We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks, and our humans wish you all a happy Memorial Day. In 1967 Memorial Day became a Federal Holiday, celebrated the last Monday in May.
We thank all who serve to defend and enhance our freedoms, and we honor all of those that gave their lives for our freedom and our way of life.
Fort Logan Cemetery, Denver, Colorado
Thank you American heroes.
Summer is arriving in the northern hemisphere, bringing warm weather. Today, May 27, is National Grape Popsicle Day. According to http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com this all began in San Francisco, California in 1905. They say that 11 year old Frank Epperson was outside on his porch, mixing water with a white powdered flavoring to make soda. Upon going inside, he left it there on the porch with the stirring stick still in it. That night the temperature reached a record low and the following morning, Frank discovered the drink had frozen to the stick. The Popsicle was born. It is a warm weather favorite for all ages and comes in many flavors. Today perhaps we will enjoy a Popsicle.
National Grape Popsicle Day
We ducks really like this human invention. Let’s get some, mom.
We animals are getting hungry. So, let’s go to Dubai’s marina for lunch.
Dubai Marina
Remember, Dubai is a little short on coastline, so this marina was built, with canals offering more water front property. The menu at Salsa’s Restaurant appeals to us.
Menu at Salsa Restaurant. Zeb and Chanel approve.
After ordering, we admire the view from our table.
Dubai Marina from Salsa Restaurant
Our food is here. This is great.
Lunch at Salsa’s
The french fries are delicious and plentiful. Look, we each received two sliders, or smaller hamburgers. But they really aren’t very small. So much food. We appreciate the umbrella over our table, as it once again begins to drizzle. In Dubai, we are in awe of the many skyscrapers, and the new, innovative architecture. We believe the twisted buildings withstand higher winds without damage.
A water park. For a sunnier day.
Driving to the beach we hope to get a good view of what some say is the most luxurious hotel in the world, Burj Al Arab. Here we are, but the fog and drizzle are still obstructing the view. Through the haze, we admire Burj Al Arab.
Burj Al Arab
But wait, hey mom, I think she wants me. Yep, that young girl wanted me.
Burj Al Arab and a narrow escape for Zeb the Duck
Now I feel sad that she is sad. Mom puts me back in my traveling bag. This hotel is designed from the sail of dhow ships, formerly the main boat in the Persian Gulf. After the design was accepted, an island needed to be built, as a ship does not sail on land. And more coastline was created. We love beaches, so another photo of Dubai’s beach.
Beach
Riding these vehicles on the sand is so much fun.
Beach
But today the weather is not great for beach activities. Mom seems fascinated by this building with windows resembling a staircase.
New, innovative building design
Dubai certainly shows so many new ideas. We love this city.
Scrambled eggs, variety of melon, sweet rolls and hot tea started our day. Southern Sun Hotel in Abu Dhabi treated us to wonderful breakfast buffets each morning. And we appreciated it. Our suitcases have been collected and loaded on our bus. Driving along the coast toward Dubai, we are reminded that Abu Dhabi planted thousand of palm trees, using hoses and pipes for irrigation. Crossing into Dubai, we notice that Dubai did not plant trees. This is a cool, overcast, windy day in mid February. The wind is fairly strong, creating a small sandstorm.
Entering Dubai. Small sand storm and overcast day. Reflections through bus window.
Visibility is very low; the Persian Gulf is barely visible from our bus. Conditions do not change, unfortunately. Our first glimpse of Dubai, even through haze, sand and light drizzle, still impresses.
Dubai. Impresses even through haze
We head to Palm Jumierah, or Palm Island. This island, made of sand and rock, no concrete or steel, is the largest man made island. This island was completed in 5 years and was a major engineering project. Dubai became rich through oil, but that oil is expected to be gone by 2020. The Sheikh, also the Emir of Dubai, wanted Dubai to be a world tourist mecca and trade center. A major problem for tourism was a limited amount of coastline. Building islands gives Dubai more coastline. Jumierah Island added 75 kilometers of coastline. This island features retail areas, business office space, luxury waterfront residential homes and hotels, including the Atlantis Hotel. Driving to the island, the bridge is the base of the palm trunk. Sadly, the drizzle is becoming heavier now and the visibility even less.
Imagine this on a clear day. Can only imagine.
We head to the Atlantis Mall.
Inside mall
This luxury mall features exclusive shopping and our some of our favorite rest stops, such as Cold Stone Creamery. We enjoy their ice cream creations frequently.
In the mall
Reminding us that we are in the United Arab Emirates, we spot this sign.
Sign in mall
We were given tickets to the aquarium.
Ticket
Seems everyone is enjoying indoor activities on this drizzly day. This is some of what we see inside.
