A Straight Dash from Horizon to Muscat, Oman
Brian was fantastic, the breakfast was probably one of the best omelettes I have ever had; making a note to tell the wife how to cook a good omelette (with El Paso Paste, and Chorizo) I hurried my breakfast down. It also occurred to me that Maria could also learn from our middle eastern friends on how to keep the whites white and how to keep the robes / shirts perfectly ironed and creased. Maybe I should not mention these things to her, for if I do she may not be around when I come home.
At the airport I waited for Peter's arrival at the coffee shop. He was not too far behind me so the wait was not long. Today we were paying a visit to Horizon, and then heading off to Muscat Oman. The problem we now had was that we may need to pass through security twice or maybe three times, once on our way to Horizon, agiain on our return from Horizon and finally again when we set of for Oman. This would also involve another engine start. To avoid this we really wanted to just clear security once and then leave direct from Horizon. T o acheive this we asked the airport and customs if this was possible, and to our complete surprise were told yes, hooray some good news!
To get to Horizon we flew a short left circuit to the South Helipad on 19 and set the helicopter down on pad 1, the nearest one to the hose pipe. Horizon had offered to clean the ship and give us fuel. The hospitality at Horizon's was fantastic and it was much appreciated. Thank you Horizon, thank you Head of training and thank you Andy. During our visit we had some pictures with the staff and a class of students. The students all appeared interested in our journey and helicopter and wanted selfies with us the pilots. Maybe I am going to become an international pop star!
Having said our good byes we headed of to Al Ain over the Jebel Mountains at 6,500 ft. The journey was a little bumpy at time. Al most immediately on leaving Al Ain we are in Oman and head towards the coast. Descending to 4,000 ft we flew south along the coast and made a straight in approach for 26.
Muscat International is a big airport, but luckily we arrive during a quiet period and park near the new, uncompleted terminal, which looks as if it will be quite an impressive building. We purchase a visa on clearing customs and picked up by Adil, who is from Outward Bound Oman. Tonight we are to attend the annual dinner as guest where Peter will make a presentation. At their offices we meet with the head of Outward Bound Oman, Mark Evans, an impressive individual who as among many things walked across the quiet quarter (an inhospitably dessert in Saudi Ariabia).
Mark shows us our bunk beds and set about getting ready. Just before I get ready I took a stroll along the road to get my bearings have a break and acclimatize (if it is possible) to the 40 degree heat.
The annual dinner is at the Hormuz Grand, soft drinks only. While Peter is setting up for his presentation I seek off and get a quick pint at the Vault Bar.
Peter's presentation goes well and we are seated on a table with James and his wife who is in PR and and local women. Dinner is a rare steak , so not particularly to my liking. At the end of the dinner myself and Peter are each presented with a really nice book about Marks trip through the desert.
After dinner we talk to a few more guest and take pictures, before I head of to the Hoilday Inn to catch the footy and a beer while Peter heads back to the room for some shut eye.
At the airport I waited for Peter's arrival at the coffee shop. He was not too far behind me so the wait was not long. Today we were paying a visit to Horizon, and then heading off to Muscat Oman. The problem we now had was that we may need to pass through security twice or maybe three times, once on our way to Horizon, agiain on our return from Horizon and finally again when we set of for Oman. This would also involve another engine start. To avoid this we really wanted to just clear security once and then leave direct from Horizon. T o acheive this we asked the airport and customs if this was possible, and to our complete surprise were told yes, hooray some good news!
To get to Horizon we flew a short left circuit to the South Helipad on 19 and set the helicopter down on pad 1, the nearest one to the hose pipe. Horizon had offered to clean the ship and give us fuel. The hospitality at Horizon's was fantastic and it was much appreciated. Thank you Horizon, thank you Head of training and thank you Andy. During our visit we had some pictures with the staff and a class of students. The students all appeared interested in our journey and helicopter and wanted selfies with us the pilots. Maybe I am going to become an international pop star!
Having said our good byes we headed of to Al Ain over the Jebel Mountains at 6,500 ft. The journey was a little bumpy at time. Al most immediately on leaving Al Ain we are in Oman and head towards the coast. Descending to 4,000 ft we flew south along the coast and made a straight in approach for 26.
Muscat International is a big airport, but luckily we arrive during a quiet period and park near the new, uncompleted terminal, which looks as if it will be quite an impressive building. We purchase a visa on clearing customs and picked up by Adil, who is from Outward Bound Oman. Tonight we are to attend the annual dinner as guest where Peter will make a presentation. At their offices we meet with the head of Outward Bound Oman, Mark Evans, an impressive individual who as among many things walked across the quiet quarter (an inhospitably dessert in Saudi Ariabia).
Mark shows us our bunk beds and set about getting ready. Just before I get ready I took a stroll along the road to get my bearings have a break and acclimatize (if it is possible) to the 40 degree heat.
The annual dinner is at the Hormuz Grand, soft drinks only. While Peter is setting up for his presentation I seek off and get a quick pint at the Vault Bar.
Peter's presentation goes well and we are seated on a table with James and his wife who is in PR and and local women. Dinner is a rare steak , so not particularly to my liking. At the end of the dinner myself and Peter are each presented with a really nice book about Marks trip through the desert.
After dinner we talk to a few more guest and take pictures, before I head of to the Hoilday Inn to catch the footy and a beer while Peter heads back to the room for some shut eye.
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