Friday 15-2-08 United Arab Emirate

    From Muscat in Oman coming, we travel a long the coast and reached the border around noon.
    Among all countries visited, Oman was the cleanest of all. It had European standards, the least to say.

       
  Oman. Show me one piece of rubbish on the beach, I pay you B$ 1000.-    One of many nicely crafted monuments in a round about

   Can we in Brunei not follow this example? It cost so little to clean up and keep our cities and waters clean. Imagine, no more plastic
   hanging on the mangrove  trees, No Styrofoam floating in KAMPONG AIR. "I'm dreaming..".
  
   It was an relaxed border check. We only had to get insurance for the U.A.E, followed by a chop in the passport, and we were through.
   No one liked to see our carnet nor check the car we driving straight to Abu Dhabi and to the home of Hjh Noraini, the first
  secretary.         

     Saturday 16-2-08

   Gratefully we are to Hjh Noraini Hj Abd Karim and Husband Hj Harun, they welcomed us last night, we could sleep in their home,
   food was prepared we were more friends, than guests..
   Again we are truly moved by this Bruneian hospitality. "Stay with us as long as you want" they said.

                  
                       At Hjh Noraini's home a very warm welcome                          RBA our sponsor, and Area manager Abdul Latif

           
                                 "but for the ladies"                                                                        The young patriot
  
   The Brits-we meet them everywhere - had here their presence already in 1820 established. As supreme masters with ships and guns,  
   their  administrators organized trade and directed the locals up and down the sand dunes, either from colonial houses or the club bar
   after 5 pm, to which they usually went before seeing the family. The talk those days back was every day the same. Until the 4th Gin
   tonic complaining about the incompetence of the Arabs and after the 5th, singing with heavy tongue: "God shave the queen". Ehh we
   mean "safe" Or perhaps: "Why I'm born so beautiful..." which was also appropriate. Their tropic uniform, kaki shorts, helmet and knee
   socks, enhanced the master personality. Upon their departure, the UAE - United Arab Emirates, comprised by seven independent
   emirates, where quickly established in 1971. Vast oil and gas reserves transformed this piece of barren desert in one of the richest
   countries on earth.
   One man with vision for the future stood on the helm of this federation for 33 years. He is a sample what positive impact a ruler in his
   might and power can have. The man is Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

         
                       Sheik Zayed. (Photos from an authorized picture book)  That was once Abu Dhabi surrounding...

   
                         ...and what it is today. Skyscrapers where once fishing villages stood; the boom is seen everywhere

   When Britain announced their withdrawal from the region in 1971 he invited other rulers and all agreed to form a federation. He was
   elected as President and held the position until his dead in 2004. "Equal sharing of wealth"  was his motive.
   His development initiatives transformed the region. Over time the government  took a controlling share of the oil and gas reserves and
   the revenues became the launching pad for economic and social reforms. 150 million trees where planted  during his reign and the per
   capita income rose to one of the highest in the world. Serious dear reader. Plant the trees one meter apart, you have thousand in one
   kilometer. Our earth circumference is 45.000km. That would be 45 million trees, one time around our planet. He planted 3 times that
   much. Plants need water, irrigation channels were build to green the desert. Where fisher villages once stood, skyscrapers rise now
   into the sky.
   And should you have a vacant position to offer, let say as a director in Brunei to an U.A.E Arab, he will prefer to be policeman.
   Without a pip on the shoulder or strip, the fresh intake which just  learned to stand upright, will earn B$ 6000.-/month without tax, that
   is understood. All, before promotion.
   With B$ 5000.- a driver goes home. Such dream salaries show two things. One, it creates immense loyalty, two, a good share of the
   oil income is spread among the population, benefiting the commercial activities within the nation. (If the population has overspend, the
   credit cards are overdrawn, and the banks have to put the screw on, nothing much is happening anymore, the economy is limping
   along.)
   There are more benefits in the U.A.E, like money for children, free school, free medical care, free houses if you have five or more
   kids, B$ 50.000.- just for furniture, that you may not live in plastic chairs. Unbelievable, but true. No one complains:" Where does all 
   the money go?"  Like in so many African "democracies."
   Sheik Zayed set up a federal Environmental Agency for Research and wildlife, and won among others  the GOLD PANDA AWARD
   from the World Wide Wildlife Fund for Nature.
   He was a visionary ruler, caring for the Federation and it's people.A truly great man.
   As all of us one day,in 2004 he passed away. His mosque is under construction, it is the finest by far. Before Abu Dhabi rise the
   minarets into the sky. In pure white with golplated tips .In the  tomb nextby; his great spirit awaits eternity.

    
                The SHEIKH ZAYED Mosque                                            Norhayati and Diana on JAMBO with flag and our sponsors caps

        
                           Some of our embassy staff                                     on more shot, holding our beloved Brunei flag "up"

   We are no used to city hecktic but had to drive to Dubai. In-between the concrete and glass the ever rushing cars, under often dusty
   skies, we found two girls of extraordinary expression and beauty. Those are the daughters of RBA's Area Manager Abdul Latif.

