July 2009 - Tony Walsh توني والش

Oman at the Seminar for Arabian Studies

Interesting finds in Oman

It was good to join the Seminar for Arabian Studies at the British Museum.

Held annually the seminar focuses on the history and archaeology of the Arabian Peninsula . It was especially nice to meet up with Ali Al Mahrouqi on July 23rd, which is Oman’s ‘Renaissance Day’. He was attending on behalf of Oman’s Ministry of National Heritage and Culture and put up a Poster of the project he is working on, which includes areas in Adam which I enjoyed visiting with him last year.

At this years seminar Derek Kennet gave an overview on pre-historical sites in Wadi Andam and Axelle Rougeulle talking about the first season of excavation at Qalhat which was very interesting.

Derek Kennet talks about pre-historical sites in Oman

Football result in Oman

the home side won – but it still would have been good for our team to win

Al Taawn ‘The Co-operation Team’, the football team we sponsor, were at a disadvantage playing against the Island Falcons – it was an away game. Both teams are from Quriyat – but the game was on the Island Falcons own pitch .

With good attacking players the Island Falcons managed to do what all teams playing at home should do – they won and unfortunately, Al Taawn are out of the tournament

It was a good lesson for Al Taawn, attackers are the way to win.

The Club Cup later in the year will hopefully see Al Taawn at least reach the top two.

Richard Schmierer will be the new US Ambassador to Oman

a new head of the US Embassy in Oman

Dr Richard J. Schmierer will join the residents of Oman as the new US Ambassador . Previously he was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, so will bring a breadth of experience with him into Oman. His diplomatic postings’ include time in Germany, Saudi Arabian and Iraq.

Oman’s rise in Health and Wealth

a great way of visualizing Oman’s development

Here is a very cute graph I did

A nice comparison over time of Oman’s rise in wealth and health

that shows the relative wealth and health of Oman and the UK, <<<click and it opens and springs into action. The UK jigs along at the forefront of wealth and health compared to the world while Oman, until the 70s was low on both but then, sharply pulls up after 1970 with oil wealth and its much-admired health services – that, I feel, is focused on prevention far more than the NHS in the UK..

Visiting Ubhar in Muscat

a stand out on the food scene in Muscat – for lots of reasons

Ubhar is one of the more distinctive restaurants in Muscat (unusual addition of an ‘h’ into what is more usually spelt Ubar). Its in a central location in Qurm with a discrete appearance from the outside. Inside however it’s a fusion with dark wood, shocking fuchsia cushions and clear Perspex chairs – almost 1960s retro.

The restaurant opened a few months ago and is probably suffering from the economic slump and a focus by the affluent local population on coffee shops and fast food . They are missing a unique experience . Standouts were the Appetizers, Soup, and Crème Caramel – the very personable service by the maître d’hôtel and his 100% Omani staff.

One to visit again.

Muscat Hills Golf

forget the old Browns – Oman will soon have Greens

The first of Oman’s grass Golf courses has had a soft opening. Between honey coloured mountains and the Gulf of Oman it will be a great alternative to Oman ‘Browns’, the rollered sand golf course we have had till now