Nizwa

23 December 2009

Nizwa, known as the Pearl of Islam produced and attracted the country's leading religious scholars, poets and scientists.

 

 

Different rock mountains scenery on the way to Nizwa.

 

 Nizwa Souq

 

 Nizwa Fort

 

 

An arish house made of palm fronds at the outer courtyard of the fort. It is a place for visitors to relax and enjoy refreshments in the traditional Omani fashion.

 

 View from the fort

 

 

 

 

 

Kitchen area

 

 

Parts of tools to take water from the well.

 

 

Water pot containers usually found hanging in the traditional Omani houses

 

 

 

Sand Dunes in Muscat

16 December 2009

Esheng had a great time with Han Xiang at the sand dunes near the house.

 

 

He almost reached the top but it got really steep and harder to climb.

 

 

 

 

 

Dolphin Trip

22 December 2009

Dolphin Trip from Marina Bandar

There are more than 20 species of dolphins either living in or passing through the seas off the coast of Oman.  It was indeed such an exciting and thrilling experience seeing so many beautiful wild dolphins out in the open sea. It was just such an unbelievable sight, seeing hundreds of them swimming around us and as if oblivious to all the boats that are stopped there.

 

 

 

 

We could see the dolphins jumping out of the water and doing the somersault every now and then.  Really amazing!!

 

Al Khuwair

2 December 2009

Al Khuwair

With the cooler weather now, Taimur Mosque which is merely a minute drive from the house, is surrounded by lots of colourful flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Qurum

2 December 2009

Qurum

Qurum ("mangrove") lies in the centre of the greater Muscat area, stretching along the coast north of Madinat As Sultan Qaboos and Ruwi. 

Qurum National Park and Nature Reserve- one of the main attractions of this area.  Many people were strolling and enjoying a picnic in the park. 

 

Kids were playing in the playground, and Esheng of course could not resist and persuaded Eewen to go along.

 

 

Now you see me...!!!

Now you dont...!!

 Beautiful Garden

 

We dropped by at the Qurum City Center to go to Carrefour for our groceries and Eewen finally found the Cold Stone ice cream that her friends have been telling her.  The ice cream tasted good and refreshing!

 Getting ready.....to

 

toss the ice cream in the air....!

 

Quite fun to see him do that!!

I love looking at this row of houses just outside the Qurum City Center where the colourful bougainvilla bloomed so beautifully!

 

Later in the evening, we headed down to the Qurum Beach Promenade. Amazing, it seems like the whole population of Muscat heads down to the beach to walk, jog, play football or just to have a paddle like us.

 

 

 

 

 

Jelly fish fascination.............

 

Caught one!!!

 

 

 

 

The baby jellyfish on the sandbeach.

 

 Sun setting