Cyclone Phet (it looks so large ) has cruised over north-eastern Oman creating floods in low lying areas and Continue reading “Cyclone Phet in Oman”
Cyclone Phet in Oman
but it looks as if its not as serious as Guno was
Tag: Muscat
Muscat the modern capital of Omanis set between the Sea of Oman and Hajar Mountains.
Wedding celebration in Muscat
for a Wedding
With shades of blue , bagpipes and cheers – it could be for events in Britain . But on Tuesday night I was at a wedding in Muscat and really enjoyed the enthusiastic entertainment .
Tom Jones in Oman
what a great gig
Tom Jones will play in Oman says HiFM .
Well done – and it looks like somebody worked hard to get it – as he arriving in a month and its not on his own web site. Be interesting to see if he breaks the magic 30 Rial barrier .
AL-JALALI FORT MUSCAT visiting this landmark fort in Muscat
AL-JALALI FORT, IS ONE OF THE TWO PRINCIPAL FORTS IN MUSCAT. It sits opposite its partner Mirani Fort, with the picturesque harbour of Muscat between them.
Probably the existing fort was Continue reading “AL-JALALI FORT MUSCAT visiting this landmark fort in Muscat“
Brilliance of the Seas
to be joined in Muscat by Seabourn Legend in a couple of years
Joining the Costa and Aida ships, Brilliance of the Seas is now a regular arrival for us in Muscat bringing people for a visit into Oman
As its a new destination for her it will take time for the cruise excursions to be tailored to her passengers needs but I am confident that Muscat will be one of her more popular port calls in the Gulf cruises.
Jan Gehl talks about People Friendly Cities
and his company’s work in Muscat
Jan Gehl, whose company is advising Oman’s Muscat Municipality, gave a talk last night on creating people friendly cities.
He gave examples of New York’s Broadway being pedestrianized, and how Melbourne in Australia moved away from being a ‘DoughNut’ city (one with an empty hole at its core) into a vibrant people oriented city.
The new Chairman of Muscat Municipality seems to be keen on creating a city where vehicles are given less priority and pedestrians and cyclists more (as I live in one of the more walkable areas of Muscat and have cycled round it for over two decades that emphasis will be great)
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”
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.
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.
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 .
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.
Jewel of Muscat
the sewn boat for Singapore
Just before it launches I took a look at the Jewel of Muscat, the replica of a 9th Century West Indian Ocean (Arabian Sea) boat. This is being constructed in Muscat and will sail to Singapore where it will be the focus of a Museum about the Belitung, a wreck full of Chinese merchandise .
The boat is sewn, rather than nailed together, a technique used in Oman until the mid 20th c .
The Jewel uses extreme sewing – which in most boats I’ve seen was used for structurally critical parts of a boat. Probably for a long ocean voyage, between Oman and China, every part of the boat would be considered critical.
Cruising into Muscat
the Dawn Princess arrives in Oman
Setting off from Australia , the Dawn Princess arrived in Muscat today, during its World Cruise .
Its possibly the first World Cruise to start in Australia so, naturally, the majority of the passengers came from Australia and New Zealand. Muscat was cooler than it has been which was good for the people taking shore excursions.
Oman Air’s new Jets start arriving
the first of perhaps more than 10 new jets arrive into Muscat
Oman Air has taken delivery of the first of its new A330-200 Airbus jets. These are configured for 216 passengers, including 20 business class seats and 196 economy class seats.
That should allow more comfort to visitors flying from London Heathrow, Paris, Munich & Frankfurt into Muscat.
The airline is expecting 7 planes with an option of 6 more.
Oman Ministry of Tourism
a morning session in Muscat
Oman’s Ministry of Tourism invited Tour operators in Oman for an overview of the promotions that Oman’s Tourism Representative Offices have been doing over the past 12 months in countries from Australia to Britain .
There was considerable variation in their marketing approach – from extensive use of printed media – through to social functions. This variation continued in their style of presentation – with some emphasizing facts – others attitudes.
Buying an Omani Mussar Turban
a key part of Eid shopping
Ramadhan is a time of fasting of course. But in modern Oman it’s also a period of Omani Men’s Turban purchasing. Men’s Turbans’ are a key buy during Ramadhan as it will be worn during the Eid Prayer and general Celebrations immediately after Ramadhan. Usually, the Turban choice is planned to go with the new Dishdasha (traditional gown) which is almost certainly Tailor-Made for every adult male. Sandals are also considered around the same time.
I must say that, accompanying a friend, I felt the shopkeeper needed the ‘patience of Job’ our neighbour buried in Salalah . Colour, Pattern, Quality and, of course price, are key elements in making a decision and with hundreds of Turbans to choose from, in each shop, it’s a task that is not for the faint hearted.
.
The colour is often matched with the stitching colour in the Dishdasha. For Eid the Dishdasha is typically white, and if tailored in Oman will be one of 5 government approved styles. Individual touches are the stitched embroidery around the neckline – and the stitching here can be a colour. This colour is often specifically matched to the colour of the Turban.
There are many specialist shops in every town for the men’s Turbans. Each shop will stock hundreds of examples, in every shade of the rainbow, in a remarkable range of qualities. And then this dazzling choice needs to be sifted through – to match a client’s preference.
You must be logged in to post a comment.