Oman Road Trip #2 Part Two

So, we awake and grab a quick breakfast on the rooftop of the Marina Hotel – the view is really great; check out the panoramic above. Next, we head across the street into the Fish Market. The smell is exactly what you expect, but the sights and sounds are something else. The market features over 30 different types of fish, all laid out for the discerning shopper to bargain and haggle over. It reminded me of the fishing docks/market in Malpais, Costa Rica, just a lot busier and more streamlined.

We exit the Fish Market and cross the street to duck behind the building facades facing the bay; behind them lay the Muttrah Souk. Yes, I said Muttrah, not Muscat; more on that in a bit. Anyways the souk has all the normal features of an Arabic souk; narrow lanes with overhead enclosures/shade structures, dozens upon dozens of shops featuring everything from incense, clothes, textiles, pashmina scarves, jewelry, gold, silver, spices, food, coffee to the most of kitsch ‘knick-knacks’ you can find.

I love the souks though; the smell of frankincense and sandalwood, the constant shouts and sales pitches of the overly eager workers, all the colors and amazing outfits being displayed. I even get fitted for a traditional Turkish cap and scarf. The kummar is an intricately embroidered cap that is put on first, and is sometimes covered by a muzzar; a square of finely woven woollen or cotton fabric, wrapped and folded into a turban.

We head out of the souk and decide to get on the road to the city of Muttrah. After driving around somewhat lost and checking and re-checking the map (which btw, the maps we have are not the greatest)… we finally realize…. We were in Muttrah the whole time. Yes, we though we were in Muscat, but didn’t realize we had left it the night before. Ooops!

So, here’s a little backstory/information about Muttrah (Arabic: مطرح‎) population 650,000, is a city located in the Muscat province of Oman. Before the discovery of oil, Muttrah was the center of commerce in Oman. It is still a center of commerce as one of largest sea ports of the region is located there. Other landmarks include Souq Muttrah, a traditional bazaar and Sour Al-Lawatiah, a small community of houses surrounded by an old wall.

Our next pit-stop is Qurum, although it’s a brief one. We find the nicest Starbucks you’ll ever see, situated between a large saltwater marsh and the ocean. I grab my goodies an go for a ‘walk’ in the Gulf of Oman (YES! Another body of water I can check off my list, lol).

Back in our car… a very crappy Mitsubishi Lancer rental, with what seems to be a 4 horsepower lawnmover motor… we begin our journey back across Oman heading west towards the abandoned village of Tanuf.

….to be continued… the journey is almost done...