Maverick Guide to Oman (Maverick Guide Series) [Paperback]

Peter Ochs II (Author)

Book Description

Series: Maverick Guide Series | Publication Date: November 30, 1999

With the endorsement and assistance of the Omani government, the only guide to Oman has been thoroughly updated for the second edition. For naturalists, the rock formations, minerals, and fossils of Oman are textbook-quality, and the variety of flora and fauna is awe-inspiring. For adventurers, there is wadi bashing, hiking, camping, and rock climbing. The landscape ranges from desert to oasis to mountain to coast, and the Omani people are among the most hospitable in the world. This guide utilizes the familiar Maverick format to communicate everything a first-time traveler needs to know. The author lives in Oman and has made many of the treks he writes about. He gives insight into the customs, history, and culture of the country, as well as how to get along with the Omanis in the best possible fashion. Advice is given on everything from asking permission to take pictures, to what type of vehicle to drive in certain areas, to which forts are open to the public, to what kinds of clothes to wear.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter J. Ochs II currently lives in Oman, where he works at MARK Tours. The Maverick Guide to Oman is his first book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing; 2 edition (November 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565546873
• ISBN-13: 978-1565546875
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,636,791 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for any traveller to Oman, November 28, 1999

By 

Adelheid Smitt (Beringe, Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maverick Guide to Oman (1st ed) (Paperback)

Of all the guide books to Oman I've found, this is the only one that combines excellent background information with thorough sightseeing information. It will show you all the magnificent spots of the country and fortunately not only the ones ON the beaten track, as many other guide books tend to do. The authour obviously knows this country like the back of his hand.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Mavericks PAST TENSE - the roads are all paved now, July 20, 2006

By 

Jules of Sohar "Julz" (Sultanate of Oman) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maverick Guide to Oman (Maverick Guide Series) (Paperback)

Well, up until 2001 this book was relevant.
Since then and especially since 2004, most of the roads
this book calls 'off-road' are now all paved.

It is completely out of date.

The only think the government in Oman hasn't paved
are the DUNES.

Here are some facts, just a few of the many that have changed:

Sorry, even the big Jebels (Mountains) are paved now. I drove up then when they were all lose falling rock and norrow as heck.
Now, safe as daylight.

As well the road from Sohar to Ibri is almost all paved !!!

Masirah Island is all paved now! Incredibly fast, and a new 5 star hotel is to open shortly.


The highway along the coast from Muscat to Sur is 80 percent done !

The road to Wadi Bani Khalid, paved years ago.

They are also building a new airport in Sohar.
And a connecting highway down the coast road from the UAE into SOHAR. The UAE government has already bought out hundreds of fishermens homes. UUHHH>..horrible right. Fisherman now live in the mountains.

This place is less and less about culture and more and more about the largest hotels and capitalism in fast action.

Sorry, I have met the author in the desert once, nice guy, if not totally enamoured with his own wonderful self and travels.
And profiting by bringing American military types to 'Oman' on sort of tourist holiday package. And yanks who are surprised not to see all the locals holding AK-47s....mmmmm well maybe they should READ some books before they join that tour.

Peter is a great story teller, and I suggest that he put his stories in book form, as they are quite nice to hear.

Perhaps bedtime stories for children about Sultans, Walis, and American fathers who travel and struggle with parent hood while
adventuring.

haha..you might as well bring them to DISNEY LAND. This is not Oman of the 1970's. This is a glossy new mercedes and safer than a gated community.

I don't recommend spending money on this book new, buy it used if you must, but new, why it is out of date with facts and figures.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This Is THE Guide To Oman, June 27, 2000

By 

"gsibbery" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maverick Guide to Oman (Maverick Guide Series) (Paperback)

The best (and one of the only) guides to a very pleasant and seldom-mentioned country, Ochs has done a wonderful job of giving us a very interesting intorduction to the culture, langiage, history, religion, cuisine, customs, geology and attractions of the safest and most attractive of the Arabian countries. Included is a wealth of information that every traveller will need to know before embarking on their trip. Also are hundreds of restaurants and sundry attractions for every taste and inclination. The rules and regulations are delineated carefully so as to prevent mishaps and fortunately, Ochs has provided for his readers, not merely the "tourist" side of Oman, but many facets of this beautiful and fascinating country that are generally overlooked by the typical sightseer. if you plan on visiting Oman, or just want information about the people or the land, this is the book to get.