I am so jet-lagged - waking up at 5am to watch infomercials.
Pictures are up!!!
El Al nightmare
15 years ago
Sunday, January 11, 2004
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
Three words - Intercontinental Bustan Palace!!!!
This made the four-hour torture drive on the unpaved coastal roads all the more rewarding. You must at least visit this place if you venture to Muscat. Don't get me wrong, the Intercontinental Muscat is great, but this is ..... opulence!!! Plus, the price was great considering the plush surroundings - approximately $130/night. An equivalent hotel in New York City would easily run $400 minimum. God Bless Internet Rates!!! The beach is splendid, and the lobby is great for high tea. Try the Arabian. I felt like an Omani Eloise with my book, Arabian-blend tea, and Middle Eastern pastries.
Do I have to go home?
Do I have to go home?
Monday, January 05, 2004
Swek
Today we went "swekking" in Wadi Bani Khalid
It's amazing how quickly the Bedouin kids zip along the rocks, while I took the slow-and-steady route so as to avoid bashing my skull against a cliff. This wadi is pretty tough, especially considering I've never been rock climbing before. The hiking and swimming were the easy parts. Note for all you swek wannabes - bring AquaSocks, wear shorts, and for God's sake, if you don't have a waterproof backpack (darn lying salesmen in Chinatown), wrap EVERYTHING in Ziplocs. It looks a lot like a smaller Grand Canyon. The pictures came out great.
We didn't get to see much of Sur, but it didn't seem like there was much to see, except the beach with tons of trash scattered about (hello Jones Beach), and Russian singers with a Mafiya goon backing them up on keyboards flirting with locals (who were drinking!!! Bad Muslims!!!!) in the dinky hotel bar. The hotel bartender had no concept of a double vodka with tonic. My aunt's fiance was quite frustrated. Here's another tip - import your own potables!!!
It's amazing how quickly the Bedouin kids zip along the rocks, while I took the slow-and-steady route so as to avoid bashing my skull against a cliff. This wadi is pretty tough, especially considering I've never been rock climbing before. The hiking and swimming were the easy parts. Note for all you swek wannabes - bring AquaSocks, wear shorts, and for God's sake, if you don't have a waterproof backpack (darn lying salesmen in Chinatown), wrap EVERYTHING in Ziplocs. It looks a lot like a smaller Grand Canyon. The pictures came out great.
We didn't get to see much of Sur, but it didn't seem like there was much to see, except the beach with tons of trash scattered about (hello Jones Beach), and Russian singers with a Mafiya goon backing them up on keyboards flirting with locals (who were drinking!!! Bad Muslims!!!!) in the dinky hotel bar. The hotel bartender had no concept of a double vodka with tonic. My aunt's fiance was quite frustrated. Here's another tip - import your own potables!!!
Sunday, January 04, 2004
Camel Jockey
Today we went for a camel ride in The Wahiba Sands
What a way to recharge after a week of wedding parties! Weddings are celebrated much differently here than in the West. Men and women have functions separately, and there is no alcohol(obviously), music or dancing. I guess this eliminates drunk relatives doing the funky chicken. The food is fantabulous, and there were 700 women at the henna and the wedding ceremony. One interesting tidbit - there is no concept of lining up politely for the buffet. No matter, my years of boarding NYC subways prepared me for this.
Before we arrived in the desert, we saw the local market in Sinaw. They have an open-air square for everything you could need, from fresh fish to frankincense. The women wear a strange mask to cover their face, almost like a Batman Halloween costume. They tried to sell one to my aunt, and Michele almost bought her one as a joke.
Truth be told, this isn't completely a desert, as there is some vegetation, albeit very sparse. We met up with a Bedouin family who offered us coffee and dates. Riding a camel is quite fun, except for when the camel gets up and sits back down. I got a huge cramp in my side when it got up. My uncle affectionately referred to his camel, and all other after that, as Joe (God bless American advertising). Afterwards we arrived at a campsite for the evening. It was comfortable yet rugged, the cots were sleepable, and there was running water, though I avoided the cold shower.
What a way to recharge after a week of wedding parties! Weddings are celebrated much differently here than in the West. Men and women have functions separately, and there is no alcohol(obviously), music or dancing. I guess this eliminates drunk relatives doing the funky chicken. The food is fantabulous, and there were 700 women at the henna and the wedding ceremony. One interesting tidbit - there is no concept of lining up politely for the buffet. No matter, my years of boarding NYC subways prepared me for this.
Before we arrived in the desert, we saw the local market in Sinaw. They have an open-air square for everything you could need, from fresh fish to frankincense. The women wear a strange mask to cover their face, almost like a Batman Halloween costume. They tried to sell one to my aunt, and Michele almost bought her one as a joke.
Truth be told, this isn't completely a desert, as there is some vegetation, albeit very sparse. We met up with a Bedouin family who offered us coffee and dates. Riding a camel is quite fun, except for when the camel gets up and sits back down. I got a huge cramp in my side when it got up. My uncle affectionately referred to his camel, and all other after that, as Joe (God bless American advertising). Afterwards we arrived at a campsite for the evening. It was comfortable yet rugged, the cots were sleepable, and there was running water, though I avoided the cold shower.
Sunday, December 28, 2003
Ahlan!
Today I am in Muscat, Oman
This is one of the coolest places I've ever been. It's great that there are still not too many tourists here, although I am hearing German, Russian, English and Italian around the pool. It is a great mix of cordial hospitality to foreigners and preservation of centuries-old culture and tradition. It also is not completely developed, so there is some great unspoiled natural beauty. However, this is changing quite quickly. The weather beats the hell out of New York at this time of year, although the heat is completely unbearable in the summer, so I'm told. If you need a vacation, come here NOW. The wedding festivities start on Monday, but unfortunately I can't post any pictures here because it is considered indecent for women to be photographed "immodestly" (i.e., without hijab and abbaya).
This is one of the coolest places I've ever been. It's great that there are still not too many tourists here, although I am hearing German, Russian, English and Italian around the pool. It is a great mix of cordial hospitality to foreigners and preservation of centuries-old culture and tradition. It also is not completely developed, so there is some great unspoiled natural beauty. However, this is changing quite quickly. The weather beats the hell out of New York at this time of year, although the heat is completely unbearable in the summer, so I'm told. If you need a vacation, come here NOW. The wedding festivities start on Monday, but unfortunately I can't post any pictures here because it is considered indecent for women to be photographed "immodestly" (i.e., without hijab and abbaya).
Friday, December 26, 2003
Welcome to the stream of consciousness that is my life!
Today I am in New York, home sweet home....
but not for long. In about 11 hours, I will set out on an 18-hour, three-leg flight to Muscat, Oman. My friend is getting married, and not being one to turn down a wedding invitiation, I gladly accepted. After shopping for dresses for five different parties, checking State Department travel advisories daily, and booking a desert trek, I am all set to go. More from me next week!
but not for long. In about 11 hours, I will set out on an 18-hour, three-leg flight to Muscat, Oman. My friend is getting married, and not being one to turn down a wedding invitiation, I gladly accepted. After shopping for dresses for five different parties, checking State Department travel advisories daily, and booking a desert trek, I am all set to go. More from me next week!
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