Oman is an Arab country in the Persian Gulf that defies many stereotypes of the region. A down to earth culture and modest friendly people combined with rugged mountains, canyons, valleys, deserts and sandy beaches make Oman one of the most beautiful and inviting countries in the Middle East. Driving off-road through the Wadi Bani Auf and attending the Nizwa gun market were particular highlights for me..

A vendor at the Mutrah Fish Market in Muscat, Oman.
Looking over the former Portuguese city of Sur in Oman as the sun sets.
A vendor holds up a shark at the fish market in Sur, Oman.
My guide Mohammed, standing over the Wadi Bani Auf in Oman.
A man holding a riffle at the Niza Gun Market in Oman.
Looking down over the spectacular Wadi Bani Auf in Oman.
Driving through the Wadi Bani Auf in Oman.
An Omani boy at the Nizwa Cattle Market.
An Omani boy at the Nizwa Cattle Market.
A customer at the Nizwa Gun Market in Oman.
Rugged terrain of the Wadi Bani Auf in Oman.
A woman in the 400 year old town of Al Hamra, Oman.
View from the Shangri La resort in Muscat, Oman.
A man holding a riffle at the Niza Gun Market in Oman.
Stunning view of Oman's Jebel Al Akhar mountains, also known as the Green Mountains.
View of Oman Wai Ghul - known as Oman's Grand Canyon.
An Omani boy at the Nizwa Cattle Market.
A man in the 400 year old town of Al Hamra, Oman.
Nizwa Cattle Market, Oman.
A group of Omani men at the Nizwa gun market.
Vendor at the Mutrah Souq, Muscat, Oman.
View of the stunning Sabatyn Plateau, in Oman's Musandam Peninsula.
A bedouin girl in the Sharqiya Sands, also knowns as the Wahiba Sands.
A camel walking in the dunes of the Sharqiya Sands, also known as the Wahiba Sands in Oman.
Cattle being brought out for auction at the Nizwa cattle market in Oman.
View of date farms in Al Hamra, Oman.
Old fort near A Hamra, Oman