Oman 2019

Nov 22 We flew out of Sydney for our first stop, a couple of days in Bangkok. Just to break the journey. The flight was somewhat uncomfortable on an old 747, but it was a daylight flight so no problems. We were met as arranged by a private transfer. We were very thankful we had made this arrangement. Bangkok is famous for its traffic. A reputation well earned. We were very happy to be sitting comfortably in the car as our driver negotiated the afternoon peak to get us to our hotel. Nov 23 Our tour today took us across the city to the Grand Palace of the Royal Family of Thailand. There were only three of us on the tour, which proved to be very good. The Grand Palace is the most visited sight in Bangkok and today was evidence of that. Huge numbers of tour buses off-loaded Chinese and others, in their hoards. On the whole we were able to dodge around them, but it becomes irritating sharing the space with others who have no respect for the place they are visiting. They are loud and to

Oman is a sultanate with a history dating back to ancient civilisations. Sultan Qaboos bin Said came to power in 1970 when the country was isolated, closed off with no roads and no means of communication and could not afford to be part of the industrial boom enjoyed by the rest of the world at the outcome of WWII. Location of Oman, a Gulf country

We had made arrangements with Nasser to be collected from our hotel at 8.30am. Sure enough, he was there on the dot. Although we had previously toured the city of Muscat last time, we had not been to the Grand Mosque, much to Nasser's chagrin. The jewel in the crown of a visit to Muscat, the mosque, built by the current Sultan Qaboos, is a magnificent building even from just the outside. It does not have the over-the-top impression you have when visiting the mosque in Abu Dhabi, but it has a beautiful serenity and class about it. Grand Mosque early in the morning

Salim picked us up as arranged. Nasser turned up unexpectedly to make sure everything was OK as he had arranged Salim to take us out today. We were in for an adventure. First stop was Wadi Bani Khalid. The route took us up into the Hajar Mountains with beautiful views as we crossed the pass. Copper is mined in this area. You can see the greenish tinge to the rocks. Marble is also quarried. Just as patriotic here as anywhere. All decked out for National Day

Sur is in the region of Sharqiyah. For centuries Sur was one of the greatest shipyards where the dhows sailing to Africa and Zanzibar, the Indian Subcontinent and Asia, were built. So there is a great seafaring heritage in Sur. The current Sultan wanted to see Sur develop in an industrial way too. The history lives on in Sur, of the voyages made to Asia and across to Africa. The Dhows would be loaded with precious wood, spices, cloves (from Zanzibar), coffee, rice. They traded with the weavings Sur was famous for, the shawls, turbans and cotton loincloths, dates and palms. Dhows are now mainly used for fishing but most are no longer timber. After driving out of Muscat, we followed the route through the mountains. Eventually we came to the coast and followed the road south towards Sur. We stopped at the sinkhole – Bimmah – a sea water sink hole quite a distance from the shore. Many people were swimming or paddling and one brave young man made a jump from up on the edge. Th

Today we venture into the region of Dakhiliyah, a region which attracts the most tourists. This region includes the Hajar’s most magnificent landscapes, the highest peaks, the most vertiginous canyons, the most spectacular fortresses (once great cultural centres). The people are genuine and respect their traditions while supporting modernisation. The region is a thriving farming community. Despite its industrial zone, Nizwa is being developed as a major educational centre. New highways are being built to connect Nizwa to the rest of Oman. A new private university, the High Institute of Jurisprudence, together with the Muscat Law School, will train Oman’s future generations of lawyers. The headquarters of the Sultan Qaboos Scientific Police Academy are also in Nizwa. These combined, provide many educational opportunities and, it is hoped, may prevent people from leaving the region. We are specifically taking this day out on Friday as this is the day the market is on in Nizwa.

Nakhal is in the Governate of Batinah. Nakhal guards the entrance to the Hajar Mountains. The fort, which dates back to the 6 th century was one of the first to be restored in 1990. Visitors are rewarded with panoramic views over the palm grove, the mountains and village. When we arrived at Nakal fort, it was closed for renovation. We were able to go in and see some parts, but none of the main rooms. The views from the top are magnificent looking across to the mountains and down to the date plantations and town. Nakhal Fort

Nasser told me our last day in Muscat would be shopping and beach. Well, because our day at Nakhal was cut short as a result of the closed fort, we went to Qurum Beach yesterday. He had more surprises for us though. I had been trying to buy a silver ring. I wanted something reflecting a traditional Omani design. We had already looked in the souk. Nasser took me to somewhere that sold very traditional designs, but not what I was really looking for. I looked in a shop in Nizwa, nothing. We also looked in the gift shop in Nakhal too, but there was nothing which fitted. I had told Nasser I needed to buy more perfume like I had on my last visit, so we headed for a shop outside the souk in Mutrah and I was able to stock up for a very good price. Then we went to one of the many silver shops in the souk which proved to be more what I was looking for. I came away with two for the price of one! Then it was off again to see more sights. I thought we had seen all there was to see in Muscat,