Feb 3, 2013 - Goodbye to Muscat

We’ve had a great time visiting my sister and her husband in Muscat and we have enjoyed living the expat life for a while – it is interesting to see the challenges that they face as well as enjoying the wonderful lifestyle. Having spent our time observing the Omani women in their traditional dress I decided to try it out – definitely not for me too hot, mind you I don’t suppose you have to worry about bad hair days! We now head off to Hong Kong which will be a completely different change of pace.

Jan 31, 2013 - Nizwa

Today we made our planned trip to Nizwa – a town approximately 140 km inland from Muscat, it features prominently in Omani history and was once the capital of Oman. The drive proved interesting as we left the coastal plain and headed towards the mountain ranges that are an ever present backdrop to the scenery of Muscat. I had assumed that leaving the capital behind we would be travelling on very basic roads – my mistake it was dual carriageway for most of the journey and without the contraflows that feature at home. Despite this the small...

Jan 29, 2013 - No luck at the gold souk!

We decided to revisit the souk at Mutrah – the last time we were there it was in 2008 and as it was our wedding anniversary I persuaded Jim that it was about time that he got a wedding ring as after 27 years he was probably stuck with me. We recognised the souk but with the port of Mutrah becoming a regular stop for Middle East cruises we were disappointed that many of the stalls had changed to selling more obvious souvenirs (tat). However, as we went deeper into the souk, down narrower and narrower alleyways we found the jewellery quarter...

Jan 27, 2013 - Where did this Week go?

After all the anxiety about the weather affecting our trip we were really pleased that our arrival into Muscat went so smoothly - within 30 minutes of landing we had purchased our tourist visas and were in the car with my sister and her husband, Debbie and Hugh heading to their home. We spent a couple of hours catching up and went to bed exhausted – hardly believing that we had actually arrived at our first destination. Debbie and Hugh moved to Muscat from Dubai in June 2012 and their new home is on a new development, their section is...

May 6, 2012 - Muscat

Tried to get to Janqul and then to Sohar (mainly to cover new territory, see new sights) via bus but found it impossible, only hired taxi which is out of the question. So, back to Muscat... 5-6 I got up and out by 7:15 to check the location where the desk clerk said we could catch a Bus to Janqul. He had drawn a map the night before but it was not clear the distances and the best place - there were 2 stops he indicated. I walked for 40 min. before arriving at the one he'd indicated was closest! When I left the Hotel it was fairly 'cool' but...

May 5, 2012 - Ibri

5-5 Wiki Info Ibri Bus ride (11:am to 2), went alongside the tallest mountains (highest peak 3000 m.) in Oman...rocky, barren but beautiful. Wiki Info Highest Peak The valley floor absolutely flat. Oman is doing (like most other Arab countries) a lot of road expansion/highway improvement projects. Plus we see evidence of their well being in the fact that most of the structures and homes are quite new or at the very least well maintained. The highway workers are out in force midday! Temps are upwards of 35°C = 100°F! Amazing! One thing here...

May 4, 2012 - Nizwa

5-4 Wiki Info Nizwa After our bus ride back to Muscat we got onward tickets to Nizwa. Since it doesn't leave until 2:30pm we decide to go where stores are open now (10:30am - it's Friday and in conservative Oman nearly everything is closed after noon). This led us on somewhat of wild goose chase, trying to find cheaper transport and ending up first at the Crowne Plaza Hotel then at City Center Mall before finally returning to bus terminal...not cheap at all using taxis most of the way! ($26.00 US split 3 ways)! It seems to me that the...

May 3, 2012 - Sur

Wiki Info Sur 5-3 Omani people laugh and joke alot, very different from the people we've met in other countries so far. Our taxi driver last night was even Omani, not some expat like we've come to expect in most of these rich Arab countries. After the 5 hour bus ride (now 1:00pm) to Sur we walked across the street to the Sur Hotel and after some negotiating (went to 2 others) we took a 3 bed room for $24 rial ($62 US). Then he helped us find a tour which was a last minute organized one just for us by Shatee al-Raha Travel & Tourism...

May 2, 2012 - Muscat

Wiki Info Muscat Karmil & Salah - Al Wafa Hotel Since we didn't get to sleep until past midnite we arose late...besides it is never below 85°F (35°C) outside. For Mari who likes heat this ideal weather, but I wouldn't mind staying inside with AC on all day. We had to leave for lunch but otherwise spent time on internet which just happened to be right in front of the hotel. Cooling down a bit late afternoon we head towards the Cornish - the walkway along the sea. Taxi drivers here are like everywhere, see us as marks and quote outrageous...

May 1, 2012 - Muscat, Oman

In Dubai: Got a late start...Metro to Al Baker stop then walk, and walk...heat is oppressive (45/100) to Oman National Transport Co., the only one which will take foreigners over the border. Get there at 10:45am...bus leaves at 3pm, 6 hours. Missed the only other one at 7am, but never would have made it with Mari (not an early riser). On the way to an internet 2 blocks from bus station to Muscat, I passed no less than 17 car rental agency store fronts! In an internet with no AC so will finish this off, I'm beginning to swim in my shirt,...

Apr 13, 2012 - Muscat, Oman and shopping with the Chef

As we pull into port and are docking, I look out at the entrance to the port and see this huge ship coming in. Oh my gosh!! It's the Queen Mary 2, loaded with 4,000 passengers and 2,000 crew. Ugh, this can only mean it will be crowded in town. This morning we are invited to shop with Chef Kurt; our cute young chef from Belgium. As it's a holiday in Oman, and everything is closing early, we get an early start. We are at the local Mutrah market by 8:30 searching for fruit, vegetables and fish. This port is well known for it's fishermen and...

Apr 12, 2012 - Sur, Oman

Sur is considered one of the famous cities in the Persian Gulf in building wooden ships known as dhow. Its historical location gives it the hand to monitor the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean. Many ships have been built in this city, like the sambuk and ghanjah style dhow boats. They formerly went as far as China, India, Zanzibar, Iraq and many other countries. These vessels were also used in pearl fishing. Today the city has retained its reputation as a major dhow-building town, the very same vessels that were used for trade two...