Gulf Trip 09

[Marra]

On Saturday Bryn and I returned from our 10 day trip to the UAE and Qatar, we spent the 1st 3 days in Abu Dhabi with some great people.
We visited the hunting and equestrian exhibition on 3 occasions while there, there were not too many falcons on display but still very interesting.

We spent some time with a group of falconers training the birds for the hunting season ahead, it really is an eye opener to see these guys with their falcons. For anyone who has not experienced Arab falconry they may have misconceptions, as I had before witnessing the skill that these guy's have.

When you see one of these guys handle and fly a falcon that has only been out of the hack pen for 4 or 5 days, it is a real eye opener. To see the steadiness of the falcon and watch it flown free after such a short time, etherizes the innate skill that comes with generations of falconry in their heritage.

We moved on to Dubai having hardly had enough time to see all we needed to in Abu Dhabi, an ultra-modern city that is still rich in it’s traditional heritage.
In Dubai we were lucky to stay with a great bunch of falconers who live eat and breathe falconry.

Early morning found us out in the desert as the sun was rising, training falcons before the day heated up to its normal high temperature. With only about an hour or so before the sun got too high, there was not much time to fly the 12 or so falcons in hand.

Each bird was dealt with quickly and efficiently, no sooner did one falcon land on the lure than the next was on the wing. The falcons ranged from pure gyr’s to gyr x peregrines, from a couple of weeks in to training to just a few days.
The training ranged from long luring over ½ a kilometer to slipping at wild caught ducks, all were handled in an expert manner and no sign of stress in either falcons or falconers.

From Dubai we flew in to Doha, Qatar, the temp was starting to cool a little now reaching 32c in the afternoon instead of the 42c we had experienced in Abu Dhabi.
Once more we were staying with falconers from Sheiks to ordinary guys, all without exception were skilled practitioners.
We sent 4 days in Qatar and saw some beautiful falcons, palatial hack pens and stunning scenery, the time went too fast and we were on our way home too soon.
All in all we had a fantastic time and the memories will stay with us for the rest of our lives, I hope to return in the not too distant future to see more of what this amazing region has to offer.

The most outstanding thing about our visit was the incredible hospitality shown by everyone we met, where ever we went the people were worm, friendly and welcoming.
It was not possible to visit anyone without being offered huge amounts of drink and food, it is the custom of people in the UAE to be generous hosts and they go to any length to ensure you enjoy your visit.

We returned home with a feeling of regret at leaving, I can recommend anyone visit this region if you can, you will be welcomed as a fellow falconer and the experience will leave you with a great respect for the people and the culture.

A few pics from the trip, I took more video footage than I did photos, so I will upload some stills as soon as I have loaded the footage to my computer.

Chris

[Marra]

Some more.

[MusketMad]

Exellent it looks like you had a great time!

[Sean D]

Looks and sounds fantastic

[Tooker]

Its a beautiful place. I spent some time in Abu Dhabi and Dubai last year and I have never met such nice friendly people.
Lovely people, beautiful country. I'd love to go back.

You were very lucky to meet up with the falconers over there - I was supervising a site investigation most of the time I was there - although did get a couple of free days to explore Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Excellent pictures :)

[K.Massey]

Chris did you stay at the Burj Al Arab ? Some of my marble workings are in the central lobby.

Looks awesome a place to visit before I'm gone

[ChrisRobbo]

Looks good marra, where's the pictures of the falcons then???? Cant open that picture message you sent as my phone's ****, i havnt got loads of money like you to get all these fancy gadgets like a camera in a phone!

Chris

[Gary F]

looks great Chris,, is that jeff on the boat???

how long was bryn there before everyone was marra lol

[Liam Fensome]

looks great Chris,, is that jeff on the boat???


yep by the looks of it he needs some sun tan on those legs.:lol:

[Greg]

Good stuff Chris keep it coming!

[Marra]

Chris did you stay at the Burj Al Arab ? Some of my marble workings are in the central lobby.

Looks awesome a place to visit before I'm gone

Hi Kev, we were in the "Shangri la" in Abu Dhabi then we were the guests in a home in Dubai, there just was not enough time to see all we wanted otherwise I would liked to have seen Burj.

Chris

[K.Massey]

Hi Kev, we were in the "Shangri la" in Abu Dhabi then we were the guests in a home in Dubai, there just was not enough time to see all we wanted otherwise I would liked to have seen Burj.

Chris

From what I gather the standards are soo high it matters not where you stay.

Looks mint...whats the fishing like?

[Marra]

looks great Chris,, is that jeff on the boat???

how long was bryn there before everyone was marra lol

Hi Gary, yes that is the big lad on the boat, he is still there in Qatar and soaking up the sun :D
Everyone was "Marra" from day one, they soon got used to it and then they all called him "Marra"

Chris

[Marra]

Looks good marra, where's the pictures of the falcons then???? Cant open that picture message you sent as my phone's ****, i havnt got loads of money like you to get all these fancy gadgets like a camera in a phone!

Chris


Hi Chris, I will put some more pics p from my Video camera soon, lots of falcons on there.
The pic was Coco on a cock pheasant yesterday, 1st flight of the season for her :D
You need to get a new phone son, come in to the modern world :lol:

Chris

[Altai]

Hi Chris, where was the bird market? Someone on here said the one at Sharja had been closed. Did you see any exotics like red-headed merlins or black sharheen?

[Marra]

From what I gather the standards are soo high it matters not where you stay.

Looks mint...whats the fishing like?

