Monday, April 22, 2013

Around the Arabian Gulf

This is the last set of pictures from my Arabian adventure. 

One of my stops on the Persian Gulf cruise was Muscat, in the Sultanate of Oman. I didn't know much about the country before I got there, and found it to be a bustling, very affluent city, where old meets new, culture collides with modern every-day living & the price of gas is just $0.31 / €0.29 per liter. So if you ever need to stock up on fuel, this is the place to go.

Lofty arches, strong geometric lines, arcaded colonnades and artful curvature are an integral part of Arabic architecture. This is a view of the Sultan Qaboos courtyard in Muscat, Oman.


A scene from an Omani Souq (or market place), where you can buy ethnic handmade crafts, traditional clothes, including the famous 'kummah' hat that is native to this region, as well as exotic glass mosaic and brass lamps to colorfully light up your home. (Although I don't know how you would get that through the airport all in one piece).


The Sultan of Oman reigns and hosts royal functions from the grand Al Alam Palace.

Our next stop was Abu Dhabi, where the glorious Sheikh Zayed Mosque is one of the most prominent landmarks. It features 82 domes, Moroccan and Andalusian artwork, hand-knotted wool carpets and can accommodate up to 40 000 people. This is a perfect example of the decorative architectural style of the Middle East.

I had never seen chandeliers quite extravagant as this one before. Pictured above is one of seven sources of illumination in the mosque. Made in Germany from thousands of Swarovski crystals, this ornamented piece of art weighs about 2 tons.


Sivec marble was brought in from Greece to construct the incandescent white crowned columns, arches, floors and walls, which are embellished by colourful floral designs.

Calling all Italian car fanatics...Ferrari World is the first of it's kind and the world's largest indoor theme park. It also boasts the world's fastest roller coaster - the Formula Rossa, which reaches a speed of 250km/h (149mph). If you're not an adrenaline junkie (like me), you can stroll through the automative history of this spectacular car brand in the Galleria.

Thanks for sticking around through my journey around the Arabian Gulf. If you love high end shopping, fancy cars, sunny weather, vintage markets, luxurious resorts & magnificent architecture, look no further than the United Arab Emirates. With unlimited funds, and if you can brave the 45 °C desert heat, it can be as glamourous as Carrie Bradshaw made it out to be in SATC 2. Now if only I could have the wardrobe included in this stylish scene...




  

85 comments:

Unknown said...

beautiful !!

It's definitely on my trip list !!

Thanks for sharing these great images love :D



Kisses !!

Nada Diaa said...

Amazing ! You should come to Egypt one day !

Pssst new post on my blog

www.stylista0fashionista.blogspot.com

XO
Nada

Jessica said...

Hi Sam!
wow, very beautiful photos, thanks for sharing :)
Have a great week :*

The Fashion Heels
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Fashion-Bridge said...

I know I said it not once but it does seem to me like a wonderful fairy tale. When I look at these photos or read you post I got the feeling that I read a page from One Thousand and One Nights! I'm so glad you had such a wonderful time there!

Xx

Alexandra

www.fashion-bridge.blogspot.com

Karolina said...

Beautiful pictures!


xx Karolina
CARAMODE

katie said...

Are you serious, only 0.31 cents for a gallon of gas? That's insanity! We pay almost four dollars a gallon up here and in the villages it's usually between ten to fifteen dollars a gallon. (And we have so much oil and gas shipped out of our state, it just makes me shake my head sometimes.)

These photographs are so, so beautiful. I just adore the pictures of the chandeliers, they're so detailed and the colors and workmanship are just stunning. This had to of been such a fun trip, everything looks so gorgeous there. It's always so fun to travel to other countries and to get a chance to experience another culture.

I wanted to say thank you for your well wishes and kind words the other day, it's been a rough few weeks and it really meant a lot to me. Thank you so much dear! (And I'm so happy that you had such a fun time on your trip!)

煒霖 said...

Amazing photos!!! =]

Sara T. said...

WOw! How amazing! This is a place I definitely must go! I love Arabic architecture, all those domes and arches make it seem like a fairy tale. I love the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, it's enormous and the chandelier...yes it's "quite" extravagant...I can't imagine how something so heavy can hang just like that..2 tons! spectacular! Great photos. Thanx for sharing I really enjoyed them.

Xoxo

Sara
http://journeyintomydreamland.blogspot.com/

BELULOVE said...

guauu amazing!!!! GREATTTT

Sandra Leiva said...

LOOKS AMAZING!!

xx

Cecille said...

Great images!! One day I'll visit these amazing places :)
www.cecilleblog.blogspot.com

Elly @ Caribbean Living said...

Wow Sam you have some incredible photos here! Muscat and Abu Dhabi both look amazing, would love to visit sometime. Would looooove to see that souq and Sheikh Zayed Mosque especially, you lucky thing!!

Daniella said...

Hi Sam dear, I hope your weekend went well. Wow such beautiful photos sweetie, I am always so obsessed with looking at the architecture of the buildings that surround me wherever I travel, so I am particularly glad you shared these shots. Looks like such a pretty place to visit :)

Take care and have a great week,
Daniella xox

Rahul Bhatia said...

