Tony Walsh – author on Oman & Arabia
This week London has been hosting the World Travel Market (WTM) at ExCeL London from November 1 to 3 . Incidentally ExCeL , owned by Abu Dhabi was a centre for overflow Covid hospitalisations in London.
The theme of the event was ‘reconnect, rebuild’ Continue reading “World Travel Market (WTM) London 2021 ExCeL London from November 1 to 3“
I enjoyed touring the UAE with a group, seeing some of the old and new that the country has to offer.
We first took an Abra, from Radisson Blu Hotel on the creek, to the old suq in Bur Dubai which is full of interest and colour.
The walk allowed the group to get a taste of Continue reading “Touring the UAE with a group“
Qasr Al Watan (Palace of the Nation) in Abu Dhabi is open to the public. Check below for a Dress Code, Map, Information, Video and great Photographs.
In what must be one of the more intriguing diplomatic agreements in recent years – Oman, UAE and Iran seem to have made various agreements regarding various pieces of territory . The Christmas Eve visit by Sheikh Mohammed Al Nahyen (the effective leader of the UAE – though his brother is President) into Oman may have been the critical discussion period between Oman and the UAE – if true.
The interesting claims in the link below – rest on a high-level source in the UAE – who may be trying to bounce the agreement along. Oman has held on to its Musandam territory against fierce opposition – so if true it would be extraordinary. The islands in The Gulf – the Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa, (were immediately occupied by Iran under the Shah when Britain pulled out ‘East of Suez’ – & the might of the USA was not interested in readjustment) – will have their above-sea land occupied by the UAE and the seabed by Iran. Possibly as a means of getting agreement on that island release, Oman is said to have been willing to grant Iran a base in Musandam, Oman’s northern peninsula. Iran will supply Oil and Gas to Oman via a pipeline – to be constructed.
Oman could use the energy for many reasons mostly for re-export I guess – though it does have gas via the Dolphin pipeline from Qatar. Iran presumably wishes an oversight across the Straight of Hormuz, and it has found a way to effectively occupy land on both sides. The UAE is going to be happy at its increase in real estate quite apart from the diplomatic agreement.
Oman centuries ago occupied various ports in Iran, including what is now Bandar Abbass. Sultan Qaboos made a visit into Iran in 2013 and it seems the two countries are maintaining the pace of diplomatic entente. Oman and Iran seem to be quite comfortable in their long-term relationship – the result of millennia of contact – and population mixing.
The USA is claimed to be accepting of this, but one wonders what Oman’s neighbour, Saudi Arabia will make of all this – indeed Oman has yet to make a comment. Its a nebulous piece of journalism.
The Zodiacs of the Clipper Odyssey (now renamed Silver Discoverer) ably lead by John Yersin came in handy to get us onto Sir bani Yas .
Once on the island I joined other Continue reading “Zodiacs onto Sir Bani Yas”
It was very interesting to visit the Falcon Hospital
on the desert Continue reading “The Falcon Hospital Abu Dhabi and tea at The Emirates Palace”
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 is a remarkable contrast in most respects to the superlative Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque’s exterior is a brilliant white –its interior, in contrast, is an equally brilliant poly-chrome . The carpet uses the same company that was previously used for the carpet in the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, not surprising as the Oman organisers completely re-organised their carpet production work-flow. 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”
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