Oman is ruled by the Sultan and he's a great ruler who is said to take very good care of the people. There is virtually no unemployment, it is a clean and well organized country, and the people are happy.The mosque was exquisite and vast - not even a speck of dirt to be found. The chandelier at the left is the world's largest crystal chandelier, measureing 45 feet from top to bottom. The carpet below was made in one piece - no seams. The men are scraping and cutting the fuzz.
Henna for sale by the scoop. It's used to wash away gray hair and many people, men and women, have brown and red hair, very red.
Lunch included a refreshing and tasty drink made with lime juice and lots of mint.
It's called the incense burner flanks the entrance to Muscat's harbor.
In Safaga, Egypt, on our way to Luxor, we stopped to visit some Bedouin women who were getting water to take back to the camp . . .
. . . I was coaxed by a nearby vendor to try on a traditional head covering.
Little western influence in this area of Egypt, but we were told that it was different in Alexandria and Cairo.
On the way to Luxor we felt as though we had stepped back into biblical times.
At our request we visited a farm. At first the lady of the house was unsure about our visit, but she warmed up to us quickly when her goat began to give birth (right in front of us) and she took it as a very good omen. After the birthing we were shown the interior of her home and asked to stay for tea. We declined the tea, but asked if she would give us one of her home grown tomatoes, which she very happily provided.
Goat's Age: 5 Minutes
The ox approved and the camels weren't phased.
Next a boat ride down the Nile, heading for lunch at a Luxor hotel.
The Temple of Luxor.
The Temple of Karnak.
Still in Safaga, but at Soma Bay Resort - quite a change for Luxor.
We walked through a very narrow and lengthy valley, called "as-siq," to reach the Treasury, and just when you think that the valley will go on forever, it opens up to the most amazing structure, hand carved out of stone thousands of years ago.
Some faces of Petra.
On the way back to Port we were able to stop at a Bedouin camp for a up close and personal visit.
It was wedding day and we caught a glimpse.
Heading back to the ship we passed the hospital where ex-president Mubarak is convalescing after supposedly attempting suicide.
The Suez Canal took about 15 hours to transit. Desolate land, a large military presence on both sides, and small towns here and there to house the military and those who provide for them.
There was much discussion about whether or not we would stop as planned in Alexandria. The final decision was to make the stop. Our tour bus included an armed guard who stayed very close to us at all stops.
The great pyramids are located only yards outside of Cairo since the city has expanded to meet them.
Heading back to Alexandria we passed garbage, dirt, sand, and lots of poverty, BUT there was also lots and lots of American presence, including Oracle and Microsoft and . . .
