Googbye Oman, Hello Yemen

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A BOB OR TWO.
Pleasant day snorkelling with the divers from Crowne Plaza. Two young German children who were absolutely delightful -willing chatty and friendly. We went by Mirbat -yet again, then off road to beautiful Eagle Cove. There were stingrays, turtles and the usual tropical fish. Relaxing sitting under the shelter the fishermen had built.
I had arranged for Hafiz who I met last night to help me load the photos on to the blog. As I walked out of the hotel a smart Lexus slowly drove towards me in the dark. The occupants turned out to be Hafiz and a friend who took me to his office to sort things out on his computer. We managed to put some on after much trouble in reducing the size. I was embarrassed to be taking their time. So just put a 4 on and then rushed them away as i needed to change money. All the money changers were closed because of the holiday so they drove me to the airport but the office was closed there. In the end they changed some for me personally. To thank them for their kindness I invited them for a meal. we ate at the Lebanese restaurant. What must the waiter think seeing me with all these different men.
In the event they went up and paid for me.
The kindness is overwhelming. Although Hashims family own hypermarkets, shopping malls and God knows what else- so is not short of a bob or two.































GOODYE OMAN, HELLO YEMEN.

Left in a mini bus for a 14 hr journey to Al Mukula in Yemen. It was one of the most amazing journeys I have made. Like Karakoram by the sea. Hairpin bends going up 3000ft mountains with fantastic rock formations and frankincense trees and then dropping down to a beautiful sandy beach.
The border post on the Omani side were no problem at all. I was worried as I did not yet have a visa for Yemen and since it was a holiday they might not be issuing visas. The only other tourist on the bus was a French girl who already had a visa.
After yet more mountains we reached the Yemen immigration. The man looked at my passport for ages and with much discussion with our bus driver and without ever looking at me as he spoke absolutely no English I was informed that I must pay $100. I was relieved that I was getting a visa but dismayed at the cost as in the LP book it said that visas cost $30. He was really ratty and bolshie and the French girl who could speak Arabic as she was from Tunisian decent had to fill in my card in Arabic so that he could fill in the visa by copying it. All this took an age and the other passengers had to wait for us.
The French girl who was quite smug at already having her visa had even more trouble. He was trying to say that her visa was out of date and he could not work out how many months October to December were- repeatedly grabbing a calendar throwing it down. That took another 10 minutes. Then he was looking through all his files for a form which he could not find and they were thrown around the room in the process. Eventually we were able to go but he was a nightmare.
As we continued There was a beautiful spot. Bathed in the sunlight, there was a Yemeni village at the base of a sheer 1000ft mountain. In front was a little beach but in front of that was a lagoon with loads of flamingos. Then this side of the lagoon was a beach with the colourful fishing boats resting. It was unbelievably picturesque.
The rest of the journey was pretty as it was often beside the sea, but most of it was in darkness.
We arrived in Mukallah at 11pm Yemen time which is 1hr behind Oman time.
I was met by Ali Mohammed a seedy looking fellow, who I had been put in touch with Amer in Salalah to help me book a hotel and arrange a flight to Sana'a the capital. He took me and the French girl to the Half Moon Hotel which seemed to be run by children. It was OK but not very clean and the room ensuite cost £10. But then the exchange rate is very low for the pound.
The next day it was still a holiday so it was difficult to change money again. After much trouble got the ticket for the flight.
Scenically Mukallah looked great with mountains, a river, forts etc., but close to it was filthy. People just threw the rubbish down and, inevitably, the old plastic bags remained. Most people smoked and the dog ends were every where. Talking of dogs- there were some, and cats. Never saw any in the Oman.
The people were friendly and helpful. The only people that I managed a conversation with were from Somalia because they could speak some English.

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Comments

[PMT]

Happy Christmas
Lovely to read your blog! Lots of men perhaps I should join you!!! Have a happy christmas! x