Oman

Oman is perhaps the most striking country on the Arabian peninsula. Due to its strategic location, people have inhabited and fought over this part of the world for centuries. The nation is crisscrossed by a network of impressive forts and watchtowers that look down on the cities from seemingly every direction. Building codes promulgated by the current sultan stipulate that while Oman continues to modernize at a breathtaking pace, all new structures must be built in traditional Omani styles. The end result is a country that is as advanced as its oil-rich neighbors but without having sacrificed much of its heritage in the process.

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On the left, the place that made it all happen; after seeing a photo of Nizwa Fort in a magazine, I was determined to see it (and Oman) with my own eyes. On the right, the elaborate Omani visa with characteristic revenue stamps.

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Nestled among the coastal hills, the capital city of Muscat beckons.

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Mirani Fort towers over the city.

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Close-up of some of the detail on the mosque in front of Mirani Fort.

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The Sultan's palace in Muscat, used primarily for formal receptions.

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Waterfront stroll in Muttrah, Muscat's port district.

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Two locals strike a pose at Muttrah's rousing morning fish market.

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One of my favorite pictures for the perfect blend of modern & traditional elements,
but it is rather misleading in that many Omani women choose much more modern attire.

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Heading inland through the arid landscape to Bahla and its impressive fort,
recently declared a World Heritage Site.

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As is the case in all Muslim countries, mosques are found everywhere,
even in the seeming middle of nowhere.

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The timing of our trip could not have been more perfect. The week of the Hajj is a time of great celebration in the Muslim world, and lavish feasts are prepared at its conclusion. At the lively cattle auction in Nizwa below, prized specimens are paraded through throngs of onlookers shouting their bids. To an outside observer witnessing this spectacle for the first time, it's a scene of utter chaos!

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More scenes from the livestock souq. On the left, a local boy takes it all in.
On the right, a man waits for an opportunity to offer his goat for sale.