Museum of Islamic Arts Doha

We made our first stop of the morning in Doha at the Souq Waqif, and with splendid Arabian Horses walking through the streets it was a wonderfully atmospheric location.

Souq al-Waqif Doha

Falcons were

The Falcon Hospital Abu Dhabi

It was very interesting to visit the Falcon Hospital on the desert edge of Abu Dhabi where we could see Falcons getting high grade attention, including pedicures and beak trimming.

Falcon Pedicure

We took

Joining the Clipper Odyssey in Dubai

I arrived in Dubai to join the small cruise ship ‘Clipper Odyssey’ on which I would give lectures about this region to the passengers along with with Allan Langdale and Gary Wintz .  Remarkably Zegrahm’s (who run the Clipper Odyssey) had booked me into the very first hotel I slept in when visiting Dubai, the Hyatt Regency. The hotel must have been refurbished since 1986 but its essence remains, including the fantastic revolving restaurant with great views over the creek of Dubai and beyond.

Burj Khalifa

The next day we

Al Bustan Palace

I enjoyed taking up the invitation by the management of Al Bustan Palace to join them for the meal which breaks the daily fast ‘Iftar’. In a special tent overlooking the sea we enjoyed an Arabic themed meal with, for those who smoke’ a Shisha Tent (Hubbly Bubbly/Water Pipe/Hookah) next door.

Al Bustan Iftar Buffet

As a contrast in Muttrah this is the Iftar of a local community which of course is also open to guests.

Iftar in Muttrah

Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

It was good to meet up with Kim Tan, Director of Business Development at the Shangri-la,  after his recent business trip to Moscow. Apart from discussing how our own business with the hotel could improve it was also nice to learn how Oman is focusing on the ‘Brics’ countries for its inbound tourism.

Kim Tan of Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

Later