Goa: Travel highlights The inflight magazine of Oman Air | October 2016 | Your Copy To Keep facebook.com/omanair |
twitter.com/omanair |
instagram@omanairofficial |
youtube.com/omanair | Download Oman Air FREE App
Marhaba
smartphone or tablet – free of any charge. Passengers register in the lounges using the free Wi-Fi by entering their name and flight number and can then easily download their chosen reading material. Available publications – currently comprised of around 60 titles – cover a wide range of interests, are offered in six different languages, and are updated on a daily basis. Finally, I want to let you know that Oman Air has created some superb special offers, which can be booked through our website. Amongst these is an exclusive package for fans of Formula 1 motorsports. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be held at the Yas Marina Circuit on the 25th, 26th and 27th November and Oman Air is offering flights, accommodation and race-day tickets at highly competitive rates. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience one of the most exciting races in the motorsports calendar and I would urge you to book as soon as possible, as space is limited. On behalf of all my colleagues at Oman Air, I am pleased and honoured to welcome you aboard your flight. Our current fleet expansion programme is enabling Oman Air to offer an ever-growing range of choices to our customers. Over recent months we have taken delivery of more new aircraft, increased frequencies on many of our key routes, and launched a series of exciting new destinations. That work continues and we will soon be announcing more frequencies and more new destinations. But we also remain committed to searching for new ways to increase convenience, improve the seamlessness of our passenger experience and delight our customers.
In the meantime, I offer my sincere thanks for choosing to fly with Oman Air and I hope to welcome you back very soon.
Paul Gregorowitsch Chief Executive Officer
That is why we have just launched a new complimentary doubledaily bus service between Al Ain and airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These buses seat 33 passengers and are equipped with climate control and reclining seats. Externally, their unique Oman Air liveries will make a distinctive impression on the busy roads of the UAE. They are a convenient and luxurious way to access Oman Air’s international route network and bookings can be made online at www.omanair.com, or through your nearest Oman Air office. We have also just unveiled the Media Box for customers in our premium lounge at Muscat. This web-based platform enables passengers to download newspapers and magazines over a high-speed Wi-Fi connection onto any internet-enabled device,
World’s Leading Airline Economy Class 2014 & 2015 World’s Leading Airport Lounge Business Class 2015
Best Airline Staff Service Middle East 2014 & 2015
Navigation
9 Diary
A wrap up of what festivals, events and sports are happening around the world this month
15 Must See: Oman
16 Check Out
Wakan Village
Goa: Travel highlights
22 Check In
A Musandam Adventure…
26 Landmark Travels
Singapore Flyer: A moving experience at every turn
30 Oman Adventure
Oman Air Extreme Sailing success down to ‘quiet lips and strong ears’
Navigation
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
32
Oman Heritage
Treasures from the National Museum: A Culture of Scent
National Publishing & Advertising LLC P.O. Box 3112, P.C. 112, Ruwi, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24793098, Fax: +968 24708445 Editorial Editing Director Paul Winter paul.winter@npaoman.com
34
Mohammad Abu Al Majd Client Servicing Executive Ruwayda Al Barwani
Family Traveller
Milan’s ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ Museum of Science and Technology
Designers Justin Das Mohammad Asif Media Manager – Advertising & Marketing Vijay Murkute vijay@npaoman.com advertising@npaoman.com Photographic Contributors Cover Image: iStock Getty/Shutterstock/iStock ‘Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe’/Scoopdyga (www.prixarcdetriomphe.com) Beirut International Film Festival (www.beirutfilmfestival.org) GameStart 2016 (www.gamestart.asia/gamestart-2016) London Comic Con/MCM central (www.mcmcomiccon.com) Manila FAME Design and Lifestyle show (www.manilafame.com) Milan Museum of Science and Technology/@AlessandroGrassani/@ LorenzaDaverio (www.museoscienza.org) National Museum of Oman images (Saleh al-Ruzaqi) Oman Air Marketing Communications images Oman Sail (www.omansail.com) Romina Amato/Dean Treml/Red Bull Content Pool (www.redbullcliffdiving.com) Sidetrekked (www.flickr.com/photos/sidetrekked) STACK® (www.stackitevents.com)
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification
Forest Stewardship Council
39 Savvy Traveller Oman Travel Guide
44
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 Oman Air News
(40) (43)
Diary Bangkok Vegetarian Festival
Where: Bangkok, and throughout Thailand When: 1 October – 9 October What: The Bangkok Vegetarian Festival is when the city’s Chinese restaurants and street stalls across the city, especially along Yaowarat Road (Bangkok’s Chinatown), prepare a huge variety of mouthwatering vegetarian dishes – from sweet cakes to veg’ noodles to mock meat dishes made from tofu. It’s a delicious time to be in Bangkok, and it’s all in the name of good health and peace of mind for the coming Chinese year. Oman Air flies 17 times a week between Muscat/ Bangkok (14 Oman Air) (3 code share with Thai Airways)
Beirut International Film Festival
Where: Beirut, Lebanon When: 5 October – 13 October What: Now set to have its 16th edition, the Beirut International Film Festival is one of the biggest cultural events in Lebanon, and this year will once again become the meeting point for a selection of major productions. The festival’s featured films are the creations of up-and-coming, as well as established film-makers from Lebanon and the MENA region, as well as from the rest of the world. Oman Air flies 7 times a week between Muscat/Beirut
London Comic Con
Where: London, England When: 28 October – 30 October What: London Comic Con is where, this month, you’ll be able to join the largest gathering of comic creators and comic artists in the UK. According to the organisers, the aim of the convention is simple: To bring together comic artists and creators of all styles, and promote the good word of sequential art. Oman Air flies 14 times a week between Muscat/London
More festivals around the world White Night Arts and Culture festival (1 October, Paris, France). London Restaurant Festival (1 October – 31 October, London, England) Kuala Lumpur Eco Film Festival (14 October – 16 October, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).
