Ep. 10 - Muscat, Oman
Join Mark on a trip to Muscat in The Friday Take Five’s first journey to the Middle East. Learn more about the tumultuous history of the incredible port city and how the combination of its great stories and stunning landscapes have made it a fantastic destination for travel.
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Transcription:
*Intro music*
Episode ten already? Hey there, and welcome to that’s right, Episode ten of The Friday Take Five, your weekly five minute dose of history and adventure. I’m the host of this darn thing, Mark Moran, and with this podcast I’m aiming to scratch an itch for travel bugs and history lovers alike. Every week, we’ll discover a new place with a new story. It’s my hope that you’ll walk away with a renewed appreciation for history and a new travel destination to add to your bucket list. Let’s discover destination number ten.
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In Episode ten, we’ll be exploring yet another destination with deep history, dating back to the 6th century BC. In our first adventure to the Middle East, we’re headed to Muscat, the capital of Oman.
In its earliest history, Muscat was likely a small fishing community, as is reinforced by the grave sites of fishermen from the period. Roughly 600 years later and at the turn of the millenia, Muscat began to grow in its importance and became known throughout the world as a port city tying together the East and the West, even drawing recognition from some of the most famous Greek philosophers of the time.
Throughout the centuries, Muscat’s importance as a port city continued to grow, and it drew the attention of multiple world powers. In the 3rd century, it was captured by the Sassanid Iranian Empire. Between the 11th and 7th centuries, the power dynamic continued to shift and evolve as various tribes claimed the territory. In the 16th century, the Portuguese burned most of the city to the ground after local Omanis fired on the Portuguese envoy. For much of the rest of the century, the Portuguese took hold of the area, and ruled it brutally, while for the most part successfully fending off challenges from the Persian and Ottoman empires.
Local Omanis shifted the balance of power once again in the 1620s by electing Nasir bin Murshid Al-Ya'rubi as the Imam of Oman. As the Imam, Al-Ya’rubi became both an important leader spiritually and politically to the people of Oman. The people of Oman rallied around him as a leader. In 1648, he put together an army and sent them to Muscat to dispose of the Portuguese. One and a half years later, the Portuguese finally surrendered, and were removed from the region.
In the years that followed, the country continued to remain unstable due to warring between factions within the country and poking and prodding by the neighboring Persian Empire. This instability led to an opportunity for a new dynasty to ascend to the throne; the Yaruba dynasty, which took power in 1749, and has maintained power ever since.
The Yaruba dynasty consolidated power and established further political influence along with naval and military dominance by signing a treaty with the United States in 1833 which promoted trade and friendship between the countries.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Oman continued its growth and development, with a heavy focus on trade.
Today, Muscat and Oman are becoming increasingly well known as a travel destination for tourists looking to try something different. Oman has incredible landscapes including pristine beaches, mountains great for hiking, and rolling sand dunes in the largest continuous sand desert in the world. Muscat specifically has amazing architecture spanning centuries, great snorkeling adventures, dolphin watching, and incredible seafood served right along the cost.
And lucky for those of us foreigners looking to experience this beautiful gem, the Omani government has recently made it even easier to gain access to the country. As of March 2023, individuals hailing from 100 nationalities can now enter Oman visa free for 14 days. So, if you’re looking for your next adventure to a great country with the benefits of incredible scenery along with rich history and traditions, be sure to consider Oman. It’s definitely on our travel list.
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Hey Friday Fivers, thanks for listening to another week of The Friday Take Five. Like what you’re hearing? If so, please give us a 5 star review and don’t forget to turn on notifications and automatic downloads on your favorite podcasting platform. While you’re at it, don’t forget to follow us on socials @FridayTakeFive. Got feedback or recommendations on places or stories for us to cover? Give us a dm or email at thefridaytakefive@gmail.com. Stay curious, stay adventuring, and have a great weekend!
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