AboutPeter Ochs Expertise I am a seasoned traveler and resident in the Middle East. I can answer most questions about the Eastern gulf: cultural, historical geographical, as well as travel logistics. I specialize in tours to Oman but can also handle other countries in the GCC ( UAE, Qatar, etc.) I don`t do Yemen, at least not yet.
Experience
Past/Present clients World Wildlife Fund
Shell Petroleum
Halliburton
Ericcson
US Embassy, Muscat
Oman Sheraton
Lufthansa
Swiss Air
Edu-tainment Travel Services
Expert: Peter Ochs Date: 4/25/2004 Subject: Traveling to Oman
Question Hi Peter, My mother is traveling to Oman next month. She would like to bring us souvenirs back. What would you recommend from Oman? Do they have good jewelry? What about rugs? What are they known for? Thanks so much, Ruthie
Answer Hi Ruthie:
Sorry for not answering sooner, but I have just been leading a trip to Oman. There is a lot to find in the souqs if you are looking for souvenirs. Some of it is authentic. Some of it is kitsch. It's not too hard to tell the difference. But Caveat Emptor, just the same.
If you want something truly original from Oman, get some Omani Frankincense. You'll have to buy the incense burner and the special briquettes to light them, but fortunately, they are available in combined packages. Your mom might also want to sample other fragrances, collectively called bokhur and can be found in the souq in small orange colored tins.
Omani dates are very good. They are tasty, and there are lots of varieties. You can get packages of dried dates to bring home.
There is also a lot of Bedouin silver available in the souqs in Mutrah (captial area), Nizwa and Sinaw. Some of it is old, but if it too antiquated, you might not get it out of the country because of its status as an artifact. There is such of an abundance of it though so I don't think it should be a problem.
If you go up to Jebel Shams and see the Grand Canyon (Wadi Nahkr Gorge) you will come across the rug makers and vendors that sell the real McCoy.
Be prepared to haggle for rugs or any big ticket items. But I usually don't bother with the cheap stuff.
For more info, see my book, the Maverick Guide to Oman on Amazon.com.
