Oman - Tony Walsh توني والش

Oman’s Royal Opera House

and two Queens of the Sea in Muscat

With 24 hour work the impressive Royal Opera House in Muscat is beginning to show how it will look.

In the ‘in vogue’ monumental style with beige coloured stonework – it will be in keeping with the latest government buildings throughout Muscat. Sultan Qaboos likes western classic music and I suspect Russian in particular. The opening is going to be a spectacular occasion – hopefully including the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra.

Gliding in and out of Mina Sultan Qaboos to allow passengers to go on Muscat Shore Excursions – the Queen Continue reading “Oman’s Royal Opera House”

Oasis of Oman

was the focus of a book, launched today

The launch of the book ‘Oases of Oman’ was held today.

Professor Andreas Buerkert talks about Oman's Oasis — Professor Andreas Buerkert talks about Oman’s Oasis

Professors Andreas Buerkert & Eva Schlecht gave a very interesting supporting presentation which focused on the historical nature of them and the various pressures they are under today.

Oman’s Royal Horse Racing Festival

is held in the warm sun

With the threat of rain over it was good to to take up an invitation to attend the Annual Royal Horse Racing Festival at the Royal Stables in Oman.

The afternoon made a nice conclusion to the last 3 weeks of rain. Sultan Qaboos attended with guests including Sheikh Mohammed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi. From the Sultan’s stables several Akhal-Teke Horse – which are a very elegant breed – were shown. So, it was disappointing not to have been able to bring cameras into the grounds especially as a friends horse won the 5th race.

Nizwa Fort Oman

during our tour in Northern Oman

With nice bright skies and comfortable temperatures our guests enjoyed taking time while on holiday in Oman to watch Camel racing.

The next day the newly tiled Mosque at Nizwa made an excellent subject for photographs – before returning to Muscat.

Christmas in Oman

enjoying a warm sunny beach

With all the unsettled weather it was great to have sunny weather and enjoy Christmas in Oman along the coast of Oman.

After seeing Dolphin our destination was reached – a secluded bay to enjoy an Omani Christmas Day Sea Food Barbeque.

Rainbow over Muscat

as the day has our heaviest downpour yet

Its been a very unusual 10 days.

A car crosses a flooded road in Ruwi Oman

What is normal in other countries is exceptional in Oman – Rain ; and 10 days of it – extraordinary!

Overcast skies , heavy downpours over much of northern Oman and still probably a few more days of rain to come.

With so much rain it was only a matter of time until a Rainbow appeared – and this one was a full arc (though not possible to get in this picture).

So as we marvel at the rain – and the mountain tops get dusted with snow – it could be a white Christmas in Oman.

Croatian President Stjepan Mesić visits Sultan Qaboos in Muscat

on a very nice sunny day

After all the rain – the flags are out in Muscat.

Flags are out for the Croatian President's Visit — Flags are out for the Croatian President’s Visit

However there is no connection with the weather; they are out for the visit of the Croatian President Stjepan Mesić . He hopefully will enjoy the fresh sunny weather .

Flags of Croatia on The Mall in front of the Palace in Muscat

Cruise Ship comes into Muscat

to take shore excursions in Oman

Avoiding the rain the Aida arrives into Mina Sultan Qaboos, Muscat.

This is probably the most colourful ship coming into Oman – and on a weekly basis does brighten up the harbour as the visitors spend part of their holidays in Oman.

Some cruise excursions during the type of heavy rain we have been having, needed to be cancelled, but better safe than sorry.

Rain in Oman’s Mountains

and schools in Muscat are to close on Sunday as a precaution

We spent a wonderful day up in the cool of Oman’s northern mountains. For much of the time we were under cloud cover which, as the day wore on, increased .

Its unusual to have extensive cloud cover here, but on the drive home we drove through about 150kms of intermittent rain – arriving in Muscat to find that the rain probably arrived in Muscat first, before covering the mountain peaks inland.

A stormy few days are forecast as all schools in Muscat are advised to close on Sunday by the Education Ministry

Abu Dhabi and Wilfred Thesiger

in a gallery in Al Ain

It was interesting to visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi and Wilfred Thesiger exhibition in Al Ain on a trip from Oman.

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque contrasts sharply with the superlative Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque’s exterior is principally brilliant white; its interior, in contrast, is equally brilliant polychrome. The carpet was made by the same Iranian company that supplied the carpet in the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. This is not surprising, as the people responsible for overseeing the quality of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque worked hand in hand with the carpet company to overhaul its entire work process. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is not only of exceptional in quality, but has also proven to be a trailblazer for similar projects.

Although completely different in design, the chandelier is from Faustig who supplied the magnificent ones for the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Almost overflowing with floral designs, the mosque sits opposite Continue reading “Abu Dhabi and Wilfred Thesiger”

Football in Oman

a win for National day

Al Taawn Football Team, which we sponsor, had a good win in the local league competition to celebrate Oman’s 39^th National Day . They won the first round 4:1 and went through to the final against Hai Aldhahir .

Football Winners — Football Al Taawn Football Team are Winners

In a very competitive game the single goal was scored by Yahya AlBusafi of Al Taawn . So it’s probably the only time Arabesque will overcome the might of Toyota – as we sponsor the winning team and they the losers.

Nizwa Market in Oman

bustling in the build up to Eid

Starting off in Al Sawadi we made a stop in Nizwa to enjoy the Friday market . Though our guests have visited Oman with us every year for the last six years the market is still a must see . This years was especially busy as it was in the build up to Eid.

Then on through the Wahiba Sands and down the coast to arrive in Salalah several days later . The summer Monsoon’s green had largely disappeared – but a very enjoyable walk along the coast still took us through areas of vegetation – while in the water Turtles and Sharks swam in surprisingly close proximity .

Frankincense in Oman for Christmas

in the Historical Association of Oman’s 2010 Calender

The Historical Association of Oman publishes a Calender each year . Most images are usually of northern Oman, as thats where the Association is based . This year as a bit of balancing I was happy that a couple of my pictures of the Salalah area could be used.

Incising the Frankincense Tree for the Gum

Here is one, a Frankincense Tree, appropriately the month is December, being cut for its Gum, by a friend of mine.

Colin and Graham’s Excellent Adventures – in Oman

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.

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.

Camel Racing in Oman the new way

into the future with Robot jockeys

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

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.

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.