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Although camels have long been replaced by modern 4x4 land
cruisers, travellers who have moved past the tough veneer
have discovered a land almost untouched by mass tourism which
is rich with history and beauty. From 5000 year old temples
and tombs to the most varied of landscapes, from lush forests
to mountain treks, cool green oases for desert golf and endless
stretches of desert perfect for crazy jeep dune bashing.
Currency
Contrary to pre-conceptions, with the exception of a few
places like Kuwait, accommodation and food in most other parts
of the Arab Gulf states is quite cheap. In countries like
Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and UAE, a lot of cheap options
for hotel accommodation with meal are available for prices
between $7 to $20 US. In Yemen, you can find rooms for as
cheap as $1 per night. Kuwait and Qatar are a little expensive
in comparison, with rooms ranging from $50 to $70 at the budget
end. However, in Qatar for men there are hostels on the outskirts
of Doha, which provides cheap accommodation and food. In some
areas like Yemen, most of the hotel and restaurant prices
are higher for foreigners. Although places like Dubai appear
to be very expensive, there is always scope for a low budget
traveller to stay in a hostel or share a hotel room.
In most of these countries, the banking and money changing
hours are Saturday to Wednesday from 8 am to noon and Thursday
from 8 to 11am with banks shut on the holy day of Friday.
The currency of Saudi Arabia is Riyal,
which is divided into 100 halalas. It is a hard currency and
there are no restrictions in taking either riyals or foreign
currency into the country.
Approximate conversion:
$1 U.S = 4 Riyals
£1 sterling = 6 Riyals
1 Euro = 4 Riyals
The currency of Kuwait is Kuwaiti Dinar.
$1 U.S = 0.3 Kuwaiti Dinar
£1 sterling = 0.5 Kuwaiti Dinar
1 Euro = .33 Kuwait Dinar
The currency of Bahrain is Bahraini Dinar,
which is divided into 1000 fils.
$1 U.S = .40 Bahraini Dinar
£1 sterling = .60 Bahraini Dinar
1 Euro = .40 Bahraini Dinar
The currency of Qatar is Qatari Riyal which
is divided into 100 dirhams commonly kwon as halalas.
$1 U.S = 4 Qatari Riyal
£1 sterling = 6 Qatari Riyal
1 Euro = 4 Qatari Riyal
The currency of Yemen is Riyal.
$1 U.S = 200 Yemen Riyals
£1 sterling = 300 Yemen Riyals
1 Euro = 200 Yemen Riyals
The currency of Oman is Omani Riyal,
which is divided into 1000 baisa.
$1 U.S = 0.33 Omani Riyals
£1 sterling = 0.60 Omani Riyals
1 Euro = 0.40 Omani Riyal
The currency of United Arab Emirates is UAE
Dirham, which is divided into 100 fils.
$1 U.S = 4 Dirham
£1 sterling = 6 Dirham
1 Euro = 4 Dirham
Currencies varies enormously from month to month, so check
our Currency Converter
for up to the minute currency conversions or check with your
local currency exchange bureau.
People
Ethnically, the people of the Gulf are Arabs, though
many are of Persian or mixed Arab-Persian ancestry. In Bahrain,
a few Indian families have bred into the local population,
descendants of merchants who arrived generations ago. In countries
like Saudi Arabia and Yemen the African migration has
been increasing because of the refugees from war-torn Ethiopia
and Somalia. It is virtually impossible for a foreigner of
any nationality to acquire citizenship in one of the gulf
countries, but you'll notice a lot of immigrants from Africa,
India, the Philippines and other Middle East countries who
do most of the lesser jobs for the wealthy Arabs. A handful
of foreigners may be granted full citizenship but these are
usually those people who have rendered important services
to the ruler or the state. Religion and rituals are very important
in these countries and although each of the Arab Gulf State
is very different from each other, Islam is a uniting factor,
varying in degrees of fundamentalism between countries and
cities.
Travel
Depending on where you are in the Arab Gulf States, travel
can often prove to be a simple and cheap affair. Travel is
easy in the UAE, especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi, due to their
well developed public transport systems. Dubai is definitely
a city of the car, but around the creek, water taxis transport
you from place to place charging you little money. Taxis are
inexpensive but public buses are the best way to travel if
you are on a budget. Public mini-buses and taxis are an ideal
way to travel across the border. Sharing a taxi is common
and most taxi drivers will coast around, shouting the names
of their destinations to fill up their vehicles.
Oman Air has domestic flights from Muscat to
Salalah that are inexpensive and popular with tourists
who would like to avoid the seven-hour journey by road. Since
most of the Arab Gulf states border the sea, sea cruises and
travelling through ships and boats is the only way to move
around.
