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!