Assalamualaikum
Today is our last day in Oman. Tonight, we will fly out of Muscat back to Kuala Lumpur via Doha.
Today started off at a slower pace. Since we’ll be checking out of the hotel and flying home later tonight, Maher thoughtfully arranged for us to check out at 10:30 a.m. and head straight into a Muscat City Tour to fill the day until departure. With that plan in place, we didn’t rush the morning—breakfast was a little later than usual, around 7:30 a.m., giving us time to ease into what promises to be a full day of exploring before the journey home.
The dining room was filled with the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread and strong Omani coffee, while sunlight streamed through the windows, hinting at the warmth of the day ahead. There was a quiet excitement in the air: the anticipation of exploring Muscat’s streets, markets, and landmarks, balanced with the bittersweet thought that this would be our last adventure before the journey home.
This morning carried a touch of bittersweetness as we said goodbye to Seham, the manager at Olive Restaurant. Every day she had greeted us with a smile, making breakfast feel less like a routine and more like a moment of welcome. Her warmth and attentiveness had become part of our Muscat mornings, and parting felt like leaving behind a friend.
Seham is from Marrakech, Morocco, and her eyes lit up when we told her we had visited her hometown before. That simple connection sparked joy—bridging our journey in Oman with memories of Morocco. She shared stories of her family, many of whom also work in hotels across the world, carrying hospitality as a shared tradition.
She has been in Muscat for several years, yet her heart still carries the vibrancy of Marrakech. In 2011, she and her family visited Malaysia, and she spoke fondly of the experience—of the food, the people, and the places that left an impression on her. Hearing her describe Malaysia with such affection was touching, especially as she told us how rare it is for her to meet Malaysians in Oman. Meeting us, she said, felt special.
As we left Olive Restaurant for the last time, we carried with us not just the memory of delicious breakfasts, but the kindness of Seham—a reminder that travel is not only about places, but also about the people who make those places feel like home.
Before the 10:30 a.m. check‑out, I decided to gift myself a quiet moment with the city—a morning walk around the Ramada Encore by Wyndham Muscat. The air was cool and gentle, carrying the faint scent of the sea mixed with the earthy aroma of sun‑warmed stone.
I slipped out of the hotel for a quiet stroll, letting Muscat reveal itself in its early morning calm. The streets were bathed in soft golden light, the kind that makes every building glow and every shadow stretch long and gentle.
I wandered along Al Marafeh Street, where the city was just beginning to stir. The soft hum of traffic blended with the occasional call of a shopkeeper opening for the day. The buildings, washed in pale morning light, seemed to glow against the backdrop of rugged hills. A few locals passed by, their pace unhurried, and I felt folded into the rhythm of Muscat’s everyday life.
Walking along Al Marafeh Street, I felt the city slowly waking up. A few shopkeepers were arranging their displays, the clatter of shutters opening mixing with the aroma of fresh bread drifting from a nearby bakery. The air carried a crisp coolness, touched with the faint scent of the sea, and the rhythm of footsteps echoed lightly against the pavement.
Turning onto Al Shira Street, the mood shifted into something more intimate. The street was quieter, lined with small shops and cafés, their signs in Arabic and English catching the morning sun. I passed by a coffee shop where locals were already gathered, sipping tea and chatting, their voices blending into the hum of the city. The fragrance of cardamom and grilled meat teased the senses, reminding me of Muscat’s rich culinary soul.
I noticed the details that make these streets so alive—the stacked chairs outside eateries, colorful posters advertising kebabs and rice dishes, and the occasional passerby offering a nod or smile. It was a walk filled not with grand sights, but with the textures of everyday life: the warmth of the sun, the mingling aromas, the quiet pulse of a city beginning its day.
As I looped back toward the Ramada Encore by Wyndham Muscat, the city seemed to embrace me with its calm. The walk was simple, yet it felt like a tapestry of sensory details—the golden light, the mingling scents, the gentle sounds of life beginning anew. It was a beautiful reminder that sometimes the most memorable travel moments are found not in grand landmarks, but in the quiet streets that frame them.
