As the Dutch whine.........We say: ¡Que viva España!

As the Netherlands' coach Bert van Marwijk, his team and the Dutch keep on whining and trying to tell the world that - it is they who should have taken the World Cup home; Johan Cruyff, who featured in the Netherlands' first World Cup final in 1974 and is an icon of the Dutch 'Total Football' style - has slammed the Dutch for their approach to the World Cup final and said he had never believed the team could adopt such a "vulgar" style. The Dutch have never won the World Cup; on Sunday, unbelievably - they played one of the crudest forms of football one can ever imagine. The Spaniards, thankfully, did not retaliate in kind; instead, they continued displaying the same mastery and wizardry of football as they have done since the tournament began.

Sights from Al Mukalla with Al Balda in Mind

It has been hot; steaming hot here in Mukalla. But soon, it will start cooling. The turtles are visiting now; thousands will lay eggs on the many beaches along the Hadhramaut coast. Humans too, will soon descend on Al Mukalla. In their thousands. Most will come for the Al Balda Tourist Festival; festivals that are held every year from the middle of July. Many come simply to enjoy. Still many, come for the reputed healing powers of the sea waters along the Mukalla coast; it is believed, that during this time - very early in the mornings, the sea water along Mukalla which becomes unbelievably cool, has healing qualities. People with many kinds of ailments, from arthritis to sores enter the waters. Every early morning, just after sunrise, for about one month - thousands of people will be found dipping into the waters: children, the old and the young, women and men; all believing that - at this time, the sea water has healing powers and effects.Visitors to the city, can enjoy the sea. Or they can enjoy the many sites around the city:

Of Camel urine and milk

Camels. With hardly any fat and almost no cholesterol, camel meat is excellent for health. For centuries, camel wool - which is golden-brown, soft, lustrous, healthy to put on and durable - has been used to make rags, blankets, fabrics and clothing. Very few people outside the Middle East and Muslim countries use camel milk; they do not know of its many benefits which include: improving skin tone and reducing wrinkles; sustaining the immune system; and enhancing male virility. As for camel urine, it is said to have several medicinal properties which includes treating cancer. Here in Hadhramaut, from time immemorial, people have always highly regarded and valued camels. A short distance from the center of Mukalla, there is a man who specializes in selling camel urine and milk.