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Muscat – A City from the Tales of the Arabian Nights…
Muscat, the capital of Oman, has a unique fairytale charm in my view. It looks like something straight out of the Tales of the Arabian Nights, but with a modern twist. Enchanting palaces, forts perched on rocky cliffs, lush green oases, white architecture, scenic coastlines, and spice-scented bazaars create a distinctive atmosphere of this city. I began my exploration in the eastern part of Muscat, often referred to as the Old City. It’s the most iconic area of the city, home to numerous government buildings and elegant villas. However, the highlight here is Al-Alam Palace, one of the six residences of the Sultan of Oman. Used mainly for ceremonial purposes,…
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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – UAE
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the UAE and the third largest in the world. It can accommodate up to 40,000 worshippers, and the entire complex covers the area of 22,412 m². The mosque was inspired by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s first president, who envisioned it as an open space for people of all faiths. In line with the Sheikh’s vision, the mosque symbolizes the Islamic message of peace and tolerance and reflects the Emirates’ culture of dialogue and openness. He also intended the building to unite all religions and connect the past with the present. Construction began in 1996, and Sheikh Zayed’s…
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Fujairah and Sharjah – United Arab Emirates
Fujairah is another emirate I visited during my stay in the UAE. I travelled there straight from Al Ain, located in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. My first stop was Al Hayl Fort. The journey covered about 150 km and initially seemed to be monotonous. However, the last stretch of the trip turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The road to the fort meandered through the picturesque Wadi Al Hayl valley. As the terrain became increasingly mountainous, the amount of asphalt on the road decreased. The area felt completely isolated from civilization. Eventually, I arrived at the fort, which, unfortunately, was securely locked. Disappointed, I started taking pictures when…
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Malta – The Fortress Island, Girl on the urbex trail!
Malta is called the “Fortress Island.” At first glance, it’s evident that the island’s architecture has a defensive character. High fortifications, citadels, and forts are reminiscent of the times of the Knights of Malta as well as the British era. Throughout its history, Malta was under the rule of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Aragonese, Crusaders, French, and British. Finally, it became an independent country only in 1964. Today, we can see numerous traces from the times of the Knights of Malta, as well as from the period of World War II. The Knights of Malta gained control over Malta in 1530 from Charles V of Spain. From that…
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Marafa, Hell’s Kitchen – Surreal Landscape of Kenya
Marafa, also known as Hell’s Kitchen, is one of the most intriguing attractions on Kenya’s coast. Just a 40-minute drive from the tourist resort of Malindi will transport you to a completely different, surreal reality. Hell’s Kitchen is a canyon that surprises with fascinating rock formations, resembling the Grand Canyon in the USA or Cappadocia in Turkey. Moreover, this place is aptly named Hell’s Kitchen – during the day, temperatures here can reach up to 50°C. According to local legend, Marafa is called “Nyari,” which translates as “the place broken by itself.” It was created as a result of the gods’ revenge on a wealthy family. This family owned a…
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Al Ain, United Arab Emirates – Green City in the middle of the desert
My journey to Al Ain seemed endless. From Abu Dhabi Airport, I had just 155 kilometers to cover, but the route led through desert landscapes. It was practically deserted, with no cars in sight, and the monotony made me feel like I was almost falling asleep at the wheel. It was my first day in the Emirates. I had my entire trip planned out in my mind, along with the distance I needed to drive. Sure, the desert might be exciting at first, but over time, it didn’t seem all that thrilling. However, hope arose as I approached my destination. Suddenly, on the horizon, I spotted green Al Ain. It…
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Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park
Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire Park are located next to the Ngorongoro and Serengeti Conservation Area. Both parks may not be as impressive as Serengeti and Ngorongoro, but they are worth visiting due to their unique, diverse landscape. The name of Lake Manyara comes from the word Manyero, which means: “a place where animals drink water”. It’s the smallest park in Tanzania, which is why it’s often skipped by tourists. The second reason may be the dense vegetation, which may make it difficult to observe animals. In the central point of the park there’s the salty, pink Lake Manyara. It ‘s quite shallow, its depth is only three meters.…
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Road trip – United Arab Emirates and Oman
Road trip in the United Arab Emirates and Oman is an interesting experience. Imagine a multi-lane highway stretching to the horizon—perfectly marked, as flat as a tabletop, and practically devoid of other vehicles. It’s tempting to push the car to its limits. However, this illusion is shattered when you notice speed cameras placed every three kilometres. And don’t be fooled; these cameras are fully functional. Both countries boast some of the most advanced radar systems in the world. Fortunately, during my 3,500 km journey, I managed to avoid testing the fines for speeding. Observing the law-abiding behaviour of other drivers, it’s clear the penalties must be severe. Speed Limits…
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Balcony Walk – A Hike on the Edge
Balcony Walk is one of the most spectacular hiking trails in Oman. It’s a popular route in the Al-Hajar Mountains, leading along the deepest canyon in the Middle East. The canyon is said to be over 2,000 meters deep and is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Middle East. Moreover, the Balcony Walk is located on Jabal Shams, the highest mountain in Oman, standing at over 3,000 meters. Another, more challenging trail called W4 leads to its summit, although the peak itself is inaccessible due to a military base. Jabal Shams translates to “Mountain of the Sun” and is known as the place in Oman where you…
