In late 2019 we traveled from the UAE down the Persian Gulf, through the Gulf of Oman, along the west coast of India and around the southern tip. We then traveled up to Chennai, across to Sri Lanka, over to Malaysia, then Indonesia and finally to Singapore. It was an extensive look at the route that sailors would have taken when traveling the historic Silk Road bringing merchandise back and forth from China to Europe.
Dubai, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a global economic powerhouse that sits in a strategic location on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It exhibits a blend of traditional Bedouin culture and modern cosmopolitanism.
Officially it is a muslim country, however, due to the large number of workers and travelers from around the world, it is highly tolerant of different religious creeds. This image is of a mosque on the road from the capital, Dubai, to the east coast. Three traditional minarets are characteristic of this architecture.
Oman sits on the western side of the Strait of Hormuz which is a crucial shipping lane for global merchant marine traffic. Traditionally, it was known for its frankincense trade and Arabian architecture; however, now it is gaining a reputation as a safe tourist destination. Oman is one of the oldest independent states in the Arab world.
India has such a diverse landscape stretching from the Himalayas to the tropical beaches in the south. Its culture is equally diverse with numerous cuisines, languages, and religions.
This image is a carving of the Hindu god ‘Hanuman’ a symbol of loyalty and devotion.
Sri Lanka is an island nation, south east of India, known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean.” It has strong Hindu and Buddhist communities which have historically been at odds. It was an important stop along the ancient maritime trade route known for spices and gems.
Malaysia sits at a strategic location on the Strait of Malacca. It is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic society with Malay, Chinese and Indian Influences.
Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelagic state, spanning two continents. It is incredibly diverse with hundreds of ethnic groups and languages. It was the center of ancient maritime empires and is known for its rich spice trade. These school girls performed a traditional dance for us during our visit.
Our journey terminated in Singapore, a city-state at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It is a multicultural society with Chinese, Malay and Indian influences. Over the past 50+ years it has transformed itself from a British trading post to a global financial center. One of its many attractions, it the world class bird park an easy bus ride from most hotels.
Stay tuned for my PDF with more details of the journey.
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