9
Diary GameStart Gaming Convention 2016
Where: Suntec Convention Centre, Singapore When: 7 October – 9 October What: Southeast Asia’s premier gaming convention is back for its 3rd edition this month. The event welcomed over 17 000 visitors from Singapore and the region last year, and this year is set to be even bigger and bigger – due to new and exciting content for everyone, including game showcases and previews, e-sports, indie games, retro gaming, cosplay and more! Oman Air flies 7 times a week between Muscat/Singapore
‘STACK: For all fans of LEGO®’
Where: Dubai, UAE When: 19 October – 22 October What: The ‘STACK’ event gets all set this month to take creative fun to a new level – with everyone’s favourite, coloured ‘LEGO®-style’ building blocks. There’ll be thousands and thousands of these little plastic buildings blocks available for you and your family and friends to get creative and build whatever giant sculptures you can conceive of. Oman Air flies 70 times a week between Muscat/Dubai (49 Oman Air) (21 code share flights with Emirates)
Manila FAME Design and Lifestyle show
Where: Manila, Philippines When: 20 October – 22 October What: ‘Crafted in the Philippines, for the World’ – that’s the message from the team of this month’s Manila FAME Design and Lifestyle show. Considered the country’s premier design and lifestyle event, Manila FAME is a bi-annual showcase of craftsmanship, design innovation, and artisanship in Philippine products. It features finely selected furniture and home furnishings, holiday gifts and décor, and fashion accessories designed and crafted in the Philippines for the global market. Oman Air flies 7 times a week between Muscat/Manila
More events around the world GITEX Shopper Electronics Fair (1 October – 8 October, Dubai, UAE) Amsterdam Dance Event (19 October – 23 October, Amsterdam, The Netherlands). Dubai Design Week (24 October – 29 October, Dubai, UAE).
11
Diary ‘Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe’ Horse Race
Where: Chantilly (near Paris), France When: 1 October – 2 October What: Over the years, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe has earned a reputation as perhaps the world’s greatest horse race, and all horse-racing professionals dream of seeing their horse finish first in this legendary event. In 2016, for one year only, the best racing stables from all over the globe will measure up to one another at the famous Chantilly racecourse, just north of Paris (instead of the usual venue at Longchamp). The action should be unforgettable – don’t miss out! Oman Air flies 6 times a week between Muscat/Paris
2016 UCI Road World Championships
Where: Doha, Qatar When: 9 October – 16 October What: The 2016 UCI Road World Championships is scheduled to take place this month in Doha, Qatar, in 2016. The event consists of a men’s and women’s road race and time trail, and will mark the first time that Qatar and the Middle East will host these prestigious championships. (The championships have been moved from the traditional September to October to avoid Doha’s hotter weather). Oman Air flies 27 times a week between Muscat/Doha
More sport around the world
Rugby League Super League Grand Final (8 October, Old Trafford, Manchester, England) Amsterdam Marathon (16 October, Amsterdam, The Netherlands). Dubai Bodybuilding and Fitness Show (21 October – 22 October, Dubai, UAE). Jakarta Marathon (23 October, Jakarta, Indonesia). ‘Six Day London’ sprint cycling (25 October – 30 October, Lee Valley VeloPark, London, England
Cliff Diving World Series Finale
Where: Dubai, UAE When: 28 October What: The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series is an adrenaline-pumping high diving competition that takes place at some of the world’s most breathtaking natural and man-made high diving venues. The good news for Dubai is that 2016 series champions will be crowned during the World Series’ first ever event in the UAE, as the Dubai Marina will provide the setting for the final showdown for the very first time in 8 years of the series. So take a leap, and come and join the crowds to watch the divers soar to cliff diving glory – all from the 28 metre-high Pier 7 at the Dubai Marina, which will be used as the diving platform Oman Air flies 70 times a week between Muscat/Dubai (49 Oman Air) (21 code share flights with Emirates)
13
Must See Oman
Wakan Village
Latitude: 23° 8' 24" N Longitude: 57° 44' 6" E
The tiny village of Wakan, located deep within the Al Hajar Mountains of Oman, is where you can experience what the traditional village life was like in ‘Old Oman’. It is a magnificent place to explore, and it is close enough to Muscat to do as a day trip. 1. The village itself is in a spectacular setting – it’s perched on the side of a mountain, overlooking the depths of Wadi Mistal below, and surrounded on all sides by the jagged peaks of the Al Hajar Mountains.