Food
Arabic cuisine was born in the tents of nomads who, in order
to survive in the harsh elements of the desert, came up with
delicious dishes that were simple to prepare yet pleasing
to the palate. The large variety of food that came from all
parts of Arabia, coupled with the excellent hospitality of
the Arabs, make for a truly gastronomic experience. Dates
and camel milk are the main ingredients of most of
the Arabic dishes.
The huge number of camels in the Middle East, would naturally
lead to this interesting variation of the kebab, which is
inexpensively barbequed in various stalls in Oman, the meat
is simply skewered along with pieces of vegetables, grilled
to perfection and served with hommus and Arabic bread.
Another interesting delight is the 'brain sandwich'.
Something of an oddity, brain sandwich can be found in several
food courts in Kuwait's shopping malls. Served in an almost
'Subway Sandwich style', travellers can have the unique taste
of lamb brains with focaccia bread. Apart from all of this,
Indian is popular in the Arab Gulf States. Typical dishes
like curry and bryanis are plentiful, and are perfect for
the budget conscious traveller and western style buffets can
be found in the major resorts, hotels and in cosmopolitan
cities like Dubai.
Language
Arabic is the official language in Kuwait, Oman and
the UAE. English is increasingly being used in Kuwait
and the UAE, especially in Dubai for business. In the more
remote parts of the Arab Gulf States however, it is recommended
to travel with a guide or an Arabic phrasebook as even the
road signs are written in Arabic. Even when travelling in
the main cities a few words of Arabic can ease your passage
to a great extent.
Climate
Temperatures in the summer months of April to September can
reach up to a high of 40°C but temperatures in the desert
can often drop very quickly during the night. The humidity
in this region around the summer months is stifling. During
high summer the central deserts of Saudi Arabia are spared
this humidity while in the west of the kingdom many people
retreat to the Asir Mountains. However, winter in the
Asir Mountains can be terribly cold with the fog in some places
cutting visibility to a near zero. September is the best time
to visit the Salalah area, when everything is green
in the wake of the rains.
Oman is separated from the rest of Arabia by the Hajar
Mountains. Although it is as hot and humid as the rest
of the Gulf during the summer, it catches the Indian monsoon
leaving portions of the south of the country lush each September.
Dress
A majority of men in the Middle East wear traditional dresses,
which consists of a floor length shirt-dress. In Saudi Arabia,
Bahrain and Qatar it's called a thobe while
in Kuwait and UAE it's called a dishdasha.
For a traveller, a good hat and sunglasses are an absolute
must even if you're not planning to spend much time in a desert.
Carrying a headscarf is also good, as entry to most of the
religious places would require you to cover your head. Long
loose clothing is always the best thing to wear in the Gulf
States. Especially for women travellers it's advisable to
wear full sleeve clothing and err on the side of conservative.
Western clothes are well accepted in the major cities like
Kuwait and Dubai, and women wearing the veil (through choice)
is commonplace.
Health
Travel health is more about common sense in the Gulf; it's
always good to carry a medical kit, which includes basic medicines.
Stomach upsets could be common among the travellers who are
not used to even mild spices. While travelling in the offbeat
terrain, some antibiotics and antiseptic lotions might be
useful. None of the Arab Gulf states require particular vaccination
but it's advisable to be vaccinated against yellow fever
and or cholera if you're heading out of the cities.
Pure water is not easy to find, avoid tap water and drink
from only sealed bottles sold in the shops or bring water
purification tablets when trekking.
Visas
With the exception of the citizens of countries party to
the Gulf Cooperation Council, everybody needs a visa to enter
the Arab Gulf States. You can obtain the visa either from
the embassy or through a sponsor. A sponsor is a national
of the country who is willing to vouch for your good behaviour
while in the country and takes responsibility for your departure
when you leave. In Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Oman all the
larger hotels can sponsor visas for travellers. The documentation
varies from one country to the other and might take anything
from a few days to a week.
Once approved, Kuwait and Saudi visas can be obtained from
the embassy while visas for the other Gulf States are issued
for pick-up at the destination airport or port. For countries
like Oman, a traveller will have to obtain a NOC or a No objection
certificate. If your passport shows any evidence of travel
to Israel you will be denied entry to Oman.
For Yemen citizens of European union countries, except the
U.K can get a tourist visa on arrival at San'a International
airport.
In Bahrain, Qatar and United Arab Emirates, British citizens
do not need a visa to enter for periods up to one month.
Culture
The Arab Gulf States remains a conservative place where tradition
and religion are held in very high regard. Islam is practised
widely and life revolves around the religion. Travellers have
to bear in mind culture and religious practice to avoid unintentional
offence.
Some things to bear in mind include:
· Always offer and receive things with your right hand.
· Do not sit with the soles of your feet pointing directly
at other persons
· Ask for permission before taking a photograph, especially
local women
Different Arab states have very different approaches, with
countries like the UAE being more relaxed and open-minded. |
