Manchester: Adventures in the ‘Original Modern City’ The inflight magazine of Oman Air | May 2017 | Your Copy To Keep facebook.com/omanair |
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Marhaba
Dear Guests It is a great pleasure to welcome you on board your Oman Air flight today. We may have sunshine all year round in Oman, but many countries in the northern hemisphere will be celebrating the promise of warmer weather and the start of the summer season on 1st May. We would like to wish all our guests a happy May Day and Labour Day and as May also heralds the start of the holy month of Ramadan so we extend Ramadan greetings to all our Muslim guests. The 1st of May also marks the start of Oman Air’s new service from our hub in Muscat to Manchester, UK. This new daily service is in addition to the double daily flight we already offer from London Heathrow and will be the only direct service to Muscat from the UK outside of London. We are delighted to be adding the historic city of Manchester to our expanding network and we have been pleased to see how much interest it has garnered from discerning travellers from around the world. We are always striving to offer the best possible guest experience and so we are proud to have been named the ‘Best In-Flight Duty Free’ provider in the Middle East by readers of the German passenger services industry publication, Pax International Magazine. Oman’s growing popularity has been recognised by numerous media outlets. The UK’s Daily Telegraph recently listed Oman as one of the best destinations for winter sun and we are very proud that the Sultanate is one of Lonely Planet’s Top Ten Countries for 2017. They say you can’t afford to miss it, and we have to say we couldn’t agree more! The recently concluded Condé Nast International Luxury Conference 2017, for which Oman Air was the co-lead partner is a further evidence to this fact. Many celebrities, global fashion brand executives and renowned fashion designers, such as
Alber Elbaz and Elie Saab, attended this event, which demonstrated Oman’s position as a unique destination. Oman’s growing popularity is requiring adequate facilities at Muscat Airport as well. And although you still will be making use of our ‘old’ passenger terminal, our new terminal is nearing completion. With the opening of the new terminal later this year, we will be able to cater for further growth, and also provide you with unique levels of airport comfort. The state-of-the art infrastructure includes a new Catering building as well as a new Cargo terminal and a new Engineering and Maintenance area. Please allow me to offer my apologies for the congestion you might face during this busy month of the year, still in our current arrival and departure airport lounges. Many thanks for choosing to fly with us. We hope we will welcome you back soon.
Paul Gregorowitsch Chief Executive Officer
‘Middle East’s Leading Airline’ Business Class: 2016
‘Middle East’s Leading Airline’ Economy Class: 2016 ‘World’s Leading Airline’ Economy Class: 2016
Best Airline Staff Service Middle East 2014 & 2015
Navigation
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Diary
A wrap up of what festivals, events and sports are happening around the world this month
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Must-see Oman
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Check Out
Land of Frankincense
Manchester: Adventures in the ‘Original Modern City’
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Check In
Family Traveller
The majestic mountain villages of Oman
Kenya’s Maasai Mara: An exhilarating introduction to Africa
36 34 Oman Adventure
Spectacular Oman Air season launch for racing driver Ahmad Al Harthy
Oman Heritage
Treasures from the National Museum: Bahla Fort and Oases
Navigation
38 Oman Air’s inflight magazine is issued by : Corporate Communications & Media Department - Oman Air P.O. Box 58, Muscat International Airport, Postal Code 111, Sultanate of Oman, Tel: +968 24519616, Fax: +968 24510771, E-mail: wings@omanair.com, Website: www.omanair.com
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES, CONTACT: advertising@npaoman.com National Publishing & Advertising LLC P.O. Box 3112, P.C. 112, Ruwi, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24793098, Fax: +968 24708445
Landmark Travels
Sun, sea and sand in southern Sri Lanka
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Editorial Editing Director Paul Winter paul.winter@npaoman.com Mohammad Abu Al Majd Client Servicing Executive Ruwayda Al Barwani Designers Justindas Mohammad Asif
Savvy Traveller
Media Manager – Advertising & Marketing Vijay Murkute vijay@npaoman.com advertising@npaoman.com
Oman Travel Guide
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Photographic Contributors Getty/Shutterstock/iStock Check In (Getty Images; Shutterstock; Naim Chidiac/Red Bull Content Pool) Check Out (Shutterstock; Visit Manchester/www.visitmanchester.com) Family Traveller (Getty Images; Shutterstock) Fitness Fest 2017 (www.fitnessfest.sg) French Open (Getty Images) Giro d'Italia 2017 (Getty Images) In-flight Entertainment Guide (Global Eagle Entertainment/ www.geemedia.com; Oman Air) Lake Turkana Cultural Festival (Getty Images) Landmark travels (Getty Images; Shutterstock) Munich Comic (www.germancomiccon.com) Must See Oman (Getty Images) Network News & Welcome Aboard (Oman Air Marketing Communications) Oman Adventure (Oman Air Marketing Communications images/ Ahmad Al Harthy) Oman Heritage (National Museum of Oman/Photography © Saleh al-Ruzaqi) Spin Cycling Festival (www.spinldn.com) Taste of Paris (www.paris.tastefestivals.com) Travel Guide (Getty/Shutterstock/iStock) Ubud Food Festival (www.ubudfoodfestival.com) Zurich International Mobile Film Festival (Shutterstock)
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification
Forest Stewardship Council
Oman Air News
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Please recycle after use
The paper used for Wings of Oman Magazine is duly certified by the PEFC and FSC, and contains FSC mix pulp, FSC recycled pulp, FSC controlled wood pulp, and pre-consumer reclaimed papers. The PEFC is an international non-profit non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting good practice in the forest, throughout the entire forest supply chain, to ensure that timber and non-timber forest products are produced with respect for the highest ecological, social and ethical standards. The FSC is an international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests. The publisher regrets that they cannot accept liability for errors or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.
On Board
In-flight Entertainment
Also…
Welcome Aboard
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Diary Spin Cycling Festival Where: Olympia London, London, England When: 12 – 14 May What: The Spin Cycling Festival returns to London this month with a showcase of dozens of the most innovative cycling and lifestyle brands, as well as some of the cycling world’s most exciting start-ups and small businesses. There’ll also be the usual mix of cycling-themed art installations, bike film premieres, coffee and street food – all combined with live music and DJs. Oman Air flies 14 times a week between Muscat/London
More festivals around the world Malaysia Festival of Colours (1 May – 1 June, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).
