Oman

What a weekend. It started with the usual after work drinks at the Rotana with the usual crowd, then others including Annie and Sue from Abu Dhabi. It ended with a long drive back from Muscat through the mountains of Oman, a priceless weekend that added more stamps to my passport.

I'll write more about the journey tomorrow but for now, here's some pics. Oman's a beautiful place, a place with very different scenery from the UAE despite being such close neighbours.

One photo is of a camel family, first time I've seen them grazing berries off a tree. The rest were taken at the Al Sawadi Beach Resort just north of Muscat. We drove up after seeing the sign and got a good deal for the night, a lovely restful place to spend some time. We got to swim in the sea, the warm Gulf of Oman, as well as lounge by the pool and wine (read beer, wine and G'n'T) and dine in the outdoor restaurant. It's a place worth a revisit, next time to go diving off the islands we could see from the beach.

Communication

Communication with others is interesting at the moment. I've been getting odd text in the middle of the night, for example Nick text me for Mother's Day at 1.30am. I sent back something a bit garbled but really, really appreciated hearing from him. Tim managed his message at a more civilised hour, also much appreciated. It's so wonderful to hear from you guys, I do miss spending time with you.

Last night I was startled awake at 11.30 by this text from UAEATRAFFIC.....

Congratulations on obtaining your driving license. thank you and we wish you safe driving through following the traffic laws.

I lay awake for quite some time, it was also very hot last night, pondering this message and wondering it I had already got a speeding ticket. On the cards because a) I have a lead foot and b) the speed limit signs are not obvious. I also got passed by an officer of the law when I was going 100 in an 80 zone. Sorry, I really didn't see the sign officer.

I have included this text here to help others who have recently received their licenses. Apparently others have had this same cheery message but in Arabic. I feel privileged.

It's been difficult keeping in touch with others lately. There has been a crack down on illegal communication modes, including Skype and Voip. Not that I would use such illegal methods of communication myself. The penalties are severe, up to 2 years in a jail and massive fines for breaking this law. There are more details on this link if anyone is interested.

http://www.clydeco.com/knowledge/articles/voice-over-ip-in-the-uae.cfm

Suffice to say, I'll be contacting people by phone or text, hopefully not in the middle of the night.

Hot water

There are some things that happen here that make perfect sense, that are logical when you think about them. One of those is the hot water situation. I went to have a shower today at 1.30pm before going out. Late in the day to get out of pj's I'll admit but it is Saturday. Imagine my surprise when the water was hot enough to burn, too hot to shower in. I checked the tap, yep full on cold. I had to have a hasty wash and rinse and get out.

You see our tanks are on the roof and by midday with 40C plus temperatures, the water in the tanks gets very hot. Totally understandable really. So that also explains the hot washing and not being able to run the tap cold enough to water my plants. Oh by the way they're in the process of dying at the moment. RIP what can I do? So my new water cooler is an essential part of the kitchen furniture.

Note to self, plan my showers for earlier in the day on the weekends. If I'm awake that is. We had this happen in Qatar too but not so noticeable because it wasn't quite this hot. I did end up going out after procrastinating for a long while.

Mary-Anne, Nina and her girls Georgina and Philippa and I went to the movies to see Star Trek 2. It was freezing in the theatre so it was a relief to get outside to the balmy warmth. The movie was great, just what the doctor ordered, some Saturday afternoon escapism. The company was great too. They all came back to my place for pizza, as you do on a Saturday.

The girls were a little surprised and their mother disturbed that I had a live cockroach in a jar on my book shelf. Well, I have cockroaches in my flat so I catch them in a jar and put them over the wall outside. Simple, except this time I forgot to release it. I was amazed it was still alive, maybe it will have learnt it's lesson and not return. Maybe it will tell it's cockroach friends to stay away from the mad woman with the jar, here's hoping.

Mary-Anne was very brave and hopped in the car with me. She did comment about me zooming across three lanes so I could turn for home, just driving like a local my friend. We did survive, no pizza was hurt and the Fanta wasn't too fizzy when opened so all good.

With no TV to offer the kids we had a photo show, me showing off my kids and Nina showing off the ball photos. Nope no embarrassing ones of me, can't say the same for poor (lucky) Mary-Anne. What were you doing with your tongue on that man? And what about that other man...... Will see if I can get a copy to add here.

I should.....

It's one of those days when I'm sitting around home thinking of all the things I should and could do, and getting no further than thinking. One of the reason's I'm perhaps a little lazy is that it's 43C outside. That's rather warm. Another is that I've had a lovely weekend of friends. Even another that we had late night.

Sue and her cousin Caroll, visiting from the UK, and Annie came to stay. The house suddenly filled up with chatter and laughter and catching up. And of course the odd drink. We went exploring when it cooled a bit visiting Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum. I live about 5 minutes walk from the museum but had never visited before. It's an amazing place, built for the heat of this place, a quiet sanctuary in the city. We were privileged to see some traditional dancing, a treat for Carol to see on her quick visit to the UAE.

I drove to the other museum via the oasis. Yep got the hang of this driving caper. We then decided a trip up Jebal Hafeet was in order. Only my second day driving and I conquered the mountain. I think I'm finding it easy to drive because I'm not having to navigate as well. I know my way to most of the places I go so don't have to worry about getting lost all the time, a bonus.

