* Ain Al Kisfa just outside Rustaq town is Oman’s natural spa. The Government has made facilities for people to dip their legs into the hot water to experience the medicinal properties it is known for.
* There are 4112 aflaj in Oman. Out of these, 3017 were found active while 1095 were categorised dead. Water from aflaj irrigates about 33 per cent of Oman’s farmed land. Falaj Al Jeela, Falaj Daris, Falaj Al Muyassar, Falaj Al Khatmeen and Falaj Al Malki are on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
* The Gravity Point, a thirty-minute drive from Salalah, is where your vehicle will roll uphill even if you switch off its engine. This phenomenon can be experienced over a stretch of 200 meters.
* The house of Imam Ahmed bin Said Busaidi (1744-1783), the founder of the Al Busaidi dynasty, can still be seen, though mostly in a dilapidated condition, at Harrat Al Jami in Adam, near Nizwa. The current ruler, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, is the seventh descendant of Imam Ahmed bin Said Al Busaidi.
* Habta souqs, pre-Eid open markets, provide the outlet for local produce and products. As Eid approaches every year, Habtas spring up all over the country three or four days before the event. The open-air markets usually attract huge crowds looking for the best bargains in things ranging from cattle and goats to household knick-knacks. Mandoos (traditional wooden chests with brass fittings) were used as dowry chests (wedding trousseau) filled with treasures for the bride.
* Traditionally, the groom’s female relatives, accompanied by musicians and dancer’s, brought offerings that consisted of money, gold, fine fabrics, garments and household equipment in mandoos.
* With 2869 oil producing wells in Oman, the economy is driven by oil and about 40 per cent of the GDP is accounted for by oil. The major countries that buy crude from Oman are China, Thailand, Korea and Japan.
* The main prayer hall of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque has 35 chandeliers made of Swarovski crystals with the central chandelier measuring 14 metres in height with 1,122 lights and weighing 8 tonnes.
(Source: Thursday magazine, Times of Oman)