Woman Abroad June 2012 by SJS Group

Welcome to the first edition of Woman Abroad. This is YOUR magazine, written by women living abroad for women who live abroad. Whether you are an expat living in Muscat, or an Omani travelling to other countries, we aim to help you feel at home with information relevant to your situation. We all like to dip into other people’s lives and though you won’t find celebrity gossip on our pages, you will learn about the many extraordinary people who have also made their homes abroad. All are interesting - and some have remarkable tales to tell - just turn to page 20 and read about Anne Bouji’s exciting past! We are a platform for you to have your say, as well as bringing you book reviews, ideas for budget and luxury breaks, money-off coupons – and prize competitions. We share your problems and offer advice on cultural and health concerns; we tell you about events, leisure pursuits and special interest groups – and we offer the chance for aspiring writers to see their work in print. Our aim is to make Woman Abroad readable, relevant and entertaining – and we believe we know what women want, so we hope you’ll find there’s something for everyone within its pages. But if there’s anything you’d like to see or read about, just drop us an email (editor@womanabroad.net) and we’ll do our best to follow it up. In any case, we’d love to have your opinion! Enjoy!

The Editorial Team

Penny Destro

Creator & Executive Editorial Consultant

Tyrone Usana

Art Director / Photographer

Anne Collins, Kate Thomason Contributors

Al Roya Press & Publishing

(SAOC)

Publisher

Abdullah Al Taie

Editor-In-Chief A Creme de la Creme Supplement

In this issue…

Regular features end week coolA H forAa L southL SFly A

Presenting…

Kathy Cole

Salalah, a sub-tropical paradise

palms, ILVER sand, blue seas, coconut It is tropical breeze…sound like paradise? and - and you don’t have to cross oceans travel for days to reach it.

September) In the summer months (June to an effect of Salalah’s landscape is lush green, life-giving Al Khareef, the monsoon which brings is abundant, rains to the Dhofar region. Fruit away. Its and the desert seems a million miles mountains mist-covered verdant landscapes, retreat from and natural beauty offer a welcome hot sun - and the Gulf’s unrelenting dry heat and as well as thousands of Gulf Nationals of this foreign tourists take advantage Atteen Plain phenomenon. The rambling, grassy becomes a at the foot of the jebels (mountains) early popular campsite, while hotels are booked heat. by canny souls who wish to escape the

KC: I was born in Edinburgh and come from a big family. They’re all very diverse – and very talented. I have a sister who is a Consultant Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon, one who’s a professor, and two who are artists. I also have a brother who’s a lawyer – and one who works in communications with the British embassies in Budapest WA: Do you miss Scotland? KC : Well, I haven’t lived there since I was 19, but I visit regularly, and I love it. Edinburgh is the most beautiful city and it was a wonderful place to grow up.

MAY 2012

Forget the faux – and go for the real thing

INTAGE

DESIGNER

that great designer Yves Saint Laurent once famously quoted ‘’Fashion fades, style is eternal’’, but most of us can only afford to admire designer clothes from a distance – buying them is an experience exclusive to the mega-rich. Yet here in the heart of Muscat everyone has the opportunity to own clothes and accessories bearing those sought after labels that shout ‘’Style’’. Vintage fashion at affordable prices is what Wardrobe is all about. Wardrobe in Alasfoor Plaza is the brainchild of Alyona MoultonThomas and it has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2008. New and pre-loved items from all the top designers are offered – evening wear, casual clothes, handbags, shoes, jewellery and purses. In fact, as our pictures show, everything worn by model Dasha Zakharova is from current stock.

36 Vintage designer fashion – at budget prices Woman Abroad|May 2012

Woman Abroad|May 2012

touchSalalah Museum, with its interactive, within The screen facilities is situated and displays Archaeological Park at Al Baleed, it as a the region’s true heritage, establishing frankincense significant centre of the ancient trade.

Fruit and a festival of fruit; Al Khareef not only brings an abundance that attracts it heralds a festival in July and August as even more musicians and performers, as well traders - a truly unique experience.

(which The magnificent lost city of Dhufar on an island was located by satellite) stood and 14th created by two creeks between 12th by water. It centuries, and was once surrounded their precious was from here that ships sailed with As well as cargoes to East Africa, India and Egypt. horses and frankincense they traded in myrrh, evidence of oily fish. Among the ruins there is and up to 50 a palace, tombs, a grand mosque its historical smaller mosques, which indicate importance.

04/03/2012 12:18:45 PM

14 Learn how to Say it with Flowers 20 My Story, featuring the fascinating life of Anne Bouji 24 Meet Guido Louis, our amazing Man of the Month 30 Ensure you’re aware of Etiquette Oman

VChic

art technology.

//////////////////////////////// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /////46 /////////e /////////pag gear it can If you don’t have your own camping as well as the be hired from the city centre, and

Woman Abroad May 2012.indd 22-23

region, which Salalah is the capital of the Dhofar plain, the has three distinct areas: the coastal diverse mountains, and the desert, so presents opportunities whatever your preference. semi-tropical The city sprawls along the coast in its history splendour, a monument to old Oman, icons embodied in archaeological ruins, religious and symand shrines. Yet these ancient artefacts state-of thebols are preserved and protected by

a short flight Salalah, in the south of Oman, is just from the away, and its resort hotels a brief drive second airport. However, although it is Oman’s Muscat’s largest city, the difference between both in buzz and this tranquil town is immense, ambience and climate.

WA: Hi, Kathy. Can you tell us about where you were born and a bit about your family?

page 8

many smaller high-end resort chains, there are hotels.

40 The Women’s Guild in Oman – Friendship, Fellowship and Fun(d)raising 45 All that Glitters…may be glass – Meet the woman who knows the difference

50 Weekend Break – Salalah 56 At Your Leisure – SCUBA Diving 62 Beauty – Holding Back the Years (Non-Invasive facial procedures) 66 Soapbox – Sinbad’s Mobile Library 68 A problem shared…Is a problem halved (Your advice is sought) 70 Your Health – Tips on how to Beat the Heat 74 Coffee Time Tale (Short Story) 76 Product Review – Sun Protection 80 Book Club (Reviews) 82 Pet Talk (Advice on how to import your pet) 85 Penny’s Point of View (Opinion Column) 87 Muscat Midwife (Karen Wilmot, RM RYT) advises 88 Puzzle Pages - to keep your brain in trim 92 Your Horoscope this month by Stellar Bella Plus your star PRIZE COMPETITION page 94

containing extract burn it, inject it with toxins, and cover it in creams talking about our of dead animal – and all in the name of vanity. I’m (and an faces, of course, and the efforts to which we women beauty. increasing number of men) go to retain our youthful been born I say beauty because although we may not all have beautiful, we’re certainly at our most glowing when is it we’re young, so in a world where looks matter, possible? as long as them to wrong to want to hang on

How about…

SCUBA DIVING? Discover Oman beneath

but as the old It’s all about making the best of what you’ve got, a sow’s ear’ saying goes, ‘you can’t make a silk purse out of can’t make though perhaps a more up-to-date analogy is ‘you Try we do: a Prada purse out of PVC’ – and many have tried! industry beauty is a billion dollar business and the cosmetic the secret is constantly researching in the hope of discovering this, of eternal youth, yet while they may not have achieved treatments they’ve certainly come up with some innovative to take away those wrinkles and lift sagging skin. to replenish There are creams you rub in overnight that purport your face your dying skin cells as you sleep, others that tighten which plump as you go about your daily business, and yet more Most of your lips to a provocative pout in a single application. but professional these products certainly work in the short term, step to keeping giant a are therapist trained a by out carried facials your skin radiant.

the waves

Botox affects nerve endings

years

Holding back the

When your time’s you how do you like to enjr own, oy it?

Non-invasive anti-ageing procedures (Part One)

page 56

page 62

MAY 2012 40

Photography by Hugh

Woman Abroad|May 2012

Destro MAY 2012

Woman Abroad May 2012.indd 40-41

both single treatments Many salons in the Muscat area and beyond offer manufacturers. and courses conceived by internationally renowned of twelve treatments One firming treatment I tried required a course a month taken once or twice a week followed by one treatment the application for maintenance. This relaxing regime begins with effect, followed by of a refining serum that gives an instant “lifting” cream to combat signs another serum that plumps up the skin, then a finally patches of sagging skin, a gel mask to firm and tighten, and I don’t believe it that help to recover the skins elasticity, and while felt better – took years off me, my skin certainly looked and and the sessions are an affordable indulgence. are any where no actual These treatments are known as non-invasive as Botox injections and other cutting of the skin is involved, and this includes peeling and collagen fillers, wrinkle reducing laser therapy, chemical lip augmentation.

Woman Abroad|May 2012

14/03/2012 9:11:47 AM

woman abroad â&#x20AC;˘ June 2012

Presenting…

Kathy Cole

HOSE of us who listen to the car radio as we’re crawling home from work in the afternoon will be familiar with the bubbly Scottish tones of presenter Kathy Cole. But Kathy is so much more than a voice: as you can see from this week’s cover picture, she’s gorgeous and as you will discover, multi-talented. Woman Abroad asked her about her life: WA: Hi, Kathy. Can you tell us about where you were born and a bit about your family? KC: I was born in Edinburgh and come from a big family. They’re all very diverse – and very talented. I have a sister who is a Consultant Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon, one who’s a professor, and two who are artists. I also have a brother who’s a lawyer – and one who works in communications with the British embassies in Budapest WA: Do you miss Scotland? KC : Well, I haven’t lived there since I was 19, but I visit regularly, and I love it. Edinburgh is the most beautiful city and it was a wonderful place to grow up.

woman abroad • June 2012

WA: Where did you go when you left? KC: To London and I got a job with Britannia Airways as a trolley dolly! I worked there for about 18 months and then went to Emirates and came to Dubai. That was the first time I’d been to this part of the world. WA: Is that what you had always wanted to do, or did you have other ambitions? KC: I always wanted to travel, but I really wanted to be an actress. I had done a few musicals, so when they wanted someone to sing in a backing group, I was chosen and sort of fell into singing. WA: And you became a full-time professional? KC: Yes – I joined a band called Liberty in Dubai. I was with them for about a year and then I went to Abu Dhabi and met Adam (Cole). We formed a five-piece band, Skratch!

WA: So when did you first come to Oman? KC: In 1992. We had a contract here for nine months. WA: Did you like the country? KC: Very much! We were sad to leave, but when the contract was finished we went back to Dubai to Highland Lodge – which was a very prestigious venue at the time. Then Adam and I went back to the UK (he comes from Hampshire). We got married and in 1995 our daughter Robynn was born. WA: Did you continue working? KC: Oh yes! Adam and I worked as a duo all across the South of England. At the same time Adam started teaching at a local college, and I got a job as a TV presenter.

woman abroad • June 2012

WA: That must have been exciting! KC: I loved it. It was a local station and I presented a sort of current affairs show in the early evening – and among other assignments I covered a cruise in Malaysia. WA: How did you end up back in Oman? KC: We came here a couple of times on holiday and really got hooked on the place. It seemed to have so many possibilities. We decided we wanted to come and live here but had to work out how we could afford to do it. In the end we risked a lot. We remortgaged our house and had just a three-month contract as a duo in Muscat. That was in 2004. I couldn’t sleep for the first six weeks we were here because I was so worried about what we’d done! WA: But it’s all worked out well for you? KC: Yes, thank goodness. We approached Radio Sultanate of Oman and they gave us a show, and then Adam got a teaching job. I carried on with the radio and we also had gigs in hotels and at private events as Skratch! Duo.

