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a nomad in the land of nizwa

~ an American English teacher in Oman

a nomad in the land of nizwa

Category Archives: Wekan

friday meditation: my top ten happy memories in the sultanate

24 Friday May 2013

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Al Aqr, Al Ayn, Al Qurum Resort, Al-Areesh Camp, Balad Sayt, Jade Garden, Jebel Akhdar, Middle East, Muscat, Nakhal Fort, Oman, Roses, Sahab Hotel, Saiq Plateau, Sharqiya Region, Sharqiya Sands, Sushi Buffet, Wadi Bani Awf, Wadi Bani Habib, Wadi Bani Kharus, Wadi MIstal, Wadi Shab, Wadi Tiwi, Wekan, Western Hajar Mountains

≈ 23 Comments

Tags

Life, Oman, Travel

Friday, Mary 24: I will carry to America hundreds of wonderful memories of my time here in the Sultanate of Oman.  There are too many to put into one blog post, as I have written over 475 posts during my 20+ months here.  As part of my fond farewell to Oman, here are my top 10 happy memories.

1.  On April 19, 2012, Mario, his Omani friend Sultan and I went on a mis-adventure to Wadi Damm.  It was shortly after a big rainfall and we had to cross about 10 fast-flowing wadis.  It was a foolish exploit, because many people get killed every year in flooding wadis; it rains so rarely here that most of the time the wadis are bone dry and people don’t realize how dangerous they are.  For us on this day, it was a grand & somewhat dangerous adventure.  We laughed a lot and then ended up at my house drinking wine and enjoying the night away ~ high jinks all around.  (an attempted trip to wadi damm ~ foiled by raging wadis)

one of the raging wadis on the way to Ibri

one of the raging wadis on the way to Ibri

2. On April 26, 2012, two of my friends, Kathy and Tom, and I ventured across the Hajar Mountains in Oman.  We drove over a treacherous dirt road along the edges of steep mountains through Wadi Bani Awf toward an idyllic little village called Balad Sayt.  In order to get to this beautiful village, we had to clamber through a pool-filled canyon to emerge on the other side in an open bowl surrounded by mountains.  The village with all its lush green plantations sits in the middle of this bowl.  Kathy made the mistake of abandoning her shoes beside one of the pools in the canyon.  When she came out on the Balad Sayt side, she struggled mightily to walk over the burning gravelly path up to the village. She devised several methods to protect her feet, using discarded pieces of rotten wood which she tossed ahead of her one step at a time; this painstaking method didn’t work too well.  She finally tied some flexible bark around her feet with old twine.  I know it wasn’t too funny for Kathy, but Tom and I never laughed so hard in our lives! (52 pick up: success (aka overcoming adversity))

Kathy and her bark and twine makeshift shoes ~ at Balad Sayt, Oman

Kathy and her bark and twine makeshift shoes ~ at Balad Sayt, Oman

3. On March 28, 2013, Mario and I went up to Jebel Akhdar to see the roses.  The year before, we had tried to see the roses but had come too late.  This time, we were able to breathe in the sweet fragrance and take lovely photos of the pink blossoms.  We had a lovely time walking through the rose gardens and then having wine and dinner at the Sahab Hotel after (the roses of jebel akdhar & a lovely encounter with an irish couple).  We repeated similar amazing experiences on Jebel Akhdar so many other times, I can’t even count them all.

Roses on Jebel Akhdar

Roses on Jebel Akhdar

Everyone who reads my blog knows that my favorite place in Oman is Jebel Akhdar.  Each time I went up the “Green Mountain,” I had different memorable experiences that I’ll carry in my heart always.  Here are a couple more of my favorite times.