                           
                               Aisyah and Ameenah the two great, intelligent kids; don't you wish to have a dozen of them?.

   Dubai, a 160 km from Abu Dhabi became wealthy through trade. They do not have oil. We went there  to check out our ferry to Iran.
   And luck  was with us. The ferry sails on Tuesday, which fits our plans.
   The 12 hour trip cost us a bit over B$1000.-. The high price indicates, that they have no competition and just ask what they can get.
   We had no choice and painfully surrendered our hard earned dollars over the counter. The Indian officer behind the glass wet his thumb
   to check the bills. Finally he assured himself, those are genuine "dollar ameriki" and prepared the paperwork.
   We squeezed a discount of B$ 25.- from the boss complaining about the price. " It cost less to cruise two days from Venice to Greece
   resting in a cabin, than 12 hours to Iran in a deckchair.  "The high expenses is the cause" he said. Likely it is the vessel insurance,
   because the American roam around here. Perhaps we are mistaken for a  "Terrorists boat".. 
   It happen in Bagdad a few years back, they aim a laser guided precision missile through the chimney into a civilian bunker and burned
   it out. Over 350 children, women, elders were razed from their life. The Almighty must feel sorry for the victims when they line up
   in front of him.  "Allah please forgive us  we are here too early, but these Americans.."  One day, he will take the right action in his
   wisdom that is for sure. We only can pray for the victims souls and wish the perpetrators a speedy end of their destructive presence
   followed by a downward spiral without mercy or diversion. "What you sow, you shall reap" a law, no one escapes.

   By 5:00 am I was standing again under the nightly sky to call "Rampai Pagi." Thanks to "Telbru" A fine sponsor.
   My location is near the airport. If a plane flies above, the sat phone cuts off.
   "Oh folks of Brunei, an adventure and expedition is nice, but now already that long on the road, one  feels sometime a longing inside
   for our beloved home, Brunei Darussalam. We have another 2 month or even more to go, until I look at my entry chop in the
   passport". Hmm. but for now, the journey continues.
   We used the afternoon to explore Abu Dhabi, nothing much to see, except shiny skyscrapers competing in shape and height.
   Rather early we went to  bed, as tomorrow is press conference and we want to be fit.

       
                             Skyline of Abu Dhabi                                                                      Shiny, new and neat

      Monday 18-2-08 

   Our Embassy in Abu Dhabi had a press conference organized and by 11:00 am. About ten reporters from several papers had arrived.  
   Opened by his Excellency the Ambassador the presentation went soon to Green  Brunei and Tourism. "Come and visit Brunei
   Darussalam" As in previous, the interest was high, the questions almost endless. It seems to be better if two adventurers in their
   simple outfit talk about travel and eco tourism, than men in suites. That was the impression we got.

                 
                His Excellency Dato Paduka Hj Adnan and wife Datin Hjh Mariam, all the great staff of our Embassy in Abu Dhabi

                  
                                                                            from the conference

       
                                                                                                                  Datin Hjh Mariam in the middle
            
                    The first secretary Hjh Noraini,                           Mdm Rola                                          Mdm Lina
                    
       Just see these charming ladies! Are they truly from our Embassy or just contestants of a beauty contest? These smiling eyes...

       
                 Lots of interest in our trip and JAMBO                                            A fine and tasty lunch provided

                             
              His Excellency Dato Paduka Hj Adnan, The RBA Area Manager Mr. Abdul Latif and the third secretary Ak Hj Sharin

      
                                      A final photo for our album, all the Embassy staff and Bruneian working in the Emirates

              
                       The farewell; it was not easy to leave, so many nice people                    JAMBO before the Embassy

   We started the press conference around 11:00. By 13:00 the last journalists left. "We must rush to bring the story into the paper for
   tomorrow." The Embassy translator helped to put words into Arabic, to make it more easy for some. Others spoke very well English.
   "Send us some pictures and e-mail on your journey, we publish it" said one. We will do so. Then the show was over.

   Permit us a last word to His Excellency and our efficient Embassy team, and all who helped. "A big thank you from us, the two
   travelers of many miles. If we would follow our heart, we would not leave yet, as your hospitality is superb. We stay tree nights in
   Hjh Noraini's home, ate there, used internet, and we felt being with friends. There is Mr.Latif The RBA boss of the region and wife
   Roslina, in their apartment we sleep tonight. Again eat and drink for free. I do not know if we deserve this privilege. Thank you all and
   the great job you did, the kindness you had towards us. Forgive us our shortcomings. We keep you all in our memory, everyone.
   And perhaps we come again, stuffed with brochures in Arabic and a movie from our beloved Brunei Darussalam."

   Meanwhile it became 3:00 pm and we had to leave to Dubai, but stopped for a while to look a last time at this marvel in white,
   the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. After the final  pictures we were on route to Dubai.

