My music references always date me, usually to the 70’s. You can do the jitterbug down in Muscat land because this is one clean city! Just about every building that you can see is white or light stone, there is no litter, anywhere, and even the sidewalks around the Grand Mosque look like they’ve been spit-shined.
Grand Mosque of Sultan Qaboose
For my visit to the mosque, I knew I would have to dress conservatively and make sure that my head, knees and shoulders were covered but I discovered that my entire arms to the wrist also needed to be covered. The only garment I brought on this warm desert trip that had long sleeves was my raincoat. So in ridiculously overdressed fashion for the 85 degree morning I set off for the mosque.
This mosque has the second largest chandelier and second largest rug in the world after the Grand mosque in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi has closed to us so I won’t be able to see that one. It’s disappointing but I’ll get to spend another day in Dubai.
Sultan Qaboose Palace
One notable exception to the “all white, all the time” building rule was the sultan’s palace. Teal, gold and white, they called it an example of contemporary islamic architecture but I never saw another building even remotely like it. It has lush gardens and opens up to the harbor in the back.
Giant Incense Burner
Another odd structure, the giant incense burner, dominates a rocky hill overlooking Muscat. So much of Oman’s history centers on the frankincense trade over millennia. And indeed, in every shop that you enter the proprietor wants to burn some for you in a similar if not smaller vessel.
I didn’t see it, but I understand there is an amusement park tucked away up there in the rocks under the incense burner.
This is pretty much the first and last thing you see sailing into and out of the harbor.