Keep it going Sam! Happy you loved exploring these wonderful places...Waiting to see more

Valeria said...

I would love to visit these beautiful places. Thanks for sharing your shots.
Have a great week.

Valeria.
http://myurbanmarket.blogspot.it

Unknown said...

Amazing post my darling!
This is so amazing and I want to head out there.
So extravagant and glamorous!!!!

Adriana Carmen said...

Beautiful photos!I'd love to have a holiday now
Have a nice week!
XOXO
Adrielle
http://dailyfashiondream.blogspot.com

miasmode said...

I wish we had the same gas price over here lol. Sam you lucky one this place looks like wonderland. I´m blown away with the mosque and the architecture in general. Have to put this on my must see places wishlist :D

xx

glamdevils

Natalia | Look-A-Porter said...

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is like a dream, so beautiful. Thank you for the photos, Sam! x

Denisa said...

Wow, that looks there really amazing. Perfect pics. Have a great monday.

http://www.fashiondenis.com/

Rosa Caruso said...

Ohhhhhhh...che bello!!
Chocolate Rose Style

Gina said...

Love the Ferrari pics! I love Italian everything;)
Ciao Bella!

XO, Gina
http://classyeverafter.blogspot.com

Kat said...

wow the mosque is absolutely amazing!!! the architecture is spectacular! :D

katslovefashion.blogspot.com

Silvia Negretti said...

Amazing!!!!
I'd really like have a vacation in such beautiful place!
Wonderful pics, make me dream!^^
xxx
S
http://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.it

A Very Sweet Blog said...

It is rich indeed! I love that chandelier. So gorgeous! Glad you had a great time Sam. Have a great week doll!

Lilli said...

Hi Sam! I think I'm going to miss this kind of posts from you! It was so nice see your journey through your lenses, thanks a bunch for sharing the photos! You just made me wish to visit the Arabian Gulf much more now:) The Ferrari car looks so impressive, I'd love to test it:P Have a great week ahead dear, big hugs! xo

Katie Frank said...

Wow, those photos are great and what an awesome place <3
http://coeursdefoxes.blogspot.com/

FASHION TALES said...

I really enjoyed these Sam, the arches are so beautiful, I could just stare at the architecture overall. Hope you have a wonderful week. xx/Madison

Antee Gurung said...

I love the series sex and the city and the movie version aswell ...it's so grt that the girls have so much fun n stick together no matter.....btw how lucky are u? I am assuming u had a grt time there!

Btw do check out my new post
Xoxo

Madame Chic Bcn said...

Amazing picture and impressive buildings!!
Must see them someday!! ;-)
xoxo
Patricia

http://misstoptenimage.blogspot.com

issatchieu said...

sultan qaboos courtyard is SO FASCINATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! such a beauitful sight...every angle, every architecture. Its really a beautiful place. The last shot is my favorite too from SATC.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful place! I've been to Saudi Arabia but never to UAE - the architecture and design is just breathtaking against the desert landscape. Love it!


Zahra
www.lovezahra.com

Jayme @ Her Late Night Cravings said...

Love seeing photos of your trip!! These are probably places that we'll never get to visit so it's awesome to see them.

Jayme & Mendi @ Her Late Night Cravings

Always Maylee said...

I actually just watched that movie last night. Amazing photos, it looks really breathtaking there!

xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee

Stella said...

The architecture of the buildings is so beautiful!
x
Stella from a A Shiny Place

Bodil Loïs Huisman said...

Wow, those buildings are all so pretty.
Really love these photos, great place!

LOVE BO,
PurePreciousPerfection.com

Anonymous said...

This is easily on my list of places to go! Stunning pics!

Why Girls Are Weird said...

STUNNING. Makes me want to go on vacation NOW.

Yara Mel said...

the arquitecture is amazing! great pictures

shall we follow each other?

http://styleonmel.blogspot.com/2013/04/studds-for-mundos.html#more

AND PLEASE
Subscribe on youtube for DIY and fashion videos. I’ts gonna be a lot of fun :D

http://www.youtube.com/user/MelYaraMel?feature=mhee

Unknown said...

great photos.. :)

http://knickknacksnix.blogspot.com/

agasuitcase said...

Stunning and glomorous place
Kisses
Aga

New posts:
How to wear prints?
How to ride a bike with style?
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bridechic said...

these are just incredible!

Unknown said...

guau!!me encanta el post, menudas fotazas!!
BESOS GUAPA!
:D

Maddie said...

Everything looks so luxurious! And I love it!

callmemaddie.blogspot.com

Fashion and Tea Maniac said...

Beautiful pictures! Would love to visit that place<3
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is just amazing!
x

Sandra Martinez said...

Hi sweety!! Thanks for stopping by, I heartily appreciate it :)
Beautiful pictures, i specially like the last one !! Btw this is an amazing post!!
Tell me about my new post at:
http://peaceinmyshoes.blogspot.com.es

Oh to Be a Muse said...

Beautiful ornate buildings and pictures! That mosque is exquisite!

Oh to Be a Muse
Shop Layered Muse

Ivana said...

