My mom and I went on Khalifa’s excellent tour of Muscat. He picked us up at our hotel for the tour which started with a visit to the Grand Mosque. Khalifa was very thorough and patient in explaining the Omani influences in the architecture as well as the different ceramic styles from the Arabian Peninsula and other parts of the Islamic world (Central Asia, Turkey, etc.). He also explained the practice of Islam at the mosque, etc. We learned a lot! We also had a wonderful tour of the Opera House. The Muscat City Tour ended with a visit to Old Muscat and Bait Al Zubair. Khalifa connected the exhibits at the exquisite Bait Al Zubair with examples from his own experiences growing up. For instance in an exhibit on the unique colours and styles of clothing that had been worn by Omani women in different regions of the country prior to a more uniform style becoming prevalent, he pointed to what his mother had worn. When my mom asked what a particular item on display was, Khalifa explained it was utilized in Omani homes to burn incense under and for the scent to waft throughout the residence. He really personalized our experience in Muscat!
After the tour, we booked transfers with Khalifa from the hotel to the airport. My mom is in her 80s and her mobility was affected from a fall and injury a few weeks earlier in Dubai. As my mom and I were on different flights home. I was concerned about my mom navigating through the airport on her own. On his own accord, Khalifa got my mom and her luggage to the Qatar Airways check-in and made sure she was both in the right place and had further assistance from the Qatar Airways staff before he left the airport. He also sent me a photo of her in the Qatar Airways line via WhatsApp, which was very reassuring.
Khalifa went far above and beyond on the Muscat City tour and on the airport transfers. I highly recommend Khalifa for those visiting Oman. Khalifa can be reached at the following phone number and email address respectively: +96899232645 /
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