KL via Oman return
Saturday, 1 June, Muscat, Oman
There was a tense moment or two at Passport Control at Muscat airport last night . I had no problems – being on a multi-entry visa because of my stop over here on the way to Morocco. When we were in Casablanca last month, Dave had attempted to apply for an e-visa on line. He couldn't do it any earlier because for some strange reason, applications are allowed only in the month leading up to your visit to Oman (and Oman has discontinued the previous system of issuing visas on arrival).
When he applied, he was sent an email saying it had been approved - but the attachment with the visa itself never arrived, despite several emails from Dave, and a failed phone attempt to sort it out. So, he didn't actually have a visa! Dave was quite confident that this wouldn't be a problem, but I was quaking a bit. Officialdom, etc.....
And, Passport control last night was not happy about the situation, and re-iterated Dave didn't have a visa – but then the official relented and said he would check his computer. Thankfully, Dave was on the list as an approved applicant. I must admit, I had been more than a little worried, and was contemplating being put on the next plane back to the UK, because I certainly wasn't going to enter Oman without David this time.
Just before the Dreamliner landed at Muscat airport, the First Officer did his usual spiel of welcoming us all, before adding, "and the temperature in Muscat is 42degree". Note, this was at 6.40pm!!
He wasn't telling fibs – after we
escaped the immigration official, and ventured into the outside world, we realised the temperature was still up over 40.
We'd been told our hotel, The Chedi, was the height of luxury, and we were probably only
able to afford it because this is the off-season here.
No one in their
right mind comes here for a holiday from May to August.
Too hot.
However, The
Chedi's
dinner prices
didn't include any bargains.
Eye
watering prices on the menu - just as well were staying only two nights. The
Australian wagyu steak is 66 rials and since the Oz
dollar is worth only about .28 of a rial, that's
about $A250. Needless to say, we didn't eat steak.
Last month when I was here I opted not to do any tour of the city, figuring I would enjoy it more with Dave (and it too hot then as well), and so this morning, we were driven around and shown the various sites.
Muscat has more to recommend it than I thought a month ago, but only a couple of places enticed us out of the airconditioned car for a better look.
First was the Grand Mosque, and yes, it truly is grand. However, I had to don a full length gown to cover my arms, and wear a head scarf, both of which I had neglected to bring with me.
The interior of the mosque had a couple of noteworthy
features - the one which captured Dave's attention was an amazig
chandelier, made from glass from the Czech Republic .
We saw all the bits of Muscat the tourist brochures talk about. The Opera House, Parliament (although Oman is an absolute monarchy), the new/old palace (a bit of an eyesore to me), the diplomatic quarter, various government buildings etc. Apart from the garish palace (used only for ceremonial occasions), most buildings were white or cream, and by law, less than four storeys.
The city is erecting dozens of new buildings to bring it into the 21st century. Muscat has undergone huge changes in the last 40 years, ever since the discovery of that precious commodity, oil. . Our Sri Lankan driver told us that it would never equal Dubai because Dubai had started the modernisation process a decade or so earlier. Plus, the four-storey height restriction means that Muscat is never going to be another Dubai.
We opted out of going to the souk, and the fish market – DB has decided he's seen enough souks and the thought of a fish market in 40+ degrees didn't appeal.
