Muscat 5 of 6

The souq market is quite extensive with many outdoor courtyards filled with a myriad of cly water jars and pots of various designs. Some large water urns also included modern attachments of metal taps and spouts, whilst others included traditional water ladles and cleverly hand-crafted camel-stoppers which keep the water covered and cool.

We also saw several traditional tailor shops where Omani clothing and leather thongs are produced and sold. Oman as a strict Muslim country insists that locals and visitors respect the dress code customs where women are not to show any exposed skin from head to toe

(visitors do not have to cover their faces ) Some Aussies did wear short sleeves and ¾ pants but this was not showing respect. Oman men always wear long white robes and a turban or cap so most of our Aussie men wore long trousers.

We also saw jewellery souqs where an amazing display of silver and gold rings, brooches, trinkets and necklaces were on display. Many rings were encrusted with precious gems like rubies, diamonds, pearls and emeralds but their prices were 'out of this world', though 'real purchasers' are meant to haggle for lower prices because this is the expected sporting behaviour of purchasing. Not many of us felt inclined or competent to bargain but we enjoyed browsing and admiring the wares. In my case I have no need of any more jewellery so I was content to watch others engage in the process. We were also surprised to see many antique dagger and rifle souqs where huge displays of traditional Arabian weapons were on display. Whilst bullet belts loaded with ammunition were also being sold, we were told that the rifles are really only for trophy displays and sport. In the past these weapons were used by raiding hoards of camel riders, who once roamed the vast desert regions seeking to 'gain' wealth by devious means or to avenge tribal interlopers. Shepherds also used rifles and knives to protect their sheep and goats herds. Today many of the knives, daggers and swords fetch high prices as they are highly prized as collector items.

After about an hour wandering through the souqs we headed back to the cool air-conditioned 4 wheel drive vehicles to continue our trip high up into the mountainous regions around Nizwa.