MUSCAT

We had a tiring overnight flight, which started by leaving late at 8.45. After getting fully airborne we were provided with a meal but had to prepare for beginning of landing procedures soon after the equivalent of 2am in the UK. So not much time to try to get some sleep. On landing in Dubai we had a rushed series of bus trips and route marches to get our connecting flight, which waited for us and on which we were offered another meal. It was a short flight to Muscat where it took an interminable time to get through a very slow passport control. Eventually we were on our coach for the hour's journey to Minerva. There we found our cabins were not yet ready for us and we were offered yet another meal. It was then still only 8am in the UK.

We were then directed to our comfortable cabin where we caught up on some sleep and unpacked. Then an early dinner and to bed, ready for an early start next morning for our city tour of Muscat.

Our guide, Omar, on our coach was excellent and told us much about the culture and way of life of the Omanis. Oman is an absolute monarchy but Omar represented Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said as a benevolent ruler, who provided everything for the indigenous population. Education regarded as important and is provided free to all. Learning English is required and many go abroad to universities in the UK and USA. It is a strict Islamic state and women must dress appropriately. Men working for the government and some others wear white traditional dress. Omar is shown here in his but said that colour is permitted and he sometimes wears grey!

The buildings as we toured Muscat were all of square, gleaming white style, often with some arched windows. The government area we passed had a large building for each ministry surrounded with spacious well kept gardens. Our first stop was at the Opera House.

Then on to the Grand Mosque, which unfortunately we could not enter as they were preparing for Friday prayers. Omar told us it was one of the largest mosques in the world. The men's area had a hand made carpet, which took 600 young women four years to make. Again, the Mosque was set in beautifully kept, spacious gardens.

As we travelled further, we saw that many buildings had on them the large image of Sultan Qaboos. Omar told us that they had just celebrated their National Day, which was held on the Sultan's birthday; his 74th this year. There were coloured lights along the roads and many buildings had large flags draped over them.

Our next stop was the Sultan's Muscat Palace set in spacious grounds with many buildings...

..including the Palace itself...

...its own mosque...

And all set by the sea.

Our final stop of the morning tour was at the City's Museum, which was well presented but small and only of little interest. Oman is essentially a very modern state, having only really developed since oil was discovered in 1964. They are now trying to diversify into tourism and light industry and manufacture of electronic products. The limited interest of the Museum gave Omar the opportunity to say more about Omani life. They are not permitted to marry foreigners, although at 35 it's possible to seek permission, which can take four or five years to be granted. At 25, Omar is enjoying unmarried life!

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Then back to the ship for dinner and departure on our two and a half days' crossing of the Arabian Sea to India.

In the afternoon we went back into town to visit a souk where Clodagh haggled successfully with the pleasant and friendly local traders.

Robert Cole