Jebel Al Akhdhar Hotel Muscat

... careful not to cough in public because it is them assumed that you have Swine Flu. I had a coughing fit in the market, but put it down to the incense that was burning all over the place. After a drink of water I came right. Went up to Oasis deck again but didn't last very long because it was too hot. Decided to head back to the cool airconditioning. We sailed out of Muscat at about 3pm. Very interesting place and so clean, but wouldn't return.

... you're in a sunny country! Even Colin loves the heavy, ornate wood and the sumptuous, garish colours! But priorities say that we need a dishwasher first and then a barbeque (yep, a priority!) then we can start adding things. We bought some crockery in the week finally, as we have to return the loaned dishes mid-March. The garden is dry and needs working on. A few things are overgrown and I'm desperate for my secateurs. It ...

... outdoor gathering that featured, music, crafts, dancing, fireworks, food, etc. Tons of people most who wore their typcial Omani clothing. Women in black abayas, men in white robs (dishdasha) and colorful embroidered hats or wrapped turbans - see pictures. It was a fun evening. On Sunday, we'll be heading to the Damaniyat Islands for 3 days. We'll be touring the area to learn about the preserve's important management issues and meeting with the rangers.

... que le premier d'une longue liste, j'imagine sur le même (et glorieux) modèle (apprentissage de la langue + partir les mains dans les poches). L'envie n'en est aujourd'hui que plus grande, et le rendez-vous a déjà été pris avec Israël dès le prochain été. Le monde depuis Paris l'année, le monde par les pieds en vacances. Le programme a des airs d'oeuvre de toute une vie, j'aime bien l'idee. On commence avec Sciences-Po, annee 3 : Oman.

... boarding card checks in two different airports. Oh, and we'll also remember the Muscat customs official who diligently rummaged through our bags in search of... well, we assume in search of something we shouldn't, and didn't, have in our possession. We're good boys after all. "Do you smoke hashish?" Pat was asked by the official as he poked his hand in and out of every part of Pat's bags, smelling his fingers for suspicious ...

We flew from Doha to Muscat on the evening of December 17th. As seems to be the norm these days our flight was delayed and as usual we were left with no information...despite a star-lit sky and the complete absence of wind we were finally told that there was a weather issue...hmmm....the flight was packed and boarding the plane was pure comic relief as the passengers literally attempted to climb over one another. We flew through customs, got our ...

... creeping into life here, which is not surprising I guess. Dubai on the surface is full of glamour and glitz, the biggest and best of everything either here or on its way, but underneath, and especially govt. red tape, it resembles third world processes and certainly makes China look super efficient. Most places in the world try hard to make things easier for diplomats, but the opposite appears to be true here and Kym is gradually compiling a list ...

... no space in the marina for our boat, so we were tendered by private craft, 10 or so at a time to our Dhow boat. So little space in each that John had to sit in the captain's chair but no stripes or captain hat. We cruised along the waters of the Old City of Muscat. Our lady-guide, transplanted from India only 2 years ago apparently had not yet acquired all the traditional Omani party line. She volunteered that she was single and ...

... Tuesday night Jon had to work so we ordered a pizza with Tina and had a good chat before she flies out tomorrow. It was great fun! Wednesday we rented a car, packed up all of our stuff and drove out to Ras al Jinz (the turtle conservatory). As we were renting the car the guy at Budget kept showing me how to get the spare tire down and where the jack is which made me somewhat nervous. Think back to tire changing lessons check. Apparently the tire comes down on a ...

... Lu Lu Hypermarket and stocked up on some dinner and snack food for the bus back to Dubai the following day. The bus back to Dubai was much like the ride over - sand, rubble, hills, lots of round-a-bouts - but a little bit more exciting at the border as a fellow passenger was refused entry to the UAE and had to be returned to the Oman border to find his own way back. With the temperature hovering at a humid 40+ degrees Celsius we didn't envy his wait in the sun. Back at the only ...