Middle East

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    Top 5 destinations for lovin’

    If it’s romance you’re after but you need some inspiration, check out my picks for the best places to take your love in Zambia, Oman, California, Bali and Tahiti…

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    5 great things to do in Oman

    Oman is the next big thing on the savvy globe-trotter’s agenda. It’s not as remote as you might think (an hour’s flight from Dubai and Abu Dhabi) and is still wonderfully traditional retaining its heritage and culture with stunning scenery ranging from golden sand dunes to rugged wadi (gorges) and ship-wreck dives in the ocean.

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    Crossing the desert of Oman

    I was going to title this post ‘peeing in the desert’ but that would just be vulgar. Even though this post is indeed about deserts I have peed in and will also provide helpful tips on said activity should you find yourself with your pants down, so to speak, and no facilities to frequent.

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    Oman: Nothing like the smell of frankincense at Christmas

    Until the other day I had no idea what frankincense looked like, smelled like or where you even got it. Now I do. No Christmas didn’t always smell of cinnamon that is wafted through American department stores or the chestnuts roasting on an open fire on Oxford Street. The original smell of Christmas (remember the [...]

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    Oman: the world’s fastest Omani

    The World’s Fastest Omani has just driven me like a rally driver for 2 hours over the dirt road of Wadi Bani Awf. It’s about an hour and half from Muscat (entrance near Nakhal) and is known as the most diverse and challenging wadi. This is actually a hikers dream but as I don’t dream [...]

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    Oman: Grand Mosque, Muscat

    A visit to Muscat would not be complete without donning a headscarf and heading into the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. (If you’re a bloke you can leave the headscarf in the car but you will need long sleeves and long pants). This enormous and opulent building was started in 1995 and finished 6 years later. [...]

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    Oman is ready and waiting

    My mission: I have 8 days to see Oman from top to bottom and I’m going to give it a blimmin good go. It helps that I have 2 great guides who double as high speed 4 wheel drivers and 4 companions who double as comedians.