February 2013

CAREY CHRONICLE

OMAN

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OMAN & DUBAIFebruary saw our escape to the heat and stark beauty of the Middle East. Leaving behind -38C temperatures, we were very ready for +30C and bare feet for a week. This was our first trip to this part of the world. Flying from UB to Beijing and then to Dubai, we were met and driven two hours to the northern most tip of Oman, just across the gulf from Iran.

We drove through the most rocky, arid country we have ever seen - with a view of desert sand dunes and camels strolling by. Pulling up at the top of a 300m high rocky cliff, we got out of the car and para-glided down to Zighy Bay.

Set in a grove of date palms beside the beautifully clear, cool sea, Six Senses Zighy Bay is an eco friendly resort. All their water is desalinated sea water, they embrace the local culture, use traditional architecture and where they can, they incorporate lots of local produce into the menu eg. dates, spices, breads, goats cheese and fish. Mmmmm

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OMAN & DUBAIA day trip from the resort took us up the coastline on a Dhow, a traditional shape Omani boat. We were the only guests on the boat for the day and we fished, snorkeled and kayaked with Hommid and Captain Dillip, who even let the girls drive the boat for a while. The fish remained all safe and sound in the sea but we had a wonderful day.

Most people working in the tourist industry Dubai and Oman are from India, Philippines, Tibet and Myanmar. Hommid the fishing guy was the only actual Omani person we met on our trip. Apparently all the Omani people are so well looked after by their government they don't need to work in ‘service jobs’.

1. Jemima in charge of the Dhow.

2. Juddy relaxing in the Gulf of Oman

3. Juddy, Jemima, Mollie and Hommid fishing and day dreaming.

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OMAN & DUBAIThe beach and sea were beautiful and clean. We snorkeled around rocks close to the shore and saw plenty of fish.

Lots of other families were staying at the resort, especially English families on mid term break. The girls made lots of friends very quickly and they became very independent. They would both head off on their bikes to the kids club, where they got beautiful henna tattoos, learnt some Arabic language and did lots of art and craft and spent hours playing with their new friends at the beach and in the pool.

1. Kate and Mollie kayaking

2. Juddy and Jemima snorkling

3. The girls having fun on our ‘Dhow’ boat.

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OMAN & DUBAI

Back in UB it was the Saagan Sar holiday, for the Lunar New Year. With the constant wrestling match being played out between Rio and the government, Justin had lots of work to do and calls to take. It was not a great week for him to be away, but there never seems to be an uneventful week at OT.

Unfortunately though the internet connection at the resort was very good so there was no escape for him. Mind you his office in Oman was not too shabby.

From the top:1. Justin at his Oman office.2. Justin and Mollie on the

beach.The bare rocky back drop to the resort.

3. Kate, Mollie & Jemima enjoying Paradise mocktails at the bar.

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DUBAIWe had one day and a night in the city of Dubai on the way back. What an amazing place. It must be an architects dream to design there, so many ‘out there’, unique buildings, eg. the Burj Khalifa the world’s tallest skyscraper at 828m 2717 feet high.

We stayed at the over-the -top Atlantis resort for one night. It was Arabian disneyland, not really - but overwhelmingly glitzy, blingy, chaotic and after our laid back eco friendly week in Oman. Our first afternoon we swam with the dolphins at the resort. What an experience, they are such amazing creatures we were so fortunate to be able to be so close to ‘Black’. The Marine biologists were wonderful too. We learnt so much in one afternoon.

Back in UB spring has begun and we are starting the big thaw. We had our first positive temperature reading in mid March, our first since November 10.

lots of love

Kate, Juddy, Mollie & Jemima