and it was a total immersion in Oman’s Camel culture
Oman newspaper – gives coverage to Colin and Graham’s involvement in a race (bottom left
Making the Oman national newspaper – Colin Carroll & Graham Little created a stir as we helped them undertake a unique double – a regional Camel Race and a local Camel Race in Oman.
Thrills and Spills in Camel Racing
On two consecutive days they joined in the quintessentially Omani pastime of Camel Racing – not as spectators as I often do – but as participants for their program ‘Colin and Graham’s Excellent Adventures’
Thrills and spills was the order of the day – but you will have to watch the program on RTE and BBC – to see how they survived the gruelling desert events.
As a child I enjoyed Horse Riding – and occasional jumping. Though of course not as skilled as the 9 year old British children who enter the show jumping events at the UK’s Pony Club I cannot recollect my having a serious fall.
Perhaps it was this enjoyment of riding that attracted me to Camel Racing in Oman; though Camels don’t jump
Robot Jockeys
they manage most other things , including beauty competitions.
The start of this years Camel Racing Season in Oman marks a departure from previous years. The jockeys – young Bedu boys from the local communities close to the race, with all their swagger and bravado – have disappeared, to be replaced by Robots.
Authentically Omani Bedu Jockeys
I will certainly miss the cultural interest in future Camel races – and hope that the Pony Club in England doesn’t eject the British youngsters from their saddles in favour of robots.
In an extraordinarily close finish in the last leg of the last race on the last day (just as they won the Gulf Cup in Football – nail biting) Oman Sail’s Masirah has won the “iShares Cup Champions 2009” in Almeria, Spain.
Whats even more extraordinary is that this was their first season – hopefully more to come.
What a shame the America’s Cup isnt in Oman’s waters.
Just before it launches I took a look at the Jewel of Muscat, the replica of a 9th Century West Indian Ocean (Arabian Sea) boat. This is being constructed in Muscat and will sail to Singapore where it will be the focus of a Museum about the Belitung, a wreck full of Chinese merchandise .
The boat is sewn, rather than nailed together, a technique used in Oman until the mid 20th c .
Jewel of Muscat
The Jewel uses extreme sewing – which in most boats I’ve seen was used for structurally critical parts of a boat. Probably for a long ocean voyage, between Oman and China, every part of the boat would be considered critical.
Set just outside Tangier this beautiful and well maintained Moroccan Villa is a superb private setting for a family or friends to enjoy during their holiday.
Dar Tangier Gardens
Five bedrooms and comfortable living rooms are set in sub-tropical gardens.
Dar Tangier Sitting Room
Contact the owner, Tessa Wheeler, through www.rosiesutherlandvillas.com or www.elysianholidays.co.uk.
Setting off from Australia , the Dawn Princess arrived in Muscat today, during its World Cruise .
Dawn Princess in Muscat’s Port
Its possibly the first World Cruise to start in Australia so, naturally, the majority of the passengers came from Australia and New Zealand. Muscat was cooler than it has been which was good for the people taking shore excursions.
the first of perhaps more than 10 new jets arrive into Muscat
Oman Air has taken delivery of the first of its new A330-200 Airbus jets. These are configured for 216 passengers, including 20 business class seats and 196 economy class seats.
Oman Air over Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
That should allow more comfort to visitors flying from London Heathrow, Paris, Munich & Frankfurt into Muscat.
The airline is expecting 7 planes with an option of 6 more.
I enjoy watching turtles on the Beaches of Oman so much that, last year, decided to ‘adopt’ one. The Turtle chosen ‘Havda’ was tracked as she swam up up to the Straights of Hormuz. Unfortunately the transmitter has stopped its signal – so we will miss her future travels
Oman’s Ministry of Tourism invited Tour operators in Oman for an overview of the promotions that Oman’s Tourism Representative Offices have been doing over the past 12 months in countries from Australia to Britain .
Alison Cryer of the London Oman Tourist Office
There was considerable variation in their marketing approach – from extensive use of printed media – through to social functions. This variation continued in their style of presentation – with some emphasizing facts – others attitudes.
Ramadhan is a time of fasting of course. But in modern Oman it’s also a period of Omani Men’s Turban purchasing. Men’s Turbans’ are a key buy during Ramadhan as it will be worn during the Eid Prayer and general Celebrations immediately after Ramadhan. Usually, the Turban choice is planned to go with the new Dishdasha (traditional gown) which is almost certainly Tailor-Made for every adult male. Sandals are also considered around the same time.
Buying Turban
I must say that, accompanying a friend, I felt the shopkeeper needed the ‘patience of Job’ our neighbour buried in Salalah . Colour, Pattern, Quality and, of course price, are key elements in making a decision and with hundreds of Turbans to choose from, in each shop, it’s a task that is not for the faint hearted.
Buying a Omani Mussar Turban
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The colour is often matched with the stitching colour in the Dishdasha. For Eid the Dishdasha is typically white, and if tailored in Oman will be one of 5 government approved styles. Individual touches are the stitched embroidery around the neckline – and the stitching here can be a colour. This colour is often specifically matched to the colour of the Turban.
There are many specialist shops in every town for the men’s Turbans. Each shop will stock hundreds of examples, in every shade of the rainbow, in a remarkable range of qualities. And then this dazzling choice needs to be sifted through – to match a client’s preference.
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.
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.
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