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RAMADAN AT CROWNE PLAZA RESORT SALALAH August 9, 2010 Enjoy Ramadan at the Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah. For more information click here.   Dhofar residents can take advantage of these special Ramadan Room Rates....more.

NEWS RELEASE - SALALAH MARRIOTT RESORT August 7, 2010 The Sultanate’s first Marriott Resort, Salalah Marriott Resort in Mirbat, Oman is ready to welcome its guests during the Holy month of Ramadan.   “This Ramadan will truly be special”, says Ahmed El-Meligui Director of Sales and Marketing at Salalah Marriott Resort. “Due to the monsoon we are experiencing temperatures of 27 degrees and a slight rainy drizzle that covers the South of Oman with lush greenery. The cool and pleasant climate of the Salalah Region during August and September is one advantage to spend Ramadan at Salalah Marriott Resort, our attractive room rates and special Ramadan programs will complete your unforgettable Ramadan experience.”   The Ramadan Package at Salalah Marriott Resort starts at RO 55 and includes a Deluxe Room on Single or Double occupancy, a savory Iftar at Sumhuram All Day Dining Restaurant, an indulging Sohour at Mirbat Arabic Café and a savory Shisha served with Arabic Tea at the Mirbat Arabic Café Terrace after sunset.   Enjoy a contemporary Ramadan and experience traditional Ramadan dishes and desserts as well as favorite popular Ramadan beverages such as Jallab, Kamarudeen, Laban Iran or Tamarhindi. Especially the Mirbat Arabic Café with its traditional "majlis" seating is ideal for a get together with colleagues, family and friends.   Break the fast and to make the 1001 nights experience livable with the corporate Iftar packages. Prices start from RO 8.5 net per person, including Banquet Room Rental with Banquet style setup, access to prayer room, Iftar Buffet, Ramadan Juices, water and soft drinks. The package will be complemented by the dedicated Salalah Marriott staff who are committed to providing you with an unforgettable experience this Ramadan Season.

HILTON RESORT SALALAH August 1, 2010 Have a look at what is happening at the Hilton this month. Click here for more information.

TINY TOTS KINDERGATEN REGISTRATION May 4, 2010 Registration is now open for Tiny Tots Kindergaten in Saada. Seats are limited so call Pamela (9728 3673) today!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SWINE FLU August 19, 2009 Click here for information on the treatment of swine flu. This has been provided by the British Embassy Muscat.

GREETINGS FROM THE FRENCH TEAM IN MARMUL June 23, 2009 "This is a message from the french team in Marmul area (240 km from Salalah). We are building there a plant to inject polymer in the wells to improve their oil output. We are10 engineers from SNF Floerger to erect this plant. I have the privilege of being the first to have arrived at this prestigious location, in april 2007, even before the installation of our camp (photo). Our neighbour Richard can testify.   Even more than Marmuleans, we are citizen of Salalah. It is our home, our oxygen, our vision on Oman. Each Thursday we used to go to Salalah for a small week-end. It is then the time to explore all the nature around. On Thursday evening, we used to go to Oasis, where we have probably met some readers of this expat news. Having been here for a long time, I developed a kind of bad habit. I am now making figures with any kinds of natural waste found on the shore (driftwood, stones, fossils, shells…). I’m afraid they demonstrate a very bad taste. Hope we’ll have the pleasure to meet some of you." Nicolas (92 84 68 24)

RUNNING GROUPS April 15, 2009 If there are any running groups or area races that you are aware of, please contact Edwin at shooting_star_2111@hotmail.com who is interested in joining or participating.