Wakan Village through to Oman’s famous Jebel Akhdar summit. 8. The few dozen houses and buildings in Wakan maintain their charming, ‘Old Oman’ appearance, with many of them having been built on foundations made from a mixture of mud and date palm leaves.
2. In years gone by, the people of Oman’s mountain villages had a richly rewarding relationship with the land that surrounded them. They relied solely on traditional farming and agriculture, as well as ingenious ‘Falaj’ water channel systems for the livelihood – and this is still all visible at Wakan, today.
9. Wakan village and the surrounding area provide opportunities for spectacular photos. Don’t come here without your camera! 10. Due to its relatively high altitude of around 2 000 metres, temperatures at Wakan are often a few degrees lower than the rest of the Sultanate, and pleasantly cool. (With this in mind, it’s not a bad idea to bring a light jersey or pullover to avoid the chill).
3. One of the highlights of the village are its terraced gardens which contain date palms, grape vines, and pomegranate and apricot trees. 4. Wakan village is located just south of the border between Oman’s South Batinah and Al Dakhiliyah Governorates, at a height of around 2 000 metres above sea level.
Wakan Village: Getting there Travellers to Wakan should note that the last remaining section of road leading to the village can only be done with a four-wheel drive. After heading out from Muscat towards Barka (which is around 70 kilometres via the Muscat Expressway or ‘Route 1’ road), take the ‘Route 13’ road inland towards Nakhal. About 13 kilometres after passing through Nakhal, you’ll have to take the Wadi Mistal turn-off to Wakan. The distance from here to the village is then just over 30 kilometres (with the last section of this being only accessible by four-wheel-drive).
5. Just before you arrive at the village, there’s an information sign marking the ‘entrance’, and also a small visitor’s centre where you can find out more about what to see and do in the area. 6. The best way to experience Wakan is by walking the length of the trail (with its around-700 steps) that runs for just over a kilometer through the village. It takes you through the terraced gardens and along the Falaj water channel system to a lookout point at the top of the village. 7. For enthusiastic walkers and hikers there’s also a longer, six hour (± 10 kilometre) trek that can be done from
15
Check Out
Goa: Travel highlights Goa is a land of charming old villages, spice plantations, delicious cuisine, and carnivals. There’s also Goa’s glorious beaches – all fronted by the blue expanse of the Indian Ocean’s Arabian Sea – where you can sunbathe, find solitude, and swim and snorkel during the day, and then party under the Goa moonlight, well into the night. It’s a unique Indian destination filled with travel experiences – here are just a few of them.
Goa is India’s ultimate beach holiday destination
16
Check Out Aguada just outside Panaji city and moves up north towards the border to Maharashtra. Right from the Fort Aguada Beach Resort, an interrupted stretch of sand lies awaits. The ‘South Goa Beach Circuit’ includes the 20 kilometre-long, white-sand Majorda beach,
1. Explore the beaches: Without a doubt, Goa is home to some of India’s most beautiful beaches. ‘There are unspoiled, pristine stretches of sand for the solitude seeker, and then there are the beaches that are jam-packed with people in every square feet of sand!’ as an official Goa tourism guide explains. With their palm trees, white sand and warm water, and many watersports on the go, Goa’s beaches are the number one reason to travel here. The ‘North Goa Beach Circuit’ begins from the headland of Fort
‘With their palm trees, white sand and warm water, and many watersports on the go, Goa’s beaches are the number one reason to travel here’
17
Check Out The plantations and historical buildings of Old Goa
which stretches down the coastline towards the headland of Cabo de Rama. There’s also the beautiful Velsao, Majorda, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Cavelossim, Mobor and Betul beaches.
base for the Portuguese from the 1500s until 1700s. A stroll through the town to explore the old architecture and monuments here is a fascinating trip back in time to what was a very unique period in the region’s past. The Portuguese Fort Aguada, at the mouth of Goa’s famous Mandovi River, is another heritage site worth exploring.
2. Indulge your senses at Goa’s spice plantations: Great travel is not just about seeing new places, but it also involves engaging in and indulging all of your senses. At Goa’s tropical spice plantations, which welcome visits from tourists, you can indulge in the aromas of spices like vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves; and then follow this up with a delicious lunch, and taste traditional Goan food – all prepared and infused with several combinations of these spices.
