Well a couple of weeks have gone past very quickly yet again. Have been pretty busy at school and also in my social life. Have now been on 2 more walks with the Jebreel Hash Harriers and think its doing me some good! The last walk was a killer as the first half of the walk was mainly up hill, or more precisely small mountains! The view when I got to the top though was spectacular (wish I’d remembered to take my camera!) with the plain of Muscat spread in a panoramic view from right past the airport round to Mutrah and Muscat Old Town. On that note I am really glad I got a 4 wheel drive car as I really needed it to get to the places where the walks start from (usually off road, in a dry wadi).
About a week ago me and India joined some people from the Hash for a camping night on As Safah Beach. Was a great night (got slightly worse for wear) with an almost full moon shinning on our bar b que. Didn’t need a tent, just rolled into my sleeping bag and slept under the stars.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lezmcg54/CampingAtAsSefahBeach#
The choir is coming along well and we had our first performance at the British School (where we practice) which went well. I was supposed to be singing with them 2 days ago, got dressed up, drove to the area in great spirits, couldn’t find the church!
On the way back decided to call into the Muscat Rugby Football Club social club which has just opened up round the corner from where I live. Not a bad little place and I am seriously thinking of joining (although it is a bit pricey at OMR 60, about 100 quid).
Last week we had National Day celebrations at school and lots of the students dressed in their National Costumes. The girls looked really spectacular in bright colours and jewellery. I was told that the gold headdresses some of them wore are all made from 24 carat gold! It was a smashing celebration with the students putting on dancing, poetry readings and a fashion show.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lezmcg54/NationalDay#
Again I was told that the colours and the way the girls wore their costumes where related to where in Oman her family came from.
Just to finish off, I have mentioned previously about the roads here, and the way they seem to change over night. Well the main road not far from my apartment is now open, which when you consider that it was just being built when I arrived here is fantastic work. I’ve took more photos of the roads and also some views of Muscat from up behnd my apartment. The pictures also show the brand new highway that’s being built….don’t know where it’s going to yet!
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lezmcg54/ViewsFromAroundMyApartment#
I have also added the next links to some pictures taken by Brian and Linda on their travels to the mountains and wadi’s of Oman and of the National day celebrations.
The pictures of the interior are really spectacular and I hope to get out there soon to take my own pictures and have my own adventure!
http://picasaweb.google.com/Moffat.linda26/TripToInterior#5273323864302784786
http://picasaweb.google.com/Moffat.linda26/NationalDay2008#
Still would like to hear from you all, post a comment or send me an email!
Friday, 28 November 2008
Monday, 10 November 2008
Comments
Still not recieving any comments or feedback off people.....please feel free to ask if you want to know about anything thats going on out here, if you want to know a bit more about lifestyle, the locals, the hotels and bars, the work, the cost of petrol (filled my car up the other day 66ltr cost 8 Rials, about 12 quid!). So come would love to here from you people!
Monday 10/11/08 temp about 30c
Yes I know…before anybody tells me I have been lazy about updating this blog, but I’m back now and got a load to tell you so lets get on with it.
Here’s a bit I wrote but didn’t publish:
Wednesday 8th October
Just did some shopping in the afternoon but went to Ruwi Souk that night (a large shopping area) and had a lovely Indian meal and bought some DVD’s. The dvd’s are collections of films like 5 of Bruce Lee movies, Indiana Jones (4 movies) and a Animation collection (which includes Shrek 1&2 and Madagascar) each costing 1 Rial (About ₤1.50) for the collection.
Well got a full day planned for tomorrow, going to the beach in the morning and also checking out a couple of cars, going for a sightseeing cruise up the coast in the afternoon and going out with friends for dinner. Will report back later and of course have some more photos.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lezmcg54/DhowCruise#
Well went to Marjan Beach, and as Ramadan is over was able to take something to eat and drink. Went snorkelling as usual and spotted my first turtle! It wasn’t very big about 18inches/2 foot but it was great seeing it close too. Managed to swim with it for a couple of minutes and enjoyed the time! Loads of brightly coloured fish of course, will have to see about getting an underwater camera to take some pictures. Checked out a couple of cars on the way back, got a couple of possibilities, will let you know how I get on.
In the afternoon went with friends to a local marina to board a (motorised) dhow for a 2 hour cruise off the coast, very relaxing but I thought it was a bit over priced at 15 Rials. Took lots of pictures again.
That night we just went to a local restaurant for a bite to eat, then home, was a tiring day but well worth the effort!
