Musqat is wonderful After the disaster that was my New Year in Bahrain Musqat had a lot to live up to. Musqat excelled, the Chedi did not fare so well. I left Dammam early with my driver Ameer picking me up at 6am. This was because I have learned it is far better to fly out of Bahrain than Dammam. This means the additional hour to drive to the airport. But better than 2 hours in a customs line that never moves. So over the causeway I went at sunrise and it was ...

Happy New Year Everyone, Well this is the first of my three 'overseas' trips in three weeks. I did drive across the King Fahd Causeway from Saudi Arabia which crosses the Persian Gulf so I am overseas. I left on the 30th and came to the Gulf Hotel again. Dinner this time was in the Chinese restaurant here with a very nice red. Served in a wine glass without ice and lemonade. I prefer it that way. I was actually shattered and had and early night. The effects of ...

Merry Christmas Everyone, The picture for this blog is the nearest I could get to a Christmas tree shape. Imagine it in green plastic with tinsel, baubles, angels etc. Adele and I went to Bahrain for the day shopping last Tuesday. It was strange shopping without the crowds a few days before Christmas. First we went to the movies and saw Twilight New Moon. This was Adele's choice. I have never read or seen any Twilight until this. Faye you are right, 2 hours or ...

Blog Update per Tina's request I technically did update my blog a few days ago with travel plans, check the map but shall go into details now. "The weather outside is frightful....la la.....let it snow let it snow let it snow" It is not going to but it did get down the 13 degrees last night. The locals have dragged out their camel skin coats, beanies, scarves etc and the department is actually having a few mid winter quiet hours at 2 am. I am on a ru...

(This blog entry has material that might be sensitive to young ears. Do not read aloud to children. I discuss aspects of Christmas excitement that may..or may not exist) There are 2 pieces of news from Dammam for the world beyond the wall. The first is best explained by the picture. The rain continues. I have added photos to the 'Rainy Days' album. But the flooding that was experienced in Jeddah and Riyadh is happening here. I guest when a country has 3 or 4 rai...