WA: When did you begin working for Hi fm? KC: In 2008. WA: I believe you’re also a qualified Fitness Instructor? KC: Yes – I ran a few classes for a while too. WA: Do you think you’ll stay in Oman? KC: Well, we’ve sold our house in England, and bought one here in Muscat – so we’d certainly like to.

woman abroad • June 2012 13

WA: And there’s something else you’re doing that we think you should be very proud of…? KC: Oh yes, I am in my final year of my Open University Arts degree. I should finish it next month. WA: That must have been hard work – especially when you’re in a full-time job? KC: It’s been very hard. But I’m glad I’ve done it. WA: Is it going to make a big difference to your life? KC: I’m not sure because I haven’t made up my mind what I want to do in the future. But as I’ll have more time next year I intend learning Arabic and running the Dubai Marathon! We’re sure that nothing will stop this vivacious, multi-talented Scot from doing whatever she sets her mind to. Good luck, Kathy!

woman abroad • June 2012

woman abroad â&#x20AC;˘ June 2012 15

Say it with

Flowers… but make sure you’re sending the right message

ONG before the days of texting, emails, telephones and even a decent postal system, flowers were used to deliver messages in a discreet manner. Not that the messages were necessarily discreet – red roses shout ‘’I love you!’’, and yellow roses mean friendship (most often!), but did you know that if you receive yellow carnations you’ve been rejected? And you certainly don’t want to be the recipient of a bunch of marigolds because they symbolise pain and grief! Flowers bring pleasure through their beauty and can stir the mood with their scent: some are used as food and medication and in the Middle Ages many herbs were believed to have magical powers. In the Victorian era in England (1837-1901) the language of flowers was deemed as important as being fashionable. Even the scent of a flower could send a subliminal message- as does perfume today. Flowers adorned everything from jewellery and wallpaper to china and clothing. But at a time when decorum was everything and to express your feelings was the height of bad manners, flowers would convey the words you didn’t dare speak, silently – but clearly understood by all.

woman abroad • June 2012

Even the manner in which a flower was presented had a special significance. A bloom given in an upright position meant the thought was positive, whereas one in the opposite direction had a negative meaning. A person could also say ‘’yes’’ by offering with the right hand, and ‘’no’’ with the left.

Roses, above all, have a language of their own depending on their colour – but even these can have more than one meaning, and the significance of some flowers can change depending with what they are combined. The Dictionary of ‘’Floriography’’ to give the language of flowers its correct name, had more than one version, so it must have been very important for young lovers to be on the same page – literally or there would have been some catastrophic misunderstandings! I said that yellow roses most often mean friendship – because they can also mean jealousy or infidelity. White roses can mean purity – or secrecy. Light pink can mean desire or youth, while pink represents grace – or ‘please believe me’ (you have to wonder what he’s been up to if you get a bunch of these!) With all these double meanings the language of flowers is more difficult to learn than the shorthand of SMS and hardly as instant as modern day communications, but how much more exciting to receive your message in the guise of a floral bouquet. It must take the sting out of getting the brush-off to receive a yellow carnation - much kinder than a terse text saying ‘No chance!’’ I’m all for learning this gentle language. Just waiting for someone to send me a bunch of angelica (for inspiration), aniseed (to restore my youth) and peonies (for prosperity) topped off with a good sprig of coriander! Just hope he doesn’t add a bachelor’s button.

woman abroad • June 2012 17

ABC of Flower Language Learn the language of flowers ALMOND - Promise AMARYLLIS - Pride ANGELICA - Inspiration ANISEED - Restoration of youth APPLE BLOSSOM - Preference, better things to come ARBUTUS (Strawberry) - My only love ARUM - Ardour ASTER - Symbol of Love, daintiness, talisman of Love AZALEA - Take care, temperance, fragile, passion

BROOM

BACHELOR’S BUTTON

ALMOND

BACHELOR’S BUTTON - Celibacy, single blessedness BABY’S BREATH - Innocence, pure of heart BALM - Sympathy BALSAM - Ardent love BEGONIA - Beware, a fanciful nature BELLS OF IRELAND - Good luck BIRD OF PARADISE - Symbol of faithfulness BLUEBELL/BELL FLOWER - Humility, constancy, gratitude BROOM - Humility, Neatness BUTTERCUP - Riches

CACTUS - Endurance, My heart burns with love CAMELLIA - Admiration, perfection, good luck gift for a man CAMELLIA (PINK) - Longing CAMELLIA (RED) - You’re a flame in my heart CAMELLIA (WHITE) - Adoration, perfection, loveliness CANTERBURY BELLS/BELL FLOWER - Gratitude CARDINAL FLOWER/SCARLET LOBELIA - Distinction CARNATION (GENERAL) - Fascination, devoted love CARNATION (PINK) - I’ll never forget you, woman’s love, mother’s love CARNATION (RED) - My heart aches for you, admiration CARNATION (PURPLE) - Capriciousness CARNATION (SOLID COLOUR) - Yes CARNATION (STRIPED) - No, refusal, sorry I can’t be with you, CARNATION (WHITE) - Sweet and lovely, innocence, woman’s good luck gift CARNATION (YELLOW) - Disappointment, rejection CEDAR - I live but for thee, think of me CELANDINE - Future Joy CHERRY BLOSSOM (SINGLE) - Education CHRISTMAS ROSE - Relieve My anxiety CACTUS CARNATION CHRYSANTHEMUM (RED) - Love CHRYSANTHEMUM (WHITE) - Truth

woman abroad • June 2012

ASTER

MIXED FEELINGS? Striped carnations say “Sorry I can’t be with you” and pink roses mean “grace” - but pale pink have another meaning altogether.

CHRYSANTHEMUM (YELLOW) - Slighted love CLEMATIS - Ingenuity CLOVER (FOUR-LEAF) - Be Mine CLOVER (WHITE) - Promise CLOVER (RED) - Industry CORIANDER - Lust CORNFLOWER - Delicacy, refinement, COWSLIP - Rusticity, winning grace, healing, CROCUS - Cheerfulness, abuse not, gladness CYCLAMEN - Resignation and goodbye

CAMELLIA

CANTERBURY BELLS

DAFFODIL - Regard, unrequited love, sunshine, respect, DAHLIA - Dignity and elegance, forever yours DAISY - Innocence, loyal love, I’ll never tell, purity DANDELION - Faithfulness, happiness, love’s oracle DOG ROSE - Pleasure and pain DOGWOOD (FLOWERING) - Am I Indifferent to You? DAHLIA

DAFFODIL

ELDER FLOWER - Zeal FERN - Magic, fascination, confidence, shelter FERN (MAIDENHAIR) - Secret bond of love, discretion FORGET ME NOT - True love, memories FORSYTHIA - Anticipation FOXGLOVE - Stateliness, youth FREESIA - Innocence, trust FUCHSIA (SCARLET) - Confiding love, taste GARDENIA - You’re lovely, secret love GERANIUM - True friend, gentility FOXGLOVE GLADIOLI - Generosity, I’m sincere, flower of the gladiators GOLDEN-ROD - Be cautious, encouragement

HONEYSUCKLE

HIBISCUS

GLADIOLI

HEART’S EASE - You occupy my thoughts HEATHER (LAVENDER) - Admiration, solitude HEATHER (WHITE) - Protection, wishes will come true HELIOTROPE - Devotion HIBISCUS - Consumed by love, delicate beauty HOLLY - Defence, domestic happiness, am I forgotten? HONEYSUCKLE - The bond of love HONEYSUCKLE (CORAL) - I love you HYACINTH (GENERAL) - Games and sports, rashness, Apollo’s flower HYDRANGEA - Thank you for understanding, frigidity, heartlessness

woman abroad • June 2012 19

JASMINE

IRIS - Faith, wisdom, promise in love, hope, IRIS (YELLOW) - Passion IVY - Wedded Love, fidelity, friendship, affection JASMINE (INDIAN) - Attachment, sensuality JONQUIL - Love me, affection returned, desire, sympathy LAVENDER - Love, devotion, LEMON BLOSSOM - Fidelity in love, I promise to be true LILAC - Beauty, pride, youthful innocence LILY (ORANGE) - Hatred, dislike LILY (WHITE) - Virginity, purity LILY (SCARLET) High aspirations LILY OF THE VALLEY - Sweetness, tears Of The Virgin Mary, happiness, humility LOVE IN A MIST - You puzzle me

LAVENDER

MAGNOLIA - Love of nature, perseverance MARIGOLD - Pain and grief MIMOSA - Secret love MINT - Virtue MISTLETOE - Kiss me, affection, difficulties, sacred plant of India, MORNING GLORY - Affection NASTURTIUM - Conquest, victory In battle, patriotism OAK LEAVES - Bravery ORANGE BLOSSOM - Innocence, eternal love, marriage, fruitfulness ORCHID - Love, beauty, refinement, many children, mature charm

MARIGOLD

20 woman abroad • June 2012

The bloom that no one wants to receive - they signify pain and grief

PETUNIA

PANSY - Merriment, you occupy my thoughts) PASSION FLOWER - Faith, religious fervour PEACH BLOSSOM - I am your captive PEONY –Lust, happy marriage PERIWINKLE - Early recollections, sweet memories PETUNIA - Your presence soothes me POPPY - Eternal sleep, oblivion PRIMROSE - I can’t live without you ROSE (CHRISTMAS)- Relieve my anxiety ROSE (CORAL) - Desire ROSE (DARK CRIMSON) - Mourning ROSE (LEAF) - You may hope ROSE (LAVENDER) - Enchantment ROSE (ORANGE) - Fascination ROSE (PINK) - Perfect happiness, secret love, indecision ROSE (DARK PINK) - Thankfulness ROSE (PALE PINK) - Grace, joy ROSE (RED) - Love, I love you, respect, beauty ROSE (THORNLESS) - Love at first sight

PRIMROSE

ROSE (WHITE) - Innocence, purity, humility, I am worthy of you, ROSE (WHITE & RED TOGETHER) - United ROSE (WHITE-DRIED) - Death is preferable to loss of virtue ROSE (YELLOW) - Friendship ROSEMARY - Remembrance SHAMROCK - Lightheartedness STAR OF BETHLEHEM - Atonement, reconciliation SUNFLOWER (TALL) - False riches, pride SWEETPEA - Good-bye, departure

ROSE

SHAMROCK

TULIP

TRAVELER’S JOY - Rest, safety TULIP (VARIEGATED) - Beautiful eyes TULIP (RED) - Believe me, declaration of Love TULIP (YELLOW) - Hopeless love VENUS FLYTRAP - Caught at last! VIOLET (WHITE) - Modesty, virtue, affection VIOLET (BLUE) - Watchfulness, faithfulness VISCARIA - Will you dance with me? WISTERIA - Welcome WITCH HAZEL - A spell WOLFBANE - Misanthropy, chivalry ZINNIA - Lasting affection, constancy

SUNFLOWER

ZINNIA

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e n n A

Meet

. . . i j u Bo

Master Bookseller – and so much more Long-term residents of Muscat will remember Anne Bouji from her days with Family Bookshop, but what brought her to Oman? Like many expats she has an extraordinary story to tell.

NNE was born in Durham in the NorthEast of England, and has worked in the Book Trade all her life – and she’s not just a person who worked in book shops; she is a Master Bookseller. Whilst working in the SPCK, Durham’s University bookshop, she studied at night for seven years with the Booksellers Association and Wolsey Hall, Oxford University’s external wing for this impressive qualification during which time she learned about the history of the Book Trade, business management, bibliography, publishing and administration as well as attending short residential courses.

22 woman abroad • June 2012

She became hooked on training and wanting to improve standards in her chosen field was appointed as a tutor for the Booksellers Association and Wolsey Hall, mentoring students from all over the world. She won the W H Smith Travel Scholarship which allowed her to study the Book Trade in Germany, the youngest person ever to win, at that time. ‘Germany is acknowledged as the best in the book world,’ Anne tells us ‘thanks to the skills of Johannes Gutenburg who made a huge contribution to the industry with his innovative printing methods in the 15th century.’

