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<\/a><\/p>\nWe drove out of the capital city of Muscat and continued along the shore of the Gulf of Oman to the Seeb Fish Market.<\/p>\n
Our driver, Abdullah, posed for a photo:<\/p>\n We drove an hour away to Nakhal Fort which dates back to the pre-Islamic period. It had been expanded and rebuilt several times over the centuries with a recent renovation in 1990.<\/p>\n The fort was surrounded by groves of date palm trees with the Jabal Akhdar<\/em> mountains in the distance.<\/p>\n Nearby was Ain A’Thawwarah –\u00a0<\/em>a beautiful oasis with a hot spring:<\/p>\n We were told this was a popular place for family picnics, especially on weekends. \u00a0The water was clear and full of tiny fish. \u00a0Some people put their feet in the stream and had the fish nibble their skin.<\/p>\n A group of teenage boys sat in a circle playing a card game:<\/p>\n Our last stop for the day was a visit to the Amouage<\/em> perfume factory. \u00a0This is supposed to be “the most expensive perfume in the world.”<\/p>\n After we returned to the hotel, Linda and I walked along the Corniche. \u00a0Young women in long abayas <\/em>and sneakers walked quickly along the pathway and boys played soccer on the sand.<\/p>\n Our tour guide, Maged Salib found a good Turkish restaurant for our group called Bait Al Shams\u00a0<\/em>which was built into the side of a mountain. \u00a0We enjoyed a tasty meal served outdoors.<\/p>\n When we returned to the Grand Hyatt Hotel, we noticed a sign near a stairway that read, “Ladies Wedding Reception in Progress – Please Do Not Enter.” \u00a0Maged explained that wedding parties are for women only and encouraged us to peek in. \u00a0Linda and I walked down the stairs and were cheerfully greeted by two women who said they were the bride’s “Aunties.”<\/p>\n We admired their stunning dresses, makeup, and henna adornments. \u00a0They invited us to stay at the reception. \u00a0The bride appeared in a fabulous logan green gown and let us take her picture.<\/p>\n The bride, her Aunties, and other female relatives lined up to make a grand entrance into the ballroom which was filled with hundreds of women.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n