Sultanate

Sultanate is a podcast where we discover new and exciting destinations within the Sultanate of Oman that are beyond the tourist route; as well as finding unique ways to enjoy the Omani hospitality like a local. Join D. Michael as he takes you around the sultanate to share with you what he loves most about Oman.

035: Hellhole 08/10/2020

034: Sultan of Oman 07/23/2020

033: Arabian Sands with Tom Ordeman 02/15/2019

032: Chips Oman 01/10/2019

Chips Oman Teaser 01/03/2019

031: Ashura 10/10/2018

Ashura Teaser 10/08/2018

030: Oman's Climate 07/10/2018

029: Audio Postcard Ruwi 06/10/2018

028: Audio Postcard Ibri 05/10/2018

027: Audio Postcard al Hashman 04/10/2018

Update March 20, 2018 03/20/2018

026: Audio Postcard Mazyunah 03/10/2018

025: Learn Arabic in Oman 02/10/2018

025: Learn Arabic in Oman Learning Arabic in Oman was one of my goals when I arrived back in 2011. I thought it would be easy to pick it up since I'd have plenty of opportunity around me to practice, just like when I learned Spanish. Well, it is 2018 and while I can speak enough Arabic to get by, and understand more than I can speak, I am nowhere near proficient. Before I leave this place I have to learn Arabic. My challenges to learning Arabic in Oman are: Time commitment Non-roman script Native Arabic speakers tend to revert to English when you try to practice Omani Arabic dialect very different from Modern Standard Arabic Drive Basically all of the above challenges boil down to drive. How bad do I want it? For now learning Arabic remains on the back burner, but recently it's on my mind because I put together a cool list of local Omani greetings with the help of . I got in touch with Noor Majan who invited me down to their new Muscat campus. To the visit I brought along my microphone and met Sulatan al Faris, the Director; and Simone Bettega, one of their students. We talked about what it is like learning Arabic in Oman, how Noor Majan Arabic Institute is different from others, the types of courses they offer, the difficulties of learning Arabic, and the uniqueness of the Omani Arabic dialect. It was especially interesting talking with Simone because he specifically researched the Omani dialect for his doctorate degree. This episode of the Sultanate includes that conversation along with the list of Omani greetings, 10 ways. Check it out. Sultanate Ep 025: Learn Arabic in Oman Links (discussion about the many languages spoken in Oman) Follow the show and find more about Oman at: Music: Do you like what you hear? Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at . You can also leave the show a review on . Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you. Disclaimer - Noor Majan Arabic Institute did not pay me or offer me any service to make this podcast. This is not an advertisement. All opinions are my own. /episode/index/show/sultanate/id/6245405

Learn Arabic in Oman Teaser 02/01/2018

024: World's Tallest Dune 01/11/2018

024: World's Tallest Dune The world's tallest dune is a magnificent sight. Standing tall at 455 meters, it pierces the barren landscape like a surgeons scalpel, but without the precision. Its meandering arms radiate, twist and bend in an attempt to dissuade you from clamoring to the peak. However, the luscious red sand seduces you into thinking it's possible. After a more than a 900 kilometer journey into Oman's , I stand at the foot of a behemoth, the king of all giants, the grand daddy of them all; the world's tallest dune. At this point my trip is complete, I've reached the pile of sand, logged its location, and I can go no further. Yemen is to my east, 12 kilometers away, and Saudi Arabia is to my north, 36 kilometers over dense star dunes. However, standing to my right is Fahad Alabri, and his mission just started. Handstanding Atop the World's Tallest Dune In this episode of the Sultanate I team up with Fahad Alabri to locate, record, climb, and handstand the biggest, baddest dune of them all. Fahad is a local personal trainer who is on a mission, across the world, to use the act of handstand to break through cultural barriers while promoting health, fitness, and wellbeing. On his page, Fahad is seen upside-down all over Oman and beyond in places like Milan, London, Spain, and Zanzibar. Regarding this trip, "I really have not much of an experience to balance my hands in a sandy desert ground, but I'm going to figure it out," he says. "It's about the connection with the hands and the ground so I just have to manipulate my hands toward it, and then I am gunna go to the inversion." Tune in to find out if Fahad can overcome wind and sand to handstand atop the world's tallest dune. Sultanate Ep 024: World's Tallest Dune Links Fahad's @cavemangram D's Follow the show and find more about Oman at: Do you like what you hear? Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at . You can also leave the show a review on . Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you. Music: "", "", and "", all by Tortue Super Sonic /episode/index/show/sultanate/id/6141840