Ooh my goodness, this is just too beautiful to be true :) Sam, this trip really seems like the most wonderful thing to experience, and I'm so glad you've taken me aboard, even if only through photos :) The architecture and decorations are beyond stunning, and I really hope that I'll be able to visit and see these places for myself.

I hope that the return to "reality" wasn't too harsh :) Thank you so much for your kind email, it always makes me happy to receive your news!

xx Ivana

Macarons and Pearls

Anonymous said...

All of these photos are just amazing, such an exotic and gorgeous place :)

Indie by heart

mademoiselle mode said...

I dream to go there !

New post - Kisses
http://www.mademoisellemode.com/

Anonymous said...

The mosque in Abu Dhabi looks amazing! I must visit it one day.

LUXESSED

Unknown said...

Missing UAE so much.

Many kisses,

Nicole

www.nicoleta.me

Kashaya said...

Amazing photos! Looks lovely there.

Find Your Way said...

Beautiful place! :)

Cinnamon and White Chocolate said...

I love the photos! you are so lucky to have been there! and I think your next little adventure should be in Croatia! ;) kisses
Stela

The Purple Clown said...

Amazing place! I hope I get to go one day!

xx
www.thepurpleclown.com

Tian said...

The architecture is amazing, it looks unreal!

aspiringforever.blogspot.com

Patricia G. said...

great pictures!!! they are a very interesting places!!!!!!!!!!!
xoxo

Unknown said...

Is true that I'm never been really interested in morocaan countries but I'm really curious about Dubai and the Moscat architecture has to be amazing.
Great to read you have had a great trip I'm really jelous and although you didn't have a Carrie momment I'm sure you had learnt and enjoyed the country a lot.
Kisses Sam, great post!
City-aholic.blogspot.com.es

Alessandra said...

Wow! Great pictures dear! Kisses

http://lapetiterobenoire-ale.blogspot.com

sonia // daring coco said...

Gah so gorgeous! Love to visit Dubai one day! Thanks for sharing these

SDMxx
www.daringcoco.com

Jessica said...

Your pictures are incredibly stunning. You are so lucky to see such beautiful places.

Tracy

Chic Delights said...

What a majestic and splendid trip to the Arabian Gulf States. The buildings are so grand. Amazing photos. Thank you for your wonderful comment on my blog. Would you like to follow each other's blog? Take care.

Test said...

Stunning images... it definitely is another culture!

trishie said...

Beautiful photos. That chandelier really is quite amazing.

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

I've never been to Arabian Gulf so I definitely appreciate learning more about it's beauty through your posts. Thanks so much for sharing your adventure with us Sam!

Rowena @ rolala loves

Diana Marks said...

very cool pictures!

LA By Diana Live Magazine

Deidre said...

oh wow! Your photographs are fantastic. and those domes and chandeliers! INCREDIBLE.

MOSAMUSE said...

im ready to travel!
xo
MOSAMUSE

www.MOSAMUSE.com

erica marie said...

Wow, the architecture is just gorgeous out there. Beautiful photos.

xo erica

Paola Lauretano said...

Amazing pics..... fab location!!!!!
Kisses darling!

Popcorn, Pugs & Peonies said...

Absolutely gorgeous pictures. It looks like an incredible vacation!!

Plussizefix Coupons Code said...

Wow amazing picture missing UAE..

The Dragonfruit said...

All I read was 31 cents/gallon and my mind was too blown to comprehend the rest. SERIOUSLY!!??? The price we pay here for gas makes it almost unbearable whenever I see the gas light come on. I pay close to $150 a month on gas alone!

Trendy Teal

Unknown said...

Great pics! Would love to visit :)

x Gi
alibimag.blogspot.com

Josie said...

Wow that is amazingly cheap fuel! Looks like such a stunning place, would love to browse the Souk! Did you buy anything? xxx

miss b said...

Great post and photos! You may remember that I visited Oman last October for the second time (because we loved it so much five years ago!) Abu Dhabi is somewhere we have planned to go hopefully soon mainly to see the beautiful mosque. I've enjoyed your tour of the Gulf!
http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

Ice Goddhez Blog said...

It feels like I just got a tour with this post Sam! Great! Thanks a lot :)

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VintageDanielle said...

Such a beautiful country, thank you for sharing your photos!

StaceyKo said...

That white mosque gives me goose bumps! So beautiful!
I really want to travel to any Arabian country, they are so beautiful!

xoxo
Stacey Ko
http://staceyko.blogspot.hu/

Elle Sees said...

love the pics, sam

Nhi said...

i love those photos Sam! thanks so much for sharing:) the Sheikh Zayed Mosque looks incredibly beautiful! i have sex and the city 2 on dvd and loved the location in there! too bad you didn't have a picnik in the sand lol. i can't wait to do my little city trips next week!!:)))

lots of love xx

Rakhshan said...

wow lovely pictures Sam, SATC 2 made me fall in love with the Abu dhabi, you're so lucky you got to see the entire amazing Arabian gulf! thanks for sharing!:) x

Adrienne said...

Beautiful photos & magnificent view! Have a nice day,
Adriana.

tres chic chica said...

Beautiful! Everything looks so rich and manicured!

xo Marie