We visited the hotel and walked through the lovely gardens rich with the smell of frangipani, minus the flower or two that graced Caroll's hair. Watching the sun set over the desert, over Al Ain was magical. It was a bit dusty so the photos weren't great. I did get one of the road, be impressed it really is as windy as it looks. The drivers here are mad, passing on blind corners and cutting in with no warning so the trip was exciting at times with the odd swear word.

They left this morning, the house is very quiet and I'm still not wanting to get out of my own way. Perhaps a trip to the gym, via car, is in order. Then a swim. I've got a movie date at 4pm with Mary-Anne and Nina and her girls. Star trek, should be fun if I don't freeze in the extreme air conditioning of the theatre.

The other photos are of the frangipani and Annie, Caroll and Sue at one of the higher lookouts. Note the haze in the background.

Wheels

Yep, I have wheels. A gold Mazda 1.6 tiptronic something. Very cool. Lesley took me to the rental place after we got some top ups for the weekend from our local. It was surprisingly easy to adjust to driving on the other side, surprisingly easy to adjust to the traffic and driving style here. I drove to work this morning without a hitch, and home to the Rotana for Thursday drinks.

Belinda joined us but there were several others missing in action. We hadn't long arrived and the waiter showed a couple of women to our table thinking us regulars were the ones waiting for them. Turned out to be a happy accident.

We are all in the same business and had a good catch up. They joined their group and we joined them to a bit later, the stayers that is. It's great to meet new people and this group were lovely, a range of cultures, ages and occupations. I met the lady we see at the pool with her little girl most weeks. She's Turkish so we had a good chat. She was lonely going to the pool by herself so now she knows she has friends there to chat with.

I quietly refused the offer to go clubbing later. Annie, Sue and Sue's cousin are coming for the weekend so will need a good nights sleep to keep up with them! I'll be able to drive them up Jebel Hafeet, show them the sights, can't wait. Next weekend I hope to venture into Oman. Rau and I have a promise of camping with some friends. Others tell us it's too hot and I suspect they're right. We are camping by the beach so I'm sure we can bail to a hotel if needed.

As I mentioned above, the car is gold. I just happen to have gold nails at the mo, a hangover from the ball. I said to the rental car man that the car matched my polish. He just about fell over laughing at this ditzy woman who didn't care about the state of the car, just the colour. I'm sure he expects to see me back soon with a dent or two, I hope not!

I have wheels so expect some more photos of my adventures. I was amazed how liberating having a car is. I feel a stronger sense of belonging, knowing that I can drive, can go to Dubai or Abu Dhabi for a day or a weekend. Knowing that I can get groceries without a hassle. That is, after I've picked the car up from the Rotana in the morning......

Heat

It's heating up here, in the mid 40's most days. Al Ain is also very dry so the heat is quite pleasant without the humidity. The heat is beginning to make it difficult to walk places after work, for example the gym. Well that's my excuse for tonight anyway. It's also forcing me to consider getting a car, have the license so really should get driving. Tomorrow, Inshallah.

Walking to yoga I got to see the next instalment of the cricket players versus developers. I was amazed to see a game in full swing as I wandered past, slowly, watching, noting the increased number of spectators. There was also a football match in progress alongside on the newly laid pitch.

Yes, instead of a building, the developers were digging out to lay grass and provide a sports field. It was certainly being well used. This place is like that, made for people. There are even footpaths to get most places, although crossing the road is a risky business.

So here I am sitting writing in the lovely heat with a light, very warm breeze blowing through the door outside thinking of my family and friends freezing in NZ. Think I might just wander off to have a swim, seems like a good way to end the day to me.

Belles of the ball

We ventured out to the rugby club ball last night. There was a flurry of getting ready, shopping for dresses, shoes and makeup over the preceding weeks. We succeeded in dressing Maryanne, no mean feat to get her out of her jeans into a dress and made up. She looked beautiful on the night.

Deidre and I decided to get our hair done, what a mission. The first hair place was shut, the second had a queue, no problem said the man we can fit you in. It was an interesting experience sitting watching parades of women with astounding dos, dos only possible in this part of the world. Curls piled on top, hair extensions, boofy held together with pins and blingy head pieces.

I should have felt very afraid and run for the door when the man said to me, "too short for up, will blow dry". I have thick hair, blow dry it for volume and I end up with something resembling an '80's Dallas nightmare. Well, it was different, very boofy. Maybe when I put on my dress and make up........nope it still looked like I belonged on an '80s film set. Deidre on the other hand managed a sophisticated pile up, might need to grow my hair a little more.

I also tried contacts for the first time, sick of wearing glasses on nights out. What I learnt was that contacts are difficult to put in the first time; I can't wear my prescription sunglasses with them; reading things is impossible; choosing food from a buffet is a lottery and eating the food a challenge; and last but not least taking said contacts out in the early hours while a little tiddly is very challenging. But, my makeup looked good; I could see everyone across the room and I could dance without losing my glasses. I suspect I'll keep them for nights out only.

At the ball people had gone all out with some lovely dresses, dos (mine didn't look too out of place) and shoes. There were photos taken, will have to check their suitability before posting. It was a good night, one that merits a postmortem or two. Maryanne and I are heading to Nina's place a bit later for one, by the pool with a long tall glass of something.

I also learnt last night that it's a very small world. It turns out that Deidre's husband Duncan used to run tours for touristj in the Coromandel and knows all my favourite places very well. He also used to live in Thames in the same street as I did, just down the road a bit. We worked out that we had lived there roughly 10 years apart, but things move slowly in that part of the world so nothing much had changed.

Decided to add the photo of Deidre and I all ready to go. I cringe as I think of the laughter........