And here we go! Again. A little week long interlude for mid term break has seen us escaping from Dubai on the Costa Diadema for some R&R. Actuall, will be working and there is some concern over the current COVID-19 pandemic but, here we are, decision made and ready to cruise again.
Cruising Again:
Day 3
Another work day for me and I head off to the office after breakfast. My day is fairly heavy with meetings but it is good to see the Muscat office and meet some people that I have not had a chance to see for a while.
I have left the boys to their own devices and they have spent the day checking out the souk and playing around in the park.
Now I’m back on ship and am enjoying an afterwork drink with a view over the harbour to Muscat and its 16th-century Portuguese forts, Al Jalali and Mirani, keeping watch from the clifftops.
My quiet spot for reading doesn’t last long and soon my moment is breached. We enjoy a bit more time here as a family, the boys running around and Jason grabbing a coffee before we head inside for dinner.
After dinner there is a magic show on at the theatre. We line up and make it in time for the performance. After the show, we are all tired and head back to the cabin. I read for a while after the boys finally fall asleep. Jason heads off for a night time round of the ship.
Good To Know
Muscat is a lovely city with some interesting sights.
The port is only a short walk into the old town centre with many eateries and the Muscat Souq at the centre.
If you are going further afield, to the Sultan Qaboos Mosque or down the coast road to see forts and palace, make sure you have cash (and negotiate) for a taxi. The forts and palace are accessible by the local bus (Route 4, see below) which runs up and down the coast road. The easiest bus stop to locate can be found near the main entrance to the Souq. Look for the red and white Mwasalat logos.
Muscat is served by a modern, local, air-conditioned bus service with buses that depart every 15 or 30 minutes, depending on the route (see the Mwasalat website).
Buses stop outside most main tourist attractions (including the Royal Opera House (Route 1), Mutrah Corniche and Mutrah Souq (Route 4), Sultan’s Palace and National Museum (Route 4), Grand Mosque and Muscat International Airport (Route 1) and Al Mouj (Route 10)). Fares are 200 – 500 baisa, payable to the bus driver in cash.
Would I Return?
Yes. But likely not on another cruise although it is a good idea for a little week long interlude for mid term break from Dubai.
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