A most impressive building inaugurated by the Sultan in 2001. The largest mosque in Oman; it can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers. The main musalla holds over 6,500 worshippers, the ladies' musalla 750, the outer paved ground 8,000 & more space in the courtyards and passageways.
http://www.soukofoman.com/sulqabgranmo.html [scroll to bottom for photos]
http://www.omanet.om/english/Relegious/grandmosq.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Qaboos_Grand_Mosque
Overhead Shot
http://www.tropicalisland...aircraft%203008x2000.html

musalla 750, the outer paved ground 8,000 & more space in the courtyards and passageways.
http://www.soukofoman.com/sulqabgranmo.html [scroll to bottom for photos]
http://www.omanet.om/english/Relegious/grandmosq.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Qaboos_Grand_Mosque
Overhead Shot
http://www.tropicalisland...aircraft%203008x2000.html

The taxi drivers were so keen to 'show off' their homeland that nothing was too much. On the dash board was a box of tissues, each side with a picture [see first image]. I enquired whether the tower facing me was in Muscat or 'just a picture'.... Oh yes, the Clock Tower.. so off we went for a detour into Ruwi on our way to Al Jissah.
In how many countries do you find such boxes of tissues?

facing me was in Muscat or 'just a picture'.... Oh yes, the Clock Tower.. so off we went for a detour into Ruwi on our way to Al Jissah.
In how many countries do you find such boxes of tissues?

Starting below the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Al Qurum Heights it stretches for miles. There are picnic areas and palms for shades, with water sport rentals at the city end with hotels; Shati'a Al-Qurum.

For an entrance fee of < 8p one can visit the Natural History Museum of Muscat. It is small, but well laid out and packed with information. It gives an interesting tour of Oman's flora and fauna with showcases displaying the country's indigenous species: mammals, insects & birds.
In an adjoining whale room one finds a huge skeleton of a sperm whale which was washed up on one of Oman's beaches around 27 years ago along with other whale skeletons. Next door are the botanical gardens which we did not visit.

showcases displaying the country's indigenous species: mammals, insects & birds.
In an adjoining whale room one finds a huge skeleton of a sperm whale which was washed up on one of Oman's beaches around 27 years ago along with other whale skeletons. Next door are the botanical gardens which we did not visit.

Views along the road from Qurum Beach to Ruwi including a few photos of Ruwi

..from Ruwi. Al Jissah [Jussah] is the home of the Oman Dive Centre & Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort, a beautiful place.
http://www.diveoman.com.om/
http://www.shangri-la.com/muscat/barraljissah/en/index.aspx

place.
http://www.diveoman.com.om/
http://www.shangri-la.com/muscat/barraljissah/en/index.aspx

..from Al Jissah
Amazing terrain, especially approaching Al Bustan where we stopped at a 'Look Out' for the views.
Entrance to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Said's Al Alam Palace, built in 1972 & the Kebir Gate (Bab Kebir) in the old city walls.

Kebir Gate (Bab Kebir) in the old city walls.

Photos from the taxi driving from Muttrah, towards Seeb, to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque [see separate album] and then back to Qurum Beach.
Muttrah, Mutrah, Mattrah - there seems to be a variety of spellings!

spellings!