What a difference $$$ makes

Greetings from Oman! Yesterday was the beginning of our cruise -- starting from Dubai, through Oman, Bahrain and some of the other Emirates. Yesterday we did a quick self-tour of Dubai -- went through the spice souk which is my own favorite -- and today we were in Muscat, Oman.

Having come from Gansu earlier this year (actually just 3 weeks ago), I couldn't help comparing the GS landscape with the Omani landscape. Both are arid deserts. Unlike GS, however, at least there are numerous thorn bushes and the occasional mesquite tree growing around here -- the rocks are never completely devoid of life (the sand dunes are another story).

But that's outside the city. Inside the city of Muscat, the highways are lined with verdant, manicured lawns and lovely, color-coordinated flower beds. It is as if no expense has been spared towards making the city lovely, despite the harsh climate. I even saw an artificial waterfall gracing one of the overpasses!

What a difference $$$ (or oil) makes, for sure!

The above picture was taken at a wadi, or a river bed, in the middle of the desert. This river happens to be flowing at this point, and there are waterways leading the water out for irrigation purposes. It was a lovely spot -- the water was greenish-blue, there were fishes in the water, and dragonflies buzzing about. Who could have thought such a lovely spot existed in the middle of the desert?