  • Taking Beg and Mona Lisa up to the mountain on Valentine’s Day, 2013:  a valentine’s day adventure on jebel akhdar

    the terraces of Jebel Akhdar on Valentine's Day

    the terraces of Jebel Akhdar on Valentine’s Day

  • Taking Mike, Alex and Adam to the Hanging Villages on January 8, 2013: a hike around the hanging villages of wadi al ayn on jebel akhdar

    Alex, Mike and Adam on Jebel Akhdar

    Alex, Mike and Adam on Jebel Akhdar

  • Hiking through Wadi Bani Habib with Mario and his Omani friend Mohammed on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2012: thanksgiving day on jebel akhdar: villages of wadi bani habib. {part two}
    finding colorful ruins at Wadi Bani Habib with Mario & Mohammed

    finding colorful ruins at Wadi Bani Habib with Mario & Mohammed

    Mario in the ruins of Wadi Bani Habib on Jebel Akhdar

    Mario in the ruins of Wadi Bani Habib on Jebel Akhdar

  • Taking Malcolm and his lovely wife Sandy to Jebel Akhdar on a cold December night in 2012: a cold but lovely night at the sahab on jebel akhdar

    Sandy & Malcolm on a cold night on Jebel Akhdar

    Sandy & Malcolm on a cold night on Jebel Akhdar

4) On May 11, 2012, Mario and I went hiking on Jebel Akhdar in search of the roses, but we were too late to see them.  However, we had one of many great conversations throughout the course of our friendship.  After our hike, he invited me to come over and share lime-flavored white corn TOSTITOS® tortilla chips (a rare find in Oman), apricot & almond cheese, cheddar cheese and a bottle of wine.  We sat in his air-conditioned living room and talked about the tribal society of Oman and the confining rules under which a tribe must live, a conversation I call “escaping the tribe.”  Sometimes I think I should write a book titled “Conversations with Mario.” (searching for roses on jebel akhdar & a conversation about escaping the “tribe”)

Ruins at Wadi Bani Habib on Jebel Akhdar

Ruins at Wadi Bani Habib on Jebel Akhdar

5) On January 13, 2012, my sons came to visit me in Oman, and all of us loved our excursion into the watery cave at Wadi Shab (cliff-jumping in the hidden caves of wadi shab).  Stunningly beautiful.

The entrance to the pools at Wadi Shab that you must swim through to get to the cave

The entrance to the pools at Wadi Shab that you must swim through to get to the cave

6) On April 11, 2013, Mario and I went to explore Wadi Bani Kharous.  Not only did we explore the multitudes of picturesque villages in that wadi, but we experienced some great Omani hospitality along the way. (a trip to wadi bani kharous)

Omani hospitality at Wadi Bani Kharous

Omani hospitality at Wadi Bani Kharous

7) On Tuesday, February 21, 2013 Mario and I went on a huge road trip, where we explored Wadi Dayqah Dam, among other places, and ended up in Wadi Arbiyyin on the east coast of Oman.  Then we headed to Muscat and had a sushi buffet.  It was the road trip to beat all road trips, and perfectly lovely, except for the gunshots that scared us out of our wits. (wadi arbiyyin >> quriyat >> sushi in muscat. {the road trip: part 3})

Wadi Arbiyyin on the east coast of Oman

Wadi Arbiyyin on the east coast of Oman

8)  When I first arrived in Oman, I coudn’t find anyone who wanted to go exploring Oman on the first National Holiday, so I went by myself. I had a great time at Al Areesh Desert Camp meeting random people and listening & dancing to the Bedouin music. (national holiday chapter 3: sharqiya sands & al-areesh desert camp)

Bedouin singers at Al Areesh Desert Camp

Bedouin singers at Al Areesh Desert Camp

9)  When I went to Jordan over the 2011 Eid, I met an Italian guy, Guido, who came to visit me in Oman in December.  We had a great time going to Wadi Tiwi on his visit here on December 2, 2011. (cathy takes guido to wadis tiwi & shab…and up the coast to muscat)

Exploring Wadi Tiwi with Guido

Exploring Wadi Tiwi with Guido

10) The first time I went to Nakhal Fort, had lunch with an Omani family, then drove through Wadi Mistal to Wekan was simply magical. (nakhal fort, lunch with an omani family & a wild drive up wadi mistal)

My first magical time in Wekan

My first magical time in Wekan

I’ve been to some of these places many times, and each time was wonderfully special.  I’ve picked my favorites based on a feeling of peace and contentment I experienced during those specific times.

My time here in Oman is coming to a close.  I am ready to leave, but I will carry many happy memories with me. 🙂

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a fond farewell to the gardens of wekan

17 Friday May 2013

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Middle East, Oman, Wadi MIstal, Wekan

≈ 38 Comments

Tags

Oman, Travel

Friday, May 17: This morning, a small group of us meets at Mario’s house in Izki at 6:30 a.m. for a day trip to Wekan, a small village perched on the side of a mountain at the end of Wadi Mistal in Al Batinah.