      
                             Our flag is flying                                                                    A quick call via sat phone, thanks to telbru

   Time over time cars pull along and remain next to us, looking at our JAMBO, and the map of Africa. Sometime we get nervous at so
   much excitement. They wave, they honk, they photo with the handy ,they smile indicating: "A great thing" you do."

  Out of the desert dust rise skyscrapers, a seven dozen buildings in wondrous forms. That is Dubai. They construct at present the
  highest tower of our world. Maybe as high as the" tower of Babylon" which as some of us know, raged the Almighty, therefore he
  destroyed it.

                                    
                                     Burj Al Arab Updating my CFK laptop          Burj Dubai it will be the tallest tower on our planet

                            
                                                                            Some of Dubai's  Skyline
  
   We have seen Dubai with our own eyes. We hear a lot before, and for us it is more than we ever expected. The traffic is restless, the
   skyscrapers tall, the money plenty as it seems. A new monorail is under construction too. They go truly with the time; marching in   
   "seven miles a step" boots into the future. A world of glass, glitter and gold.
   "Whether we want to live here?" we have been asked. "No, we don't." The life is not simple enough, we prefer rainforest and the smiling
   village folks.
   Tomorrow night we sail to Iran, crossing the straight of Hormuz, into a country with 3000 years history. I'm curious what will await us
   there.

     Tuesday 19-2-08

   It was a fine sleep last night in Mr.Latif apartment, we are fit for the journey now.  The sunny morning greeted us as every day here.
   Down, one see's the cars in hold up, passengers rushing to work. The streets are too small, to few for rush-hour traffic.
   But should one build more? Wider again to have space for more cars, perhaps until there are only roads left and nowhere to drive to?

                                     

   And there is the HUMMER. A few civil versions of this American military fighting vehicle drive around. Small windows, that the  
   combatant are not seen easily inside by their enemy.
   A Muslim head behind tinted glass steering the "petrol drunkard" which consumes not less than 30 liters/100 km. He can hardly look
   out. Does the owner feel great? Muslims forget too easy. Every mile you should remember: How many children died, how many suffer
   in Iraq? How many in Afghanistan? In Palestine? And then return the vehicle to the dealer with a "Sorry I made a mistake, I care for my
   brothers, I cannot drive this..."
   Will man ever learn? A question often asked.  
   By 12:00 a.m. we had to be at the port  to check JAMBO in.  Latif guided us to the port from then on it was routine as many times
   before. Through customs, through immigration and down to berth no 6. The ship to Bandar Abbas, in Iran, is loading from there.

   The sooner we parked, a jeep raced around the warehouse corner and stopped abruptly next to us. I looked." PORT SECURITY"
   Did we do something wrong? Out came a tall dark uniformed man with a newspaper.

                          
                                                                                                                                  Gulf News         

   "You see"? And happy he left the "Gulf News" with us. Not much later another car came. Again with a paper, but now in Arabic.
      
                                                                          Khaleej Time                                             The IRAN HORMUZ 12 our ferry 

   They consider us great guys, where is we are just travelers, perhaps a bit exceptional.
   By 3 pm we loaded as the last car our Brunei JAMBO and went into the saloon, which was empty as a cinema after the film.
   "The ship is to sail at 9:00 pm" said the captain when greeting us. "You are the only passengers and madam has to wear a scarf. You
   are on Iran territory."
   What a captain says is command; refusing is called mutiny. In old days sailors  not obedient, were hanged on the highest mast.
   We were  the only passengers, besides the crew, cockroaches and rats deep down in the ship belly.
 

          
 
   The crew truly cared for us. Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast we shared with them.
   Our sleeping bags provided the necessary coziness for a perfect dreamless night.
  
     Wednesday 20-2-08
   Luring out into the early day, we had stopped. Already in Bandar Abbas? Crawling out of my shell of many dreams (sleeping bag)
   I went out. The sun was just rising.

                
                         at the command bridge                                                          Sunrise in the Persian gulf

   No more engine noise. Instead I hear the heavy anchor chain rattling down on the bow of our vessel.
   What is this? On my side nothing but sea. "Ah, the port is on the other" and quickly I went to the starboard expecting the piers right
   next by. Nothing but a gentle green sea. It ring Alarm in me. "Why do we anchor in the middle of the sea sir" I asked a bypassing
   crewman." The port is congested" he said. "How long we have to wait?" "Maybe one hour, maybe three. But at noon we are surely in"
   The sea was calm the ship anchored, the TV playing it was 12:00 pm meanwhile. A fine lunch was served by 12:30 pm.
   Then "Heavens Thank you!" By 1:00 pm the ship engine rumbled and the vessel turned. The first officer came and said:
   "Now we are going in"
    Heading finally to shore our spirits were high. Hopefully we clear immigration and customs today. By 1:30 we docked, By 2:00pm
    we had clear all our  papers and went out of the port. That fast? You may say. Well, 2:00 pm yes  but on the next day.

    And you, honorable reader if you like to come with us, as you are invited, click Iran, where our expedition continues.