Prophets birthday finally announced

This Thursday, January 24, 2013 is the Prophets birthday, the last public holiday until June.

It's been confirmed that Saturday January 26 will be a holiday for the Public and Private Sectors, returning to work on Sunday 27th. Here is the translated link for the Oman News Agency announcement.


You can always read my post on 2013 Public Holidays schedule just to get a rough idea of when holidays will fall, but as always, we have to wait until the official announcements are made.


le fin.

Happy new year!

Well there we go, 2012 is over, and now we've got 2013 to look forward too.

Good luck with all your endeavours, and have a happy and healthy year!

le fin.

NYE parties in Muscat tonight.

Here we are, Dec 31st once more, which means for many of you, its time to party. Hopefully your employers have been kind and given you tomorrow off (like mine did, nice guys that they are).

Regular readers of ze blog will know that I posted a round up of all the NYE (and Christmas) events earlier this month: here.

Just as a reminder, heres a quick list of whats going on tonight around town, my top recommendations for a good time (and not super expensive) is the Safari Pub at the Grand Hyatt or the Lazy Lizard at the Radisson Blu.

1. Grand Hyatt

New Years Eve - The Gardens - Gala dinner including unlimited selected drinks for RO 80 net
New Years Eve -  Tuscany - 6 course black tie dinner with unlimited selected drinks for RO 70 net
New Years Eve - Safari rooftop grill house - dinner and unlimited selected drinks for RO 60 net
New Years Eve - Safari Pub - RO 70 for couples. RO 40 for singles, unlimited selected drinks with DJ
New Years Eve - Copacabana - RO 30 for couples or singles, no drinks included
New Years Eve - Kids Place - RO 15 per child for babysitting while you get on it... includes snacks and games.

2. Radisson Blu

New Years Eve - from 8pm. All inclusive dinner at the Lazy Lizard bar and garden for RO 39 net

3. InterContinental

New Years Eve - Musandam - Buffet dinner with piano music - RO 32++ adults and RO 16++ kids
New Years Eve - Senor Pico - Mexican banquet with live entertainment - RO 46++ adults and RO 23++ kids
New Years Eve - Al Ghazal Pub - RO 30++ for selected unlimited drinks with Dj
New Years Eve - Trader Vics - 5 course meal with live entertainment - RO 75++
New Years Eve - Hotel Gardens - Gala dinner with live music & unlimited selected drinks, runs till 3am, RO 75++ adults and RO 25++ kids
New Years Day - Musandam - Brunch for RO 23++ adults and RO 15++ kids


4. Crowne Plaza

New Years Eve - Tropicana - Gala dinner with live entertainment RO 40 net adults and RO 20 net kids
New Years Eve - Come Prima - 5 course Italian dinner, RO 50 net adults
New Years Eve - Shiraz - 5 course meal for RO 50 net per person
New Years Eve - Dukes bar - Business as usual, RO 10 net entry per person.

5. Al Bustan Palace

New Years Eve - Beach Pavilion -  5 course dinner with live entertainment for RO 65++ inc a glass of bubbly
New Years Eve - China Mood - 5 course dinner for RO 51++ inc a glass of bubbly

6. Barr al Jissah

New Years Eve - Al Tanoor, Tapas & Sablah - Buffet dinner - RO 98 / RO 49 kids ++
New Years Eve - Fairouz - Lebanese cuisine with drinks and live entertainment - RO 120 ++
New Years Eve - Piano Lounge - Strawberries and unlimited bubbly - RO 40 / RO 30 (for drinks only, skip the strawberry buffet!) ++
New Years Eve - Turtle Beach - D.U.N.E band and Dj Katerina have a party - 10till2am, No idea on pricing.
New Years Day - Al Tanoor - noon till 4, Buffet RO 25 without drinks RO 35 with drinks ++


7. The Chedi

New Years Eve - The Beach Restaurant - RO 125++ per person for 7 course meal
New Years Eve - The Restaurant - RO 95++ for a buffet dinner

8. Park Inn

New Years Eve - RBG - dinner with half a bottle of wine & free access to Sama Terrazza. -RO 39  net per person.

