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Order Up A McArabia At The McDonalds In Muscat, Oman

JetSetCD — 2010-01-05T12:04:55-05:00

It's a new year and you know what that means? Time to continue discovering the world'smost shocking McDonalds locations, and with the help of a Jaunted reader, we're heading back into the Middle East.

Last time we hit up a shocking golden arches, it was in the middle of Israel's Negev Desert, and this time it's in Muscat, Oman. Accompanying this photo, the reader shared her shock:

I snapped this picture while touring through Muscat, Oman in the Middle East. Strange sight indeed!

We just hope she opted to try the McArabia sandwich! Apparently this McDonalds was the third McDs to open in the Middle East, way back in 1994 after Ronald stepped into Riyadh and Jeddah first.

Got another shocking McDonald's location we should know about? This is going to be a running series, so email us your suggestions!

Related Stories:
· The Most Shocking McDonald's Locations In The World [Jaunted]
· More McDonalds Locations That Make You Go 'Hmmm' [Jaunted]
· Fast Food Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: L. Loverro]

Oman Air's New Toilet Is Set To Flush The Competition

kjb — 2009-10-15T10:33:38-05:00

If there’s one sign that the economy is on the rebound, it’s probably not the fact that the market topped 10,000 yesterday. The true test of economic recovery comes with crazy luxurious lavatories aboard commercial airliners. Back before the bust, Emirates was all about promoting their shower for the classiest of first class flyers lucky enough to travel the world on the A380. However, now Oman Air wants a piece of the action, and they’re going to do it with their toilet.

Details are limited at this point, but we’re suckers for their trap, and we want to know more already. The airline is ordering up some new Airbus A330-300 aircraft and they’re planning to install the swanky bathrooms aboard the new planes. Only the pilot and first class customers will have access to the lavatory that sits right behind the cockpit. Besides the toilet there will be a bidet, Amouage products, and plenty of other lotions, colognes, and perfumes to keep passengers so fresh and so clean.

Anatomy Of A Cruise Ship Attack

pbb — 2008-12-01T16:17:48-05:00

On Sunday, the luxury cruise ship Nautica got closer to Somali pirates than any ocean liner since the Seabourn Spirit came under grenade attack in 2005. Though bandits fired eight shots at the Nautica, she managed to outrun her attackers, escaping any damage or injuries to the 684 passengers and 386 crew aboard.

How'd it go down? After spotting two small boats on an intercept course, the Nautica accelerated beyond its normal top speed of 20 knots (23 mph) and prepped its defensive long range acoustic device, a gizmo that channels a shrill sound loud enough to rupture eardrums and cause temporary vision loss. As one of the pirate skiffs closed to within 300 yards, a cruise line spokesman told the LA Times, eight shots were fired in the direction of the Nautica. The attackers broke off the assault after all the shots missed.

The next port of call for the Nautica is Salalah, Oman. The ship is on a 32-day voyage from Italy to Singapore, and it continues on to Muscat, which doesn't front the Gulf of Aden, on December 3. Until it gets there, you can help keep watch for further pirate attacks via the Nautica's on-board webcam.

Related Stories:
· Pirates Fire at Cruise Ship Near Somalia [LAT]
· Somali Pirates Strike Again Near Nascent Tourist Hotspot [Jaunted]

[The Nautica in Kobe, Japan: Wikimedia]

Oman's Daymaniyat Islands, Where The Sharks Are Friendly

amandak — 2008-11-18T07:55:15-05:00

Marketers at the tourism board of Oman keep talking up the country in a way that makes us want to go there, and the latest attraction is the Daymaniyat Islands, a bit more than an hour by boat from Muscat.

We already knew that sea turtles are a big deal in Oman, but apparently near the Daymaniyats you can also find hawksbill turtles, clown fish, stingray, moray eels and barracuda. With dive tourism just starting up the locals are advocating "hands-off" interaction with the local wildlife:

Most notably with moray eels, sea snakes and sharks that inhabit the waters (though the sharks do not attack humans).

No wonder Oman has such great tourism potential--they've even trained their sharks not to eat us. We're on our way with our tanks and flippers.

Related Stories:
· Oman Ministry of Tourism [Official Site]
· Oman's Beautiful Daymaniyat Islands [eTravel]
· We Love Oman, Because You Can See Sea Turtles [Jaunted]

[Photo: boens]

Dubious Destinations: Smugglers and Tourists Mingle in Khasab

amandak — 2008-10-22T09:00:50-05:00

"New" tourist destinations are popping up all the time--new to us, that is. Recently we've seen the Omani town of Khasab being promoted as a relaxing break away from the ultra-urban Dubai, less than three hours' drive away. According to the tourist brochures it's a relaxing spot with towering mountains and easy access to the Fjords of Arabia.

Cue Wikipedia for another view. Khasab, according to the internet bible:

Is known for fishing and smuggling in small, fast boats, to and from Iran.

To be fair, even Wikipedia admits that Khasab is "evolving" into a tourist destination and mention that diving is another popular activity there. We're just wondering if the smugglers will wise up and start offering speed boat smuggling tours.

Related Stories:
· A Perfect Arabian Getaway [eTravel]
· Khasab [Wikipedia]
· Oman Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Wikimedia]

We Love Oman, Because You Can See Sea Turtles

amandak — 2008-05-15T09:30:01-05:00

Although a rush on accommodation might mean going to Oman isn't instantly possible, we've just discovered yet another reason to try it. Sea turtles.

Turns out there are seven different species of sea turtles in the world, and Oman's got five of 'em. If you visit Oman's beaches in the evening between June and September, you've got a great chance of seeing a leatherback or a loggerhead or a bunch of other turtles laying eggs.

There are a few special rules for sea turtle viewing in Oman: You shouldn't get too close, never touch their eggs (we thought that went without saying?), you can't camp nearby and, most importantly, don't litter. Sea turtles aren't that bright and sometimes confuse plastic with jellyfish, which they eat. And we could certainly use fewer jellies on the beach.

Related Stories:
· Into the Azure [The Australian]
· Still Crushing on Oman [Jaunted]
· Come Back Soon, Oman Is Full [Jaunted]

[Photo: Mct-Enigma]

Dangerous Mancations: Fishing with Cheney in Oman

benh — 2008-03-21T12:06:20-05:00

We told you Oman would go mainstream, but we didn't know it would go right-wing. As part of a 10-day tour in the Middle East, Vice President Dick Cheney took some time in the gulf state to rant about Iran and the nuclear threat--and then borrowed the sultan's 60-foot yacht to go fishing.

A fishing trip with the VP sounds a bit safer than, say, going on a hunt--just mind all those hooks. Cheney's wife and daughter, who accompanied him on the outing, came back without suffering any impalements. Sultan Qaboos bin Said, however, apparently thought better of it and didn't go.

Too bad Cheney didn't have time to do any shark fishing before heading back to the States!

Related Stories:
· VP talks about nukes in Oman [WaPo]
· Oman coverage [Jaunted]
· Mancations coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Mathias M]