Sightseeing in Muscat

One of the many mosques in Oman, some opulent, some small and humble, but everywhere.

Old meets new: one of the many watchtowers that dot the ridges along the coast. Oman has an ancient seafaring and trade route history. You will see concrete structures butting against rock or brick structures, but note architectural embellishments thanks to the Moguls influence

Ancient fort beside concrete apartment building with satellite dish on the roof - typical.

Giant incense burner in a park along the corniche; celebrates Oman's ancient spice trade.

Best for last: An American Frigate came into port the night before. We met 6 men from their crew at our hotel pool (the USS Kauffman FFG-59).

Hi All,

18 October 2010

Oman is beautiful in a austere and magnificent way. Soaring mountain ranges, aqua blue waters and beautiful beaches, interesting architecture (both ancient and new), very friendly locals and our hotel was lovely. The 5-hour drive began with a stop at the border in Al Ain, where we had to purchase exit visas and then into Oman, where we had to purchase visitors visas. Wait at counters t0 show our passports, fill out forms, pay and wait some more before cleared thru - reverse this on the way back (except for the fees on way out are minimal).

We both enjoyed the drive but were happy to get to the Intercontinental and change into swim suits. Scott did his mandatory 2,000 meters in the lovely lap pool and then we went down to the beach and swim in the clear gulf waters. Then we watched fishermen haul in their catch; the entire episode took 12 men, 2 trucks and lasted over 2 hours. So interesting that we couldn't leave and were rewarded to see a large ray being hauled out of the net and onto the beach where it would soon be on the way to the fish market.

We had lovely meals at Trader Vic's (my yellow-fin tuna was so fabulous that we figured out the recipe as we ate and have enjoyed it twice at home since) and an Italian restaurant both a short walk away from the hotel. We met a Navy SEAL at the hotel and enjoyed drinks & war stories. He was obviously was an American (was it the Cubs t-shirt) and also talked at length (with me, is there ever a "short" conversation) with 6 sailors from the USS Kaufmann - Navy Frigate #59. I must tell you that when we rounded the corner and I saw OUR ship with OUR flag, well, it brought tears of joy and pride to Scott and I.

Our drive back took us a different route. We drove back about two hundred miles thru the most beautiful mountain ranges and stopped at a very historic town to visit their famous souq. Well, did not take into account that the inner areas (translate: not that many tourists visit) close up during the mid-day for prayers and sleeping off huge noon meals and to escape the heat! We stopped an Omani man for directions and he welcomed us to his country and invited us to his home for coffee and this is typical Hospitality is a hallmark of Arab countries, as is their delicious coffee. Considering that the entire town was closed, we should have gone... It was okay, because back to the beautiful drive. Stark, Austere, Magnifient were all words that describe Oman's mountains and hope to see more as we explore the vastly different regions while we enjoy our grand adventure.
Scott and I both thoroughly enjoyed Oman despite the heat (of course if you want to experience anything, you have to go outside!) We are so blessed to be able to experience so many different areas and cultures and people. We are learning to be adaptable and enjoy the celebrate the differences. Love to you, Christine and Scott

The Muscat Souq ( Marketplace)

One of the many narrow streets in the labyrinth that comprises the Souq - We did wander around "lost" in the atmosphere, dust and heat!

Typical jewelry display, all jumbled together and you must bargain for everything. Be prepared to walk away as we did, because there will be many more shops.

This woman certainly has a good head on her shoulders. The streets are all very narrow because this is a very old marketplace. Everything must be carried by hand, head, or...

handcart. This older gentleman looked to be pulling a huge load, but as he passed, we noted that 2 younger men were pushing to help out. Vehicles are only on the outskirts of this huge marketplace and we were wondering how so much merchandise was moved around: an ancient version of planes, trains and automobiles

Typical souvenir shop of jewelry, pottery, metals and pashminas.

Hi All,

17 October 2010

Scott has given me the assignment to blog the Oman Souq, as I've more shopping experience in general. This souq is very old and quite large labyrinth of narrow streets cobbled together. No master plan is evident, therefore quite confusing as streets and even narrower alleyways wind and switchback on themselves. The building material ranges from baked brick to concrete and is partially open air, very dim and dusty and quite warm! Shopkeepers call to you as you approach to advertise their specialty. Pashminas, Perfumes, Incense, Souvenirs, Clothing, Cookware, Men's Headcoverings, Beauty Supplies, Housewares and of course Omani Silver and Gold bid for your attention in a cacaphony of sights, smells and sounds.

