DAY 97---MUSCAT, OMAN

 

        We were docked at 7:45 and it is already hot outside.  Sunny skies so good photo taking day.  At 3pm it is 98 degrees and 26% humidity.

Historical/Background Info:

        We visited Muscat back in 2013 also.  The city lies on the coastal plain with the Arabian Sea along the Gulf of Oman on one side and the rocky Western Hajar mountains dominating the back drop of Muscat.  Colorful volcanic rock formations and low-lying white buildings of Muscat are a refreshing change from the modern high-rise architecture of the UAE countries.  Muscat, the capital of Oman, has a metro population of 630,000.  The country’s population is 5.25 million.  Its economy is dominated by trade.  Their exports include:  oil, mother of pearl, fish, and of course, dates.  The Omani government and national petroleum company are the two major employers in Muscat, followed by port-related import and export activities.  Tourism is the fastest growing industry in Oman.  Oman’s proved oil reserves of petroleum total about 5.5 billion barrels, 25^th largest in the world.

        The history of man can be traced back nearly 7,000 years and as a result there are lots of artifacts discovered over the years.  You will see for sale in the shops and museums:  jewelry, coins, knives, swords, guns, maps, and a lot more.  Their markets are called “souq’s” where you will find t-shirs, colorful pashminas, and lots more.  Another difference between what men wear here as opposed to the UAE is, Omani men wear different color dishdashas as well as white ones, whereas, Emirati men only wear white ones.  The women in both places wear black burqas.  Women will not speak to us tourists but the men will.   

LAST EVENING

                                                 Murphy with our La Crema chardonnay.

                                                         Bernalyn takes good care of us.

                                                     Murphy doing selfie of the table.

Our veal osso bucco with red wine sauce was excellent.  Creamy polenta and garlic spinach also.

                                                                  Merlot is my favorite.

                                                                    Bernalyn & Hanna 

TODAY

                                                       Sailing into the bay prior to docking.

                                                              

                                            Riyam Park with the towering incense burner.

                                            Fort Mutrah built by the Portuguese in the 1580's.

                                                   The two huge yachts are the Sultan's.

                                                      Buses lined up for the tours today.

                             Grains are imported for the animals as it is too dry to grow them.

My 4 hour tour for today  The buses were very nice and air conditioned.  I sat in my usual back row seat.

                                                     Photos of 45 minute drive to our first stop.

Because it was Friday and still ramadan (month long Muslim period for fasting and praying) most all government offices, businesses, shops, and restaurants were closed today.  Muscat was like a ghost town as no one was out on the streets.  About the only Omanis I saw were in the souq.

                Not sure what the above photos are of but found the white buildings interesting.

                                                               Oman court building

The Grand Mosque--It is Oman's largest and can hold 8,000 inside and another 12,000 in the court yard. It is one of the few mosques in Arabia that allows non-muslims to visit inside.  Visitors not allowed today as it is Friday.  So our tour was of the outside.

There are 5 minarets that represent the 5 pillars of Islam.  It is kind of like Christianity's 10 Commandments.  The main minaret pictured here is 300 feet high.  The other 4 are 149 feet high.

                                             The mosque's dome is 160 feet above the floor.

              Our guide, Issac, was excellent.  He tried to help me find internet but never did.

                                            Caught the sun behind one of the minarets.

                                           Beautifully landscaped ground around the mosque.

                                                       I peek over the wall of the inside

                                                                 Another view inside

                                        Now back on the road and heading to our second stop.

The Sultan's yacht.  He has two like this one.

                                                                             Our ship

                                                              This is the Sultan's Palace.

       The Sultan does not live here but it is used for meetings with other countries dignitaries.

                                                              Still part of the palace.

                                                  Old lookout posts on the side of the hill.

                                               Al-Mirani Fort.  Portuguese fort from 1580's.

                                                          Very interesting "shaggy" tree.

                                        My tour bus.  There were only 27 of us on the tour.

                                                        Our third stop was at this museum.

                                                         I did not take any photos inside.

                                                                          Our ship

An old dhow boats.  No longer used but was old fishing boat.  They would go out in the sea fishing for a couple weeks at a time.

Last stop was at the Muttrah Souq.  In the Middle East they call their markets, souqs.  This one was huge.  We were to have an hour here but I only lasted about 10 minutes.  There was a ship's shuttle bus to and from the souq today so I advised Issac that I was leaving the tour and going back on the shuttle.  I was back on board at 11:15.

                             In one of the souq alleys was this kitten eating a small fish.

        Once back on the ship at 11:15, I took a quick shower before going up to La Veranda for lunch.  It took a long time to get all these photos uploaded and is 3pm now after getting them put on the post and writing the captions.

        We will be sailing again at 7pm and not due to be docked in Dubai tomorrow until 5pm.  We got a letter while at lunch saying ALL passengers will be required to do a face-to-face inspection in the terminal with their immigration officials.  What a big pain in the ass!!!  Hope they don't mind if I am half drunk by the time they get to us.  Our deck will be last to be called.  Appears our dinner will also delayed.

        GOOD NEWS---The ship has not had any new covid cases for a couple days now so at 9:00 this morning the crew were told they could remove their masks now.  Good to see their smiling faces again.

The crew had their weekly fire and lifeboat drill this morning.

                         Cocktail hour in Mariner Lounge follow by dinner in Compass Rose.

        Tonight's show is the production cast's "Blazing Boots".  It is our favorite show so we'll be on the front row.