Jewel of Muscat

The last time I wrote was when I was about to depart Singapore after attending the hand over of the Jewel Of Muscat to the Singapore Government ever since I have maintained a once a week visit to this wonderful site to see if there is any thing new on the Jewel Of Muscat.
I got back to Muscat 5 days ago after attending the arrival of the Jewel and my surprise I was delighted to read in the Local News Paper that HM Government through Oman Central Bank have struck and issue a One Royal Gold Coin depicting on one side of the Coin the Ship- Jewel of Muscat and the other the Government Official Emblem 2 swords and a Khanjar[Dagger] this I thought was an excellent idea befitting the very essence of the voyage!
Also I have found that the Trade Exibition that was opened in the Singapore City attended by HE Sayyid Badar AlBusaidy as well as counter part from the Singapore Ministry of foreign Affairs where The Jewel was featured prominently for all to understand.
These two occasion indeed crowned the Jewel Of Muscat. I look forward to return one day to Singapore City especially to visit the Museum and the final resting place of the Jewel Of Muscat to reassure my concious that The Jewel is well looked after in her new home.
Muneer Alkhussaiby

I have been to see the exhibit at Vivo City and I was mesmerized by the accomplishment to create such a unique object of history.
We can't thank you enough, to the people of Oman for such a Special Gift.
The Jewel of Muscat, is a jewel of creation, hardship, perseverance to achieve unity and understanding.
Congratulations,
Mohamed Amrith

I send you my heartiest congratulations on the great achievement of your hard work which was truly outstanding.
I know you were waiting for this moment since a long time and I am thrilled to see your dream come true.
I salute you for your unwavering quest of brilliance.
With warmest regards and best wishes for a successful future.
Reem Al Wahaibi

I really enjoyed your trip and followed it a couple times a week as did several of my friends.
My grandchildren Alexandra and George who attend the American school in Muscat introduced us to George's History teacher who has been on the voyage which made it even more of an interest for us.
Thank you
Colleen Hart, Sarasota, Florida

Our heartiest congratulations on your successful project and voyage. You should all be proud of your huge accomplishment!
May your memories of this challenging and rewarding experience be with you all of your life.
We have enjoyed following your progress all of these many months. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful adventure with us.
Tim and Dawn Staples

Hearty congratulations to the captain and crew of Jewel of Muscat.
This voyage is an inspiration to the youth of today.
I am sending you a heartfelt thanks to all that gave up their time, their money and believed in their dreams to the building of this Dhow and to see the realisation.
This mission not only crosses seas it tells us there are no borders when it comes to friendship and human endeavour.
Jill

A big thank you and salute to the captain and the crew for risking their lives in bringing the Jewel of Muscat to us here in Singapore.
We were overwhelmed by the captains charming and warm personality. His humorous stories and humble self and not forgetting the smiles of all the crew. You guys are great!
If one of Jewel of Muscats objectives is about building friendship between two countries, it is absolutely right.
I have gained new friendship among the crews especially with Captain Saleh Al Jabri.
Thank you for your time to show us the Jewel just before you left Oman as we really appreciated it.
We look forward to receiving you again in Singapore and if God wills, we will visit you in Oman one day.
Last but not least stay in touch.
Sharifah Raguan Alattas

Congratulations to Captain Saleh Al Jabri and crew on a magnificent achievement and congratulations also to Tom Vosmer and Helen Kirkbride for all their expert management of this wonderful project.
From Tree to Sea to Singapore it has been a superb team effort.
Well done to all!
Mike Joy Lefroy

Dear friends,
What a great journey and a great experience.
We are proud of you and send you many wishes from the Kerala Community.
god bless you...
Sathish.K.R.cochin port trust

Dear captain Saleh Al Jabri, Tom Vosmer and all crew members. My hearty congratulation go out to you as you have now finished the historical voyage from Oman to Singapore, god bless you.
Abdul Vahab India Madakkara