9. Zouk

New Years Eve - Black & Pink NYE Party - Entry price not set, complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

10. Left Bank

New Years Eve - James Bond themed "Shaken not stirred" evening till 2am. Choice of 2 or 3 set menu, prices not available - complimentary bubbly at midnight.

11. Golden Tulip Seeb

New Years Eve - Lebanese Night with singer Dunia and belly dancer Yassmine - Buffet dinner from 8pm - RO 45 net
New Years Eve - Dinner buffet at Le Jardin for RO 13++
New Years Day - Lunch from noon for RO 13 ++ at Le Jardin

12. Mumtaz Mahal

New Years Eve - Lavish 4 course menu with a glass of champagne for RO 30 per person all inclusive

Near Muscat

1. Sifawy Hotel

New Years Eve - from 8pm. All inclusive Gala dinner with live band & dj for RO 50 + taxes

2. Sur Plaza Hotel

New Years Eve - choice of either the Glamour 1 Gala dinner for RO 14 nett per person or RO 5 entry to the Black & White night at the Captains Pub.

3. Al Wadi Hotel - Sohar

New Years Eve - Soprano Club - 5 course dinner and glass of bubbly for RO 16 with live Dj

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Remember though - don't drink and drive!

Happy new year, see you in 2013!

le fin.

Oman's 2013 Public Holidays schedule

Now, as we all know, Public Holidays in Oman are never something that one can completely count on being announced until usually a few days before, so the dates I've put below are strictly guide dates for you to work with when planning your vacations for 2013.

Dont get mad at me if the dates are wrong!

1 Jan - New Years Day (not usually officially given)
24 Jan - Prophets Birthday
6 June - Lailat Al-Ma'raj
9 July - Ramadan starts (not a holiday, but good to know)
23 July - Renaissance Day
8 August - Eid al Fitr (usually a few days)
15 Oct - Eid Al Adha (usually a few days)
4 Nov - Hijiri New Year 
13 Nov - Ashura
18 Nov - HM's birthday / National day
25 Dec - Christmas (never officially given)

Enjoy!!!!

le fin.

Merry Christmas

Just a little post to say Merry Christmas to those of you that celebrate it - I hope you all have a great day today, wherever you are!

In what's become some sort of a tradition here on ze blog - here's a Christmas Lolcatz!

:)


le fin.

Christmas trees and carols

There are a lot of Christmas-y things going on in the next few weeks, here's a small summary of what I know about so far, I'll add to it as I come across more things:

1.  American Womens Guild Christmas Bazaar

14th December 2-7pm AWG Holiday Bazaar in the Al Bahja Hall at the Jungle Restaurant in Qurm Park. OR1.000 - kids under 12 free. Live performance by 4 members of the Oud Hobbyist Association at 5pm.

2. Sifawy Hotel Winter Wonderland

Christmas Carols, live entertainment, Santa's Grotto, Night market and a light show, on the 13th December.

3. Barr Al Jissah

Christmas tree lighting ceremony - December 16th at 6pm.

4. Al Bustan Palace

Christmas tree lighting ceremony - Tonight (December 8th) at 5pm.
On Friday the Muscat Singers will be singing Christmas Carols in the main lobby at 4:30pm.

5. Good Shepherds church - Gala

Carol Service on 11th December at 9am

6. British Embassy

Carol Service on 16th December at 5:30pm. Tickets available to UK Nationals and their families only, click here to get a ticket.

7. Golden Tulip Seeb

Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony - Tonight (December 8th) at 7pm.


le fin.

