History
Climate
Getting There
Going Around
Accommodation
Cost of Living
Leisure
Education

TRANSPORT

Local buses ply in select locations, but you really need to have your own car in Oman. Driving licenses are granted only after a rigorous test. You have to apply through a formal driving school to get a license. Driving in Oman is pleasant but the Royal Oman Police (ROP) are very strict in issuing fresh driving licences. Usually it takes 2-4 months to get the licence. The cost of getting a driving licence through a formal school would be between 300-400 RO. The traffic police is VERY strict especially with repeat offenders. The judge throws the book at drunken drivers--no boys will be boys here. All your violations are logged. The fines could be a maximum of RO 20 upto RO 200 and in the worst case the licence could be canceled. Expat ladies are also allowed to own a vehicle and licences are issued on a case to case basis.

CURRENCY

1 Omani rial= 1,000 baize. (One Rial Omani=1 RS 95/US $2.56) Oil is the largest sector of the economy but the country is fast turning industrial with the share of non-oil sector of the economy increasing substantially. Oman already has state-of-art industries for manufacturing cables, building materials, pumps, industrial gases, edible oils and various food products. Agriculture and fishing which have traditionally been the economic sector are receiving special support from the Government. The country is now poised for rapid growth in the coming years. A new ambitious project is transforming many aspects of the economy. This will include the modernization of ports, expand all infrastructural facilities and tackle the backwardness of the interior areas. Oman wants to sell gas to India via a pipeline. Today, Oman is rated amongst the most progressive Arab nations .

RECREATION & LEISURE

All major hotels offer membership for recreation facilities. Some of the facilities are swimming, squash, tennis, billiards and gym. Apart from the hotels one could easily get a membership in other recreation clubs. Most of the recreation clubs generally have expat members. On week ends one could drive down to the beaches (probably the cleanest in the whole of Asia).

Culture and Religion

There are two temples with Indian traditional facilities for all purposes in terms of functions, marriages etc. There are two churches also . Cultural activities take place under auspices of Indian Association. Informal activity (indoor) of any nature is acceptable as long as its of no nuisance value to society at large. Alcohol: Alcohol is disapproved of in Islam. Expats are permitted to have a liquor permit provided the basic salary is above RO 300/- per month. You can spend up to 10 % your basic salary on liquor. Besides , all hotels and restaurants have permit rooms for liquor. But Muslims are strictly prohibited from consuming alcohol and no permits are issued to them. During Ramzan (pronounced Ramadan) Muslims observe strict dawn-to-dusk fasting. Non-Muslims are not required to fast, only that they do not consume in public.

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