To the Jewel of Muscat,
Thank you for bringing into the world a message of peace and brotherhood among peoples hope your example will be copied by others!
Angelo and Nadia Ghidoni

My 4 years old son is very happy that the Jewel of Muscat has made its way to Singapore.
He tells his friends at nursery that Jewel's completed her voyage.
Thank you to Omani and Singapore gouvernment to present such type of project.
Jayashantha

The Jewel Of Muscat is now safely in the hands of the Singapore Government.
As I left Singapore I carry with me wonderful memories of the handing over of the Omani gift to the people of Singapore, I will always cherish these memories.
My respect to all the Crew and their Captain.
Muneer Alkhussaiby

Mabrook - My heart is filled with happiness over the success of the voyage - May it be a great welcome for the Jewel and the crew today.
Ute

Congratulations to Tom Vosmer who first conceived the project and to everyone else who made this a reality!
A truly magnificent achievement!
Warren Aston, Australia

The Jewel of Muscat was crowned today by being formally handed over to the people of Singapore. Received as a gift from Oman By their President in hand. To present the gift was HH Sayyid Harib bin Thuwainy Al Said who represented HM the Sultan amidst a joyous celebrations by Omani local Folklore Dancing troupe alternated by the Singaporean Counterpart.
It was a momentous occasion that brought an end to the epic Voyage from Oman to Singapore.
I have personally witnessed the ceremonies at close range thanks to members of the Protocol department of the Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Oman for their kind assistance in making my trip to Singapore for this occasion a very worthy trip.
I salute all the the crew members and their Captain for their bravery, leadership and above all human endurance under difficult situations.
Our appreciation goes to the organisers, the support team and the many institutions that rendered their support for it success.
This was a project that we should all be proud of.
Muneer M Alkhussaiby

To Captain Saleh Al Jabri and the crew,
congratulations on finally reaching your destination.
It has been wonderful to follow your epic journey on this website. May you take great pleasure in your achievement because it is huge. Enjoy your time of celebration.
Jane Walker

Dear captain and all crews, at last you reached the Singapore.
Thanks to god, my hearty congratulation to you and god bless you.
sathish.k.r,
India.

I am excited to share the arrival of this precious gift from Oman with my students and will certainly hope to inspire the children to learn about our history and realise Singapore has always been an international sea-port and our people have always been cosmopolitan.
Thank you to the government and people of Oman,
you have given us living example of our history.
Shahira Daud

What a great gift for the people of Singapore.
Thank you to the Sultan of Oman God bless the Country her Sultan her people.
desmond chiang

This is a very touching moment for all who have in one way or another contributed to the project.
For those who have been following the project closely, I am sure our hearts rejoice together with the Jewel's crew. Congratulations to the safe arrival of the Jewel of Muscat into Singapore!

It is an intense and gratifying experience to see the Jewel team succeeding in accomplishing its goal. We have been monitoring the Jewel's progress during the journey and during its construction. You all have much to be proud of enjoy the celebrations there in Singapore!
Leslie and David Bosch

My brave friends! At last the fruits of your months of effort and planning are near! I am proud of you all for what you have achieved.
You have reminded us all that the only limitation to achievement is in our minds. In the process you have done us and Oman proud.
Wish you a very well earned rest in Singapore and a happy reunion with your families.
Saibal Sen

Dear Jewel of Muscat

It is nice to hear Jewel complete her voyage on Tomorrow. Give my & my son's
kind regards to all crew members.
Jayashantha

The Jewel Of Muscat has indeed arrived in Singapore habour and I will be here tomorow as she is presented to the people of Singapore.
It will be a great day and a proud moment for all of us Omanis, the crew under the Command of Captain Saleh made us proud as we relive what our forefathers plyied the high seas ancient route to the east as a seafaring nation of the bygone era.
I am proud and delighted to be here as she is presented to Singapore.
Muneer M Alkhussaiby

