Hiking in Oman

Matt: The weather was perfect and we felt the need to get out an make the most of it, So Naomi and I decided a hike was the order of the day! Flicking through the pages of our UAE Off-road Explorer we decided to attempt "The Hanging Gardens" just across the border of Oman. After cramming the cool box with water, camel packs, provisions and ice, we slung all in the Paj, donned our hiking boots and hit the road.

Only 1.5 hours and we were at the Omani border post in Al Ain, a little paper work and 20 dirhams and we're through, this is where the fun begins. We're driving along an open road through arid terrain, remote with a background of a high escarpment, knowing the imposing cliff were our destination, but having to find an elusive off-road track to get there. The track was suppose to be obvious, but since a 4 deep trench had been dug all along the roadside, finding it was proving tricky and if we did find it, getting across the trench was the next challenge. Well, we eventually found a point to cross the trench and backtracked across a rugged landscape in an attempt to find the track we were hoping for. The satellite image in our Explorer showed we had to be north of a mountain ridge-line - guessing the the ridge depicted was the one we were currently south of we headed north, circumventing the impassible and started heading inland in the hope that we were on a parallel route to the desired track.
I spotted a deep cleft in the silhouette of the escarpment shaped like a 'V' there was mention of this in our guide, so we crawled on in the hope to find our track. Well we found tracks, but had no real way of knowing if they were right or wrong, we just continued following over the rough terrain, through dry river beds and over rocky verges toward the 'V'.. eventually we were given hope as another landmark was spotted, high up the steep scree slope, nestled at the base of the cliff, I spotted the dark recess of a cave, this was part of our intended route. We headed down a very rocky track and parked near the base of the scree slope in deep valley of rock, we a weak stream running through it. This was it.. the beginning of the hike.
The rest was an exhilarating walk, climb, jump, scramble through the impressive vista of the Omani Fossil Valley. With never an even footing we scaled massive scree slopes, huge rocks and into deep ravines. The valley was like something from a old Star Trek episode depicting a hot, harsh alien landscape. Enjoy the pics...

Sky Surprise

Matt: So I'm driving out of the mall of the Emirates today and my eyes are drawn skywards... There above me not 100 feet away is a hotair balloon drifting by, the horizon was littered with them. So knowing that I have my camera in the car, as i always try to, I head off road and start snapping, then pursue the flight path of the swarm to get shots from different angles. It was great fun following in my 4x4, stopping in the sand and pitching the tripod on the roof of the car. Here are a few shots from the collection:

Merry Christmas

Matt: Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas from Dubai!

This is my first Christmas away from the Uk and Family, so it does all seem a bit wierd. Christmas trees in the desert?


See what I mean? Still We did go to the beach on Christmas morning to make the most of the sun. Then we had a fun day with friends, A beautifully prepared Xmas dinner was presented to us by Cath and her little helpers, Thanks Cath - Was just like home! Then we played games and enjoyed the rest of the day. Thanks to Scott and Cath for hosting an excellent Christmas away from home!! :)

Naomi and I on the beach on Christmas Day '06

Ultimate Success

Matt: Last weekend saw the first ever Ultimate Frisbee Tournament held in Dubai and I was there taking part. It was organised by Scott Herrington of the American School Dubai and held at the school. All in the aid of charity we managed to get 8 teams together to compete for the trophy. Competition aside, it was a great day with bouncy castles and face painting for the kids, the gym was open for basketball and table tennis, a raffle, food and drink - all a great success. Congratulations to the CAE Team for winning the day, thanks to everyone who came down to support, play and enjoy the day.

Well done to Ash, Lenny, JQ for stepping up and playing hard.

Going it alone...

Well an opportunity has arisen that I must take, the time has come for me to make a go of things on my own, I'm starting out as a freelance designer, with a mind to develop, in time, to a design agency here in Dubai!!

It's a massive leap of faith and I only hope I have the dedication and vision to make it work. It's a very scary prospect not knowing where the next pay cheque is coming from but with some hard graft, focused development and constant self marketing - I could make it!

I'm going to need all your support, morally, to help me achieve my goals.. and if anyone know of companies that are looking for a good designer for freelance and commissioned work - please pass on my details!!

I will be developing a website at www.mattwilson.biz when I have the time, currently there is just a holding page there.

Wish me luck!!!