Alila Jabal Akhdar Christmas and New Year in Oman relaxing activities and adventure trips at 2,000 metres

Treats are part of Christmas and New Year in Oman at Alila Jabal Akhdar. Though staying at Alila in Oman is a joy in itself, the hotel has a great range of activities for guests.

Christmas and New Year Alila Oman
Christmas and New Year Alila Oman

Learn how to play ‘Petanque’, an ideal Continue readingAlila Jabal Akhdar Christmas and New Year in Oman relaxing activities and adventure trips at 2,000 metres

Talk by Stuart Laing on Tippu Tip

I had planned to go to listen to a talk about Tippu Tip by Stuart Laing at SOAS London. It turned out to be a full day for me of, amongst other things, an East African experience. Passing through the British Museum on my way to a talk at SOAS; Zanzibari artefacts seemed to call out ‘ look at me’.

British Museum - Kofia mens cap - Zanzibari Kofia mens cap
British Museum – Kofia mens cap – Zanzibar

One was very familiar as the Continue reading “Talk by Stuart Laing on Tippu Tip”

Tour of Oman 2018 dates

The organisers of the Tour of Oman 2018 cycle race have announced the dates for 2018, and with only 6 weeks to the start – planning for your visit to Oman to see it needs to start immediately.

Tour of Oman 2018 dates are announced
Tour of Oman 2014

The lead up has been full of events, the most dramatic being the resignation of the legendary Eddy Merckx from the organisers Amaury Sport Organisation.

Continue reading “Tour of Oman 2018 dates”

Oman’s Top 5 things to do in May

May can often be Oman’s hottest month and temperatures over 40c are frequent. This means that Oman’s Top 5 things in May activities need to be selected to take the heat into account. Also consider that in 2019 Ramadhan runs from 5th May – 4th June. 

Ice Skating Oman Oman’s Top 5 things in May
Ice Skating Oman

Though spending time in one of Oman’s almost innumerable Continue reading “Oman’s Top 5 things to do in May”

Oman’s Top 5 things to do in April with a little bonus option - making this 6 things

Oman’s Top 5 things to do in April often includes outdoor activities – but add in some indoor options as it gives a range of options.

Amouage Perfume Oman Oman’s Top 5 things to do in April
Amouage Perfume Oman

A visit to the Amouage Perfume Showroom north-west of Muscat International Airport is a great option for Oman’s Top 5 things to do in April. The showroom is easy to get to – and apart from a factory tour they do have a retail outlet to buy the product.

Royal Opera House - Muscat
Royal Opera House – Muscat

The Royal Opera House in Muscat usually has a full program during April and in April 2019 has a World Premiere of an Opera by Hrant Minas Keshishian.  He is an Egyptian/Armenian artist whose work dates back to 1962.

Hrant Minas Keshishian
Hrant Minas Keshishian

He is also a musical composer, and in Muscat, the premiere of his Ballet Al Hamama Al Mutawwaqa (The Ring Dove) directed by Ahmed Al Sayed and choreographed by Saly Ahmed will have performances on April 12th  13th.

Dhow - Musandam Oman’s Top 5 things to do in April
Dhow – Musandam

In Musandam the weather in April is ideal to go on a Dhow cruise from Khasab in the north or Daba in the south. From Khasab you will cruise into the still waters of the ‘Fjords’ and choose from a half or full day. The water will not seem as chilly as in earlier months (chill of course is relative).


A Camel event is held in April at Al Kamal & Al Wafi on 10th & 11th April. The track is in the town centre at Al Wafi – though ask where when you arrive as this is one of the oldest in Oman, and due for an upgrade.

Camel event Oman Oman’s Top 5 things to do in April
Camel event Oman

The races are in the morning, well before 9am look for 4×4 cars and picks ups streaming off the road to the race track.

As a small bonus – check out Bayt Ar Rudaydah in Birkat Al Mawz near Nizwa, its open from 3rd April with a fantastic armament collection with weapons associated with Oman.

Bayt Ar Rudaydah - Birkat Al Mawz
Bayt Ar Rudaydah – Birkat Al Mawz

Celebrations for the return to Oman of Sultan Qaboos

at Oman’s Royal Opera House

The welcome return to Oman of Sultan Qaboos has been celebrated throughout Oman. Probably nowhere as spectacularly as at the Royal Opera House.

Royal Opera House Sound and Light welcomes Sultan Qaboos home.
Royal Opera House Sound and Light welcomes Sultan Qaboos home.

A Son et Lumière Continue reading “Celebrations for the return to Oman of Sultan Qaboos”