So many fish
Zeb and Chanel admire fish
Not our favorite swimming companion
Cute, but deadly
Interesting
Beautiful colors
To build this island, a large breaker was needed to reduce the damage by the sea. The environment of this area of the Persian Gulf is changing. Divers regularly evaluate these changes. New species of fish are now living in these waters and new reefs are forming. Leaving Palm Island, we imagine the inside of these fabulous buildings.
Palm Island
We hope you visit Palm Jumierah on a sunny day, but even on a drizzly day it is impressive.
Zeb and Duck and Chanel the Bear are heading for a museum in Muscat, Oman.
We’re going to Bait Al Zubair Museum
As we approach the entrance, we love these animal statues.
Way to entrance
In the lobby, while our guide gets our tickets, we admire the window and the weapons on the wall.
Inside lobby.
Looking through to the building we see many artifacts of Oman’s long history. But, the lady says mom cannot take photos inside. Sad, but we enjoy looking at so many items, current and ancient. After much time enjoying the exhibits, we exit, only to find there is more outside. These boats are typical of those used years ago and even used today.
Traditional boats of times past
Look at this model of ancient Muscat.
Model of earlier times
And more goat statues.
We like him
I really liked the pink head on this one. These were for a Muscat Art Festival.
Art Festival
Leaving the museum, we drive through Muscat. Aren’t the mountains great?
Driving through Muscat
We see an old fort on a hill near the water.
Fort
This huge white building is another palace.
Palace
Now visiting dignitaries and emirates stay here. I guess they didn’t know that Chanel the Bear, and I, Zeb the Duck, are dignitaries in our world. We were not invited to stay here??? Maybe next time? This panorama shows some of Muscat’s old area and buildings.
Housing for visiting dignitaries
Isn’t this a beautiful place? Well, our time in Muscat has come to an end, and we enjoyed it very much. Back to Muscat’s airport, on the plane, and back to Abu Dhabi, another eye scan, and a cab back to our hotel.
Back to Abu Dhabi
We loved Oman and we love Abu Dhabi. When you visit Muscat, perhaps you will plan to be there when tourists can enter the Grand Mosque and the Opera House. But, if not, you will still see and experience so much. We hope to hear that you will visit Oman. It is a fascinating country.
We love strawberries. Today, May 20 is National Pick Strawberries Day. We may not pick strawberries, but we will certainly eat fresh strawberries!
National Pick Strawberries Day
Did you know that strawberries are the only fruit with their seeds on the outside? Wow! The only one!
Cruise ships on the Arabian Sea near a great souk mean Zeb the Duck and Chanel the Bear are happy.
Cruise ships in Muscat
Near the cruise ship, we really like this traditional boat.
We love the traditional boats also.
We love to see traditional things mixed with the modern. Now we know we really are on vacation in a new destination. Here in Muscat, Oman we are shopping. One of the best things about the souk is talking with the people here. The items in this store caught the attention of our moms.
Let’s look
We really like the man here, also. Oh no, our moms sure look different now.
Our moms?
The friendly gentleman showed them, and us, how to wear the head covering, or hat. The shawls are a nice addition also, moms. As we were about to enter the narrow alley of the souk, our moms saw post cards that they really needed. Going further into the store, mom spotted this painting of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Painting of Grand Mosque in Muscat
As you can guess, this painting is now in our home in Colorado. This is a great souk. These narrow walkways are lined with small shops and friendly, but not aggressive owners.
We explore the souk
Many offered myrrh and frankincense. We were fascinated, but did not purchase any. You may know that the Christian Bible teaches that the Magi brought myrrh, frankincense and gold to the baby Jesus. Myrrh and frankincense come from tree resin and we saw much perfume and incense of myrrh and frankincense in the souk. Oh dear. Look at this gold.
So much beautiful gold
Our guide assured us that it is all read gold and most is 18 karat gold or higher. Again, no purchases today. There really is not enough time to see things and decide on major purchases today. But looking is fun; the sales staff is friendly and informative. I love this place! It is time to leave the souk, get in the car and drive to our next destination. Notice that the roads are very good and not a lot of traffic.
Driving through Muscat, Oman
Oman, or officially the Sultanate of Oman, really is a great tourist destination. We do not see much information about visiting Oman in the United States. Oman offers desert trips. A favorite is Sharqiya Sands, or Wahiba Sands as it is locally known, a desert area inhabited by the bedouins. With Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea coastlines, you may enjoy Ras al Hadd, a Turtle Reserve and beautiful beach. Maybe you would prefer Khalif Beach with soaring sand dunes for a backdrop. Of course many old and new buildings and lots of Middle East history here. It would be so much fun to return to Oman for a week or two. Mom?
World class opera performances in the desert? Yes! The Royal Opera House of Muscat opened October, 2011 and has been featuring some of the best entertainers from around the world ever since. This Omani venue comfortably seats 1,100 patrons. Now the outside floor is being polished.
Royal Opera House, Muscat, Oman
Our Omani guide wears the traditional white robe.
