Tony Walsh – author on Oman & Arabia
a bit disappointing – though good to have in Muscat
The Rembrandt Exhibition of etchings in Muscat is about half way through its life. Walking through a replica of his rebuilt home in Amsterdam the prints are displayed around the Ballroom wall of the Grand Hyatt .While the entrance adds a touch of drama to a visit – the Ballroom is so large, and the prints so small; that they loose the intimacy that they probably deserve.
almost like loosing a friend
The National Museum’s work is now under way in Muscat. Jasper Jacob, the designer, has been working on this for many years and has been a great companion with me on journeys through Oman so he can get inspiration for the building.
The overall design is Continue reading “Openings and Closings in Muscat”
a drive to Egypt from Oman looks easier
The Ferries which Oman had delivered seem to have become part of a growing trend in the Arab world . The Red Sea is also now home to Ferries built by the same Australian company who built the couple that are already in service in Muscat .It does make it very tempting to drive from Oman through Egypt / Morocco to England
and an early arrival home
The 22.35 Oman Air flight turns out to be the last flight scheduled from Heathrow each day.
Since, at night, there is no view – I had lots of time to read the inflight magazine. For the national airline I was disappointed that the In-Flight magazine was riddled with errors about Oman.
The error standouts were Continue reading “Descending over Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque into Muscat”
a modern journey along the route
As the Monsoon Season draws to a close in Salalah it will soon be time to start the Frankincense Harvest.
A crew for the BBC filmed in Oman a piece about the Frankincense Trail in June last year. From Oman they went to The Hadramout and beyond, mixing fable, modernity and a bit of history as seen through Kate Humble’s eyes.
Apart from the fact that Frankincense is a living legend – the thing I really like about the tree is the culture that surrounds it.
The smoke from the small pebble size pieces is used in Oman as a welcome to guests and the fragrance will scent clothes for a long time .
see this and be inspired to invent
Here, in Oman, we run on British voltage and 3 pin plug sockets (which with the Earth and Fuse protects you and your equipment from damage) –
but lots of equipment comes with a 2 pin plug fitted as standard.
We also, amazingly, run on screw in light bulbs and British pin type light bulbs (which like their plug’s are also safety oriented as they are either, all in or all out – with the screw type it has an infinite amount of ‘just might be’ ) .
The problem with a British style plug is …. its so bulky and the pins stick out at 90degrees from the body so, along with the bulk, they can dig into and damage so much – including your laptop.
What to do when you have a LapTop, Phone etc that need charging when you take a tour of Oman with us ? ? Continue reading “Travel with a new plug to Oman”
a first as far as I know
In the heart of the English country side Wimborne Minster might not seem to have links with Oman; but! In what will be a wonderful first Wimborne apparently wants to twin with an Omani town.
So perhaps we will have Rustaq and Wimborne Minster as twins .
a great event for Ras al Khaimah
The neighbouring Emirate to Oman, Ras al Khaimah, will hold the 33rd America’s Cup as landlocked Switzerland has nominated the Emirate for 2010 . Congratulations Ras al Khaimah.
Sitting next to Musandam the event might well come into Omani spectacular waters
With 11 wins in 20 starts by Masirah, Oman’s racing boat, Oman really should try and put an AC33 yacht and team in for the America’s Cup 2010
A very opportune time to visit Iran
Iran is an important neighbour of Oman and the President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be taking the oath for a new second four-year term. Continue reading “Sultan Qaboos visit to Iran”
Interesting finds in Oman
It was good to join the Seminar for Arabian Studies at the British Museum.
Held annually the seminar focuses on the history and archaeology of the Arabian Peninsula . It was especially nice to meet up with Ali Al Mahrouqi on July 23rd, which is Oman’s ‘Renaissance Day’. He was attending on behalf of Oman’s Ministry of National Heritage and Culture and put up a Poster of the project he is working on, which includes areas in Adam which I enjoyed visiting with him last year.
At this years seminar Derek Kennet gave an overview on pre-historical sites in Wadi Andam and Axelle Rougeulle talking about the first season of excavation at Qalhat which was very interesting.
the home side won – but it still would have been good for our team to win
Al Taawn ‘The Co-operation Team’, the football team we sponsor, were at a disadvantage playing against the Island Falcons – it was an away game. Both teams are from Quriyat – but the game was on the Island Falcons own pitch .
With good attacking players the Island Falcons managed to do what all teams playing at home should do – they won and unfortunately, Al Taawn are out of the tournament
It was a good lesson for Al Taawn, attackers are the way to win.
The Club Cup later in the year will hopefully see Al Taawn at least reach the top two.
a new head of the US Embassy in Oman
Dr Richard J. Schmierer will join the residents of Oman as the new US Ambassador . Previously he was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, so will bring a breadth of experience with him into Oman. His diplomatic postings’ include time in Germany, Saudi Arabian and Iraq.
a great way of visualizing Oman’s development
Here is a very cute graph I did
that shows the relative wealth and health of Oman and the UK, <<<click and it opens and springs into action. The UK jigs along at the forefront of wealth and health compared to the world while Oman, until the 70s was low on both but then, sharply pulls up after 1970 with oil wealth and its much-admired health services – that, I feel, is focused on prevention far more than the NHS in the UK..
a stand out on the food scene in Muscat – for lots of reasons
Ubhar is one of the more distinctive restaurants in Muscat (unusual addition of an ‘h’ into what is more usually spelt Ubar). Its in a central location in Qurm with a discrete appearance from the outside. Inside however it’s a fusion with dark wood, shocking fuchsia cushions and clear Perspex chairs – almost 1960s retro.
The restaurant opened a few months ago and is probably suffering from the economic slump and a focus by the affluent local population on coffee shops and fast food . They are missing a unique experience . Standouts were the Appetizers, Soup, and Crème Caramel – the very personable service by the maître d’hôtel and his 100% Omani staff.
One to visit again.
forget the old Browns – Oman will soon have Greens
The first of Oman’s grass Golf courses has had a soft opening. Between honey coloured mountains and the Gulf of Oman it will be a great alternative to Oman ‘Browns’, the rollered sand golf course we have had till now
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