Christmas & New Years Eve events

Well there are a large number of events for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Eve, here's a selection of what's on in and around Muscat, and a little further afield too. As time goes on and events are finalized, I'll add to this round up. If you would like your event included, please email me: mrsythe[at]gmail.com

Within Muscat

1. Grand Hyatt

Christmas Eve - Mokha Cafe - Meal including glass of bubbly for RO 32 net
Christmas Eve - Tuscany - Meal including glass of bubbly for RO 42 net
Christmas Eve - Safari Pub - Unlimited selected drinks for RO 45/couple RO 25/single, free finger food between 9 & 11
Christmas Day - Mokha Cafe - Christmas brunch with glass of bubbly for RO 36 net
Christmas Day - Tuscany - Christmas lunch with glass of bubbly for RO 42 net
New Years Eve - The Gardens - Gala dinner including unlimited selected drinks for RO 80 net
New Years Eve -  Tuscany - 6 course black tie dinner with unlimited selected drinks for RO 70 net
New Years Eve - Safari rooftop grill house - dinner and unlimited selected drinks for RO 60 net
New Years Eve - Safari Pub - RO 70 for couples. RO 40 for singles, unlimited selected drinks with DJ
New Years Eve - Copacabana - RO 30 for couples or singles, no drinks included
New Years Eve - Kids Place - RO 15 per child for babysitting while you get on it... includes snacks and games.


2. Radisson Blu

Christmas Eve - from 7pm. All inclusive meal and drinks for RO 27 net
Christmas Day - from 1pm. All inclusive meal and drinks for RO 27 net
Kids under 12 are half price, under 5 eat free.
New Years Eve - from 8pm. All inclusive dinner at the Lazy Lizard bar and garden for RO 39 net



3. InterContinental

Christmas Eve - Musandam - Buffet dinner RO 26 ++ adults and RO 13 ++ kids
Christmas Eve - Senor Pico - 4 course Mexican dinner - RO 28 ++ adults and RO 14 ++ kids
Christmas Eve - Trader Vics - 5 course Traders dinner - RO 32++
Christmas Eve - Tomato - 4 course Italian dinner - RO 16++
Christmas Day - Musandam - Buffet Brunch with Santa and games - RO 30 ++ adults and RO 15 ++ kids
New Years Eve - Musandam - Buffet dinner with piano music - RO 32++ adults and RO 16++ kids
New Years Eve - Senor Pico - Mexican banquet with live entertainment - RO 46++ adults and RO 23++ kids
New Years Eve - Al Ghazal Pub - RO 30++ for selected unlimited drinks with Dj
New Years Eve - Trader Vics - 5 course meal with live entertainment - RO 75++
New Years Eve - Hotel Gardens - Gala dinner with live music & unlimited selected drinks, runs till 3am, RO 75++ adults and RO 25++ kids
New Years Day - Musandam - Brunch for RO 23++ adults and RO 15++ kids


4. Crowne Plaza

Christmas Eve - Tropicana - Festive buffet dinner - RO 30 net adults and RO 15 net kids
Christmas Eve - Come Prima - 5 course Italian dinner - RO 35 net per person
Christmas Eve - The Edge - 3 course dinner - RO 20 net per person
Christmas Day - Tropicana - Christmas lunch with Sanda - RO 35 net adults and RO 16.5 net kids
Christmas Day - Come Prima - Italian Christmas 5 course dinner - RO 35 net per person
Christmas Day - Dukes bar - 4 course dinner - RO 22 net per person
New Years Eve - Tropicana - Gala dinner with live entertainment RO 40 net adults and RO 20 net kids
New Years Eve - Come Prima - 5 course Italian dinner, RO 50 net adults
New Years Eve - Shiraz - 5 course meal for RO 50 net per person
New Years Eve - Dukes bar - Business as usual, RO 10 net entry per person.

5. Al Bustan Palace

Christmas Eve - Atrium Tea Lounge (actually running Dec 21-25) - Teddy bear tea with Santa
Christmas Eve - Al Khiran Terrace - Festive dinner for RO 22++ per person
Christmas Eve - Beach Pavilion - 4 course dinner for RO 45++ per person (excluding drinks)
Christmas Eve - China Mood - 5 course set menu dinner for RO 39++
Christmas Day - Beach Pavilion - 4 course dinner for RO 45++ per person (excluding drinks)
Christmas Day - Al Khiran Terrace - Festive brunch for RO 34++ including soft drinks or RO 55+ including bubbly
New Years Eve - Beach Pavilion -  5 course dinner with live entertainment for RO 65++ inc a glass of bubbly
New Years Eve - China Mood - 5 course dinner for RO 51++ inc a glass of bubbly