I don’t know if you may have noticed but as we move into the ‘Autumn’ season here the air is getting a lot clearer, a lot less heat haze.
Back to here and now:
So when we had our weeks holiday we could really chill out….got some great work done on building my tan and got around the town quite a bit. Also took a trip through to Nizwas ( about a 100 Km), with Jonathan and Jessica (kids stayed at home to play on their Playstation) which used to be the capital of Oman. Had a good look round the fort and the souk, but think I missed a lot of the sights. Never mind got all year to go back and see them. The drive took us around the base of the mountains and there was some spectacular sights, which photographs don’t do justice to.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lezmcg54/NizwasAndBaha02#
We also went to Baha were they are rebuilding the fort as another tourist attraction. Tried to find the ‘Flying Mosque’ which legend has it flew through the air one night and landed above 2 other mosques! Missed the turn off!
Talking of which most of Oman is still virgin territory for the tourist as Oman only has a fledgling tourist board, and because of that the local people are still very friendly and helpful (as most speak English as well).
Not long after this trip Jonathan and Jessica (and the kids) packed up and moved back to the Uk. Hope everything goes well for them!
Time to say something about the roads and driving in Oman.
If you are a pedestrian in Oman, you often take your life in your hands trying to get across a road, as this is basically a car oriented place but saying that away from the main roads drivers will often slow down or stop in order to let you cross. But if you are walking don’t be alarmed at hearing cars sound their horns, they are usually taxi’s wanting to know if you want to hire them.
The most times you will hear car horns is when you are driving! I’m afraid to say that the locals are not very patient! Take the worst driver you know, the one who never uses his indicators, who continually tail gates cars, who will cut you up without a thought, who will try to squeeze through gaps that a push bike couldn’t get through, that speeds up to roundabouts and breaks (with a squeal of breaks) at the last second, who basically thinks he is the most important person on the road, multiply him by ten and you still don’t come close to how they drive here! So needless to say you have to be a little brave to drive here. Saying all that, they are building a great road system (but contra flows can change in a matter of hours, signage and diversions are few and far between and often don’t make sense anyway!) and it should be finished some time this century!.
By the way I have got myself a car now. It’s a Jeep Cherokee 4 wheel drive, which I will use for visits into the desert at some future date although it has come in useful already.
Went for a walk a few weeks ago as it has started to cool down a little and took some pictures of the bank with the golden doors. And they are GOLD (well 24 carat gold plated anyway), check out the pictures.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lezmcg54/BankAndNewCar#
Have also joined (at last) the Hash House Harriers. This is a walking/running club that gets together every weekend and after the exercise we have a bit of a social gathering. The first meeting I managed to tread on a nail and ended up with an infected TOE! Last weekend was really good though. Needed the 4 Wheel drive though as the meeting place was well off road. Our walk took us past 3 or 4 ruins of forts and through a lush wadi of palm trees. The after walk social was excellent and I am looking forward to more meetings.
Don’t know If I mentioned but I have also joined a local community choir (at the ‘British School’) and we gave a short performance (along with the school choir) for a students recital evening. There is lots more in store, we are even booked to sing at the re-opening of the Al Bustan Palace Hotel (another 5* + hotel) as well as a local church and of course getting ready for Christmes.
Still trying to get my martial arts club going but things have started to move and I hope to have some positive news in the very near future.
I mentioned that it is getting cooler here as we move into winter, although the temperature has dropped quite a bit it is still in the high 70’s F during the night and can still get up to 100F during the day.
Been back to the British Embassy for another quiz night (for Halloween) and again we didn’t disgrace ourselves and won another spot prize (this time a mix of sweeties!). In fact I’m off there tonight for a reception. I’m sort of representing the school at an ICT Education Technology show. So free nibbles and pass the Ferrero Roche!
Yes I know…before anybody tells me I have been lazy about updating this blog, but I’m back now and got a load to tell you so lets get on with it.
Here’s a bit I wrote but didn’t publish:
Wednesday 8th October
Just did some shopping in the afternoon but went to Ruwi Souk that night (a large shopping area) and had a lovely Indian meal and bought some DVD’s. The dvd’s are collections of films like 5 of Bruce Lee movies, Indiana Jones (4 movies) and a Animation collection (which includes Shrek 1&2 and Madagascar) each costing 1 Rial (About ₤1.50) for the collection.
