60 globaltravelerusa.com MARCH 2019
DIVERSIONS
History, beaches and culture provide
abundant options for sightseeing
and recreation. Visitors can charter
boats for fishing and diving. The
waterside corniche lined with date
palms and monuments connects the
historic fish market and extensive
bazaar. Follow it south toward the
massive city gates into the ancient
center, now a region of restored
historic adobe huts and flowery
boulevards surrounding the sultan’s
palace. Scattered in both regions,
museums feature culture and folk-
lore, and tourist attractions include
restored Portuguese forts. Keep in
mind offices close for lunch from
noon to 2:30 p.m.; stores close from
noon to 1 p.m., then remain open
until 8 p.m.
At night, the area north of Seeb transforms into a warren of fish restaurants and clubs where shop windows
display dazzling, colorful women’s ensembles of harem pants, gauzy veils and jangling coinage. The multidisci-
plinary Royal Opera House presents an incredible array of programs, among them ice skating shows, La Traviata,
classical ballet, blues, a Mahler symphony, timeless Arab songs and the Chucho Valdés Quintet. Oman’s leading
arts and cultural institution, this mammoth gold and marble structure, surrounded by extensive gardens, merits a
visit in itself.CULTURAL EXCHANGE:
Arabian lamps for sale at a
souk (top), and The Royal Opera
House Muscat (bottom)
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