Dubai is losing its character and soul with seemingly out of control construction. It is impressive from a structural and engineering point of view, but it is rapidly losing any character it had when I was last here in '98. Huge numbers of buildings as well as the famous palm islands are under construction, cranes are everywhere, and the wealth behind it is obvious. But, the traffic is terrible anywhere near the centre and we found ourselves driving up and down E11 several times before we could find the only link road back to our hotel, despite passing it on the other side of the carriageway several times! Perhaps the main reason for the traffic is that petrol costs less than water and there is no import tax on cars! The drive to Oman was fabulous with dual carriageway all the way with light traffic for most of the journey there and back.

Oman, in contrast to Dubai, has retained its architectural styles and culture. Whereas there has been significant development since I was last here in '80, it is entirely in keeping with the past and the people are so very friendly, everyone, an example of a Muslim country contented with itself and those who are visiting it. We toured the Mutrah souq, the Muscat cove with palace and forts, the Ruwi area, vastly changed, and even found my old house in Madinat Qaboos, although it has been greatly modified since then. A drive to Niswa took it its fort, but the real prize was the fort at Jabrin, which has only just been restored and opened to the public - lovely painted ceilings, a palace converted into a fort, and standing on its own in the middle of a large plain. The return drive to Dubai was very good, the border crossing again being hassle-free and the traffic light. The Muscat hotel laid on a picnic lunch, which we enjoyed just after crossing over at Hatta. Near the sign above! The sign says a lot, two places moving ahead but going different ways!