Category: Oman 🇴🇲

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are looking to launch a unified single visa for tourists

Map indicating GCC members (Source » Wikimedia)

Map indicating GCC members (Source » Wikimedia)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states include  Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Waheed Abbas, Khaleej Times »

“We see that happening very soon because we see people flying from abroad to Europe usually spending their time in several countries rather than in one country. We really saw the value this can bring not to each country but all of us,” Al Sairafi said during a panel discussion on “The Future of Travel for the GCC”, held at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

AKA Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf at Wikipedia.

Switzerland remains the best country in the world » Canada has moved up to the second spot » U.S. News 2020 Best Countries rankings

For Switzerland, the 2020 ranking is the the fourth consecutive yearhas been judged No. 1 by residents of 36 countries. Canada was chosen second, overtaking Japan in the U.S. News’ fifth annual survey.

The Best Countries report, produced from an annual global survey of more than 20,000 people in 36 countries including the United States, reflects increasingly negative views of the world and within countries. Nearly half of survey respondents say conditions around the world have worsened in the past year. Likewise, an increased percentage of people say the gap between the rich and poor has grown and that nationalism is increasing.

According to the ranking, here are the Top 25 Countries in the World

  1. Switzerland
  2. Canada
  3. Japan
  4. Germany
  5. Australia
  6. United Kingdom
  7. United States
  8. Sweden
  9. Netherlands
  10. Norway
  11. New Zealand
  12. France
  13. Denmark
  14. Finland
  15. China
  16. Singapore
  17. Italy
  18. Austria
  19. Spain
  20. South Korea
  21. Luxembourg
  22. United Arab Emirates
  23. Russia
  24. Portugal
  25. India

The Bottom 5 of the U.S. News 2020 Best Countries rankings are

  • Lebanon
  • Serbia
  • Oman
  • Belarus
  • Tunisia

See the full report.

 

 

Watch Noraly from ItchyBoots.com Ride through Oman as She Makes Her Way Around The World on a Royal Enfield Himalayan

We last saw Noraly trying to leave Malaysia.

We catch up with her in Oman, but without her Royal Enfield. However, nothing seems to deter this adventurous woman.

Ep. 41 – Shipping of Basanti from Kuala Lumpur to Oman is delayed by two weeks because of logistical problems with the airlines. But Noraly still goes off-road riding in Oman

Ep. 42 – Noraly continues picking up new skills on her side trip through Wadi Al Arbeieen, Muscat

Ep. 43 – While Noraly awaits the delivery of her Royal Enfield, she rents another motorcycle and heads off to Jebel Shams

Ep. 44 – Scaling the Salmah Plateau by motorcycle

Ep. 45 – Riding down the Salmah Plateau

Ep. 46 – Noraly’s Royal Enfield finally arrives in Oman, but Customs officials are not quick to release her.

Ep. 47 – Noraly is finally able to leave Muscat aboard her Royal Enfield and rides to Jalan Bani

Ep. 48 – Rides to Masirah Island

Ep. 49 – Noraly heads north, crossing the desert, on her way to Sinaw

Ep. 50 – Heading for the hills and onto Sohar

Onto the UAE…