Our heartiest congratulations on the completion of your historic voyage to Singapore. We at the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center SQCC in Washington will continue to spread the word about your significant achievement on our website and elsewhere.
It is our hope that we can collaborate in the future in joint ventures telling the story of the Sultanate\s great achievements in
seafaring.
Our very best regards.
Ambassador Elizabeth McKune, SQCC
Executive Director, on behalf of SQCC\s staff

Fantastic feat! Wonderfully well done to you all...from Tom to cook! Wish we could be in Singapore but eagerly watching in Oman, Congratulations.
Ros Piper

My dear fellow sailors... I will see you all soon...!!!
Lamya Al-Kharusi

In a few days’ time an exciting sea adventure will reach its climax far away in the Far East. Yes, the Jewel of Muscat is not far from Singapore, its final destination after a 3,000 miles long odyssey that began on February 16, 2010 from Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat.
The culmination of the voyage would be the crowning glory of a singularly laudable historical and cultural project initiated on January 1, 2008 and funded and supported by the governments of Oman and Singapore. It is in fact a reenactment of the voyage of a 9th-century sailing ship from Oman to the Far East establishing trade relations and exemplifying the Sultanate’s maritime legacy.
The reconstruction of the ship, at a specially set up ship yard at Qantab beach, was carried out with meticulous care and authenticity based on a number of historical sources including the findings of the Belitung Wreck, discovered in 1998 in Indonesia.
For instance, the planks came from the Afzelia Africana timber acquired from Ghana. These were perfectly aligned and sewn together using coconut fibre to produce a water-proof vessel further protected by a layer of goat fat mixed with lime. Not a single nail was used. The square sails were made from palm leaves.
A historic parallel we have is the 101- day, 4,300 miles Kon-Tiki expedition successfully undertaken by Norwegian explorer and writer Thor Heyerdahl in 1947 across the Pacific Ocean from South America to the Polynesian islands.
In her first leg of the five stage voyage, the Jewel of Muscat headed through the Arabian Sea to reach Cochin, in the Southern Indian state of Kerala on March 15, 2010. Next port of call was Galle, Sri Lanka where she reached on April 19, 2010 after 9 days of sailing through stormy seas.
From Galle, the ship set off on May 15, 2010 towards George Town, Penang, Malaysia and reached there on June 2, 2010.
Setting sail from there on June 18, 2010, and cruising through the busy Malacca Straits she reached Klang, Malaysia on June 21, 2010. Now she has set off on her last lap towards Singapore where she is expected to arrive around July 3rd.
The arduous adventure has been marked by several unforgettable highs and lows. Captain Saleh al Jabri and his crew have calmly surmounted weather fluctuations, variable winds, and tricky currents. At each port they have been received with great joy and warmth by official delegations and traditional cultural troupes.
More touchingly, they promptly sent their message of concern and comfort to those affected by PHET back home — since they realise only too well what it takes to battle the elements of nature.
The generous coverage in the media and the dedicated official website with videos and photographs have helped to sustain our interest in the ship’s progress despite the irresistible excitement generated by the World Cup extravaganza in South Africa.
The comprehensive and interactive website enables users to follow the daily progress of the ship and even send their feedback of support and admiration. The education page is quite commendable. It offers games, information, questionnaires, activity sheets and lesson plans in History, Geography, and Science and Technology.
The eagerly awaited culmination of the historic voyage by Jewel of Muscat reignites the pride in the rich maritime heritage of Oman. It is a fitting tribute to His Majesty, as the nation prepares to celebrate 40 years of glorious renaissance under his visionary leadership.
The intrepid captain, crew and all others involved in the success of this magnificent endeavour deserve our unalloyed admiration and uninhibited accolades.

The final leg will reward Captain Saleh and his loyal crew with much satisfaction and a great sense of achievement in completing this historic voyage.
Singapore will be the richer for having Jewel of Muscat delivered safely and enhancing the harbour.
The very best to all concerned and a safe journey home to Oman with a well earned rest.
Jennifer Bartels, Gold Coast, Australia