Al Hamra Tower in Kuwait City

14 September 2016 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  6 minutes

© Irvin calicut/cc-by-3-0

© Irvin calicut/cc-by-3-0

The Al Hamra Tower is a skyscraper in Kuwait City, the capital of Kuwait. The construction of the comprehensive 77 level building began in 2005 and was conducted by the firm Turner Construction. The final height of the building of 413 meters was reached on July 15th 2010, making the tower on of the tallest buildings in the world. At the same time it has replaced the 371-meter high TV tower Liberation as the tallest structure in Kuwait. The Al Hamra Tower has surpassed the Arraya Tower (300 meters) as the highest skyscraper in the country. The works were finished in the fall of 2011, later than originally planned. At the start of construction, it was still assumed that the structure would be ready for occupancy at the end of 2010. However, this date could not be maintained, even if the construction work proceeded without any major incidents. At the foot of the tower there is a shopping center.   read more…

The Dubai Media City (DMC)

4 July 2016 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Dubai Reading Time:  5 minutes

Dubai Media City entrance sign © Hicham-ix/cc-by-sa-4.0

Dubai Media City entrance sign © Hicham-ix/cc-by-sa-4.0

Dubai Media City (DMC), part of Dubai Holding, is a tax-free zone within Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It’s located next to the Dubai Marina neighborhood, next to Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai Internet City, and the private American University in Dubai, as part of the new to be built Dubai International Academic City.   read more…

Theme Week Oman – Masirah Island

25 June 2016 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  6 minutes

Kite surfing © flickr.com - StellarD/cc-by-2.0

Kite surfing © flickr.com – StellarD/cc-by-2.0

Masirah or Mazeira Island is an island off the East coast of Oman, 95 km long north-south, between 12 and 14 km wide, with an area of about 649 km², and a population estimated at 12,000 in 12 villages mainly in the north of the island. Administratively, it forms one of the eleven provinces of the Ash Sharqiyah Region. The principal village is Ras-Hilf in the northern part of the island. It contains a Royal Air Force of Oman air base and a fish factory, as well as a few small towns.   read more…

Theme Week Oman – Nizwa

24 June 2016 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  7 minutes

Nizwa Souq © flickr.com - Francisco Anzola/cc-by-2.0

Nizwa Souq © flickr.com – Francisco Anzola/cc-by-2.0

Nizwa is the largest city in the Ad Dakhiliyah Region in Oman and was the capital of Oman proper. Nizwa is about 140 km (1.5 hours) from Muscat. The population is estimated at around 700,000 people including the two areas of Burkat Al Mooz and Al Jabel Al Akhdar. The city is home to the University of Nizwa. Nizwa is one of the oldest cities in Oman and it was once a center of trade, religion, education and art. Its Jama (grand mosque) was formerly a center for Islamic learning. The city, famous for its handicrafts and agricultural products, has an expansive souq with an array of products. It is one of the most important in the country besides Muttrah. The souq bustles with vendors selling everything from meat, fish, fruits and vegetables to spices, dates, gold and silverware. Nizwa is renowned for its silver jewelry which is considered to be the best in the country. Its people are masters in Khanjar making (curved dagger), recognised for its distinctive style and patterns. They also make copper ware, coffee pots, swords, leather goods and pottery.   read more…

Theme Week Oman – Sohar

23 June 2016 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  6 minutes

Sohar Gate © flickr.com - StellarD/cc-by-sa-2.0

Sohar Gate © flickr.com – StellarD/cc-by-sa-2.0

Sohar is the capital and largest city of the Al Batinah North Governorate in Oman. An ancient capital of the country that once served as an important Islamic port town, Sohar has also been credited as the mythical birthplace of Sinbad the Sailor.   read more…

Theme Week Oman – Khasab

22 June 2016 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  6 minutes

Khasab Castle © StellarD/cc-by-sa-3.0

Khasab Castle © StellarD/cc-by-sa-3.0

Khasab is a city in an exclave of Oman bordering the United Arab Emirates. It is the local capital of the Musandam peninsula and has frequently been dubbed the “Norway of Arabia” because of its extensive fjord-like craggy inlets and desolate mountainscapes. Boats from Khasab take tourists on trips to view the dolphins common in the waters around the Musandam, as well as to visit Telegraph Island, for a short time (between 1865 and 1868) the site of a manned telegraph repeater station on the cable section between Bahrain and Bombay.   read more…

Theme Week Oman – Salalah

21 June 2016 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, UNESCO World Heritage Reading Time:  7 minutes

Downtown Salalah © StellarD/cc-by-sa-3.0

Downtown Salalah © StellarD/cc-by-sa-3.0

Salalah, is the capital and seat of the wali (governor) of the southern Omani province of Dhofar. Its population is at around 200,000.   read more…

Theme Week Oman

20 June 2016 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Bon voyage, Theme Weeks Reading Time:  13 minutes

The traditionell Dhow, an enduring symbol of Oman © Pranav21391

The traditionell Dhow, an enduring symbol of Oman © Pranav21391

Oman, is an Arab country in the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Holding a strategically important position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, the nation is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest, and shares marine borders with Iran and Pakistan. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the southeast and the Gulf of Oman on the northeast. The Madha and Musandam exclaves are surrounded by the UAE on their land borders, with the Strait of Hormuz (which it shares with Iran) and Gulf of Oman forming Musandam’s coastal boundaries.   read more…

Atlantis, The Palm, in Dubai

10 June 2016 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Dubai, Hotels Reading Time:  8 minutes

Atlantis, The Palm © Bgabel/cc-by-sa-3.0

Atlantis, The Palm © Bgabel/cc-by-sa-3.0

Atlantis, The Palm is a hotel resort in located at the apex of the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was the first resort to be built on the island and is themed on the myth of Atlantis but includes distinct Arabian elements. The resort opened on September 24, 2008 as a joint venture between Kerzner International Holdings Limited and Istithmar World.   read more…

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