Anna and I drive in my turquoise Suzuki Celerio because I have to return it Budget Renta Car at the airport on our way back through Muscat.  I had a flat tire last week and found out from the person who helped change the tire that ALL the tires on the car are bad. Now I’m driving with no spare. Besides that, there is no crank for the jack.  I am returning it this afternoon for a different Suzuki.

Mario and Gavin drive in Gavin’s 4WD; he’s the one who will drive us off the beaten path through Wadi Mistal.  At the clocktower roundabout at Al Rusayl, I leave my car and we all get into Gavin’s car for the rest of the drive.

When we arrive at the entrance to Wadi Mistal, we are pleasantly surprised to find 18km of the paved road into the wadi is now complete.  We only have to drive an additional 12 km on a dirt track.  That makes for a smoother and more pleasant drive.

When we arrive, Gavin brings out a plastic container of muffins to fortify us for our hike through the gardens of Wekan.  It’s quite hot today, about 106 degrees Fahrenheit, but up on this mountain, we find it’s a wee bit cooler, thank heavens.

the view of Wadi Mistal from the village of Wekan

the view of Wadi Mistal from the village of Wekan

shadow play in a building near the entrance of Wekan that looks like it was once a ticket booth

shadow play in a building near the entrance of Wekan that looks like it was once a ticket booth

the watchtower at the entrance to Wekan

the watchtower at the entrance to Wekan

Heed the sign!

Heed the sign!

Wekan is quite an exciting village for those of us living in Oman because it is one of the few places with a lot of green.  Our first sighting is of some green ornamental grasses.  We don’t see too many grasses in this country.

some pretty grasses near the entrance to Wekan

some pretty grasses near the entrance to Wekan

the field of onions that seems to have been harvested already

the field of onions that seems to have been harvested already

a budding pomegranate

a budding pomegranate

We come across some Bangladeshi boys who have picked a bunch of apricots and Mario shells out a couple of Omani rials to buy a bag of them.  We all enjoy the snack of fresh fruit right off the trees.

a collection of apricots

a collection of apricots

It seems the whole mountainside is lush with grapevines.

trellises of grapevines

trellises of grapevines

figs

figs

beautiful red and yellow leaves from the grapevines

beautiful red and yellow leaves from the grapevines

a makeshift fence

a makeshift fence

another pomegranate

another pomegranate

the fuzzy bush in the foreground is an asparagus plant.  I never knew asparagus looked like this!

the fuzzy bush in the foreground is an asparagus plant. I never knew asparagus looked like this!

I’m especially captivated by the smattering of red and yellow leaves on the grapevines.  As I haven’t experienced autumn in two years, I feel compelled to capture them in a photo so I can look at them and dream of being back in the USA this fall for my favorite season.

red and yellow grapevine leaves

red and yellow grapevine leaves

I love the colors of this leaf

I love the colors of this leaf

I love this delicate little weed

I love this delicate little weed

looking across the wadi to the mountains on the other side

looking across the wadi to the mountains on the other side

Looking down on Wekan from the gardens above

Looking down on Wekan from the gardens above

some harvested Omani garlic.  We can really smell it!

some harvested Omani garlic. We can really smell it!

view of Wekan from above

view of Wekan from above

another view of Wekan

another view of Wekan

going up the Persian steps in Wekan

going up the Persian steps in Wekan

Gavin, Anna and Mario

Gavin, Anna and Mario

grapes, not quite ready for harvest

grapes, not quite ready for harvest

figs

figs

more grapes

more grapes

grapevines on trellises

grapevines on trellises

more grapes

more grapes

date palm and the Western Hajar Mountains

date palm and the Western Hajar Mountains

more tiny grapes

more tiny grapes

another interesting weed

another interesting weed

partly shaded Persian steps alongside the pomegranates

partly shaded Persian steps alongside the pomegranates

shaded steps and the falaj alongside

shaded steps and the falaj beside them

date palms and the mountains above

date palms and the mountains above

the falaj and the Persian steps

the falaj and the Persian steps

more of the Persian steps

more of the Persian steps

Wekan

Wekan

a picture of an Arabian Oryx drawn on a wall

a picture of an Arabian Oryx drawn on a wall

a pretty onion, according to Mario

a pretty onion, according to Mario

I always feel like a walk through Wekan is like experiencing a bit of paradise.  With the running water in the falaj humming a soothing tune and the slight, though warm, breezes on the mountain, it’s a little escape from the miserable heat down below.

