The Viper

Terry managed to get this photo of the viper we saw in the wadi, thanks for send it to me Terry. He slipped under a rock ledge to hide from these large intruders but we didn't take the hint. Being New Zealanders, snakes are not something we see so fellow New Zealander Terry and I were keen to get some photos. I have little knowledge of snakes so little fear of them either, ignorance on my part I suspect. Mind you there were a few spider webs to be seen. I didn't investigate them, to this point the only creepy crawly I'm irrationally afraid of.

It's only 12 more sleeps until I'm on the plane and as the sand storm covered my car in fine, brown sand this afternoon I started looking forward to that other sort of storm, the one that brings snow down the valley dusting everything in white. I will of course be watching this from the warmth of my living room in front of the fire with a hot coffee in hand and a good book, roll on the hols.

Tomorrow we're having a party for the teachers, a large buffet where we can share a meal and a chat and most importantly thank them for their support over the year. Must remember my camera.

Exploring Oman II

So, back to how to get out of the wadi. The top two photos show part of the journey. First there was the green rope and the long reach while playing spiderman, then the ascent up the rocks and the cemented steps to the narrow pathway at the top. The steps can be seen in the top right hand corner of the second photo. All in all a very impressive ascent that made me feel like I'd really achieved something, a great first trip to initiate a new member.

The other photos are of the group exploring more of the rock formations and pools. I will definitely join more of these expeditions when I'm back after the summer. It will be especially good when I have my bike and my Jeep, yet another reason why I need a 4wd. The trips are very well planned, the group leaders knowledgeable about both the area and the features of these unforgiving landscapes and the creatures who inhabit them. Thanks guys, an awesome day out, see you next weekend.

Exploring Khabbayan, Oman

I must keep saying yes, it suits me. When Anne told me about the Emirates Natural History Group, I thought it sounded like my type of group. When Stephen offered to take me on one of their outings, how could I refuse. The thought of a long walk in the heat appealed for some reason, even after a night out.

We headed out through the border post, waved through because we weren't going deep enough into Oman to cross through the second border post, an interesting situation possibly because the border is a line on a map by someone. This is not at all like the sea border that I'm used to. The group arrived, some with 4wds that we managed to squeeze into. Off we went, off the road and into the moon like landscape stopping at a deep ravine carved out of the rock, yes that's where we were going.

We scrambled down the scree slope onto the rocks into the Khabbayan wadi. The water had all but dried up but it was clear that the wadi carried fast flowing water at other times of the year. The photos show this, with the water sculpted sides and small pools amongst the rocks. The wadi walls were sheer and made up of what looked like a mix of small rocks and sand but was in fact naturally cemented together to form a stable cliff face.

The group leaders Brien and Brigette were very knowldgeable about both the area and geology and were able to answer the many questions that came their way. The photo of the cliffs and one of the group gives some perspective to how impressive they were. There were also many different types of rocks, all carved and smoothed by the water.

In the remaining pools were tadpoles, toads, water scorpions and other small fish. The pools were drying out and we saw some where the tadpoles had died, trapped by the evaporating water, a dried black carpet of these small fish. The rocks had white tide marks showing the gradual receding of the water in the dry heat. We also got up close and personal with geckos, a viper, wadi runners (thin brown snakes) and the Omani lizard. I can now tick seeing a snake in the wild off my to do list.

It was hot, cooler in the wadi, but still hot so a dip in one of the pools was a welcome respite. Actually there was no choice but to dip in the pool, we had to get through it to progress down the wadi. The walls had closed in making the sheer cliffs even more impressive. I was left wondering how we were going to get out, just as well I was too impressed with my surroundings to be bothered by the thought. I was also very confident that the group leaders had this figured out already, and of course they had. I will elaborate in the next post.

Just a couple more from the track

It's an interesting place this. An interesting place to live and see the many contradictions as well as the wonderful nature of the people. Take the other day. I was feeling unwell, the dreaded dust giving me a headache and making me blocked up so I went home after a couple of hours at work.

