The road to Niswa

      

We'd planned our route from Muscat back to Dubai so we could visit the Oman Grand Mosque and also the historic city of Niswa. This was is first mosque we'd visited since we moved and wow what a impressive, tranquil space it was. It's said to be the 5th largest mosque in he world. 

Our detour via Niswa was a beautiful drive through the mountains - I had no idea the middle east was mountainous at all. The mountains and desert are punctuated by small oasis's, that are accompanied by small towns and villages.  


Unfortunately, because of having to stop off at the Mosque we hadn't timed our visit to Niswa very well, we got there at lunch time and of course everything was closed. The souk was eerily deserted but we were still able to go around the Old fort and Niswa Museum which were both great. 

  

I'd been thinking that really like to create a traditional Arabic flavour to our home even though it's very modern. I think it would be interesting to mix the two styles, modern furniture with some Arabic antique pieces.

Johan sampling a local delicacy
....a choc ice

I took inspiration from the traditional interior of the fort, with it's Persian rugs and colourful floor cushions instead of chairs. Not dissimilar to the one's I bought from Marina - see our Home Sweet Home post. We also bought an Arabian antique coffee pot and a large copper tray just like the one's pictured below at Muscat Souk. I'll do a separate post about how our own interiors shape up. 

       

The panorama from the top of Niswa fort -  amazing!!