Oman’s Top 5 things to do June

June though its mid-summer is often not as searing as May, that’s often because the rise in humidity also drops the temperature; so Oman’s Top 5 things to do June takes that into account. This year the start of June is part of the month of Ramadhan, and probably the 4-6 June will be Eid, so do take that into account when making plans.
So here are the top 5 things to do in June in Oman.

Bowling at Fun Zone - Muscat Oman’s Top 5 to do June
Bowling at Fun Zone – Muscat

Indoor bowling included in Oman’s Top 5 to do June as its a great activity during Ramadhan as Continue reading “Oman’s Top 5 things to do June”

Bait Al Luban Restaurant Muttrah

for a nice meal

Opposite the Fish Souq (still under renovation) in Mutrah is a restored old house. On the upper floor is the Bait Al Luban Restaurant (Bait Al Luban is Arabic for Frankincense House ).

Luban Restaurant Room
Bait Al Luban Restaurant Room

Its decor is re-imagined traditional Omani and sets the atmosphere nicely. The restaurant has only just opened in Mutrah so diners were outnumbered by staff, however rather than Continue reading “Bait Al Luban Restaurant Muttrah”

Oman’s famed plants in Dhofar

Within the slopes and valleys of the southern mountains of Oman are an extraordinary variety of flora. The plants in Dhofar inhabit an environment that can change from wet cloud soaked biome to bone-dry desert in the period of a few days or meters. Grass dominates the mountain upper plateau while the sea-facing slopes are have Anogeissus dhofarica as their dominant plant.
Though many plants catch a visitors interest, four are Continue reading “Oman’s famed plants in Dhofar”

Frankincense in Dhofar

Frankincense is such an evocative word for many religious people, but few have a chance to visit the real Land of Frankincense in Dhofar. Its associated with religious ceremonies worldwide and of course with the gifts brought by the 3 Kings, or Wise Men, to Jesus.

Walking in Dhofar mountains near Frankincense in Dhofar trees
Walking in Dhofar mountains near Frankincense Trees

We flew down to Oman’s Continue reading “Frankincense in Dhofar”

Y Magazine of Oman does a double page about the book.

Y Magazine’ s Kate Ginn rang me last week regarding the book and after a chat asked for photos. I of course expected a short piece with a photo or two. So it was fantastic to open up Y Magazine this morning and see a double page spread about the book. You can read it here http://www.y-oman.com/2013/03/heritage-hunter/ (thanks Kate)

Y Magazine article about Walking Through History
Y Magazine article about Walking Through History

Arab Horses in Oman looking splendid before an event.

One of my favourite photos is this of Arab Horses in Oman decked out in traditional silver.  Marco Polo wrote about them in his book ‘The Travels’ –  “and the merchants take a great number of Arab horses to that market (of India from Al Balid)”

Arab Horses from the book ‘Walking Through History’
Arab Horses from the book ‘Walking Through History’

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Khor Rori Oman with a visiting group.

Flying down to Salalah after visiting northern Oman our group from Steppes Travel have been visiting some of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Oman.

Khor Rori the UNESCO Site in southern Oman
Khor Rori the UNESCO Site in southern Oman

Some of the group enjoyed Continue reading “Khor Rori Oman with a visiting group.”

Walking Through History – sample of printed book arrives – so the publication is on schedule

I dropped into Al Roya’s office and saw the ‘dummy’ of my book.

Front Cover Book Walking Through History
Front Cover Book Walking Through History

All the pages have Continue reading “Walking Through History – sample of printed book arrives – so the publication is on schedule”

International Museum Day 2012 Oman Land of Frankincense Museum in Salalah

As the 18th May is International Museum Day I thought

Snakes of Bronze
Snakes of Bronze

it would be nice to have a picture from Oman’s Land of Frankincense Museum in Salalah, probably my favourite Museum in Oman.

If you are interested in learning more about Frankincense, Oman is the source of Boswellia Sacra and my book ‘The Land of Frankincense’ has over 180pages about this mystical product and the land it grows in. 

The Land of Frankincense
The Land of Frankincense

Omani Wedding near Muscat

I enjoyed attending an Omani Wedding near Muscat. Dressed in traditional Omani dress with the addition of a formal Khunjar (dagger) &

Three Omani Bridegrooms at Omani Wedding near Muscat
Three Omani Bridegrooms

Saif (sword) three Omani Bridegrooms looked Continue reading “Omani Wedding near Muscat”