Clerkenwell Design Week (23 – 25 May, London, England). Rolling Kitchens Food Truck Festival (24 – 26 May, Amsterdam, The Netherlands).
Ubud Food Festival Where: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia When: 12 – 14 May What: The Ubud Food Festival is one of Southeast Asia’s leading culinary events, which showcases Indonesia’s diverse cuisine and extraordinary local produce. During the three days of the festival, Indonesia’s best chefs, restaurateurs, food professionals and celebrated culinary icons from around the world will dish up a programme rich in fresh tastes and fresh ideas. It’s all too delicious to miss! Oman Air flies 4 times a week between Muscat/Jakarta
Zurich International Mobile Film Festival Where: Zurich, Switzerland When: 27 – 28 May What: The innovative Zurich International Mobile Film Festival aims to create a level playing field for filmmakers, where talent, creativity and hard work counts more than budget and industry connections. Believing that anybody with a thought-provoking concept or a touching story can make a great film, the festival will showcase new talent using a tool so simple and readily available that it’s often overlooked: the mobile phone. Oman Air flies 5 times a week between Muscat/Zurich
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Diary
Lake Turkana Cultural Festival Where: Lake Turkana, Kenya When: 4 – 6 May What: The fascinating and very colourful Lake Turkana Cultural Festival takes place for the tenth consecutive year this month on the shores of Kenya’s ‘Jade Sea’. It is here where ten ethnic groups in the Lake Turkana region come together to demonstrate their unique traditions through a showcase of song and dance, music, as well as through their impressive range of traditional dress items and ornamentation. Oman Air flies 4 times a week between Muscat/Nairobi
More events around the world Bangkok Royal Ploughing Ceremony (12 May, Bangkok, Thailand).
Al Gaffal Dhow boat races (13/20 May, Dubai, UAE).
Chelsea Flower Show (23 – 27 May, Chelsea, London, England).
Taste of Paris Where: Paris, France When: 18 – 21 May What: At this month’s Taste of Paris, you and your family can enjoy signature dishes from the city’s finest restaurants; learn tricks of the trade from world-class chefs; and sample gourmet food and drink, all in one stunning setting. Whether you’re a well-dined gourmand, a new-found food lover or simply looking for a good time with friends, there’s something for everybody, say organisers. Oman Air flies 5 times a week between Muscat/Paris
Munich Comic Convention Where: Munich, Germany When: 27 – 28 May What: The Munich Comic Convention, which goes ahead this month, is where you can see and meet some of Germany and the world’s greatest comic and fantasy artists and illustrators. You'll also be able to read the latest comics, relax and shop at the convention’s ‘Comic World’, and meet some of your comic and movie stars face to face. Don’t miss out on the fun! Oman Air flies 7 times a week between Muscat/Munich
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Diary
Giro d'Italia 2017 Where: Throughout Italy When: 5 – 28 May What: This year, the legendary Giro d'Italia cycling race will celebrate its 100 anniversary edition. ‘107 years have gone by since that morning of 13th May 1909, when the first 127 adventurers paved the way for a race,’ says the organisers. This year’s route takes cyclists through a total of just over 3 600 kilometres of Italy’s most spectacular terrain, including many charming towns and villages in the mountains and countryside. Oman Air flies 7 times a week between Muscat/Milan
Fitness Fest 2017 Where: Bayfront Event Space, Singapore When: 20 – 21 May What: Join the hottest names in fitness and health for an exciting, heart pumping weekend at Singapore's ultimate fitness festival – Fitness Fest 2017. If you’re keen to work out with some top fitness celebrities and professionals, learn more about living well at the festival’s health and nutrition talks and workshops, and shop for some of the fitness industry’s latest and greatest products, then make sure you attend! Oman Air flies 4 times a week between Muscat/Singapore
French Open Where: Paris, France When: 22 May – 11 June What: The French Open, often referred to as Roland Garros, is the second of four annual Grand Slam tournaments, and the only Grand Slam event held on clay courts – and it’s always a spectacular affair. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic was the winner of the Men's Singles in 2016, while the Spanish-Venezuelan Garbiñe Muguruza took the Women's Singles title. Oman Air flies 5 times a week between Muscat/Paris
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More sport around the world Jordan Rally (4 – 6 May, Jordan Valley, Jordan).
Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters (24 – 25 May, Dubai, UAE).
FA Cup Final football
(27 May, Wembley Stadium, London, England).
Must-see Oman
Land of Frankincense
Latitude: 17° 0' 35" N Longitude: 54° 8' 10” E
These days, travellers to the Sultanate can experience the fascinating history behind the fragrances and aromas of Oman at the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Dhofar, collectively known as the Land of Frankincense. • The very mention of Oman brings up thoughts of exotic scents and luxury fragrances, and especially the exquisite aroma of the hardened resin ‘gemstones’ of frankincense, which have been harvested for centuries from the Boswellia sacra trees of southern Oman. • The Land of Frankincense, in the Sultanate of Oman’s Dhofar Governorate, is a celebration of the trade in this frankincense resin that flourished in the region for many centuries during ancient and medieval times. • It includes the frankincense trees of Wadi Dawkah, the remains of the ‘Lost City of Ubar’ near Shisr, and the ancient coastal settlements of Khor Rori and Al Baleed. • At Wadi Dawkah, which is also known as the Frankincense Park, frankincense trees in the area are still harvested for their resin in the traditional way today, mainly between spring and early autumn. • The process involves removing the tree’s outer layer of bark in several places, over a period of several weeks, which causes the resin to seep out and harden. These hardened ‘gemstones’ are then scraped off and stored until the end of the season, after which they are sold locally or exported.
