2016 has been a pretty tumultuous year for many people on the planet and as my regular readers will already know, it has thrown up some challenges for us here in the Liwa Desert too! After my husband lost his job with the national oil company we set up Desert Diva Events and Adventures to enable us remain and work in the UAE; we are picking up some private desert guiding work as well as running our successful tag-a-long expeditions.

Just before the summer I was introduced to a young local man who was in the process of setting up a Muscat-based business together with his Omani friend. We hit it off immediately and thus were both keen to work together to benefit both our companies. This led to our very successful joint expeditions in the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) of Oman.

I was therefore delighted when Ahmed and Said invited myself and my husband to be partners in and managers of Ibex Adventures; over this winter we will gradually relocate to Muscat in Oman.

My business licence in the UAE does not expire until May next year and I have a number of events and trips lined up until mid-march; however since our villa lease finishes this month in Madinat Zayed it seems logical to move our home over to Oman next month, and for us to cross back to the UAE when we have work. (Note – I have listed 3 tag-a-long tours in December and these will be the last of that kind I will do in the UAE. I will still do private tours and of course will set up some tag-a-long expeditions in the deserts of Oman!)
Exciting times are ahead of us in 2017! I hope you will follow us on the next chapter of our Middle-East Adventure!

Terryl says:
Gosh – never a dull moment! Sounds very exciting – my very best wishes to you both in your exciting new adventure! Terryl xx
Marina Bruce says:
Thanks Terryl – hope you will be back sometime for a holiday to join me on one!
Jeanne says:
Congratulations and best wishes on this new adventure!
We had a wonderful time on the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) of Oman trip with you.
Marina Bruce says:
Thanks Jeanne!
Dave Donald says:
Welcome to Oman. You are going to love it here.
Marina Bruce says:
Thanks Dave!
Farah@crafterzmomma says:
Congratulations! I wish you both good luck! Hope we can meet again!
Marina Bruce says:
Thank you Farah, inshallah we will meet again!