millennium hotel

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).

The Millennium Beach resort marina corniche at night

About the Millennium Resort hotel

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.

Fishing boats on the beach - Neighbouring fishing village

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?

Map of Oman with Al Mussanah's location indicated

Near the Millennium...

On my way to work - Camels in an open field near the Millennium hotel

Nearby fishing village - goats in the street

Nearby fishing village - goats on the beach

Stopping near the Millenium to take some pics

Camels in an open field near the Millennium hotel

Omani children playing games at the side of the road

Fishing village nearby

Fishing boats on the beach - Neighbouring fishing village

Fishing boat on the beach - Neighbouring fishing village

Seagulls on the beach - Neighbouring fishing village

Fishing boats on the beach - Neighbouring fishing village

Omani fishermen - Neighbouring fishing village

Fishing boats on the beach - Neighbouring fishing village

Locals from the village relaxing on the beach

Omani women, from the neighbouring fishing village, in informal wear enjoying the beach near the Millennium

Omani girls, from the neighbouring fishing village, in informal wear enjoying the beach near the Millennium

Omani kids, from the neighbouring fishing village

Entering another world...

Walking along the beach away from the glitz and the glamour of the Millennium, there are little fishing villages strewn along the Al Musannah coastline, where one may find a glimpse of authentic Oman.

One Friday afternoon I was bored and decided to walk along the beach and I came across this fishing community, in stark contrast to my usual surroundings at the Millennium hotel.