Michaela Eckmüller

How Oman conquered my heart

The Orient has always fascinated me, simply because it is so different from what we know from European countries: the cultural and religious influences, the climate, the landscapes, the scents…

To be honest, I only engaged more intensively with Oman through my job at Take Memories. But the more I learned about the country, the greater my desire became to see it with my own eyes someday.

When I finally found myself on site for the first time (and it may sound cliché, but it was exactly like that), all my expectations were exceeded. The kickoff was an absolute highlight: the mountain safari in Musandam, the night on a traditional Dhow boat in the bay of Khor Najd, and the group of dolphins that accompanied us the next day as we sailed through the sea sparkling in the sunlight. Just these first days left a deep impression on me – and the rest of the journey continued in the same way. Every place had its own charm and made Oman even more beautiful for me.

Even after several trips, this country continues to fascinate me anew with unique moments that make Oman a very special place for me.

Places that particularly fascinate me

Nizwa

What I love about Nizwa is this unadulterated, typically Omani atmosphere. While Oman is generally still very original and tradition-bound, this feeling is even more palpable in Nizwa.

During the day, the city invites you to let yourself drift through the souk, nibble on the seemingly endless selection of delicious dates, and stroll through the small alleys. In the evening, the city then unfolds its unique magic. The streets are bathed in warm light, filled with life and voices. With a spicy, sweet milk tea in hand, one can linger here wonderfully while letting the gaze wander over the rooftops of the city and the impressive mountain backdrop in the background.

Wahiba Sands

For me, a stay in the desert is simply part of every trip to Oman. Maybe it's exactly this feeling of 1001 nights that makes this place so special. Nothing but dunes as far as the eye can see. It is impressive how quickly one finds peace here and how small one feels amidst this vast landscape.

I love it when the sun slowly disappears behind the dunes, the campfire crackles, and one simply sits together without looking at the phone or being distracted by anything. Instead, you have conversations, laugh together. In that moment, daily life feels miles away, and you simply feel the pure happiness of being in this magical place.

Salalah

Many think of palms and beach when they hear Salalah. However, there is so incredibly much more to discover here, and the best part is that you often have these beautiful places completely to yourself. Without crowds, without haste, just pure nature and absolute silence.

Over bumpy paths past baobab trees and grazing camels to spectacular viewpoints from which the view extends over the barren landscape to the deep blue sea. I particularly enjoyed the excursion to Wadi Darbat, where we enjoyed a picnic in the shade of a tree while listening to the rustling of the turquoise waterfalls. On the way to Fazayah Beach, winding roads lead through green landscapes and past imposing rock formations, until suddenly an almost deserted dream beach lies before you. In a time when seemingly every beautiful place is overcrowded, I find it incredible that there are still such hidden spots that you can experience completely undisturbed.