Unspoiled by tourism, Muscat is one of the few remaining relicsof Arabia’s ancient heritage.Oman is sparsely populated, so even the capital, Muscat, withits traffic and modern stores, is easy to navigate. However,mingling with the new is the old: men in their traditional whitedishdashas, women showing just a glimpse of bold color under theirblack headscarves and ankle-length abayas. Fishermen sell theirfresh catches every morning on the edge of the Corniche, while thegreat-great-grandsons of merchants still haggle over the price ofgold and frankincense in centuries-old Mutrah Souk. Visitors caneat fresh seafood on the beach, pick dates right off the trees,visit the famed Al-Bustan Palace Hotel and a number of museums, orbook a trip into the desert scattered with ancient ruins, wanderingcam