6. Barr al Jissah

Christmas Eve - Al Tanoor - Buffet with drinks - RO 30 adults and RO 22 kids ++
Christmas Eve - Capri Court - Italian dinner, 5 course menu, RO 35 adults RO 11 kids ++
Christmas Eve - Bait al Bahr - Sea food - RO 35 adults, RO 11 kids ++
Christmas Eve - Samba - Traditional Christmas dinner - Buffet - RO 30 adults, RO 22 kids ++ (inc drinks)
Christmas Eve - Sultanah - Romantic dinner, 5 course menu - RO 50 ++
Christmas Eve - Shahrazad - North African menu, 5 course menu - RO 50 ++
Christmas Eve - Fairouz - Lebanese specialities and festive live entertainment - RO 50 ++
Christmas Day - Al Tanoor - Buffet Lunch RO 20, Buffet Dinner RO 20, or RO 28 with drinks ++
Christmas Day - Samba - Buffet Lunch RO 20, Buffet Dinner RO 20, or RO 28 with drinks ++
Christmas Day -  Bait al Bahr - 4 course seafood menu - RO 25 adults, RO 9 kids ++
Christmas Day - Capri Court - 4 course Italian dinner - RO 25 / kids RO 9 ++
Christmas Day - Sultanah - 4 course menu RO 30 ++
Christmas Day - Shahrazad - Moroccan food. RO 30 ++
New Years Eve - Al Tanoor, Tapas & Sablah - Buffet dinner - RO 98 / RO 49 kids ++
New Years Eve - Fairouz - Lebanese cuisine with drinks and live entertainment - RO 120 ++
New Years Eve - Piano Lounge - Strawberries and unlimited bubbly - RO 40 / RO 30 (for drinks only, skip the strawberry buffet!) ++
New Years Eve - Turtle Beach - D.U.N.E band and Dj Katerina have a party - 10till2am, No idea on pricing.
New Years Day - Al Tanoor - noon till 4, Buffet RO 25 without drinks RO 35 with drinks ++


7. The Chedi

Christmas Eve - The Restaurant - RO 45++ per person for set menu dinner
Christmas Day - The Restaurant - RO 38++ per person for set menu brunch
New Years Eve - The Beach Restaurant - RO 125++ per person for 7 course meal
New Years Eve - The Restaurant - RO 95++ for a buffet dinner

8. Park Inn

Every day in December - Ladies Pamper Package - RO 55 for lunch, massage, haircut, gym, pool and a drink
Christmas Eve - RBG - dinner with half a bottle of wine & free access to Sama Terrazza with unlimited selected drinks (the rooftop thing) - RO 35 net per person
New Years Eve - RBG - dinner with half a bottle of wine & free access to Sama Terrazza. -RO 39  net per person.

9. Zouk

Christmas Eve - Red & White Christmas party - Entry price not set, 20% off bottles of spirits, free selected drinks for ladies from 10-2
New Years Eve - Black & Pink NYE Party - Entry price not set, complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

10. Left Bank

New Years Eve - James Bond themed "Shaken not stirred" evening till 2am. Choice of 2 or 3 set menu, prices not available - complimentary bubbly at midnight.

11. Golden Tulip Seeb

Christmas Eve - Candle Light Dinner - RO 12 ++ from 7pm at Le Jardin
Christmas Day - Traditional Christmas lunch with Santa in attendance with gifts and surprises for the kids - RO 12 ++ from noon till 4pm at Le Jardin
New Years Eve - Lebanese Night with singer Dunia and belly dancer Yassmine - Buffet dinner from 8pm - RO 45 net
New Years Eve - Dinner buffet at Le Jardin for RO 13++
New Years Day - Lunch from noon for RO 13 ++ at Le Jardin

12. Mumtaz Mahal

New Years Eve - Lavish 4 course menu with a glass of champagne for RO 30 per person all inclusive

Near Muscat

1. Sifawy Hotel

Christmas Eve - from 7pm. All inclusive meal and drinks for RO 35 + taxes
Christmas Day - from 1pm. All inclusive bubbly brunch for RO 25 + taxes
New Years Eve - from 8pm. All inclusive Gala dinner with live band & dj for RO 50 + taxes

2. Sur Plaza Hotel

New Years Eve - choice of either the Glamour 1 Gala dinner for RO 14 nett per person or RO 5 entry to the Black & White night at the Captains Pub.