Next she was off to Glasgow, to the well-known Scottish booksellers, John Smith & Sons as Training and Personnel Manager, where she won the Distributive Industries Training Award. It was whilst she was there she was told of an advertisement that caught her interest – and was to change her life. ‘It was intriguing because it didn’t say what the job entailed – or where it was,’ Anne recalls. ‘It just said that the candidate needed ‘’Book Trade experience, to be a committed Christian, to have a minimum age of 29’’. I had just turned 29, tried to be a good Christian – and had Book Trade experience, so I applied.’ The advertiser, Christians Abroad, was an organisation that sent professionals overseas in a missionary capacity ‘– but not the God Squad!’ Anne hastens to add. She went to London to be interviewed and against strong competition she was told she had the job… in Papua New Guinea (PNG). ‘The first thing I did was get out the atlas to find out where it was! The only other information I could find was that it was full of headhunters and

woman abroad • June 2012 23

cave-dwellers, so when I eventually arrived in the capital, Port Moresby, after a 3 day journey via Hong Kong and the Philippines, I was aghast to find the ground covered in red splatters – I thought it was evidence of a massacre!’ Anne had never heard of the habit of betel-nut (buai) chewing or its gory-looking by-product! Her journey wasn’t over, for she was to be based in Madang, so it was another (much smaller!) plane ride to reach her new home ‘It was very basic,’ she remembers. ‘All the furniture was handmade and there wasn’t much comfort, but I loved it. If the ‘buai’ gave me the shivers, the eye for an eye policy or death for accidentally killing a pig on the road kept me on my toes.’ Her job was with the Kristen Pres Incorporated (KPI) which was the publisher for the Evangelical Lutheran Church and she was to run the Christian Book Centres (CBC), one in Madang and the other 300 miles away in Lae. With two shops so far apart, Anne had to routinely drive a truck across three mountains ranges and through 32 rivers. ‘There were no roads, just tracks and we had to walk the rivers first to judge the depth of the water and try to find the potholes to be avoided. I can’t swim and I am afraid of water but I had to do it,’ Anne recalls. ‘I was washed down the river in the truck many times due to flash floods, but God is good I am still here to tell the tale.’

‘Mi amamas tru long tokim yupela long dispela life bilong mi bilong Papua New Guinea,’ she immediately rattled off.

She also helped translate the Gospel and hymn books into Pidgin, the official language of Papua New Guinea, and Police Motu, its second language.

This time her interview was in Cyprus, and she was offered a job – in Oman. She accepted it, again not quite sure where she was going.

‘Though there are actually seven thousand languages in the country so often one village couldn’t communicate with another,’ Anne says. ‘Pidgin has no grammar so is relatively easy to pick up.’ Could she still speak it, Woman Abroad wanted to know?

woman abroad • June 2012

Apparently it means ‘’ I’m happy to be talking to you about my life in PNG’’! Anne happily lived in this remote part of the world for five and a half years, travelling to Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia on business, being visited by her intrepid parents. Eventually political unrest in the area forced her to think about leaving and she was told about a job with The Family Bookshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

Little did she know, but prior to her arrival in Oman a Lebanese employee at the same company saw her photo and made up his mind to marry her: his name was Simon Bouji – and he did! As a consequence of her union, she wrote and had published her Lebanese Cookbook which is still selling well.

‘It was born of necessity,’ she laughs. ‘You can’t be married to a Lebanese and not cook Lebanese food, so every time we went to his home, his mother and sister gave me lessons.’ This was just the beginning of her career as an author as she has since published many books in Oman for children, though one, This is Oman which was originally commissioned as a Social Studies book for The American International School Muscat (TAISM) has sold so well to tourists that it has recently been updated. Yet another string to the bow of this exceptional lady is her charity work – which she is loath to talk about except to raise awareness and help for sufferers of Hanson’s Disease, more commonly known as leprosy. Her interest was sparked in PNG where she became Chairman of the Creative Self Help Centre, a charity that taught leprosy patients crafts to help them in their daily lives. When, 14 years ago in Oman she was approached by Hatim Al Taie about the problem, she was only too happy to help – and immediately started a Line Dancing class which raised cash for the cause. Anne has now hung up her boots but instead sells donated items and raises funds in any way she can to help families , especially the children of families afflicted by this disease. ‘Of course the Omani government looks after the patients,’ Anne says, ‘but extra cash is always

needed and we look after the families as an extension of our own families’. Their work for The Family Bookshop took Anne and Simon to Bahrain, and later they spent a short time in Tanzania, but were overjoyed to have the opportunity to return to Oman to work for Al Roya Press & Publishing. This has given Anne an insight into yet another aspect of the book world. So does she intend staying in Oman? ‘We’d love to, of course,’ she says, ‘but family ties for both of us and age probably make that impossible.’ And what has been the most exciting or rewarding part of her life, Woman Abroad wanted to know? ‘Well it has all been exciting in one way or another. I have loved and lived every minute of it, and other than a few bumps as a teenager, I wouldn’t change a thing. And rewarding? Just being able to give back to others for the opportunities I have had.’ Just the answer we’d expect from this generous-hearted woman - and we’re sure she’ll keep on giving for many years to come. (Turn to page 66 to read about Anne’s latest charitable project!)

woman abroad • June 2012

Guido Louis Trick Rider Extraordinaire

Photography by Paul Henocq

by Anne Collins

Photography by Amira Gharbi

woman abroad • June 2012

Guido Louis’ life story is the stuff that movies are made of. When he was a teenager, he joined a circus, then trained with the famous Cossack riders. Today, he is top trick and stunt riding instructor for His Majesty’s Royal Cavalry, and has his own company in the UK, Rockin’ Horse Productions. To watch Guido lead his team at the Royal Cavalry Horse Shows is exciting, entertaining and heart-stopping. His understanding of horses, and his skill and charisma as a performer are extraordinary. But although admitting to a certain love of the limelight, Guido insists that he is nobody special, and when not on show, is perfectly content to be at home watching TV like anybody else.

EFORE I met Guido, I had seen him perform three times - twice at the Sultan’s Royal Annual Horse Shows in Seeb in January 2010 and 2012, and once at the special show for Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Oman in November 2010. Each performance was equally memorable. Guido not only has the skills, but also looks so perfect for the part – attractively wild with his long dark hair flying out behind. As one friend gasped when seeing him astride three horses, “Better than a Harley Davidson any time!” Guido is as remarkable as his profession. He is friendly and warm, refreshingly modest and very easy to chat to. He is not in the least arrogant or condescending, and explains things in a way that a non-rider like myself has no difficulty relating to. Apart from his distinctive hair, his most striking feature is his eyes, which are clear and glittering. Guido is Dutch, with an Indonesian father and a Dutch mother. He first sat on a saddle in front of his mum at the age of five, but had no formal riding lessons until he was eight. All Guido’s family love horses and have been on a horse at some point in their lives, although none of them has been professionally involved with horses.

Photography by Paul Henocq

woman abroad • June 2012

Photography by Alan Fairhurst

By the age of 12, Guido was doing whatever jobs he could find distributing potatoes, delivering newspapers, mucking out stables at local equestrian schools always in the hope that someone would let him ride their horse. Then when he was 15, he joined a circus, and spent a year doing anything and everything – assisting with acts, performing whenever he had the chance, doing a somersault here, a back flip there - all the time learning as much as possible in return for very little money. Experience wise it was a very rich year, he says, but also a very hungry one!

The circus performed in Holland, then went to Belgium. It was during that winter that the 16 year old Guido went to a Christmas show that changed his life. The famous Cossack riders were performing, showing off their superb equestrian skills such as going under the belly of a horse. The young boy was completely spellbound. Right after the show, he approached one of the Cossacks in his caravan and asked if they needed any new recruits. The Cossack took out a file and said, “OK, look here, I’ll put you down here under R for rider, and I’ll call you in a month’s time.” But on the appointed day, no call came. Without much hope, Guido called the Cossack himself, who told him that he had been trying to get in touch all the previous day. Guido was then invited to the Cossack school in Germany, where he received training under the expert guidance of George and Monica Golgojev. ‘Monica was one of the ladies who made an enormous difference in my life,’ says Guido. ‘Without her training, I wouldn’t have stayed as healthy as I am today.’ In a profession full of exciting moments, you wonder if any stand out. ‘Well,’ muses Guido, ‘it’s certainly very exciting when you’re in Wattayah in Muscat with almost 2000 horses and 900 camels, and HM is there with his international royal guests – you can’t get much more exciting than that. It’s an amazing scene to be part of. But strangely enough, it’s also exciting when you’re doing a local show back 28

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Photography by Alan Fairhurst

home where you know everyone in the crowd – they’re all your friends and acquaintances from your village and you’ve had coffee or dinner with most of them. The guy who organizes that local show puts the same passion into it as the guys who organise the big show in Wattayah. And that makes me want to put the same effort into my performance, and get it right, and entertain the crowd as best I can.’ There must have been some disasters, too? ‘Yes, indeed,’ he says. ‘The worst times are when things don’t go as planned, especially if you end up actually breaking something and having to be carried out of the arena – that’s not good at all.’ (One can well imagine). ‘Or, of course, if the horse gets hurt.’

Photography by Alan Fairhurst

In a profession like Guido’s, it’s essential to keep in tip-top shape. How does he maintain his wonderful body? By eating sensibly and exercising regularly (no surprises there). Guido’s favourite food is fish, which he has several times a week, though he also confesses to a penchant for cheesecake. Regular exercise means he’s in far less pain after a show. Reassuringly for us less fit mortals, he adds that although it’s good to go to the gym, you don’t need to do exercises involving expensive equipment and high skills – you can just do simple stretching and bending and warm-up exercises in the morning.

Photography by Alan Fairhurst

Having seen Guido around the Muscat salsa venues, I know he is an excellent salsa dancer. What else does he do to have fun? He confirms that he loves music, especially drums –‘if I wasn’t a trick rider, I guess I’d like to have been a drummer.’ Apart from that, he relaxes by just sitting at home watching TV and DVDs - quite hard to visualize! He loves travel too and is very keen to take his show to countries such as Japan and China. I ask Guido about his favourite clothes. ‘Casual wear,’ he says, ‘jeans and shirts. I’m not really a suit guy.’ He pauses then adds, ‘Mind you, I do have a weird side that shows my artistic tendencies. I love dressing up for my shows – it makes me feel like a million dollars.’ OK, so what makes a woman attractive for Guido? ‘It’s definitely not about clothes,’ he says. ‘A woman can look equally good in jeans and a shirt, or an office suit. It’s more about how she holds or projects herself, what the Germans call ausstrahlung - charisma or “radiance” in the sense of inner beauty.’ I ask him to explain. ‘I don’t like to see women behaving in a nonfeminine way,’ he says. ‘I don’t mean that women can’t do all the things guys do – of course they can. I mean I don’t like vulgarity in a woman, swearing and effing and blinding. I also think it’s very important how Western women dress and behave when they come to Oman – and that goes for men too. You have to respect other cultures, and not draw attention to yourself by inappropriate behaviour. We should all remember we are guests in this country.’ woman abroad • June 2012

Photography by Alan Fairhurst

Guido has been coming to Oman since 2004 and loves it. He feels that the equestrian scene has improved a lot over the past few years. ‘It’s all about developing riders’ awareness of what they expect their horses to do,’ he says. ‘There’s too much aggression and too many misunderstandings between horses and riders, and not enough mutual trust, confidence and respect. A rider should be able to understand what a horse is feeling and what it’s going through. If a horse isn’t responding to a command, it’s no good shouting at it – that’s not going to make it want to do something better.’ Sometimes Guido jumps onto riders’ backs so they can experience what it’s like for the horse, and has even on occasion put a bridle round a rider’s neck and jerked it to give the rider a better understanding of how the horse feels when its rider is being rough on its mouth. Lessons learned from trick riding can have a broader application. ‘With anything you want to do in life, not only trick riding, make sure you do it properly,’ Guido advises. ‘Don’t take short cuts; do things in the proper way, even though you may get bored and impatient. Believe me, the only way to benefit in the long run is by taking things slowly and doing them thoroughly. You can’t be a trick rider immediately. You have to first learn how to look after a horse and clean it before 30

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you can ride it. That’s the only way to develop a true understanding. Also, don’t put things off - you can always find an excuse for not doing something, but that’s not the way to succeed!’

