Oman Trip 5: Old Souk And Al Alam Royal Palace

Travelling out of the Royal Opera Theatre of Muscat, I noticed that the area around in Muscat is all surrounded by mountains.. it is such a lovely sight.. I was telling Max the people here are so 幸福 to be able to see such majestic and beautiful mountains everyday...

And if you look closely, all these surrounding mountains that are surrounding muscats have got guard posts on them every little bit of distance apart... Probably for defence purpose.. but that also makes me wonder that in the olden days without these modern roads.. how did people live here or survive here... too bad we dun have time to visit their museum...

Finally arrived at the old souk area... it is like the creek area in Dubai:)

The houses here are a little different from those in Dubai.. I was expecting them to be very arabic like Dubai.. but they look a little western.. I later found out that this might be because Oman was under Portuguese rule for some time way back in the past..

I am so taken with this white building with tifanny blue door :)

The sun had strips of clouds in the sky.. so pretty!

Went shopping.. Max promised to buy Ace a souvenior..

While I was attempting to buy a blouse, the man help to dress Ace up as Omani boy.. wahahah :)

Most men from Oman wear hats like the one above. If they are young, they will also wrap nice scarf around the hat.. that is why it looks so nice:)

Max masquerading as Omani :)

Inside the souk... they have lots of tinted glass elements...

They basically sold about the same souvenirs..

Max was so taken with this "antique" telescope...  Ace says he liked it very much.. But Max was a little hesistant.. cos it says 53 riyals on the box.. we asked the price. the man says 23... Max told him he likes but still ex.. then man says 18 then..

So Max say think about it...

I so know who will like this if he comes to OMAN! CCC!:) wahahahah

Some more is HMV brand lor!:)

Saw a minimart inside.. selling all the spice stuff..  like a mini mart of spices!

Apparently, Oman is also known for this plant called Frankincense... it is the sap from the plant that they derived to make into small rocks.. the good quality ones can be consumed and the poorer quality ones are burnt as incense... they have this unique smell that i have come to associate with the middle east as it is burn in many pple's house and also added to many of their perfumes. The good quality ones that can be eaten are good for teeth.. and is good for anti aging too.... my friend says the arabic people call it the Arabic Chewing Gum..

Our friend bought some and got us to try..  I tried one and wah lau.... it is like a concentrate of that smell of incense inside your mouth.... and I actually DUN LIKE THAT SMELL.. imagine it in concentrated portions inside my mouth... wah lau eh.. I will rather grow old than eat this everyday to look young! wahahahahaha...

THen we got hungry.. and realized there is Haji Ali Juice Centre here! They have also got a branch in Dubai :)

Our friend showed us half a rial.... so cute hor.. like 50 cents but paper style:)

Anyway, Ace figured he really loves the telescope and that he wants it so Max buy for him.. When about to pay.. Ace asked the man.. "Can discount?" And the man say ok for him 16 riyals.. wahahahhaa:)

Actually is not bad.. can see very far and very clear too:)

We ordered pizzas to share.. the food is surprisingly good.. I think even better than the Dubai Branch!

The jam and cheese sandwhich is so delicious we ordered another serving to share!:)

View by the sea...

There is a fort over looking this are.. from the looks of it quite a well kept fort..

THen Ace and Max went to disturb the seagulls and watch pple feed birds..

Then it is time to go.. bye bye.. Mutrah Souq :)

Ace complain very tired:) wahahaha:)

Then when we reached out car.. surprise surprise! There was a car parked right in front of us and the owner left us a number to call. Idiot man.. park in front of a local number lah.. park in front of us for what.. it was a lady driver.. but at least she was apologetic..

I think Omani people are generally very friendly... the man who parked beside us saw and asked , "Friend.. what happen... you need help?" Max told him we are good.. the person left a number and we are calling them... and they wave to each other.. Max says if in Dubai, when someone says that, you will wonder wat they want out  of you.. but here you know it is suually cos they really want to help...

When we arrived and were looking for a lot, Max was coming down a pavement and heard a bump.. scared us.. we tot wat happen.. apparently there was a stone right under the pavement... and this elderly gentleman, came over, din say a word and just remove the stone and smile at us... So friendly hor the pple..

Anyway, we have decided next stop, we will go to the Al Alam Royal Palace.. which is nearby...

Oman also got alot of roundabouts like Dubai.. and all very nicely decorated..

Sultan's Gate...

Wondered wat is the white thing...

It is apparently a building shaped like an incense burner.. and is part of a park.. too bad we dun have time to explore...

So many forts on the mountains along the way.. can you spot more forts or guard posts in the pics below?:)

Saw this run down mosque near the palace.. actually quite  pretty.. so sayang they never maintain the walls.. maybe no one use it now..

The palace and the beauty surrounding it..

Someone suggested going up this fort.. wahaha:)

There was such a beautiful garden next to it...

This palace has very unarabic design I feel.. the colours reminds me of some building designed in the 70s...  Apparently, the sultan doesn live here lah.. it is for ceremonies only and it was built by the sultan's great grandfather.. maybe tat explains the design...

Met a few locals and they say they can speak english.. and so take photo together lor:) hahahaaha...

Love the beautiful garden...

Goodbye, palace... We are thinking the white newer looking palace might be where the sultan lives now.. but then again, it might be some govt office or wat..

And someone suggested that we go and find about Al Kaboos Souq that is nearby....  so we drive off following the GPS....

to be continued :) ... hahaha...

Previous Post: Oman Trip 4: Royal Opera House of Muscat


Oman Trip 2014:
Oman Trip 1: Long Drive To Oman

Oman Trip 2: Nakheel Fort And Hot Springs

Oman Trip 3: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Oman Trip 4: Royal Opera HOuse of Muscat

Oman Trip 5: Old Souk And Royal Palace

Oman Trip 6: Secret Garden And Oman Sunset

Oman Trip 7: The Drive Home And Hatta Fort Hotel