Bayt al Grindlays, Madinat al Ilam - home 1985-1990

Oman


We lived in Oman for ten years - a most beautiful country with a rich culture and the most friendly and hospitable of all the Arabs. An Englishman called John Ovington, who was Chaplain to King James II, visited Muscat in 1663 AD and wrote, "These Arabians are very courteous in their deportment, and extreme civil to all strangers; they offer neither violence or affront in any way; and tho' they ar…  (read more)

Bayt al Grindlays, Madinat al Ilam - home 1985-199…

30 May 2013 123
An Englishman called John Ovington, who was Chaplain to King James II, visited Muscat in 1663 AD and wrote, 'These Arabians are very courteous in their deportment, and extreme civil to all strangers; they offer neither violence or affront in any way; and tho' they are very tenacious of their own principles, and admirers of their own religion, yet do they never impose it upon any; not are their morals evened with such furious zeal, as to divest them of humanity and a tender respect...in fine these are a People naturally temperate and just, and endued with those excellent qualities which Grecian philosophers and Roman moralists endeavoured to inspire into their subjects, tho' they missed their aim." (Man, Twenty-five Centuries of Travel Writing, Xavier Beguin Billecocq)

The Oman Series

29 May 2013 121
Muscat Palace Panorama

The Oman Series

29 May 2013 101
The Ships' names Island flanking Muscat Bay with Jalali on the right

Oman Reunion and 5-day birthday party! Did someone…

29 May 2013 102
Collage of the gang at St Paul de Vence, lunch in St Tropez, Draguignan, and Salernes!

Old Omani Door in early morning sunshine and shado…

29 Mar 2013 95
Whilst these can still be seen in use in some of the remoter villages, and modern replicas in Muscat's new villas, ones of this age are increasingly rare.

Old Omani Door, detail, in early morning sunshine

29 Mar 2013 116
Whilst these can still be seen in use in some of the remoter villages, and modern replicas in Muscat's new villas, ones of this age are increasingly rare.

Christmas Candlepower in Omani Lanterns

22 Dec 2012 108
When all else fails, fall back on old ways...

I Love Oman!

Omani Jebel Shams Rug 5050938498 o

Omani Jebel handwoven rug

03 Oct 2010 1340
Mountain villagers in villages high on Jebel Shams (10,089 feet) weave Omani rugs using yarn dyed with the red dye from the roots of madder, Rubia Tinctoria, traces of which were found in Tutankhamun's tomb. The yarn is made from goat and sheep hair. Collection of enough for a small rug could take almost forty days for making the yarn. Men do the weaving on a simple, two-beam wooden loom set up on the ground. I have also seen these being used above pits, with the weaver below the loom, in the Sharqiyah region. Each weaving family can produce ten to twelve small rugs a year. Strenuous attempts are being made to ensure the craft does not die out, led by the Omani Heritage Gallery, whose owner acts as an outlet for the sale of these beautiful traditional rugs. Ours were bought over a period of years from the same family, high on the upper slopes of Jebel Shams.

Travelogue of trip into the Interior mountain rang…

24 Apr 2009 126
To see the set of 68 images in order, go to: www.flickr.com/photos/cwaterjohn/sets/72157625828061702/w ... ( www.flickr.com/photos/cwaterjohn/sets/72157625828061702/with/5356483249 ) One of Oman's most spectacular mountain journeys along Wadi Bani Auf, to the tiny village of Bilad Sait, tucked beneath the towering bulk of Jebel Shams (Mountain of the Sun, 10,089 feet) in the Hajjar Mountains

Travelogue of trip into the Interior mountain rang…

24 Apr 2009 123
One of Oman's most spectacular mountain journeys along Wadi Bani Auf, to the tiny village of Bilad Sait, tucked beneath the towering bulk of Jebel Shams (Mountain of the Sun, 10,089 feet) in the Hajjar Mountains

Travelogue of trip into the Interior mountain rang…

24 Apr 2009 128
One of Oman's most spectacular mountain journeys along Wadi Bani Auf, to the tiny village of Bilad Sait, tucked beneath the towering bulk of Jebel Shams (Mountain of the Sun, 10,089 feet) in the Hajjar Mountains

Travelogue of trip into the Interior mountain rang…

24 Apr 2009 140
One of Oman's most spectacular mountain journeys along Wadi Bani Auf, to the tiny village of Bilad Sait, tucked beneath the towering bulk of Jebel Shams (Mountain of the Sun, 10,089 feet) in the Hajjar Mountains

Travelogue of trip into the Interior mountain rang…

24 Apr 2009 101
One of Oman's most spectacular mountain journeys along Wadi Bani Auf, to the tiny village of Bilad Sait, tucked beneath the towering bulk of Jebel Shams (Mountain of the Sun, 10,089 feet) in the Hajjar Mountains

Travelogue of trip into the Interior mountain rang…

24 Apr 2009 110
One of Oman's most spectacular mountain journeys along Wadi Bani Auf, to the tiny village of Bilad Sait, tucked beneath the towering bulk of Jebel Shams (Mountain of the Sun, 10,089 feet) in the Hajjar Mountains

Travelogue of trip into the Interior mountain rang…

24 Apr 2009 128
One of Oman's most spectacular mountain journeys along Wadi Bani Auf, to the tiny village of Bilad Sait, tucked beneath the towering bulk of Jebel Shams (Mountain of the Sun, 10,089 feet) in the Hajjar Mountains

Travelogue of trip into the Interior mountain rang…

24 Apr 2009 121
One of Oman's most spectacular mountain journeys along Wadi Bani Auf, to the tiny village of Bilad Sait, tucked beneath the towering bulk of Jebel Shams (Mountain of the Sun, 10,089 feet) in the Hajjar Mountains

141 items in total