6. Indulge in Goa’s food: Traditional Goan cuisine is made up of combinations of rice, seafood, coconut, vegetables, and meat – which are typical infused with intense, spicy flavours, and ‘Peri-Peri’ chilly. Travellers should especially not miss out one the
3. Go wild at the Goan Carnival: According to the Goa tourism board, ‘The annual Goa Carnival is a fun-filled, three-day, non-stop extravaganza of fun, frolic, song, music and dance – held every year in February. Huge parades through the towns and villages are organised with bands, floats and dances, well into the evenings. The final day concludes with the famous Red-and-Black dance held by the Clube Nacional in Panjim – Goa’s capital city.’ 4. Explore Goa’s villages: While the state of Goa does have its larger towns and built-up urban areas, it has been said that the heart and soul of Goa are it’s dozens of charming, country-style villages. They are the pride and joy of the people that inhabit them – and for travellers, they offer a wonderful glimpse into the traditional way of life of Goa. 5. Time travel through ‘Old Goa’: Old Goa is the historical town located around 10 kilometres east of the state capital of Panjim, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is made up of a collection of magnificent old buildings constructed by the Bijapur Sultanate in the late 1400s, which subsequently served as a trading
Travel Token: Anjuna Market Beach Sandals For the best souvenir shopping in Goa, you should absolutely head to the popular Anjuna Market, where you will find printed textiles, pottery, baskets, locally-made jewellery, and much more. But whatever you bargain for and buy, don’t miss out on a pair of locally-made beach sandals, which are an Anjuna Market classic. They’re perfect to use for your explorations around Goa – and a great souvenir to take back home. (Anjuna Market is an hour’s drive north of Vasco da Gama).
‘The heart and soul of Goa are it’s dozens of charming, country-style villages’ 19
Check Out region’s legendary seafood curry, as well as handfuls of freshly roasted Caju fruit (cashew nuts) – a favourite local snack. 7. Explore Dudhsagar Waterfall: Goa’s famous 600 metre-high Dudhsagar waterfalls are surrounded by the thick, tropical forest of the Western Ghats mountains and when in full flow, they make for a spectacular sight. The Konkani name for the falls, which means ‘Sea of milk’ describes the clouds of milky foam which rise up at the bottom of the falls. 8. River raft the Tilari: In a breathtakingly beautiful jungle setting, just over an hour’s drive outside of North Goa, you and your friends can book yourselves onto a whitewater rafting ride of lifetime down the Tilari River. The adventure begins with a warm-up over a section of easy rapids before the grand climax in a deep gorge. For something less frantic, the Santa Monica river boat will take you on a leisurely sunset cruise up Goa’s Mandovi River.
Goa: Travel Info Oman Air flies 7 times a week between Muscat/Goa Visa Requirements: All foreign nationals entering India are required to apply for an e-visa through the online application link www.indianvisaonline.gov.in Languages: Konkani is the sole official language of Goa (with Marathi also being used for official purposes). Hindi and English are also widely spoken. Currency: The Indian Rupee (INR) is the official currency of India. Coins are available in denominations of Rs1, Rs2, Rs5, and Rs10, and banknotes come in denominations of Rs1, Rs2, Rs5, Rs10, Rs20, Rs50, Rs100, Rs500, and Rs1000. 1 Indian Rupee (INR) = 0.0057 Omani Rial (OMR) 1 Indian Rupee (INR) = 0.015 United States Dollar (USD) (September 2016)
The architecture of Old Goa – now a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Celebrations at the famous Goan Carnival, held every year in February
20
Check In
The traditional wooden dhow has always played an integral part in the lives and culture of Musandam’s people
A Musandam Adventure… Musandam Adventure? Here’s a list of outdoor and cultural adventures to be had around the Sultanate of Oman’s magnificent Musandam Peninsula…
Explore underwater Musandam: Musandam has around two dozen well-known dive sites, as well as a bunch of semi-secret, outof-the-way dive spots. There are spectacular wall dives; lots of coral reefs and coral gardens; shipwrecks; and an incredibly rich diversity of marine life to explore on scuba, or simply by snorkelling.
Woman’. As the tour operator Dolphin Musandam Tours explains, ‘Along the way you will be able to observe fossils dating back several million years; we will also visit the Bedouin village of Sayh – a small and peaceful village where one can cherish the beauty of Musandam on the plateau of the mountain. Our journey also takes us to Khawr Najid, a stunning sea view point overlooking the Arabian Sea.’
Do a traditional dhow cruise: A trip on an Omani dhow (especially a traditional wooden dhow) to explore the Musandam Peninsula’s rocky shoreline is the defining Musandam experience. Along the way, you’ll see dolphins, do a snorkel safari at one of the coral reefs in the area, and get up close to towering, hundreds-of-metres-high sea-cliffs that drop down directly into the Arabian Gulf waters. Another popular dhow adventure is a cruise to the Telegraph Island – the small rocky island that was used as a base to boost telegraph messages along the London-to-Karachi undersea cable in the 1800s.
Trek to ‘Smugglers Bay’: Musandam has a rich and fascinating history of smugglers, piracy, and secret merchant adventures. Along with a range of treks around the Musandam region, the adventure operator Absolute Adventure offers a five-hour guided trek over the coastal mountains near the village of Dibba, to the so-called ‘Smugglers Bay’ where sea-based smuggling adventures were said to have been launched in past times.
Camp under the Musandam moonlight: A night spent on one of Musandam’s white-sand beaches, next to a campfire, while eating freshly barbequed seafood and sipping Omani ‘kahwa’ coffee – all under the silver moonlight and stars – makes for an unforgettable experience. And it can easily be arranged through one of the adventure tour operators or hotels located on the peninsula.
