MUSCAT -- A company that conducts dhow cruise is set to start a unique iftar party on a beautiful dhow at Marina Bandar al Rowdha. IBN Qais & Partners Trading Enterprises will commence iftar party on a daily basis from October 5 during the holy month of Ramadhan. The two-hour long voyage cum iftar party, which will be interesting for individual passengers, starts at 6.30 pm. After Ramadhan, it will conduct dinner cruise on Lubna Dhow on Thursdays and Fridays from 6.30 pm onwards. The 75 feet long air conditioned Lubna Dhow, a sturdy seaworthy dhow crafted on the Omani tradition of dhow building with a capacity of 40 passengers, has been operating for the last six years from Marina Bandar al Rowdha.
IBN Qais conducts three types of cruises chartered dhow cruise, sunset dhow cruise and dinner dhow cruise.
Chartered dhow cruise, arranged by tour operators, is being conducted as per the requirement of clients.
The itinerary includes visits to Al Bustan Palace, Bandar Jissa (which is known for rich marine life with shallow waters), Yeti Beach and Bandar Khairan. The Lubna anchors for the night-stop and fun on board.
It also conducts sunset cruise on Sundays and Thursdays between 4 pm and 6 pm. Individual passengers can enjoy the dhow cruise at a nominal rate. Hugging the coastline, passengers will pass the Yacht Club of Muscat, followed by the picturesque fishing village of Sidab. A touch of history comes to fore, as the passenger perceives the old graves of the British sailors. Amid shrill cries of the seagulls, flying gracefully around the cliff at the entrance of the old historic Muscat Harbour, they will notice the legends of ships that had visited this harbour, painted on the cliffs with the 16th century forts named as Jalali and Mirani.
In the harbour, passengers often sight the Fulk al Salama, flanked by passenger liners, oil tankers and cargo vessels, sporting the flags of international shipping companies. After the Lubna negotiates a detour at the glittering Corniche, it sails past the most exclusive hotel of Oman, the Al Bustan Palace hotel. The company offers a variety of services like dolphin watch, snorkeling, anniversary parties, birthday parties, buffet parties and staff parties/picnics.
By Staff Reporter
© Oman Daily Observer 2006
