Richard And Jo Demeester's photos

In the wet season, the water apparently flows over all these rocks, and then further downstream, runs off the plateau. Occasionally, once every ten years of so, that run off becomes a curtain of water. We were actually surprised to see any water flowing, given how dry every thing is. So this lovely scene was a bonus.

Looking down to Wadi Darbat. It really felt like looking down at a scene from Africa, especially if the camels had been giraffes. The water level is low, and as it is now a dry season in Oman. Still, the travellers come to see the lake and waterfalls. The lake inside the wadi is the largest natural lake in Oman. That is not saying a lot, as on world standards, it would be considered tiny.

Ayn Razat is a year-round spring near Salalah. A small strip popular with locals, where the water literally gushes from the rocks. The various pools were filled with fish, of many different varieties, while water birds waded around availing themselves of the self-serve buffet.

Wadi Dawkah, a natural reserve to protect an ancient grove of Frankincense. Even the smallest drop of sap, rubbed between one's fingers, emitted a sweet aroma, not dissimilar to a sweet pine-like fragrance.

We don't expect to find camels on the beach, but when the desert meets the sea, I guess it's inevitable.

Dramatic cliffs as viewed from the Mugshail Blowholes.

Perhaps the greatest threat when driving in Oman. Even on sunny days with good visibility, they can be difficult to spot, and like most animals, can be unpredictable. At night and during poor weather, they are a significant cause of road trauma.

Flying from Muscat to Salalah. The dry watercourses that have been forged by torrential flows scar the barren landscape.

I am not just deflecting blame, I know this was all the fault of Google Maps navigation. Well, maybe some fault lies with the hotel. Driving in to Tunis, well after dark, rain fairly heavy, trying to keep our calm with the nutty displays of local driving. A check of our reservation confirmation listed that the accommodation had parking. So, when Google had a plotted path to the front door, we followed. A few turns from a main road, and we were driving along some narrow cobbled streets. We were not too concerned, there were other cars about. But the streets got narrower and the turns it proposed got tighter. At one point, it proposed a turn I knew we could not do successfully in the car, little as it was. So Google gave us an alternative. I was convinced this must be the route - narrow, yes, but confidently marked. I had conviction, and we folded the mirrors in and progressed carefully... until a man shouted and stopped us. Where were we going? He warned us of the stairs coming ahead. So, we had to back out. This took about 15 minutes, with mirrors folded, and 3 or 4 locals guiding us in the rain. The whole saga felt like a cross between James Bond and the Griswalds. We returned on foot, the following day, to take photos. Hmm, even in daylight, I might have attempted the manoeuvre. But rain or shine, day or night, we were not going to get our little Kia hire car down those stairs.

With one of the world's largest collections of mosaics, the Bardo struggles to find space to display the wondrous pieces. There is a combination of thematic presentation, and a general chronological progression as one wanders through (assuming one starts at the beginning, which Jo tends to do), In the end, there are some examples so significant and so large, that presentation space has obviously been specifically designed and modified to hold it.

A 4th or 5th century baptismal, beautifully lined with mosaic tiles, pictures, patterns, and inscriptions. Bardo Museum in Tunis.

All through the country, we have seen cats sitting in cute perches. Peering out windows, on ledges, sitting in boxes (as cats are want to do) or up on bar stools. Any where they can find to stay out from under-foot. I thought this nonchalant feline, watching the medina busy-ness,a stand out example of such behaviour.

OK, not really, but a photo had to be had.

Sidi Bou Said is a beachside area, not too far from Tunis. It is the epitome of Mediterranean towns, with white washed walls contrasted with blue doors and shutters. Largely pedestrianised and an easy visit.

At the Roman Villas site in Carthage, scores of mosaic slabs are laying about. We assume they are waiting for a more permanent home, given that they were none-too-shabby! They did appear very random and forgotten. Not sure if they would notice one or two missing...

The remains of the Baths of Antoninus in Carthage, near Tunis.

Dolmen are tombs made of slabs of stone laid on top of each others. The dolmen in this area were quite long, with passages and multiple rooms leading off them. These dolmen are over 4500 years old.