As it takes about 3 hours to get to Wekan from Nizwa, I don’t think I will be returning to Wekan again before I leave Oman.

Fare thee well, Wekan!  You’ve given me many happy memories. 🙂

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travel theme: pale

06 Saturday Apr 2013

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Middle East, Oman, Pale, South Korea, Suncheon Bay, Travel Theme Photo Challenge, Wadi MIstal, Wekan

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

Oman, travel theme

Saturday, April 6: By happenstance, Ailsa of Where’s my backpack? came up with a counterpoint to the Weekly Photo Challenge of Color this week.  She challenges us to come up with photos highlighting Pale.  She writes: Bright and colorful photos can be show stoppers, but sometimes the palest of photographs can capture the imagination.

Pale grasses at Suncheon Bay, South Korea

Pale grasses at Suncheon Bay, South Korea

pale star-like flowers on Jebel Akhdar

pale star-like flowers on Jebel Akhdar

pale onion plants in Wekan, Oman

pale onion plants in Wekan, Oman

pale plant in Wekan, Oman

pale plant in Wekan, Oman

pale flowers in Wekan, Oman

pale flowers in Wekan, Oman

impatiens in Bahla, Oman

impatiens in Bahla, Oman

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weekly photo challenge: delicate

14 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Birkat Al Mouz, Crete, Greece, Oman, postaweek2012, Rethymno, Wadi MIstal, Weekly Photo Challenge, Wekan

≈ 38 Comments

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postaweek2012, weekly photo challenge

Friday, December 14:  The WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is delicate.

IN A NEW POST CREATED SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PICTURE THAT MEANS DELICATE TO YOU.

Delicate could be the tracings of frost on a window, a child’s tiny fingers and toes, the intricate pattern of a tree’s canopy, or something yet-to-be-discovered. So much of this challenge depends on your interpretation of “delicate,” and we look forward to seeing the range of images you capture.

delicate flowers in Wekan, Oman

delicate flowers in Wekan, Oman

delicate flowers in Wekan, Oman

delicate flowers in Wekan, Oman

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

delicate flower in Birkat al Mouz, Oman

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

delicate in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

delicate in Crete, Greece

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

delicate view in Crete, Greece

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weekly photo challenge: green

16 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Abu Dhabi, Agra, Bidbid, Geoje-si, Greece, India, Meteora monasteries, Ohiopyle, Oman, Pennsylvania, postaweek2012, South Korea, Taj Mahal, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Weekly Photo Challenge, Wekan

≈ 49 Comments

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postaweek2012, Travel, weekly photo challenge

Friday, November 16: The WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is Green. For some of you, in the northern hemisphere, you may not be seeing green for a while. Let’s celebrate all things green!

For a full-sized slide show, click on any image in the gallery below.

green pomegranate at Wekan, Oman
green pomegranate at Wekan, Oman
green island near Geoje-do, South Korea
green island near Geoje-do, South Korea
a privately owned island covered in gardens near Geoje-do, South Korea
a privately owned island covered in gardens near Geoje-do, South Korea
a green garden at one of the Meteora monasteries in Greece
a green garden at one of the Meteora monasteries in Greece
Misfat Al Abriyyen, Oman
Misfat Al Abriyyen, Oman
Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania, USA
Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania, USA
Misfat Al Abriyyen, Oman
Misfat Al Abriyyen, Oman
limes at BidBid, Oman
limes at BidBid, Oman
flowers in Wekan, Oman
flowers in Wekan, Oman
near Geoje-do, South Korea
near Geoje-do, South Korea
more greenery near Geoje-do, South Korea
more greenery near Geoje-do, South Korea
gardens near Geoje-do, South Korea
gardens near Geoje-do, South Korea
a green niche at the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi, UAE
a green niche at the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi, UAE
the green lawn at the Taj Mahal, Agra, India
the green lawn at the Taj Mahal, Agra, India
green bananas at Misfat al Abriyyen, Oman
green bananas at Misfat al Abriyyen, Oman
topiary at Geoje-do, South Korea
topiary at Geoje-do, South Korea
a green door in Misfat Al Abriyyen, Oman
a green door in Misfat Al Abriyyen, Oman

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weekly photo challenge: inside

20 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Al-Batinah Region, datura stramonium, Jebel Akhdar, Oman, postaweek2012, Weekly Photo Challenge, Wekan

≈ 24 Comments

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postaweek2012, weekly photo challenge

Friday, July 20:  This is today’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside.

