Oman > The great Sultan Qaboos Mosque

Today, an optional excursion to the capital, Muscat, is on the program. I am picked up at eight o’clock. Walkhim is not present today, but Aymen is. Another driver takes me in about an hour to the Grand Sultan Qaboos Mosque. The impressive mosque was built between 1995 and 2001 and features extensive marble decoration.

Oman - The enormous interior space of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Aymen leads me inside. Women are required to wear a headscarf for the visit. First, I visit the women’s prayer area. Then I enter the main mosque. I am impressed by the interior, especially the magnificent chandelier in the center. The carpet alone cost millions. For non-Muslim visitors, a special blue carpet is laid out, and I am not allowed to step outside it. Around the mosque, I view the ablution areas, the central entrance, and the park surrounding the mosque. With its five minarets, the Grand Sultan Qaboos Mosque is by far the largest mosque in Oman. I continue on to Muscat, which essentially consists of three districts. Old Muscat is squeezed between the mountains and houses the Sultan’s palace. In Muttrah lies the harbor and the souq, and finally, Ruwa serves as more of a commercial center. I first visit the fish market in Muttrah. Large fish are brought in on wheelbarrows, weighed, and sold.

Oman - The Sultan Qaboos bin Said Palace in Old Muscat

A little further on, I walk into the covered souq. It is easy to get lost in the narrow streets lined with small shops. Various vendors try to sell their goods. On the edge of the souq, beneath Muttrah Fort, I order a soft drink. In Old Muscat, nestled among the rocks, I visit the Oman Museum, which contains a collection of traditional clothing, weapons, and Omani customs. Finally, I stroll across the large square in front of the Sultan’s palace. The palace complex occupies a large part of Old Muscat. The Sultan uses this palace only for official events and does not live there. Around 2:30 p.m., I return to Al Sawadi. Here, I say goodbye to Aymen and thank him with a tip. Walkhim will drive me back to Dubai tomorrow. I especially thank him for his enthusiastic explanations about Oman. At the end of the afternoon, I walk to the beach and take a dip in the sea. The sea is actually a bit too warm for comfortable swimming, so I switch to the pool instead.