Muscat, Oman

Have just spent three days in an amazing place called Oman. It's the country next to ours and while some things are the same, some things are VERY different. The environment for one - it's very hilly and Muscat itself is spread out over inlets around the water. The climate is much warmer (although UAE is nothing to scoff at) and the people are very friendly.
We headed over Thursday night and relaxed that night - pretended it was Xmas Eve, not Xmas Day so that we could do Xmas properly on Friday. Friday was a day of exploring - Muscat has a lot of history and is big on it's forts - they're everywhere and in many sizes! The beach was close to the hotel and was great to walk along - so much happening everywhere. We also went to the souq(markets) - amazing - carpets, silk, silver, incense - goodies as far as the eye could see. Yes my purse was hurting afterwards but so worth it! The sights, sounds and smells were amazing.
There were plenty of great places to eat - Xmas dinner was in a nice Italian restaurant. Very authentic food and added to the holiday feel.
Saturday we explored a bit more and visited the Grand Mosque. As you have to cover up when there, I had to change into a skirt and long sleeved top in the car park (had been too hot to wear it all morning) and then wear a head scarf. I look so different all wrapped up and am so glad I don't have to do it all the time. However the mosque was simply amazing. It's huge and took 12 years to build. the carpet is the biggest in the world but hard to get a true picture of how amazing it is as it has blue sheets down over half of it for tourists to walk over. Took many pictures here.
We also dabbled in a bit of rug shopping for my sister. I couldn't choose so we got the two I really liked - she likes them too! Luckily I didn't have to do the bargining as I'm just no good at it - used to paying the price I hear I guess.
On Sunday we came home a different way and went through Nizwa where stopped for a while. This is the old capital of Oman and has an amazing fort and souq right in the middle of it. However as much as it's meant to be geared for toursits, some things need improvement - like nearby eating places, signage and toilets! These things would make the experience much nicer. However I still manged to be in awe of the histroy and the shopping was still great!
The drive home from there seemed very long and much of the same - imagine driving through the Desert Road in NZ for 3 hours with a few less bends. Was quite tiring. However did get a second wind when home - so much unpacking of shopping to do!
So a recommended holiday for anyone considering it - plenty to do and see. The next holiday is in three weeks - home to NZ for 10 days - very excited!

Xmas Day

So it's Xmas Day here and after days and days of sunshine (don't get much else here!) today is very low fog and a bit dismal. The funny is that it reminds me of NZ as normally Xmas Day gets a bit like that! However have had good hot weather reports from NZ so pleased for you all.
Strange feeling being at work Xmas Day - the staff here we work with are amazingly respectful that we';re celebrating Xmas Day and we've all done little things to support each other. Not quite the same though.
Funny coz I never used to be a huge Xmas Day kind of girl but am missing my family big time and friends, the build up and the great food!
Love and peace to you all wherever you are! xxx

Merry Xmas Everyone!

Hi all - sorry for delay in blogging - been quite sick with a cold and as exams are starting here, things have been full on! The first semester finishes the 15th Jan so not much time off for Xmas - work the 25th but do get the 28th off to make up for it - so 3 day weekend!
Due to it not feeling like Xmas - partly because it's not big here (although the lights are still up for National Day and one can pretend) and also coz I'm not with my family, I'm going away to Muscat for the three days. It's in the next country, Oman, and is only a 3 hour drive away. It sounds like a great place and will be good to explore locally a bit. So keep an eye out for pics.
The weekend after that we get three days for New Years so I'll be spending time with Kalala and co - we'll go to Abu Dhabi for a night and hang out - nice and relaxing.
Am looking forward to NZ - very full on schedule already but if I haven't been in touch, remind me and we'll see if we can catch up!
PS - No I still haven't solved the Jack the Ripper mystery!

Afterwards...

Yes I love London! Doesn't matter that it was cold - it was all part of the experience. Thanks so much to Lisa and Rhys for being a fab part of it all.
Have developed a wicked cold since I've been home though - being frozen and changing seasons will do that to you. Yes it's winter here but I can still wear tshirts and need my air con on in the car. So have just spent the past few days taking it quietly, unpacking and preapring myself to go back to work tomorrow.
Next stop - NZ in 5 weeks time - not looking forward to the flight but very excited about seeing everone! xxx

Day Seven

My last day...sniff! Decided to do a Hop On, Hop Off bus tour to see if there was anything I'd missed. Turns out I picked the coldest day in London to do it but was great to see the places I'd been (which was most of them) and to see the odd ones I'd missed as well as hear more about the area on the audio provided. Got off the bus absolutely frozen and found a nice warm restaurant to spend the afternoon in - drinking mulled wine and going through my pics. Left for Heathrow at 5 and had a quick night flight home.

