A Picture Story of DAY ONE!

First stop:  the fish market!  You'd be SUPER PROUD of this pregnant lady, as I handled the multiple dead sea creatures and accompanying nasty smells like a champ.  In fact, I didn't even gag once!  HOORAY for my well-rehearsed psychological coaching. 

Next stop - the fruit and vegetable market!  The people here were SUPER friendly - taking the time to teach us about different Omani specialties like date syrup and dried limes.  Also - check out these WACKY looking cucumbers!  Apparently they are really bitter and are used to help control diabetes.  WHO KNEW?!

Here is the silver shop we visited at the Mutrah Souq.  The boys did their best to be understanding of the time required for such a place, but we could tell that they were losing their patience!  It was only when we pulled out some stools and took a seat that Phil asked about how much longer we would be.  Hmmmm........it's so hard to give a serious answer when you're captivated by selection and sitting in comfort!  Haha.  In a RESPECTABLE duration, Emily and I both purchased some new finger BLING.  The best part is that the rings are adjustable - perfect for my fingers that seem to change size on a daily basis.

To the palace!  If I had my own palace, I would also like it to be pretty colours.  And by the ocean.  With hearts lining the top of the gates.  The Sultan has my style down to a "T"!!!

What better place to stop for a washroom break than at the Al Bustan Palace - a Ritz-Carlton hotel in Muscat?!  FANCY, FANCY!  Emily and I contemplated hanging out in the washroom for a long while (since it was SO NICE!) but then we remembered our stint at the silver shop and thought we should be a little more considerate to the men on the trip :)

BEAUTIFUL!  The landscapes here are amazing.  You could stop in a ba-zillion places to take pictures and admire in awe!

A traditional Omani lunch at a traditional Omani restaurant!  Inside, there are many little rooms with curtains where each party can sit and enjoy their meal.  We are still trying to figure out how they can remain so comfortable sitting on such hard floors all the time!  Our bottoms were ACHING like you wouldn't believe after this feast!

Down time - a favourite part of any "holiday"!  Don't we look as snug as THREE bugs in a rug?!  Hey - when there's FREE WIFI, you USE IT!

DINNER TIME!  I saw this restaurant featured in "Time Out Muscat" and it's coincidentally located within walking distance of the RAMA-DAMA!  It's called LOVE AT FIRST BITE and the menu items are quite entertaining.  "One night stand-wiches" and "fries with benefits" are two examples of that!  The food was great and the decor was really cool.  There were different areas where you could sit to eat too, including a Sicily area, a Moroccan area, and the Barbados!!!!  We sat in Sicily for the main course and moved outside to Barbados for dessert!

 

A great start to our Eid holiday, agreed?! It is so CLEAN and GREEN and FRIENDLY here.  What's NOT to love about that?!

Just wait until you hear about Day Two with Haitham's family!  You will REALLY, TRULY be proud of me then!