Muscat, Oman

I can honestly say that I don't understand the intrigue we arouse in people. We are a normal family of a mom and dad and three boys. Yes, we stand out a bit being white but then again we have seen other "whites" around the various places we have traveled to. And you wouldn't know we were Americans until you talk to us and even then people usually think we are from the UK or Australia. Personally I think that's due to ignorance.

Anyway, for whatever reason we are intriguing to most. As was the case to a young man named Majid we met in Muscat, Oman. We were at the annual Muscat Festival taking in the sights and sounds of Omani culture. At 7:30pm we found seats on the brick wall overlooking the lake in anticipation for the firework show. The young man sat down next to us, turned and struck up a conversation. He told us how amazing the light parade, laser show and fireworks would be, a bit about himself, and asked general questions about us.

One light parade float

We watched the show in total amazement. I compare these style of shows to my experiences at Disneyland and usually they come up short. This time was totally different and almost better than Disney.



The water and laser show.

 After the show he continued to chat with us and when he learned we would have to catch a cab, offered a ride back to our hotel. We were thankful for his offer and accepted. All five of us squeezed into his Lexus sedan and fought the traffic leaving the festival.
He offered to be our tour guide the following morning before he had to be to work. Excellent! We agreed he would pick us up at 9:00am and show us around until 1:00pm.



At the history museum.

 Majid took us to museum about Oman's history, showed us the forts that were built by the Portuguese to protect the harbor, drove us to see Sheik Qaboo's Palace, the Corniche and a small secluded beach that is his "favorite". From there we hired a local skiff captain to take us around the point to another beach. It was stunning. The colors of almost white sand, sharp golden rocks and the brightest blue water I have seen. Let me just say this was more spectacular than Thailand's beaches!


Historic Muscat. Notice the fort on the top right of photo.



One of many Muscat beaches.



Another old harbor fortification.



The Royal Palace

On the return trip the ocean swell picked up and sprayed water over the bow of the boat soaking all of us from head to toe. We were laughing at the sight of all of us drenched especially Majid since we was heading to work right after this little adventure. Thanks to the hot Omani sun we dried off in about 10 minutes while standing on the beach. Majid told us that if we liked what we saw here then down south in Oman the beaches are even more beautiful. Even though I found that hard to believe, I did trust his information.


Our boat captain preping our vessel for boarding (dragging it to shore for us to board).



Our friend Majid



Setting sail to a secluded beach



Another beautiful Muscat beach. Had this beach all to ourselves.



Had to wade out to get on these rocks.



The boys followed suit.

Yet another lovely beach.

Before he dropped us off down at the Corniche so he could get to work on time, he offered to hang out again the next day. So we made plans to meet him at work (he's a chef at the Intercontinental Hotel) around 3:00pm.

At the souk the boys were outfitted in traditional dress. They all wanted to buy the outfits but being the practical parents we told them no. They were bummed but Majid offerd to give them the traditional hats on our next visit.

While we were waiting to rendezvous with Majid the following day we made our way to Starbucks, ordered coffee and lunch and spent several hours doing school work. It was an awesome setting for school. Sun, ocean breeze, good coffee, the boys may have a hard time returning to a traditional classroom next year. I know I would.

Our classroom in Muscat.



Arbor Captial Management's Muscat office.

 We met Majid at 3:00pm as planned and visited two mosques, had dinner at a local restaurant and from there drove to the top of the hills surrounding Muscat for a night time view of the city. It was another amazing day hanging out with our Omani friend.

First mosque we visited.

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque next.

Night view of Muscat.

Our desire to return to Oman and the other countries on the Arabian Peninsula is deep since we left so much unexplored and we now have personal connections with locals who promised to show us the rest of their countries.