Tony Walsh – author & tours through Arabia
It’s a fantastic way to see Egypt.
The Cairo – Luxor train passes through that narrow strip of fertility on the edge of the desert beyond. The pace is sedate – and the schedule stretches hours beyond the timetable – but isn’t the journey part of the experience.
In Luxor I used a bike to get around – Continue reading “CAIRO TO LUXOR BY TRAIN I cycled to see Tutankhamun’s tomb in Luxor – and wandered through the Museums in Cairo.“
In cool winter weather – it was good to explore Bahrain. Staying centrally, near Bab Al Bahrain and the souq – it was 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 “
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”
You must be logged in to post a comment.