Middle East Travel Blogs | Travelogues | Travel Journals

Visiting friends in Muscat, Oman.

Exiting the arrivals hall of Dubai International Airport, Angela and I jumped in a taxi, wondering what the United Arab Emirates would have to offer.   Our short one-hour flight from Qatar had been initially interesting. Apart from being the only Westerner’s aboard, we noticed something else too. It was the amount of empty seats even though all passengers had boarded. But not everyone had boarded. Five minutes later, a troop of Arab women entered the aircraft from the front all wear...

Petra, Wadi Rum and more

I arrived at the airport to find an escort holding my name. Maybe its just a little embarressing for a traveller to have someone help them through the customs/visa line, but I soon got over my pride by getting in the front of all lines and by not directly paying for anything (as the company was hired by my mother). Once out of the airport I started to notice all the men wearing scarves, and just really all the men. Where are the women? While driving in the car I notice virtually no women in...

30 Nov. 2007 (source: travelime.com) The biggest fountain in the world stands in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). The height of jets of this unique construction named after King Fahd is 312 meters. Two high-powered pumps throw 625 liters per second at the speed of 375 kilometers per hour at a immense altitude. The total mass of water suspended over the fountain is about 18.8 tons. The fountain and its utility lines are under the computer system control. Designer and builder of this fountain was ...

Abu Dhabi is more of a conservative city then Dubai.  I didn't find much to see there expect theEmirates Palace hotel and the Marina Mall was nice...Like Dubai, they have many "souk" areas for gold and jewelry.

Three days ago I walked through the Siq at Petra, it is a long path that cuts through massive rock and ends at the Treasury (from Indiana Jones). It got more and more amazing as we walked through: the walls grew higher and since we went in the early morning, the path was quiet and still. When I first saw the treasury I tried to put my feelings into words, because Ali (a man I work with) told me to tell him exactly what I felt, but I couldn't do it. I didn't feel the awe that other people t...

In 2006, I was hoping to return to Iran but after being denied a visa, I decided to take a short trip to Oman. Unfortunately, during my journey from Bangkok, I developed a severe ear ache. As a result, I took it easy in Oman and remained only in Muscat. However, I definitely want to return one day and see much more.

Bahrain is a very passive country, there are many cultures and religions reflected in the democratic atmosphere of the cities, and you would feel at ease to be your self. It has many places to enjoy, watch and have fun with friends such as sea sports, beaches, coffee shops; restaurants, cinema, exhibitions, tall buildings and bars, there are few historical places to visit too. Taxi drivers usually charge way much than what it should so it is better and cheaper to rent a car. They ha...

Just a few photos to show that there is life away from work.

well, I have arrived in this seething dirty chaotic city after 2 days of travelling Arrived in Casa at night after 7 (or was it 8?) hours and happy to be met by pre arranged transfer...only problem was the guy didnt speak english...only arabic and french. Arrived at Hotel Ajiad about 9.30p.m.  due to getting caught in a traffic jam on the way. Ordered a chicken sandwich and was astounded to recieve a plate full of food including 2 buns with chicken and salad; salad and chips...

A short but eventful trip to India and an even shorter 3 day stopover in Dubai.

We had another field trip yesterday, and went to the Ghetto Fighter's museum which was founded by a group of Holocaust survivors who participated in the Warsaw uprising. After World War II these people reconnected and decided to start a Kibbutz-- which is still in operation today. They wanted to begin a life together but to also commemorate what they had been through during the war. They began collecting various objects left from the war and after a while opened a museum. This was the fir...

In the early morning hours of October 23, 1983, two trucks full of explosives drove into buildings housing US and French troops. The US marines were members of the 1st Battalion 8th Marines based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, participating in a peace keeping mission there. Their duty term was from May until November.At the time I was in my first year of community college studying to be a nurse while working at a local fast food restaurant. You always knew when it was payday because t...

I have never hated sand as much as I do today... I never want to walk on it again...I'm never going to the beach again either!