• At the port of Khor Rori, which is located next to the town of Taqah, around a 30 minute drive east of Salalah, it is possible to see the ruins of what was once one of the world’s main export centres of frankincense. The city itself was re-founded at the end of the 1st century to control the trade in Dhofar frankincense, and was a central hub of trade along this coastline around this time. Khor Rori is also the site of what is known as the ancient city of Sumhuram. • At the ancient Al Baleed coastal settlement, which is in Salalah itself, ancient artifacts from China and other countries that have been found here indicate its importance as a central point of trade along what was the ‘Silk Road to the Sea’, and where frankincense was traded extensively for hundreds of years. Today, visitors to the Al Baleed Archaeological Park can explore the remains of a grand mosque, citadel, and Al Baleed’s old city wall and gates. • In addition to the four Land of Frankincense heritage sites, visitors to southern Oman can also explore the Land of Frankincense Museum. • Located at the Al Baleed Archaeological Park, the museum offers a showcase of some of the archaeological materials that were unearthed in the Land of Frankincense during recent times, as well as information on the role that the frankincense trade has played in Oman and the Dhofar region throughout history.
Visitor Information The frankincense trees of Wadi Dawkah, the remains of the ‘Lost City of Ubar’, and the ancient coastal settlements of Khor Rori and Al Baleed; as well as the Land of Frankincense Museum – are all spread out around the general vicinity of Salalah. (The ‘Lost City of Ubar’ is located further away, around 170 kilometres north of Salalah).
• According to legend, the ‘Lost City of Ubar’ near the desert town of Shisr was once a magnificent kingdom and a key point for frankincense trade. It is situated around 170 kilometres north of Salalah, and although there isn’t much of the city itself to see these days, it is a spectacular location to experience Oman’s true desert wilderness.
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Check Out
Manchester: Adventures in the ‘Original Modern City’ Known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester is one of the most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities in the United Kingdom, with a unique character all of its own. Join Wings of Oman as we take a day-trip through the city, and have a look at some of the best of what Manchester has to offer the modern-day traveller.
Manchester’s famous town hall and clock tower
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Check Out Whether you’re here for one day, one week, or much longer, Manchester can make for a travel adventure of a lifetime. In fact, even for one day, Manchester can be a thrilling place to be. According to Visit Manchester – the official tourism guide for the ‘Original Modern City’, as they lovingly describe the city – here’s a quick description of what the ultimate day trip through Manchester might look like… ‘Start the day right by fuelling up at one of Manchester’s top breakfast spots. If you’re hankering for a fry-up or traditional English breakfast, then head to
‘During a walking tour through Manchester, the city’s landmarks are brought to life and hidden gems revealed’ places like HOME, Gorilla, Sam’s Chophouse, or The Cafe at the Museum. For something a bit different, head to the Northern Quarter for places like Black Milk cereal café, the Australian inspired Federal Café or the comfort food favourite, Alabamas. ‘After breakfast get an insider’s view of Manchester from an expert guide with a Walking Tour of Manchester, which makes for a perfect introduction to the city. Through a number of anecdotes and stories, the city landmarks are brought to life and hidden gems revealed. There are a wide-range of tours to choose from covering everything from architecture to social history. ‘Next, make your way to the John Rylands Library. This late-Victorian neo-Gothic building on Manchester’s famous Deansgate Street is the perfect relaxed afternoon option as it has one of the world’s finest collections of rare books and manuscripts. Or if you fancy something a bit more interactive, Breakout is a great afternoon activity for families and friends, where you’ll be given under 60 minutes in a themed room to solve a series of puzzles and mysteries in order to escape. ‘In the evening enjoy some no-nonsense full-flavour food including juicy steaks, burgers and seafood at The Grill on the Alley. Finish off with one (or two) of their crumbles, ice creams or puddings. Alternatively Salvis Cucina is a great option for dinner in the evening. Their rustic restaurant on John Dalton Street serves up authentic and traditional Neapolitan cuisine in an intimate ‘Cucina’ setting. ‘As day turns to night, live music venues to check out include Manchester’s much-loved Albert Hall, which was an old-style chapel which was closed and hidden for over 40 years until it was resurrected into what
On every night of the week in the city, you’ll find some kind of live music on the go
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Check Out Manchester City FC’s home ground – the City of Manchester Stadium
spectacular Victorian-style Manchester Town Hall (especially when it is lit up at night), and Stevenson Square, in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, with its colourful street art, bars and cafés.
is now one of the city’s favourite events venues. Also, the Band on the Wall venue has been one of the cornerstones of Manchester’s music scene for the greater part of the last century. Occupying a grand old Victorian pub serving a selection of food and drinks, it’s the perfect place to mingle and enjoy music, and end off your day in the city.’
Sport: While Manchester has a calendar that is packed with dozens of sports and lifestyle events – from track cycling, to marathon running, to indoor rock-climbing, cricket, and much more, a trip here wouldn't be complete without a stadium tour of the legendary Manchester United or Manchester City home grounds – plus a visit to each of the club’s official museums.
Manchester: Travel highlights Manchester welcomes visitors with its fine traditions of culture, music, sport and top class events. Its vitality is expressed through its fascinating history, interactive attractions, magnificent architecture and most of all, the spirit of its people. For travellers, there’s always something to see, do and experience. These are some of Manchester’s not-to-miss highlights…
Heritage: Manchester’s history and heritage is rich and diverse. You can begin exploring it all while taking one of the city’s many walking tours. You could also head straight to the Museum of Science and Industry (which is housed in the station of what was the world’s first inter-city passenger railway), or explore Chethams library, which is reportedly the oldest public library in the Englishspeaking world.
Fine dining: With its vast selection of high-end restaurants (where many top-class chefs have made their residence), as well as a seemingly endless list of trendy cafés, eateries and bars, Manchester is one of the UK’s great food destinations. It’s a delicious place to be!
‘As day turns to night, live music venues to check out include Manchester’s much-loved Albert Hall, an old-style chapel which was closed and hidden for over 40 years until it was resurrected into what is now one of the city’s favourite venues’
Photography: Whether you’re looking down on the city from up high or just wandering the streets, there are some great places in Manchester for photographers to snap away – like the Cloud 23 Bar, which is the highest public space in Manchester, the
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Check Out Shopping: Manchester is the shopping capital of England’s north, and offers a diverse and unique retail experience. From high street names, to high-end designer brands, to quirky independent stores – there are retail stores, local markets, and specialty shops to satisfy every traveller’s tastes. Music and nightlife: It has been said that the city of Manchester has music in its soul. Indeed, on every night of the week, you’re guaranteed to find some kind of live music performance, from classical music; to jazz, rock, pop, electronica and much more, happening at some of the city’s huge assortment of music venues.
