Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
selling
mandoos
(bridal chests). Usually black or terracotta-red and decorated with brass
tacks, these make a fun souvenir. A small box costs OR10 or a large chest OR50 with
many sizes in between.
Seeb is an excellent place to find a tailor. Bring a favourite shirt or skirt and buy some
material in a Seeb textile shop. The cloth merchant will advise you which tailor to visit to
make a replica in half a day for under OR20. If you've been invited to a special 'do' in
Muscat and forgot to pack the dinner jacket, this is the place to get one made for a bargain
OR65, including material.
The other drawcard in Seeb is the beach. For shell enthusiasts, the long flat sands at low
tide make a great place to see horn, turret and auger shells. While you're on the corniche,
step into
Al-Abnah Freish Antiques & Gifts
for a small selection of silver souvenirs and camel
sticks.
Sleeping & Eating
There are a couple of pleasant places to stay in Seeb that make an alternative to the busy
hotels of Muscat .
Al-Bahjah Hotel$
HOTEL
( 24 424400; bahjahsb@omantel.net.om; Seeb High St; s/d OR23/28; )
Right in the heart of town
(turn towards the sea by Oman International Bank) and with a dhow and a giant coffee pot
in the foyer, this is a traditional Omani hotel. It has a characterful and cosy Indian restaur-
ant with a license. Try
palak paneer
(spinach and cottage cheese) with rice, roti and
pickles for a bargain OR2.500.
Ramee Dream Resort$
HOTEL
( 24 453399;
www.rameehotels.com
; Dama St; s/d OR35/40; )
There's not much to dream about
at this hotel although the sea is only a five-minute walk away and guests can watch herons
parachute into the tidal pools in front of the hotel. The rooms have split-level 'duplex' op-
tions for families. A nightclub features live music from Africa. The resort is 1km west
along the corniche from Seeb fish market.
There are many places to eat in town, such as the beachside
Seeb Waves Restaurant
( 24
425556; Corniche; mains OR2; 10am-1pm & 4-10pm Sat-Thu, 4-10pm Fri)
with tasty chilli chicken, and
a couple of more Western-style cafes. One of the best options is to buy squid kebabs (300
baisa per stick) from the vendors on the corniche (opposite the souq) and eat them sitting
on the sea wall. The neighbouring juice shop,
Al-Hamael Trading
, has a small sea-facing ter-
