Muscat - Tony Walsh توني والش

Ruwi’s wet roads add a sparkle to Oman

Rain soaks Ruwi – and probably a few Donkeys

Wet Roads isn’t typical Arabia – but today after a few drops earlier in the afternoon Ruwi had a thunderstorm and glistening roads and streets were created.

Those few drops happened just as I finished swimming at Bandar Jissah, I only noticed as the car showed them up . Driving away I came upon these Donkeys. They were wandering through the wadi that goes into Bandar Jissah which must be Muscat’s most popular beach at the weekend. Just behind them is the famous Iron Age Cemetery at Bandar Jissah and its associated Iron Age Village .

Donkeys in Bandar Jissah's wadi — Donkeys in Bandar Jissah’s wadi

They are the first little herd I have seen in the main area of Muscat for many years I suspect they will be spending a wet night in the wadi

Bait Sayyid Nadir Muscat

Just around the corner from Al Alam Palace in Muscat is Bait Sayyid Nadir, one of its few remaining 19thc houses.

The name of the house comes from Sayyid Nadir bin Continue reading “Bait Sayyid Nadir Muscat”

Bentley and Rolls-Royce in Muscat Oman

The Shangri-la in Muscat – home for a few days to dozens of the world’s best cars

The Al Bandar Hotel is a great destination for Bentley and Rolls-Royce cars at the end of their Arabian Gulf Adventure.

Rolls-Royce driving through Oman’s mountains

Arriving into Qatar they drove into the UAE and then into Muscat – via Nizwa .

The Spirit of Ecstasy in Al Bandar’s car park

Probably the Shangri-la will have to wait a very long time before such a superb queue waits to check in again.

Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra

and a very enjoyable evening at Al Bustan

Simon Wright was the guest conductor for last night’s Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra performance at Al Bustan.

He has been Continue reading “Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra”

Muscat Festival Oman

I had an interesting meeting with H.E. Sultan Al Harthy – President of Muscat Municipality

Muscat Festival and other tourism related issues were the topics at a meeting I joined with the new President of Muscat Municipality H.E. Sultan Al Harthy . He gave an overview of issues and elicited comments about the Festival and Muscat’s tourism in general .

Certainly the first meeting of this type (that I can recall) it looks as if the Municipality is looking for more input from ‘stakeholders’ ; his next meeting is with the Bankers of Oman.

Oman Air Flies non-stop from Heathrow to Muscat

Heathrow to Muscat with Oman Air

Having only started flying direct from Gatwick to Muscat a year ago Oman Air has changed its flight schedule.

Now it will fly direct Continue reading “Oman Air Flies non-stop from Heathrow to Muscat”

Photos of the GCC Heads of State meeting in Muscat Oman

The GCC Leaders in Muscat Oman

Here, in Muscat, we are hosting the Heads of State from the GCC States in the Oman meeting

– near Al Bustan Palace is a welcome to them all

Christmas Greetings from Oman

Special Greetings to you – from Rudolph the Red Nosed Camel and me, here in Oman

Here in Oman, rather than Reindeer, Father Christmas needs to use Camels, sand is quite different from snow of course. Since Father Christmas is no longer as young as he once was, his memory is sometimes poor so he naturally gives all his Sleigh pullers the same set of names.

I was lucky to find Rudolph the Red Nosed Camel, just before they set off last year in Oman. The NORAD Santa Tracker will follow his worldwide journey http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.html .

I know he would want to wish you a very special Christmas and a great New Year for 2009 – as do I.

OMAN Air at Heathrow

Oman Air offers a new route from mid January

Oman Air will be flying into Muscat from Heathrow in 2009. I must admit that the schedule suits me well at Heathrow – leaving at 2130 and getting in to Muscat the following morning at 0845 – the flight from Muscat at 13.20 is equally good and arrives at Heathrow at 1740. But Gatwick I found, on what I have to say will probably be only my second visit in my life, was far easier to get around and the train in from Charing Cross was so easy. I don’t expect they will run both – or will they?

Update – new times (as of 30 Aug 2009 – are depart Heathrow 22.35 and arrive 09.15 and from Muscat to Heathrow depart 13.45 and arrive Heathrow 19.05

Horse Racing in Oman

tradition and Arab Horses

On my way down to Salalah I had a wonderful visit to a local farm and an afternoons racing.

After lunch in the farm, where 3 of the horses who participated were stabled, we arrived for the days events.

Various local dignitaries were present and we were treated to traditional Omani entertainment. It made an enjoyable break on my Oman trip between Muscat and Salalah and helped speed me on my way.

Oman’s National Day

November 18th is Oman’s National Day. This year is the 38th celebration of what is referred to as Oman’s Renaissance since Sultan Qaboos ( حفظ الله صاحب الجلالة) became ruler of Oman . The changes since 1970 have been remarkable – of course it’s human nature to say the good old days were better but I have yet to hear anyone say that about Oman.

Looking at today’s paper – Continue reading “Oman’s National Day”

Restaurants in Oman

we enjoyed some wonderful meals on a tour through northern Oman

In a vast swing from Muscat, over the mountains, through the desert, along the coast and back to Muscat we enjoyed some wonderful meals.

Some in ‘local restaurants’ others in hotels along the way and finally in Al Bustan Palace.

Fish was certainly the highlight of most meals and Squid featured in a couple. While Oman doesn’t have what seems to be a vast choice of dining options – sometimes it can turn out wonderful meals.

Continue reading “Restaurants in Oman”

Restaurants in Al Bustan Palace Hotel Oman

With the opening of Al Bustan Palace Hotel the hotel’s acclaimed restaurants and bars are getting into their rhythm .

Though it will not accept Continue reading “Restaurants in Al Bustan Palace Hotel Oman”

Cooler weather brings new openings – a new Gallery in OMAN

focusing on to mentor, develop and promote promising Omani and International emerging artists Al Tarhal Gallery opens in Muscat OMAN

It was a pleasure to be at the opening of what, I feel, will be a superb showcase for Omani and International Artists .

Al Tarhal is a partnership, focusing on mentoring, developing and promoting promising Omani and International emerging artists. Works by Omani artists like Naima Al Maimani, whose works I am familiar with;

join artist whose works I have yet to discover, like the calligrapher Saleh Al Shukairi. Oman has had a long tradition of traditional decorative works with silver (the exquisite Mans Khanjar and Ladies Hirz necklaces ) and wood (bold entrance doors into major mansions) . Art as pure decoration had yet to fire the imagination of many Omani’s , but with increased awareness and demand, the gallery should have no difficulty in finding Omani’s to mentor.

Oman Air to Muscat

Flying from the green of an English Summer into Muscat on Oman Air

The rain of a typical British Summer has kept trees in early summer leaf (except the Horse Chestnut which, where we live, has been badly affected by the new fungus which creates an Autumn brown off in early July).

On the ground the constant downpours have forced the birds of the garden under the creepers, Continue reading “Oman Air to Muscat”