From a tourist to a tour guide – travel influencer Marta Ondrejkova’s journey in Oman has been one long romance in the great outdoors

While many people admire Oman’s natural beauty and allure, some have gone beyond just admiration. The sultanate has been instrumental for them to not only re-discover their inner passions but also to reinvent themselves in different ways.
After embarking on a voyage to embrace the unexplored, some visitors now call Oman their home and are determined to showcase its less-known beauty to the world. Celebrating every ounce of this beautiful country, each day is a new adventure and a fresh opportunity for them to be astounded by what it has to offer.
One such tourist who fell in love with the country, Marta Ondrejkova, originally from Slovakia, moved to Muscat in 2015. Fascinated by the Arabian architecture, language, and culture, she was drawn to the Omani heritage.
“Oman is a place where the past meets the present. It is one of the few modern countries that has kept its rich culture and customs intact. The people here appreciate their traditions, and it is this that keeps them connected to their land.” says Marta, describing what makes the country unique.

Travel influencer
What began as solo adventures into the wilderness of Oman, quickly turned into a career for Marta as she soon blossomed into a freelance tour guide, a professional diving master, and an Instagram travel influencer. Her desire to become a travel blogger, share her experiences with the world, and inspire others around her to push their boundaries began with a push from her friends and has since grown into something she is extremely passionate about.
During her journey, Marta realised that there was so much more to the Sultanate and how unappreciated it was. Persistent to portray Oman in its true sense and attract people to discover this ‘hidden gem’, she started ‘marta.explores.oman’, a handle that gives one a glimpse at what undervalued beauty looks like.
Through the breathtaking photographs and videos which capture the exquisiteness of Oman, Marta has been successful in persuading many to visit Oman and enjoy unique experiences. Her social media accounts has not only inspired tourists but also stunned the locals into revaluing their home country and its inherent attractiveness.
By actively sharing the locations, suggesting hike routes, and planning itineraries, she has been a catalyst for many to visit some of the most beautiful places in the country.
“Travel blogging has allowed me to inspire women who are passionate about adventure and travel to embark on their journey and shatter the social stigma that women should avoid solo adventures. This, in turn, has allowed me to make a small difference in people’s lives.”, Marta said.

Adventure is therapy
Marta describes adventure as therapy, and she has had some life-changing experiences with each trek, dive, or road trip she has taken. Dreaming of it since she was a child, Oman provided her with the opportunity to experience her first dive. This experience taught her the power of stillness under the sea and transformed her outlook on life.
As a psychology student, she aspires to combine mental health and counseling with adventure and travel. Elaborating on this, she said, “The nature, mountains, sea, freedom, and, most importantly, safe environment that Oman provides is truly ‘therapeutic’, and I don’t believe it can be found anyplace else.”
Being an avid traveler and constantly visiting different countries, she could not have envisioned staying in the same country for so long but Oman changed that for her. The warmth of the sultanate and the welcoming spirit of its people taught her that happiness may be found even in a single place with which you truly connect. Even after years of exploring Oman, she still feels as if there is so much more to explore and a never-ending list of locations to visit.
“The explorers in Oman have built a community that respects and inspires one another. I am so grateful to be surrounded by individuals who share ideas and thoughts that I haven’t even considered,” she said, referring to the travel community and other explorers in the country.
Despite the rising use of technology and time spent behind screens, Marta recommends that people in the city enjoy the indisputable beauty of Oman and reconnect with nature by choosing outdoor activities. This will reduce stress levels and make us more appreciative of nature.

(Contributed by Aashna Sanghani)