*
… chilling in Oman…
It was pretty easy to relax in this awesome oasis.
They kind of did the planning according to Feng Shui rules.
Day time, night time, always a pleasure to walk around.
The long pool area.
Uuups, rain and storm!
TIme to check the city of Muscat.
Or at least the Souk, the market area.
Muscat old city promenade.
In the souk you can find all the usual stuff,
the frankincense, the pashminas, gold and silver,
but also these cappies that the Omani men wear.
My hubby took this pic in the souk, here you can see the typical outfit.
If you look closely you can see one Omani man in this pic,
which was taken behind the covered souk area.
What did we see?
Ladies' tailoring shops, one after another.
But who is wearing this colorful stuff and where? Hm.
Ist das Kunst und kann es weg …
Art?
In Europe, definitely.
In Muscat just a shop front waiting for a new text cover.
Of course I had to make a pic of this.
Is it Russian? They colored the red bird blue!!!
Shopping this and much more … in a few weeks' time in India!
Oh yeah, our local dinner. We did try it!
The (private) room was crappy, there were rests of tooth picks on the carpet …
The food was … dry. The half chicken had spent the last two weeks on the roaster.
Mutton pieces were impossible to eat, being too … hard …
Okay, hummus and bread were eatable. Was an experience.
Christamas table decoration in our hotel.
No trees, no jingle bells, no carols.
Well, on the Christmas Eve the piano player had to tune in Tannenbaum etc.
The Christmas Gala Dinner had 7 courses,
my "seafood-allergy" was respected with vegetarian alternative.
Very delicious.
Finally the colds disappeared and the real chilling at the pool started.
My hubby made it also into the ocean.
Sunny and green, this Oman.
Well, at least one should visit the famous Mosque.
After having an architectural competition to select the best design for
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque,
construction took six years.
(established 2001)
The mosque’s total capacity is 20,000 worshipers,
and it covers an estimated area of 416,000 square metros.
The main square-shaped prayer room can accommodate 6,500 worshipers
and has a central dome which rises 50 metres above the floor.
Amazing chandeliers!
The chandelier above the praying hall is 14 meters tall
and was manufactured by company Faustig from Germany. (Wikipedia)
Wow, Oderazzi did not know THAT!
Look at this, they are everywhere:
Testing the manual thing of my camera.
Really worth visiting.
Here a virtual tour for you:
Outside quite sleek.
Recognize the Turkish tulips?
Yes, there are decorations from different eras and areas,
Turkish, Persian, Indian …
… like in Taj Mahal.
No water around, the reflexion is just on the polished marble stone.
Another new "must" building: The Royal Opera House.
Such a pity that they have Russian & Tajikistan Cossacks
performing folk music and dances over the holidays.
Our impression of Muscat: very green arabic city.
Chilling time, chilling time ...
… with the coolest view.
Gonna miss the breakfast, especially the choose of fruit.
Never tried the mangosteen before, nice, indeed.