Well got a full day planned for tomorrow, going to the beach in the morning and also checking out a couple of cars, going for a sightseeing cruise up the coast in the afternoon and going out with friends for dinner. Will report back later and of course have some more photos.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lezmcg54/DhowCruise#
Well went to Marjan Beach, and as Ramadan is over was able to take something to eat and drink. Went snorkelling as usual and spotted my first turtle! It wasn’t very big about 18inches/2 foot but it was great seeing it close too. Managed to swim with it for a couple of minutes and enjoyed the time! Loads of brightly coloured fish of course, will have to see about getting an underwater camera to take some pictures. Checked out a couple of cars on the way back, got a couple of possibilities, will let you know how I get on.
In the afternoon went with friends to a local marina to board a (motorised) dhow for a 2 hour cruise off the coast, very relaxing but I thought it was a bit over priced at 15 Rials. Took lots of pictures again.
That night we just went to a local restaurant for a bite to eat, then home, was a tiring day but well worth the effort!
I don’t know if you may have noticed but as we move into the ‘Autumn’ season here the air is getting a lot clearer, a lot less heat haze.
Back to here and now:
So when we had our weeks holiday we could really chill out….got some great work done on building my tan and got around the town quite a bit. Also took a trip through to Nizwas ( about a 100 Km), with Jonathan and Jessica (kids stayed at home to play on their Playstation) which used to be the capital of Oman. Had a good look round the fort and the souk, but think I missed a lot of the sights. Never mind got all year to go back and see them. The drive took us around the base of the mountains and there was some spectacular sights, which photographs don’t do justice to.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lezmcg54/NizwasAndBaha02#
We also went to Baha were they are rebuilding the fort as another tourist attraction. Tried to find the ‘Flying Mosque’ which legend has it flew through the air one night and landed above 2 other mosques! Missed the turn off!
Talking of which most of Oman is still virgin territory for the tourist as Oman only has a fledgling tourist board, and because of that the local people are still very friendly and helpful (as most speak English as well).
Not long after this trip Jonathan and Jessica (and the kids) packed up and moved back to the Uk. Hope everything goes well for them!
Time to say something about the roads and driving in Oman.
If you are a pedestrian in Oman, you often take your life in your hands trying to get across a road, as this is basically a car oriented place but saying that away from the main roads drivers will often slow down or stop in order to let you cross. But if you are walking don’t be alarmed at hearing cars sound their horns, they are usually taxi’s wanting to know if you want to hire them.
The most times you will hear car horns is when you are driving! I’m afraid to say that the locals are not very patient! Take the worst driver you know, the one who never uses his indicators, who continually tail gates cars, who will cut you up without a thought, who will try to squeeze through gaps that a push bike couldn’t get through, that speeds up to roundabouts and breaks (with a squeal of breaks) at the last second, who basically thinks he is the most important person on the road, multiply him by ten and you still don’t come close to how they drive here! So needless to say you have to be a little brave to drive here. Saying all that, they are building a great road system (but contra flows can change in a matter of hours, signage and diversions are few and far between and often don’t make sense anyway!) and it should be finished some time this century!.
By the way I have got myself a car now. It’s a Jeep Cherokee 4 wheel drive, which I will use for visits into the desert at some future date although it has come in useful already.
Went for a walk a few weeks ago as it has started to cool down a little and took some pictures of the bank with the golden doors. And they are GOLD (well 24 carat gold plated anyway), check out the pictures.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lezmcg54/BankAndNewCar#
Have also joined (at last) the Hash House Harriers. This is a walking/running club that gets together every weekend and after the exercise we have a bit of a social gathering. The first meeting I managed to tread on a nail and ended up with an infected TOE! Last weekend was really good though. Needed the 4 Wheel drive though as the meeting place was well off road. Our walk took us past 3 or 4 ruins of forts and through a lush wadi of palm trees. The after walk social was excellent and I am looking forward to more meetings.
Don’t know If I mentioned but I have also joined a local community choir (at the ‘British School’) and we gave a short performance (along with the school choir) for a students recital evening. There is lots more in store, we are even booked to sing at the re-opening of the Al Bustan Palace Hotel (another 5* + hotel) as well as a local church and of course getting ready for Christmes.
Still trying to get my martial arts club going but things have started to move and I hope to have some positive news in the very near future.
I mentioned that it is getting cooler here as we move into winter, although the temperature has dropped quite a bit it is still in the high 70’s F during the night and can still get up to 100F during the day.
Been back to the British Embassy for another quiz night (for Halloween) and again we didn’t disgrace ourselves and won another spot prize (this time a mix of sweeties!). In fact I’m off there tonight for a reception. I’m sort of representing the school at an ICT Education Technology show. So free nibbles and pass the Ferrero Roche!
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