We started today with breakfast around 7:30. My mantra for the trip is ‘small portions’. So, I started with watermelon, pineapple, and a small banana. I had coffee with a lot of milk (too strong for me), small chicken sausages in a tomato sauce with peppers and a bit of Bruce’s omelette.
At 9:00 Risbert picked us up for our personal tour. We learned that he works here in Oman at Avis Rent a car at a couple 5 and 6 star hotels. His wife lives with him for a month or so and then travels to Mumbai to stay with her mother. Right now, he is by himself. We started out by driving by the opera house which we will visit tomorrow. It was closed today and is within walking distance from our hotel.
He then took us to his apartment. It is a large two bedroom with two bathrooms on the second floor of an apart,eat building that has retail stores on the ground level. He served us tea and chips.
Then he took us to the hotel(s) we works in. We took lots of pictures. There are three hotels: one just for weddings and very special occasions, one for the business traveler, and then one for families. Next we went to The Ritz-Carleton where the Sultan has a floor dedicated to him. He said this is where heads of state stay. We then ended up at the Mutrah Souk- finally shopping.
The first shop was called the Silver House. Imagine I found a ring I had to have. He started at 12 Riels and I bargained down to10 Riels. We continued on our way until Bruce found a shop selling saffron. He ended up with two jars of Saffron for 5 Riels. Frankincense grows in southern Oman. I also remembered Donna saying that frankincense was good to get rid of mosquitoes. We found frankincense sticks made in Oman (5 packages for 5 Riel). Then the man was showing us lumps of frankincense you can eat fr stomach problems. I told him I use the oil. Well, he had oil for sale too. 60 ml for 3 Riels. By the way 1 Riel is worth $3.64.
It was closing time for the afternoon. We will go back again. They have some lovely scarves and other little trinkets. We then off to lunch. Risbert took us to an Indian restaurant (buffet) near his home. We enjoyed chicken curry, mutton curry, various kinds of rice, fish in a sauce, dhal and of course garlic and plain naan bread. Ice cream and fruit for dessert. He would not let us pay! Simply saying we are guests. It was around 3:00 when we got back to the hotel.
Time for a rest and Happy Hour.
At 9:00 Risbert picked us up for our personal tour. We learned that he works here in Oman at Avis Rent a car at a couple 5 and 6 star hotels. His wife lives with him for a month or so and then travels to Mumbai to stay with her mother. Right now, he is by himself. We started out by driving by the opera house which we will visit tomorrow. It was closed today and is within walking distance from our hotel.
He then took us to his apartment. It is a large two bedroom with two bathrooms on the second floor of an apart,eat building that has retail stores on the ground level. He served us tea and chips.
Then he took us to the hotel(s) we works in. We took lots of pictures. There are three hotels: one just for weddings and very special occasions, one for the business traveler, and then one for families. Next we went to The Ritz-Carleton where the Sultan has a floor dedicated to him. He said this is where heads of state stay. We then ended up at the Mutrah Souk- finally shopping.
The first shop was called the Silver House. Imagine I found a ring I had to have. He started at 12 Riels and I bargained down to10 Riels. We continued on our way until Bruce found a shop selling saffron. He ended up with two jars of Saffron for 5 Riels. Frankincense grows in southern Oman. I also remembered Donna saying that frankincense was good to get rid of mosquitoes. We found frankincense sticks made in Oman (5 packages for 5 Riel). Then the man was showing us lumps of frankincense you can eat fr stomach problems. I told him I use the oil. Well, he had oil for sale too. 60 ml for 3 Riels. By the way 1 Riel is worth $3.64.
It was closing time for the afternoon. We will go back again. They have some lovely scarves and other little trinkets. We then off to lunch. Risbert took us to an Indian restaurant (buffet) near his home. We enjoyed chicken curry, mutton curry, various kinds of rice, fish in a sauce, dhal and of course garlic and plain naan bread. Ice cream and fruit for dessert. He would not let us pay! Simply saying we are guests. It was around 3:00 when we got back to the hotel.
Time for a rest and Happy Hour.
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