Travel Diaries #10 Salalah, Oman

Upon my arrival back to Oman, I had booked a weekend stay in Salalah for Eid Al Adha. I was so glad to have booked this mini-cation as I had been wanting to go to Salalah for ages, especially during Khareef season.

I stayed in Fanar Hotel and Residences which was amazing. When I arrived to check-in, I was given a ice cold drink of mango juice and then 5 minutes later I was all checked in and the porter was taking my suitcase to my room. I explored my room as you do and then I took a shower and had something to eat.

The next day I had booked a tour and to my surprise it was a female guide. I was really surprised and also happy to learn that she was the only Omani tour guide in Oman! Now that's extremely credible. She took me to Wadi Darbat, Mughsayl Beach and the Blowholes and also fit in a trip to view some beautiful Frankincense trees and a special location to view a secret beach. She was very knowledgable, kind and hospitable as most Omani's are. We spent the whole day laughing, joking and talking about everything and anything.

Salalah is best seen during Khareef season which is basically monsoon season in the South of Oman. It is so amazing how the scenery differs from Muscat. It's so luscious, green and full of nature. i loved seeing natural greenery and the beautiful wadis too. It was nice to walk in such cool temperatures as well. I saw literally hundreds of camels, a giant camel spider and other creepy crawly insects too.

On the second and my last day, I went horse riding in the morning. It was really nice learning how this South African family are caring for unwanted and poorly treated animals. Horse riding was hilarious. It took me ages to hoist myself over the horse and then to get down... that was a mission too. As it was my first time, I felt extremely nervous as if the horse was going to tip me right off but it was very nice and the people were so friendly and reassuring. I would definetly recomend them, if you're into horse riding or just want to support them with the hard work they do.

Below are a selection of photographs from my trip.

Mughsayl Beach

Wadi Darbat

'Secret' Beach

A massive herd of camels!

I hope you enjoyed reading and plan your trip to Salalah!

Love, Sara x

An Nauman Zoo/Barka Zoo

I recently came across this zoo in Barka and thought I might like to organise a school trip as we're exploring animals in the first term. So I decided to visit beforehand and see what it was like and if it was suitable for the children.

Firstly my friend and I chose the wrong time of the year to visit. It was sweltering and I could only imagine what the animals might have been feeling too. I think we both paid 1 rial each and then entered the zoo.

Upon arrival it actually seemed okay, clean and spacious but then we visited the first room which showcased some varieties of fish, snakes and oddly enough kittens. I didn't feel comfortable with the kittens as they're not an animal you would normally see in a zoo. It would have been different had they had a small animals area where you could handle them. But they looked exhausted and as if hey had fleas.

Moving on we saw a few types of birds who were in a reasonable state. As we walked around the corner there were monkeys, pigeons, dogs, birds, lizards and more cats. I think the dogs sufferred the most as they looked as though they hadn't been cared for properly at all. I'm not an animal expert although I have cared for pets when I was younger and could easily identify sick or ill animals.

Also at the zoo we're lions and a tiger as well a donkeys, goats and camels. Again they looked a little malnourished and could have been seen to by a vet.

I've read from reviews how people have said it should be shut down and that you shouldn't visit it. However it is important for people to raise the awareness of the zoo and help the owner change and maintain more suitable provisions for the animals in his care. There is so much potential for Barka Zoo if only the owner invested more into it. Then I'm sure the animals would be better cared for and it would attract more people. 

I think first and foremost the owner must get the animals seen to by a fully qualified vet. Then he needs to ensure the animals are cared for my qualified staff or at least get training for the people who work there. He definitely needs to make the enclosures bigger with a stimulative environment for the animals.  It's a massive job but he really needs to start quickly if Barka Zoo is to have any healthy animals on show for children.

So unfortunately I won't be organising a trip with my class as I think it would be distressing for them. 

I hope you enjoyed reading my post.

Sara xx

Travel Diaries #8: Bosnia

Hey everyone,

I've just realised I haven't blogged in a while and again in all honesty it is all due to school. I've been crazily busy and have really only got all my school work out of the way now which gives me some free time.

So, during my Spring Break, I decided to visit my good friend Saida in Bosnia. I had been saying for a number of years how I would go and visit her and I finally just booked the trip on a whim! I was so glad that I did because I really had such an enjoyable time.

Flying to Bosnia took around 7 hours and that includes transits. When I got there I was so amazed at just how green it was. I think I really appreciate the environment and nature more when I see it in a different country.

Even though I was only there for a few days, it was lovely. We talked and talked and talked about everything and anything! Bosnia is heavily influenced by the Ottomans, hence the Turkish style decor and influences with the food too.

She was so sweet and took me to eat lots of delicious food as well as visit some beautiful spots in and around Sarajevo. I officially love Bosnian food as it's so tasty but then again I am a foodie!

I would honestly recommend you to visit this beautiful country and also read up on the history too. There is a bridge in Sarajevo where Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated which instigated the First World War. I actually remember that from my history lessons at school and when Saida told me I was amazed! It is also home to one of the oldest synagogues in Europe too! I love history!

I definitely want to visit again, as there is so much more to see but for now enjoy my mini collage of some photographs below that I've taken from my instagram.

Lots of love,
Sara

Travel Diaries #7: Greece (Work Trip)

I'm on blog roll at the moment! I will end this evening with this blog and then write up more for next week.

So about a month ago, I visited Greece to attend a conference for teachers who are on the Senior Leadership Team in their school or who are new to the role. It was held at St Catherine's British School just outside Athens and led by Karen Ardley Associates. I had been there before when I taught in my previous school and it was a great experience. I was there for 4 days due to travelling, etc. Whilst I was there I met lots of familiar faces which was lovely. We all had a catch up and it was really good learning from one another, as some had more experience and some like me were new to their roles. 

We looked at what makes a leader and how a leader is different to a manager, as well as how to deal with difficult people and implement the school's vision along with your team. Overall, I learnt quite a lot and felt that it was a great refresher course too, as some parts were repetitive from last time. Oh yes! We had a competition to make a design/ideas sheet based on the learning during the course - so I went to town! I didn't think I would win to be honest as many entries around me were so creative and imaginative but I did and it was the book I wanted to read too! I haven't started it yet as I was mid way through another book, my sister recommended me to read which was pretty good too!

It's so important to participate in relevant CPD, I can't stress it enough especially abroad. It helps you to develop as a teacher as you learn from one another and also new and improved ways of ensuring your teaching is up to scratch. I've been lucky this year, as I've made sure I have attended ones which will develop me in my role. However, I am hoping to devise a CPD programmed for the teachers in my school at the start of the next academic year.

                                      

Whilst I was there, I fit in time to meet with my brother as he works outside Athens. So we met up in the evenings for dinner and shisha. It was great and we had a lovely catch up too! I was lucky enough to have most of the day free on Monday as my flight was due to leave in the evening. So I used that to go around the city and view some sights!

My brother Sulley and I in Monastraki

                                                      
   

A breathtaking view of the Acropolis