Sur Plaza Hotel

... an Indian restaurant for a<br>delicious dinner of lamb in spinach sauce and aloo gobi.<br><br>Oman has a thing about roundabouts, frequently large elaborate affairs, with some sort of<br>monument in the centre; thus directions are often such as &#8220;turn right at the globe<br>roundabout, then left at the khanjar roundabout&#8221;. A khanjar is a decorative, curved, Omani<br>dagger, still worn by some elderly men, and also used to decorate the eponymous<br>roundabout.<br ...

The last 24hrs have been an absolute NIGHTMARE. I never ever ever want to travel alone again. Oli and I were together up until Fukuoka airport, where we separated for Oli to go to Seoul, and myself to Kansai. I arrived at Kansai airport a good 6hrs before my flight and 4hrs before I could even check in. I like airports, even by myself I kept entertained parading my cart back and forth infront of shops and using the free wifi. Finally it was time to check in, and the problems began. <br ...

Despite intensive investigations I failed to locate a public loo in Muscat today; well, I did <br>see the entrance to one near the souq, but it didn&#8217;t look like the sort of place I would want to<br>hang out in, despite my desire to continue scientific research.<br>I did, however, make a little progress on the &#8220;what do they wear underneath&#8221; question.<br>Sitting at a cafe sipping coffee and indulging in a couple of little ...

... though discreet,<br>observation, I can confirm that there is no fly or opening in a suitable location at the front.<br>Therefore, how do they pee? Do they hitch it all up while standing, or do they sit down like<br>ladies?<br>Which brings me to a related question: what do they wear under it?<br>Methinks that in the interest of global understanding, I must pursue my research. Perhaps I<br>should hang out in a public loo until all is revealed?<br><br>T.<br>

... a relatively undeveloped country. Apparently Oman had no paved roads until 1970, yet Muscat is now a large sprawling city of highways, massive buildings and ridiculously expensive hotels. I suppose I am fortunate that Ibis has not only opened a hotel in Amman this month, but also in Muscat.<br>So yes, here I am in a familiar chain hotel room again!<br><br>Expect to stay here until the 31st, and then hire a car to explore other, perhaps less modernised, parts of the country.<br>T.<br>

... promoting an extensive programme of quality holidays to the most popular worldwide destinations. The hotels have been selected by our experienced staff who have assessed their quality and suitability to satisfy our clients. Our holidays are ...

... Lots of shops with leather and jewelery and fabrics. It was quite lovely and we didn't get hassled by too many different vendors. Once you said that you weren't interested they basically left you alone. The city was absolutely clean and there are fines if you drop any rubbish. Such a contrast to Cairo. The locals were very friendly and a lot of them spoke English, which always helps. The port is surrounded by rugged hills with no ...

... but still a site of naval heritage (albeit in decline). Swung past the dhow yards and a reconstructed dhow on display in what looks like the start of a museum, then to the wharf -- by which I mean beach. Let myself get talked into a buzz around the bay in one of the fishing boats; little 3 person boats or so. I know nothing about anything oceangoing, and as a consequence of this (due to my life growing up in the prairies), consider anything that floats on water ...

Ras al Jinz is located about three hours away driving south of Muscat. The place is world famous for the giant green turtles who come lay their eggs on the beach. They come once a year and the season last for about a month. We were right in the nesting season so my friends from the Netherlands and I decided to make the trip down. The green turtles come to a 50 km (30 miles) long beach stretch to lay their eggs. The beach is now ...

The University sent me in a taxi throught the desert to what looked like a deserted town or village. This was Sur. A step back in time. I asked the 'driver' so..where is the town. Is this it? I don't see anything I said...where are the businesses.... Where is the University?