The road to Muscat

So we decided before we moved to Dubai that we wanted to  explore as much as possible whilst we are here. Being in Dubai puts us in such a good geo-graphical position for so many amazing places; Asia, India, Africa, Oz & NE and that's not counting what's on our doorstep in the Middle East. 

So we thought we'd pop next door to Oman for a long weekend. We hired a car and started our 5 hour road trip with the tradition of Pringles and coke for breakfast. 

You have to get a visa to travel to Oman and then pass through 4 boarder check points - yes, a lot of faff but totally worth it. 

We were also trying out a new travel strategy to keep costs down. The plan is we stay in a cheap hotel - as we won't be there much and then dine in fancy restaurants. Our hotel was cheap with no cheer, but clean-ish (apart from an offensive stain on the chair that looked like someone had been murdered on it!) and in a good location so can't complain. Our strategy worked and the first night Johan found a great fish restaurant atop a hill over looking a cove and the sea, gold star for husband!

The next day we headed to Muscat which is really friendly, authentic and atmospheric. This is because it's a real place where local people live, work and go about their daily business, rather than just set up for purely for tourists.

Muscat is very picturesque, it's a seaport on one side against a backdrop of russet mountains on the other. You can walk along the coast road and take in the sights, the mosque, the souk, the old fort and the Sultans enormous Royal Yacht, it was the size of a cruise liner.

The mosque was covered finely detailed blue and gold mosaics with Arabic inscriptions. 

We also climbed a small hill to the old lighthouse now merely a ruin. Once inside the camber it's a tight squeeze, with the added drama of a collapsed floor exposing a sheer 30ft cliff drop beneath.  

Carving adorned the souk walls

That evening we picked up some great antiques from the Souk but be prepared to haggle, we're new to it so are trying out different tactics. The Johan 'good cop', me 'bad cop' seems to be working for us. As the male shopkeeper's seem to take pity on Johan for having such a bossy wife and give him a good price.

Parting shot, looking back from the lighthouse towards the old fort and port.