We started our trip to
Oman in Muscat, the nation's capital.
Muscat is very spread out, with few tall buildings, and you are never very far from the sea.
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| Qurum Beach |
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| Mangrove, Shatti/Al Qurum |
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| Watchtower and Omani Flag |
Mutra is one of the oldest and most easterly districts of the capital.
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| Watchtower, Mutra |
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| old and new in Mutra: the yacht behind the dhow belongs to the Sultan |
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| Corniche, Mutrah |
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| Corniche, Mutrah |
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| Mutrah fort (built by the Portuguese in 1580s) |
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| in Mutra souq |
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| in Mutrah souq |
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| in Mutra Souq |
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| outside Mutrah souq on the Corniche |
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| Corniche, Mutrah |
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| elevated view showing the whole Cornice, Mutraj |
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| playing games |
The Sultan's Palace, built over the site of the former British Embassy, is closed to the public.
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| Sultan's Palace |
The Bayt al-Zubair museum is located in a restored house and exhibits Omani heritage.
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| modern art at Bayt Al-Zubair Museum |
It houses a reconstructed
baristi, which is a traditional house made from palm fronds and trees.
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| Baristi |
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| Bayt Al-Zubair Museum |
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| Bayt Al-Zubair Museum |
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| Bayt Al-Zubair Museum |
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| Bayt Al-Zubair Museum |
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| Bayt Al-Zubair Museum |
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| Bayt Al-Zubair Museum |
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| coastline, old Muscat |
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| dhows off Mutrah |
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| sunset over typical Muscat housing |
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| Royal Opera House, Muscat (built in 2011) |
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| Royal Opera House, Muscat |
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| an Omani meal may end with dates, followed by rosewater to wash your hands |
No visit to Muscat is complete without visiting the Grand Mosque, which was a gift to the nation from Sultan Qaboos to mark the 30th year of his reign.
The mosque can accommodate 20,000 worshippers, including 750 women in a private prayer hall.
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