Travel Token: Football jersey! Much of Manchester’s fame around the world is thanks to the city’s two legendary football clubs – Manchester United and Manchester City. With this in mind, perhaps the best souvenir to take back home from a trip to Manchester is an official jersey from one of these teams. You can pick up an official Manchester United jersey in the ‘megastore’ at the club’s home ground at Old Trafford. For a Manchester City jersey, you can do the same at the team’s home ground – the City of Manchester Stadium.
Manchester is a dynamic and cosmopolitan city that has much to offer the modern-day traveller
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Check Out
Manchester is a fascinating place to explore on foot
Manchester: Travel Info
in denominations of 50 Pound, 20 Pound, 10 Pound and 5 Pound. Coins come in 2 Pound, 1 Pound, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p.
Oman Air flies 7 times a week between Muscat/Manchester Travel Info: For more on what to see and do in Manchester, visit the city’s official tourism portal www.visitmanchester.com
1 Pound Sterling (GBP) = 0.49 Omani Rial (OMR)
Currency: The Pound Sterling (GBP/ÂŁ) is the currency in use in the United Kingdom. One pound equals 100 pence (p) and notes come
1 Pound Sterling (GBP) = 1.28 United States Dollar (USD) (April 2017)
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Check In
The majestic mountain villages of Oman The mountains of the Sultanate of Oman are home to dozens of traditional-style mountain villages. Many of them continue to function just as they have been doing for hundreds of years – in close relationship with nature, and with an age-old agricultural mode of existence. The one thing they all have in common for travellers is that they are magnificent places to see and explore. Here are the highlights… The picturesque village of Misfat Al Abriyeen
Wakan Village
(Wakan Village is located around 2 to 3 hours southwest of Muscat. Travellers should note that the last remaining section of road leading to the village can only be done with an off-road vehicle).
The tiny village of Wakan, located deep within the Al Hajar Mountains of Oman at around 2 000 metres above sea level, is where you can experience what the traditional village life was like in ‘Old Oman’. The village itself is in a spectacular setting – it’s perched on the side of a mountain, and made up of several sections of terraced fruit and date orchards, and is surrounded on all sides by the jagged peaks of the Al Hajar Mountains. In years gone by, the people of Oman’s mountain villages had a richly rewarding relationship with the land that surrounded them, and they relied solely on traditional farming and agriculture, as well as ingenious falaj water channel systems for their livelihood – and this is still very visible in Wakan Village, today.
Misfat Al Abriyeen Perched on the side of a valley, at the foothills of Jebel Shams, is the picturesque Misfat Al Abriyeen mountain village, where
‘As you make your way through the village’s many traditional stone and mud-brick buildings and structures, you can experience first-hand what the authentic ‘Old Oman’ must have been like’ 24
Check In visitors can spend a morning or afternoon exploring what are lush, green gardens, plantations of date palms, bananas, pomegranates, and papayas, as well as a network of falaj irrigation canals. They can also experience first-hand what the authentic ‘Old Oman’ must have been like, as they make their way through the village’s many traditional stone and mud-brick
buildings and structures. As a day-trip, Misfat Al Abriyeen can also be combined with visits to the nearby Nizwa Fort and Bahla Fort. (Misfat Al Abriyeen is just under a three hour drive southwest from Muscat. As there are no off-road sections on the route, the entire journey can be done in a sedan).
The village terraces on Jebel Akhdar
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Check In Kumzar Village The tiny, isolated village of Kumzar is tucked away in the gigantic fjord-like khors of Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, the exclave of Oman which juts out into the Strait of Hormuz, on the northeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. It is accessible only by boat or by a long, mountainous trek, and to this day, remains very isolated from the rest of the world. The village is located on the shoreline itself, and while it is technically not a ‘mountain village’ due to it being located at sea-level, it is nevertheless surrounded on all sides by mountains and sea-cliffs. Many of the local inhabitants of Kumzar speak a local dialect, which is a mixture of Arabic and other languages. (Travellers keen on visiting Kumzar can contact one of a handful of tour operators based in Musandam’s port of Khasab, who offer day-trips by traditional dhow to this picturesque village).
The villages of Jebel Al Akhdar are famous for their rosewater – produced from locally harvested rose petals
Balad Sayt The spectacular village of Balad Sayt is located deep in the Al Hajar Mountains near the Sultanate of Oman’s famous Jebel Shams peak. After you arrive, and as you begin making your way through Balad Sayt’s narrow village roads and pathways, and around its lush, green fruit and date terraces – all framed with majestic views of the mountains – it’s easy to feel as though you’re discovering a hidden world for the very first time. For photographers, Balad Sayt is a dream destination. (While the village is only accessible with an off-road vehicle, it is well worth the extra logistical effort arranging a trip to Balad Sayt, as it is a magnificent example of one of Oman’s traditional mountain villages).
For travellers to the Sultanate, the mountains are magnificent places to explore
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Check In The villages of Jebel Al Akhdar
apricots, dates, plums, figs, grapes, apples, pears, and bananas, as well as almonds, walnuts and saffron. The villages here are also famous their rosewater – which is produced using a traditional distilling process from locally grown and harvested rose petals. (The lower slopes of Jebel Al Akhdar are around an hour’s drive from Nizwa, which is itself around an hour and thirty minutes’ drive from Muscat. Most of the villages in this region can only be accessed with an off-road vehicle).
Scattered around the edge of the 2 980 metre high Jebel Akhdar – the ‘Green Mountain’, as it means in Arabic – and on the mountain’s Saiq Plateau are a handful of small, traditional-style mountain villages. Many of them are built on the narrow terraces that the village inhabitants have dug into the side of the mountain over a period of hundreds of years. On the terraces themselves, a variety of fruits are grown by the local villagers – such as pomegranates,
Titan of the Hill: Mountainbiking in Wakan Village In mid-April, Oman's beautiful Wakan Village, which is located deep in the mountains of the Al Batinah South Governorate, played host to what turned out to be a spectacular Red Bull Titan of the Hill mountainbiking downhill event. To challenge the riders, each competitior was required to carry their bike up Wakan Village’s 700 steps to the race starting point. Then, each took their turn to race downhill – as fast as possible – through the heart of Wakan Village to the finish line. On the day, the overall Titan of the Hill titles went to Scotland’s Steve Ross in the men’s category, and England’s Janine Tooze in the women’s category.