3. Al Wadi Hotel - Sohar

Christmas Eve - Al Salan / Members Club - Set menu for RO 15
Christmas Day - Set menu for RO 15
New Years Eve - Soprano Club - 5 course dinner and glass of bubbly for RO 16 with live Dj

4. Guide Oman - Christmas in the Mountains

Dec 20-21 - Christmas in the Mountains - Trip to the mountains with accomodation at the Sunrise resort and all meals included - RO 50 adults (based on 2 people) RO 20 for kids aged 7-12, free 6 and under.

Further Afield

1. Six Senses @ Zighy Bay

The Six Senses Resort and Spa up in Zighy Bay, Mussandam is hugely popular, and currently is nearly 100% booked for New Years Eve, however people who are looking to getaway for Christmas still can with a few vacancies still available. Rates are $1,800 + taxes per night for a Villa.

2. Hilton, Salalah

Christmas Eve - From 7pm, gala buffet in the garden for RO 25 per person including a welcome drink
New Years Eve - from 7pm, gala buffet in the garden with live bands and DJ, RO 38 per person including a welcome drink.

If you would like me to include your seasonal event to this round up, please get in touch by emailing me: mrsythe [at] gmail.com

Happy Holidays!

le fin.

National Day Holidays

Well again I'm late with recording the holiday dates for next week, but then again I've just been a little pre-occupied at my end!

Public Sector gets Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th off
Private Sector gets Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th off

The labour law states: Should an official holiday coincide with a weekly paid rest day, the worker shall be compensated therefore by another day.

So those of you in the Private sector should be getting either Tuesday off, or Saturday, or a day in lieu.

le fin.

Holidays on Saturday

Apologies for the delay in blogging about this, and now you should probably all know, and I'm really only blogging this for records sake now.... but Saturday is a holiday :)

More soon!

le fin.

Eid al Adha holidays announced

Finally, the official Eid al Adha holidays for Oman in 2012 have been announced:

The Public Sector get from Saturday 27th - Wednesday 31st, returning to work on Saturday November 3rd

The Private Sector has from Saturday 27th - Tuesday 30th, returning to work on Wednesday 31st October.


Enjoy your holidays!

le fin.

Eid is announced

Forgive the poor formatting as unfortunately the fabulous ISP Omantel have still not fixed the internet in my office (day 6 now!) So I'm blogging from my phone.

Eid holidays have been announced as follows:

Government sector:  all week Saturday 18 returning to work on Saturday 25th August.

Private sector: Saturday 18 till Tuesday 21st returning to work on Wednesday 22nd.

le fin.

Happy renaissance day,

Thanks to Andy in Oman for the picture!

Just a small post. 42 years ago today, Sultan Qaboos bin Said started his reign over Oman, at age 30. For more information about the events surrounding his rise to power, I'd highly recomend you read the book, "Storm Front", very interesting!

In these 42 years that have followed, I don't think anyone could really argue with the vast changes that have occured here under his rule. The man has certainly had a plan!

Enjoy the day off!

le fin.

July 23rd Renaissance Day announced

Yesterday the Oman News Agency announced that Monday the 23rd of July will be a holiday for all sectors of the work force. Heres the release:

Muscat, July 15 (ONA) --- On the occasion of July 23rd Blessed Renaissance Day, it was decided that Monday July 23rd, 2012 will be an official holiday for employees at ministries, public authorities and other departments of the state's administrative apparatus, according to a decision today issued by Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal bin Saud al-Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court and Chairman of the Civil Service Council.

