I didn't planned to go to Oman during the June holidays... but since it was quite a long holiday for me, so I decided to get myself a ticket, rang my uncle and cousins back in Oman and told them that I'm coming to visit them..
It was an expensive trip for me.. it costs me around $2K max for a limited flight.. actually it was a last minute thing.. I called Pan Bright Travel agent and got a seat using MAS from Brunei to KL and then to Dubai.. Transit to another Emirates flight to Oman.. The whole journey was quite an experience for me.. traveling alone without the company of anyone I know.. well, it was strange to travel in a neighouring country's national airways from my hometown or country of origin.. then I took the next flight which was about 11.++ p.m. to Dubai where again I was surrounded by strangers.. luckily I got the window seat and nobody was sitting next to me. so I have both seats for myself.. Well, the flight attendants were very helpful and thought that I could not speak in Bahasa.. well, how do I look.. hehe.. maybe they thought I was from Thailand or somewhere..
Got to the plane and it was a long journey to Dubai.. Arrived at Dubai I called my uncle.. It was about 2.00 a.m. in the morning when I arrived in Dubai and I had to collect my luggages as the man in charge at the Brunei International Airport adviced me that they cannot transfer my luggages straight to Oman since it took more than 24 hours (they are afraid to take the risk of lost baggage..).. well, he thought that I can speak in Arabic as a tourist from Lebanon had lost his luggage when he arrived in Brunei.. Sorry mister.. wrong person.. Well, I really didn't believe what he said as my uncle had done this before and most of the time they straight away transfer their luggages via all the planes.. and not take their luggages out..
Anyway, I had to wait till it was 6.00 a.m. to board on my next flight to Muscat.. It was an experience for me as I had to push all my heavy luggages with all the stuffs my auntie had packed to be sent to my uncle's family.. Actually I was lost in the airport.. I remembered how it felt being in an airport where there's language barrier for most people who do not speak the same common language as we do. I pushed the trolley out to the near parking lot of the Dubai airport. I asked everyone whom I approached and they told me to go down the escalator to go out.. Well, I did that.. and.. I ended up being at the wrong place..
A guy (presumably a cook for the airport restaurant) told me that I was really in trouble and he asked me why I came there.. I still remember that he told me "You're in trouble.. why are you here? Where you want to go?" well in not so proper language. And guess what I almost did.. Scream in my mind.. but will not let my voice out.. as I had to think rational and not emotional.
So, I had to push the trolley back up to where I have left and all the time I was praying.. "Ya Allah tolong lah beri aku jalan keluar.." and Alhamdulillah I saw the entrance to the Emirates domestic airport..
So, I went out pushing the trolley and then went to the departure gate.. At the entrance, I asked if I was at the correct place.. and I did.. Alhamdulillah...
I straightaway push my trolley and all the stuffs to the luggage check-in and surprisingly I was asked to take off my shoes.. So, I was only wearing my socks when I checked in my luggages.. After the security check, I went to get my boarding pass..
I had to wait for 2 hours before I board the plane to Muscat... There was not many people joining the flight and I had the seat by myself again I got the window seat.. ;-)
Arrived in Muscat Domestic Airport I was greeted by my Uncle, Aunt and my cousin.. Called home and talked to my mom telling that I've landed safely in Muscat.
There I got to see how the Omani's live, shop and have leisure.. Most of the time I stayed with them at their house in the PDO area and it was very hilly. The weather was very hot and actually they told me that the weeather at that time was quite shady and a bit dusty.. After I left they told me that the weather was even worse, getting hotter.. hehe.. lucky for me..
The shopping centres was more like Singapore, the stuffs were quite expensive.. 1 omr was about B$3.10 I think at that time.. not worth to shop there.. Guys if you are planning to go to Oman, just go for sightseeing and less shopping.. and you should try out the food there..
My trip to Oman was a very memorable experience travelling alone apart from my past Umrah visit to Mekkah and Medinah in 2004 travelling alone..
It was quite an experience I will not forget..
Hope to travel to that place again and also to Abu Dhabi in December this year..
