images: alamy


CRUISE


Top three HISTORICAL sites:


Singapore Botanic Gardens Created in 1859, this tropical garden’s well-preserved landscapes include historic features, plantings and buildings. It’s the only tropical botanic garden to be credited as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an important center for science, research and plant conservation.


Elephanta Caves On the island of Gharapuri, which sits just beyond the Gateway of India in Mumbai, the Elephanta Caves are a series of cave temples and rock art, predominantly dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva. The island has a number of ancient archaeological remains, with temples and art serving as evidence that it was occupied as early as the second century BCE.


Khor Dubai Also known as Dubai Creek, this natural seawater inlet has been a historic place of significance for multiple cultures throughout the Bronze Age, Stone Age and pre- Islamic times. Natural, architectural and cultural elements around it have created an urban landscape with heritage value.


Zooming in on Muscat, in the museums, mosques and souks there’s an abundance of color, from delicate stained glass windows to intricate tile mosaics


MUSCAT Sandwiched between ocean, mountains and desert, Oman’s port capital of Muscat is one of the Middle East’s oldest cities. It’s steeped in history, with winding narrow souks, clifftop landmarks and grand mosques. From a distance, Muscat appears to be mostly the same colors as the desert that surrounds it, with beige and white buildings constructed from clay filling the landscape. But zoom in on the museums, mosques and souks and you’ll see there’s an abundance of color, from delicate stained glass windows to intricate tile mosaics. In the early hours or as the sun sets, the


Above: Royal Opera House in Muscat, Oman


beaches and harbor are well worth a visit, with an ice cream or milky masala tea in hand, before finding shadier spots to avoid


the peak temperatures during the day. Further in the city, highlights include Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque — with handcrafted mosaics, a chandelier and a massive hand- woven rug; Mutrah Souq — a labyrinth of stalls filled with Omani silver and frankincense; Bait Al Zubair — a museum showcasing Oman’s heritage and history through the Al Zubair family, and Al Alam Palace — a blue and gold cube-like structure. Head to the surrounding Al Hajar


mountains for some city respite with karst springs and wadi pools, or take a boat trip out to the coral-filled waters that surround Muscat, populated by pods of dolphins. Be sure to stop by a sweet shop in the city to pick up some halva made with honey and sesame paste.


FALL 2023 • 55


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