FormerlyMe is an online movement to motivate and inspire people to become the best version of themselves by showing them my journey and experience in trying a new workout and lifestyle regime every 30 days. Every post, update, and video is ‘formerly me’ as I endeavor to become the best version of myself and become FormerlyMe. Each month CP Magazine will showcase a part of my journey to becoming the best version of myself. I hope that in turn this inspires and motivates you to start your own journey as well. For this month’s story we will focus on the “On The Go: Muscat, Oman” days of my journey.

A few weeks ago I traveled to the country of Oman and had the pleasure of exploring the sights in and around the capital of Muscat. Known for it’s coastline formed by the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, I was truly surprised by how scenic driving through the seaside and the mountains was. The city itself boasts some impressive architecture and you can tell they put quite a lot of time and effort into maintaining their scenic view and cultivated greenery.

The furthest drive on this trip was to Jabal Shams or Jebel Shams, known as the “Mountain of Sun” to see this mountain’s peak, which offers not only a great viewpoint, but also at its base is the “Grand Canyon” of the Middle East. True to form, I decided to push the limits of the very small car I had rented and drove it to the viewpoint after being stopped once by a well-intentioned individual letting me know that my car was indeed poorly suited for the terrain and drive ahead. Luckily, I made it, and stopped at the cafe and merchant stalls to take in the view and say hello to the herd of no-so-shy goats who tried to eat anything I had stored in my car door.

We decided to explore the seaside shops and restaurants close to Muscat the following day and visited the Mutrah Souq, where you can also see the Mutrah Corniche and ships anchored in the bay. A point to keep in mind when visiting the Souq is the hours of operation, which are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 4 to 10 p.m., otherwise, you’ll miss out on the whole shopping experience. To cool off, we decided to tuck into a local juice shop and enjoyed the fresh selections.

Toward the end of the trip we made our way to the Bimmah Sinkhole (Hawaiyat Najm). We enjoyed the scenic views and even got to experience a small rain shower that didn’t last too long as we drove the almost hour and a half. The sinkhole area is a fenced in park with nice landscaping, gazebos, and playgrounds. The park is also almost on the coastline with parking along the perimeter. After a short walk, you have to descend quite a few steep stairs before you’re able to get into the water. Be mindful that the sinkhole has a sensitive ecosystem that supports fish and other biodiversity, so marine-safe sunscreen is a must. They also request you not have on body lotions, cologne, perfumes, or other products is requested along with modest dress when not in the water.

Saving the best for last, I was very impressed with how beautiful the beaches are along this drive. Not only was the hotel I stayed at beachfront, but the hidden beaches along the way to the Bimmah Sinkhole were stunning. The terrain might not be as forgiving for the sedan I was driving, but several well-established tents and campgrounds were right on the beaches that boasted vibrant shades of blue and aquamarine.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Oman and I’m grateful I was able to see all the natural sights and attractions the region around Muscat has to offer.

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