Small world

Thank you, Sumay, for these photographs from our stay in Salalah. They are stunning! Sumay arrived to teach in Oman with me a few weeks ago... Funny to find out she lived at 17, Farm Street, Tintinhull, across the road from the Crown and Vic, in 2008. Small world!!!

A beautiful view in Salalah

More Camels!

Camels by the sea

A camel smiling

Camels in Salalah

Camels are everywhere!

The south coast of Oman is breathtakingly beautiful. We journeyed West, along the coastline and witnessedsome wonderful scenic views. The most memorable being a large group of camels walking in the sea along the white sandy shores. Camels are everywhere! It made us laugh when they were sauntering down the middle of the dual carriageway! We took some lovely pictures.

Our Hotel in Salalah!

Eid Specials

Finally, the month of Ramadan has come to an end and the celebrations have begun. The Sultan has declared a week's holiday. This time is known as Eid and feels a little bit like Christmas!

There are some fantastic Eid deals to be grabbed, including car sales and holidays. We have just returned from a three night holiday in Salalah, on the south coast of Oman. It's in the tropical region, and at the end of the monsoon season, so it was a lot cooler and greener. The temperature was about 27 degrees and a lot more bearable than the baking hot sun in the north!The drive to the hotel was totally weird because we kept passing camels walking down the dual carriageway taking no notice of any traffic!!!

The palm trees there grow coconuts (We grow dates on palm trees here) and we sampled coconut milk which I have to say is an acquired taste!!!

The hotel was luxurious and we were made to feel very special!!

Me and Jane at Kim's

It takes time

Although I'm loving my new life here in Oman and I'm working with some wonderful people, building friendships takes time. I really miss Jaron, my family and my friends. It's near impossible to get skype out here so communication is difficult.

I think it will take me about 6 months to feel properly settled!!

Transport

I am looking in to buying a new car soon. I definitely need transport to get out and about. Cars here are very much in demand as their are few taxis and I've yet to see a bus!! Cars are less expensive than those in the UK and much cheaper to run. There is no tax, fuel costs next to nothing and you insure the car, not the driver, which is about 250 pounds a year. It will cost me 30 pounds to transfer my British licence over to Omani.

Football!

I watched Arsenal play live against Blackburn last Sunday. What a result!!!

National Day

We have a national holiday on the 18th November to celebrate Sultan Qaboos' reign. In fact, he will have been governing Oman for 40 years so this year the celebrations are going to be very special. There will be a big two day event in school with lots of events taking place. I'm involved in the Primary Art display. When the students return to school we will be working on Omani themes and celebrating their culture. We are invited to wear the traditional Omani dress, or saris, and join in with the festivities!

Shopping

After the Iftar meal the town and city centres come alive. All shops open at 7 in the evening and close late at night. The markets are known as "souks", a bustling eclectic mix of Arabian and Indian delights. Oman is famous for it's dates, frankincense and beautiful textiles. The souk in Muttrah is awesome!!

Iftar

The past week has flown by with lots going on. Last week I was invited to an "Iftar" celebration dinner that was organised and prepared by our Year 13 (6th Form) students. The ceremony was wonderful and the young people seemed genuinly happy and pleased to meet us. All the girls looked beautiful in their "abeyahs" (black gowns). Most were wearing jeans underneath! The boys wore the customary dishdasha gowns and khoumas and looked very handsome! The food was delicious and I felt honoured to be there. The Iftar meal takes place every evening, during the month of Ramadan, when the sun has set and the fasting ends.