One thing I struggle with is the shopping in Oman. Shopping centres randomly located across muscat with seemingly no logic behind their location or the shops inside. I'd love to know who shops, if anyone, in them.
City centre is a perfect example. Fashion avenue, muscat's very own equivalent of bond street, seems to be in terminal decline with shops closed, closing or resembling the short lease market stalls. The large round hall near the food court - why? And the u shape layout that means any trip has to last at least twice as long as necessary. Shopping certainly isn't helped by the need to sell winter season clothes by the main chains - gap being the worst - who buys a scarf and woollen hat in Oman?
Next week - what's the point of trophy shops? You know what I mean, bored house wife wants a shop to sell stuff no one wants to buy...
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Opera house
Am I the only one who is super excited about the opera house! Not necessarily for the opera but having a proper theatrical venue in Muscat. The building looks fantastic, SQ certainly makes sure his pet projects are true landmarks.
Does anyone know what shops and restaurants will be going up in the adjacent "mall"?
I guess it would be me without a small whinge but i'm really not sure how it's going to work with the traffic, still suffering from the constant road jams for the fireworks, and also slightly disappointed they got rid of the round about.
I still wonder how much pent up demand there is for the opera and ballet in Oman...
Does anyone know what shops and restaurants will be going up in the adjacent "mall"?
I guess it would be me without a small whinge but i'm really not sure how it's going to work with the traffic, still suffering from the constant road jams for the fireworks, and also slightly disappointed they got rid of the round about.
I still wonder how much pent up demand there is for the opera and ballet in Oman...
Monday, December 13, 2010
Litter - keep Oman tidy (! or ?)
Oman is due to launch a version of the "Keep Britain Tidy' campaign!
Notwithstanding the fact that many Omanis believe it is perfectly acceptable to drop litter where ever you choose, the Government has decided that Oman needs to tap the eco-tourist. The eco-tourist wants to visit unspoilt landscapes demonstrating the natural beauty of the world, without sight of empty plastic water bottles, plastic shopping bags or any form of natural effluence.
Example 1: Beach Games - family having just watched beach handball - where does the empty plastic water bottle go - the beach!! The fact that the bottle is thrown next to the kids' painting competition (first prize to the poster extolling the virtues of keeping the beach clean) is lost on the family.
Example 2: Wadi Bani Khalid. Went swimming in the pools, ignored the concrete monstrosities (the picnic shades?!) to jump into the pools. What's swimming next to me? Its clear the local builders produce cr@p in every means possible...
Example 3: travelling to Sur, what game do we play in the car? Not eye-spy but count the plastic shopping bags! Not enough immigrants on the East Coast to keep it tidy...
Its so upsetting to see what should be the most beautiful country in the world spoilt this way - what is the solution? how do you educate the local population to preserve the beauty? I wish I knew...
Notwithstanding the fact that many Omanis believe it is perfectly acceptable to drop litter where ever you choose, the Government has decided that Oman needs to tap the eco-tourist. The eco-tourist wants to visit unspoilt landscapes demonstrating the natural beauty of the world, without sight of empty plastic water bottles, plastic shopping bags or any form of natural effluence.
Example 1: Beach Games - family having just watched beach handball - where does the empty plastic water bottle go - the beach!! The fact that the bottle is thrown next to the kids' painting competition (first prize to the poster extolling the virtues of keeping the beach clean) is lost on the family.
Example 2: Wadi Bani Khalid. Went swimming in the pools, ignored the concrete monstrosities (the picnic shades?!) to jump into the pools. What's swimming next to me? Its clear the local builders produce cr@p in every means possible...
Example 3: travelling to Sur, what game do we play in the car? Not eye-spy but count the plastic shopping bags! Not enough immigrants on the East Coast to keep it tidy...
Its so upsetting to see what should be the most beautiful country in the world spoilt this way - what is the solution? how do you educate the local population to preserve the beauty? I wish I knew...
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Road Closures - a lesson for the UK?
Further to my previous blog, I think the UK probably needs to think about introducing Omani style road closures.
The complete contrast between the UK and Oman is exposed in the story of Prince Charles and Camilla being caught up in the student fee riots taking place in London. Protest marches and riots in the street (about limited cost education for the middle classes) and insufficient protection for a senior royal is not a set of headlines one would see in Oman...
I can't help but wonder what the reaction would be from the police, students and the wider London population, if the protest march could not take place to allow HM Prince Charles to travel to the theatre and back without any traffic (or other) impeding his route.