Inside. I like to snap multiple views of something and often the inside of something is even more interesting than the outside.

One day while hiking on Jebel Akhdar, my Omani friend Moo plucked a spiny egg-shaped seed capsule about the size of a walnut and opened it up.  Inside were a bunch of seeds which he told me have hallucinogenic properties.

inside of datura stramonium, also known as Jimson weed or “loco weed”

This is apparently called datura stramonium, an invasive weed also known as Jimson weed, datura, or “loco weed.”

the plant on Jebel Akhdar

This plant, which grows wild all over Oman, especially on Jebel Akhdar, and other warm and moderate regions worldwide, has been used for centuries as herbal medicine to relieve asthma symptoms or as an analgesic during surgery or bone-setting.  It is also a powerful hallucinogen, used spiritually for the intense visions it produces.  Datura intoxication can lead to delirium, hyperthermia, tachycardia, bizarre behavior and even pronounced amnesia.

I think this is the same plant with the trumpet-shaped flower in Wekan. On this one I don’t see any of the seedpods….

Its careless use has led to hospitalization and even death.

The fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers bloom through the summer, and the walnut-sized spiny seed capsule splits into four chambers at maturity to reveal dozens of black seeds.

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weekly photo challenge: dreaming

14 Saturday Jul 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Al Hamra, Al-Batinah Region, Al-Dakhiliyah Region, Oman, postaweek2012, Sharqiya Region, Wadi MIstal, Wadi Tiwi, Weekly Photo Challenge, Wekan

≈ 47 Comments

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postaweek2012, weekly photo challenge

Saturday, July 14: This week’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is Dreaming.

Here are some photos in Oman that I think represent Dreaming…

This one is in Wadi Tiwi on the east coast of Oman.

Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning. ~ Gloria Steinem

Another shot of Wadi Tiwi.

The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up. ~ Paul Valery

The village of Wekan, made more dreamlike with some Omani friends.

I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man. ~ Zhuangzi

And a common sight in Oman, clouds through the date palms. In Al Hamra.

“I’m a dreamer. I have to dream and reach for the stars, and if I miss a star then I grab a handful of clouds.”
~ Mike Tyson

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weekly photo challenge: movement

06 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Al-Batinah Region, Oman, postaweek2012, Sharqiya Region, Wadi Bani Khalid, Wadi MIstal, Weekly Photo Challenge, Wekan

≈ 31 Comments

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postaweek2012, weekly photo challenge

Friday, July 6:  The WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge for this week is movement.  How do you show movement in your photos? This photo choice is a very deliberate show of movement through the camera lens and the blurring lights, but how else can you show movement of objects, or of the action that’s happening in your picture? 

Share a picture that means MOVEMENT to you!

a fluttering moth in the village of Wekan

And here is an Omani boy doing a cart-wheel off a rock in Wadi Bani Khalid.

cartwheels off the rocks

And another boy leaps off the rocks at Wadi Bani Khalid.

light-hearted leap into the wadi

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a-z archive: v! challenge (vineyard)

29 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in A-Z Photo Challenge, Oman, Wadi MIstal, Wekan

≈ 10 Comments

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a-z photo challenge

Tuesday, May 29: This week’s topic for our A-Z ARCHIVE Tuesday’s photo challenge: the letter “V”: introduce one photo of your own archive with a “V” keyword for example VENICE (like FrizzText) or Vietnam, Vampire or Volkswagen, Virgins or Valencia, Vancouver or Videos, about veil duty or V-décolletages, Violence or Valparaiso, Vibraphones or Visitors, a pop song title with the first letter “V” (Valery, Amy Winehouse!) etc.

