Tony Walsh – author & tours through Arabia
Muscat was wet and dreary when the Splendour of the Seas arrived in Mina Sultan Qaboos
The weather in northern Oman has been unusually wet over the last few weeks. Heavy storms coming down from the north have brought rain, hail and flooding in some areas. So the weather was far from splendid when the Splendour of the Seas docked in Mina Sultan Qaboos.
Just before sunset more showers soaked Continue reading “Splendour of the Seas in Mina Sultan Qaboos”
possibly the oldest wreck ever found from Europe’s initial period of colonization in Asia
The Esmeralda shipwreck is one of the earliest shipwrecks from the start of Portugal’s entry into the Arabia Sea.
There can have been few countries whose population exploded around the world as quickly or indeed violently as the Portuguese. From a small insignificant land on the edge of Europe, they swept into East Asia. Leading the charge in many respects was Vasco de Gama who crossed the Arabian Sea in 1498 with four small ships, landing into the Indian port of Calicut. In 1502 he also led the 4th Portuguese fleet into the region, this time with the clear intention to subjugate the coastal populations. This was largely to monopolise trade destined for Europe, rather than it flowing through Ottoman and Venetian ships, and additionally in retaliation for military defeats in the Arabian Sea during the previous years.
His fleet was of 20 ships, indicative of the value of the potential trade, as well as the numbers of ships lost during the previous annual sailings from Portugal that made larger numbers of ships essential to achieve success. Vasco de Gama returned Continue reading “Vasco da Gama Esmeralda shipwreck”
with beautiful interior architecture
In the heights of Jabal Akhdar a new cave has been discovered.
Its one of two which have recently been found in the same area. Like the acclaimed Continue reading “Oman’s latest cave in Jebel Akhdar”
The schools had their emergency day off and the rain came
With pulse after pulse of clouds coming over Muscat during the last few afternoons it was almost certain one would bring heavy rain; today was the day.
Schools had been closed for Continue reading “Ruwi’s Waterfall springs to life”
one of a growing number of support groups in Oman for people with special needs
Located in Azaiba the Oman Association for the Disabled is one of the oldest organizations who support disabled people in Oman.
With a second office in Sohar they are focused on Continue reading “Oman Association for the Disabled”
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Falaj was included along with the oasis.
Passing through the small town of Birkat Al Mawz
we came across a crowd of people just about to Continue reading “Birkat Al Mawz gets a Spring Clean”
promoting a range of books including my book ‘Walking Through History’
Muscat Book Fair, the annual event is always busy with buyers and often lots of interesting new books.
Most of Oman’s publishers have a stand and many of Continue reading “Al Roya at Muscat Book Fair”
and some interesting clouds as well on a great afternoon
Today has had a few short showers over Muscat and more hail over northern Oman.
Ruwi was treated to some mini Continue reading “Rainbow over Muscat”
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