Oman has a population of 3.5 million people and is a significant producer of oil. It is a small but extremely wealthy country. Muscat has been a key controlling sea-trading port since the 1st Century AD. Oman is one of the most conquered countries in the world. It has been controlled by the Omani’s then Persia, Bagdad, Portugal, and the Ottoman Empire before returning to Omani control in the late 18th century. Muscat is still actively guarded by two fully armed forts, one facing the sea and one inland.
We parked the ship at the front door of Muscat, handbrake on, some Omani Rials in the meter and we went ashore. ($AUD1= $RIAL3). It was 43 degrees at 7.30am and rose to 46 degrees by mid afternoon! The whole city is a clutch of white flat roof buildings hugging the ocean and built right up to the rocky beginnings of the desert. Fifteen minutes in any direction (except east) and you are in the desert and heading for the next country.
Our time was spent visiting the only mosque and several “SOUKS”. Souks are shopping alleyways that specialise in gold, silver and bric-a-brac. No great stories to tell here. This was also a “short-stay” port as we left at 2pm heading for Dubai.
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