coast near Fins Beach
date plantation
Fins Beach
Jebal (Mount) Shams
Salalah
wadi
wadi
photos courtesy of Elite Travel & Tourism
Foto Friday – Even More Wild Oman
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How to Visit a Mosque
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
Most Ya’lla Tours itineraries include visits to one or more mosques. These are some of the most exquisite buildings anywhere, must-see sites for their artistry as well as their cultural importance. Like all sacred places, mosques have certain expectations around attire and behavior. Here are some things to know: Continue reading
Foto Friday – More Wild Oman
NAME THAT COUNTRY Episode 43
There’s copper in them thar hills! Or, there was. The formations pictured above are popularly known as King Solomons’ Pillars and they are located in the Timna Valley in the far south of our mystery country. The area was heavily mined for copper for thousands of years, from the 5th millennium BCE to the 7th century CE. Some 10,000 mines have been discovered. Today, the area is a national park.
Can you name that country?
See below for answers.
Foto Friday – Wild Oman
NAME THAT COUNTRY Episode 42
The White Desert National Park pictured above is in the geographic center of our mystery country. Except for a green ribbon of river valley, this country is all desert.
The park features bizarre white chalk formations sculpted by blowing sand.
Can you name that country?
See below for answers.
More Things to Do in Havana
Casa de Africa, Habana Vieja
African influence in Cuban culture is enormous. This little museum illuminates the Afro-Cuban heritage with exhibits on slavery in Cuba, Santeria (the Cuban religion based on African, Catholic and indigenous traditions), art, music, dance and everyday life. There’s also a nice collection of modern African art from all over the continent.
Casa de Africa
Foto Friday – More Nature
NAME THAT COUNTRY Episode 41
These traditionally dressed members of the elite Presidential Guard (Evzones) watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Constitution Square in the capital city of our mystery country. The changing of the guard happens every hour on the hour.
At 11:00 on Sunday mornings, the changing of the guard is a full-on military parade, with a band and over 100 Evzones in full dress uniform. This is a real spectacle and worth scheduling around, if you like that sort of thing.
Can you name that country?
See below for answers.
Köpoğlu – Turkish Meze Recipe
The excellent Istanbul restaurant Meze by Lemon Tree is owned by good friends of Ya’lla Tours. (A meze is an appetizer.) When you’re in Istanbul, do check it out.
The restaurant has received rave reviews in dozens of publications and the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Chef Gençay Üçok has been kind enough to share several of his recipes with me for publication on this blog. Continue reading
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