Maybe the Queen, fresh from her visit, will be tabling such suggestions to the Met Police.
The complete contrast between the UK and Oman is exposed in the story of Prince Charles and Camilla being caught up in the student fee riots taking place in London. Protest marches and riots in the street (about limited cost education for the middle classes) and insufficient protection for a senior royal is not a set of headlines one would see in Oman...
I can't help but wonder what the reaction would be from the police, students and the wider London population, if the protest march could not take place to allow HM Prince Charles to travel to the theatre and back without any traffic (or other) impeding his route.
Maybe the Queen, fresh from her visit, will be tabling such suggestions to the Met Police.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Royal gifts
Classic Prince Philip.
On presentation of ornate, diamond encrusted golden vase to HM the Queen, Prince Philip asks Sultan Qaboos if "one" can put flowers in it...
Embarrassing to say the least.
On presentation of ornate, diamond encrusted golden vase to HM the Queen, Prince Philip asks Sultan Qaboos if "one" can put flowers in it...
Embarrassing to say the least.
Beach Games "Muscat"
Visited the infamous site of the beach games!
New roads lead up to the new site at Al-Mussanah (do not get confused by the signs to the Beach Games at Barkah which is the site of the "tent pegging") - it is an hour from Muscat. The sight of building works being finished looked ominous but once inside the sports village, it was noticeable how many Omanis had come out to watch beach versions of volleyball, football, handball and sep'raw. Young and old trying to find out what the schedule of events was, who to ask (everyone in beach games kit seemed to have no idea), and where to find some water to drink. The teasing signs of food and beverage on various marquees were in fact a reference to what could not be found inside.
Teething problems aside, with the television coverage, it seems this should be a successful event for all involved but I can't help feel the tournament has come too early (or completion of the sites too late) such that it couldn't have been better still.
One honourable mention must go to the website which finally managed to include some useful information on the day the tournament started but is still 90% filled with pointless information!!
Finally I get beach versions of kabadi, sep'raw, even tent pegging but can someone please explain how body building is a sport...
New roads lead up to the new site at Al-Mussanah (do not get confused by the signs to the Beach Games at Barkah which is the site of the "tent pegging") - it is an hour from Muscat. The sight of building works being finished looked ominous but once inside the sports village, it was noticeable how many Omanis had come out to watch beach versions of volleyball, football, handball and sep'raw. Young and old trying to find out what the schedule of events was, who to ask (everyone in beach games kit seemed to have no idea), and where to find some water to drink. The teasing signs of food and beverage on various marquees were in fact a reference to what could not be found inside.
Teething problems aside, with the television coverage, it seems this should be a successful event for all involved but I can't help feel the tournament has come too early (or completion of the sites too late) such that it couldn't have been better still.
One honourable mention must go to the website which finally managed to include some useful information on the day the tournament started but is still 90% filled with pointless information!!
Finally I get beach versions of kabadi, sep'raw, even tent pegging but can someone please explain how body building is a sport...
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Dubai Sevens
Dubai Sevens is on from tomorrow and looking forward to seeing the various social and regional teams in action. Muscat were trophy winners last year so will be good to see if the guys can repeat the achievement!
Check out the main website for more details.
Check out the main website for more details.
Why do the roads close randomly for inordinate amounts of time?
Why, why, why?
Is there any other country in the world where the country's roads are closed for a seemingly random amount of time irrespective of the daily commute?
Why close all the main roads without warning? Is it to ensure the police have something "worthwhile" to do? Is traffic such an inconvenience that the plebs going about their daily grind must be swept to the traffic jammed side streets irrespective of the financial or other costs associated with it?
If the roads have to be closed, surely a helicopter to bypass the "problem" without hindering everyone else could be used instead!
Case in point: Does the Queen of England close all the roads West of London when she travels from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle: no!
Is there any other country in the world where the country's roads are closed for a seemingly random amount of time irrespective of the daily commute?
Why close all the main roads without warning? Is it to ensure the police have something "worthwhile" to do? Is traffic such an inconvenience that the plebs going about their daily grind must be swept to the traffic jammed side streets irrespective of the financial or other costs associated with it?
If the roads have to be closed, surely a helicopter to bypass the "problem" without hindering everyone else could be used instead!
Case in point: Does the Queen of England close all the roads West of London when she travels from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle: no!
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