Tony Walsh – author on Oman & Arabia
attended a lecture hosted by the Oman Ministry of Tourism
It was nice to be able to attend a presentation by Professor Ross Dowling.
Organised by the Oman Ministry of Tourism it was designed to give an overview about ‘Enhancing Visitor Experiences’ for Omani Tour Guides
from Salalah to Dubai
This time next year I should be on board the MS Island Sky for a wonderful cruise from Salalah along Oman’s coast and on up to Sir bani Yas in Abu Dhabi – plenty of subjects for talks.
Its 10 years since I first stepped on board a ship as cruise lecturer. This was also with Nobel Caledonia’s Shearwater when it undertook their first Gulf Cruise in 2000 – we ventured from Muscat up to Bahrain .
Cruising in the Gulf has become more popular since then – warm winter sun might be a factor! But the Island Sky will go where other ships cannot reach and add in spectacular scenery, extraordinary birdlife along the coast, the historical monuments in Oman and of course the fabulous Omani’s themselves and it should again be a journey to remember.
and his company’s work in Muscat
Jan Gehl, whose company is advising Oman’s Muscat Municipality, gave a talk last night on creating people friendly cities.
He gave examples of New York’s Broadway being pedestrianized, and how Melbourne in Australia moved away from being a ‘DoughNut’ city (one with an empty hole at its core) into a vibrant people oriented city.
The new Chairman of Muscat Municipality seems to be keen on creating a city where vehicles are given less priority and pedestrians and cyclists more (as I live in one of the more walkable areas of Muscat and have cycled round it for over two decades that emphasis will be great)
and two Queens of the Sea in Muscat
With 24 hour work the impressive Royal Opera House in Muscat is beginning to show how it will look.
In the ‘in vogue’ monumental style with beige coloured stonework – it will be in keeping with the latest government buildings throughout Muscat. Sultan Qaboos likes western classic music and I suspect Russian in particular. The opening is going to be a spectacular occasion – hopefully including the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra.
Gliding in and out of Mina Sultan Qaboos to allow passengers to go on Muscat Shore Excursions – the Queen Continue reading “Oman’s Royal Opera House”
was the focus of a book, launched today
The launch of the book ‘Oases of Oman’ was held today.
Professors Andreas Buerkert & Eva Schlecht gave a very interesting supporting presentation which focused on the historical nature of them and the various pressures they are under today.
is held in the warm sun
With the threat of rain over it was good to to take up an invitation to attend the Annual Royal Horse Racing Festival at the Royal Stables in Oman.
The afternoon made a nice conclusion to the last 3 weeks of rain. Sultan Qaboos attended with guests including Sheikh Mohammed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi. From the Sultan’s stables several Akhal-Teke Horse – which are a very elegant breed – were shown. So, it was disappointing not to have been able to bring cameras into the grounds especially as a friends horse won the 5th race.
during our tour in Northern Oman
With nice bright skies and comfortable temperatures our guests enjoyed taking time while on holiday in Oman to watch Camel racing.
The next day the newly tiled Mosque at Nizwa made an excellent subject for photographs – before returning to Muscat.
enjoying a warm sunny beach
With all the unsettled weather it was great to have sunny weather and enjoy Christmas in Oman along the coast of Oman.
After seeing Dolphin our destination was reached – a secluded bay to enjoy an Omani Christmas Day Sea Food Barbeque.
as the day has our heaviest downpour yet
Its been a very unusual 10 days.
What is normal in other countries is exceptional in Oman – Rain ; and 10 days of it – extraordinary!
Overcast skies , heavy downpours over much of northern Oman and still probably a few more days of rain to come.
With so much rain it was only a matter of time until a Rainbow appeared – and this one was a full arc (though not possible to get in this picture).
So as we marvel at the rain – and the mountain tops get dusted with snow – it could be a white Christmas in Oman.
on a very nice sunny day
After all the rain – the flags are out in Muscat.
However there is no connection with the weather; they are out for the visit of the Croatian President Stjepan Mesić . He hopefully will enjoy the fresh sunny weather .
to take shore excursions in Oman
Avoiding the rain the Aida arrives into Mina Sultan Qaboos, Muscat.
This is probably the most colourful ship coming into Oman – and on a weekly basis does brighten up the harbour as the visitors spend part of their holidays in Oman.
Some cruise excursions during the type of heavy rain we have been having, needed to be cancelled, but better safe than sorry.
and schools in Muscat are to close on Sunday as a precaution
We spent a wonderful day up in the cool of Oman’s northern mountains. For much of the time we were under cloud cover which, as the day wore on, increased .
Its unusual to have extensive cloud cover here, but on the drive home we drove through about 150kms of intermittent rain – arriving in Muscat to find that the rain probably arrived in Muscat first, before covering the mountain peaks inland.
A stormy few days are forecast as all schools in Muscat are advised to close on Sunday by the Education Ministry
in a gallery in Al Ain
It was interesting to visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi and Wilfred Thesiger exhibition in Al Ain on a trip from Oman.
Although completely different in design, the chandelier is from Faustig who supplied the magnificent ones for the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Almost overflowing with floral designs, the mosque sits opposite Continue reading “Abu Dhabi and Wilfred Thesiger”
a win for National day
Al Taawn Football Team, which we sponsor, had a good win in the local league competition to celebrate Oman’s 39th National Day . They won the first round 4:1 and went through to the final against Hai Aldhahir .
In a very competitive game the single goal was scored by Yahya AlBusafi of Al Taawn . So it’s probably the only time Arabesque will overcome the might of Toyota – as we sponsor the winning team and they the losers.
bustling in the build up to Eid
Starting off in Al Sawadi we made a stop in Nizwa to enjoy the Friday market . Though our guests have visited Oman with us every year for the last six years the market is still a must see . This years was especially busy as it was in the build up to Eid.
Then on through the Wahiba Sands and down the coast to arrive in Salalah several days later . The summer Monsoon’s green had largely disappeared – but a very enjoyable walk along the coast still took us through areas of vegetation – while in the water Turtles and Sharks swam in surprisingly close proximity .
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