Tony Walsh – author on Oman & Arabia
Muscat the modern capital of Omanis set between the Sea of Oman and Hajar Mountains.
a bit disappointing – though good to have in Muscat
The Rembrandt Exhibition of etchings in Muscat is about half way through its life. Walking through a replica of his rebuilt home in Amsterdam the prints are displayed around the Ballroom wall of the Grand Hyatt .While the entrance adds a touch of drama to a visit – the Ballroom is so large, and the prints so small; that they loose the intimacy that they probably deserve.
almost like loosing a friend
The National Museum’s work is now under way in Muscat. Jasper Jacob, the designer, has been working on this for many years and has been a great companion with me on journeys through Oman so he can get inspiration for the building.
The overall design is Continue reading “Openings and Closings in Muscat”
and an early arrival home
The 22.35 Oman Air flight turns out to be the last flight scheduled from Heathrow each day.
Since, at night, there is no view – I had lots of time to read the inflight magazine. For the national airline I was disappointed that the In-Flight magazine was riddled with errors about Oman.
The error standouts were Continue reading “Descending over Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque into Muscat”
A very opportune time to visit Iran
Iran is an important neighbour of Oman and the President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be taking the oath for a new second four-year term. Continue reading “Sultan Qaboos visit to Iran”
a stand out on the food scene in Muscat – for lots of reasons
Ubhar is one of the more distinctive restaurants in Muscat (unusual addition of an ‘h’ into what is more usually spelt Ubar). Its in a central location in Qurm with a discrete appearance from the outside. Inside however it’s a fusion with dark wood, shocking fuchsia cushions and clear Perspex chairs – almost 1960s retro.
The restaurant opened a few months ago and is probably suffering from the economic slump and a focus by the affluent local population on coffee shops and fast food . They are missing a unique experience . Standouts were the Appetizers, Soup, and Crème Caramel – the very personable service by the maître d’hôtel and his 100% Omani staff.
One to visit again.
forget the old Browns – Oman will soon have Greens
The first of Oman’s grass Golf courses has had a soft opening. Between honey coloured mountains and the Gulf of Oman it will be a great alternative to Oman ‘Browns’, the rollered sand golf course we have had till now
A flight to remember for a lifetime
Taking Etihad from Heathrow to Muscat I was lucky to have a brand new plane, an Airbus 340 . It was a flying advert for the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix later this year.
As is often the case in The Gulf the flight attendants were from all over the world, mostly Far East, and I’m not certain if there were any Emiratis.
The meal was frankly poor – with rubber like Pasta – made worse by being served a couple of hours into the late evening flight. I found the entertainment selection extraordinary – 70films, 100 TV entertainment programs, no idea how many news Channels and presumably as many Audio choices. For a new plane it was a shock to have an aborted landing – with good recovery, thank you Mr Pilot– because a wheel door apparently would not open. Our second attempt succeeded and it was comforting to see the fire tenders moving back into their sheds.
Arriving for transfer at Abu Dhabi into the new Terminal the Muscat flight was waiting in the old terminal – very nice because it’s distinctive. Flashing up on the TV – BBC breaking news Michael Jackson died. I can remember where I was the night Elvis (Presley) died and now will be able to add Michael Jackson to my life’s time line, through this flight.
The Jackson 5 and later Michael were not my favorites but his Music from ‘Off the Wall’ to ‘Thriller’ was so good. What a shock to his family and fans . He visited Oman a couple of years ago and I must say in Oman Michael Jackson was sooo popular that many people here will miss him.
Oman Air adds some good new routes this autumn
Frankfurt and Munich will be connected to Muscat by a direct Oman Air flight in September according to Reuters. Then, in October Oman Air will fly into Paris .
The London flights seem to be a success – my flight this June from Muscat to London was busy – Paris and the German cities are also natural links for Oman Airs target clients – holiday makers.
A startling new style of building for Muscat
The Architects of the Embassy of Oman in Paris have won a proposal for very modern Cultural Complex in Muscat – dramatic, low rise and probably intended to be Iconic.
The winning design by Architecture Studio will create the National Archives, the National Library and the Omani National Theatre.
The project will be designed on a 40,000 sqm area – broadly the same as the building size of the Grand Mosque. Its estimated budget reaches OMR 40 million.
A hot time of year to work, but Marta Leite Castro was so cool
It was a pleasure to work with Marta Leite Castro and cameraman Lima.
They were in Muscat for an upcoming Portuguese TV series . We were able to organize some great angles for the filming and Muscat won over another fan.
Loaloat Al Behar at berth in Mina Sultan Qaboos Oman
With the arrival of the Loaloat Al Behar in Mina Sultan Qaboos, Oman’s Ministry of Tourism enters the Cruise business. This was the last yacht of H.M. Sultan Qaboos and was given to Oman’s Ministry of Tourism on arrival of the new very splendid Al Said – its replacement.
Loaloat Al Behar has been refitted in Dubai as a mini (if that’s the right word for 100meters) cruise ship or maxi yacht. Though the deck does not have a pool it does have a mini Jacuzzi is available to cool off in. It will probably appeal to large families or a holiday with friends .
I wonder what the chartering fee will be .
A well attended talk in the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman
Dr David Ford, The Regius (Royal) Professor of Divinity at Cambridge University was in Oman to give talks about the wisdom of the Christian, Islamic and Jewish faiths today.
I was able to make it to his evening talk at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque where he mainly illustrated Christian wisdom .
A real surprise and a happy ending
What a surprise I had at the Car Wash today – In the engine compartment – 5 wet kittens.
They must have been born during the night and perhaps a warm engine compartment seemed ideal.
So – in a box they went, to dry in the sun . Then, after my car was sorted out – a quick drive home to try and re-unite cat and kittens. Fortunately, a likely candidate was fighting with a tom-cat. When she ran off under a car I placed the box near her.
Amazingly, it was the right mother. She grabbed 1 kitten and took it around a corner to a relatively secluded place – and I put the box and others next to her chosen place.
After a few hours she hadnt noticed them – I tipped them near her. Then a few hours later all were feeding – how sweet.
Sayyid Ali, the Minister of the Diwan, opened the Klimt exhibition on Sunday
Gustav Klimt in Muscat with the “Golden Age of Austrian Art” was opened today by H.E. Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud Al BuSaidi, Minister of the Diwan.
Included in the display is the Gustav Klimt study sketch for the painting of “Adele Bloch-Bauer” Continue reading “The Klimt exhibition opens in Muscat”
Bait al Baranda Museum in Muscat organises a exhibition of Gustav Klimt sketches
Dropping into Bait al Baranda Museum I met Malik Al Hinai, the Director, making a few finishing touches to the Gustav Klimt exhibition that will be inaugurated this evening, for a public opening on April 13th.
This is the first of a series Continue reading “Gustav Klimt comes to Oman”
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