Day One: Muscat, OMAN

Today going to write about my trip to Oman with Elena and she from Ukraine. Last minute she decide to join the trip with me since we have same day off. We took a flight to Muscat with Oman Air and we landed at 1330. We contact our tour guide, Ahmed, and he already waiting for us in the arrival hall. Since we haven't eat so we went to have our lunch before we start to explore the Muscat.

We stop in this restaurant called Makan Cafe and located next to the Qurum Beach. We choose to sit outside the terrace as we can enjoy the outside breeze with the beach view. We ordered some local dishes and didn't order much as we plan to eat something else for dinner.

Omani bread.

Kabsa, a rice dish that is enjoyed throughout the Gulf States of the Arabian Peninsula which heavily influenced by Persian and Indian biryanis. Kabsa can be made with chicken, lamb, camel meat, fish, or shrimps.

Hummus with the lamb. Hummus is a traditional spread dip made from chickpeas, garlic, and olive oil.

Fattoush, a Middle Eastern bread salad made from toasted or fried pita bread, tomatoes, radishes, and cucumber and tossed with a lemon-sumac dressing.

Almonds and raisins.

After we finished the lunch, we went to the Old Watch Tower to catch sunset. The entrances is free as there was no ticket booth to purchase admission; not even a sign giving directions or a gate providing a barrier.

We climbed up the tower approximately 100 steps just to get the view on the top.

The rocky terrain of the mountains as they hugged along the coast of Muscat had a somewhat majestic appearance to them; contradicting with the calm blue waters of the Gulf of Oman. The views from the top was incredible and spectacular.

Behind me is the scenery of the Riyam Monument, which is a giant incense burner perched high above Riyam Park.

Trying to take picture with the arched openings. Elena(from left) and me(from right).

We also pass by the Mutrah Fort. We didn't manage to visit Mutrah Fort because at that time they already closed for visiting.

Then we continue to drive to old town. We stop at Al Alam Palace to take picture. It was used as a ceremonial palace by Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said.

At night, we went to eat some local street food instead of proper dinner.

When you are in Muscat, mishkak is a must to try as a street food. They are grilled pieces of marinated chicken, meat or beef stuck on a stick, and are found everywhere in the city, be it beside the roads, beaches and parks. The marination in them makes them flavourful and addicting, and the city’s favourite snack. Mishkak can be eaten either directly from the stick or can be wrapped in Arabic bread that is served along. 

Mishkak is a grilled pieces of marinated chicken, beef, mutton or fish on long skewers. Not only a popular barbeque dish but can also be found being sold along the beaches and parks. The perfect snack for when you’re on the move, these freshly grilled and well-marinated chunks of meat are not only tasty but also cheap. Individual vendors can be found fanning the flames of their grills at prime spots, serving mishkak along with bread and a tangy hot sauce.

Oman burger, stuffed with chicken, hotdog, Omani chips and some chilies sauces. I still can remember the taste of this burger until today, one of the best burger I ever had in my life.

That sum up what we did on day one in Muscat. Then we straight back and check into the hotel and rest for tomorrow.

Love,

Elene