When we go back to France, we’re always attracted by the desertic views through the window. This time, we’ve decided to stop for a few days in Oman, a mysterious country for us, perfectly situated between France and India.

Despite the proximity with UAE, Oman doesn’t look like its flashy neighbours. A sultan is leading the country and has decided to give an other direction to his “sultanate”: even if the infrastructures are perfect (specially the roads), buildings are limited to a certain number of floors and the country still “looks” very traditional: ochre coloured cities in the desert, very lively bazaars, men in white, women in black.

The best way to visit Oman is to rent a car. We only had 4 days so we went straight to the point: visit of Muscat, with a very nice walk at the end of the day on the corniche; then Nizwa with his beautiful forts and Jebel Shams, a huge canyon – we needed one day to reach it (it was quite difficult cause we thought it was not necessary to rent a SUV… Actually it can be useful!) then the Wadis, sort of fjords-oasis : Wadi Tiwi, wonderful for an authentic walk in villages along a marvellous oasis and Wadi Shab, more touristic but sharped with splendid natural swimming pools.

We didn’t know it but Oman is also a perfect country for anyone who wants to go hiking. There is especially an impressive track along Jebel Sham with stunning views on Wadi Ghul which begins from the little village after the view point. We wish we had more time than half an hour but as the sun was declining, we had to turn back.

Oman surprised us more than one time: meeting camels on the side of the road, being suddenly in the middle of wonderful sand dunes, swimming in crystalline water surrounded by mountains, being fired by a goat during a picnic, discovering that men all get a pompom on their clothes to put perfume on it… We’ve been amazed and charmed !

Talking about our trip, we’ve also discovered than Oman is an unknown country. But its oriental gastronomy, the kindness of people, the majestic landscape and the facility to travel there should make it an obvious destination! We even think about going back there, this time rent a SUV and camp in the desert !