World Cruise 2017 Day 76 Muscat, Oman

Wednesday, March 22, 2017 

Today the ship spent the night at Musct, Oman.  At 7:45 AM I left on a tour called "Enchanting Forts of Nizwa.  We left Muscat and drove for 2 hours before we arrived at our first stop.  The first stop was at a castle.  We first stopped to sample some  dates and walk thru a souk.  We then walked thru Nizwa Fort.  Our next stop was at the Jabrin Castle.  We then had a photo stop at the Bahla Fort which was not open because it is now being restored.  We then went to the Golden Tulip Hotel for lunch.  After lunch we drove to see the ancient irrigation system developed by Queen Sheba around 300 BC.  We drove back to the ship and arrived at 4:30 PM.  During the tour I saw some of Oman.  Most of the time hills or small mountains were in the background and we passed several small communities before we arrived at Nizwa.  Oman has one of the best transportation systems in the world with many modern highways.  Peter Cutler was the show after dinner to night.

Muscat is the capital and largest metropolitan city of Oman. It is also the seat of government and largest city in the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate reached 1.56 million as of September 2015. The metropolitan area spans approximately 3,500 km² (1,400 sq mi) and includes six provinces called wilayats. Known since the early 1st century CE as an important trading port between the west and the east, Muscat was ruled by various indigenous tribes as well as foreign powers such as the Persians, the Portuguese Empire and the Ottoman Empire at various points in its history. A regional military power in the 18th century, Muscat's influence extended as far as East Africa and Zanzibar. As an important port-town in the Gulf of Oman, Muscat attracted foreign tradesmen and settlers such as the Persians and the Balochis. Since the ascension of Qaboos bin Said as Sultan of Oman in 1970, Muscat has experienced rapid infrastructural development that has led to the growth of a vibrant economy and a multi-ethnic society.

The rocky Western Al Hajar Mountains dominate the landscape of Muscat. The city lies on the Arabian Seaalong the Gulf of Oman and is in the proximity of the strategic Straits of Hormuz. Low-lying white buildings typify most of Muscat's urban landscape, while the port-district of Muttrah, with its corniche and harbour, form the north-eastern periphery of the city. Muscat's economy is dominated by trade, petroleum and porting.

Nizwa is the largest city in the Ad Dakhiliyah Region in Oman and was the capital of Oman proper. Nizwa is about 140 km (1.5 hours) from Muscat. The population is estimated at around 72,000 people including the two areas of Burkat Al Mooz and Al Jabel Al Akhdar.

Nizwa is one of the oldest cities in Oman and it was once a center of trade, religion, education and art. Its Jama (grand mosque) was formerly a center for Islamic learning. Nizwa acquired its importance because it has been an important meeting point at the base of the Western Hajar Mountains. Set amid a verdant spread of date palms, it is strategically located at the crossroads of routes linking the interior with Muscatand the lower reaches of Dhofar thus serving as the link for a large part of the country. Today, Nizwa is a diverse prosperous place with numerous agricultural, historical and recreational aspects. Nizwa is a center for date growing and is the market place for the area.

The Niza Fort was built in the 1650s by the second Ya'rubi Imam; Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Ya'rubi, although its underlying structure goes back to the 12th century. It is Oman's most visited national monument. The fort was the administrative seat of authority for the presiding Imams and Walis in times of peace and conflict. The main bulk of the fort took about 12 years to complete and was built above an underground stream. The fort is a powerful reminder of the town's significance through turbulent periods in Oman's long history. It was a formidable stronghold against raiding forces that desired Nizwa's abundant natural wealth and its strategic location at the crossroads of vital routes.

Bahla Fort is one of four historic fortresses situated at the foot of the Djebel Akhdar highlands in Oman.

Jabrin is a small town in Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate in northeastern Oman.

The town is known for its impressive castle, which was built by the Yaruba dynasty Imam Bil'arab bin Sultan, who ruled from 1679 to 1692.

This picture was taken from the bus of Muscat, Oman near the port.

This picture was taken from the bus in Muscat, Oman.  They do have some grass and flowers that use waste water. 

This picture was taken from the bus in Muscat, Oman.  

This picture was taken from the bus.  This is sample of the modern highway system of Oman.

This picture was taken from the bus.  This is typical of the landscape in the area between Muscat and Nizwa.

This picture was taken from the bus.  This is typical of the landscape in the area between Muscat and Nizwa.

This picture was taken from the bus.  This is typical of the landscape in the area between Muscat and Nizwa.

This picture was taken at the stop at the Nazwa Fort.

This picture was taken at the stop at the Nazwa Fort.  This is some of the dates for sale.

This picture was taken at the stop at the Nazwa Fort.  This was taken in the shop that sells dates.

This picture was taken at the stop at the Nazwa Fort. This was taken at the souk. 

This picture was taken at the stop at the Nazwa Fort.  This in the entrance to the fort.

This picture was taken at the stop at the Nazwa Fort.

This picture was taken at the stop at the Nazwa Fort

This picture was taken at the stop at the Nazwa Fort.

This picture was taken from the bus.  This is typical of the landscape in the area between Muscat and Nizwa.

This picture was taken from the bus.  This is typical of the landscape in the area between Muscat and Nizwa.

This picture was taken from the bus.  This is a grand Mosque of the area.

This picture was taken from the bus.  This is typical of the landscape in the area between Muscat and Nizwa.

This picture was taken from the bus.  This is typical of the landscape in the area between Muscat and Nizwa.

This picture was taken at a stop at the Bahla Fort.

This picture was taken at a stop at the Bahla Fort. 

This picture was taken from the bus.  This is typical of the landscape in the area between Muscat and Nizwa.

This picture was taken at the stop at Jabrin Castle.

This picture was taken at the stop at Jabrin Castle.

This picture was taken at the stop at Jabrin Castle.

This picture was taken at the stop at Jabrin Castle.

This picture was taken at the stop at Jabrin Castle.

This picture was taken from the bus.  This is typical of the landscape in the area between Muscat and Nizwa.

This picture was taken from the bus.  This is typical of the landscape in the area between Muscat and Nizwa.

This picture was taken at the stop for lunch at the Golden Tulip Hotel.

This picture was taken at the stop for lunch at the Golden Tulip Hotel.

This picture was taken at the stop for lunch at the Golden Tulip Hotel.

This picture was taken at the stop for lunch at the Golden Tulip Hotel.

This picture was taken from the bus of Oman.

This picture was taken at a stop to see the ancient irrigation system. 

This picture was taken at a stop to see the ancient irrigation system. 

This picture was taken at a stop to see the ancient irrigation system. 

This picture was taken from the ship.  It is typical of the area with the mountains in the background.

This picture was taken from the ship of a car dealership in Muscat, Oman.

This picture was taken from the ship of Muscat, Oman. 

This picture was taken from the ship of Muscat, Oman.

This picture was taken from the ship.

This picture was taken from the ship of another ship at Muscat, Oman.