Dubai has more to offer than I ever imagined. While I expected the parade of architectural marvels competing as if in a skyscraper beauty contest, the dancing fountains, edgy art and old world alleys were just a few of the surprises Dubai held in store. Continue reading “Dubai | Two Days of to Dos”
Oman exemplifies “good things come in small packages.” We only visited the northern part of the country and still experienced every kind of landscape. For our last few days we left the mountains for the desert and then the sea. Continue reading “Oman | the Desert and the Sea”
I love mountains. When I am not traveling, I spend my time surrounded by and exploring the Tetons. My first exposure to the Al Hajar mountains blew my mind (Oman | Heading for the Hills part I) but I had no idea what still lay in store. Continue reading “Oman | Heading for the Hills part II”
Oman merits at least a week of your vacation time. However, that is not always possible. Even a visit of a few days provides opportunities to explore some of the historical villages and forts within an easy drive of Muscat. For the most part, the main roads are excellent and marked in Arabic and English. If you only have one day, then I would recommend Nizwa, Bahla and Jabrin. If possible, include a visit to the lovely hillside town of Misfah. Continue reading “Oman | Great Day Trips from Muscat”
I had heard that the mountains of Oman were majestic and had vague knowledge of its “Grand Canyon,” but nothing prepared me for the reality. Continue reading “Oman | Heading for the Hills part I”
From the majestic mountains to to beautiful beaches, with history and culture to boot: Muscat is a must-see city . Click to read more. Continue reading Oman | Muscat Love
Until I started traveling in the Middle East and North Africa, I had no appreciation for dates (the fruit, that is). The lone boxes purchased to make Christmas cookies often languished well beyond their “sell by” date. Better late than never: I am now a convert.
Omanis consume dates from sun up to sunrise with the average person eating almost 1/2 pound a day. Dates are an excellent source of protein, vitamins and mineral and their high sugar content (40–80 percent) protects them against bacterial contamination and means they can be stored for years.
Continue reading “Foodie Friday | Oman”
These two islands were by far my favorite on the trip. That is not to say I would have skipped a single one, just that if I had two days, these are where I would spend my time. Continue reading “Genovesa and Bartolomé Islands”
Charles Darwin and the Galápagos are inextricably linked in many people’s mind. After all, this archipelago and its inhabitants gave birth to his theory of evolution. Darwin only spent five weeks on the islands, but what he observed resulted in his masterpiece On the Origin of Species. Santa Cruz Island is the most populated island in the Galápagos and home to the Charles Darwin Research Center. Continue reading “Galápagos Close-Up: Santa Cruz Island”
Only a few miles away as the pelican flies, Santiago Island is as different from its neighbor Rábida as night from day. Its stark cratered surface reminded me of the moon. Sea lions, marine iguanas and American Oyster Catchers were abundant, and we saw fur seals (which are actually sea lions – a fact that caused great confusion) for the first time. 
This bright Yellow Warbler with its colorful plumage was a standout, especially on Santiago’s moon-like surface. Continue reading “Galápagos Close-Up: Santiago Island”
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