Many of Oman’s mountain villages continue to function as they have been doing for hundreds of years – in close relationship with nature
Titan of the Hill: Mountainbiking in Wakan Village
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Family Traveller
Kenya’s Maasai Mara: An exhilarating introduction to Africa The legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve is an area of wilderness in south-western Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. Its wildlife includes lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and hippos – among many others species – and it is also where the spectacular annual migration of millions of wildebeest takes place, from July until October. For families and their kids from all corners of the globe, a trip to the Maasai Mara is an exhilarating introduction to Africa. The giant Maasai Mara National Reserve is located in Africa’s Great Rift Valley, primarily in open grassland, and forms part of the greater Maasai Mara-Serengeti Wildlife Reserve, which extends across the Kenyan border into Tanzania. It is regarded as the jewel of Kenya’s wildlife viewing areas – mainly due to the wildebeest migration which takes place here annually, and which sees well over a million of these animals (as well as massive herds of zebra), migrating north from the Tanzanian-Serengeti region into Kenya, in search of fresh pasture and drinking water. It’s been said that from the time they arrive in July, and then begin departing in October, that nowhere in Africa is wildlife more visibly abundant. It is also for this reason that there’s an excellent chance that visitors will be able to see all of Africa’s so-called Big Five animals (buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino), during their trip. Of course, when you’re on safari in the Maasai Mara, you’re also guaranteed the opportunity to see hundreds of bird species, reptiles,
‘The Maasai Mara is regarded as the jewel of Kenya’s wildlife viewing areas – mainly due to the wildebeest migration which takes place here annually’
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Family Traveller
and amphibians in their natural environment. For eco-aware families and their kids, it all makes for an exhilarating introduction to Africa, and a trip of a lifetime.
When to visit: The peak season is between July and October, during the annual wildebeest migration. However, early November and February can also offer excellent game viewing opportunities.
While there are dozens of accommodation options (to suit various budgets) for families travelling to the Maasai Mara, perhaps the finest way to experience this magnificent part of Africa is from one of the several luxury safari tented camps that are located off the beaten track in remote and exclusive areas of the reserve. These type of luxury camps do come at a premium, but provide an excellent opportunity to live in breathtakingly close proximity to the Maasai Mara’s beautiful natural terrain and wildlife for the duration of your stay.
Find out more: For more information on exploring Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, visit the Kenya Tourist Board’s official travel and tourism guide at www.magicalkenya.com. You can also have a look at the official Maasai Mara Conservancies website at www.maasaimaraconservancies.co.ke for information on the Mara Conservancies, which in some cases extend beyond the Maasai Mara borders into the rest of the country.
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Oman Adventure
Spectacular Oman Air season launch for racing driver Ahmad Al Harthy Muscat International Airport, home of Oman Air, experienced something very out of the ordinary recently when the Omani racing driver Ahmad Al Harthy went, literally, head-to-head with one of Oman Air’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, in his Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 race car. Forming part of the 35-year-old Oman Air ambassador’s whirlwind season launch for the 2017 Blancpain Endurance Cup, the fantastic photo opportunity attracted plenty of attention and marked the beginning of the build-up to Ahmad’s new sporting year.
In endurance racing circles, where two or more drivers share driving duties throughout a race, there is no greater challenge than the Blancpain Endurance Cup and for the 2017 championship no fewer than 57 cars will be on the grid – a truly remarkable number. Again this year, Ahmad will be partnered by hugely successful Aston Martin ‘works’ driver Jonny Adam and the duo will also be joined by a yet-to-be-revealed third team-mate for the two longest races of the season – the six-hour race at Paul Ricard, France, in June, and the blue riband contest, the annual Total 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium at the end of July.
Entering his fifth season in the globe’s biggest GT endurance racing championship, the Muscat driver has never been in a better position pre-season and is absolutely relishing the prospect of battling for Pro-Am class honours in the hugely competitive category.
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Oman Adventure First, the squad will take part in the Michelin GT3 Le Mans Cup, a key support race to the world-famous Le Mans 24 Hours in June, and the end-of-year Gulf 12 Hours at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi.
New for 2017 is the team name, rebranded as Oman Racing, the car number, 97, and the engineering strength behind the squad with British outfit TF Sport now looking after the preparation of the Aston Martin.
You can follow Ahmad Al Harthy’s motor racing successes at www.ahmadalharthy.com or www.facebook.com/ AlHarthyRacing, and also on Twitter @AlHarthyRacing
'We’re all so excited for the new season,' said Ahmad, speaking exclusively to Wings of Oman, 'It’s been a long winter putting everything together, with a lot of hard work behind the scenes, and I am so grateful to my amazing sponsors, like Oman Air, for helping put Oman Racing on the grid.' As well as competing in the Blancpain Endurance Cup, the Oman Racing team programme also takes in two other prestigious race meetings in 2017.
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Oman Heritage
Treasures from the National Museum: Bahla Fort and Oases The Sultanate of Oman’s Bahla Fort and Oases was the first Omani site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, the National Museum’s Director-General, Jamal al-Moosawi, as well as the Museum’s Head of Curatorial Unit, Moza al-Wardi, take us on a journey to explore this remarkable historic landmark of Oman. (With photography by Saleh al-Ruzaqi/The National Museum). Bahla Oasis is one of the oases in the interior of Oman, characterised by its wide area, falaj channels, and density of palm tree plantation. It is a walled, fortified oasis consisting of eighteen living quarters. The earliest human settlement in the oasis dates back to the 3rd millennium BCE.
It is believed that the earliest resident of the fort was the Abbasid wali Ahmad bin Hilal during his first term in the time of Caliph al-Mu'tadid Billāh (reigned: 279–289 AH/792–902 CE). Ahmad bin Hilal chose Bahla as his capital.
Bahla Fort and the Grand Mosque (al-Jāmi) rest on two adjacent hills in the centre of the oasis, while the old Bahla wall is located west of the fort. There are many pottery workshops on the northern parts of the oasis.
The fort served as a seat of government for the Nabahina kings in different periods between 6th–11th century AH/12th–17th century CE, when Bahla was their capital, and was also used by the al-Yarubi and al-Busaidi rulers.