By the time I returned to the hotel, I felt refreshed and connected to Muscat in a way only a morning walk can offer—a fleeting yet beautiful glimpse into the soul of the city before the adventures of the day ahead.
We checked out of the hotel at 10:30 a.m. and set off on our city tour, ready to soak in the last impressions of Oman before our evening flight.
🕌 Mosques of Muscat
No Muscat tour would be complete without admiring its mosques. We saw several, each with its own character—majestic domes gleaming under the sun, slender minarets rising gracefully into the sky, and intricate calligraphy etched into stone. The mosques stood as serene sanctuaries amidst the bustle of city life, their courtyards shaded by palm trees and their presence a constant reminder of faith woven into daily rhythms.
💦 Fountains & Urban Landscaping
Muscat surprised us with its attention to detail in urban design. Decorative fountains sparkled under the midday sun, their arcs of water catching the light like crystal threads. Around them, neatly trimmed lawns, flowering bushes, and cobblestone borders created pockets of beauty that softened the city’s modern edges.
🏛️ Government Buildings
The tour also took us past imposing government institutions, their architecture blending tradition with modernity. The Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Civil Service and Administrative Development stood as symbols of national pride, adorned with the Omani emblem and flag. Their crenellated walls and arched windows echoed the country’s heritage while embracing contemporary design.
🎨 Mural Under the Flyover
One of the most striking sights was the mural under a flyover, shaped like the map of Oman. Painted with vibrant colors, it depicted mountains, mosques, bridges, palm trees, and coastal scenes—all crowned by the national emblem of the khanjar and crossed swords. Inaugurated during the reign of Sultan Qaboos, the mural felt like a living canvas of Omani identity, proudly displayed in the heart of the city.
🌍 Diplomatic Quarter – Malaysian Embassy
Our journey began in the diplomatic district, where rows of embassies stood proudly behind manicured gardens and palm‑lined avenues. The sight of the Malaysian Embassy, with the Jalur Gemilang fluttering alongside the ASEAN flag, filled us with a quiet sense of pride. It was a reminder of home, standing tall in the heart of Oman, surrounded by the flags of nations from across the world.
🏨 Hotels & Modern Comforts
Driving through Muscat, we passed elegant hotels like the Mandarin Oriental and other luxury properties, their sleek white facades framed by palm trees and landscaped greenery. These hotels reflected the city’s cosmopolitan side—welcoming travelers from every corner of the globe, offering a blend of Omani hospitality and international sophistication.
🏘️ Affluent Housing Areas
We also passed through affluent residential neighborhoods, where rows of white villas with Mediterranean‑inspired architecture stood behind manicured hedges. Blue decorative tiles, arched doorways, and small balconies gave these homes a timeless elegance. The quiet streets, lined with trees and gardens, reflected a lifestyle of comfort and refinement.
Next Maher made a short stop at Qurum Beach.
One of the most memorable moments was our visit to Qurum Beach, where the rhythm of the waves met the hum of the city. The shoreline stretched wide and welcoming, with golden sand glistening under the sun, sea breeze carrying a refreshing calm and gentle waves that shimmered under the midday sun. Families strolled along the water’s edge, children played in the surf, and the horizon seemed endless, reminding us that Muscat’s beauty lies not only in its monuments but also in its natural embrace. That pause by the beach added a serene counterpoint to the grandeur of the city, completing the day with a sense of peace and connection to Oman’s coastal soul.
✨ Reflections
The Muscat City Tour was more than sightseeing—it was a tapestry of culture, heritage, and modernity. From embassies and government buildings to mosques, fountains, murals, and the natural embrace of Qurum Beach, each stop revealed another layer of Oman’s story. The city unfolded as both a guardian of tradition and a beacon of progress, leaving us with impressions as vivid as the morning light that bathed its streets.
To be continued.
Till the next coming entry, inshaAllah. Meanwhile do take care.
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