OMAN

DAY 76 — March 21, 2017 – Sailing the Gulf of Oman

Surprise!  We arrive in Oman early, at 6:00 pm the day before we were supposed to.  The captain has been sailing at 19-20 knots for the last two days.  No ship captain wants to slowly cruise through this area. 

Went shopping at the big Souk (market) in the city of Muscat.  It is open late and kinda looked like a suburban shopping mall in the US. 

Even the shoppers’ clothing looked similar to what we might see in any mall at home.

Oman has a Law of Money Laundering.  They post signs to let you know you just need to do it 

correctly.

.

DAY 77 — March 22, 2017 – Muscat, OMAN

Busy day ahead:  drive through the majestic Hajar Mountains to visit a 17^th Century Fort and souk (market) in Nizwah, the former cultural and political capital of Oman and the nearby Bahla Fort which pre-dates the spread of Islam in the area.  Our last stop would be the Jabreen Castle, with its ceiling decorations, wall murals, and impressive architecture it is considered to be the most beautiful fort in Oman.

But, because our bus was late picking us up, we went to a fish market to wait.  Nothing like the sights and smells of fish first thing in the morning.

Then we headed north into the countryside to visit the forts.  It was another lovely weather day. 

Welcome to Nizwah.  Oman is a monarchy and the King spends broadly on historical sites.

Our stop at a rural souk showed us they tend to be more practical than the glitzy souks in the city. 

Then to the Forts.

     

Strong fortifications at Nizwa.

  

The Bahla Fort was built in the 15^th century on architectural ruins from 3000 BC.

The Jabreen Castle built in 1091 is considered to be the prettiest historical site in Oman.

Decorated ceilings and mpressive architecture..

We then went shopping, the requisite final stop on any tour – anywhere.

This was a pot lover’s paradise but no purchases were made by us.

Dates!  Who knew there were so many kinds of dates?  There are only 6 varieties in this photo but we had more than 20 different kinds to sample and buy.  

Like everywhere else, men here like to sit around drinking coffee and shooting the breeze especially with an American in shorts.

DAY 78 — March 23, 2017 – Sailing the Gulf of Oman

Beautiful Tillandsias by the pool.

DAY 79 — March 24, 2017 – Sailing the Gulf of Aden

According to the Captain, we will be traveling in The International Recommended Travel Corridor – the safest route through the area.

Took another floral class to take my mind off pirates.