Author: Tony Walsh

Book author including the current Bradt guide to Oman

INCLUDING UNIQUE LOCAL EXPERIENCES IN THE OMAN GUIDE FOR BRADT - a dilemma about accessibility and availability of local crafts and heritage in Oman

Writing the revision for the Oman Guide for Bradt in 2016 – deciding which unique experiences could be included — and which should not — turned out to be a difficult area.  I needed not only to focus on finishing the text & maps but also to change my viewpoint of Oman’s tourism.

Bait Al Zubair Museum
Bait Al Zubair Museum

Previously, for my tour company, a visit to a museum could be pre-planned as part of a basic tour,  a special visit to a honey-bee keeper could be agreed within days; a typical meal with a local family set up with perhaps a week’s organisation. Continue reading “INCLUDING UNIQUE LOCAL EXPERIENCES IN THE OMAN GUIDE FOR BRADT – a dilemma about accessibility and availability of local crafts and heritage in Oman“

Oman’s Top 5 things to do in May

May can often be Oman’s hottest month and temperatures over 40c are frequent. This means that Oman’s Top 5 things in May activities need to be selected to take the heat into account. Also consider that in 2019 Ramadhan runs from 5th May – 4th June. 

Ice Skating Oman Oman’s Top 5 things in May
Ice Skating Oman

Though spending time in one of Oman’s almost innumerable Continue reading “Oman’s Top 5 things to do in May”

Ad Duqm Port and Free Trade Zone a piece in Oman's future vision.

Ad Duqm was once, only a few years ago, a small village with a couple of shops, an equal number of local restaurants and it was a cash economy with not even a bank. However times have changed and Oman’s Ad Duqm Port and Free Trade Zone Ad Duqm (Duqm SEZA) hosted Oman Wanfang LLC, a Chinese company, for a signing ceremony on the 19th April for Oman Wanfang to develop 1,172 hectares of land adjacent to Ad Duqm’s port as Oman China Industrial Park at Ad Duqm.

China-Arab Wanfang Sign at Ad Duqm Port and Free Trade Zone
China-Arab Wanfang Sign

Ad Duqm is a key part of Oman’s renewed focus Continue reading “Ad Duqm Port and Free Trade Zone a piece in Oman’s future vision.“

Oman appears in the Top 5 safest travel destinations reports World Economic Forum

For a safe holiday destination, it seems Finland is the place to go, however for those who crave winter sun, there is a far more appealing option, Oman.

Tourists Celebratory Tea Break
Tourists Celebratory Tea Break in Oman

According to the World Economic Forum Continue reading “Oman appears in the Top 5 safest travel destinations reports World Economic Forum”

Wallace Collection and Daunt Books

Just north of crowded Oxford Street in London is probably the most opulent single collection of decorative arts in Britain, the Wallace Collection in Hertford House.

Hertford House - London
Hertford House – London

Gifted to Britain by Lady Wallace in 1897, the collection was Continue reading “Wallace Collection and Daunt Books”

Wandering through London

North of London’s centre for Lawyers is Lincoln’s Inn Fields one of London’s great public squares.

Sir John Soane's Museum
Sir John Soane’s Museum

It’s where one of London’s oldest and nicest Museums, Sir John Soane’s Museum, is located. Despite the good weather I had a Continue reading “Wandering through London”

Sooty Falcon in Oman – Film

Oman is a destination for migratory birds during  Spring and Autumn, in addition to resident birds in Oman. Some pass through, others like White Storks and Steppe Eagles overwinter in Oman using it as a food larder and return to breeding grounds to the north. But there are some that come to Oman and breed, and included in these is the Sooty Falcon in Oman, Falco concolor.

Sooty Falcon Falco concolor - Oman
Sooty Falcon Falco concolor – Oman

The Sooty Falcon is a medium-sized falcon with, as its name suggests, a colour that is a shade of grey, perhaps Continue reading “Sooty Falcon in Oman – Film”

Oman’s Top 5 things to do in April with a little bonus option - making this 6 things

Oman’s Top 5 things to do in April often includes outdoor activities – but add in some indoor options as it gives a range of options.

Amouage Perfume Oman Oman’s Top 5 things to do in April
Amouage Perfume Oman

A visit to the Amouage Perfume Showroom Continue reading “Oman’s Top 5 things to do in April with a little bonus option – making this 6 things“