May page 2007

 The first weekend of May we started the convoy and took off for Mussandam - Khasab.  
Four families - 3 cars - 8 adults and 5 children at the usual pitstop - a petrol station in the emirate of Ras Al Khaima		  Ann-Katrine og Caroline
 We're now in  Mussandam - a stand-alone region of Oman that extends north to the Strait of Hormuz  
The road has been blasted out of the side of the mountain, we could clearly see the ridges from the explosives on the mountainside 		 Bukha Fort, where we stopped for our packed lunch.
The fort originates from the 17th century but is now under restoration (we can't escape construction sites, even in Oman)
 Mikkel, Rasmus, Susanne and Birgitte  The fort is situated in its own bay  
Jan and Poul
 In Khasab we had booked hotel apartments  
Poul and I were in the building close to the pool and everybody else was in the white building		  
 
The view from the roof top terrace to Khasab airport		  The Hajar Mountain range  Three teenage girls - Francisca, Ann-Katrine and Caroline
 
Susanne brought everything for a g&t		  and we had our bbq - all carried from Dubai in our numerous cooler bags.  
 Watching the bbq - there were lots of small children running around  
Poul having a quiet moment 		 Birgit, Poul and Birgitte roasting marshmellows
     
 
Boys and girls in the pool		  Day 2 - and we're ready for a dhow cruise along the fjords of Mussandam, they call it the Norway of Arabia  
Our dhow is the second in the line
     There were lots of jellyfish in the water near the port
     our dhow was basic but adequate - the door in the back to the right was the "restroom"
 
Birgit and Jan		  
Birds resting on a cliff edge 		The Hajar mountains rise straight out of the sea and appear to be folded with layers of limestone, mudstone and marine limestone full of fossils. These limestones were deposited in the early Jurassic period (i e more than 65 mill years ago)
   
Telegraph Island where the British had a telegraph station in 1864-69, laying a cable going from India to Basra in Iraq. Taking the cable "round the bend" of the Gulf gave rise to the expression , since living on Telegraph Island in the summer must have sent them crazy.		  We stopped at the island to snorkle - the waters were clear and there were lots of fish and corals. We had to be careful not to step on the sea urchins which were everywhere in the coral (which we were not allowed to touch anyway)
     Our two boatsmen
 Thsi remote village is the home to 8 families - about 100 people. They stay in Khasab in the hot summermonths and the rest of the year in the village making a living as fishermen. They now have electricity and tankers bring them fresh water. The children go to school in Khasab - either to boarding school during the week or by speedboat every day.    Refreshments (water, soft drinks, omani coffee, sweet tea, fruit and dates) were provided throughout the trip. Lunch came via another dhow and was unsurprisingly chicken curry w/rice, salad, hummus and arabic bread.  
     We were fortunate to see dolphins twice during the cruise. The dhows tried to lure them out of their hiding, though sometimes they seemed to chase them away instead.
     
     
   

 

Yet again we have had a fantastic trip with good friends - and we finished, as tradition bids, with dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe in Dubai (where we definately do not go for the food - but where else can you come full of seasalt and a bit tousled from the wind....?)

  25th May The Danish Gala Ball at Park Hyatt Hotel, Dubai.  Charlotte was on the Ball Comittee with Heidi, Lone, Mette, Pernille and Trine  
Pernille, Charlotte and Trine putting the last hand on the tables.
The evening went so well and we were all thrilled with the result.
 
Setting up for the DJ.
There will be more photos  - when we hopefully get some from the other guests..		  Trine, Janus and Lars checking out the Power Point presentation  
Mette and Charlotte
 
Wonder if this was before or after Charlotte made the welcoming speach?		  Poul being relaxed  
Mette and Charlotte organising the sponsor prizes for the lucky draw
  The dance floor was full all evening  
Nina and Peder		  
Tommy and Noi
 
Heidi and Mette		  
Troels and Anette		  
Karina and Flemming
 
Claus and Susanne		    Happy Birthday to Poul!