| Summer this year has been a long one in
northern Oman and with rain today
there is the promise of cooler weather. In the far
south, the Monsoon season set in early and has proved to be a good one.
At last I have finished my obligations in Dubai and am now
once again in Oman permanently. The business climate is still poor with major retail
companies having closed (Burger King and J.C. Penny) and others, especially those foreign
companies who have recently opened a branch in Oman, also struggling.
Local operators who are familiar with the economy weather
changes in GDP that in the west would force even the most resilient businesses to close.
Recently I travelled (with companions) -- in a single
journey -- practically the entire length of Oman. The scenery was, as always, stunning but
what especially struck me was that travelling along with me must have been millions of
migrating birds.
The route took me along many miles of beaches -- each thick
with resting sea birds. Exotic species like Flamingo and Black Kite made the trip a
pleasure. We had added bonuses like seeing Dolphin and Oryx close up and almost by way of
a reward, freshly caught Abalone at our farthest point.
In Muscat the
road system is undergoing a transformation and we will shortly have several new
interchanges complete with complex fly-over (overpass) systems.
This expansion in the road system is fortuitous for me as I
have also been travelling extensively for my trading business. Areas that were once only
reachable with extraordinary difficulty are now connected to Muscat by excellent Tarmac
road.
One of these routes ends on a ferry crossing to an Island.
Since the ferry is slow, I sometimes take a small fiberglass fishing boat back to the
mainland. With some 150hp of engine capacity, this is an exhilarating and quick method of
crossing.
On one occasion, I shared it with bedecked and bejeweled
Bedouin (Nomadic) Arab ladies who sat on the floor in the rear to avoid most of the spray
and bumping.
As the boat picked up speed its front end rose out of the
water and we sped along in true racing fashion, hopping from wave crest to wave crest.
Unfortunately, the angle and bumping as we hit waves slowly but inexorably sent me
slipping down towards the rear of the boat and the waiting laps of the Bedouin ladies.
As I touched base, so to speak, they moved away and placed
several bags between us.
I hope that your celebrations in November are enjoyable as
I am certain National Day in Oman will be.
© Tony Walsh |
