Friday 01 / December / 2023
MUSCAT: The long weekend is over. It is back to officefor most as people return to work on Sunday after having an enjoyable and relaxing break.
From schoolchildren to their mothers, to working professionals, it was time to reset their morning alarm clocks as the three-day weekend gave them a good opportunity to relax and spend time with families and friends.
The three-day long weekend began on Thursday as the Sultanate of Oman announced the day as a holiday to mark the Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) birth anniversary.
The weekend saw brisk business all-around with families and friends opting for staycations in Muscat and nearby destinations like Al Jabal Al Akhdar.
With most of the prominent four and five-star hotels announcing lucrative offers ahead of the weekend, the hotels recorded good occupancy rates.
Restaurants in Muscat also witnessed huge footfalls while shopping malls were also another popular venue for people to enjoy the break.
The popular Al Qurum beach also had huge crowds spending the day with a lot enjoying a good swim in the sea.
For the arts and music connoisseurs, the start of the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) 2023-24 season on Friday saw a packed house with the staging of opera “The Barber of Seville”.
Yet another event that drew a crowd was the standup comedy show by internationally acclaimed standup comedian and actor Vir Das at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
Mohammed K, an expatriate, told Times of Oman that he spent two days up at Al Jabal Al Akhdar. “We camped there and the pleasant weather made it a very relaxing trip with friends and families.”
Pankaj, another expatriate, said: “We celebrated by booking a night stage in one of the top hotels in Muscat by the sea. These long breaks are so good and necessary at times. They allow us to rejuvenate and get back to work with renewed focus and energy. Such long weekends are a welcome way to break the monotony of our hectic lives.”
Elham Al Maqbali, a government employee, said: “I drove down to my hometown, Sohar, and had a relaxing time with my family at our parental farm. The moments spent with family and near dear ones are the best. It is a challenge after three days of rest to prepare ourselves for work on Sunday. But, one thing is sure, we feel reinvigorated and the long weekend definitely puts us in a good mood.”
“We now look forward to having another long weekend when Oman celebrates the National Day on November 18. Hopefully, it will be another long weekend for us and with the weather getting cooler then, it would be ideal to have outdoor gatherings,” she added.
