Conversation mishaps

We've experienced some funny conversational mishaps while staying in Oman and thought others might find them funny as well. Obviously, Arabic is the official language in Oman, however English is also widely spoken and used on shops and road signs due to the large Indian workforce living in Oman.

The first mishap occurred when we were shopping for groceries and wanted to buy some curry paste for a curry we were making for dinner that night. We approached one of the attendants (who seemed to speak some English)...

US: Excuse me, do you sell curry paste?
ATTENDANT: Yes, we have Visa.
US: Ah...no, we want curry paste.
ATTENDANT: Yes, we take credit cards.
US: Curry paste?
ATTENDANT: Yes, credit cards...Visa.
US: Don't worry...we'll do without.

The second one occurred at a small restaurant in the middle of nowhere. We had enjoyed lunch and when the very helpful waiter approached our table...

US: Could we have the bill please?
WAITER: You want some apple juice?
US: Ah...no, we want the cheque.
WAITER: You want french fries?
US: No, the bill, the cheque, we want to pay (Jason reaches for his wallet and says)...money, we have money.
WAITER: Oh, you want the bill. I'll go get it sir.
US: Thanks (finally!).

Fun times!

Sunrise over Muscat

We have been enjoying our week in Muscat...visiting the souk, shops and cafes; going for walks along the beach outside Jason's parents place and taking lots of photos. Here are some from our recent adventures.

Sunrise over Muscat...



Sunset over the beach at Muscat...



Strange looking round-abouts...(I think it's supposed to be symbolic)




A Turkish mosque...(the most beautiful mosque we've seen so far - the copper colour on the domes and minaret comes from tiny copper tiles)

Muscat here we come

Well, we left Dubai on Monday and made our way to Muscat on Oman Air. And guess what, Jason has already been mistaken for an Arab! On our way through Security at Dubai International Airport Jason was addressed in Arabic by a Security Guard and after some confusion (on both sides) it was discovered (by the Security Guard) that no, Jason isn't Arabic...he's just quite a tanned and hairy/unkept tourist. It was quite alarming and funny at the same time!
It's good to be temporarily settled in Jason's parents place and to be doing normal things like cooking dinner and washing the dishes. It's also nice to be able to unpack our backpacks for a short time. Today we're heading to the Muttrah Souk. On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday we're going on a short desert safari to see a turtle hatching beach (called Ras Al Hadd) and visiting a traditional Bedouin home. Should be good.

Sight-seeing around Dubai

Our second (and last) day in Dubai involved all the touristy things. We did the following:

• Crossed Dubai Creek by abra - this was fun, although one taxi operator wanted to charge us 10 dhs (about AUD$5) when the stipulated fare is 1 dhs (about 50c). We must look gullible.

• Visited the Dubai Museum and Al Fahidi Fort - the museum conains archaelogical finds and dioramas of traditional life. The fort was built last century and is thought to be the oldest building in Dubai.


• Walked through the Dubai old souk - this souk is a combined covered and open souk with beautiful clothes, jewellery, silver goods and perfumes.


• Photographed the Jumeriah Mosque from outside.

Enjoyed the best coffee so far at the Lime Tree Cafe on Jameira Road - we paid 10 dhs each for this pleasure!

Drove past the Burj Al Arab (sail shaped hotel) - A prior appointment (plus lots of money) is required before being able to enter the gates to this hotel.

Walked around Madinat Jumeirah - a very modern souk with the most amazing shops and cafes! There was even a Dome coffee shop here! One of the best homewares shop was at this souk - it is called Marina and is like the Loot stores in Brisbane only a million times better. Lauris informs me that there is a Marina store in Muscat so I'll have to go back...

Visited the Mall of the Emirates and Ski Dubai - Wow! How huge and overwhelming is the Mall of the Emirates...it had to have every single major shop brand available as well as heaps and heaps of eateries. Not to mention a hotel or two inside. We also watched tourists playing on the snow fields of Ski Dubai - an odd experience when you consider where we are and how hot it is over here! I can't fathom the energy being used to fuel this ski field.

All in all it was a really fun and interesting day and we feel that we have seen enough of Dubai! On to Muscat next...

Dubai comes to life at night!

Well, we made it safe and sound to Dubai. We had the usual long, cramped and dehydrating, but uneventful, flight. The only good thing about it was that Michael Salini, Jason's friend from university, was also on our flight! Michael was heading to Paris via Dubai to spend some time with his French girlfriend, Gail. We're hoping to catch up with the Big M in France, which should be good.
After arriving at our hotel, we decided to check out the streets and shops close by, as well as trying to locate the Gold and Spice Souks. We found the Dubai Creek (Khor Dubai), buzzing with wooden water taxis (called abras) and strange-looking wooden cargo ships. We walked along the Dubai Creek for a while until we found the Gold and Spice Souks. The Gold Souk is quite cheesy with heaps of oversized, yellow gold necklaces, rings and bangles. The Spice Souk was a bit disappointing as only two or three traders had spices, the rest seem to sell cheap, plastic crap. We briefly got lost in the souk, however we ended up finding our way back to the hotel, where we had a brief 8 hour nap.
We woke up in the evening to find that Dubai had come alive with lots of locals and tourists walking the streets that were lit with flashing neon lights. The transformation from what we'd seen during the day was amazing! That night we had dinner at an Iranian Restaurant called the Green Olive, which had a very lively host called Mahmood. The fare was simple but delicious! We enjoyed hummous, pita bread, beef, lamb and chicken kebabs and some rather interesting salads and soups. We experienced our first cultural misunderstanding at the Green Olive - like the Americans, the Iranians eat their salads and soup first. We didn't realise this until Mahmood asked us point-blank if we didn't like soup or salad. When we told him we were waiting for our mains, he made it clear that we should eat the soup and salad first. Anyway, it was enjoyable.

European Adventure - Itinerary

Hi all,

Here is a proposed itinerary for our upcoming sojourn through Europe before we head onto the United Kingdom.

Depart Brisbane - 23rd March 2007
Dubai - U.A.E. (2 nights)
Muscat/Sohar - Oman (2 weeks)
Paris - France (1 week)
Provence -France (1 week)
Northern Italy (1 week)
Austria (few days)
Czech Republic (2 weeks)
Germany (1 week)
Benelux Countries (1 week)
Arrive UK - early June 2007

Watch out for our upcoming photos and stories!
Jason and Jo.

Vanuatu - Nguna Island - Vat-Vaka Bungalows

The following photos are from our brief, yet enjoyable, stay on Nguna Island (pronounced Noona). Nguna is situated to the north of Efate. Photos include views of the island, surrounding islands, our accommodation, wildlife and a beautiful sunset. We stayed in some basic but enjoyable bungalows called Vat-vaka Bungalows. Details of these bungalows are in the Lonely Planet Guide or you can book through one of the Adventure/tour agents in Port Vila. Half the adventure is getting there - from Vila we rode in the back of a small truck (which kept breaking down) alongside supplies and groceries to the north side of Efate and then caught a dinghy over to Nguna.