Kitesurfing

So, I've finally found some time to add text to these posts, now that I am in Beirut (I know, of all places...). The first pic os very obviously one of a camel. Mark and I got our act together enough to start taking some kitedurfing lessons down at Jebel Ali Beach, and one afternoon after our lessons we were graced by the presence of a dozen our so of our single-hump friends. They are all handcuffed so-to-speak, with their front legs tied together by a short rope, long enough to walk but too short to run away. This combined with the fact that they are curious to begin with provides one with plenty of photo ops, hence the one below.

The picture below is one of my first experiences in the water behind the wheel of a kite, and boy was it fun! Using a technique called 'body draggin,' you steer the kite into the wind to get power, and then manipulate it in such a way that you can feel the power of the kite dragging you, in this case upwind, in a similar practice as tacking into for sailing. After practicing this for about 15 minutes, my instructor Jakob gave me a wakeboard and let me loose to try and starting planing, which lasted for all of 5 minutes before the wind completely died - seriously. It was fun - I suggest that everyone try kitesurfing at some point in their lives.

Scenic Route back from Muscat to Dubai...

This is a UNESCO World Heritage site - the Al Ayn Beehive Tombs, dating to the 3rd century BC or so. Absolutely gorgeous, especially with the ridgeline behind it. Supposed to be some great climbing from what I've heard as well.

Cliche sunset at Muscat beach along the Corniche (I think).

My colleague Mark getting a classic shave. I went a few minutes later and am still feeling the pain - talk about a close shave! He gave one shave the proper way - with the grain, and then gave you another, but this time against the grain. My whole face was as smooth as a baby's bottom...

Contemplating our jump into the Wadi Damm ('Hidden Creek') (the water is about 5 ft.below the frame. Our new Omani friends hadn't studied Ansel Adams yet...) somewhere in the backcountry of Oman, about 4 hours outside of Dubai. Probably one of the prettiest places I've seen so far and someplace I am planning on returning a lot in the future. Guys, you'd love it here - Havasu with a nice dash of Zion, all in the Middle East...

The walk up the wadi with some new Omani friends. They gave us a lift up to the trailhead and showed us some nice swimming pools.

Here's a link to my Picasa photos...

http://picasaweb.google.com/nicholas.dreves

and here are some specific ones to browse as well:

Carla Dubai Trip April 2007

Sharja and Ajman with Mark

Yemen March 2007

Doha

Carla in Dubai - Part III

Carla in Dubai - Part II

Carla in Dubai - Part I

Text will be coming shortly - I promise. Apologies to all of you faithful readers out there (especially Adam) that have gone weeks without a new post.

Oh, and Carla wants credit for all of these photos, so I'm going to give it to her...