This was not really understood. "Has she been eating the meat of the pig?" asked one. Mmmm given I've been a vegetarian for many years, I think not. Yes, the swine flu hysteria has reached the UAE. It took me some time to explain, no it's just a dust allergy and I need to dose up on my antihistamines. I've been a bit slack with taking them lately. All is well now, I got asked to join others to eat and have ghawa (coffee) so not catchy then.

I also returned to a lovely gift from one of my local colleagues, a print of camels on the beach at sunset. Funny but it's exactly what I would have chosen, a shot I'd have been proud of. It'll grace the wall by my dining table soon. There were also some great coffee cups, much needed in my minimalistic flat. I can now have 8 people for coffee, bonus.

I'm sitting here tonight with a small glass having a giggle about visiting the local bottle store tonight, certainly a contradiction. I topped up the cellar and Rau asked for an application for a liquor licence, that took some time. We have the letter we need and now need to fill out and file the forms and pay the money, and then we'll be able to have a little drink at home. When we get back, Inshallah.

It's a bit of a social time at the moment with farewells, meals out and last minute catch ups before people depart for distant shores. On Friday I hope to tag along with the natural history group for a walk in the Omani hills. More photo ops I hope, will keep you posted.

The photos here are more from the track, camels of course and the owner in the ever present Toyota keeping tabs on his very valuable livestock.

What an evening......

Saying yes even when it might prove difficult has lead me to some wonderful adventures lately. Tonight's adventure was very special. John and Angela took Rau, Anne and I out to the camel race track. The difficulty was that Anne and I had a dinner with some yoga friends organised. No worries, lets go, I'm sure we won't be that late.

We jumped in John's new toy, a green Jeep. I'm back to wanting one, a second hand one I can afford of course. But I digress. We followed the road then went off road to find the racing camels being trained. It was amazing to watch the groups of camels led by their trainer through their paces while the owners followed in their Toyota's.

The trainers obviously were OK with getting their photos taken, many stopped and posed, most just posed and yelled out to us. The funniest thing was the young man who got out his cell and recorded us taking photos of him from up on his camel. I didn't get the shot, was a bit slow, too busy laughing at the sight!

The sand was blowing off the top of the dunes, the sun was setting through the sandy haze, there were clouds in the sky filtering the sunlight, fantastic light for taking photos and amazing subjects. This is definitely a place to take visitors, so close to home yet another world. Sue and I have Katherine coming soon, I suspect that will be my next visit to the track .

PS Anne and I made the dinner a little late and after taking a wrong turn and having to do an illegal U turn with a police vehicle in front of us. Not Anne's fault this time, I took a wrong turn all by myself.

And even more photos

Just a few more. As you might be able to tell, I had a good companion to photograph with. Anne took the one of me by the fountain. Kate and I are talking about setting up a photography group when we come back after our break. Anne and others are keen so I might get to explore this place further in good company. Kate's website is awesome.

The others are a night shot I was pleased with and the view from the high bridge looking down to the souq, the creek and the park. The bridge shook and was congested with traffic and I got plenty of toots as I hung over the rails taking the photo. I must have looked a sight, but what else can you expect from a tourist.

We stayed at the Beach Hotel and that's a whole other story I'll write about later. I've got a good book, James Frey's latest, and I'm a bit tired after the ehctic weekend so might head off to bed. Work tomorrow, only three weeks left until I fly. It's hard to believe that I'm heading home for a month or so, home to the freezing cold. For now, I've got farewells to attend, a yoga dinner and plenty of people to catch up with before we all depart for our respective foreign shores. At least I knocked a hole in my gift list this weekend, not as last minute as my last trip thankfully.

Blue Souq, Sharjah 2

As promised, more photos.

One is of Mohammad and Anne having a pashmina consultation. Just before this picture was taken two young men had come in and tried to haggle with Mohammad, saying quite rude things from the combined body language. I could see Anne smiling, yes she can speak that language and got the gist of the argument. How she resisted making comment I don't know, not sure I'd have had any such self control.

The others are the Blue Souq wind towers on dusk and the souq with the backdrop of construction, quite surreal when there's a lovely park and well developed creek area just next door. Sharjah is close to Dubai and seems to have a lot of construction. I only hope it doesn't spoil the natural beauty of the place.