MUSCAT INSURANCE COMPANY August 2, 2006 Very attractive motor premium rates for individuals holding no claim certificates, schemes and also affinity groups are available. Special discounts are applicable to teachers, doctors, engineers, managers, accountants, bank employees, Port of Salalah staff, Shell Oman staff, Nawras staff, parents of Indian School students and members of Indian Social Club. For further details please contact Mr. K. U. K. Nair, branch superintendent, MIC Salalah branch on 99499275 or 800 797979(toll free).   Muscat Insurance Company have shifted their Salalah branch office from Haffa House to a new premises on the ground floor of " Dhofar house " on 23rd July street opposite Oman Arab bank and Omasco (Panasonic) near Oman & UAE exchange company LLC. On 4 January, 2006. Our telephone and fax numbers remain as under: Tel:     23293246 (o)     23293247(fax)     800 797979 (toll free)     99499275 (mobile) Contact persons: Mr. K. U. K. Nair Mr. Faizal Omar Bakhit Al Shanfari   MIC have introduced a new product called "Office Safe Insurance" New all in one package insurance cover for "office safe" - to cover all risks, business interruption, money, glass and legal liability.   For more details please contact our office on any of the above numbers.   Grand offer still continues............discounts on motor insurance policies. Muscat Insurance Company is pleased to offer special discounts on individual motor insurance policies........... Very attractive motor premium rates for individuals holding no claim certificates, schemes and also affinity groups. Special discounts are applicable to teachers, doctors, engineers, managers, accountants, bank employees, Port of Salalah staff, Shell Oman staff, Nawras staff, parents of Indian School students, members of Indian Social Club etc:-   For further details please contact Mr. K. U. K. Nair, branch superintendent, MIC Salalah branch on 99499275 or 800 797979(toll free)

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MESSAGE FROM 'LUBNA' April 1, 2006 Having spent almost 20 yrs in Salalah I should admit it's amazing how the city manages to stay as serene and mystic as it was then. I can still remember Salalah when I came there for the first time in 1986. Through these years Salalah has merely grown into a rather huge village than into a cosmopolitan city as would have been the case of any other place on Earth with so much to offer. One will undoubtedly be taken aback by the beautiful landscapes & the enchanting beaches. It's like this special place on Earth was meant to b preserved by Mother Nature from being tampered with by anyone/anything called development. To a resident who's been there 4 so long....life seems to stand still while the rest of the World is undergoing massive transformation in the blink of an eye. Then again, for a person who needs some peace, a BREAK from the daily turmoil of monotonous work, some place to go soul-searching n all the reasons you'd want to have a vacation, Salalah is the place to be and will always be dear to the Tourist who won't spend more than a couple of days doing all the things that'll mean a vacation. Salalah is a tourists' paradise.

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RELIEF AID FINAL SUMMARY November 1, 2005 Through many individual and corporate donations, we as a community have contributed hugely in the rebuilding process after the massive destruction caused by the earthquake in South Asia. With the support of Maersk Sealand and Salalah Port Services, without whom this drive would not be possible, we have superseded all expectations in what was set out to be a small-scale aid collection.   A task team made up of Ali Tabouk, Talib Hussain Shah, Rama Sanjeeva and Cyril Van Der Merwe sent out the original request for donations of food, blankets and water to be delivered to The Oasis Club between October 12, 2005 and October 24, 2005. Throughout this period the much-needed aid steadily streamed in to the collection point, and that which could not be delivered, was collected with the assistance of SPS drivers and vehicles. On two occasions independent transporters were called in and they too offered their services for free. Due to the generosity of all, including a donation of 1000 blankets from Al Jad, powdered milk from Oman food Manufacturers, tents from BP Marine and numerous donations from various companies and individuals, we were able to pack a total of seven - 20ft containers, three of which were filled with only tents. The rest of the aid was made up of many, many tons of food, thousands of blankets and a great number of cases of bottled water. The first three containers were on route to Karachi on October 23rd where they will be accepted by a government official and the aid distributed as needed.   Thank you to all who participated in this very important charity collection.   Regards Cyril Van Der Merwe

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QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 March 30, 2005 The Cunard Liner, Queen Elizabeth 2, (or QE2 as she is more commonly known) recently visited the Port of Salalah. It is quite impressive that Salalah is one of their ports of call on their journey towards the Mediterranean. It was great to see so many passengers exploring Salalah throughout the day. QE2 made her maiden voyage in 1969 and is one of the last great Transatlantic liners. She is one of the largest and fastest passenger vessels afloat with a weight of 70,327 tons, a length of 963 feet, and a top speed of 32.5 knots.

