 |
| Entry to Muscat in Oman |
We arrive in the port for Muscat in Oman at 9:30 AM. The mountains of Oman come down right to the seaside. As soon as we have cleared customs, we leave the ship to join our tour which will travel through Muscat, from the port area in Mutrah, to begin our trip to Nizwa. The trip will take us through the mountains to Nizwa, the one-time capital of Oman, and to the fort there.
Our guide informs us that Muscat is the second cleanest city in the world. (The first is Singapore.) Cars that drive in Muscat must be new and clean. A driver of a dirty car will spend a night in jail and pay a fine. Oman hopes to benefit from some of the unrest in the Gulf. They are building an international airport which will be the largest in the Gulf our guide informs us. They are also building an oil terminal along the coast of Oman, so that tankers will not have to transit the Persian Gulf or the straits that are subject to Iranian threats. They also hope to get some of the business currently going to Dubai.
 |
| Market in Nizwa |
 |
| Fort Overview |
 |
| Walls of the Fort at Nizwa |
 |
| Mosque beyond the Walls |
 |
| Soldiers Gear in Museum |
The drive to Nizwa takes 2 ½ hours. The fort is imposing, located in the center of the town. It has survived as it sits on a well of water. At one time the well was part of an elaborate system of allocating water for irrigation. The fort, built over a 12 year period, has never been conquered - we are told. There is a lovely view of the city from the walls of the fort, and an interesting museum inside. The fort has elaborate defensive systems, trap doors in the towers, and grates from which boiling honey can be dropped on enemies who try to enter. We visit one of the few shops that are open, this being Friday, and the Muslim holy day. Finally we have lunch at a local hotel. Our group is delayed as one of the other buses has broken down, and our bus must ferry both groups to the lunch. The temperature is over 100 as we wait for the bus.
On our return to Muscat, we stop to see the Grand Mosque. We cannot enter - again because it is Friday - but it is a large structure. We are told it is the second largest Mosque in the world. The largest is in Mecca. This Mosque can hold 15,000 worshipers. Our guide tells us about different Muslim sects. The point of his story is that Oman is tolerant of all sects, while some others (Saudi Arabia) are not. His brother was thrown out of a mosque because he prayed slightly differently than others in the mosque he was visiting. We return to the ship just before it sails.
 |
| Grand Mosque in Muscat |
 |
| Towers at the Grand Mosque |
This is Good Friday. Walking though the ship’s third floor mall area, that overlooks the ballroom, a Catholic priest is reading the Gospel for Good Friday, and the ballroom floor is filled with chairs for the worshipers. We have met the Catholic priest - he ate at our table in the dinning room one night. We discussed the division between Anglicans and Catholics. He expressed sadness that we were separated, and questioned some of the Pope’s recent decisions. “There’s so little that divides us,” he said. Still, we can’t take communion in the Catholic service. We continue to the bar and on to dinner.
Good news - we have learned that Cunard has an Episcopal Priest on board, so there will be a communion service on Sunday. Sumner read the lesson.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed all of the posts. I was surprised that you drove to Agra. We had to drive there too but I thought there would be a faster way by now. Of course, if you have experienced the roads in India you have had a real thrill ride, beyond expectations. Perhaps that explains why there is such a belief in "fate" since there seems no other way to explain survival.
We spent Easter in a catholic church with family since Jess and Jill's twins were baptised there. It did not,however, include the mass which came earlier. The church was very beautiful in a modern way but still quite traditional in appearance. Following the ceremony was a dinner at Jess and Jill's new house in Glenview.
The weather has been beautiful here. Spring is early. Blooms are everywhere but we worry about frost possibilities. We will be going to Boston area for Ananya's birthday and confirmation (Catholic) in mid May. After that we will go to Shelter Island. Emma/Damian and family will be in S.I. with us for Memorial Day weekend. We'll stay in S.I. in June. Hopefully you will recover from your trip enough to plan a visit there?
Keep enjoying everything. The trip seems wonderful but moving at a beathless pace. Absorb what you can. Love, Jane
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI called Mary tonight and she is fine but was having trouble with a cracked tooth and was on her way to the pharmacy to get medicine. She filled me in a little on her life without her parents so far. As far as the kids are concerned, Laura received her grades and has a 3.5 average (great!) and Sean is going to start a job at a dealership next week.
Apparently Mary has been down with asthma which started as a contagious bug later attacking Sean too. It lasted 2 weeks but her employer, Dr. Williams insisted that Mary get to a doctor for an antibiotic. Going early helped since she was able to recover without a trip to the hospital.She sounded okay when we talked. Then there was a story about her dogs. They got into a big fight and needed vet services to save the life of one of them. I think it was mucho bucks. There was some other news but I'm sure she'll fill you in soon enough.
I gave Mary the info about your return on April 27 (flight number and time). She said she'd be there. At the moment she is without a car since it is in the shop for breaks, however, she assured me she'll have it back in a few days so that should not be a problem.
At least for the moment all is well. Mary misses you and thinks 3 months away is too long.
Love, Jane