You can find out more about Guido Louis through his website www.rockinghorseproductions.co.uk Email: info@rockinghorseproductions.co.uk

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Etiquette Oman Coping with cultural differences 32

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As expats we are visitors to this beautiful country, and most of us who choose to live here enjoy a full and varied lifestyle. So is it too much to ask that we take care not to offend our hosts?

HOUGH the Omani people are undoubtedly the friendliest and most tolerant in the Gulf, Oman is an Islamic country where many customs, especially religious ones, have remain unchanged for generations. Both men and women cover their arms, legs and heads, and though they don’t expect visitors to do so, there are certain fashions that are offensive to them.

You can, of course, wear a swimsuit (preferable to a bikini) at a hotel swimming pool or private beach, but you should always cover-up when walking around the complex and especially when going to a restaurant. Restaurants outside the hotels rarely serve alcohol and the shoulders and knees rule applies.

Unfortunately, when foreign families come here to live they are often not given any advice about dress codes – they think ‘’Ah – sunshine!’’ and immediately get into their holiday gear of strappy tops and short shorts – definitely a no-no unless you’re at a hotel swimming pool or on a private beach. So what is appropriate attire? Generally, women should cover their shoulders and at least their upper arms, and not wear either skirts or shorts above the knee. If, however, you are visiting a mosque or other sacred place, you must cover your head too, and both men and women must remove their shoes. It’s worth noting that even with the right clothes, there are some icons considered too precious for any woman to set eyes on. Friends were banned from entering Ayub Nabi’s Tomb in Salalah, though I have heard of other more fortunate females who were permitted to see this tourist attraction. woman abroad • June 2012

Handy pashmina So where can you wear those short, strapless numbers? At a private party or a ball in a hotel – but when you are travelling to these places, cover up with a pashmina or wrap. It’s a good idea to always keep a pashmina in your car. There’s a tale of one woman whose vehicle broke down as she was taking her children to school – in her nightdress. I don’t know who was most embarrassed – her or the Omani gentlemen who came to her rescue! Opinions are divided about what can and cannot be worn at hotel bars in the evening, but it is generally considered that because alcohol is served, devout Muslims will give these places a miss, so dress codes aren’t adhered to. But wherever you go, it’s best to avoid clothes that are tight or overtly sexy – and if you’re unsure, this is one case when more is always best. Even in the gym, if it’s mixed, wear joggers and a loose T-shirt rather than Lycra.

‘’It’s embarrassing to see fellow expats walking round in skimpy clothes. If I see someone unsuitably dressed, I go and tell them.’’

Ramadan During the Holy Month of Ramadan which this year begins about July 20th, it is even more important not to offend – and this includes not eating or drinking in front of a Muslim between the hours of dawn and dusk, because they will be fasting during these times. No alcohol will be sold for the duration of Ramadan, and restaurants and coffee shops will be closed until after sunset.

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Most of us go out of our way to show respect for our Omani hosts – but there’s always someone who makes you cringe. As one long-term resident told us: ‘’It’s embarrassing to see fellow expats walking around in skimpy clothes. If I see someone unsuitably dressed, I go and tell them.’’ And do they appreciate the advice, we were curious to know? ‘’Sometimes they thank me because they weren’t aware – and other times they’re quite rude!’’

Showing respect Men should never touch an Omani woman or shake hands unless she instigates it. They should always wear long trousers in a formal situation, and a shirt and tie are usually the form for business meetings, sometimes a jacket. But it’s not just the way we dress that can offend; there are gestures that are considered impolite such as pointing ones feet at things or showing the soles of the feet, and accepting offerings with the left hand (it’s considered unclean). And never indulge in rude gestures when driving – you can be jailed. When greeting an Omani male, women should never offer their hand unless he offers his first: some, especially older men, will not shake hands with a woman. At the same time, don’t be surprised if you see two men holding hands – it is quite acceptable among Arabic men when they are related or good friends. However, you will rarely see a man and woman holding hands in public, or touching each other at all – and foreigners are expected to behave similarly. You shouldn’t kiss - and certainly not fondle - your partner in public!

Gracious hosts The Omanis are very gracious hosts and if you’re invited to dine in an Omani home, you will be served first and it’s acceptable to begin eating immediately. You may sit cross-legged on the floor in the traditional manner, though many Nationals now prefer the Western table and chairs. It is customary to take a gift, perhaps for the family’s children. If you’re offered Arabic coffee, when you’ve had sufficient, waggle your cup from side to side to indicate this or it will keep being refilled. When travelling through the country, always ask permission before you take a photograph of someone. If you’re a Westerner, you’ll be surprised how quickly you become used to wearing less revealing clothes – so much so that when you go back home, everyone seems half-dressed. This was exemplified by a friend’s son who, on returning to Wales in the summer and visiting his cousin asked ‘’Mummy, why are all the girls wearing their underwear?’’ Why, indeed! woman abroad • June 2012

Respect Oman and its people DO

● accept offerings with your right hand ● ask before you take someone’s photo ● always cover shoulders and knees ● cover your head in a mosque ● remove shoes before entering a mosque ● remove shoes before entering an Omani home

DON’T

● shake hands with a male unless offered (for women) ● shake hands with a woman unless offered (for men) ● wear revealing clothes in public ● use obscene language ● point your foot at someone/something ● show the soles of your feet

NEVER

● eat or drink in public during Ramadan ● use rude gestures when driving

ALWAYS

● be polite and courteous ● remember you’re a guest in this country

woman abroad • June 2012

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Forget the and go for real thing

e faux – r the

woman abroad • June 2012

Model : Dasha Zakharova Little Black Dress: Michael Kors Pearl belt/necklace: Chanel 90s handbag: Chanel Black suede strappy sandals: Balenciaga

True Vintage: A 50-year-old alligator handbag ● Hair & Makeup by Lucy’s Beauty Salon, Alasfoor Plaza

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Pink cocktail dress: Dolce &Gabbana Bronze sequinned sandals: Sergio Rossi Pearl belt/necklace: Chanel Handbag: Hermès Medor Clutch

Wardrobe welcomes clients looking for a branded bargain and also those who wish to turn their unwanted designer items and gifts into cash. ‘It’s the ideal way to ‘’detox’’ your wardrobe,’ Alyona says. ‘Vintage can refer to anything from last year’s model to a fifty-year old alligator handbag!’ She points out one on display in her boutique which she tells us she recovered from her mother-in-law’s wardrobe – and is definitely not for sale! ‘Some vintage designer items actually increase in value,’ she explains. ‘A handbag from Hermès is considered an investment – and all our handbags are guaranteed authentic or you get your money back.’ We’re all aware of places that sell fake designer items, some of which are difficult for us amateurs to spot, but as well as being poorly made, these illegal copies can be outrageously expensive – which is why it makes sense to forego the faux and invest in a genuine designer piece So check out your clothes closet, sell your forgotten favourites – and replace them with some vintage designer treasures. You know recycling makes sense!

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Friendship, fellowship and

Since its inception in 1973 with just thirteen members, the WGO has been committed to promoting friendship between women of all nationalities and faiths, exchanging useful information and sharing local knowledge about living in Oman. President Sally Sleep says ‘At the Women’s Guild in Oman we always try to remember why the group was formed originally; to offer fellowship and a welcoming environment. This is why it is very important for us to help to make

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newcomers to Oman feel at home and to offer a hand of friendship to help when they first arrive. With so many members it should be possible for everyone to find friends and to continue to spread the goodwill. We certainly do - and will continue to do-everything we can to promote this worthy goal!’

“

EETING like-minded people and making friends isn’t easy when you move many miles from home, but with over two thousand members from more than eighty eight nations, no matter where you come from you’re likely to find a fellow countrywoman or two if you join the Women’s Guild in Oman (WGO).

WGO has been committed to promoting friendship between women of all nationalities and faiths

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Committee members 2011-2012 are rewarded with bouquets and lunch at the Radisson Blu

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The newly elected committee for 2012-2013 at the Mumtaz Hall

Committee

Though things have inevitably changed over the years, the basic reason for its formation remains the same - bringing women together to share friendship, fellowship and to raise money for charity. The first WGO bazaar raised OMR 70, and last year over OMR 24,000 was raised for charity. While this is impressive, it must be stressed that the organisation is also about having fun – and there are many activities to enjoy. These are organised by the committee which is elected every year at the AGM. If you have the time, helping to organise events can be very worthwhile. Sally Sleep says, ‘Without the help of volunteers, many of our events would not be possible, so we’re always grateful to anyone who offers their services. Being a committee member is a commitment – but a very rewarding one.’ Each committee member has an assigned purpose – and they all work hard to ensure that events are varied and well organised. As well as the WGO seasonal bazaars which attract dozens of interesting stalls, there are trips and days out – and even an overnight shopping trip to Dubai.

In the past few months members have visited a sweet factory, Al Hoota Caves, had a boat ride to Jebel Sifah, played in a croquet competition, driven a Porsche and watched a panoramic screening as part of the Muscat International Film Festival. These are just a few of the varied events offered - and May 30th sees the Guild’s end of year lunch at the Intercontinental Hotel. Coffee mornings New members are well looked after by the Newcomer Coordinator, Carol Duckett, with special introductory coffee mornings (and evenings for working members) and tours of the local area.

A warm welcome from Newcomer Coordinator, Carol Duckett

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General coffee mornings are held every Wednesday from 11am-1pm at various locations across the capital, and with the Guild’s stateof-the-art website (www.womensguildinoman. com) and weekly newsletter The Grapevine, you can find out about everything that’s happening and learn where and when interest and activity groups meet. And there really is something for everyone – everything from art to mahjong to quilting (to mention but a few) as well as many sporting activities. Joining the WGO costs just OMR 10 per year – and you will recoup your outlay within weeks by using your membership card to obtain discounts at hundreds of outlets across the country whose owners become the Guild’s valued Business Partners.

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President Sally Sleep (left) and Fiona Griffiths (Crystal Ball Coordinator)relax at the Crystal Ball

Crystal Ball

All in all, the WGO is a far cry from the ‘’jam and Jerusalem’’ image of some women’s groups. President Sally Sleep believes that words from the President’s speech at the WGO 20th anniversary meeting sum up what it’s all about. ‘’Let us think today of the many women here in Oman who are lonely – possibly far from home - maybe they haven’t heard of the Women’s Guild; maybe they have no transport; maybe they just need a friend. Think of them and encourage them to join our fellowship.’’ Those words may have been spoken twenty years ago, but they are just as true today – and every woman can be sure of a warm welcome at the Women’s Guild in Oman.

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The Crystal Ball is the highlight of the Guild’s events and a favoured occasion on Muscat’s social scene. This is normally held in early December and for the past few years the venue has been the amphitheatre at the Shangri-La Resort. Numbers have had to be limited, but even so, the Crystal Ball attracted 800 guestsand made an enormous sum for 2011’s chosen charity for the event, The Autism Society Oman.

Eloise Bosch, founder member

woman abroad â&#x20AC;˘ June 2012

All that glitters…

may be glass! Meet the woman who knows the difference

Most women love beautiful jewels, but when you’re buying these wonderful coloured stones, how do you know if it’s worth what you’re paying – or just a cheap, manufactured copy? You ask a gemologist, and Woman Abroad caught up with Muscat based Debbie Sutherland A.G

URROUNDED by gorgeous gems and unique pieces of jewellery in her shop and laboratory in Zakher Mall, Debbie is obviously enthusiastic about her work, and happy to talk about her unusual career. WA: Debbie, what exactly is gemology? DS: The main purpose is to positively identify a gemstone using a range of scientific gemological instruments. It’s possible to identify the different species of gemstones and separate them from the many types of synthetic and imitation material, although unfortunately most of the equipment needs to be used on a loose stone. This doesn’t mean we can’t test a set stone, it just makes it a lot more difficult and in some cases virtually impossible to detect the many types of treatments that are being used on gemstones. woman abroad • June 2012

WA: So when did your interest in the subject start? DS: I simply love gemstones. I used to sell minerals to collectors in my shop in Arundel in the UK but I always wanted to know more about these fascinating crystals that form over millions of years. It has never been about jewellery for me. Give me a loose stone and I’m in heaven! WA: Where did you do your training to become an Accredited Gemologist? DS: I decided to study gemology in Bangkok, the coloured stone cutting capital of the world, because if you really want to know about stones, that is where you need to be. I chose the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences as at their Institute they have the largest collection of coloured gems and also the largest collection of treated material. They are also situated in the Jewellery Trade Centre at the heart of the gemstone business district in Bangkok. The Thai’s are famous for developing all the dreaded treatments that are a major headache for gemologists, but if you want to learn how to detect these treatments then you really need to study in Bangkok. WA: Did you enjoy it? DS: I loved every second of my time whilst living and studying in Bangkok but the learning continues forever. You can never stop researching. You have to keep up to date with every new report of the latest treatments and the ever changing methods of detection to separate natural from synthetic material, but for me it’s a labour of love.

