Sightseeing in Muscat

Stephen, wearing his Pappy visor, at the Souq

We spent some time exploring the sights in Muscat, one of which was the Souq Muttrah. Shopping in the Souq is quite an experience. All of the shopkeepers call to you to take a look at their wares. Of course, the competition is fierce. There are many shops selling pashminas, so the bargaining is part of the process. There is also a lot of silver and another product they seem to specialize in is frankincense. Many have hookas - water pipes and decorated boxes, seen in the display behind Stephen.

This is the entrance to the Souq in Muscat. The Omani men wear full length white shirts and traditional hats instead of the traditional dress of the Qatari men which includes the gutra in white, or in white and red cloth and held in place by a black rope.

This is a picture I took at the Souq in Doha, so you can see the traditional dress of the men. I am amazed at how beautifully starched and white the gutras are. The laundering of these items would be no small chore. 

The juxtaposition of old and new is a common site in Muscat. 

I thought this mosque was really pretty. The fort behind it seems to be carved out of the rock.

This is the view along the corniche in Old Muscat. Sultan Qaboos' yacht and some traditional boats are moored in the harbor. 

This is as close as we could get to one of the forts. There are two forts on either end of Muscat Harbor. Here is some information from the Oman tourism site: Like the rest of Oman, Muscat’s buildings never rise more than ten stories - a longstanding decree by His Majesty the Sultan to ensure that the city’s magnificent mountain backdrop is never overshadowed by man-made structures. Rather than skyscrapers, pride of place on Muscat’s skyline are its twin forts of Al Mirani and Al Jilali which sit perched atop the headlands on either side of Muscat Harbour. They represent just two of the many forts and watchtowers from centuries past which can be seen on the mountains surrounding the city.

Along the corniche, men fish off the bridge.

I think the lack of sky scrapers is one of the most striking differences between Doha and Muscat. The buildings are almost all gleaming white and no taller than ten stories, so the city and the mountains behind create a beautiful site. 

We found one outdoor cafe along the corniche and had some hummus and Arabic bread and a Mango smoothy. There aren't a lot of outdoor cafes, at least at this time of year. Maybe more restaurants set up tables once the weather cools. Either that or it is a business opportunity waiting to happen.