Triangular in shape, Bahla Fort is considered the largest mud-brick and stone fort in the country, built on an area of around 9,000 square metres. It consists of three main parts. The first is the old fort ‘al-Qasabah', which is the oldest part, almost dating back to the Parthian period (250 BCE–230 CE). It was expanded and developed by Sassanid and Nabahina kings, particularly King Suleiman bin Suleiman an-Nabhani (reigned: 1019–24 AH/1610–15 CE) who added the eastern corner (‘Arār Corner). The second part is Bait al-Jabal (Mountain House), which dates back to the 12th century AH/18th century CE (al-Yarubi Dynasty). The third part is al-Bait al-Hadīth (New House), which dates back to the mid-13th century AH/19th century CE (al-Busaid Dynasty). In addition to these three parts, there are other structures such as walls, defensive towers, prisons and horse stalls.
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Bahla Fort was the first Omani site added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1407 AH/1987 CE. The National Museum: Visitor Information Telephone: (+968) 22081500 Facebook: NationalMuseumOman Twitter: NM_OMAN Instagram: NM_OMAN E-mail: booking@nm.gov.om The National Museum is open daily from 10:00am – 5:00pm (except on Fridays 2:00pm – 6:00pm). These timings are effective from 1 May 2017 until 30 September 2017. The ticket desk closes half an hour before the Museum’s closing times.
Landmark Travels
Sun, sea and sand in southern Sri Lanka
For its relatively small size, Sri Lanka is a place that has a lot going for it. There’s a huge diversity of wildlife, forests and flauna to explore; a seemingly endless array of cultural and historical relics to investigate and photograph; delicious traditional Sri Lankan cuisine to indulge in; and wherever you seem to find yourself on the island, traveller-friendly people. But the sun, sea, and sand of Sri Lanka’s southern beaches are something truly spectacular – and worth travelling from all corners of the globe to explore and enjoy. Here are five southern Sri Lankan beach highlights… Mirissa: The small coastal town of Mirissa is around 4 kilometres southeast of the larger metropolis of Weligama, and its beach, along with the small restaurants and guesthouses that line the back-beach offer all the kinds of the things that a world-weary traveller would need. These include Mirissa’s palm-fringed, golden-sand beach itself; dozens of traditional Ayurvedic wellness and spa treatments available in the resorts and lodges in the village, clear, warm water for swimming, fresh seafood, and backpackers who are set on having a healthy, happy time.
trees on the back beach, coral reefs just offshore, great surfing conditions, and an annual beach festival in July/August. There are also an increasing number of beach-style cafes in the village, serving traditional Sri Lankan cuisine and sea-food. Unawatuna: As it is close to the colonial town of Galle, Unawatuna tends to be very popular with tourists. If you’re in search of some buzzing nightlife, great souvenir shopping, and fantastic Sri Lankan food, then the upbeat town of Unawatuna has what you need. While you’re here, if you do need a moment of repose, then head to the west end of Unawatuna’s main beach, where there is a small hill with some stairs that lead up to a big Buddha statue, and a beautiful lookout over the coastline and beach below.
Hikkaduwa: A small town on the south coast of Sri Lanka about 17 kilometres north-west of Galle, Hikkaduwa has been a favourite travel destination for backpackers since the 1970s. Although it did go through a phase of over-development and over-crowding, Hikkaduwa has been recovering in the last decade or so, and it remains a classic destination for beach and sea lovers for all the right reasons – beautiful beaches, colourful fishing boats, palm
Bentota and Induruwa: The section of coastline that includes Bentota and Induruwa is one of the most beautiful stretches of beach on Sri Lanka’s west coast. Slightly quieter and less built-up than similar beaches in the region, Bentota and Induruwa offer
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Landmark Travels the opportunity for long, peaceful walks with your family along the coastline that stretches north to where it becomes a sandy strip known as Paradise Island, parallel to the Bentota Lagoon. Arugam Bay: Arugam Bay is situated on Sri Lanka’s southeast coast, around four kilometres south of the market town of Pottuvil. Tourism in Arugam Bay is dominated by surf tourism, thanks to several quality breaks in the area. However, even if you don’t surf, Arugam Bay is a spectacular place to visit. There are pristine, unspoilt beaches nearby, lagoons with dozens of birdlife and wildlife species, historic temples dotted around the town, and the nearby Kumana National Park to explore.
‘Mirissa’s beach, along with the small restaurants and guesthouses that line the back-beach, offer all the kinds of the things that a world-weary traveller would need’
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Travel Guide
Savvy Traveller The Sultanate of Oman is on the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders the United Arab Emirates in the northwest, Saudi Arabia in the west and Yemen in the southwest. It also has two enclaves – the Musandam Peninsula and Madha – which are separated by the UAE. Oman’s 3 165 kilometre coastline spans the Gulf of Oman in the north and the Sea of Oman (which forms part of the Arabian Sea) in the east.
For the traveller, the Sultanate of Oman has a large variety of experiences:
There are currently four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Sultanate of Oman
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
• Aflaj Irrigation Systems • Archaeological Sites of Bat
A wide variety of pristine beaches and islands Spectacular mountains, canyons and wadis World class diving, snorkelling, and other water sports Turtle, dolphin and whale watching Wildlife tours in the Sultanate’s nature reserves and biodiversity spots Cultural sites including forts, ancient tombs and prehistoric cities Desert safaris and adventures A large variety of markets and souqs Museums and art galleries Trekking, rock climbing and caving adventures Horse and camel racing events Golf courses Various festivals, including the popular Muscat Festival and Salalah Festival.
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• Frankincense Trail • Bahla Fort
Sultanate of Oman: Fact Sheet Area : 3 09 500 km2 Population : 4 568 003 (2 094 616 expatriates) (2017) Language : Arabic (official) English (widely spoken) Capital : Muscat Local Time : GMT +4 Currency : Omani Rial, which equates to US$ 2.58
Travel Guide
Currency
The local currency is the Omani Rial (referred to as RO or OR or OMR). It is further divided into 1000 Baizas. Currency denominations are available in 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 Rial and 500 and 100 Baiza notes. Coins are available in 50, 25, 10 and 5 Baizas.
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Welcome Aboard
Experience Oman Air’s Award-winning Services Welcome aboard! Oman Air is committed to providing you with a safe, reliable and seamless flying experience – enhanced by warm and friendly customer service.
