An Oman Holiday - 18 May 2022 – Last day in Oman

The GTC service from Salalah to Muscat reached the Burj Al Sahwa bus station, Muscat well before time. The rush at that important interchange bus terminus was incredibly high. There were so many buses, parcels, taxis, private cars, trolleys and busy people walking about that it was nearly chaotic. For the first time I heard vehicles honking. However, I was convinced that there certainly was no other way to call attention if one wanted to move about in the terminal. The bus I was in did not get a slot to park for nearly a half hour. The large number of parcels it transported had to be unloaded. After that was done it stopped at the Muscat International Airport before travelling to its final destination, Ruwi. I got down in between in Al Azaiba, almost opposite the Mwasalat bus terminal, from where Binu came and picked me up.

After breakfast and bath Deepak Nair came over to be my guide and company for the day. I had sent him the list of places I wished to visit. He chalked out the sequence and added some more on his own. The Al Ameen Mosque, the marble-clad marvel, is located on a hillock off the expressway. Its construction that began in 2008 brought together experts, designers, materials and technologies from India, Iran, Italy, UK and Germany. The mosque was consecrated in 2014 and is an imposing sight.

The Zawawi mosque is notable for the Quran inscribed on metal plates and placed on the walls of the mosque. The mosque was built in 1985 at the behest of Omar Zawawi to commemorate the passing away of his father. Both Al Ameen and Zawawi mosques could be visited only from the outside.

The nest visits were to two hotels. The first one, the Grand Hyatt is a marvel. The architecture is primarily Yemeni in influence. The hotel affords spectacular views of the majestic Hajar mountains on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other. The interiors are ornate and aesthetic. The Intercontinental is a luxury offering from the InterContinental Hotels Group, the other two well known brands under the same umbrella are Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn. This super luxury hotel is a short walk from the beach.

The Sultan's armed forces museum is far more than just a display of military hardware. The museum is housed in Bayt Al Falaj, built in 1845 as a royal summer home but used mostly as the headquarters of the Sultan’s Armed Forces. The lower rooms outline Oman’s history while the upper rooms explore the country's international relations and military prowess. When I asked at the counter about the entrance fee, which is normally payable by credit card only, I was told that we were in luck because it being the International Museum Day museums the world over were free of charge to visit this day.

We were assigned a military escort to go around the whole complex. The escort provides a commentary and doesn't rush you to complete the tour. He politely tells you the do's and don'ts such as what can be photographed and what should not be. The museum is naturally on the itinerary of most visiting dignitaries. There is a working model of a falaj (irrigation channel) in the grounds outside the museum which is informative.

Muscat vegetable and fish market in Mutrah stands shoulder to shoulder with the Sultan Qaboos Port, which is now closed for cargo business (shifted to Sohor). The new vegetable and fish market is a landmark on the waterfront along the lively corniche in Mutrah and it seamlessly threads the past and the present.

The Mutrah part of Muscat was for long the commercial hub, naturally with the port and its promontory, with a thriving fishing industry. The redevelopment of Mutrah was in keeping with the spirit of preserving the character of the old while serving the needs of burgeoning tourism requirements. The market is neat and clean. At the time of our visit the business was dull as it was close to noon and the fresh catch had vanished already.

Not very far from the fish market is the 200 year old Mutrah Souq, with its Gate overlooking the Sea of Oman and the Corniche. The antiquity of the market and its bustle makes it a must visit. Parking is normally a major hassle here, but we were lucky to get one close to the Gate. As you enter the Souq your senses are teased by a variety of aromatic fragrances of Frankincense, perfumes and essential oils. The market is also known for brilliant craftworks such as silverware, traditional daggers and swords, cloth work, etc. Naturally the popular Omani sweets like halwa, shoes, incense burners, spices and the like are also popular with shoppers. I picked up a few fridge magnets, spices and tea flavours.

The Mutrah Corniche is a promenade that stretches for over 3 kilometres along the waterfront and is lined with restaurants, cafes, and markets. A walk along the lovely promenade will take you along the Oman Port and harbour on one side and beautiful rock formations of the Hajar Mountains on the other. Other attractions are the old Portuguese watchtowers, the Al Riyam Park with lots of games and rides for children and the humongous incense burner monument.

Before winding up the day with a visit to the St Peter and Pauls church I had a couple of interview engagements. The hospitality of Meena and Binu and the facilitation and companionship of Deepak Nair cannot be insulted by mere words. They were only meant to be enjoyed by the heat and soul. Thus, the tight schedule in Oman came to an end and it will remain etched in my chronicles as one of the most memorable visits to a foreign land.