Empty Quarter - Tony Walsh توني والش

WILFRED THESIGER

Sir Wilfred Patrick Thesiger was born on 3 June 1910 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (then Abyssinia) into a life of privilege and aristocratic connections.

His father was the Continue reading “WILFRED THESIGER”

Cyclone Mekunu brought what is probably Dhofar’s most intense rainfall ever, which in turn brought some deaths (6 reported and perhaps a few more will be found), caused destroyed roads and spectacular waterfalls.

The effect can be seen by the closure announcment, by the National Committee for Civil Defense, of major road links – shown in a diagram issued after Cyclone Mekunu. As the diagram Continue reading “Cyclone Mekunu aftermath”

SHISR THE LOCATION OF UBAR OMAN

Over 170kms by road north of Salalah is Shisr, an unremarkable settlement on the edge of the Empty Quarter Rub’ Al Khali in southern Oman. It, however, gained fame as the site of Ubar Oman – (the Oman Government prefers the term Wabar which appears to be the name used locally).

The archaeological re-discovery achieved a front page Continue reading “SHISR THE LOCATION OF UBAR OMAN”

Oman Saudi road the border is still not open

The Oman side of the much needed Oman Saudi road is having an integrated fuel station built.

Rub Al Khali Saudi Omani Road Crossing — Rub Al Khali / Empty Quarter Oman

Continue reading “Oman Saudi road the border is still not open“

12 Days of Christmas in Oman Day Eleven

Its inconceivable to spend several days in Oman, let alone 12,

without spending Continue reading “12 Days of Christmas in Oman Day Eleven”

Saudi to Oman Road still to open

The Saudi to Oman Road opening has been planned for many years. In Oman’s north-west is the small town of Tanam, which was a small part of Oman’s Oil production leap. Its just about to feature again as the much talked about Saudi – Oman road seems about to open early 2017; Tanam is the last anything before the border.

I wrote in September 2015 that the road was ready to open Continue reading “Saudi to Oman Road still to open”

Wilfred Thesiger and Oman’s Desert

Crossing paths through Oman

I arrived at Aiyun around Sunset. The mountains were cracking as they cooled down after the day’s intense heat and, in answer, birds called .

Wilfred Thesiger first arrived here in the Autumn of 1946, Continue reading “Wilfred Thesiger and Oman’s Desert”

Rub Al Khali Desert Oman

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.

Empty Quarter Desert, Oman

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.