These are the closest things to vineyards I’ve seen in Oman.  They’re not like the typical vineyards we see in France or California; they’re basically just trellises full of grapes.  I also don’t think they make wine with these, as Muslims “don’t drink.”

vineyards Oman-style in the village of Wekan

vines of grapes on an arbor

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sunday post: door

27 Sunday May 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Al Hamra, Al-Batinah Region, Al-Dakhiliyah Region, Jakesprinter, Nizwa, Nizwa souq, Oman, Sunday Post, Wadi MIstal, Wekan

≈ 34 Comments

Tags

Sunday Post

Sunday, May 27: Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post challenge is Door.  He writes:  A door is a movable structure used to open and close off an entrance, typically consisting of a panel that swings on hinges or that slides or rotates inside a space.

When open, doors admit ventilation and light. The door is used to control the physical atmosphere within a space by enclosing the air drafts, so that interiors may be more effectively heated or cooled. Doors are significant in preventing the spread of fire. They also act as a barrier to noise.

Oman has interesting doors everywhere. Some are painted metal and some are intricately carved wooden doors.  I must have a real fascination with them because I have quite a huge collection of pictures.  Here are a few of my favorites:

This one is from Nizwa souq.

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. ~ Alexander Graham Bell

Here’s one from the village of Wekan at Wadi Mistal.

God enters by a private door into every individual. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Here’s another door from the ruins at Al Hamra.

Not knowing when the dawn will come I open every door. ~ Emily Dickinson

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Heading to Spain and Portugal!!

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  • weekly photo challenge: up
  • friday meditation: a question of fate
  • CBBH photo challenge: multi-colored
  • weekly photo challenge: change
  • breakfast at the chedi
  • a trip to wadi bani kharous
  • weekly photo challenge: color
  • travel theme: pale
  • friday meditation: star-spangling our solitude
  • jebel akhdar: an afternoon of brits & roses, wine & bubbly
  • 2008 GMC Terrain for sale!
  • sunday post: entrance
  • weekly photo challenge: a day in my life

Archives

  • December 2014 (1)
  • January 2014 (1)
  • December 2013 (1)
  • June 2013 (11)
  • May 2013 (18)
  • April 2013 (17)
  • March 2013 (19)
  • February 2013 (17)
  • January 2013 (20)
  • December 2012 (33)
  • November 2012 (27)
  • October 2012 (12)
  • September 2012 (44)
  • August 2012 (7)
  • July 2012 (37)
  • June 2012 (35)
  • May 2012 (38)
  • April 2012 (40)
  • March 2012 (29)
  • February 2012 (17)
  • January 2012 (21)
  • December 2011 (15)
  • November 2011 (14)
  • October 2011 (8)
  • September 2011 (4)
  • August 2011 (1)

Catbird in Oman Menu

  • home
  • About me
    • New Year’s Resolutions
    • Bucket List
    • Share Your World
    • Friday Meditation
  • Oman
    • Al-Batinah Region
    • Al-Dhahirah Region
    • Al-Dakhiliyah Region
      • Nizwa
    • Al-Wusta Region
    • Dhofar Region
    • Musandam
    • Muscat
    • Sharqiya Region
  • University of Nizwa
  • Africa
    • african meanderings {& musings}
  • Americas
    • nomad, interrupted: catbird in the united states of america
    • notes from north america
    • United States of America
      • Virginia
  • Asia
    • catbird in china
    • catbird in korea
    • catbird in kyoto
    • catbird in south asia
    • catbird in turkey
    • ride paddies and papayas
  • Europe
    • greek wanderings
    • in search of a thousand cafés
  • Middle East
    • a jaunt to jordan
    • catbird in cairo
    • United Arab Emirates
      • Abu Dhabi
  • photography
    • Sunday Post
    • Travel Theme Photo Challenge
    • Weekly Photo Challenge
    • whatever a moon has always meant
  • Fiction
    • land of make-believe

