Our time in Oman has come to an end so this is the last blog.
The photo is one that turned up today. It is taken in the Officer's Mess at RAFO Lansab the night that the BAE people had their farewell.
It is typical of the good times we have had and the cameraderie of the group we have been with.
Tomorrow we head to the airport for the 30+ hours of travel home so we will be back late on the 10th of March. Cheers from Oman, ma'a salama!

Burj Khalifa

This is the tallest building in the world.
And it is too!!
It appears to be a collection of glass and metal tubes, somehow lashed together with a spire on top. You can go up to the viewing area, 124 floors up, and take in the view. This is nowhere near the top. Problem is the visibility is usually crap so we haven't met anyone so far who has seen too far. The publicity for the view says that you can see over 90km on a clear day. Yeah right!






This is one of two glass/acetate models of the Burj Khalifa which are in the waiting area for the tour to the viewing area. If you book in advance it costs 100 dirhams (about $33AUD) to go up to see the view. If you don't book then you can pay 400 dirhams to go up on the next tour.

Meanwhile, back in the aquarium, Sandra gets up close to some lion fish.

There were slots at various heights in the windows for photography. There didn't appear to be any safety netting below so falling cameras could be a hazard.

Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall was interesting to see, as it had plenty of distractions to keep Sandra away from the shops.
There were plenty of fish to see in the aquarium at the mall.


As you can see, this waterfall was several stories high and had a bunch of high divers attached.


The wall of the aquarium which is open to all, is supposed to be the largest sheet of acetate in the world.

There was also an ice rink in the mall which can let the locals experience something cold. There were mostly ex pats using the rink.

Al Hazm Castle

We went to Ar Rustaq Castle but it was closed while restoration took place.
We then moved on to have a look at Al Hazm castle and along the way saw a few more ships of the desert.



When we arrived at Al Hazm, there was a notice on the door notifying more restoration works, so it too was closed. An Omani bloke was wandering by as we clearly looked puzzled by the notice. He stopped to help us and spoke to the blokes inside who decided it would be okay for us to take some pics in the front courtyard. Once inside he took our pic for us. There was an Omani inside dressed in traditional Bedu garb with a rifle on a sling over his shoulder. Tempted as we were, we didn't take his photo.

It looks as if it would be worth a return visit in twelve months time when the renos are complete.

Nakhal Castle

Yesterday we went to Nakhal Castle/Fort. It is one of the largest preseved castles in Oman and very impressive. The number of defensive measures built into the fort were many and varied. It included rifle slots, cannon positions and slots above doors where boiling oil or honey could be poured on attackers near the doors.

The views were also spectacular.

Check out the women's symbol on the door of the loo.

The blokes door had a similarly traditional pic of a bloke in a dish dash with a dagger (khanjar) on his belt.

The whole structure is built on and around the rock which gives it its strategic value.

Valentines day

As Terry and Debbie only had two days to go, we went out to dinner at the Crowne Plaza hotel. From the right are Rolf, Terry, Bob, Debbie and a famous person.

We dined on the upper terrace and below was the pool, decorated for all the people who actually observe Valentines day.

We went for a walk on the beach near where we were staying last time at Haay As Sarooj, otherwise known as Shatti (the word for beach). It is a much nicer beach than the one near where we are currently staying.

This is the roundabout ornament near Al Bustan Palace hotel. It is a replica of a boat reputedly sailed by Sinbad. It has actally been used to prove a voyage was possible.

And of course the palace of Sultan Qaboos, ruler of Oman.

Khasab in Musandam

Wednesday we caught this ferry to Khasab, a town in the Musandam district about four hundred kms by road from Muscat.
It took five hours but we had to be at the terminal at 1pm and we didn't leave until 3pm so the wait was the worst part of the trip. The ferry was made in Perth by Austal and travelled at almost fifty knots. The ride was smooth and we were served a meal similar to airline fare. Ali met us at the terminal and took us to the Officer's Mess at RAFO Khasab. We were given a VIP room which was like a hotel room but a little old. Then it was down to the bar for a few drinks and something to eat. We were treated extremely well as Ali's guests because it transpired that he was base commander. The mess was a small one due to the small size of the base but had everything we remembered from the old days including wait staff who stayed until we were ready to hit the sack.
Unfortunately photos weren't permitted on the base so we have none to show except the Hunter on a stick at the entrance to the base.
Ali drove us all around the area, including mountain and historical views. We had a fantastic time and would love to go back any time.
This was the highlight of the trip so far.

Aboard the small dive boat on the way to the "front door".

Below is a rock formation, known as the front door for obvious reasons.

We jumped into the water here to commence our dive to the left of picture. Sandra jumped in to snorkel and headed to the right of picture and the divemaster had to go and get her and take her to where we were going.

Los trios amigos.