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WA: What’s the most challenging part of your job? DS: One of the most challenging things is to keep up to date with new treatments appearing in the marketplace. In many parts of the world there are laws of disclosure so the choice is there for you to decide whether you want a natural, imitation, synthetic or treated stone. The problems begin when there is no disclosure, either deliberately or mistakenly, and treated and synthetics are sold alongside their natural counterpart at the same price – when in many cases they are worth only a fraction in comparison, if not completely worthless. WA: Is this a recent development? DS: No! For centuries there have been scams and tricks involving gemstones. It isn’t a new thing: in Victorian times the word ‘paste’ was widely used to describe a stone that was a piece of faceted glass. Glass ‘gemstones’ even made it all the way to the famous Mogok mining area of Burma in the late 1800s where unsuspecting visitors snapped up their beautiful ‘Burmese stones’ only to see them deteriorate over the years as glass tends to scratch very easily as it is so much softer than a sapphire or ruby. WA: We’ve heard of treated stones – are all treatments a bad thing? DS: No, many are necessary and industry accepted methods of enhancement that are permanent, durable and stable, and do not affect the value. The oiling of emeralds, for example: this is a treatment that has taken place for hundreds, if not thousands of years and fills the many visible fissures and fractures inside an emerald which improves the clarity and helps with the durability.

woman abroad â&#x20AC;˘ June 2012

WA: So what treatments are the worst? DS: The newer advanced methods of adding chemicals, glass, fillers, plastics, dyes etc are the treatments that are not acceptable and are destroying the gemstone market. Years ago, if a mined stone was not of gem quality it would be used for industrial purposes but now, however bad the mined stone is, they have developed ways to turn a valueless stone into something that makes it into the gemstone market. WA: And this causes big problems? DS: Yes, this is where the problems begin - with very low value, heavily treated ‘Frankenstein – Franken gems’ that don’t have any real value but manage to destabilise the market by giving the public the impression that you can obtain a lovely stone cheaply. Would people really want to buy something that has no value at all once they’ve left the shop? I’m pretty sure that if they were informed of what they were buying, they would not. If you want costume jewellery, fine – but if you think you have a lovely sapphire to pass down the generations, then not fine at all! WA: Do you find many of the stones you’ve tested in your lab are not the real thing?

DS: Too many! About 95% of emeralds are dyed – which classes them as imitation, and about 85% of rubies are turning out to be synthetic or glass filled stones. WA: It’s no small matter then! DS: No it’s becoming a nightmare for the consumer as for years we’ve pretty much trusted what the jewellery store told us. Quite simply, in defence of most jewellery stores around the world, the truth is that they just don’t know. They have placed their trust in suppliers and so on. From an ethical point of view, I feel that as a jewellery shop owner it is your responsibility to know everything about the stones you sell. Ignorance is no longer an acceptable excuse.

WA: So what advice do you have for jewellery buyers?

DS: Ask the right questions before you buy. Become familiar with what treatments are acceptable - rubies and sapphires are heated, and this is an acceptable treatment.

Gemstones are all graded stones. They come in different sizes with different grades. There is a price range for everyone without having to resort to trickery and deceit. You get what you pay for – so if it seems too good to be true, it is quite simply just that. ● Next month Debbie tells us all about those most coveted stones, diamonds

woman abroad • June 2012

woman abroad â&#x20AC;˘ June 2012

Fly south for SALA Salalah, a sub-tropical paradise

ILVER sand, blue seas, coconut palms, tropical breeze…sound like paradise? It is - and you don’t have to cross oceans and travel for days to reach it.

high-end resort chains, there are many smaller hotels.

Salalah, in the south of Oman, is just a short flight away, and its resort hotels a brief drive from the airport. However, although it is Oman’s second largest city, the difference between Muscat’s buzz and this tranquil town is immense, both in ambience and climate. In the summer months (June to September) Salalah’s landscape is lush green, an effect of Al Khareef, the monsoon which brings life-giving rains to the Dhofar region. Fruit is abundant, and the desert seems a million miles away. Its verdant landscapes, mist-covered mountains and natural beauty offer a welcome retreat from the Gulf’s unrelenting dry heat and hot sun - and thousands of Gulf Nationals as well as foreign tourists take advantage of this phenomenon. The rambling, grassy Atteen Plain at the foot of the jebels (mountains) becomes a popular campsite, while hotels are booked early by canny souls who wish to escape the heat. If you don’t have your own camping gear it can be hired from the city centre, and as well as the

Fruit and a festival Al Khareef not only brings an abundance of fruit; it heralds a festival in July and August that attracts musicians and performers, as well as even more traders - a truly unique experience.

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a cool weekend ALAH Salalah is the capital of the Dhofar region, which has three distinct areas: the coastal plain, the mountains, and the desert, so presents diverse opportunities whatever your preference. The city sprawls along the coast in semi-tropical splendour, a monument to old Oman, its history embodied in archaeological ruins, religious icons and shrines. Yet these ancient artefacts and symbols are preserved and protected by state-of the-art technology. Salalah Museum, with its interactive, touchscreen facilities is situated within The Archaeological Park at Al Baleed, and displays the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true heritage, establishing it as a significant centre of the ancient frankincense trade.

The magnificent lost city of Dhufar (which was located by satellite) stood on an island created by two creeks between 12th and 14th centuries, and was once surrounded by water. It was from here that ships sailed with their precious cargoes to East Africa, India and Egypt. As well as frankincense they traded in myrrh, horses and oily fish. Among the ruins there is evidence of a palace, tombs, a grand mosque and up to fifty smaller mosques, which indicate its historical importance.

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Worth its weight in gold Over a thousand years ago, in the days when one kilogram of frankincense was worth one kilogram of gold, it took 2,000 camels fourteen months to cross the Empty Quarter with their prized merchandise. However, the resin of this tree insignificant in appearance - brought great riches to the area. Frankincense still plays a major part in the lives not only of the citizens of Salalah, but of all Omanis and Arabs everywhere. But it is here in the Dhofar region that the fragrant sap of the frankincense tree is produced, with an entire souq dedicated to the sale of incense, perfume, oils and incense burners. The shops are run by the women of the region who have had their secret recipes handed down from generation to generation. The scented incense comes in many varieties including, Almass, Bokhur, Cake, and Kothra.

Of course, the perfume varies depending on the maker, with exotic ingredients like sandalwood, and myrrh being blended with rose water then baked and finally pulverised. So no visit to Salalah is complete without a visit to the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Frankincense Souq where the distinctive aroma really is full of Eastern promise. There is also the Gold Souq where handcrafted local jewellery is sold, and regardless of the monsoon, Salalah is still considered the fruit orchard of Oman, with coconuts, bananas and papaya as well as many other home-grown fruits and vegetables available at Al Haffa Souq on the Corniche, while exotic seafood like lobsters and abalone are always on sale at the New Souq.

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Follow the footprints Al Baleed is by no means the region’s only historical site. Right on the main street in Salalah (23rd July Street), set among insignificant old buildings, lie the Footprints of the Prophet Saleh’s Camel. Fourteen footprints, mentioned in the Holy Quran, are embedded in rock, now fenced off to protect them. The story goes that the camel was sentenced to death by the Samoud as it was believed to be bringing bad luck to the people. The Prophet Saleh decreed that they would be punished if the camel was put to death - but his warning came too late as the beast was slaughtered when it came to drink at Al Haseela. The tale is further enhanced by the fact that the person who owned the house dreamed that this was the place they would find the footprints. The house was demolished - and there they were. Another site of great interest is the tomb of Nabi Omran. Said to be the Grandfather of Jesus Christ, the tomb, also near the centre of town, attracts visitors from all religions. It is very long because when it was excavated no one was sure of its precise dimensions, so to be on the safe side many metres were deemed sacred. About 40 kilometres from Salalah on Jabel Atteen, the majestic backdrop to the town, the tomb of an-Nabi Ayyub (possibly identified as Job) is found. A small domed building houses the remains of the prophet, and nearby stands a stone mosque where he is said to have prayed.

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A trip worth taking If time is not of the essence, it’s possible to drive to Salalah, though it’s a 10-12 hour journey, and there are regular flights. You can also take the coach from Muscat and Nizwa; it takes about 13 hours – but is incredibly cheap at OMR11 for a return ticket (correct at time of going to press). If you drive, take advantage of everywhere to buy drinks and food or take a good supply of your own because there are long stretches where there are no facilities. In any case, always travel with a good supply of water. But however you get there it’s a trip worth taking. From the time you arrive you begin to relax, and the change in climate is immediately obvious when you drive along streets lined with palms not the date palms endemic to the dry climate of the North, but coconuts, the symbol of a tropical paradise - and that is Salalah. Spend a summer weekend in the South this summer and experience the difference.

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h Sights around Salala

bi Ayyub) ● Job’s Tomb (an-Na rt Fo ● Khor Rori & Taqa ot) Darbat (top picnic sp ● Waterfalls at Wadi hsayl Beach ● Blow holes at Mug incense reservation) ● Wadi Dawkah (Frank ● Fruit stalls ● Mirbat ● Sadah Fort & Village n ● Tomb of Nabi Omra ophet Saleh’s camel ● Footprints of the Pr ● Camel Safari g on the beach ● Race horses trainin s ● Spectacular sunset *See page 94 to win lalah a luxury weekend in Sa

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When your time’s your own, how do you like to enjoy it? 58

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How about…

SCUBA DIVING?

Discover Oman beneath the waves

Photography by Hugh Destro

woman abroad • June 2012

you’re an experienced diver who is new to Oman, you’ve probably already heard of the area’s growing reputation as a diver’s paradise. If diving is one of those hobbies you’ve always been meaning to try, then this is the place to do it! In this part of the world the water is generally clear and warm – and with 1,700km of coastline there are dozens of dive-sites and over 200 species of reef fish to find including some that are unique to Oman. Undoubtedly the ‘’Jewels in the Crown’’ are the Dimaniyat Islands, a rocky outcrop of nine islands that stretch for 20km and are situated about 17km off Muscat. This entire area is a National Nature Reserve and the big attraction is sharks – Zebra, Black Tips and at the right time of year (June and October) the enormous Whale shark. Because of its protected status the islands are a breeding ground for all manner of exotic

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creatures, particularly the graceful rays: Majestic, Eagle, Sting and Cowtail rays are often seen cruising round the reefs alongside schools of Snapper and circling Barracuda. Colourful Parrot and Clown (Anemone) fish dart in and out of the corals, Lionfish lurk low in the reef and Triggerfish wait to nip the unwary diver. Other gems in the waters surrounding Muscat are Fahal Island where three pinnacles of rock drop from 17-35metres. This makes for exciting diving along walls of coral with a cave swim-through and a couple of small wrecks that attract a diversity of fish – and many species of Moray eel. Bandar Kharan is a large area of outstanding natural beauty featuring rock-falls, walls and reefs –and a 3,000-tonne wreck at 30 metres, while Musandam, a peninsula reaching into the Straits of Hormuz at the entrance to the Gulf offers spectacular scenery above and below the water and the country’s only dive liveaboard.

