Smugglers becoming one of Oman's tourist attractions

[dArKeR]

NY TIMES NEWS SERVICE , KHASAB, OMAN
Saturday, Jul 10, 2004,Page 6

The Iranians come at daybreak, buzzing across the green water in small boats packed with goats. They deliver their livestock to Omani traders, idle away the hot midday hours and, as darkness sets in, return to Iran, this time loaded with cigarettes, tea and clothing.

Aside from the starkly beautiful rocky fjords, tourist attractions are scarce on this remote tip of the Arabian Peninsula. Watching the Iranian smugglers come and go is about the best local travel operators can muster.

"We do it as part of the city tour," said Abdul Khalique Ahmed, the managing director of Khasab Travel and Tours. "People like to see the smugglers."

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/07/10/2003178426