Fours species of turtles nest in the coastal areas of the UAE and Oman, including the green turtle (Chelonia mydus), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley turtle (Lepydochelys olivacea) and the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). Continue reading
Quicksand features quite heavily in Oman, especially on the sabhka wastes of the coastal peninsula of Bar al Hikmann and as my recent ” H is for Help” A to Z challenge post describes, much care needs to be taken after heavy rainstorms. Continue reading
Along the coast of eastern Oman, a region known as Ash Sharqiyah, the coast road passes through many small fishing villages, buildings are weather-beaten, dilapidated and life appears to be very different to that of the main cities. Continue reading
Masirah island, Oman, according to some wind-surfing Aussies I met in Ramadan last year on the island, rates amongst the top 10 places for both sports and having spent time there during the monsoon, it’s certainly windy enough to blow you away into the raging seas, but these guys seemed to have no fear. Their main issue was they hadn’t realised it was Ramadan, so the hotel was dry ! Continue reading
This post had been planned as “H is for Herons” (plenty of Herons on the coastline of UAE and Oman) but this weekend turned it into “H for Help” instead… Continue reading
This old fishing hut had some lovely doors! There are no walls, only bamboo laced around the perimeter…
Taking part in Thursday doors over at Norm’s site…
Participating in Blogging from A-Z challenge (April 2016) with a sea-shore theme…
Dhows (generic name) are the traditional trading and fishing vessels of Arabia. Continue reading
Participating in Blogging from A-Z challenge (April 2016) with a sea-shore theme…
Beaches have their own meaning for different people. Holidays, sun-bathing, swimming, fishing, clam-collecting, walking, water-sports and so on, the list is long. Continue reading
These shots are typical of locations where you see modern doors being displayed and made in small workshops somewhere close by, in the smaller towns around the Middle East region. Continue reading
I came across this wall of windows at As Sulaif fort, Ibri, Ad Dhahirah Governorate, Oman. Breaking our long drive home, we came across this fascinating walled fort, mostly in ruins. It is an excellent place to visit if you happen to be in the area…
I had planned an Oman weekend well in advance of the massive storms that hit the Arabian peninsula last Wednesday and headed off to my destination in ignorance of the impact such storms cause, especially in Oman. The storm had swept up and over the central mass of the country, culminating in a spectacular thunderstorm that was playing over towards the northeast as we headed down the long, lonely road, once through the Mezayed border crossing formalities at Al Ain. Continue reading
Our assignment today is Water and Orientation and the comparison between horizontal and vertical.
It’s a thundery day today in Dubai and I am more likely to see water from the heavens than the sea, so I’m using photographs from a trip to Masirah island, Oman in December 2015. Continue reading
A typical Omani door in rural areas. This door leads directly into the house, sometimes the houses have a walled courtyard and larger doors or gates are the entry point, with no visibility of the house behind, for privacy purposes.The colour in this desert environment is a welcome sight and stands out from the muted surrounding sand tones.
Windows in an old Omani house in Mirbat, Southern Oman, still occupied.
Yesterday’s sunrise giving hope and optimism for the brand new day…
Sunrise in Ash Sharqiyah Region, Oman.
Have you ever met up with someone in a remote place, that you either know or knows someone you know? One of those moments where the world seems very small… Continue reading
Dubai to Rawdah, Oman via Jebel Al Harim..
https://goo.gl/maps/4s88f8tMV3U2
On a separate trip to Musandam, a visit to the mountain of Jebel Al Harim beckoned. Inland from Khasab and on the route via Wadi Bih to the town of Dibba on the east coast of the peninsula. Sadly the Dibba border is only open to GCC nationals, so a retracing of the route is required if you are not blessed with such a document…. Continue reading
I’ve always picked up shells from beaches, pretty reminders of holidays, one or two here and there… a dish at home full of memories .. but it was my first summer in the Middle East that sparked a hobby that has now taken me to the most amazing places. Continue reading
Barr al Hikman, Oman has been on the “to visit” list for a while and finally a decision was made to spend 48 hours exploring the peninsula.
Located in the centre of Oman’s East coast in Al Wasta Governate, it is a vast desolate area made up of sabkha (salt flats) and rocky ridges. Continue reading
Travels in the Middle East and beyond 