Adventures in Asia: Bangkok, Thailand

My final layover on my trek around the globe is Bangkok, whence I will fly to Vancouver and then Edmonton. So, since January 10 I will have flown from Canada to Europe to East Africa to the Indian Ocean to the Middle East to Southeast Asia and back to Canada--literally right around the world. It is the first time I have traveled around the world and the first time I have crossed the 90° east meridian.

My Qatar Airways flight from Doha landed around 19:30, but it took awhile to get through the airport, which was packed. I had booked a hotel close to the airport and I arrived there around 21:00. I briefly considered trying to go into the city, but I was tired and decided I would just eat dinner and go to bed. So, after checking in, I walked a couple of blocks to eat dinner at a rooftop restaurant. Of course it was well after dark, but I still enjoyed the Bangkok vibes, and I ended up eating two plates of pad Thai, a wonderfully cold Singha beer . . .

. . . and some mango sticky rice for dessert.

Adventures in Asia: Doha, Qatar

From the Muscat airport, Diana and I departed in opposite directions, she heading west, me east. We'll both get to Edmonton this weekend, but she via Dubai and Toronto and me via Doha, Bangkok, and Vancouver. So, I had an overnight layover in Qatar.

Adventures in Asia: Back to Muscat, Oman

Today is our final day in Oman. We left our resort at 9:00 and made our way back to Muscat, with a few stops along the way: at Sur, Qahlat, Wadi Shab, and the Bimmah sinkhole.

Adventures in Asia: Ras al Jinz, Oman

We arrived at our resort at Ras al Jinz around 16:00.

Adventures in Asia: Sur, Oman

Our road trip continued after Wadi Bani Khalid and we reached the coastal city of Sur.

Adventures in Asia: Wadi Bani Khalid, Oman

A night in the desert is lovely but for many people, ourselves included, after several hours one has had enough of the sand! We left Sharqiya Sands and less than an hour later we were at Wadi Bani Khalid. The lovely pools were quite a contrast to the dry sand dunes!

Adventures in Asia: Sharqiya Sands, Oman

On Wednesday we drove from Nizwa to the Sharqiya Sands desert.