Arabian Daze - 7

Part one of this series is HERE. 

To view other posts in this series, just change the number at the end of "part-" on the web address.

My friend and I continued our full day tour to Nizwa, about 2 hours away from the port city of Muscat, in Oman.

First, was a visit to the Nizwa market.  Every Friday, the area shown in the photograph below is filled with goats, as well as other livestock. Our guide said it's the biggest event in Nizwa.

For more photos of the goat market, click HERE. (via Living If blog, by author, LOCAVORista)

We entered the Nizwa Souq, via this ornate gate: 

Inside, our guide took us on a date....(laugh) not really. This was a date market. The white bags were filled with dates, a popular sweet in the Arab states.

A poster showing the enormous variety of dates in the area: (click photo to enlarge) 

The counter staff showcased these pots filled with dates in a sticky, somewhat hard, taffy-like confectionary:

Free samples were available, so of course I tried a bit. The taste was similar to a mix of molasses, brown sugar and nuts. It was good. ^_^

Next, our guide walked us through the vegetable market. He explained that he often bought his groceries here. I was impressed with the abundance of fresh food...

Lovely pumpkins...some goya ...

I couldn't get over the size; we tend to have small sized pumpkins in Asia.

Okura: 

I think these are squash? In Japan, they are often dried, hallowed out and used to store spices: 

Cauliflower: 

The souvenir and spice souq is also quite famous, so let's take a look around.

I found these clay pots outside, in the square....

Inside view of the souq: 

Spices are very famous; here you can select what you like. There must have been 20 different varieties of spices on display:

Gateway to the East Souq in Nizwa:

I loved these decorative tin lanterns. I really wanted to bring one home, but no space in the suitcase! (cries)

After the markets (souqs) my friend and I visited the most famous fort in all of Oman. In the guidebooks, it's described as the "one fort you need to see". I'll post pics and stories from that soon.

~ Information ~ 

The Souqs in Nizwa were part of our full day, 9 hour tour, called "Enchanting Forts of Nizwa". Bookings on Viator.com. Click HERE for tour details and prices, or visit: Viator Tours & Activities

The tour allows lots of opportunities for shopping in the souqs; be sure to bargain, as it's the norm in Oman. 

We took this tour in early March. Temperatures were around 25 ~ 30 degrees Celsius. Sunscreen or a parasol is strongly recommended, as is bringing a pet bottle of water.