We arrived in downtown Muttrah, a district of the ancient capital of Muscat in the late morning. Walking along the corniche next to the sea harbor we could see the Sultan of Oman's huge "yacht" (Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous). It is the third largest private yacht in the world. There are lots of shops along the corniche and full of activity but fewer shoppers evident in the souq area. Scott explained that the locals do not venture out during the heat of the day (smart folks!), preferring to enjoy the cooler night air. Ahh, we were marked as tourists without even opening our mouths... Time to enter one of the many entrances to the souq.

From the moment you enter this puzzle of shops you are bombarded with shop owners attempting to lure you into their shop & it is no matter that the guy next door is selling the exact same wares. Pashminas were thrust towards me and the Omani men's hat was placed (several times) upon our not-so-patient Scott. One quickly learns to just keep walking and ignore the persistent shopowners. Exotic frankensence (grown in Oman's hills) is offered in many shops along with a dizzing array of spices. Pashminas, pashminas and more pashminas and I was strictly forbidden to purchase even one more. It was pure torture to drive 5 hours and not buy more than a sprite to quench our thirst and black bobby pins to keep my hair out of my eyes.

The attempt to bargain for a pair of silver earrings (cause I desperately need another pair of earrings) or the traditional Omani dagger were a dismal failure. Nothing is priced! You asked the shopkeeper and he tells you an amount; it is mandatory to counter offer... Scott working in purchasing for 30 years and my experience as a buyer for Ozzie's has made us tough bargainers. It was necessary to walk away when our last counteroffers were turned down, but it was a rich cultural experience. After finding our way out of the souq and into the A/C of our car it was on to a little sightseeing, watch for the next posting. Love, Christine and Scott

The Abu Dhabi Mile

No day at the Beach - Here I am running for the finish line.

Ranier and I with our T-Shirts following the race. Christine looking good.

Ranier and Ewald preparing to get his cap on - it was a real struggle

Pepan and Leonard - Marlene and Ranier's tw other boys enjoying the sand.

Hi All,

Many of you know that I have been swimming for health and weight reduction purposes and one of the motivators was the announcement about 2 months ago of the first ever Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival which included the Waha Capital Mile. The swim was held at the Corniche Beach. The race went off at 7a.m. There were 180+ male swimmers (females left 5 minutes later). Christine says I came in somewhere between 35 - 50th. I was very pleased with my time- 28:27 as I had timed myself in the pool at 35 minutes. Winning time was 17+ min. (the same guy also won the other big race of the day - a 700 meter swim - in fact the same woman who won the mile in 21 + min also won the womans 700 meter .

First place for the Mile was 5000AED or about $1400 US and for the 700 meter was 2 business class tickets to Europe.

I obviously didn't have any expectations of winning but made the suggestion that there be age group winners - not for the prize - but it would give you a better idea where you fit in with your peers. Well Christine snared the event organizer and told him the same and we saw him later and he said that next year this would occur. - So now I have even more motivation to get out there and keep my daily routine up.

The biggest problem with open water swimming is swimming in the right direction. In a pool you subconsiously make the adjustments to keep in a straight line, in the ocean - you can barely see and as with all swimmers one arm is stronger than the other - for me it's my right arm - so I am constantly veering off to the left. Then when you try to correct, you can't see who is on your right - and you usually run into the guy next to you. I was bumped and did the bumping through-0ut the race.

My friend Ranier - from Holland - rode down with Christine and I so that his wife Marlene and 3 boys could come in a little later - their son Ewald (not how it's spelled but how it sounds) who is 11 also swam in one of the many other events they held. Ranier came in 3 seconds behind me - I was so pleased to beat him - he is a Tri-Athlete and is the one who has taken me to another weekly open water swim event. They are a wonder family and we enjoy their company very much.

We left the beach at 11a and returned home to shower and rest. We then celebrated Christine's birthday by going to a Brazilian restaurant at the Intercontinental Hotel where we ate our fill of wonderful roasted meats sliced from the spit. Various cuts of duck, beef, lamb, chicken, sausages and grilled pineapple. We enjoyed a bottle of sparking wine and toasted our new lives and all of our adventurs. The dinner ended with a surprise chocolate tort with Happy Birthday written in chocolate on the plate. All and All - a Wonderful and Memorable Day!