Photography by Hugh Destro

International certification

Most of the dive companies hire out equipment, but where you dive is, of course, determined by your level of internationally recognised certification. This is essential for all diving in this country - and there are now a growing number of companies in Oman offering training at all levels with certification by the most well-known organisations. These are PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors), NAUI (The National Association of Underwater Instructors) and BSAC (the British Sub Aqua Club), and there is recognised certification from other bodies such as SSI (Scuba School International). All require both practical training and attending lectures. The first level of certification is for Open Water which allows a diver to go down to a depth of 18

metres. Often practice dives are undertaken in a swimming pool. Though experienced divers make it look simple, getting into a wetsuit and learning to cope with a BCD (Buoyancy Control Device), face mask, tanks, breathing regulator and fins (divers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t call them flippers!) can be rather daunting at first. However, children as young as eight years old manage with ease when they start with a Bubblemaker, a pool-based course introducing them to the joys of Scuba diving and snorkelling. At 10 years old they are eligible to achieve Junior Open Water certification which allows them to go to a maximum depth of 12 metres. Once you are a qualified diver there are many other courses and levels to achieve such as Advanced Open Water which can be taken after 25 logged dives and allows dives down to 40 metres, the maximum depth permitted for recreational diving. For the intrepid, an Adventure Diver certificate is offered. This requires three speciality dives to be

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Photography by Hugh Destro

undertaken, chosen from a long list of Speciality Dives such as Night, Wreck or Navigation, and can be completed in one day. Night diving is particularly popular in Oman due to the level of phosphorescence witnessed by devotees.

Speciality

courses Other speciality courses you can take are Underwater Photographer, Videographer, Naturalist, Search & Recovery, Buoyancy and Drift diving. Drift diving is a favourite with experienced divers who have described it as a “magic carpet ride” and “going with the flow” – which is literally what happens when, having descended into a known current the diver seems to fly along effortlessly at neutral buoyancy. Because there is no exertion, less air is used and a longer time underwater can be enjoyed. Rescue Diver certification is necessary before further advancement, either professional or nonprofessional. This teaches the ability to solve and

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prevent problems, and to notice details among other divers that make the difference between a “problem” and an “accident”. The highest non-professional qualification is Master Scuba Diver, which is not actually a course but requires five specialities and is awarded on training and experience. On the professional ladder, Divemaster is the first step towards becoming a fully-fledged Instructor. On this course the student learns to lead a party of divers and assists the Instructor with teaching. Then it’s on to the next step to become an Assistant Instructor. For this the diver must be over 18, have logged at least 60 dives and have been certificated for a minimum of six months. This level requires teaching academic presentations and evaluating Open Water skills. A course on diving with Nitrox teaches the use of a special mix of nitrogen and oxygen, with more oxygen and less nitrogen than normal. The advantage of this is that less nitrogen in the blood reduces the risk of decompression sickness and therefore increases safety. Unfortunately Nitrox is not yet widely available in Oman.

Safety stops Decompression Sickness, commonly known as “the bends” occurs when a diver ascends too quickly from a deep dive, but this is very uncommon with today’s safety standards. Decompression stops or safety stops, calculated by factoring in the depth and time spent underwater, usually by a divecomputer worn on the wrist, allow the nitrogen in the blood to dissolve naturally and the diver to ascend safely. Decompression Sickness usually starts with mild to severe pain in the joints, and is treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in a hyperbaric (decompression) chamber, where the treatment reverses the conditions which caused the problem by starting the sufferer at high pressure and gradually reducing to normal. Of course this treatment is available here. All dive companies registered in Oman are fully certificated by the Royal Oman Police, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and have full insurance for public and passenger liability. Dive boats have to have life-jackets available and carry First Aid and VHF radios. Naturally, safety awareness is essential and a major part of any instruction, but enthusiasts agree that it’s all worthwhile as there is nothing to compare with swimming in this element so alien to us air-breathing mortals. If you don’t fancy diving, snorkelling is also very worthwhile, and dolphin watching is always very popular: it’s possible to see twenty-one species of this favourite creature and occasionally a humpbacked whale, now an endangered species. There are five species of turtles around here too, including the elusive Hawksbill, and watching turtle eggs hatch is a big attraction – but that’s another story! The world beneath the waves around Oman’s coast is equally as fascinating as the spectacular scenery above – so don’t miss an opportunity to explore it. You won’t be disappointed.

Where you can do it… Global Scuba, Civil Aviation Beach (+968) 99317518 Dimaniyat Diving, Shatti al Qurum (+968) 99252081 Oman Dive Center, Bandar al Jissah (+968) 24824240) Extra Divers, Al Sawadi (+968) 97259099 Euro-Divers (Capital Area Yacht Club) (+968)95035815 Sub Aqua, Salalah (+968) 99894031 Scuba Oman, Musandam (+968) 99558488 Moonlight Diving, next to Grand Hyatt (+968) 99317700 BluZone Watersports, Marina Bandar Al Rowdha (+968) 24737293

Diving in Oman Facts ● 1700km of coastline ● 150 species of coral ● Over 200 species of fish ● 9 species are unique to Oman ● 2 species are unique to Muscat ● 21 species of dolphin ● 5 species of turtle ● 20-30 metres of visibility ● 3mm wetsuit in summer ● 5mm wetsuit in winter

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MAY 2012

years Holding back the

Non-invasive anti-ageing procedures (Part One)

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burn it, inject it with toxins, and cover it in creams containing extract of dead animal – and all in the name of vanity. I’m talking about our faces, of course, and the efforts to which we women (and an increasing number of men) go to retain our youthful beauty. I say beauty because although we may not all have been born beautiful, we’re certainly at our most glowing when we’re young, so in a world where looks matter, is it wrong to want to hang on to them as long as possible?

It’s all about making the best of what you’ve got, but as the old saying goes, “you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear” though perhaps a more up-to-date analogy is “you can’t make a Prada purse out of PVC” – and many have tried! Try we do: beauty is a billion dollar business and the cosmetic industry is constantly researching in the hope of discovering the secret of eternal youth, yet while they may not have achieved this, they’ve certainly come up with some innovative treatments to take away those wrinkles and lift sagging skin.

There are creams you rub in overnight that purport to replenish your dying skin cells as you sleep, others that tighten your face as you go about your daily business, and yet more which plump your lips to a provocative pout in a single application. Most of these products certainly work in the short term, but professional facials carried out by a trained therapist are a giant step to keeping your skin radiant.

Botox affects nerve endings Many salons in the Muscat area and beyond offer both single treatments and courses conceived by internationally renowned manufacturers. One firming treatment I tried required a course of twelve treatments taken once or twice a week followed by one treatment a month for maintenance. This relaxing regime begins with the application of a refining serum that gives an instant “lifting” effect, followed by another serum that plumps up the skin, then a cream to combat signs of sagging skin, a gel mask to firm and tighten, and finally patches that help to recover the skins elasticity, and while I don’t believe it took years off me, my skin certainly looked and felt better – and the sessions are an affordable indulgence.

These treatments are known as non-invasive as are any where no actual cutting of the skin is involved, and this includes Botox injections and other collagen fillers, wrinkle reducing laser therapy, chemical peeling and lip augmentation.

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The Trout Pout Collagen fillers are also very popular, but again, choose your practitioner with care. We’ve all seen evidence of the Trout Pout – look at Meg Ryan, Goldie Hawn and the scary visage of Donatella Versace to name but a few for whom the desire for loose and luscious lips has culminated in a stiff upper one! If you’ve been a serial sunbather, skin resurfacing could be for you. Although counted as non-invasive this technique requires a qualified practitioner and either local or general anaesthesia. The procedure entails the removal of the top layer of skin leaving the face as smooth as a new-born, and there are three methods by which this can be done: chemical peel, where appropriate strengths of acid are painted onto the skin (I’d definitely want to be out for the count!);

Botox, which has now been in use for over five decades, is a derivative of the deadly botulism toxin that affects nerve endings, preventing the brain from sending messages to make muscles contract and thus preventing twitching – and wrinkles from developing. They also use it to help children with Cerebral Palsy. Cosmetically it is mostly used to fill out the vertical lines between eyebrows, forehead furrows and crow’s feet (the lines at the outer edge of the eye). It’s usually injected directly into the muscle and often requires multiple sessions. Costs vary depending on which areas are being treated, but take care when choosing a practitioner - not only doctors, but nurses, medical assistants and sometimes other less than qualified people offer services such as this. Side effects can include nausea, numbness and infection; occasionally,there is temporary drooping of treated muscles which particularly affects the eyelids.

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always advised: pick a clinic where they allow you to talk to a satisfied client or two so that you can judge the results for yourself. Don’t necessarily be convinced by a glossy folder full of ‘’before’’ and ‘’after’’ snapshots. Any elective procedure should be thoroughly considered and researched before being undertaken, and if you’re determined to turn back time, non-invasive procedures are certainly worth a try before you contemplate holding back the years by going under the knife. dermabrasion where a high speed rotating brush is used to whisk away the top layer, and laser which uses high energy carbon dioxide (CO2) light waves to zap it. After treatment, swelling, scabbing and redness are normal (as a courtesy to friends and neighbours I think I’d stay indoors!). The face must be treated with special creams for up to two weeks afterwards to keep skin supple, then new skin will gradually appear, pink and shiny and with fewer wrinkles. Sun block must be worn and care taken not to do strenuous exercise during the healing period. Laser skin resurfacing has advanced a great deal in recent years and is said to be ideal for smoothing out fine lines as well as diminishing high colour and brown spots. The new generation of lasers are also claimed to treat Asian and darker skins, something the older models were unable to do satisfactorily.

Lifts skin – and spirits Despite the minor risks and well-publicised mishaps, given the correct treatment by qualified clinicians, millions of women are happy with the results of non-invasive treatments, and the fact is that a successful procedure can help lift not only your sagging skin but your flagging spirits, and that’s got to be good news. But caution is

● We’ll be taking a look at facial cosmetic surgery procedures in Part Two next month.

Non-invasive no-how ● it leaves no scars ● little or no downtime ● it’s more natural-looking ● less likelihood of serious side effects ● it doesn’t last long ● it’s cheaper than surgery ● check practitioner’s credentials

woman abroad • June 2012

Sindbad’s Mobile Library

F you have you ever longed to be able to go to a library and find a wide range of books to borrow and read, then you are going to be very interested in Sindbad’s Mobile Library (SML). Originally the brainchild of Al Roya Press and Publishing, the mobile library project has recently gained t h e support of Jane Jaffer and her wonderful volunteer team of ‘’Let’s Read’’, part of Dar Al Atta’a. As we are both working to try to encourage children to read and encourage parents to believe that literacy skills are essential in today’s world it seemed sensible that we join forces. Having worked in the book trade all of my life, obviously books and reading skills are close to my heart. In today’s hi-tech world many children do not read for pleasure. With both parents working to provide the best for their children’s future needs many families do not spend sufficient quality time with their children either reading a bedtime story, helping with homework or snuggling up on the sofa listening to a story. Simple and inexpensive pastimes that give great pleasure and can change lives. Sindbad’s Mobile Library wants to change this current trend and ask parents to take a step backwards from the hi-tech gadgets that fill our lives today, and instead use the books that will be available on Sindbad’s Mobile Library to spend time with their children sharing the joy of reading. How are we going to do this? Simple! We are going to bring books to your doorstep and offer you the chance to borrow books, read them with or to your children and then return them to us on our next visit to your village and exchange them for new books.