what happens when…

March 2021
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Blogs I Follow

Blog of the Year 2012

Kreativ Blogger Award

Genuine Blogger Award

Ligo Circle of Appreciation

Shine On Award

Oman Blogs

  • Adventures of an American ESL Instructor Teaching at an Omani University
  • Andy in Oman
  • Angry in Oman
  • Bethany Duffield
  • Desperate Housewife in Oman
  • Dhofari Gucci
  • English Girl in Oman
  • Hallucinations of a Kitten
  • How to live like an Omani Princess
  • Hunting the Lost Insurgency: Oman
  • Matthew Heines
  • Misadventures in HR
  • Mumoftheanimals's Blog
  • Muscat Confidential
  • Muscat Jet Driver
  • Muscat Mutterings
  • Oh Man…Oman is really nice!
  • Omani Book Mania
  • Omani Cuisine
  • Rural Route Runner
  • Samir's Home
  • Secret Salalah
  • Sleepless in Salalah
  • Sultanate Social
  • Susan Al Shahri
  • The Linoleum Surfer

Oman Information

  • Albahja Cinema
  • Background Note Oman: U.S. State Department
  • Bait Muzna Gallery
  • BBC News: Oman Country Profile
  • CIA World Factbook ~ Oman
  • City Cinema Shatti
  • Destination Oman
  • Embassy of the United States – Muscat, Oman
  • Lonely Planet Oman
  • Ministry of Information: Sultanate of Oman
  • Oman Daily Observer
  • Royal Opera House Muscat
  • Sultanate of Oman Tourism
  • Sultanate of Oman: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Travel Blogs

  • Dan & Jillian's International Teaching Adventures
  • Dude Travels to Go
  • The Cool Hunter: amazing places to experience around the globe
  • The Traveling Gypsy
  • Wildcard Travels

X-terraneous Stuff

  • CIA World Factbook ~ South Korea
  • Dawn King
  • Let me bite that.
  • Life in the Bogs
  • reinventing the event horizon

my photostream on flickr

Sunny but only 20 degrees today!uploaduploaduploadTaking a walk through the neighborhood#whpsentbymailNext door to port royal post officeNext store in port royalupload
More Photos

Goodreads

Top Posts & Pages

  • friday meditation: enlightenment guaranteed
  • in search of the persian steps from the top of jebel akhdar
  • Beautiful Oman Filmed in Sizzling Indian Song "Jiya" for the Movie "Gunday"
  • "ladies tailoring" ~ killing time at al bustan roundabout & a walk around al riyam park
  • searching for roses on jebel akhdar & a conversation about escaping the "tribe"
  • musandam: a hidden cove, acacia "forest" & a mountain drive
  • camping on the beach near fins
  • exploring an nakhur gorge & a hike from the old village of ghul to the ridge of the canyon

InterNations

Weekly Photo Challenge

PostaWeek2012

share your world

a-z photo challenge

52 Pick Up

Sunday Post

Six Word Saturday

No Comfort Zone Challenge

I pledge to read the Printed Word

things i write about

"Happiness" 52 Pick Up 2012 A-Z Photo Challenge Abu Dhabi Abu Nooh Building Africa Akrotírion Al-Areesh Camp Al-Batinah Region Al-Dakhiliyah Region Al-Dhahirah Region Al Aqr Al Ayn Al Hamra Al Musanaah Americas Asia As Sifah Beach Athens Bahla Balad Sayt Birkat Al Mouz Cambodia Cappadocia Crete Daegu Ethiopia Europe Falaj Daris Hotel Family Foundation Institute Friday Meditation Geoje-si GMC Terrain Greece India Intercontinental Hotel Jakesprinter Japan Jebel Akhdar Jebel Shams Jordan Kyoto Lake Langano Lalibela Life Matthieu Ricard Middle East misfat al abriyyin Musandam Muscat Muttrah Muttrah Souq Nakhal Fort Nepal Nizwa Nizwa souq Oia Oman Oman Dive Center Phnom Penh Photography Challenges Pokhara postaweek2012 postaweek2013 Rethymno Royal Opera House Sahab Hotel Saiq Plateau Salalah Santorini Seoul Share Your World Sharqiya Region Sharqiya Sands Six Word Saturday South Korea Spirituality Suncheon Bay Sunday Post Travel Travel Theme Photo Challenge Turkey United Arab Emirates United States of America University of Nizwa Virginia Wadi Bani Awf Wadi Bani Habib Wadi Bani Khalid Wadi Damm Wadi MIstal Wadi Muaydin Wadi Shab Wadi Tiwi Wednesday Song Title Interpretation Weekly Photo Challenge Wekan Western Hajar Mountains

oh say can you see?