Love to all, Scott and Christine

Pictures from Welcoming Party

Such a lovely woman I'm luckily married to.

Suzanna (Finland) and her husband Chris from the UK. Chris is the CFO of E-Ships.

They are my closest friends and live right across the street.

Sarah and Kevin - both from London our neighbors and friends. They both work for a law office in Abu Dhabi. Kevin in the Human Resources Dept and Lisa as a Legal Secretary.

Here's Pam from North Canton, Ohio and Ross from Australia. Ross works at SEHA (the governing body which controls Mafraq Hospital) in the IT dept. Ross' wife Lisa was working on her college classes and fell asleep and never made the party !

The E-Ship Boys.

Graham from Scotland - Fleet Captain, Chris from London - CFO, David from the UK, Fleet Inspector and Hendrik from the Netherlands - Fleet Inspector.

Graham's wife Liz was a few doors down at Glen and Claire's place acting as babysitter. She arrived about an hour later and was in desperate need of wine in copious amounts.
David's wife Lisa arrived from the UK literally hours before the party with their two young sons- she never made it to the party as she was unconscience.

Welcome Party

Glen and Claire from the UK. Glen works for a company which supplies oil well platforms.Christine with Paul and Karen from the UK. Paul works for the UAE Navy as as Weapons expert.

Martin and Paula from the UK with Annapolis napkin. Martin taught Navigation at the Academy and is a retired Royal Navy Captian who is instructing the UAE Navy.

Erico and George from Hungary. George is Christine's orthopedic surgeon who did her first and will be doing her second carpal tunnel surgery after our trip to India in November. In the background is Sarah and Kevin, our next door neighbors from the UK.

Katherine (UK) and her husband Hendrik from the Netherlands. Hendrik works or E- Ships as an inspector of the fleet. In the background is Pam - North Canton Ohio. Pam works at Mafraq in Patient Billing or what we refer to as Revenue Cycle.

Hi All,

Christine and I just returned from a weekend trip to Muscat, Oman of which I will blog about later. However I need to get caught up on the happenings of the past 2 weeks since her arrival.

The first week was a whirlwind of sleep deprivation as Christine got her body clock in line with the local time. She had a particularly hard time this time for some reason . We both surmise it was stress induced as unlike the past, it was a "vacation" but this time there is no return ticket.

The stress was allieved on Friday the 24th when the party went on beautifully. The original invitations had the party from 6 - 8p for snack and drinks. All the guests brought a snack or a bottle of wine and some brought flowers. I quickly applied a post it note on the wall clock that read "Clock Broken - Party On". The last guests departed at midnight.

Love to all,

Scott and Christine

Together Again

Hi all,
Christine arrived last night. Returned her to her new home where we enjoyed shrimp cocktail, a variety of cheeses, fresh figs and a wonderful glass of merlot. We also toasted out 29th wedding anniversary (purposely planned for this arrival date).
To welcome Christine to Abu Dhabi, I have organized a party for her on Friday evening with about 25 people invited. Most Christine has met before but there will be some new faces.
We are both excited to be back together again and are looking forward to our new adventures.
More to come.
Love to all,
Scott and Christine
(gee it feels good to type her name next to mine again)

Award Winner

John Nickens, Darshak and I with our medals.

John and I

Darshak and John

Hi All,

Wednesday, 28 July 2008

Last week at the Leadership Council (monthly meeting of all department heads) Myself and fellow employee Darshak Shah (Finance) were awarded the "Top Performer's Club" medal. This is a new team building recognition program initiated by the President and CEO, John Nickens. Darshak and I were the first "winners" of this award.

Needless to say, I was shocked, humbled and honored to have been presented with the award. Here is the nomination for which I was chosen:

I would like to nominate Scott Morrow as a Top Performer. He is always considerate and professional with colleagues and customers, despite the pressure of his department.
Scott is always honest and realistic with timescales, and since his arrival, there has been a marked improvement in the customer service attitude of others in the purchasing team.
Purchasing is one department which is often overlooked, but ultimately supports every aspect of the hospital’s function, and deserves to be recognised.
I hope that you will reward Scott as a member of the Top Performers Club for his contribution to Mafraq Hospital.
Thank you

You would have thought they were talking about someone else- I did when John was reading the nomination before announcing my name. I know I was blushing. It's not too often you get to toot you're own horn - but there you have it.

Before you ask - Nothing comes with the award except the medal and the recognition of having been awarded it.

Love to all,

Scott