Al Falaj Hotel Muscat

Sultan's Armed Forces Museum

by DSwede

The Sultan's Armed Forces Museum (SAF) provides a good insight into the growth, development and status of Oman since the pre-Islamic times. The museum does center around military and political development of Oman, with lots of photographs, maps and paraphernalia to convey their points.

There is commentary about the expansion over the Arabian Peninsula, conflicts between different tribes, influences during the Portuguese and European occupations, civil uprisings, etc.

The museum is housed in the refurbished Bayt Al Falaj Fort in Ruwi district. The fort was built in 1845 and has seen many different military purposes through the decades. In 1978, Sultan Qaboos Bin Said ordered it to be renovated in order to be the ultimate home of the museum, of which was completed in 1988.

Admission is 1 Rial for foreigners, 500 Baisa for local Omanis.
Open: Saturday to Wednesday 0800 – 1300 hours
Thursday & Friday 0800 to 1100 hours & 1600 to 1800 hours

My Omani Students

by Geoff_Wright

I went to Oman in 1975 to work in the Force Headquarters at Bait al-Falaj but something went wrong and I ended up in Muaskar al-Murtafa'a near Seeb as the Force Clerical Training Instructor. With no knowledge of Arabic, and only two handwritten notebooks of lesson plans, I had to learn how to teach Omani and Baluchi servicemen clerical subjects and typewriting. Looking back now it was one of the best jobs I ever had. After each course we would go for a 'picnic' somewhere, and always where there was water and date palms. The picture shows some of the students from a course. Anyone who recognises any of them is asked to get in touch with me, please.

MUSCAT: THE CITY OF SULTANS

by ARABDELIGHT

"MY CITY"

Oman's capital enchants visitors in a way that no other city in the Gulf can even begin to match. Maybe it's because Muscat doesn't have that slightly artificial feel which typifies so much of the rest of the region. Muscat, Mutrah and Ruwi are the capital's core districts. Muscat, the old port area, is the site of the sultan's main palace (shown on the homepage...as Al Alam Palace) and a fascinating place to wander around, but it has few shops and, except for the old city walls, it isn't exactly bursting with sights. Mutrah, 3km (2mi) north-west of Muscat, is the main trading and residential port area. A few kilometers inland from Muscat and Mutrah lays Ruwi, the capital's modern commercial district

Capital and port of Oman, lying on the Gulf of Oman; population (2001 est) 57,600. The Muscat region has a population of 635,300 (1999 est). With the advantage of a deepwater harbour at Matrah, in the western part of the city, Muscat handles the bulk of the country’s foreign trade, especially the export of crude oil and the import of food. Port Qabus, a modern deepwater port built in the 1970s and named after the sultan, is an extension of Matrah and Mina, with a terminal for loading supertankers, and Riyam, which handles incoming refined petroleum products, are both nearby. Natural gas and chemical industries are also important. Muscat is served by an international airport, As-Sib, and the city is linked to Salalah, a former capital, by a 1,000 km/625 mi trunk road completed in 1984.

History
The port at Matrah has been functioning since the 6th century BC, when the area was ruled by the Persians. The area was under Portuguese control as a trading post and naval base from 1502 to 1650, and Muscat became the capital of an independent Oman when the present dynasty assumed power in 1741. Its growth was greatly accelerated in the 20th century, following the discovery of rich oil reserves in Arabia.

What to do?

Muscat has by far the best aquarium in the Gulf. All of the specimens on display are native to Omani waters and most are accompanied by thorough descriptions in English. The Oman Museum, in the Medinat Qaboos, west of Muscat, covers the entire sweep of Oman's 5000-year history. There are also displays on shipbuilding, Islam and fort architecture. In Ruwi, the National Museum has sparkling displays on Omani silverwork, and the Sultan's Armed Forces Museum, in the Bait al-Falaj fort, has an excellent outline of Omani history. You could easily spend a day in Mutrah. Start off early at the fish market, and then head down to the souk for a cup of tea and a wander around the most interesting bazaar in Arabia. To the east, a restored watchtower looks out over Mutrah. The climb is steep and involves more than 100 steps, but the view from the top is worth it. Muscat's best value rooms are along the Mutrah Corniche. If you spend only a little above rock-bottom you'll get good views and great atmosphere. There are several small restaurants along the Corniche, too, and several good bets in Ruwi.

"THE BEAUTIFUL FORTS OF MUSCAT"

There are three forts in Muscat, all of which took on their more or less present form in the 1580s during the Portuguese occupation of Muscat. Mutrah Fort sits on a hill while Jalali and Mirani forts guard the entrance to Muscat. All of the forts are still used by the police and/or military and are closed to the public, but it's okay to photograph them.

Malaysian noodles by the pool

by Ali&Steve about Marjan

I like Marjan a lot - it's a poolside cafe/restaurant at the Grand Hyatt in Muscat. They play some decent music, the service is good, and it's altogether very relaxing when you've had a hard morning in the gym, or soaking up the sun, reading your book etc. You can watch your food being cooked (but really, who bothers with that? I prefer watching the other punters, but I'm a woman so it's required behaviour). The menu isn't vast, but its varied, and neither Steve nor I have ever ordered something and been disappointed. and we eat there a lot. My personal fave is the seafood and chicken Noodles, called Mie goreng, which they very kindly cook with no spice in it for me, but extra spicy for Steve, who probably has no taste buds left since he's burned them all out eating hot chillis in the same way I'd eat smarties.
The tuna and veg pitta is good too. Lots of the dishes come with fries, which is a bit of a shame, because they're completely irresistable and sort of make the hour in the gym a waste of time. ah well.
I have to mention the pot of tea as well. Its HUGE and fabulous and they even get you low fat milk if you ask for it.
Ali

Oasis by the Sea: Samarkand

by peaceness98 about Samarkand

This is the BEST indian cuisine in Muscat- the food is absolutely great, very saucy just the way I like it

The resteraunt is tiny (a room, part of an international array of resteraunts in the Oasis by the Sea compound) and accommodates around 30-40 people max

More expensive than Indian resteraunts in Ruwi, less expensive than the other 'higher class' Indian resteraunt in the area (Mumtaz Mahal)

It's right the ocean Naan Bread
Coconut and chicken massalla with nuts, some rice on the side
Lots of coke-a-cola