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“Muscat is a port the like of which cannot be found in the whole world where there is business and good things that cannot be found elsewhere.” Obviously the place had a big impact on the Arab navigator Ahmed bin Majid al-Najdi when he passed through in 1490 AD. And it did on me too when I first laid my eyes on the port yesterday. Of course it’s much changed over the past 600 years but it’s still a beautiful, exotic place, a photographer’s paradise. From my hotel in the Mutrah district it was a mere 10 minute walk down to the waterfront. Anchored in the still blue waters of the Arabian sea were a few dhows (traditional Muscat boats), international cruise ships and even the Sultan’s own cruiser. Sultan Qaboos bin Said is much revered by his fellow Omanis for what he has achieved for their country over the 42 years since he came to power. Oman has won many international awards for its development programs and public services under the Sultan’s enlightened stewardship.
Several Omanis I met gave me unprompted testimonials of their admiration for the Sultan. Like the pleasant young man who said hello as I walked past on my stroll along the waterfront last night. I stopped to chat with him for a few minutes. “My God and my King” – these were the top priorities in his life, he proclaimed. Just up the road was the Mutrah Souq, a traditional Arab market that these days sells a mixture of Indian and Omani goods of all description, including a lot of silver and gold. This is a seriously exotic place. The frankincense and sounds of animated Arabic conversation wafted in the balmy air and intertwined with the nightly ‘call to prayer’ wailing from the adjacent mosque. It felt good to be in Muscat.
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