I'm guessing you wernt here to buy sand Tony....
Do you have any pictures from the area back then? I could try and take some now from the same area to see the difference.
I used to do regular trips out to Forces Base hospital and a few other Omani hospitals a couple of years or so ago (OK, the 1970s to early '80s) I bet, given the rate of change out there, it must look somewhat different!
I'll have a look but, working as we did on a military base, cameras were pretty frowned upon!
I had a feeling it would of been that time period you were here. My work takes me all over the place here so even if its not just Muscat, I could try and retake your older photos if you come across any. I appreciate the frowning upon them though.
Just bear it in mind should you find any, could be an interesting little album...
Just for amusement - I also used to travel from Muscat down to Salalah to do a couple of clinics there. The airport at Salalah was somewhat less than optimal when it came to passenger facilities & this sign on the loo door was rather good I thought :-