The Minister extended heartfelt congratulations to His Majesty the Sultan on this glorious occasion, praying to Allah the Almighty to protect His Majesty, grant him good health, happiness and a long life and for the return of this and similar occasions on His Majesty for many years to come and the Omani people further progress and welfare under his wise leadership.

It was also decided that Monday, July 23rd, 2012 will be an official holiday for employees at the private sector's companies and establishments. Work will be resumed on Tuesday July 24th, 2012 according to a decision today issued by Sheikh Abdullah bin Nassir al-Bakri, Manpower Minister.

The decision allowed employers and employees to agree on work arrangements during the holiday if necessity arises. Employees whose weekly-off coincides with the holiday of the aforesaid occasion must be compensated.

All employees at the private sector extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said on this occasion, praying to Allah the Almighty to protect His Majesty, grant him good health, happiness and a long life and for the return of this and similar occasions on His Majesty for many years to come and the Omani people with blessings and wellbeing. 


In addition to this, the Ramadan working hours at Government offices were also announced, 9am-2pm. Must be nice. Muslim workers in the Private sector are to to work no more than a 30 hour week, so typically a 6 hour day. Ramadan is still be speculated, general consensus has it being called on either Friday 20th or Saturday 21st July.

le fin.

Public Holidays announced

Well we're officially through the dark months of no holidays, and this morning the dates for the Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet) public holiday was announced:

Public sector - Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th June off, returning to work on Monday 18th June
Private sector - Saturday 16th June off, returning to work on Sunday 17th June

Nice, a long weekend for everyone!

le fin.

Today's post is written by a guest writer, Sarah Ratcliffe, who asked me if she could do a spot of freelance writing. I'm always happy to have someone help out with the blog and this today is her piece on a documentary called Footsteps of Thesiger.

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Following in Thesiger’s Footsteps

Venturing across the Empty Quarter with camels as your means of transport is not something that most of us would consider. A cruise and stay in a luxury hotel might be more up your street. However, in the 1940s British explorer Wilfred Thesiger undertook such expeditions in what we now know as Oman and the other countries in the area. At the end of last year, another Brit set off to repeat the challenge with the same means of transport. Now Adrian Hayes’s adventure can be seen in a documentary called ‘Footsteps of Thesiger’.

Sand, camels and dependence

Just to remind ourselves, the Empty Quarter or Rub al-Khali is a desert that covers parts of Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. It is the largest sand expanse on the planet and experiences extreme temperatures. It is one of the harshest environments on earth. No wonder it is uninhabited. The Bedouin, with their extensive knowledge of desert terrain and vegetation and camel behaviour have made crossings feasible.

That is what Thesiger relied upon for his travels. Their expertise found the wells that would quench their thirst in the sands. He depended on them, and sometimes the use of disguise, to keep out of tribal conflict. His journeying was almost always uncomfortable – “always hungry and usually thirsty” – but incredibly satisfying, and he looked back to these times as among the best he had known. Though frustrated by their constant chatter, he loved and deeply respected his Bedouin companions and what they had helped him to achieve.

Hayes was one of a three-man team with Emiratis Saeed Rashed Al Mesafry and Ghafan Mohammed Al Jabry, who first trained him in camel-handling and desert survival. They set off from Salahah in early November with seven camels, a compass, basic medical provisions, some food and water, a knife and a rifle. Their camels, nature and Bedouin hospitality were to be, as they were for Thesiger, their lifelines.

The route was similar to that taken by Thesiger. Hayes did not attempt to re-enact the journey, as he felt that was impossible given the sixty-seven years that have passed in between. Rather the attempt was to follow in his footsteps. The route was from Salalah to Mughshin, Umm Zamoul, Liwa, Al Ain then into Abu Dhabi. They avoided GPS and satphones unless absolutely necessary. They did use satellite communications to provide updates on their progress.

A hiccup and concussion

Day One presented an unexpected hiccup when a combination of vehicles, onlookers, wild camels and a brewing storm “spooked the camels” as they were entering their first wadi. The three men were dismounted and two had to go to hospital for treatment for concussion. Not put off, they got back on their camels. Within a week they had navigated two wadis, travelled 100 km and were enjoying goat roasted before them on a fire, thanks to Sheikh Khalid who had invited them to his farm.