Book and Check-In Online
Oman Air offers an interactive online booking check-in facility for convenient, stressfree airport checkins. The check-in facility is available for departures from Muscat International Airport, as well as a selection of airports on the worldwide Oman Air network. Online check-in is available between 24 hours and 90 minutes before your departure time.
Exclusive First Class and Business Class Check-In
With its own entrance and sumptuous lounge area, dedicated staff, and fast-track security clearance and baggage drop, the First Class and Business Class Check-In service provides an ideal introduction to Oman Air’s extremely high standards of service. These facilities set the tone of refined elegance and luxury which stays with the traveller throughout their journey.
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Welcome Aboard
In-flight Connectivity
Whichever cabin you are travelling in, you can send SMS or make calls to your friends, family or colleagues with our OnAir mobile services. Log-on and check emails, surf the web and update your social media with Oman Air’s WY-Fi internet services. And our greatvalue, flexible pricing means that you can chose the level of connectivity you want whenever you fly on our Airbus A330 or Boeing 787 fully connected flights.
Chauffeur Services Oman Air offers premium travellers a host of distinctive services that will enhance their travel experience. First and Business Class passengers can now take advantage of our complimentary Chauffeur Drive airport transfer service at select destinations across our network. With an attentive service that comes with a personal chauffeur, luxury vehicles and speedy door-todoor transfers, you can now travel in comfort and style with Oman Air.
In-flight Entertainment
Sit back and enjoy your journey in comfort, with a great range of the latest Arabic and international movies, up-to-the-minute TV shows, including satellite TV news, as well as music and games – all at your fingertips, and all on demand.
Oman Air Lounges If you want to experience the privileges of Oman Air’s famous standards of superior comfort and indulge yourself in a relaxing experince before you travel, enjoy a hearty meal, or simply unwind, our lounges ensure a relaxing start to your journey that reflects the outstanding Omani hospitality you will enjoy aboard our aircraft, all whilst preserving key elements of our deeprooted culture and heritage. Relax in our First and Business Class Lounges’ elegant environment and enjoy the very best in hospitality and service as you prepare for your flight. Our Bangkok lounge is designed for customers travelling in First or Business Class, and for those holding Gold and Silver Sindbad cards, and can be used and enjoyed at a minor cost. The Majan Lounge is open to Premium customers travelling on airlines operating from Muscat International Airport and for Oman Air passengers holding Gold and Silver Sindbad membership who are travelling in Economy Class, and can be used and enjoyed at a minor cost. Each lounge also has an experienced and professional team of customer service staff on hand to look after you before you board your flight.
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Oman Air News
Oman Air wins the ‘Best Arab Air Carrier supporting Arab Tourism’ award Oman Air recently celebrated the latest in a string of prestigious award wins, following the presentation to the airline of the ‘Best Arab Air Carrier supporting Arab Tourism’ award. The 2017 Arab Tourism Media Awards ceremony was held at the Roda Al Bustan Hotel in Dubai, UAE, and organised by the Arab Centre for Tourism Media.
Oman Air named ‘Best In-Flight Duty Free’ provider in the Middle East in 2017 Oman Air, has been voted the ‘Best In-Flight Duty Free’ provider in the Middle East by readers of the German passenger services industry publication, Pax International Magazine. The airline received the award at a ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Hamburg in early April.
Oman Air welcomes new Boeing B787-9 to its fleet Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, recently continued its ambitious expansion plans for 2017, when they boosted their fleet with the addition of a new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on 22nd April 2017. This new Dreamliner is an addition to the new 737-800s and 787-9 which were added to the fleet this year.
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On Board
In-flight Entertainment Welcome to the world of In-flight Entertainment on Oman Air. Sit back, relax and travel in comfort with a specially curated selection of Western, Arabic and International movies, television and music - all to be enjoyed at your fingertips.
Movies Hollywood English director Ken Loach wins his second Palme d’Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival with his latest film. I, Daniel Blake marks the theatrical film debut of Dave Johns and sets itself as Loach’s biggest success at the UK box office, as well as sparking a debate in the country for its message.
The National Board of Review calls it one of the top ten films of 2016. With its star-studded cast and three Oscar nominations, Hidden Figures comes into light as one of the best historical dramas to date. The film also won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
Hidden Figures
I, Daniel Blake
A Monster Calls
Becoming Warren Buffett
Life, Animated
Live by Night
Miss Sloane
Silence
Split
The Founder
XXX: Return of Xander Cage *Entertainment Programme varies by aircraft type
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On Board
Sp ec ial
Movies Hollywood BOX OFFICE FAVOURITES
Anna and the King
20th Century Women
Coco Before Chanel
Arrival
Frida
Assassin’s Creed
The Other Woman
Collateral Beauty
MODERN CLASSICS
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
M on th ly
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
A Good Year Any Given Sunday Appaloosa
For Those About To Rock: The Story of Rodrigo Y Gabriela
Bride Wars
La La Land
Driving Miss Daisy
Lion
In Time
Manchester by the Sea
Maverick
Passengers
Music and Lyrics The Darjeeling Limited
Hollywood Festival Favourites
The Duchess
There are some films that are forgotten and others become engrained in cinema history as classics and fan favourites. Enjoy a selection of award-winning films like Pulp Fiction, Chocolat and many more!
KIDS
Movies International
Anastasia (1956) Casablanca Key Largo
The Secret Garden
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
BOLLYWOOD NEW Kahaani 2 Mohenjo Daro BOLLYWOOD CLASSIC 3 Idiots Krrish 3 Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi BENGALI Byomkesh Pawrbo Double Feluda
Vampire Sisters 3 Love knows no bounds in Nagraj Manjule’s Sairat, a film that has gone on to become the highest grossing film in Marathi Cinema earning a stunning $15 million worldwide. With 90% of the actors in the film being debutantes, Rinku Rajguru and Akash Thosar’s performances are at par with the more seasoned actors.
Sairat
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Hugo
Featured on Rediff’s list of Bollywood’s 5 Best Directors of 2012, writer and director Gauri Shinde, the mind behind the highly acclaimed English Vinglish, brings you the coming-of-age drama Dear Zindagi. Audiences praise both Shah Rukh Khan’s and Alia Bhatt’s performances along with the film’s commercial success.
