Muscat, Oman

We sailed from Dubai Monday at 1:00 p.m. and had the afternoon to get more acquainted with the Costa Classica. Our group of 25 has 4 tables together in the dining room and we can mix up and sit where we like each evening to get to know each other better.

MUSCAT - the adventure continues! I first visited Oman in 1990 on the Sagafjord and it was the first call of a cruise ship ever to the country. In fact, there were more Americans onboard the ship than the sum total of all Americans ever to visit the country. It was a backwards, tribal country until the mid-70's when the young Sultan came to power and set about turning the country on its head and modernizing. He built schools, hospitals, roads, and started opening the country to the outside world. Today Oman is surprisingly modern and luxurious, yet contrasted with the ancient Arabian customs and traditions.

We started by driving half an hour out of Muscat to the great mosque. It is a beautiful white building with magnificent chandeliers and and grand columns. We were allowed go go in, but the women had to make sure their arms and legs and head were completely covered.

We continued back into the city and had a photo stop at the beautiful Sultan's palace. Then we headed south out of the city to the luxurious Al Bustan Palace Hotel. Tour groups are not allowed to visit the hotel, but I have been there numerous times for functions and I really wanted the group to see it. So our local operator arranged tea and coffee for us and we got to do what none of the other passengers from the ship were allowed to. The lobby atrium is 9 stories high and looks like a grand mosque! We also got to walk out back in the hotel grounds along the pools and down to the beach. It is an exquisite place!

From there we returned to the waterfront in Muscat and photographed the two ancient forts, perched on the hillside above the palace. Then we had some time in the Old Souk (market) to buy frankincense, Arab clothing, scarves, and other souveniers. It is fascinating just to look into the shops and see all the exotic wares. Unfortunately the markets are closed for a couple hours in the afternoon, but some of us came back in after lunch anyway.

We have had so many encounters with the local people and they have over and over again exhibited the greatest hospitality and friendliness to us. When they find out we are Americans we are their honored guests - not what you expect from media reports! Twila was bargaining in the souk for a little velvet bag and we were still trying to get him from $3 to $2 (less than 1 rial) when a local woman who had been listening asked the shopkeeper in Arabic how much he wanted for it. She then pulled out a rial and bought the bag herself. She handed it to Twila and said, "This is a gift from me to you!! You are welcome in Oman!" Twila will treasure that bag.

Another time back in Dubai when cousin Ken and I were walking around, we met a young fellow from Pakistan who invited us for tea and insisted on paying for it, as well as for a water taxi ride afterwards. We told him we wanted to pay, but he said, "You are my guests - it is my duty to take care of you." We are enjoying the people here so much.

I had better close this down and get a taxi back to the ship or it will leave without me!