Back in Road Town

Trip Start Oct 13, 2009

Trip End Nov 26, 2009

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Where I stayed

Ibis Hotel

Flag of Oman Muscat, Oman
Thursday, October 29, 2009

Walking around the Central Business District of Muscat today, for a moment I thought I had been transported back to Road Town. For those of you who are familiar with Road Town in its current state, you will know that this is not a compliment. A collection of large concrete buildings recently thrown up, (though the ones here do at least have a little style), surrounded by packed car parks, and roads choked with traffic!
Maybe that is what always happens when prosperity and modernity hit a relatively undeveloped country. Apparently Oman had no paved roads until 1970, yet Muscat is now a large sprawling city of highways, massive buildings and ridiculously expensive hotels. I suppose I am fortunate that Ibis has not only opened a hotel in Amman this month, but also in Muscat.
So yes, here I am in a familiar chain hotel room again!

Expect to stay here until the 31st, and then hire a car to explore other, perhaps less modernised, parts of the country.
T.

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