Do a ‘marine trek’ by sea-kayak: Sea-kayaking is a very ‘conscious’ and environmentally-friendly way to explore the sea and its shoreline. The reason is that you can get up-close-and-personal with much of the sea’s marine life and birdlife – without scaring them away with noisy engines or a large wake. In Musandam, sea-kayaking ‘marine treks’ can be organised with several local adventure operators – and will give you the chance to paddle with dolphins, see colourful fish and marine life drift below your boat in Musandam’s clear waters, and get to within a few metres of some of the marine birds in the region.
Go on a Musandam mountain safari: Probably the most spectacular (and most accessible) way to explore Musandam’s rocky mountain peaks, is via one of the locally operated four-wheel-drive adventures up the 2 087 metre-high Jebel Harim – the ‘Mountain of
22
Check In Catch your own dinner: There’s nothing like catching your own dinner, and with Musandam being well known for its abundance of fish, it makes sense to charter a local boat from Khasab, and head out for a day’s fishing to do exactly this. Travel back in time to Musandam’s fishing villages: Some of the fishing villages around Musandam are hidden away deep in the fjords and have remained isolated from the rest of the world for hundreds of years. A dhow trip to visit one of these villages can be arranged through one of the local charters based at Khasab Port.
‘A trip on an Omani dhow (especially a traditional wooden dhow) to explore the Musandam Peninsula’s rocky shoreline is the defining Musandam experience’
Musandam’s spectacular, hundreds-of-metres-high sea cliffs
Exploring Musandam’s Telegraph Island by sea-kayak
23
Check In Discover Khasab Castle: Khasab Castle has overlooked the Strait of Hormuz since the 17th century. These days, you can explore the castle and its central tower, which has a small museum that houses a display of ‘jerz’ – the traditional long-handled axes carried by the tribesmen of Musandam – along with other exhibits. • The Musandam Governorate is an exclave of Oman, which juts out into the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow entry into the Arabian Gulf. It is separated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates. • For more info on what to see around Musandam, visit www.omantourism.gov.om or contact one of the several adventure tour operators that are based in the area. • Oman Air currently flies daily between Muscat/Khasab. You can visit www.omanair.com for flight details and bookings.
Musandam has an incredibly rich diversity of marine life to explore by snorkelling or scuba diving
Khasab Castle
25
Landmark Travels
Singapore Flyer: A moving experience at every turn Standing at a stunning 165 metres above ground level, the Singapore Flyer is Asia’s largest observation ferris wheel. It is a ‘moving experience at every turn,’ as the Singapore Flyer’s official tourism guide describes it – and it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Marina Bay area and beyond. When you’re in Singapore, make sure you and your family give it a spin! As you make you way up into the sky in one of the Flyer’s airconditioned capsules (each of which accommodates 28 people), you will be treated to a 360-degree visual feast and bird’s eye view of the surrounding city and its waterways.
If Singapore’s Marina Bay area wasn’t impressive enough – with its ultra-modern Botanical Gardens greenhouses, the Marina Bay Sands luxury hotel, the famous Helix Bridge, and dazzling examples of architecture like the ArtScience Museum building – this spectacular part of the city is also home to Asia’s largest observation wheel, the 165 metrehigh (that’s about 42 stories) Singapore Flyer.
One of the best times to ride the ‘Flyer is at dusk or at night, when the entire Singapore cityscape becomes beautifully lit up.
26
Landmark Travels
But whether it is by day or by night, when you’re in Singapore, make sure you and your family do not miss out on a spin.
that provides info on the Singapore Flyer story, followed by one full rotation on the wheel, which takes around 30 minutes to complete. Premium Champagne Flights and Private Capsule Flights can also be arranged.
Afterwards, you can head to the adjacent three-level terminal building mall, called The Flyer, which offers a range of retail outlets and experiences for visitors. For food lovers, there’s the famous Sky View Kitchen that serves up local signature dishes like Singapore chilli crab, cereal prawns and authentic dim sum; the Singapore Food Trail, which is a 1960s street food-themed eatery; and also the very chic Flyer Lounge cocktail lounge located on The Flyer’s third level. Activities on the go at The Flyer include the Flight Experience flight simulator where you can be a pilot for a day and experience the next best thing to flying a real commercial airliner – all under the guidance of professional flight instructors. There’s also the Kenko Reflexology and Fish Spa, where you’ll get to pamper yourself with fish spa treatments that rely on the healing properties of the exotic Garra Rufa (also known as the ‘Doctor Fish’). During a treatment, dozens of these tiny, toothless fish gently nibble away on the old skin on your feet, leaving them feeling refreshed and healthy.
‘One of the best times to ride the Flyer is at dusk or at night, when the entire Singapore cityscape becomes beautifully lit up’
The first Singapore Flyer ‘flights’ begin at 8:30am and the last at 10:00pm – all on a daily basis. The entire experience then includes the Journey of Dreams, which is a multimedia showcase
For more Singapore Flyer travel advice, including operation times, prices etc, visit the official visitor’s guide at www.singaporeflyer.com 28
Oman Adventure
Oman Air Extreme Sailing success down to ‘quiet lips and strong ears’ Watching an Extreme Sailing Series race from the beach in Muscat is one of the most captivating sights in Omani sport.
