Tony Walsh – author on Oman & Arabia
enjoyed by us on a holiday in Oman
Taking advantage of the cooler months I took a small group into one of great natural features of Oman – the Rub Al Khali.
Exploring the vastness of the Empty Quarter we walked through a landscape full of deafening silence and with no visible occupants
until I came up against this Agama Lizard – catching the last rays of the sun before the chill of night set in.
I enjoyed a stimulating overview of responsible tourism by Harold Goodwin
This was his first visit into Oman but he was able to give very interesting examples from other countries about how tourism can impact, positively and negatively on people’s lives. He implied that New Zealand was probably the country most successful in branding itself in the field of responsible tourism. Interestingly he also felt Gambia and South Africa were two other countries with a very good approach in the field.
I try and act in a positive way within the Oman community – in a way that also adds value for our guests. Each person on a holiday with us is given a bag, hand created by the Sidab Ladies Sewing Group – and where possible we have the name of our guest sewn in Arabic.
A chilly night in the Empty Quarter of Oman
The Empty Quarter / Rub al Khali offers a great chance to sleep under the stars . On my way to Salalah in Oman , I drove through the Empty Quarter (Rub Al Khali ) to spend the night there . The coldest I have ever been in a desert was a couple of years ago when the thermometer dropped to 2c . Fortunately, though cold, at about 10c, my night this time wasn’t so bad. However, perhaps because of the chill or because the Moon had set – I woke at about 2pm. Above was a black sky set with diamonds of stars – wonderful.
Needless to say a dawn climb up an Omani Desert Dune was called for and though not as extraordinary as the night sky – the view at dawn from the top is also breathtaking .
The next day I arrived in Salalah and amongst other things came face to face with a friend’s Omani Bees . He had moved his hives from the mountains because of the cold and wind – I could understand why.
We enjoyed the visit into Muscat by EOS, the fabulous Yacht of Barry Diller of Expedia & Diane von Fürstenberg.
Anchored off a friend’s house it was most probably the largest vessel to anchor there. Rather appropriately, the FigureHead of EOS (a Greek Titanic Goddess) was bathed in supernatural light as she gazed out at the cliffs of Muscat.
Omans Gulf Cup – A gripping match – and yes, the best side did win
PHEW – WHAT A GRIPPING GULF CUP MATCH – Oman had a good first half but weren’t able to finish their goal attempts; through to the second half and still no score, nail-biting indeed. On to extra time, first 15mins, nothing, second 15 still nothing – and on to penalties. 5 goals each, and then – the Saudi missed and Oman’s Mohammed Al-Noobi got into the net – a win ; and in MHO a well-deserved win. Just after the match – its a holiday on Sunday was announced.
Heathrow to Muscat with Oman Air
Having only started flying direct from Gatwick to Muscat a year ago Oman Air has changed its flight schedule.
Now it will fly direct Continue reading “Oman Air Flies non-stop from Heathrow to Muscat”
The GCC Leaders in Muscat Oman
– near Al Bustan Palace is a welcome to them all
Special Greetings to you – from Rudolph the Red Nosed Camel and me, here in Oman
Here in Oman, rather than Reindeer, Father Christmas needs to use Camels, sand is quite different from snow of course. Since Father Christmas is no longer as young as he once was, his memory is sometimes poor so he naturally gives all his Sleigh pullers the same set of names.
I was lucky to find Rudolph the Red Nosed Camel, just before they set off last year in Oman. The NORAD Santa Tracker will follow his worldwide journey http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.html .
I know he would want to wish you a very special Christmas and a great New Year for 2009 – as do I.
Oman Air offers a new route from mid January
Oman Air will be flying into Muscat from Heathrow in 2009. I must admit that the schedule suits me well at Heathrow – leaving at 2130 and getting in to Muscat the following morning at 0845 – the flight from Muscat at 13.20 is equally good and arrives at Heathrow at 1740. But Gatwick I found, on what I have to say will probably be only my second visit in my life, was far easier to get around and the train in from Charing Cross was so easy. I don’t expect they will run both – or will they?
Update – new times (as of 30 Aug 2009 – are depart Heathrow 22.35 and arrive 09.15 and from Muscat to Heathrow depart 13.45 and arrive Heathrow 19.05
tradition and Arab Horses
On my way down to Salalah I had a wonderful visit to a local farm and an afternoons racing.
After lunch in the farm, where 3 of the horses who participated were stabled, we arrived for the days events.
Various local dignitaries were present and we were treated to traditional Omani entertainment. It made an enjoyable break on my Oman trip between Muscat and Salalah and helped speed me on my way.
November 18th is Oman’s National Day. This year is the 38th celebration of what is referred to as Oman’s Renaissance since Sultan Qaboos ( حفظ الله صاحب الجلالة) became ruler of Oman . The changes since 1970 have been remarkable – of course it’s human nature to say the good old days were better but I have yet to hear anyone say that about Oman.
Looking at today’s paper – Continue reading “Oman’s National Day”
we enjoyed some wonderful meals on a tour through northern Oman
Some in ‘local restaurants’ others in hotels along the way and finally in Al Bustan Palace.
Fish was certainly the highlight of most meals and Squid featured in a couple. While Oman doesn’t have what seems to be a vast choice of dining options – sometimes it can turn out wonderful meals.
With the opening of Al Bustan Palace Hotel the hotel’s acclaimed restaurants and bars are getting into their rhythm .
Though it will not accept Continue reading “Restaurants in Al Bustan Palace Hotel Oman”
A week ago, there was a strong likelihood that a ‘tropical depression’ would create heavy rain in Salalah. Fortunately for Salalah, but tragically for Yemen , it veered away and the last few days was over southern Yemen. The video clip http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7689795.stm from Yemen shows a river pouring through “Al Ghar Al Amar” in the centre of Mukalla . The water catchment area in Mukalla is far smaller than that of Wadi Hadhramaut http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7690463.stm or even I suspect Wadi Du’an; there the flooding might be horrific. Wadi Hadhramaut and its tributaries have extraordinarily sheer cliffs, carved by previous floods, which funnel the water in its restricted course . The article I wrote about Yemen finished …. ‘I was now left with one problem before I left, how to tackle the ascent out of the valley’ hopefully the inhabitants wont find they need an escape route
Joining in the celebrations for a wedding in the Jebel Akhdar Oman
Making the steep climb by car up to Jebel Akhdar I arrived in the late afternoon to join the celebrations for a friend’s wedding in the mountains.
The formal betrothal had taken place last year and today would be the start of married life. Of course, it was a busy affair, as all Omani weddings are, with probably most households in the village joining in. Since this was a ‘town persons’ wedding we set off, in a queue of cars , to take the bride to the grooms home .
The next day I managed to have an early morning walk through the mountains before having a very enjoyable lunch at a simple reception to congratulate the groom.
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