Daily Archives: March 8, 2009

     Don’t you just LOVE museums!?  Some of you would say, “No!” but I say there’s something incredible about museums.  For me, it’s the thinking that goes on AFTER being in the museum.  A thought shared by Audrey Hepburn who stated that “Living is like tearing through a museum.  Not until later do you really start absorbing what you saw, thinking about it, looking it up in a book, and remembering-because you can’t take it all at once.”  I couldn’t agree more and so I will be sharing bits and pieces over the next few weeks about the fascinating things I’ve learned while visiting this fabulous museum.     Bait al Zubair is a private museum located in the Old Muscat area funded by the rich, powerful and influential Zubair family.     The hours are a little odd and you really have to make sure it’s open when you go to visit.  Otherwise….you may end up like…     Hee Jung who came all the way from South Korea and missed the opportunity of visiting Bait Al Zubair because it was closed when we got to the front gate!     Speaking of Bait Al Zubair-The gentleman here, Vasant, is an Indian gentleman who happens to be a graphic designer at the museum and has been working there for several years.  He is photographed here at the Ruwi Church Complex with his daughter after last Sunday evening’s service.  He tells me that he was responsible for this piece of work…     which was created and placed on the side of the museum in 2008 upon the 10th year anniversary of the museum.  To find out more about this museum, have a look at www.baitalzubairmuseum.com   Bait Al Bagh (“House of Gardens” is the main building of the museum which houses interesting Omani weaponry, jewellery, costumes, musical instruments and household items from Oman’s past.  One of the friendly staff members at Bait al Zubair.  Entrance was 2RO/adult when we went (children under 10 for free).  A small sampling of the beauty of the interior.  This was taken inside Bait Al Oud (“Grand House“) which mostly contains Omani furniture and early European maps, and prints/photos of Muscat.  If you ever get a chance to come to Muscat, give this museum a visit!