Off the Editing Room Floor: Fahad Alabri Desert Recording Session 01/11/2018

World's Tallest Dune Teaser 01/07/2018

023: National Day 12/08/2017

023: National Day National Day is celebrated on the 18th of November, the birthday of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. The whole country decorates the streets with Omani flags and portraits of their dear leader. For me it's the best time to be in Oman. Here's why: 7 Reasons Why National Day is the Best Time to Visit Oman 1. Weather The weather in November feels amazing. At this time we finally start to feel the affects of the coming winter, so the days are warm, and the nights are cool. This is also a good time to find rain in Muscat. 2. Decorations Omanis go all out with decorations. The prime examples come from the displays along the highways in Muscat. The Muscat Expressway is lined with miles of Omani flags. Along Sultan Qaboos Highway you find lighted displays on every lamp post and a string of colorful lights connection them all. In villages and towns, residents erect large portraits of His Majesty and hang Omani flag streamers which dance the the cool breeze. Locals are also allowed to decorate their cars, something we are not normally allowed to do. The results are really fun to see. Have a look at the I photographed last year. 3. Celebrations Here's were it really gets interesting. It seems that throughout the course of November every company schedules some sort of celebration. It might be as simple as a luncheon with traditional Omani food. Or larger like a parade with a full marching band and dancing. These are all the privately organized celebrations. The government organizes events too. Fireworks displays, parades, and performances are just to name a few. 4. Invitations Omanis are great hosts so it's likely you will get invited to a celebration. I've heard stories of tourists driving through small towns and being stopped and invited to come and view the town's activities. A real special experience that is as real as it gets. 5. Surprises Every town has something different to offer. You never know what is around the corner. 6. Holidays We all love to have paid time off work, and Omani workers always receive two days off. These days, however, don't come on the 18th of November. Rather, they are usually given after the 18th and are positioned just before or after a weekend, often giving you a 4 day holiday. Who doesn't like that? 7. The Whole Month Basically the whole month of November is set aside for National Day, with the frequency of celebrations happening closer to the 18th of November. So, you can still experience National Day even if you can't make it for the 18th. While traveling around Oman you are bound to come across the wonderful sights and sounds of celebration. Come to Oman in November, you won't regret it. Follow the show and find more about Oman at: Do you like what you hear? Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at . You can also leave the show a review on . Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you. /episode/index/show/sultanate/id/6022344

Off the Editing Room Floor: National Day Marching Band 12/08/2017

022: Surfing Oman 11/12/2017

Off the Editing Room Floor: Surfing Oman and Trash on the Beach 11/12/2017

Surfing Oman Teaser 11/05/2017

021: Muttrah Fish Souq 10/05/2017

Muttrah Fish Souq Teaser 10/01/2017

020: Stuck in the Mud - Salalah Road Trip 09/11/2017

Off the Editing Room Floor: Stuck in the Mud - Salalah Road Trip 09/10/2017

Stuck in the Mud - Salalah Road Trip Teaser 09/06/2017

019: Wadi Ta'ab 08/11/2017

019: Wadi Ta'ab No other wadi in Oman packs so much excitement into such a small place as Wadi Ta'ab. This little canyon has it all. Isolation, rappels, swims, jumps, sheer walls, and beauty. However, all these features require respect or the canyon will punish you. In this episode of the Sultanate I take you along with me to Wadi Ta'ab. Also joining us are my friends Franc, Gilles, and Marion. All of us are experienced climbers and two of us, myself and Gilles, have completed this canyon route before, but never in the dead of summer. Wadi Ta'ab is located in the Eastern Hajar Mountains at an altitude of about 500 meters along the dirt track that reaches . This whole mountain is made up of limestone, which is a soft stone that erodes easily, creating large caves and deep canyons. Along with Wadi Ta'ab, in this area you'll find the opening and the world renown . Safety Canyoning is dangerous! Do not attempt to enter this wadi unless you know exactly what you are doing. Help is very far away. With that said, canyoning is very exciting when done with expierenced guides like and . These companies can take you here safely, and get you home in one piece. For today's trip through Wadi Ta'ab, suffering from heat exhaustion is our biggest concern. Inside the canyon the temperatures are not too bad because we have shade and the water to cool off in. However, to exit the wadi we must climb up the side of a cliff in the direct sun. This is not for the weak. We also have to keep watch for vipers which like to feed on the frogs in the wadi. These snakes really don't want anything to do with us two legged animals, but it is easy to accidentally step on one if he didn't hear us coming. If you get bitten it'll take an long time to reach the hospital. So, better to be cautious. Lastly, we have new ropes to use on the big rappels. We hope they are long enough. There is no room for error. Put on your harness and swimming trunks, we're heading to Wadi Ta'ab! Sultanate Ep 019: Wadi Ta'ab Links Learn more about the Eastern Hajar Mountains: , , Follow the show and find more about Oman at: Do you like what you hear? Be sure to tell a friend and tell me what you like in the comments at . You can also leave the show a review on . Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you. /episode/index/show/sultanate/id/5634358

Wadi Ta'ab Teaser 08/06/2017

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