Generous support This comes at a price of course and the cost of one mobile library is in the region of RO 100,000(one hundred thousand Omani Rials) 68

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We need to buy a bus, lorry, trailer, or whatever vehicle we can, refurbish it and fit it out as a library and then stock it with books. We need a librarian, driver, storytellers, petrol and servicing and an inventory system. But even when we have all of these things we need your support in the community to ensure that this project gets underway as soon as possible and continues to flourish and we hope multiply. We will rejoice when we have the first library on the road, later this summer if all goes according to plan, but that will just be the beginning. To reach all of the children in Oman we need a fleet of mobile libraries! At least one in each region/wilayat .This is not a short term project. We are in this for the duration or until such times as permanent libraries are built in each region. Some of the schools in the capital area have been tremendously supportive, selling the Omani Colouring Calendar where all of the proceeds have gone to the SML fund. Others have donated funds from their mufti days, or other fundraising events. Some of the Cubs and Scouts groups at the international schools have sold teas and coffees at bazaars and car boot sales, generously donating the funds to the project. Concerned citizens, banks and corporate institutions have made donations large and small to help us to “get the show on the road.” Others are helping with design, transportation and logistics; there is no job and no donation too small to be of great value to this project. This weekend my doorbell rang and when I opened the door, it was to find a young Omani girl with a bag of books she wanted to give to me to put into Sindbad’s Mobile Library. She has read them and enjoyed them and in her generosity she wanted to share them with the other children in Oman. We hope to buy most of the books, so that they are new and in mint condition but will accept good quality used books in English or Arabic for the library. There will be sections for adults to but the emphasis is on children. We will work with the Wali’s office and the Women’s groups in each region so that our visits are co-ordinated and hopefully we will see the children in Oman reading for pleasure very soon. If you can help in any way at all or you want to know more about SML, please contact me by email on anne@alroya.net -Anne Bouji ● If you want to spread the word about a good cause – or simply let off steam, this is the page for you. Email editor@womanabroad.net and put ‘’Soapbox’’ in the subject line. 750 words maximum, 500 if you send a photo. All submissions will be edited as necessary.

woman abroad â&#x20AC;˘ June 2012

My teenage son spends all day on the computer

YOUR ADVICE:

‘’Desperate Mom’’ writes…

Dear Desperate Mom,

l problems My son is 14 and he is causing rea ute shut because he spends every spare min er. I know up in his bedroom on his comput ng and his dyi that some of the time he is stu worried grades at school are OK, but I am in there because he even takes his meals ing his lud inc , and barely speaks to anyone tim his e on younger brother. How can we limit e more? the computer and get him to socializ

Your son needs a wake-up call to reality. How did this happen, meals in the bedroom, avoiding family contact?

woman abroad • June 2012

You need to sit down with him and be very clear that mealtimes are family times, time to talk and engage with each other and make that connection together. You do not want to set the precedent for your younger son do you?

Let him know you are aware that he is growing up and he needs his time and space, but, bedrooms are for rest and sleep, not constant stimulation. Mom he needs you to start taking charge of the situation! Computers belong in the family areas, all the better for monitoring. Set clear boundaries for computer time, have consequences for when times are breached. Talk to him about other interests outside his computer technology, and encourage him to try new things and meet up with friends. Be clear in your expectations of him, he needs some responsibilities, i.e. some chores. Have a screen free night, no one is allowed to use the TV or computer and you do something together, i.e. play a board game, do an activity, you may well meet with some resistance but this is important to re-establish yourselves as a family. Remember you only get back what you are prepared to put in!

-Jo

Dear Desperate Mom, Who is the parent here? Start with his meals – if he refuses to join the family in a socialised manner, he either doesn’t eat or he feeds himself. Tell him he has a time limit on his use of the computer and if he doesn’t comply, confiscate it! Take it away and don’t let him have it back until he agrees to some new guidelines – which you must enforce.

-Mary D

THANKS to all who gave their advice. We hope this helps, Desperate Mom. Now please turn your attention to the following problem from JPS.

Dear Desperate Mom, You should be worried about his lack of exercise and fresh air. This is not a healthy lifestyle and using a computer mouse for hours at a time can cause damage to thumbs and wrists. Eating alone and not spending time with friends and family is also very worrying. If I were you I would give him specific times when he is allowed to use the computer and make sure he sticks to them. Tell him he has to have his meals with the family and get out more.

-Rosanna

Hi there Desperate Mom. I think one of your main problems is that he is not being a great role model for his younger brother, and if your younger son sees that it’s OK for him to act in this antisocial manner, he will soon follow. Not only does your older son need to lay off the computer, he needs to get out of the house, or at least have friends round (not to play on the computer!). Encourage him to take up an outside interest and restrict his time on the computer. If he makes an effort, reward him by letting him spend extra time on it on the weekend.

I am a divorced woman of 40 and I have fallen for a man 13 years younger than me. He seems quite serious and has hinted that he would like to make the relationship more permanent, but I am worried about the age difference. He says he is not worried at all and that the age doesn’t matter. What do you think? Can relationships with such an age gap work on a long-term basis?

-Edie

Dear DM, Move his computer into the living room where you can keep an eye on his usage – and pull the plug when he overdoes it!

JPS writes:

-Tough MOM

IF you think you can help JPS or you have a problem that you’d like to share with other readers, please email support@womanabroad.net Your advice will be published in next month’s edition.

woman abroad • June 2012

UST when you think you’re beginning to get used to the Middle East sun, it gets even hotter. Even by the coast temperatures in Oman can reach a staggering 49C (120F) degrees in the height of the summer – and in the Interior the mercury has b een k now n to h it 60C (140F). This extreme heat can be treacherous, even lethal if you don’t know how to handle it, but there are many straightforward ways in which we can prevent ourselves from suffering unnecessarily.

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Water, water, and more water Dehydration is the biggest danger – and the simplest to remedy: drink plenty of water. Did you know that if you actually feel thirsty you’re already slightly dehydrated? So don’t wait until you’re gasping for a drink – keep sipping and try to down at least eight glasses a day. And we do mean water, not soda or any other sugary drink. Alcohol is a real no-no as this dehydrates you even further. Although some people prefer theirs at room temperature, if you drink chilled water it burns more calories as your body has to heat it up – a great tip for slimmers! In the Middle East public buildings are air-conditioned, as are homes and cars. It’s therefore relatively easy to go to work or out shopping without being in the sun for any amount of time, but at this time of year even a short period under those rays is sufficient to damage your skin, so it’s always best to wear some protection, especially on your face and head.

There are many face creams on the market that contain a sun protection factor (SPF)of at least 15 and many foundations that do too. So even if you don’t think you’re going to be exposed to the sun, it’s best to start the day off by protecting this most delicate area. We all like to have a healthy glowing skin but if you constantly sunbathe your face, even inadvertently, by the time you’re middle-aged you’ll have a face like a walnut – and nowadays there are so many alternatives with dozens of good fake tans to choose from, and of course, the professional all-over spray tan.

protection factor SPF50+ or sun-block – small children’s skin can burn in minutes and cause blisters and sometimes scarring which may be permanent. Severely limit their time in the sun and make sure they drink plenty and cool down in between exposures.

Your head and neck should also be protected so always wear a wide-brimmed hat if you’re going to be in the sun for any amount of time.

We’re all aware that many Arabic people wear long white robes – and with good reason. Lightweight, lightcoloured clothing reflect some of the sun’s energy, so this is the ideal attire for this part of the world.

Young are most

Don’t overdo it

If you venture to the beach or swimming pool, make sure you use the highest factor sun cream available particularly if you have fair skin, and don’t forget to reapply it at regular intervals and when you come out of the water.

As a general rule, don’t over-exert yourself in the heat. If you’re feeling uncomfortably hot, are sweating profusely, feeling nauseous or have muscle cramps after any sort of exertion this could be due to Heat Cramps which are a warning sign that your body is in trouble. Go immediately to an air-conditioned environment to cool down, drink half a glass of water every 15 minutes and rest until you have cooled right down.

If you have young children, it’s best to buy them swimsuits made from special sun-proof material that cover their arms and legs, and hats that protect the back of their necks. They’re widely sold in Muscat. Make sure any exposed parts such as their faces, hands and feet (including the soles) are also covered with sun

If this condition is ignored it can become Heat Exhaustion which results in a mild form of shock, and Heat Stroke which is life-threatening. Hot, red and dry skin (no sweating), weak pulse and rapid breathing are symptoms of this and medical help should be sought immediately.

vulnerable

The same goes for adults, of course. The sun’s UV rays not only damage the look of the skin, ultimately they can cause skin cancer, so slap on the sun-cream, protect your head – and also your eyes with good-quality sunglasses.

woman abroad • June 2012

For sunburned skin that is red and sore there are many over-thecounter after-sun remedies that will cool and re-moisturize. You can also cool the skin by using cold compresses and having a cool shower or bath. If the skin has small blisters less than 2.5cm (one inch) across, these will normally heal on their own. Don’t cover them unless they’re rubbing on clothing, and don’t attempt to burst them: they will do so naturally and then you may apply antiseptic ointment. Larger blisters may need medical attention if the surrounding area is very painful. Hot weather in the Middle East is a bit like the coldest weather in other places – you just try to stay indoors, or spend as little time as possible outside – but at least you don’t have to wear six layers of clothing! Then when everyone in more northerly climes is suffering from miserable and freezing conditions, we are blessed with the most glorious weather. It’s got to be worth it!

Hot tips to keep you cool

● drink plenty of water ● eat light meals ● wear lightweight, light-coloured clothes ● avoid the sun if possible ● wear sunscreen on exposed skin ● wear good-quality sunglasses ● take cool showers ● avoid strenuous activity ● sleep on anon-synthetic pillow ● keep damp cloths in the freezer

woman abroad • June 2012

woman abroad â&#x20AC;˘ June 2012

A Perfect Occasion

to visit. Not that she felt so inclined right now as she regarded malevolent machines that would look more at home on the set of a sci-fi movie. But she knew the end result would be worth it: it must be, because this was pure torture and she couldn’t imagine why anyone would do it for pleasure.

MMA looked at the calendar and shook her head miserably. Only three months to go! It wasn’t as if it was unexpected, but now contemplating the enormity of the task before her, despair turned to panic.

Of course all the arrangements for the wedding had been made months before – but she still hadn’t decided on a dress. She was going to wait until she’d shed that extra stone she’d managed to acquire – and now she’d never have time. Dejectedly she forced herself to look at her reflection in the full-length mirror and her depression deepened. It was worse than she thought – where had her waistline gone? That wasn’t a body, it was a blobby! And her hair… it was dull and straggly…how on earth was she going to achieve her dream looking like this? She slumped onto the side of her bed on the verge of tears. If only she’d started earlier... The phone rang. It was Carolyn. Thank goodness for best friends, Emma thought as she poured out her heart. Half an hour later she was feeling much more positive. Plans were in the pipeline. ‘You have plenty of time to achieve your goal,’ Carolyn assured her. ‘It will mean a big commitment and a lot of hard work, but you can do it.’ Emma knew if she wanted this occasion to be perfect, she had to do it. Arran was worth the effort – and she didn’t want to let Carolyn down. The following day Emma was introduced to her personal trainer at the gym – a place she’d passed many times before but had never felt inclined

woman abroad • June 2012

And that was only the beginning. After the exercise ordeal, Carolyn, in her role as Diet Police, went through Emma’s fridge and threw out almost everything in it then accompanied her to the supermarket and vetted everything that went into the trolley. Savouring a brief aroma of her favourite bread, Emma was whisked away from the bakery counter, had a tub of ice-cream torn from her hand, and was frogmarched from the biscuit aisle.

