Muscat is the largest City of Oman and is also the Capital with over 3 mill. inhabitants.
What a beautiful City we visited. It lies on the Arabian Sea along the Gulf of Oman.The rocky Western Al Hajar Mountains dominate the landscape, there are no high rise buildings and the economy is dominated by trade, petroleum and Port interests.
Our excursion took us first to the Grand Mosque which is quite amazing, the cost of constructing this must have been enormous. It is full of all different coloured marble and the Chandeliers in all the different prayer rooms were really something.
Incidentally they are very strict with their dress rules, women must be covered from head to toe, long sleeves and something over their head. Men must have legs covered but are not required to wear long sleeves. Unfortunately Gloria failed the test and was refused entry. No long sleeves!
We then drove to the Sultans Palace for a photo stop and this was very protected by a number of forts. Then to another museum which was quite good and then to the Muttrah Souq, a large array of small market stalls, all bidding for our business.
I found a barber for a $6 haircut which included a massage and even a shave if there had been enough time!.
A bit of a catastrophe here as I took off my expensive hearing aids and put them in my pocket, when I pulled out my money card, one came out without realising.
When we were about to board the bus Gloria realised I didn’t have them on and when I put my hands in my pocket ,there was only one.
We raced back to the shop and I had then remembered that something had fallen out and we were able to easily find it.
Phew!!!!!!!!!
But what a lovely clean picturesque City is Muscat. Highly recommended.
Today (Friday 23 November, one week until Dylan is 6) we docked in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. It is the only Emirate situated entirely along the Gulf of Oman. Our excursion was very poor so we won’t highlight any features.
The only part worth speaking of was our guide who gave us a good insight into life in the UAE and several damming statistics about Muslims.
Lovely descriptions, Tony, Muscat obviously impressed, enjoy Abu Dhabi. I think it is very nice, had you been there before? Love L
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