SME-Written by: Muhammad bin Abdat
When I decided to travel and join the competitions and events of the Asian Cup Championship currently being held in the State of Qatar, I first had to search for a transit visa by land to the sisterly Sultanate of Oman and from there by flight to Doha. This is how circumstances were imposed on us since the years of war. Yemenia Airlines does not have any direct routes except through Cairo and at a low price. It is not comparable to any airline in the world, as it controls flights to and from Yemen and then buys another ticket from Cairo to Doha and back. That is, the issue is very expensive, which is why most travelers are forced to go through the Sultanate, which has opened its doors with gratitude to all Yemenis.
Despite the long journey of suffering in which I traveled through land transport companies, starting from Hadhramaut in Yemen via Al-Hadaf buses, where I set off on the morning of last Thursday, January 18, I arrived in the city of Thumrait in Oman at dawn on Friday, and from there I continued the journey via Gulf Transport buses or buses to the capital, Muscat, passing through some… Omani cities Perhaps the most famous historical city is Nizwa.
There in Muscat, which I arrived to after sunset that day on my first visit to it, I found waiting for me my dear brother Sheikh Khaled Al-Shanfari, with whom I have a brotherly relationship from many angles. He was happy to see me, just as I was happy about that. After greeting and asking each other about our news, our health, and other things, we moved to… The place of residence, and then my brother Abu Ahmad left us because he knew that I was in a completely exhausted state at that moment, from traveling that had lasted for nearly two days, during which I had not been able to sleep properly on a long and exhausting road trip. That is why I went straight to bed, as the matter could not be tolerated any longer.
On Saturday morning, the day of travel to Doha, there were more than five or six hours between the flight time and that is why my brother Sheikh Khaled promised me that we would meet in the morning and go on a tour during which I would explore, even if just a little, the beauty and charm of the Omani capital, Muscat, and this was what actually happened. We set off early and Abu Ahmed was explaining to me with love, happiness and pride about the achievements that I see before my eyes and about the history of this great country.
Of course, the first stop of the car’s wheels, which is normal, was in front of the Sultan Qaboos Complex Stadium in Bausher, and I took a picture there for memory. Then we continued the tour and passed under the bridge of the Royal Opera House, which we will talk about later, as we headed towards Al Qurum Beach, which takes your imagination far away. Around it is a diverse geographical terrain that gives it a beautiful and wonderful splendor. The sea and the high hills adjacent to the beach, on which international resorts and hotels are located, overlooking that beautiful beach. And the sea creek adjacent to it. It was beautiful moments on the banks of the Crimea.
Then the wheels of the car started, slowing down little by little, as if they were flattering the beauty of the streets of Muscat, the cleanliness of which I have not seen in most of the countries I have visited before. This reflects the will, determination, and culture of patriotism among the leadership of the Sultanate and its honorable people.
Of course, time was stealing away and the plane’s arrival time was approaching. Therefore, it was necessary for us to return to one of the most prominent landmarks of the Omani capital, which is the Royal Opera House. There, we welcomed everyone who met us at its doors with a broad smile that gave an indication of a deep welcome, as we wandered through all its amazing halls and theater. It is embroidered with a unique architectural pattern, just like the rest of the wings, rooms, and halls of Dar Al-Ibraa, which we listened to from its workers, each according to their mission and field, to a detailed explanation of what is inside this house and of the various cultural and artistic activities that are held there. As soon as we finished that, my friend and brother, Sheikh Abu Ahmad, told me that there was a meeting waiting for us in one of the rest areas of the Opera House with His Highness Sayyid Muhammad bin Salem Al Said. And indeed, we met His Highness and spoke with his shrine after he got to know me personally, and the conversation with him was very interesting and evident. How humble, sophisticated and ethical are the people of government and leadership in the Sultanate. After that, he asked us to come with him on a generous invitation to continue the rest of the acquaintance and dialogue. However, the circumstances of travel and the trip did not give us a glimmer of hope that we would fulfill his generous request, so we apologized and bid farewell to each other, and then I returned to carry bags. Traveling from where I live, we will head towards Muscat International Airport, which amazed me a lot. It is, according to what I know, one of the most beautiful and largest airports in the world in terms of lounges, services and other requirements of international airports, where you feel from the first glance that you are living within the walls of a city with everything it contains.
At the airport, people naturally bid each other farewell. That is why I bid farewell to my honorable brother, Sheikh Khaled Al-Shanfari, the beautiful and sophisticated person whose hospitality I received during my stay for those beautiful hours and moments in the capital, Muscat.
Then my feet took me towards searching for the Salam Air counter, where I took my flight on this carrier, and there I completed the required procedures before heading to the departure hall.
Then board the plane to Doha.
