It's a gorge, but a very deep one. The view from the top is... well, breathtaking. You need a four-wheel drive to get to up here, which is at the base of Jebel shams (3000 m), the country highest mountain. Keep an eye on the dirt track for there is nothing to stop you going over the edge.

The great old souq (market) in the old town of Nizwa gets even better on auction day. From early morning Bedouins come in for the livestock auction. In the open arena goats are dragged around by their owner in front the observing audience. A potential buyer calls over the goat, squeeze its testicles and decide to buy or not. Beside the goats and the occasional camel, the other attractions are the colourful Bedouin women that attend the market. Some have their face covered by a finely decorated cloth mask, half as an out-of-this-world fashion statement and half as protection from the strong sun. They will sure make an impression.

This beach and protected area is nesting ground for the Green turtle. It's possible to witness the egg laying from close distance and later see other nest hatch, where over a hundred small turtles race to the ocean. It's close to impossible to get there without a car - as elsewhere in Oman. The peak season is March to September.