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Wadi Kabir is like the main artery of Ruwi, since all the main buildings are found alongside it. Although there are plenty of modern buildings in the area, building regulations are restrictive and you won’t find any obscenely tall skyscrapers. In fact, the tallest building is the Sheraton Oman, which is predominantly a business hotel (but which is legendary for its popular seafood buffet nights).
Although Ruwi may not be a tourist hotspot, it is worth a wander around for the charming little shops and all the streetside restaurants selling excellent Arabic and Indian food at cheap prices.
A good point to begin your exploration of Ruwi is at the GTO Tower next to the main post office (almost in the centre of the CBD). On the south side you’ll find Sultan Qaboos Mosque on Al Jaame Street, as well as the central bus and taxi stations and the clock tower. On the northern side of the GTO Tower, the Bait Al Falaj (in the army base) houses the Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum. The National Museum can be found in Al Noor Street, in the north-west part of Ruwi. The Ruwi Souk (also known as Ruwi High Street) is the place to go for anything from souvenirs to diamond rings.
Currency Museum
The Currency Museum is located in the head office of the Central Bank of Oman, which is in Ruwi. The museum showcases modern and historic coinage, as well as a gallery of Oman’s currency throughout the years. It is not limited to Oman currency only however; you can also see various colonial currencies that were in circulation in the early 20th century, as well as coins and notes of regional importance. The museum is open from 08:00 to 15:00, and entry costs 250 baisas.
National Museum
A small but fairly comprehensive museum showing silver jewellery, ladies’ costumes from around Oman, pottery, a selection of scale-built dhows, crockery, coffee pots, and guns. Additionally, there is a selection of unique items of furniture from the old palace in Muscat, clothes, pictures and medals from the Zanzibar rulers; as well as correspondence and pictures of the last five sultans in the the Al Said Dynasty. Your English-speaking guide will probably offer you the chance to sample the legendary Omani hospitality, by inviting you to have some traditional kahwa (coffee), halwa and dates afterwards. Entrance costs 500 baisas for adults and 100 baisas for children (children under 6 are free). The museum is open from 09:00-13:00 and 16:00-18:00 (October to March), and from 09:00-13:00 and 17:00-19:00 (April to September).
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