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TSUNAMI RELIEF COLLECTION January 15, 2005 After the mass devastation and loss of life as a result of the Tsunami that destroyed so much in South East Asia, we as visitors and Nationals of Oman have helped to start the rebuilding process through our care and generosity. Thank you all for contributing to this worthy cause.   On December 27, 2004 Cyril Van Der Merwe and Rob Wieland invited friends and colleagues to donate clothing, blankets and food items to be sent to India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Immediately Salalah Port Services, Maersk Sealand and BP Marine - Salalah offered the core sponsorship of this drive. With this kind of support and backing, the plea reached every corner of Oman.   The original request was read on Oman FM no less than four times within 24 hours and once the word was out, the response was phenomenal. Initially contributions from Muscat had to be boxed and sent by bus to Salalah, until Michael Arul Edward Raj and Nabil Ali Al Bulushi offered to open a collection point in Ruwi. Over the 9 days the collection point was open in Muscat, many tones of aid were donated by the public and loaded onto waiting trucks to be transported to Salalah with BP Marine, OIG and numerous personal cash donations covering the transporting costs.   Contributions from the Salalah community poured in to The Oasis Club and the sorting point had to be moved outdoors to accommodate the load! Our team was growing steadily and for 12 days Mark Fenby, Rob and Darina Wieland, Cyril and Dee Van Der Merwe, Ian Vansillant, Anil Kumar and Fabian Walker dedicated their time and efforts to preparing and packing the donations to be sent. Omar Mohamad AlShanfri offered to assist by taking all the phone calls from non English speaking Nationals and with his directions, these valuable contributions reached us at The Oasis Club. Abdul Majit from National Packaging Company donated 2,000 empty cartons and every afternoon volunteers arrived at the club to help fill and pack bags and boxes. OIG staff and SPS staff helped squeeze every last box and blanket into the containers and with their efforts we managed to pack approximately 8 ton of food, bottled water and oil, about 5000 blankets and comforters and many, many thousands of kilograms of clothes, shoes and jerseys of all sizes. Al Needa (the Wrangler shop) contributed hundreds of pairs of new shoes, new jackets and clothes and blankets. Individuals brought blankets, mattresses, sugar, flour, pots, soap and everything they could get together. We received a truck load from Sur, from Mirbat, from Thumrait and contributions from every street and business in Salalah. It is impossible to individually thank all those who made this collection a success. Be sure, your efforts are greatly appreciated and we as a people managed to fill SEVEN forty - foot containers, five of which have already arrived at the relief center and items donated by YOU are making a difference to a life that needs aid now more than any other time before. Thank you one and all. Cyril Van Der Merwe                 January 5, 2005 Thank you to all of you throughout Oman who have contributed in many different ways towards this urgent cause. As of January 5, 2005, we have filled one and a half 40 foot containers! We have also been told that there are two trucks leaving from Muscat for Salalah within the next few days. Due to an overwhelming response, we will no longer be accepting donations for the Tsunami Relief Collection. Thanks again to everyone who has been so generous with their contributions as well as their time.

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HIGH TIDE December 28, 2004 On Sunday, December 26th, at about 2pm, the effects of the earthquake in South East Asia were also felt in Salalah. I noticed some people looking off a cliff and into the sea so I went to see what they were so interested in. It looked like a couple of whirlpools in the ocean. Perhaps someone knows what these ‘whirlpools’ were and what caused them exactly. About an hour later, I drove into the fishing port and it had been completely flooded. Boats were swept into one another and turned upside down, two or three cars were ruined by the sudden lift in the tide and the entire fishing port looked more like a fast flowing river than anything else. A container ship seemed to be stuck in the sand just outside the container terminal at the port!

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CYCLONE May 10, 2004 May 10, 2004 marks the anniversay of an unexpected cyclone blew over Salalah. Strong winds started blowing about 9am, followed by flash rains, heavy lightning and thunder. Many homes and streets were destroyed in the storm which lasted approximately 3 hours. The Raysut area was completely isolated from the rest of Salalah as the road had been washed away by the powerful flow of water through the wadi. Many roads in and around Salalah were flooded and accessible only by four wheel drive vehicles. Uprooted trees, damaged power lines and water-damaged cars were seen everywhere. Combined efforts of the municipality and the community ensured Salalah was functioning normally as soon as could be expected.

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