Our guide in Muscat, Oman
We have been told this attire is comfortable and cooler in the oppressive summer heat of the desert. Entering the lobby is our guide and Chanel’s mom.
Going into lobby of Royal Opera House of Muscat
The lobby only is now open to visitors. Even not being allowed to go inside, we are grateful seeing the exterior of the concert theater. I, Zeb the Duck, am sitting on the table of the the lobby.
Inside lobby of Royal Opera House, Muscat
The floors and table, recently polished, really glisten. West Side Story will come to Muscat in late February. We always enjoy seeing that musical. After existing the lobby, we stroll on the covered outside walkway.
Walking down covered outdoor walkway
A few turns and we see the lovely gardens.
To landscaped gardens of Muscat Opera House complex
The opera house complex features a concert theater, an auditorium, formal landscaped gardens, a cultural market with retail space, an art center, luxury restaurants and a large parking garage. This complex was built following the Royal Orders of Sultan Qaboos of Oman. These beautiful buildings, all making us feel very peaceful, can make this duck, a small bear and 3 humans hungry. Our guide drives us to the cafe.
Cafe for our snack
We enjoy a special Omani tea.
Frothy Omani tea
It is frothy, but definitely tastes like tea. I like it! This Omani bread has honey in it.
Bread with honey
Tasty and pleasantly sweet; not overpowering sweetness. Our guide had bread with everything: cheese, egg and honey. I wasn’t too sure about that many flavors in the bread, but after sampling some, I liked it a lot. We are enjoying our short time in Muscat, Oman. We visited in mid February so the weather was in the mid 70s F. It was overcast much of the time, but we were comfortable, always felt safe and very welcome. Next time we will show you more of Muscat, Oman.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai have so many beautiful new buildings but Chanel the Bear and I, Zeb the Duck, wanted to see an old city and old buildings. We took our moms to Muscat, Oman a city known as an important trading port since early in the first century. Our taxi driver delivered us to the Abu Dhabi airport where we had our first eye scan, purchased and enjoyed fresh Saudi dates, stuffed with various nuts. So good! Our moms like to be at the departure gate a little early and it was good that they were. Our full plane left Abu Dhabi a little early. In our one hour and 10 minute flight, we left Abu Dhabi, enjoyed a light lunch; we had vegetarian sandwiches, bread sticks with dip, mini pretzels, water and mango juice. The flight attendants on Oman Air were fast and very busy. In Muscat our guide met us at the airport.
Arriving at Muscat International Airport in Oman
Our private tour was reserved for 4 hours. Our fantastic guide extended our tour to 5 hours. Yeah guide! There is so much to see. Our first stop, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Let’s go
This mosque, Sultan Taboos Grand Mosque, competed in 2001, required 6 years to complete. This is now the 11th largest mosque in the world. When it was completed it ranked higher, but new mosques, bigger and more elaborate, are being built. The Grand Mosque was not open to non Muslims at this time, but the building is spectacular and is worth a visit, just to see the outside. The entrance consists of a long walk way with well tended gardens.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman
I am sitting on one of pillars to keep vehicles out. Intricate designs adorn the structure.
Beautiful craftsman work everywhere
Looking inside, the greenery is beautiful.
So refreshing
The arches offer a wonderful view and the floors gleam.
Looking through the arches of Muscat’s Grand Mosque
Walking to an end of the building this area invites peaceful thinking or meditation. Imagine no traffic noise, surrounding desert and nearby mountains under clear, blue skies.
A beautiful, uncrowded area
We admired the large dome.
Beautiful dome
A long walk to the main entrance and then a left tun down the main walkway and to our car.
This mosque is really huge
Inside the mosque is the second largest hand knotted carpet in the world. This carpet, 70 meters by 60 meters, took 600 women 4 years to complete. The large chandelier, 14 meters tall and weighing 8.5 tonnes is inside also. The carpet and chandelier were the largest in the world when completed, but now the largest carpet and chandelier are in Abu Dhabi. We showed you pictures inside that mosque in February. Near the Grand Mosque our guide took us to the magic water. The water from the mountains flows into the cave.
Cave containing magic water
A man was inside and graciously posed for us.
A gracious man posed for us
This is a tub that can be filled with magic waters that seem to have healing properties.
Soaking tub
Mom thinks it is similar to our hot springs in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The hot mineral springs relieve much stress and many pains also. Although the mosque was closed to us and the tub was not full of magic water, these places were definitely worth seeing. Next time Chanel and I will show you more of Muscat, Oman.
Today is the second Sunday in May. In the United States and many other countries, that means Mother’s Day. We honor our mothers and all women, especially those that have helped, loved or cared for a child. We honor all women for their role in our society. Moms, we hope you enjoy your special day.
Happy Mother’s Day
Colorado Traveling Ducks 