Free counters!

Tag Cloud

#capturethecolour 7 Super Shots 52 Pick Up @travelsupermkt a-z photo challenge Abu Dhabi Al Amerat Architecture Art Balad Sayt Birthdays Blogging books Bucket List CBBH Photo Challenge Christmas Daydream Saturdays DPchallenge Egypt Empty Quarter Ethiopia GMC Terrain Greece Hyundai Sonata Ibri InterNations Japan Jebel Akhdar Jebel Shams karma's photography scavenger hunt Life middle east Misfat Al Abriyyin Muscat Nepal Nizwa Nizwa Souq No Comfort Zone Challenge Oman Omar Khairat Optimism Pessimism Phoneography Challenge Picture the World! postaweek2012 postaweek2013 Roses Royal Opera House Royal Opera House Muscat Saiq Plateau Salalah share your world Shine On Award Six Word Saturday South Korea Spain Spirituality Story Challenge Sunday Post Tibet Travel travel theme Turkey United Arab Emirates United States of America University of Nizwa Wadi Bani Awf Wadi Tiwi Wedding wednesday song title interpretation weekly photo challenge Western Hajar Mountains Wordpress WPLongform wwwp5k

Blogs I Follow

  • Fairfax County Emergency Information
  • ~ wander.essence ~
  • Living in Paradise...
  • SterVens' Tales
  • PIRAN CAFÉ
  • Word Wabbit
  • Cardinal Guzman
  • Pit's Fritztown News
  • Fumbling Through Italy
  • Empty Nesters on a Green Global Trek
  • snowtoseas
  • Cornwall in Colours
  • Slovenian Girl Abroad
  • Let Me Bite That
  • Running Stories by Jerry Lewis
  • Finding NYC
  • The World according to Dina
  • Cornwall Photographic
  • snippetsandsnaps
  • SITTING PRETTY

Administrative Stuff…

  • Register
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  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Creative Commons Attribution

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Categories

Blog at WordPress.com.

Fairfax County Emergency Information

Official Fairfax County Government Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery Website

~ wander.essence ~

where travel meets art

Living in Paradise...

SterVens' Tales

~~~In Case You Didn't Know, I Talk 2 Myself~~~

PIRAN CAFÉ

Word Wabbit

Wrestless Word Wrestler

Cardinal Guzman

Encyclopedia Miscellaneous - 'quality' blogging since August 2011

Pit's Fritztown News

A German Expat's Life in Fredericksburg/Texas

Fumbling Through Italy

Empty Nesters on a Green Global Trek

snowtoseas

Cornwall in Colours

inspired by the colours of the land, sea and sky of Cornwall

Slovenian Girl Abroad

A blog about travel adventures written by an Slovenian girl living in Switzerland

Let Me Bite That

Can I have a bite?

Running Stories by Jerry Lewis

Personal blog about running adventures

Finding NYC

exploring New York City one adventure at a time

The World according to Dina

Notes on Seeing, Reading & Writing, Living & Loving in The North

Cornwall Photographic

snippetsandsnaps

Potato Point and beyond

SITTING PRETTY

Fairfax County Emergency Information

Official Fairfax County Government Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery Website

~ wander.essence ~

where travel meets art

Living in Paradise...

SterVens' Tales

~~~In Case You Didn't Know, I Talk 2 Myself~~~

PIRAN CAFÉ

Word Wabbit

Wrestless Word Wrestler

Cardinal Guzman

Encyclopedia Miscellaneous - 'quality' blogging since August 2011

Pit's Fritztown News

A German Expat's Life in Fredericksburg/Texas

Fumbling Through Italy

Empty Nesters on a Green Global Trek

snowtoseas

Cornwall in Colours

inspired by the colours of the land, sea and sky of Cornwall

Slovenian Girl Abroad

A blog about travel adventures written by an Slovenian girl living in Switzerland

Let Me Bite That

Can I have a bite?

Running Stories by Jerry Lewis

Personal blog about running adventures

Finding NYC

exploring New York City one adventure at a time

The World according to Dina

Notes on Seeing, Reading & Writing, Living & Loving in The North

Cornwall Photographic

snippetsandsnaps

Potato Point and beyond

SITTING PRETTY

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