I had a nice preview of the changes at Al Bustan Palace during the hotel’s refit. I arrived in Muscat in 1986 just after the initial opening of Al Bustan Palace and then lived for many years in Al Bustan village next to the hotel. Though I have moved a few kilometres away its always been like dear friend and neighbour.
The hotel, scheduled to re-open later in 2008, has undergone a full refit. The bedrooms are especially splendid the golds and creams with dark wood details make them warm and inviting making any stay a pleasure. The famous lobby has undergone a redesign and the grounds now have a more structured feel with a range of pools.
With temperatures where I am in Muscat sizzling at up to 49c but still not hot enough to fry an egg ! though I did try me best though I suspect a slow Omelette or Scrambled eggs would work.
With the heat I especially enjoyed my regular swim in a bay nearby my home. For the first time in that bay, I came across a live Olive Ridley Turtle, though unfortunately not one of the ones we sponsor http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/index.shtml?tag_id=82843 . Covered in algae and with a few barnacles, the turtle in the bay was no youngster. At first I thought it was dead as it laid motionless on the surface, but eventually, it dived so I guess the warm bath like temperature of the water was as enervating for it as it was for me.
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