Crossing the border from UAE into Oman, we spent over a week along the beautiful Muscat coast and on the dusty roads between Nizwa & Bahla in central Oman. From exquisite grand mosques and old majestic forts to the ruins of an entire village overlooking the dry, rocky mountainous terrain, we experienced both historic and modern Oman.

View of Muscat harbor from the Corniche

Empty shop corridors at the historic Matrah Souq (traditional market)

Muscat fort, overlooking the harbor, once served as the primary defense of the port city

Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace, the iconic home and office of the Sultan of Oman

As with most other Gulf Arab countries, obesity is a epidemic

The 3rd largest mosque in the world, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat is one of the few that allow non-Muslims inside (during non-prayer hours)

Washing area outside the mosque used for wudu, or the Muslim ritual cleansing process before prayer & handling of the Qur’an

Artisan pottery shop in the Nizwa Souq

Nizwa Fort

Mud and stone ruins at Tanuf

Hiking and climbing up high in the mountains near Tanuf to get a glimpse of the epic, cliff-side view

Bahla Fort