EJ Latitudes 1/08.qxd - Frontiers Elegant Journeys

eathtaking drive down through the mountains, or as a companion
passenger with Itzu, Zighy Bay’s professional paraglider. (I opted for
#2 in order to photograph Lara’s daring preference for #3!)
Each of the 82 stone and wood villas has a rustic chic feel. Our
favorites were the Beachfront Pool Villa Suites with two full bathrooms
opening directly onto the beach. For the epitome of privacy
and understated luxury, look no further than the 32,000-squarefoot
Private Reserve with its fabulous amenities.
There is a large central swimming pool, fully equipped gym and a
world-renowned Six Senses Spa with a fabulous Turkish hamas.
Activities are numerous, ranging from non-motorized water sports
and deep-sea fishing to yoga classes, wine tastings and Arabic
cooking classes. A variety of dining venues include a modern
brasserie, a restaurant on top of the mountains overlooking Zighy
Bay called Dining on the Edge, beach barbecues and dinners in the
wine cellar. Their funky Chill Bar features dozens of homemade flavored
vodkas for your sipping pleasure. If you want to get away
from it all and recharge your batteries, set your watches to “Zighy
Time” — you won’t be disappointed.
Cradled between the mountains and its own private beach, The
Chedi in Muscat is a contemporary and stylish hotel, ideal for relaxing
long weekends and only 10 minutes’ drive from the airport. A
most inviting retreat for adults, each of the 151 air-conditioned
rooms is elegant with simple, stylish furnishings and overlook
either the lush gardens or the Gulf of Oman. There are two swimming
pools including a 138-foot infinity pool on the beachfront
that is temperature controlled (chilled when I was there!) as well
as a fully equipped gym, two floodlit tennis courts, a great boutique,
and an extensive spa specializing in Balinese therapies.
After dark, the mood is low-key and sophisticated with evocative
lighting. Our evening began with pre-dinner cocktails and canapés
in the exclusive retreat of The Library (a private lounge for Deluxe
Club and Chedi Club Suites only) before dining in The Restaurant,
where we observed the spectacle of dinner being prepared in the
Main Pool at Zighy Bay
four open display kitchens serving contemporary and exciting
Arabic, Mediterranean, Asian and Indian cuisine. Our food was outstanding,
and this is rightly considered one of Muscat’s top tables.
It’s only a 20-minute drive south into Old Muscat, steeped in history
and dominated by two 16th century forts. The gated walls
form an enclosure around the port, His Majesty the Sultan’s Palace,
and the harbor. Bait Al Zubair Musuem, near the harbor, is well
worth a visit and provides an introduction to Omani history, customs,
arts and craftwork. Great shopping opportunities can be had
in the historic Muttrah Souq (market), an atmospheric maze of
alleyways with lots of tiny stalls selling antique silver jewelry, khanjars
(traditional curved daggers), coffee pots, incense burners, fragrant
frankincense, dates and other local delights. The Sultan
Qaboos Grand Mosque is also worth a visit; it is a religious landmark
and testimony to contemporary Islamic architecture (non-
Muslims are welcome to visit, but ladies must cover their head,
ankles and wrists).
Leaving the white buildings and glistening turquoise waters of
Muscat, we journeyed inland in an air-conditioned 4x4 to the
rugged and imposing world of the Jebel Akhdar mountain range.
(Continued on next page)
Lara arriving at Zighy Bay
39