Mom’s flight to Dubai arrived at 11:40 p.m. and the airport was in its usual late-night, chaotic state. After creeping along through airport traffic, Isaac and I napped in the car, until Mom made her way through the craziness at 2:00 a.m. Despite the inconvenient timing and airport hassle, it was great to see her! We made it home and in bed shortly after 3:00 a.m. … just a few hours before we planned to leave for our weekend getaway to Oman.
The next morning, or should I say "later that morning," we met Jen, Dan, and Ashley just after 7:00, and began the long drive to Muscat, Oman. Unfortunately, Isaac had been battling a bad head cold and was still feeling under the weather. He spent most of the trip relaxing and dozing in the back seat, so I had driving duty. A couple of hours down the road we passed into Oman and had to begin the multi-step process to procure our visas. At the first stop we stood outside in a seemingly stagnant line. After receiving the first of several passport stamps, we drove several miles down the road to the next stop. Here, our car was searched, or better put, given a momentary glance, and we received an “all-clear” slip. We took this along with our passports and car insurance to a building down the road where we waited, again, in a long line. Here we paid for our visa, provided proof of our Omani driving insurance, and received more passport stamps. We also stocked up on some snacks for the remainder of our trip. We handed off our “all clear” stamp at the last stop, and we were good to go! Several hours later we reached the Crown Plaza Hotel in Muscat. The large white hotel was perched along sloping cliffs, overlooking the Gulf of Oman. Our lack of sleep from the previous night was really beginning to catch up with us, so after checking into our room, we napped for most of the afternoon. Before dinner Isaac and I wandered around the hotel grounds and enjoyed drinks at the outdoor pool bar, overlooking the ocean. Mom decided to catch up on her sleep and Jen met us for dinner at the hotel’s Italian restaurant. After filling our bellies with lobster pasta and scrumptious desserts, we called it an early night. The hotel had ESPN, so Isaac happily partook in a little March Madness watching before falling asleep. The next morning we enjoyed a nice breakfast before heading down to the beach. The hotel's private beach was tucked in a little cove beneath the hotel grounds. The sun was shining brightly, and by 10:00 a.m. the sand was scorching! We found two lounge chairs looking out along the sea, and settled in for some relaxing and sun bathing. The water was heavenly! Just cool enough to be refreshing, but warm enough for swimming. When I wasn't in the water I was scouring the shoreline for seashells. Isaac was kind and patient enough to allow me to fill the pockets of his trunks with the hundreds of little treasures I'd gathered=). Mid-afternoon we wandered back up to the hotel and spent about an hour at the pool with Dan, Jen, and Ashley before cleaning up for the day.
Crown Plaza Hotel
View of the beach from the hotel
When the tide receded it left a band of pink shells on the sand
I collected hundreds of these shells and filled the pockets on Isaac's swim trunks with them... he is so sweet to put up with me=)
Looking back at the hotel from the beach
One of the many little hermit friends we found in the water
Relaxation
Later that day, Mom, Isaac and I drove to the old souk for a little exploring. The souk boasted many of the same goods we find in Dubai, with exceptionally high quantities of silver, and traditional Omani hats. Mom found several tapestries she liked, while Isaac and I scoured the shops for an Omani hat. That night we drove up the windy mountain roads to the Shangri-La Hotel for dinner. Wow! This hotel was breathtaking, even at night! This resort is actually three hotels in one, all nestled in between rocky mountains and the sea. We enjoyed a nice dinner together and sat, dreaming of one day being able to afford a vacation at this incredible place!
All of the large roundabouts are glamorously decorated... this was one of the mellower examples
Corniche St. (all waterfront streets in the region are named "Corniche")
A Portuguese fort
The Old Souk (or Suq)
Playing dress up
Isaac checking out the Omani hats
Big head!
This hat was hand made and took the seamstress 3 months to complete!
A few shots of the Shangri-La Hotel I found on the Internet...
The next morning Mom, Isaac and I went on a city tour that included stops at the Grand Mosque, the souk, old Muscat and nearby villages. We had a private car, and our driver Yousseff was fantastic! He provided us with great insight of Omani culture and amused us with his stories. Our first stop was the Grand Mosque- stunning! This place of worship holds up to 21,000 people at one time, with 7,000 inside the actual mosque, 800 in the women's prayer room, and the remaining individuals in the outdoor courtyards and walkways. The walkways were even manufactured with special marble that stays cool to the touch, despite the heat from the sun. The mosque also boasts the world’s largest chandelier. Weighing 8 tons, and containing 1200 lights, it is large enough to hold 3 grown men. Under foot in the mosque is the world’s largest carpet. This 47m x 47m masterpiece was made by 60 women and weighs 21 tons! As a guest in the mosque, Mom and I had to make sure that our bodies were covered. I had not planned on visiting a mosque, so I had not packed the appropriate attire. I was wearing a 3/4 length shirt, that I had to pull the sleeves down on, and I borrowed a scarf from the hotel to cover my head. The material was sheer and silky, so I had to work to keep it from slipping off my head. After touring the Grand Mosque, we meandered through Old Muscat, a tiny cluster of white box houses nestled between two rocky slopes and the sea. We learned that until recently the exteriors of all homes in Muscat were required to be painted white by the government. If another color was chosen, the electricity and utilities were withheld from the homeowner. Apparently though, as the Omani's became more educated, they developed a more convincing argument, and there are now four acceptable exterior home colors (all in the neutral beige or white families). We made a short stop at the Sultan's palace, and viewed examples of the damage caused by a cyclone last year. Yousseff drove us through several little villages, including the one where he and his family live. Our last stop was at the old souk. Isaac was determined to find himself an Omani hat, so we were on the hunt and enlisted Yousseff for help. After several stops we found a store with a huge selection of hats, even with hats large enough for Isaac's "big head" =). Yousseff even stepped in and bartered with the shop owner on our behalf. Isaac selected a beautiful tan and white hat, which we are now displaying in our book shelf in our living room. It fits well, so Isaac can wear it, along with the accompanying dish dash he purchased, for international events at school.
The Grand Mosque
Absolutely stunning!
World's largest chandelier. 21,000 lights! Our guide has seen 3 men fit inside of it to change old bulbs.
Yousseff explaining where individuals pray
The entire Koran is carved into the walls throughout the mosque
World's cutest photographer
Old Muscat
Sultan's palace
Cyclone damage near the Sultan's palace
Aww=)
Yousseff was very proud of the fact that the villagers spent so much time outside, enjoying life=)
Isaac's new hat and dish dash
Old silver
Anklets
Most Omani men customize their hats. They buy these white patterned hats, then select the color of thread for the accents.
Omani men hang their dish dash liners on these cones and burn frankincense underneath to add scent their clothes.
Our short vacation to Oman was outstanding! We can't wait to find time to return and explore the quaint seaside villages of this warm and friendly country.