A fleet of stylish boats surfing across blue waters, under a hot sun with their crews elegantly hoisting and dropping sails like well-oiled machines.
Eye contact, hand signals and experience play a big part in keeping the communication loop alive.’ So winning teams organise their communications by giving every crew member a job and Pete Greenhalgh, who sits next to Larson on the boat, calling tactics and trimming the sails, has the most important one. ‘I watch the wind and make decisions on when to manoeuvre and communicate the plan to the team. Morgan will set the tempo and draw a picture verbally for the guys when their heads are down muscling the sails.’
But this idyllic spectacle can be misleading. On board each boat is five crew who certainly know how to hoist and drop a sail and when not to hoist and drop it, but if the wind gets up, the boats take off – literally flying above the water on foils – and elegant boat handling can give way to frantic gesticulating and on occasion, an outbreak of yelling. If you hear yelling, you are watching a crew who need to work harder at their on board communications, according to highly respected Oman Air skipper Morgan Larson who is well known as a laconic and firm hand on the tiller.
‘Everyone has a job on the boat that requires communication. The plan is usually talked about prior to the race and reading each other’s actions is the part that the good teams can do best. And there are language barriers too, even though we all speak the same language. For example, there are three different ways to describe our downwind techniques so we have to agree before we go out to race which one we are going to use,’ adds Greenhalgh.
It is no coincidence that his quiet authority has proved a winning formula both as skipper of the Alinghi Extreme 40, which won the Extreme Sailing Series in 2014 and now of Oman Air, which is currently at the top of the 2016 table with three events still to go. ‘The better teams say less and read one another through action,’ he said. ‘Hand signals and short commands work best. Quiet lips and strong ears are often the key to being a part of a great team.’
Good communication is key to success at this level and Oman Sail’s success in the Extreme Sailing Series is a testament to their industry and perseverance in setting the standards. What is the Extreme Sailing Series? The Extreme Sailing Series, established in 2007, has transformed the sport of sailing. It was the first world sailing event to present racing as entertainment with superfast catamarans, easy to follow action on city centre stadium race tracks. There are eight Acts each year hosted by different cities around the world, including Muscat, Qingdao, Cardiff, Hamburg, St Petersburg, Madeira, Lisbon and Sydney.
The Extreme GC32s – ultra-light high performing catamarans – have been known to reach speeds of 39 knots which is almost as fast as the 65 metre HSC ‘Hormuz’ car ferry which ‘flies’ the route between Muscat and Khasab four times a week. Hurtling across the water at these speeds makes communications very tricky, Larson says. ‘Communication on board a flying boat can be very challenging. In extreme conditions we often need to shout at each other even when sitting just a few metres apart. From the safety of the beach the boats look smooth and quiet but in reality you have the high pitch whistle of the foils, wind in your ears and spray in your face. All these elements make hearing each other quite challenging.
Meet Team Oman Air The winning Oman Air sailors with ‘quiet lips and strong ears’ are Morgan Larson, skipper; Pete Greenhalgh, tactician/trimmer; Nasser Al Mashari, bowman; Ed Smyth, trimmer and James Wierzbowski, second bowman.
30
Oman Heritage
Treasures from the National Museum: A Culture of Scent The very mention of Oman connotes an exotic range of scents and fragrances. Here, the National Museum of Oman’s Acting Director-General, Jamal al-Moosawi, and the Head of Curatorial Unit, Moza al-Wardi take us on a fragrant tour of Oman’s culture of scents. In the Sultanate of Oman, everyday life is infused with the mingled scents of flowers, fragrant woods and resins, spices and herbs. Jasmine, myrtle and basil perfume the inner courtyards of homes, and rosewater is sprinkled on the hands of guests as a gesture of hospitality, and at wedding ceremonies. The passing of a fragrant incense burner at the start of a visit, and a bid farewell with a gentle application of agarwood essence oil on guests’ hands, is customary in every region of the country.
in daily life at this time. Local residents assisting with the excavation immediately identified the find as an ancient majmar (incense burner) – the oldest anyone had ever seen.
Incense burner (majmar)
The museum is open from 10:00am – 5:00pm, Tuesday – Saturday. For Friday open from 2:00pm -6:00pm (These times effective from 4 October 2016 until 31 December 2016). (Ticket desk closes at 4:30pm). For more information, contact (+968) 22 08 1500, or visit www.facebook.com/NM_OMAN, www.twitter. com/nm_oman, or www.instagram.com/nm_oman
The National Museum: Visitor’s welcome! The National Museum is the Sultanate’s flagship cultural institution dedicated to Oman’s cultural heritage. It showcases history from the earliest human settlements in Oman to the present day, and also offers a glimpse into Oman’s future.
