Unusually, we arrive in daylight and having had a reasonably comfortable crossing we approach the port of Muscat, distinct white buildings in the shadow of a barren, brown landscape. It must be the fastest docking we have had for a while, from starting my GoPro to turning it off, 27 minutes flat 🙂
An overview of where Muscat lies
The approach to the port
The turn into the harbour and docking…
As we arrived in the evening, many guests take advantage of going ashore to enjoy the night market and sights of Muscat in the evening. We, on the other hand will go ashore the following morning. A shuttle-bus takes us from the ship to the seafront stop, conveniently next to the Muscat Souk(or Market). We have been here before of course and nothing seems to have changed; the same stalls, the same goods and the same prices.
The Souk entrance
Seafront outside the Souk
One of the two Royal yachts of the Sultan
and both of them…..
I suspect this may his too….
Across the harbour
After a brief interlude while the ladies shopped, we jumped into a 6-seater and headed for Qurum, a district of Muscat, near some of the beaches to the west. Somewhat disappointed really, long stretches of sand, mainly deserted, with cafes and restaurants. I could not pass the Costa coffee shop without having a Latte; Costa is well known in the U.K. and their coffee is superb. While I waited for this, the ladies were off into a hotel lounge, sipping Turkish coffee and, when they saw gentlemen enjoying flavoured tobacco in their hookahs, found the temptation to try too much, a mild strawberry flavour, which they found delightful.
Patrons enjoying conversation and a ‘puff’ on their hookahs
or others, completely absorbed in their phone contents…
I returned to the ship, having left the ladies to a 2nd raid into the Souk, me carrying the first foray’s swag; a bad move on my part, as it meant they could refill without having to carry the first ones. 🙄
We were meant to depart at 5 p.m. however, as fate would have it, 2 trucks, loaded with stores decided to turn up. We needed their contents and we eventually left the berth just after 6 p.m. The pilot displayed no wish to join us and so it was a reasonably fast exit.
We are now on our way to Aqaba, Jordan and the purpose of our call, Petra. Our route takes us south-west, paralleling the coast of Oman to a waypoint at the eastern end of the IRTC, (International Recommended Transit Corridor). This is a routing system for vessels going to, or from the Red Sea, regularly patrolled by warships, these also provide a convoy system for slower vessels and escort them down the IRTC. My ‘hotspot’ is Yemen, passing within 1½ miles at our closest approach, as we use the Traffic System lanes. We will be going through at 23+ knots and in daylight. More on that one later……..
Love, love the time lapse video! I imagine if you (yourself, Captain) watch them, there are many times you wish that those dockings could be as effortless as the video makes them look!
Thanks for the pics of the souk, my husband and I raided it but good on the WC in ’16!! Only thing missing in the pics is the smell of the Frankincense burning. Of course, my husband just pulls out his supply (pounds of the stuff, LOL) and lights it up.
Safe journey onward to Jordan; just try to hide from the passengers if you ride that mule again! I got a great pic of you on it with those long legs of yours (one of many, I suspect)! ?
Linda R.
Captain, I am so enjoying your blog of what is happening…. especially the ladies and their shopping. LOL
The time lapsed photography is awesome. I am so amazed at how you and the team can make the docking procedure seem so smooth.
Thank you for sharing all of the info with us.
Love those time lapses Captain!
The cloud movement in Muscat on departure looked great.
Thank you and continue to be safe & well as you journey on… there may be another Costa in store for you in Dubai!!
Regards
Thank you for taking me to places I will never be able to visit. I am truly enjoying the adventures! Oh how I wish I could be shopping with your wife in those delightful venues! At our age we find staying closer to home is smarter and we continue to enjoy the Caribbean and Alaska and Bermuda. 😉
Happy sails to you, your crew and passengers!
Captain Jonathan,
You are right It looks like nothing has changed and the yachts and sailing vessel have not moved since 2016. I ‘m sure you all acquired a of “valuable” stuff at the market. I hope smooth sailings continue. We look forward to and enjoy your posts.
Your port exit out to sea had such a dark sky. I cannot imagine how beautiful the stars must be…..
On the other hand, having the anxiety of the reality of travelling through a danger zone, kills the buzz for me.
Plenty of pix of Petra and your journey into the desert please, because i’m never going to put myself in hatm’s way if i an help it
On the other hand you could have stayed home in London and still … when your number is up… the company is so
Lucky to have you to instill confidence that you travl so prudently… would help me relax and enjoy the experience, as i have in the souks of Istanbul or other foreign lands