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: 6/10/2003 Subject: travel in Oman
Question Dear Mr. Ochs,
I am planning to visit Oman during this summer. I know it's not the right period, because of the hot weather, but I can have my holidays only between end of July - beginning of September.
I can speak English, French, Italian (mother tongue) and Arabic, and I would be interested in volunteering with a local association, if possible in Masqat. Alternatively, I am looking for attending an Arabic course.
My problem is the following: I don't know to which ONG I can apply, or which school can offer Arabic classes for foreigners in Oman.
Could you help me?
I thank you a lot in advance and look forward to your kind reply.
Best regards.
Ms. Aurora Favero
Answer Dear Ms. Favero:
Thanks for your letter. I have a couple of questions of my own but first let me tell you the good news: Don't worry about going to Oman in the summer. Even though it is hot in Muscat in the summer, there are other areas that you can find more pleasant.
1) If you are adventursome and like the outdoors, you might consider camping in the mountains up near Jebel Shams where the altitude is over 2500m and the temperatures are 25C in the daytime. There's a lot to do up there including hiking in the Wadi Nakhr Gorge, Oman's Grand Canyon.
2) You might also consider visiting Ra's al Hadd, which is the eastern extremity of the Arabian peninsula to observe the nesting habits of green turtles coming in from the sea. The temperatures are much milder here than in Muscat due to the khareef (summer monsoon). But it is much windier.
3) Since the khareef sets in at the first of June and continues to September, you might consider a visiting Salalah which turns into a garden from the rain and mist that soak the southern region for three months. You might consider staying a while in Salalah. In August they hold the Khareef Festival-- with lots of pageants and cultural activities.
For any of these ventures, I suggest you contact:
Mr. Said al Harthy
Desert Discovery
PO Box 99
Madinat al Sultan Qaboos PC 115
Oman
Tel.: (968) 593232 (office--Rheinhold is the office Mgr.)
(968) 931-7107 (Said's GSM)
Email: tours@omantel.net.om
Please tell him I sent you.
He can set you up for any kind of excursion for you and any other members of your party.
I'm not sure what you mean by "voluntering with a local association." You might contact the American Women's Group in Muscat, Tel. (968) 501824 (They have members from many countries). I don't know if they have a website. But they could certainly tell you about volunteering.
I don't know what you mean by ONG. Once again the American Women's Group could assist you in finding Arabic courses.
For other info, I suggest using the web: www.oman.org
They have lots of updated info on sourcing out some of the things you might need.
You can also contact the Italian Embassy. They are located in Qurum and their number is (968) 564832.