Day Six

Today was a shopping day. Decided I wasn’t worried about my luggage (turns out I should have been but paid the excess!) Went down Oxford and Regent Streets – picking up little bits for people. Caught the National Rail out to Greenwich – lovely and historical out there. The royal observatory was interesting and I imagine quite scenic on a nicer day! Had a nice dinner out and relaxed at the hotel – had done so much walking over the last 5 days – my feet were sooooo sore!

Day Five

Headed over to the East End for a look around – interesting place! Saw the largest mosque in the area and visited local recommended eateries. Went to Petticoat Lane markets – wonderful just to wander – so much available but was already worried about the amount of luggage I had! Met up with Rhys and we visited Brick Lane and Spitalfields markets. We then headed to the south end for a look before walking over London Bridge. Rhys hadn’t been to tower of London or over the Tower Bridge so he let me play tour guide from the outside and was quite impressed with what I knew! Mum – you’re in good hands next July!(as long as I can remember it all!) After that we went ice skating at the tower. I was nervous to say the least and only lasted two laps before being so sore and cold. Rhys did 8 and was really getting the hang of it. We went for a drink at a great pub – the Coal hole – before I headed off on a Jack the Ripper night time walking tour. It was really interesting – am now reading a book trying to decide who I think he was!

Day Four

Slightly warmer day this day – most days were around 4-5 degrees but think this was about 10! Caught tube to Knightsbridge and thought I’d beat the rush to Harrods! Yeah right – everyone has the same idea! Anyway had a look around there, wandered through Hyde Park, past Kensington palace and the memorials to Diana and then decided to check out Portobello Road markets – crazy place! Lots of signs about pickpockets so was a bit worried and held on as tight as I could! Was so tired after that, caught a cab home and had a nap before heading out to explore Edgeware Road – quite an Arabic area. My henna-ed hands were a hit and got me a free meal in an Arabic/Lebanese restaurant – chatted away to the locals – very interesting. Also it was VIP day which meant roads were shut off for shoppers – it would normally take me 35 mins to walk down and back – for fun I tried it that night and it took me nearly 2 hours due to the crowds – nuts!

Day Three

Met up with Lisa in the morning and went down to Buckingham Palace. Picked a bad time as they were doing the change of guards and it was packed – but still great to be there. Moved hotels after lunch – this one was in Marble Arch, just around the corner from Oxford St so we HAD to spend the afternoon shopping! That night we headed to the Roundhouse in Camden to see Fat Freddy’s Drop – a Wellington reggae band – was great and even made me homesick!

Day Two

Got up early again – went on an all day bus tour called Discovering London. Great guide. Had half an hour of rain in the morning which was the only rain I had my whole trip – so lucky! We went to St Paul’s – amazing building – lit a candle for Dad and cried – but what a place to do it! Moved on to the changing of the horse guard – very ceremonious and official. After this we saw a bit of London before having lunch on a boat on the Thames. We then went for a cruise – I froze! – down to Tower of London. This was incredible – all that I’ve read about in books – just so easy to imagine when there. Could not get over the size of the ravens – quite spooky really. Headed back to hotel to meet Lisa – an old student teacher and great friend from NZ who’s been living there for a year. Catching up was great! Wandered around, had great Italian and a few drinks.

Day One

Got up early and went wandering. Was heading in direction of London Eye, saw lots of police around and asked what was going on. They looked at me like I was from another planet, which basically I was! They said parliament was going into state (or something) and would I like to see the Queen? So I said yes, they told me to come back at 11 and they’d save me a place. So I went on the London Eye (awesome!), saw Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and wandered around that area. Got back to spot at 11 where they’d put a big cone to save a place for me – so nice! So got to see her ride past and took pics. Headed off to Madame Tussaud’s which I really enjoyed – thought most of the figures were really good. Then went to London Dungeon which was ok. Walked home via the tower Bridge – amazing as it was getting dark (4.30pm!) and such a thrill. Met Rhys (friend from NZ) for dinner – enjoyed a nice flash French restaurant, then wandered around through Chinatown and down Regent St. He then taught me how to ride the tube – yay – such a thrill (so easy!).

We’re off to London to see the Queen…

…Well not really but I did! I had a great week away and will blog about each day in following blogs. Had a good flight there, arrived just after lunch and driving to my hotel on the Strand was amazing – was blown away by the history I could see all around me. My hotel was well located for what I wanted to do and enjoyed the black cabs – so roomy! Did a bit of shopping when I landed, had a bite to eat and went to the Dirty Dancing show. Great show but when I got home it was 2.30am UAE time and was pretty knackered!