Tony Walsh – author & tours through Arabia
In cool winter weather – it was good to explore Bahrain. Staying centrally, near Bab Al Bahrain and the souq – I had a convenient location to see the city.
I first visited Continue reading “Exploring Bahrain in nice cool winter weather“
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salam Al Saud, Oman’s Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said and other Gulf leaders at King Abdul Aziz International Convention Centre on December 9, 2022. This is during the GCC Meeting Riyadh 2022. Despite the attendance of the Chinese President Continue reading “GCC MEETING RIYADH 2022 is also attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping“
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq issued a royal decree about 2023 official holidays in the Sultanate. They will be
The day Sultan Haitham assumed power (this is a new addition) Continue reading “OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS IN OMAN ARE ANNOUNCED for 2023 by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq“
The EU may soon offer Visa free travel to Omani citizens. Draft legislation will have to be endorsed by the full house of the European Parliament. Who knows – perhaps a reciprical arrangement will be made – Visa free travel for EU citizens into Oman…
https://timesofoman.com/article/124137-european-parliament-panel-nod-to-visa-free-travel-for-omani-citizens
The Omani Khanjar has just been inscribed on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list.
This traditional dagger, a Khanjar, is an important part of Continue reading “UNESCO LISTS OMAN’S KHANJAR within its listing of craft skills and social practices as part of Intangible Heritage.“
Celebrated on the 18th November – National Day in Oman is also on the Birthday of His late Majesty Sultan Qaboos.
The video below is a Son et Lumière display Continue reading “52nd NATIONAL DAY OMAN Congratulations to Oman on its 52nd National Day “
On 4 November 1922 in Egypt, a stone step that was cut into the rock was found, possibly by a young water carrier (the eventual account of the find is nebulous). The step was in the valley known 1,300 years ago as “The Great and Majestic Necropolis of the Millions of Years of the Pharaoh, Life, Strength, Health in The West of Waset“. The possible boy ‘may’ have been Hussein Abd El Rassul, or possibly Mohamed Gorgar (mentioned by Karl Kitchen). An Ahmed Gerigar was a ‘Rais’ – a foreman at the site. As Arabic transliterations often vary – the 2nd name may be the same in Arabic . Or was it actually a ‘water boy’ who found it – Carter wasnt even in the valley when the step was found. His excavation team had many years experence excavating the valley and would surely have found a hidden step rather than a chance find.
This step was one of a series that led down Continue reading “100th ANNIVERSARY OF TUTANKHAMUN’S TOMB’S DISCOVERY I cycled to see his tomb in Luxor – and wandered through the Museums in Cairo.“
I am absolutely delighted that the International Association for the Study of Arabia (IASA https://iasarabia.org/) gave me the ‘last word’ in their 2022 Autumn Edition (number 29).
The IASA is a charitable organisation that exists to advance public knowledge of the Arabian Peninsula, through the promotion of research relating to its cultural and natural heritage. Continue reading “The Last Word for IASA my unexpected contribution to the International Association for the Study of Arabia“
I watched the film ‘Moonage Daydream’, the latest, almost psychedelic, David Bowie event.
The title is taken from a song, best Continue reading “Moonage Daydream – the film freaking out with David Bowie“
I joined the crowds assembled to watch the procession of The Queen’s lying-in-state.
Opposite the Cabinet Office and Foreign Office in London, with an uninterrupted, privileged, view of the procession and sunny weather, it was a grand occasion. Continue reading “Procession of the Queen’s lying-in-state for Queen Elizabeth“
Eid Mubarak عيد مبارك July 2022
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq has made a number of Ministerial and other important changes of personnel in Oman. (He also made changes in 2020)
Oman’s oil minister Continue reading “Oman’s new Ministers and senior Government Officials are appointed”
London’s remarkable new train service, the Elizabeth Line is more, or less, open. 
Its currently running Continue reading “Elizabeth Line – London – is open”
Jokha Alharthi’s latest book in English, the Bitter Orange Tree, is another reflection, through the eyes of a protagonist, about several generations of an Omani family.
In the Bitter Orange Tree Zuhour, who is the protagonist, arrives in a snow covered British city to study. She slumps into a mournful reflection about a newly dead ‘grandmother, a miserable older sister and a depressed mother.
Zuhour lyrically remembers her grandmother’s scent of “civet musk, precious aloeswood oil, and ancient soil”.
As with Jokha Alharthi’s last Continue reading “Jokha Alharthi’s latest book in English, the Bitter Orange Tree”
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