Muscat

Thurs.May 5. Arrived in Muscat.I took the tour "Splendors of Muscat"We saw the glitzy palace of the Sultan which is used for State occasions only.

Main walkway to palace

Walkway to Sultan's palace

The Sultan,Qaboos bin Said,is visionary but wants to preserve the culture,language and architecture of his ancestors.
He was born in Salalah and lives in Muscat but has a palace in every city.
We visited a private museum where I took a picture of a letter written to Pres.Andrew Jackson by the then Sultan.I am unable to reduce it to add it to the blog.

Private museum

Oman is the size of Kansas with a population of 2.7 million.Our guides all wore the long white robe,the dishdashi and on their heads wore the embroidered cotton cap.For official functions they have to wear a turban,the shade and design of which is left to the wearer.
The women wear a long black robe called an abayah and wear a veil,a hijab,covering their heads and most of their faces.
Our last stop was to the Souk where a friend and I bought spices,500gm, for a dollar each.

Entrance to souk

Muscat, Oman