• Ra’s al-Jinz (South ash-Sharqiyah Governorate) • Limestone • 2 500 – 2 000 BCE (Middle Bronze Age) The discovery of this locally-made incense burner at Ra’s al-Jinz confirms the importance of incense in Oman in the Middle Bronze Age. When the burner was found, it still contained traces of fire residue. It had been left alongside another (broken) burner, suggesting that incense burners may have been common objects
32
Family Traveller
Milan’s ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ Museum of Science and Technology Milan’s National ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ Museum of Science and Technology – named after the famous Italian inventor and artist who lived just over 500 years ago – is one of the largest and most important museums of science and technology in Europe and the world. You and your kids will love a trip here – and you’ll all learn from it as well. Museums open up a world of imagination and exploration for children – especially museums like Milan’s National ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ Museum of Science and Technology, located in central Milan.
claustrophobic!) tour of the now-retired 87 metre-long ‘Enrico Toti’ submarine, which after being launched in 1967 travelled 137 000 miles in the Mediterranean Sea. There’s also a Space Department, where you and your kids are able to learn about the technologies that allow us to explore space and to increase our knowledge of the cosmos and of the earth (and also, have a look at an original ‘moon rock’ brought back to earth brought by the Apollo 17 space mission in 1972).
There’s plenty of art, architecture, history and culture to experience in Milan already, but if you’re on the lookout for something that you and your kids can do in the city for a morning or afternoon, get yourselves some tickets to explore the fascinating science and technology on display here – and also where you can get to meet with scientists and experts, view new exhibitions, attend concerts, film festivals, and theatre shows, and also attend the occasional science-themed weekend campout.
Visit the Museum The National ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ Museum of Science and Technology is located in central Milan, and is currently open from Tuesday to Friday (10h00am – 18h00pm) and Saturday and holidays (10h00am – 19h00pm). For more information about visiting the Museum, details on entry prices, and a full calendar of events, visit www.museoscienza.org
Currently, there are several sections to the museum, including the Transport Department, which provides a fascinating look at air, rail, water, and submarine transport through the ages. One of the highlights here is being able to do an on-board (and quite
34
Family Traveller Then, at the Young Childrens’ Lab, your kids can explore the worlds of colour, senses, materials, mathematics and food with a bunch of fun interactive experiments and multi-media displays. Along with the above, there are also displays on energy, communication, high tech materials, nutrition, and a Leonardo Art and Science exhibit, which celebrates the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci with a series of working models of his inventions and engineering ideas. The Museum is altogether a vast resource for science and technology. In total, it comprises collections of fifteen thousand technical-scientific objects, as well as an archive of photos, and a library of 40 thousand book and magazines – which all record the history of science, technology and industry, starting from historic times until the present. You and your kids will love a trip here – and you’ll all learn from it as well!
‘One of the highlights is being able to do an on-board tour of the nowretired 87 metre-long ‘Enrico Toti’ submarine’
36
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: • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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.
There are currently four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Sultanate of Oman • Aflaj Irrigation Systems • Frankincense Trail • Archaeological Sites of Bat • Bahla Fort
Sultanate of Oman: Fact Sheet Area Population (2016) Language Capital Local Time Currency
: 3 09 500 km2 : 4 419 003 (2 006 734 expatriates) : Arabic (official) English (widely spoken) : Muscat : GMT +4 : Omani Rial, which equates to US$ 2.58
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.
39
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.
40
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 great-value, flexible pricing means that you can choose the level of connectivity you want, whenever you fly on our Airbus A330 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 privilages of Oman Air’s famous standards of superior comfort and indulge yourself in a relaxing experince before you travel, enjoy a heartly 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.
41
Oman Air News
Oman Air names Al Obaidani International as their official uniform supplier – and opens a new Uniform Distribution Centre
Complimentary Coach Service for Oman Air flyers at Al Ain Oman Air has launched a new, and free bus service between Al Ain and airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The service now enables Oman Air flyers to easily access the airline’s international network by simply selecting Al Ain as their origin or destination whilst booking their tickets. Tickets can be purchased online at www.omanair.com or through the nearest Oman Air office.
Oman Air welcomes its 250th member to the Junior Sindbad Flyer Campaign
Following a rigorous tender process, Oman Air recently named Al Obaidani International as its official uniform supplier. The agreement for the supply of uniforms was signed at a ceremony in Muscat, and at the same time, a brand new Oman Air Uniform Distribution Centre was opened. Al Obaidani International LLC was founded in 2002 and has since become a leading supplier of uniforms for official government entities in Oman, and a supplier of uniform related items and accessories to airlines within the region. The Muscat-based company is 100% Omani-owned and is a subsidiary of the Al Obaidani Group, the textiles and tailoring business which was established in the 1960s.
After launching its Junior Sindbad Flyer campaign in July 2016, Oman Air recently welcomed its 250th member to the program. The Junior Sindbad Flyer campaign, which invites passengers between four and 12 years of age to participate in a campaign and collect a free flight, has been exceptionally well received and is making air travel even more exciting for young customers. Every Junior Sindbad Flyer receives their own Oman Air passport which is stamped and signed by the captain on every flight they take. Once they have collected 10 stamps and signatures, they will be able to claim a free flight to any destination within the Oman Air network.
Oman Air implements Virus-Guard to protect passengers against global health threats Oman Air is joining a long list of leaders in the aviation industry who now use Virus-Guard’s disinfectant wipes – which are designed for protection against global health threats such as swine flu, H1N1, H7N9, Ebola, Mers and
Zika – in order to promote and maintain an overall healthy flying experience for passengers. Oman Air’s staff members are using the wipes to disinfect aircraft galleys, lavatories and door handles.
