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Duffy · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 449 Location: Oman

"Goodbyee, Goodbyee, I wish all the best Goodbyee,
Cheerio old thing, Cheerio Chin Chin, wipe the tears from your eyes Goodbyee"
(Adapted from a song from "Oh What a Lovely War")

That�s it folks we are out of here, we will soon be Salalah history, we are leaving this fair city and country in April. Don't know if we will return.

Going to another strictly Muslim but more enlightened country.

Having spent almost five years in this city, we still have not "been everywhere and done everything". Our back garden is a tribute to our travelling. A "beach" area is covered with seashells turtle bones and lots of nautifacts found on various beaches.

In the middle there is a stone lined "Ancient" wadi this is full of geological samples ranging from flint nodules to crystal geodes, also various bones and animal skulls. We even brought stones back to build a Trilith ( you have Google that one!)

We have driven through the Cara to the Nejd and on into the desert countless times where we have discovered "Rock art, that is effigies of animals, mostly camels, hammered into smooth rocky areas that always lie near a defunct waterfall. We had the pleasure of showing these to local tourist guides who never knew they were there and are now on the tourist trail.

Our latest effort has been to create an "Insurgency" Wadi. (In this area lie all manner of cartridge and shell cases, from both sides. Mortar tails, various ammo boxes. All these have been "won" by driving over some of the roughest terrain possible in our faithful 3.2 Litre Kia Sorento 4X4. I for one will be sad to lose this car

We have made some great friends, sadly lost some too. We will be taking only good memories with us because that has been our experience. I will continue to recommend this place to all and sundry, though I might advise them to look carefully as to where they are going to work.

If you are interested here are a few images.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/duffyden_bucket/oldwadi.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/duffyden_bucket/Geodes.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/duffyden_bucket/warwadi.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/duffyden_bucket/RockArt.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/duffyden_bucket/Triliths.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/duffyden_bucket/FishermenhugeshoalofSardinesnearSal.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/duffyden_bucket/SunsetontheNejd-1.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/duffyden_bucket/TriptotheNejd.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/duffyden_bucket/TaqaCastlenearSalalah.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/duffyden_bucket/processingAbiloneduringtheseason.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/duffyden_bucket/WadiDharbatduringKhareef.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/duffyden_bucket/beach-1.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/duffyden_bucket/WFall2.jpg

Duffy Laughing

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Hey Duffy... I know that they will have the tubes of the internets wherever you go and you can still visit here and give Salalah advice to those considering the place. And you can tell us about the new place. (a mutual friend told me where and we'd love to get your updates on it here)

But the real question is... are you going to crate up all those 'artifacts' and haul them away with you? Must go and check out the photos...

Happy Trails!! Good Luck to both of you!!

VS

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

Travel well Duffy!

hellionzap · Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 61 Location: Nizwa

Thank you Duffy for all your insights and updates from Salalah over the years. You have been helpful and entertaining. I'm sorry we in Nizwa never had the chance to meet up with you. All the best in your new home. Cheers!

With Malice Toward None · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 250

Adios, amigo. But keep coming back Very Happy

.

Duffy · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 449 Location: Oman

VS,

johnslat · Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 7:38 pm Post subject:

Dear Duffy,

Via con Dios - or, if you're not a Dios fan, may the Force be with you.

Regards,
John

Geronimo · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 498

Enjoy your new location, Duffy.

Have fun!

Geronimo
P.S. Did you catch the BBC series, "The Incredible Human Journey" ? Its first episode on Arabia
features Wadi Dharbat and the springs of fresh water,
now off the Omani shoreline, that may have
been so crucial for our ancestors.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIJeFL6uOqU

ThaneKerner · Joined: 13 Sep 2009 Posts: 139

Good luck. Maybe you'll be joined soon by yet another runner from Al Musannah College of Technology. I've heard betting pools are set up there on how long the latest westerners will stay. I'm betting most won't stay more than 3 months.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Really thane... there is a time and a place for your little rants... this is neither the time nor the place.

VS

hellionzap · Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 61 Location: Nizwa

VS,
Is this another of those steppy boy incarnations? Or just an imitation.
Attention seeking behaviour.
Really, it's true, I was only saying, you'll thank me in the end, it'll all end in tears, the sky is falling!

Duffy · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 449 Location: Oman

yet another thread hijacked!!!

D Shocked

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Just shocking isn't it? Who would have expected such a thing to happen here!! Shocked

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

So, Duffy, where do you think you will go? Stay in Oman? It will be hard to leave Salalah....the lifestyle is just so good.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 5:10 pm Post subject:

Is it left up to me to be culturally relevant???

Err..Ma'salaama, Duffy, you ol' scoundrel! We've never communicated, but I enjoyed your insight!

Now, secuse me whilst I slink back into the ether before one of those folk who don't exist tries to step on my cape again!

NCTBA Laughing

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