Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Our Egypt Vacation - Day 1

Ever since our stay in Oman from 2002, we’ve been planning to visit Egypt. We’ve even bought the guide book in 2003 but the trip never materialize until recently. In fact, we almost canceled the trip due to recent bombing in Khan Al Khalili in Feb. We adjusted our itinerary from spending full week just in Cairo to a week visiting major cities of Egypt, following the classical tour of Egypt.

We travelled with QS44 and made arrangement with a travel agent based in Egypt. All our transport, tour guide and hotels were arranged made with Mr. Maghrapy, the service was excellent and highly recommended.

We arrived in Cairo around midday and our program will only start on the next day. During the evening, we made arrangement to see the Pyramid light show. It was just a so-so show but it gives me opportunity to test the high ISO setting of the 5D Mark II. The photo below was taken with ISO 25,600 but has been clean up using Noise Ninja.

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After the show, we bought some take-away from one of the popular Shawarma joint in Cairo.

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Day 2 will be about pyramids and Cairo.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Vrijmarkt

Today is a vrijmarkt in one of the street in the camp. This is part of the Queen's Day celebration (Queen of Netherlands).

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Friday, April 24, 2009

Flag of Brunei

During His Majesty, Sultan of Brunei visit to Oman, the flags of Brunei Darussalam were hoisted along the roads in Muscat. It started from the road around Mutrah Cornice, Mutrah Souk, Gate of Muscat until the Royal Palace. The following photos captured those moments:

Gate of Muscat
Gate of Muscat

Mutrah Cornice
Mutrah Corniche

Mutrah Souk
Mutrah Souk

Al-Ilam Palace
Al-Ilam Palace

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Once in a lifetime

Original post

Once-in-a-lifetime experience for Bruneians in Oman

By Liza Mohd in Muscat, Oman

A Bruneian girls greets His Majesty


His Majesty being greeted by a Bruneian family.


Dyg Norhasnida (R) and her Omani husband greet the ruler.

His Majesty in a group photo with the Bruneian expats and families in Oman


A Bruneian family in a group photo with the senior goverment officials
Photos: Liza Mohd

More than 80 Bruneians and family members residing in the capital city of Oman were given the opportunity to greet His Majesty during the ruler's two-day State Visit to the sultanate.

At least 28 families based in Muscat and Sur - three hours' drive to Muscat - were given access inside the Al-Alam Palace for the first time to greet the monarch.
Despite His Majesty's hectic schedule, the 'junjung ziarah' from the Bruneians was slotted into His Majesty's programme and the Bruneians received the news with anticipation.

"There was unconfirmed information earlier that His Majesty would be stopping by Oman as part of his working visit to the Gulf states. We later come to know after watching the television news of His Majesty's State Visit to Kuwait," said Haji Zulane bin Haji Othman, the Senior Well Engineer working at Petroleum Development of Oman (PDO).

On Wednesday, when news of His Majesty's arrival surfaced, nearly 20 Bruneians gathered at Kalbooh Park in Mattrah and waved the national flag to catch a glimpse of His Majesty heading to the Al-Alam Palace.

For security reasons, the streets leading to the palace in the old town of Muscat were closed to traffic and some of the Bruneians did not make it to the gathering.
"We lined up along the date trees of Muscat and waved the Bruneian flag to catch His Majesty's attention when the motorcade passed through the road. We were excited to see His Majesty waving back," said Hajah Florinda binte Haji Mejenis, whose husband is also working at PDO.

It was only Thursday morning that a Bruneian Embassy representative notified the Bruneian families about the 'junjung ziarah' with His Majesty at the palace.
"It was overwhelming to be given access to enter the Al-Alam Palace. I have been staying in Muscat for over six years and the only part of the palace we were able to see was the entrance. We were happy to be able to pass beyond the palace gates for the first time," said Hjh Faridah binte Hj Johari.

Bruneians gathered at the Brunei Embassy in Shatti, Qurrum as early as 4pm local time (8pm Brunei time), and three government buses transported the group, accompanied by Bruneian and Omani government officials to the palace.
At the palace, they were subjected to security inspection and then led to the waiting lounge.

After an hour, the Bruneians were ushered to a palace hall where they lined up for the ruler's arrival.

Soon afterwards, His Majesty arrived, shook hands and queried about their stay in the country.

Most of the Bruneians are working at PDO and Oman LNG.

Some of them are also BSP/BLNG employees who are on cross-posting assignments.

"We are truly grateful to His Majesty for taking the time to mingle and ask about our welfare here. This shows the monarch's concern for his subjects outside of Brunei. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us and we hope His Majesty will drop by again in the future," said Awg Hairol Nizam bin Mokti, the Senior Drilling Engineer in PDO who has been in Muscat for over six years.

His Majesty had taken the time yesterday to receive the Bruneians, prior to a private dinner with Sultan Qaboos Thursday evening.

His Majesty left the Sultanate of Oman Thursday at about 12 midnight (4am Brunei time), marking the end of his State Visit to the Gulf state.

"Sultan meets Bruneians in Muscat"

Original post

"Sultan meets Bruneians in Muscat
Text & photo by Liza Mohd



Bruneians residing in Muscat, Oman had a day to remember when His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam mingled with them in 'junjung ziarah' at Al-Alam Palace during His Majesty's State Visit to Oman."

Qayyum and Ameera featured in this photo.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Royal Visitor

Yesterday was a special day for us, His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei arrived in the Sultanate of Oman for a state visit.

We were standing on the side of the road with one big flag of Brunei. In fact, we were the only people allowed there since all the rest of the people were asked to stand further back

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The kids were with mini flags of Brunei, getting ready for the royal convoy.

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The royal convoy were impressived, with helicopter flying above and Hummer H3 military vehicle ahead of the royal car.

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Managed to capture the hand wave from His Majesty.

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Visitor

Last night the Bruneian community entertained PN who is here covering the Royal visit to Oman. The dinner was at Bin Atique Restaurant, which served Omani dishes.

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Tomorrow will be proudest moment for us, Bruneian living in Oman with the visit of His Majesty, Sultan of Brunei to the Sultanate of Oman.