Hi Kev, you are right mate, the standard is very high. We only got out for one morning fishing on our last day, the tide was low and they say it needs to be high, so the catch was not big.
But we spent time swimming in 6 foot of water, 1/2 mile out, 28.5c like a bath :D

Chris

[ChrisRobbo]

Hi Chris, I will put some more pics p from my Video camera soon, lots of falcons on there.
The pic was Coco on a cock pheasant yesterday, 1st flight of the season for her :D
You need to get a new phone son, come in to the modern world :lol:

Chris

Sounds good, i'll give you a bell later to catch up. You offering to buy me a new phone then that doesnt blow your eardrums likes bryns builders jcb thing :lol:

[Marra]

Hi Chris, where was the bird market? Someone on here said the one at Sharja had been closed. Did you see any exotics like red-headed merlins or black sharheen?

Hi, we did not see the bird market in Abu Dhabi but we did see the one's in Sharja and Dubai, as it was the end of the season there were not many good falcons left. We did see a couple of wild red nape males that were stunning, really nice little falcons.
The hawk market in Dubai is something else, they have closed the old area and built a new super market for falcons :D
The whole place is full of falcons and falconry equipment, a dream to vist for any falconer. The guy who took us there in his brand new Hummer, left it running outside with the keys in to keep cool while we went in for a look around :eek: Try doing that in the UK :lol:

Chris

[Terry Hanson]

The hawk market in Dubai is something else, they have closed the old area and built a new super market for falcons
The whole place is full of falcons and falconry equipment, a dream to vist for any falconer. The guy who took us there in his brand new Hummer, left it running outside with the keys in to keep cool while we went in for a look around :eek: Try doing that in the UK :lol:

Chris
I love it :lol: :lol:

[AvianManagement]

Hi, we did not see the bird market in Abu Dhabi but we did see the one's in Sharja and Dubai, as it was the end of the season there were not many good falcons left. We did see a couple of wild red nape males that were stunning, really nice little falcons.
The hawk market in Dubai is something else, they have closed the old area and built a new super market for falcons :D
The whole place is full of falcons and falconry equipment, a dream to vist for any falconer. The guy who took us there in his brand new Hummer, left it running outside with the keys in to keep cool while we went in for a look around :eek: Try doing that in the UK :lol:

Chris

You should have called in and visited us in Nad Al Shiba

David

[Marra]

You should have called in and visited us in Nad Al Shiba

David

Hi David, we kept seeing the signs for Nad Al Shiba and said we must go for a visit, but as always we just ran out of time. When we come again next season we will make a point of calling in for a cup of tea, would love to look around your impessive set up.

Chris

[Marra]

Here are some still's from my video taken on the trip, these 1st shots are Bryn and I meeting a little pussy cat, this male cheetah was very tame and purred the whole time.


Chris

[Marra]

Some of the Hunting Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, it is an amazing event and worth a look at, Everything from V8 dune buggies to Elephant gun's.
There were not too many falcons on display this year, I think the cost had put many breeders off.
More stills to come as I load the video to my computer.

Chris

[Marra]

Some more.

[Marra]

and more.

[Marra]

The last.

[Terry Hanson]

Here are some still's from my video taken on the trip, these 1st shots are Bryn and I meeting a little pussy cat, this male cheetah was very tame and purred the whole time.


Chris


Hi Chris, did the pussy ask Bryn the time :lol:
Cracking pictures

[Kennelre]

Wonderful photos!!!
Just keep'em coming. it's fascinating.
I want to go there!!!


...Rene.

[Marra]

Hi Chris, did the pussy ask Bryn the time :lol:
Cracking pictures

Bryn was a little nervous of the Cheetah, don’t know why? The best was when a guy asked if we could breed a gyr the same colour as Bryn’s leg’s :lol:

Chris

[Marra]

Some stills of the guys training new falcons, still early in the season.

Chris

[Marra]

This 2nd season gyrkin is well accustomed to flying to his box to eat as soon as he takes the lure, amazing to see.
Also, not something you see crossing the road in the uk :D

Chris

[Tony James]

Bryn was a little nervous of the Cheetah, don’t know why? The best was when a guy asked if we could breed a gyr the same colour as Bryn’s leg’s :lol:

Chris

Mmmm. Superwhites eh, they cost a fortune don't they?:lol:

[Marra]

This Kirawan (stone curlew) flight was fantastic, the falcon makes pass after pass but the quarry can turn on a sixpence. After 5 minutes the falcon starts to slow and the Kirawan pulls away to disappear in to the heavens.

Saif feeds his falcon a whole pigeon after the flight, the falcons need a good diet to cope with these long demanding flights.

Chris

[Marra]

The rest.

[Marra]

A few more stills of the Hummer we left running outside the falcon super market, inside the Souk and with Sara (as the falcons her bells) buying hoods.
The worlds talest building in Dubai, for now.

Chris

[SolidLeo]

Nice pics ....!!!!

[Marra]

Some shots of our visit with Jeff (falcons 7) in Qatar, what a hack pen!!!

Chris

[FalconFred]

Hi Chris,

Looks like you and Bryn had a good time, a deserved break after the busy breeding period.

Nice photos by the way,
The Arabs have so much Wonga they can just fling out their heavy piled carpets once the event is over, where they array of falcons were placed must have received its fair share of slicings.. Somehow newspaper placed uderneath those beautiful birds just wouldn't look right, now would it:D.

Looking forward to seeing more photos etc if you have em, Chris.

Atb

Ger