Dear Zindagi
Rise of the Sufferfests
SILVER SCREEN CLASSICS
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
And many more... Please see the on-screen guide for your full entertainment line-up
Fences
KANNADA Kotigobba 2 Mukunda Murari MALAYALAM Oru Muthassi Gadha Vismayam MARATHI Ishq Wala Love Photocopy TAMIL Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada Ammani
Misconception
And many more... Please see the on-screen guide for your full entertainment line-up
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SINHALA Raja Mamai Weerawarna FRENCH Demain Tout Commence Mes Trésors GERMAN Aloys Das Kalte Herz ITALIAN Mister Felicità Wondrous Boccaccio TURKISH Eksi Elmalar Gorumce CHINESE Funny Soccer Scandal Maker THAI Khun Phan Suddenly Twenty
TELUGU M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story Majnu
KOREAN The Last Princess The Magician NIGERIAN Damaged Petals The First Lady
URDU Janaan Sultanat
PERSIAN A House on 41st Street Breath
On Board TV Western
Westworld
KIDS Sesame Street The Tom and Jerry Show
BUSINESS Big Problems.Big Thinkers
LIFESTYLE CNBC Conversation
The Entrepreneurs
CNN Style
M on th ly
Sp ec ial
BOX SET Friends
David Blaine: Beyond Magic COMEDY Life in Pieces Mind Your Language DOCUMENTARY
Stars Of The Silver Screen MUSIC & ARTS Video Killed the Radio Star Your Street My Stage
Soccer City
Secret Life of Growing Up
Home to some of the top players in the game, it is no wonder footballers flock to England to join the ranks of the sport’s greatest. Soccer City delves into the beloved sport with interviews and highlights some of the best matches to date with the Manchester United team.
The End: Inside the Last Days of the Obama White House
SPORT Royal Ascot: Like Nowhere Else
The Fantasy Sports Gamble
Sporting Rivalries
The Story of Beef
Sailing: Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup
DISCOVERY CHANNEL A Taste of Hong Kong 3 Expedition X: Silk Road Rising Idris Elba Pet Nation Renovation
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
House of Cards
And many more... Please see the on-screen guide for your full entertainment line-up
DRAMA House of Cards Sherlock The Durrells
The Outdoor Sports Show 2017 The Premier League Show TRAVEL 100 Wonders Of The World Culinary Heights at Ikarus Panoramas Tales from the Bush Larder This Wild Life Travel Man: 48 Hours in…
TV International HINDI Mazaak Mazaak Mein The Kapil Sharma Show
MARATHI Aamhi Saare Khavayye Chala Hawa Yeu Dya
KANNADA Chinnara Chillipilli
TAGALOG Sports U The Greatest Love
Naati Mane Punch Kajjaya TELUGU Telugu Comedy Clips
Koffee with Karan
Comedy Stars
Tips and Tidbits
Didi No. 1
TAMIL Kallaka Povathu Yaaru Pudhu Padam Eppadi Irukku Sunday Galatta MALAYALAM Badai Bungalow Malayalam Comedy Clips BENGALI Mirakkel Akkel Challenger Rannaghar
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo
Güldür Güldür Show
Hotel Sacher
And many more... Please see the on-screen guide for your full entertainment line-up
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URDU Honey Moon Joru Ka Ghulam
CHINESE Chef Nic S3 Happy Camp INDONESIAN Chef’s Table Kelas International KOREAN Brainiacs 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards TURKISH Çok Güzel Hareketler Bunlar Gulduy Gulduy GERMAN Fabel Money.Murder.Zurich ITALIAN Gomorrah Romanzo Criminale FRENCH Architectones Louis XV - Secrets of Monte Carlo
On Board Audio Western Everything Everything
Aerosmith
Get To Heaven
Aerosmith’s Greatest Hits
Leo Stannard Free Rein
Catching Feelings Moth
URBEM
Take Me When You Go
Living Room
Audio International
Roedelius / Schneider
Helene Hebrard
Moderat
Lemon Memory
Ravel: The Child and the Spells
Deaf Havana
Nicholas Ward
All These Countless Nights
Stravinsky: A Soldiers Tale / Dumbarton Oaks
Goldray
Ryan Blotnick
Rising
Kush
Cale Tyson
Omar
Gretchen Peters
Sikane
The Jacksons
Run-DMC
Love in Beats
Hello Cruel World
And many more... Please see the on-screen guide for your full entertainment line-up
Emika
Menace Beach
Careless Soul
Betty Who
NVOY
Melonfonie
Chairlift
Life & Livin’ It
Destiny
Run-D.M.C.
Cheap Trick
Mungo’s Hi-Fi Feat. YT
Cheap Trick
Best of Bollywood: Broken Hearted
Julie Byrne
Not Even Happiness
Thomas Newman American Beauty
John Williams
Saving Private Ryan
Dutch Uncles Big Balloon
Sarah P.
Who Am I
Talk About Eve HEPTAGON
Mika Nakashima
SONGBOOK Amanojaku
Rio Febrian Rio F3brian
Various Artists
B1A4
Various Artists
Various Artists
Shin
Various Artists
The Karuthu Tapes
Encore un soir
The Devil’s Walk
Goose House
Various Artists
MasterWorks - R.D. Burman
Apparat
Various Artists
Khwahish
Dear Zindagi
III
EveAi
Various Artists
Céline Dion
Tiden
Various Artists
Best of Bollywood: Sufi
Various Artists
Aurum
No Wata Down Ting
Nagabharanam
Various Artists
Weekend Remixes
Bruce Springsteen Greatest Hits
Sam Sure
Louis The Child & Icona Pop
Veera Sivaji
Welcome To My World
Good Timing Nagarahavu
Komaram Puli
And many more... Please see the on-screen guide for your full entertainment line-up
Radio Western & International WESTERN
INTERNATIONAL Oman Unlimited
Malayalam Chart Busters
Maestro Fatafati Hits
Cool Jazz Golden Oldies
H!TO Japan
Melodica
Easy Listening
London Calling
Chennai Parade
Bollywood Masala
Hipster Party
Gaon Countdown Tollywood Tadka
Top Hitz Sufi For The Soul
The Beat Eurosonic
Urban Vibes
Mando Blitz
Africana Beatz 49
Sinhalese Mix