Tony Walsh

Trips in Salalah

in nice weather

With cooler, sunny weather it was nice to walk with guests through the mountains near Salalah in southern Oman.

Later Continue reading “Trips in Salalah”

Diwali in Oman

in my building

Each year in Muscat and the rest of Oman the Hindu population celebrates Diwali. Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to show the triumph of good over evil.

In the building where I live there are several Indian families and it was nice to see the lamps at the door of one family – hopefully protecting the whole building .

Loaloat Al Behar at Mina Qaboos

in time for National Day

The Loaloat Al Behar which was the yacht for Sultan Qaboos is again in Mina Qaboos in Oman. The boat looks quite striking against the blue sea, and though its difficult to say at this distance – the Continue reading “Loaloat Al Behar at Mina Qaboos”

National Day 2010 Oman

is getting closer

There are three chains of petrol station in Muscat

For the National Day on 18th November two have pictures of Continue reading “National Day 2010 Oman”

Oman World Fireworks Championships

a spectacular event to look forward to

I’m really looking forward to the World Fireworks Championships which will be held on Continue reading “Oman World Fireworks Championships”

Marriott Oman

presents us with a nice certificate

We had a nice surprise when the Salalah Marriott Resort presented us with a certificate for the support we have given them this year .

Salalah Marriott Resort Certificate for Arabesque, my travel company

Certainly, our guests have liked staying in the hotel as part of their Oman Holidays – so I think there will be more to come

Al Bustan Palace to become Ritz Carlton

to the Ritz Carlton, Muscat

This year is the 25^th anniversary of Al Bustan’s opening;

and perhaps not by coincidence – it will be the last Continue reading “Al Bustan Palace to become Ritz Carlton”

Fish Restaurant in Sifah Oman

overlooking the sea

We took a trip to Sifah Oman where a small new sea-food restaurant has opened.

Continue reading “Fish Restaurant in Sifah Oman”

10/10/10 – 10 Eagles in Oman

enjoying a rest after migration

Today is a once in a lifetime day 10/10/10 .

Remarkably here are 10 eagles in Salalah Oman – resting after a long migration from the north .

Rain in Salalah

on Friday

Rain is welcome in Salalah Oman , it keeps the mountains green and these are a great source of pride to the local population; and helps all the fruit farmers in the town with better water supply.

Rain clouds gather over Oman's southern mountains — Rain clouds gather over Oman’s southern mountains

But even better than rain – is Continue reading “Rain in Salalah”

Wedding in Salalah

Oman’s southern town

Weddings in Oman’s southern town of Salalah used to take place during the Monsoon – a time of great celebration.

Now fashion has changed and Continue reading “Wedding in Salalah”

Oman to Everest

by Khalid al Siyabi

Khalid al Siyabi gave an enthralling talk about his ascent from Oman to Everest for the Historical Association of Oman today.

No matter how many people do it, each person who achieves such a feat is a remarkable person. Khalid Continue reading “Oman to Everest”

World Tourism Day in Oman

with a focus on BioDoversity

The theme for Word Tourism Day this year is Tourism and BioDiversity.

So what better proponents of the theme in Oman than Hadi Al Hikmani, who is doing his part in securing a future for Oman’s Arabian Leopard and its environment in Jebel Samhan in southern Oman

and Prince Charles, shown here in Oman’s spectacular Continue reading “World Tourism Day in Oman”

LEGO IN OMAN Lego made us a great scale model of the Clock Tower on the Airport Roundabout in Muscat

over 20 years ago

In the days when I was able to stroll across the Sultan Qaboos highway carrying a mini fort; Lego kindly made a Lego-brick version of the first feature that a visitor arriving in Muscat in the mid 1980’s saw, for our Lego in Oman show.
The company I had arrived in Oman to manage needed to differentiate itself from other toy retailers (and importers and wholesalers), and, for me, Lego would support that differentiation – and we, in turn, would enable Lego to have greater market penetration in Oman, and hopefully more sales as a result.

That first feature was the fort-like clock-tower on the roundabout at Seeb International Airport. Continue reading “LEGO IN OMAN Lego made us a great scale model of the Clock Tower on the Airport Roundabout in Muscat“

Omans Royal Opera House

winter 2010 programme

Oman’s Royal Opera House is expected to open during the winter 2011.

Whetting our appetite for the type of events they will hold is an eclectic programme for Oman’s Royal Opera House for the season through to December 2010 . They will be held in other theatres in Muscat until it opens.