43
On Board
44 i
On Board
A Faster Horse Alice Through the Looking Glass Love & Friendship Maggie’s Plan Me Before You Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows The Man Who Knew Infinity X-Men: Apocalypse
X-Men X-Men 2: X Men United X-Men Origins: Wolverine X-Men: Days Of Future Past X-Men: First Class X-Men:The Last Stand
The Sound of Music
Ghayal Once Again Laal Rang Rocky Handsome Aakhir Kyon? Aan Milo Sajna Aandhi Aap Ki Kasam Aas Paas
Kanche Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha
Agnee Power
Mustang The Tree of Life
Bhale Jodi Krishna-Rukku
Rabidity The Descendants
Ennu Ninte Moideen Happy Wedding Oh Dear 3 Pulling the Plug Herbert Too Hard to Handle
45
Muthina Kathirika Sethupathi Thoongavanam
Filosofi Kopi London Love Story Harishchandrachi Factory Laal Ishq
Langit Cinta Love, Supermoon
Judge Archer Sentence Me Guilty
F.Hilaire Love H20
Just the Three of Us Love Me Tomorrow
On Board
The Flash The Mentalist
Later... with Jools Holland Pop Profiles
Million Dollar Genius Shark Tank
Remington Steele X-Files
Cuckoo Dr. Ken The Odd Couple
The Halal Foodie Travel Man: 48 Hours in… The Coolest Places on Earth
Generation X The Science of Sleep The Story Of Spice
Antiques Roadshow UK Raised by Wolves The Durrells The Great British Sewing Bee
How It’s Made How It’s Made : Dream Cars How the Universe Works Unique Rides With Will Castro
Discovering Fashion: The Designers Rachel Hunter’s Tour of Beauty
Call The Midwife NCIS The Last Panthers
Be Cool, Scooby Doo! Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Miles from Tomorrowland
Feeding The Super Rich Inside Buckingham Palace Pawn Stars The Great Pottery Throw Down
Comedy Nights Bachao Yaar mera superstar
Home Sweetie Home Magandang Buhay
Line of Separation Murder By The Lake
Didi no.1 Mirakkel Akkel Challenger
Bappare Bhojana Harateya Melaku Naati Mane Punch Kajjaya
Aamhi Saare Khavayye Chala Hawa Yeu Dya
Charlie Chaplin Hardy Collections Udham Nite With Bushra Ansari Urdu Rock & Pop Music Kalakka Povathu Yaaru Koffee With DD Pudhu Padam Eppadi Irukku Comedy Stars Suryotsavam
46 iii
Chronicles of a Champion Red Bull Car Park Drift
Boom Boom Pillalu Pidugulu OK-Jek Tetangga Masa Getu The East
On Board
Gucci Mane
NAO
Everybody Looking
For All We Know
Kyla Imani
Dylan Scott
Sweet Tea
Dylan Scott
Ross Harris: Symphony No. 5 & Violin Concerto No. 1
Skillet
Jake Owen
Various artists
Unleashed
American Love
Young the Giant
Yes
Home of the Strange
DJ Khaled Major Key
Blind Pilot
And Then Like Lions
MAALA
Composure
September Mourning Volume II
Skrillex & Diplo
Mind (feat. Kai) [Remixes]
The Yes Album
Elliot Galvin Trio
Various artists
Rossini: Stabat Mater (1832 Version) & Giovanna d’Arco
Rajendra Teredesai
Punch
Moksha - The Path to Inner Peace
Kenny Garrett
Various Artists
Do Your Dance!
Celtic Collection 1
Fantasia
Various Artists
The Carice Singers & George Parris
Steven Price
The Definition Of…
Bad Moms
Suicide Squad
Ireland & Moeran: Choral Music
Various artists
Shostakovich: The Complete Symphonies
A. R. Rahman Mohenjo Daro
Various Artists
The Legend of Michael Mishra
Arijit Singh
Best of Bollywood: Arijit Singh
Thaman S.
Chuttalabbayi
Sabar Koti
D. Imman & Vaikom Vijayalakshmi Soppanasundari
Harris Jayaraj Iru Mugan
Mayday
History of Tomorrow
Hebe Tien Day by Day
Various Artists
MasterWorks - Sabar Koti
Rough Guide to Psychedelic India
Various Artists
Various Artists
Main Teri Tu Mera
PhilPop 2016
Jagjit Singh
Atiek CB
MasterWorks - Jagjit Singh
Karthik
MasterWorks - Karthik
Terbaik Dari Aku
Various Artists
GMM New Release 2016
Oman Unlimited
Malayalam Chart Busters
Sham On Board
Melodi Garuda
Maestro
Pinoy Power
Cool Jazz
Fatafati Hits
Dance Club
Sandalwood Reloaded
Golden Oldies
The Marathi Hits
Chill Out
Tollywood Tadka Sufi For The Soul
Top Hitz
Mando Blitz
47 iv