Hayes said he was overwhelmed by the visitors who joined them on his expedition to share personal stories of Thesiger. “Just like‘Mubarak Bin London’ [Thesiger] , I feel privileged to be seated at a campfire feasting on traditional food and listening to Arabic poetry and songs with the great people
I have encountered along the way.”

The team travelled an average of 45km per day, sometimes for eleven hours a day, to complete the 1,500 kilometre trip. They entered the UAE in late November and arrived in Abu Dhabi in mid December after a trip of around 45 days.

You can view a clip of the documentary Footsteps of Thesiger http://footstepsofthesiger.com/ The documentary premiered in the UAE, which sponsored the expedition, earlier this month. It is set to begin touring, sometimes with Hayes and Q&A sessions, so watch out for further announcements.

Alternatively, Thesiger’s “Arabian Sands” makes a fascinating read if you want to get a taste of what it is like to rely upon others, camels and a little luck to survive. It tells the story of his journeys across the Empty Quarter. He was very aware that the region was on the verge of change and his book preserves the desert he knew. In his own words “a memorial to a vanished past, a tribute to a once magnificent people”.

Public Holidays Announced

Breaking news...

The Public Holidays for the Prophet Mohammed's (pbuh) birthday has been announced for 2012.

Public Sector are to get Saturday the 4th & Sunday the 5th off
Private Sector are to get Saturday the 4th off

Rumor has it, and past experience, says Banks will get Sunday the 5th off.

Update: Bars are closed from Saturday 4pm until Sunday midnight (30 hours).

Also, while I have your attention, a last chance to enter my free prize draw for 2 Fan Pit tickets worth RO 100 for James Blunt - I'm drawing the winners tomorrow!

le fin.

Happy New Year!

Well, 2011 was a strange year, I think it was better than 2010 for me, but it started off horrendously with a string of bad news for me, but as the year progressed, things got better - well, for me anyway!

On the blog it's definitely been a big year, here is a few nuggets of the year on the blog:

• More than 345,000 hits
• Gave away 22 tickets to 10 events worth RO 558
• Covered the protests in February
• Had my outburst about HSBC in May
• 971 of you "liked" my Facebook page for this blog in 2011
• 1493 comments made on 209 posts published in 2011

Thank you everyone for reading and commenting upon my mutterings, I honestly never thought so many people would enjoy my little hobby.


And now we're into 2012, when according to Hollywood, the world will come to an end. ;)

Happy New Year everyone - have a great time tonight and enjoy the day off tomorrow!

le fin.

Oman's 2012 Public Holidays schedule

Now, as we all know, Public Holidays in Oman is never something that one can completely count on being announced until usually a few days before, so the dates I've put below are strictly guide dates for you to work with when planning your vacations for 2012.

Dont get mad at me if the dates are wrong!

1 Jan New Year’s Day
4 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
17 Jun Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
23 Jul Renaissance Day
19 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
25 Oct Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
15 Nov Islamic New Year
18 Nov National Day and birthday of HM Sultan Qaboos

Enjoy!

le fin.

Merry Christmas

Just a little post to wish you all a Merry Christmas, if you celebrate it, have a great day, and if you dont, well enjoy the day anyway! As I did last year, here's a lolcatz for you :)

le fin.

One last option for Christmas and NYE - Sifawy

Well here is one more option for Christmas, it may be a little late but some of you may be trying to decide what to do, and the NYE option certainly looks attractive down at the Sifawy hotel.

Christmas Eve (tonight) - RO 35 for dinner with a variety of accompanying beverages, not free flow then! Santa will also be making a brief stop on his round the world jaunt to say ho ho ho. Tomorrow see's a bubbly brunch with free flow of sparkling wine for RO 25.

And New Years Eve, unlimited selected drinks and a Gala dinner along with a live band, for RO 45 - the comparable prices from InterCon, Hyatt & Barr al Jissah is RO 75 - RO 98. I guess you'd have to book a room as well though.

I should probably do my Christmas shopping now.

le fin.