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Author Archive | Gilles & Heidi

Udaipur – City Palace By The Lake

By on 22. March 2013 in India
View of the City Palace, during a Boat Ride at Sunset, Lake Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

View of the City Palace, during a Boat Ride at Sunset, Lake Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

For all those who have wondered all their lives why the name of so many cities in Rajasthan ends in “-pur”, like Jaipur, Jodhpur or Udaipur… here is the key. This final syllable indicates that a Hindi prince founded a city. The ending “-bad”, like in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad or Islamabad, tells of a Muslim founder. Last but not least, ending in “-er” like Ajmer, Bikaner or Jaisalmer, indicates a city of the desert. Our guide, Mr. Singh, who took us around the gigantic City Palace, enlightened us. And this is why we will always remember that Udaipur was founded by Udai Singh… Continue Reading →

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Delhi – Wake-Up Call

By on 22. March 2013 in India
Sunrise on the plane from Delhi to Udaipur

Sunrise on the plane from Delhi to Udaipur

No matter how tired you are, the orange-yellow carpet that covers all of Delhi airport (what seems acres and acres) wakes you right up. If this doesn’t, then the tinny, automated voice echoing from each escalator does for sure: “Hold the handrail and mind your step, hold the handrail and mind you step, hold the handrail and mind your step…”

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Oman – A Selection Of 36 Pictures

By on 8. January 2013 in Middle East – Photos, Oman, Oman – Photos
Nakhal Fort, Nakhal, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

Nakhal Fort, Nakhal, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

Oman is special. Where else on the Arabic Peninsula has some of the “Sinbad the Sailor” feeling survived? Besides this 1001 Nights flair, we were stunned by lush oases, ancient fortresses, sandy beaches, dramatic mountain scenery, rolling desert dunes, picturesque wadis, deep fjords and overly friendly people. All in one country! – Here you find a selection of 36 pictures from Oman Continue Reading →

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Travel Guide To Oman

By on 7. January 2013 in Oman

Grand Escapades’ Travel Guide To Oman – 1001 Nights Flair, Ancient Culture, Stunning Landscapes & Such Gentle People!

View of Nizwa Souq from Nizwa Fort

Oman is special. Where else on the Arabic Peninsula has some of the “Sinbad the Sailor” feeling survived? Besides this 1001 Nights flair, we were stunned by lush oases, ancient fortresses, sandy beaches, dramatic mountain scenery, rolling desert dunes, picturesque wadis, deep fjords and overly friendly people. All in one country! Continue Reading →

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Farewell Oman In Style

By on 5. January 2013 in Oman
L'Espace Guesthouse in Muscat, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

L’Espace Guesthouse in Muscat, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

In a palace – like mansion right on the beach we spent our last night in Oman. What made it even more exciting – it seemed to be our destiny: on our very first evening in Muscat, we could not find the way back to our guesthouse Lana Villa. Cruising around we noticed this impressive building, not knowing that we would move in two weeks later. L’espace Guesthouse is a grand oceanfront building with three terraces, a little garden and exquisite furnishing. Our room was the size of a suite and from our private terrace we could watch life on the oceanfront. Like everywhere in Oman a quiet affair, families relaxing on large carpets under the trees, the men busy with barbecuing. Later in the evening young men took over chatting and listening to music on their mobile phones. Continue Reading →

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Wedding – Omani Style

By on 4. January 2013 in Oman
Wedding Ceremony in Khasab, Musandam, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

Wedding Ceremony in Khasab, Musandam, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

A small procession was moving down the street, women and men together, blocking traffic. Some of the men were firing shots from ancient rifles. What could be it possibly mean? Continue Reading →

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Smuggling To Iran

By on 4. January 2013 in Oman
View of Musandam, Flight from Khasab to Muscat, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

View of Musandam, Flight from Khasab to Muscat, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

All day speedboats from Iran arrive in the harbor of Khasab bringing goats, fruits and vegetables. They return with everything ranging from TV sets, perfume to cigarettes. Rumors have it that even small cars are loaded into the small boats. Continue Reading →

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Khasab – The Anti-Dubai

By on 3. January 2013 in Allgemein
Khasab Fort, Musandam, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

Khasab Fort, Musandam, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

The Anti-Dubai seems the perfect dubbing for this sleepy harbor town on the tip of Musandam, only a three hours drive from glittery Dubai. Khasab, right on the straight of Hormuz, was not on the tourist radar 20 years ago and could only be reached by boat. Today, it attracts three cruise ships a week and is most popular with expatriates fleeing the traffic jams and glass palaces of Dubai to enjoy the cool mountain air and tranquility. Their pit stop is the luxurious Golden Tulip Hotel on the western end of the bay. Continue Reading →

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The Fjords Of Musandam

By on 3. January 2013 in Oman
Khor as Sham, the longest Fjords of Musandam, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

Khor as Sham, the longest Fjords of Musandam, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

Our little propeller plane slowly descended on the Peninsula of Musandam, Oman’s most northern enclave. We could make out Iran in the distance and big oil tankers below us in the Strait of Hormuz. Then suddenly, the incredible coastline of Musandam glided into full view for those sitting on the right side of the aircraft. Cameras clicking and gasps of excitement filled the small plane. For those with a more untamed mind, the rigged coastline resembles giant crippled fingers reaching out into the ocean. Steep slopes of bare rocks, completely void of vegetation, line these long inlets. The longest of these fjords, Khor al Sham, is 17 kilometers deep and a popular place to visit by Dhow. Continue Reading →

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