Located approximately 90 minutes southwest of Muscat, and surrounded by date palm plantations, the historic market town of Nizwa has become one of Oman’s top tourist hotspots. I arranged for Ahmed, my Omani friend and guide, to take me on a day trip to the country’s former capital, once famous for its Islamic conservatism. These... Continue Reading →
On a warm, muggy night in Aden, midway through dinner, we lost power and found ourselves in complete darkness. My host, Yazid, told me it was a regular event and went to the kitchen by the light of his phone and returned with some candles. I suddenly heard what sounded like fireworks outside in the... Continue Reading →
After my plans to cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats were abruptly halted by a vicious dog, I felt the need to fill the aching achievement void of the last few months. Still unable to cycle long distances due to my injury, and with time running out before starting Uni in October, I looked... Continue Reading →
Marrakech Souq is the biggest Berber market place in Morocco, and has changed little over several hundred years, since its creation in the 11th Century. The souqs of the old medina (city) are surrounded by a 19km wall which has 12 impressive entrance gates to ease the flow of traders passing through this important North... Continue Reading →
I must be the only Brit who had never been to Marrakech.... at least that what it seemed, so packed was the BA flight with folks who were returning to a city that felt to them like a second home. For me, it was my first experience travelling to North Africa and even then, it... Continue Reading →
After spending some time at the races, we jumped into the car and followed behind Mohammed Islam in his pick-up, as he headed towards his stables. It really is an entire Camel city in the middle of the desert. Row after row, block after block, dusty alley after dusty alley of stables for the camels,... Continue Reading →
I've made no secret of the fact that I adore camels. They're full of character, have the cutest faces with big eyes, long eye lashes and full lips which curl and flap into the funniest shapes or simply hang in gormless contemplation. Buts its not this that really attracts me - its their nature -... Continue Reading →
I'd arrived in Petra after two nights of no sleep - one on a flight from the UK and another in a freezing cold seedy hostel in old Amman - and a five and a half hour bus journey, two hours of which were spent standing on the side of the Kings Highway waiting for... Continue Reading →
Tonight I am in Jordan, sitting in The Seven Wonders Bedouin Camp with bedu boys around a camp fire, drinking sweet tea, talking a little arabic and feeling right at home! Its my last night in Petra after spending a few days in Jordan on my way back to Doha from the UK and yet... Continue Reading →
As the taxi drives us from the airport, I can see that every woman is dressed in the abaya and full veil….. I ask Yazid if I need to buy a veil. He reassures me it will be fine. There are areas where I will need to be careful but in busy places such as... Continue Reading →
