Yesterday was Oman's National Day. The celebrations had begun some few days in advance and will go on for the next couple of days. This day is very important for the local people as well as the Expats. This day commemorates Oman's independence from the Portuguese. Back then Oman was nothing but a complete Desert land but it had a port as well and that's what attracted other Countries to come here. In the last 50 years Oman has developed at a very fast speed from a Desert land to a complete flourishing Country attracting tourist and expats to work here. This change happened with the visionary Late Sultan Qaboos who was a pioneer in developing this whole Country. His Birthday falls the next day of National Day, hence both these days 18th and 19th are celebrated with a lot of joy.
Yesterday as a part of the celebrations there were Light Drone and Laser shows being done at several locations across the Country. I had decided to go with a few friends. The closest venue for us was a park which was across one of the mountains. Ideally it's not a very long road. On a normal day it would not take more then 15 to 20 mins to cross over to the other side. We had anticipated there would be traffic, but when we reached towards the Mountain it was a crazy scene. Cars were moving very slowly. The problem with Oman is that the public transport system is very poor, there are no metros, there are just few Buses that run across the city majorly on the highways. Car becomes the only mode of transport then, hence there is always a traffic jam on such occasions. We decided to move ahead. The show was to start at 8 p.m. By 7.45 we were half way. We decided to stop over at one of the peaks, we found a lot of cars parked there and people were waiting there to see the show. It was impossible that we could reach to the venue so we too decided to park ourselves there and watch the show.
It was not bad, it looked a little far but we could still watch the show. Some of our friends who had started an hour early before us also could not reach the venue and they were stuck in traffic after the mountain on the straight road. They could not get a good sight of the show as they had got on a lower level, and then return for them also was equally challenging. That way it was good that we found a peak and then return was not much of a hassle.
Where the Laser lights are seen there the show was being done.
Some pictures from the Drone Light show
This is the Image of the Sultan's Palace
The Image of Sultan
A display of Omani people
Some other light show
Our gang enjoying the show
It's traffic jam but there is a lot of high energy. People are moving slowly, they are waving flags from the windows. You can see it's all jammed up till the sight goes.
This is how we all finally settled down :-)
There is lights everywhere in the city
Every year there is a fire cracker bursting ceremony but this year that was not done and the light show was done. In a way good, this avoids pollution. The celebration continues till 21st and then it all gets back to normal. There will be 2 days public holiday at the end of the month. I have guests coming over so good for me.
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