Back home, despondently gazing at the healthy heap of greenery on her plate, she was seriously wondering if the end justified the means. Why couldn’t people accept her the way she was? Why should she have to change? Her eyes wandered round the room, coming to rest on a framed photo of her and Arran and she had to admit, after her trial by mirror and the trainer’s brutal fitness assessment, she’d looked much slimmer and prettier when that was taken. OK, so she was never going to be model thin – never had been with her large frame, but she should certainly look her best After a late breakfast, Emma and Carolyn spent the for this special day. And wasn’t that what Arran morning being fussed over by female relatives and pampered by a hairdresser and beautician, and as deserved? the big moment drew closer they shared one glass The next few weeks were a constant round of torment of champagne and many moments of tears and and suffering, then one day, amazingly, Emma found laughter. she no longer dreaded going to the gym – and best of all, her clothes were beginning to feel too big. She At the church the bride stepped out of her white was feeling better than she had for years and with her Rolls Royce to a chorus of approval from the new found energy she realised there was something onlookers and submitted herself to a few last minute else she needed to get into shape before the big day: adjustments by her loyal attendant as the strains of the small terraced house they’d bought badly “Here Comes the Bride” swelled down the aisle. needed cleaning, in fact it needed a complete Emma, curvy and confident, could hardly breathe as makeover. she walked towards the tall dark man with his back Emma felt ashamed as she surveyed the to her. And then he turned. Her steps faltered as she peeling paint, grubby woodwork and dirty read the expression on his face, which slowly broke windows - she’d promised Arran she’d get it all into a brilliant smile. sorted out when he’d first gone abroad to work. It wasn’t his fault; he didn’t want to be parted Carolyn, a radiant bride in cream silk, stood from her, but they decided the great salary was beside her groom and turned to hand her bouquet worth the sacrifice for their future. Working on an to Emma. oil-rig in the middle of the Gulf of Arabia can’t have been very pleasant - and his absence had ‘The best man can’t keep his eyes off you!’ she been the root of many problems – most of them whispered with a self-satisfied smile. caused by her, she acknowledged sheepishly. She was always much too busy enjoying herself, Emma couldn’t keep her eyes off the best man, especially at the weekend when she also should have especially when he mouthed “I love you”. been doing something constructive towards their “I love you too”, she mouthed back, and knew her future. No wonder Arran had said she was selfish. efforts had been worth it. Arran wanted her back. In the next couple of weeks Emma spent every spare moment in the house, cleaning and This really was a perfect occasion – and maybe the painting until it looked fresh and clean. She next wedding would be theirs. bought new curtains, bright cushions and rugs and some lamps which created a warm and Dedicated to a lovely couple on their wedding day, 12th May 2012 hopefully romantic ambience. And then the day arrived.

| Penny Destro

woman abroad • June 2012

The ‘’S’’ Factor

SOLAR FLAIR Kate Thomason looks at sun protection products

AILING from northern climes I can remember taking hours reading through the brochures planning the long-awaited family holiday. To head for the sun and the chance to escape from the dreary over-cast luke warm days that masquerade as the British summer. Oh to leave it all behind, if only for a couple of weeks and to return relaxed - and most importantly of all, tanned to golden perfection. In reality, overeagerness to achieve said effect in the limited time frame resulted in at least one patch of sunburn followed by the inevitable peel. Fast forward to a few years of Middle East living, how times have changed. These days whenever I go back home, family and friends are incredulous by my lack of even a hint of a tint thinking my days should surely comprise maintaining a tan the colour of a strong cup of English Breakfast tea (without milk).

woman abroad • June 2012

We are all aware that getting that golden tan is “the” must-have for many travellers. Thankfully there is enough sound advice available to warn us that a tan is not the sign of good health, rather that our skin has been exposed to the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. These rays are divided into three types - UVA, UVB & UVC with UVA and UVB light being linked to skin ageing and cancer. Your body’s defence against ultraviolet radiation is to produce a pigment called melanin and constant exposure to these rays leads to photo-ageing which will weaken your skin. If you have fair skin, too much sun exposure increases your risk of skin cancer although darker skin is also at risk. However, it should be remembered that we all need a moderate amount of sunlight on our skins to enable our bodies to produce vitamin D naturally.

available in stores and supermarkets such as Nivea include handy spray water-resistant sunscreens up to factor 50. Always apply plenty of sunscreen to clean, dry skin, reapply it regularly even on cloudier days and always after going in the water. Whatever your skin tone, remember sun screens do not give 100% protection so don’t stay in the sun any longer than you would without sunscreen.

Middle East living means that our bodies are subjected to high levels of ultraviolet sunlight all year round. We all know that our children’s skin is more vulnerable and that they should always be fully protected. Babies under six months old should never be exposed to direct sunlight. It’s therefore important to embrace a daily sun protection routine for the whole family; we can’t totally avoid exposure to the sun but we can take steps to ensure skin damage is kept to a minimum with the use of effective sun screen products and appropriate clothing.

Beware “snorkeller’s bottom’’! Sunscreen products have come a long way from coconut oil and complete ranges are now available from most supermarkets. There are also the ‘’luxury brands’’ which many consumers favour to complement their usual skin care regime. Sunscreens are graded by a sun protection factor and this relates to the length of protection given in the sun against sunburn. Current research shows that we do not apply enough sunscreen and higher factors are often being used as we mistakenly believe that slapping on a bit of factor 50 will protect us in the sun longer. Most sunscreens available will block out UVA and UVB rays and it’s recommended that we should use a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and apply it generously at regular intervals. This will ensure that you avoid missing bits that may get burnt, I speak from experience having recently endured a particularly painful incident of ‘’snorkeller’s bottom’’ (I missed the tops of my legs). The regular products

Start at the top. Constant UV exposure will break down your hair’s proteins, it will also affect the colour known as sun bleaching as well as making it coarser and drier especially if you’re spending time in the sea or swimming pool. I have naturally curly hair and there’s nothing worse than watching your ‘’salon inspired’’ curls morphing into a thatched roof. Ideally, you should always try to wear some form of protection on your hair such as a wide-brimmed hat or bandana. It’s also worth investing in a good sun protection range for your hair. Elvive’s Colour Protect range has UVA and UVB filters and includes shampoo, conditioner, intensive repair and serum. It’s also a good idea to incorporate the use of SPF products in your daily moisturising routine so your face, neck and décolletage are always protected.

woman abroad • June 2012

No need to blow the budget Even the most budget-conscious lady will have no problem procuring a decent moisturiser with an SPF of 15. In fact many companies include fairness specific products which have an SPF protection of 25. I’m an avid user of Super City Block by Clinique which has an SPF of 40 and is applied before your usual moisturiser. The delicate skin around your eyes is generally the first area on your face to show signs of sun exposure leading to the dreaded crow’s feet. Clarins have a sun care range which includes Sun Wrinkle Control Eye Contour Care giving you SPF 30 UVA and UVB protection. Sunglasses are not merely a fashion statement but an absolute must and should carry the UV400 label to protect your eyes from the onset of sun-related problems including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Don’t neglect your lips either, there are lip balms aplenty with SPF 15 at most supermarket checkouts so invest in one and keep your lips moisturised and protected with regular top-ups throughout the day.

woman abroad • June 2012

I’m sure you all apply body moisturiser every day as well as heel cream, so switch to a brand that offers SPF protection and you won’t get caught if you unexpectedly end up spending more time in the sun than intended. Jergen’s Fair & Soft Body Lotion comes complete with SPF 20 and leaves your skin beautifully moisturised and protected at a reasonable price - and don’t forget the tops of your feet. Enjoy your time in the sun but be careful out there.

WHOLE WHEAT HIGH FIBRE GOOD FOR • Weight loss • Diabetics • High BP

Healthy life

SALALAH - 23219193 • MUSCAT - 24504298 • SOHAR - 26840175 • NIZWA - 25437440 woman abroad • June 2012

Untold Story (A Novel) by Monica Ali Published by Bloomsbury

Jacqui O’Neill reviews her latest reads Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

Published by Hodder and Stoughton I love Jodi Picoult, she really picks her topics: a divorced couple fighting over the custody of frozen embryos. Not enough controversy, so: the ex-hubby finds born again fundamentalist Christianity, and the ex-wifey finds a girlfriend! Now you have emotion, politics, religion and sex! Even so it is an easy read, with an evocative story and plenty to think and talk about. The point of difference here is the music angle, you can listen to a song on the internet with every chapter. A quirky feature, and sometimes a little irritating as it interrupted the read. The songs are rather folksy but it’s an added extra that does actually work well, technology wise, as long as you have your computer. The characters are a little too simplified for my liking and the ending is too much of a fairytale, but, the subject matter is something that prevails.

“Haunting and intensely readable, this is something between a thriller and a ghost story” Lady Antonia Fraser writes for the cover. Not sure I read the same novel as she did, however... The people’s ‘’Queen of Hearts”, did not die but faked her death with the help of her trusty manservant, and is in fact living her dream in the quiet suburbs of rural America. Here she is complete with Desperate Housewives friends, but still living on the edge, “I’m not crazy, I’m just a little unwell!” (Thank you Crowded House) springs to mind whilst reading this novel. We have the ‘thrilling’ adventure of a photojournalist going through a midlife crisis stumbling across the scoop of the century. All the while the self-recriminations and doubt keep on coming from a very neurotic ex-princess, entwined with life as a commoner, training as a makeup artist, beautician and finally, her calling, as dog walker. In comparison and almost as another book we have the subplot of trusty manservant dying from an untreatable tumour. Is this the real untold story, perhaps, dying as much from unrequited love, as cancer? This must be the ghost story part! Realistic it is not, fantasy it is, and if read as such, you may well enjoy.

Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsanea

Published by Penguin books

A must read for those living in the Middle East, an opening into the complexities of being an adolescent woman living in Saudi. It can read as a diary of any teenager actually, but with the nuances of the expectations of a society that is protective of its women. The characters are well portrayed and the book draws you into the events of their lives; you really feel you know them and can laugh and cry with and for them.

Jodi has never been shy of exploring where others fear to tread and I think this is what makes her a good book club read. In fact, I found myself dwelling on raised issues and wanted to share my ponderings, so yes, she has made me think, an achievement well executed.

As a Western woman reading this it has helped me understand the differences and the similarities of both cultures and I would urge all to read it for this alone. I have also purchased this for young women I know outside of the Middle East in an effort to give them some positive insights into the lives of Muslim women that aren’t of the “Arabian Princess” ilk. I look forward to reading more books written by Rajaa and other young Islamic women who are embracing their cultures and skills. 82

woman abroad • June 2012

NEW PUBLICATION RO 10/only

Saud bin Ahmed Al Busaidi recounts a life that mirrors the history of Zanzibar from 1914 to the Zanzibar Revolution of 1964. Like many other Omanis who were government officials, he was imprisoned during the Revolution and feared for his life. One of the lucky ones, Saud bin Ahmed was released and soon fled, eventually settling in Libya where he lived in exile for seven long years.

Memoirs of

An Omani Gentleman from Zanzibar

An unexpected turning point came with the rise to power of HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Mr Al Busaidi’s recalls how he felt on that momentous day, “a day that was destined to become the most significant in the modern history of the Sultanate”. This is no ordinary historical account. Saud Al Busaidi tells a gripping, action-packed story that begins by catapulting the reader into the violent outbreak of the Revolution and then flashes back to the idyllic days of his childhood and youth among the royalty of Zanzibar.

SAUD BIN AHMED AL BUSAIDI WITH JANE JAFFER

A master story-teller in the great Omani oral tradition, Mr Al Busaidi speaks openly in a language of natural elegance. The unfolding story shows the author to be a reflective person with a deep love of family and passion for the heritage and future of his country. This is a book that is as informative and fascinating as it is heart-warming and inspiring. – Dr Patricia Groves

AL ROYA PRESS & PUBLISHING HOUSE

Available now from all good bookshops or direct from AL ROYA

Sponsored by :

Ramesh Khimji Group of Companies

Historical Association of Oman

Published by:

AL ROYA PRESS & PUBLISHING HOUSE

Fascinating, Educational, Exciting Bound to be a best seller!

P.O. Box 343, Postal Code 118, Al Harthy Complex, Sultanate of Oman Tel : +968 24479888 (8 Lines), Fax: +968 24479889, E-mail: alroya@alroya.net

For corporate rates contact : anne@alroya.net

Does my pet need a passport? Bringing your pet to Oman

OU’VE come to Oman, you like the new job and the lifestyle and you’ve decided to stay. So how do you go about bringing your much loved pet to join you?

While the rules for exporting an animal differ from country to country, regulations for importing a pet into Oman are the same no matter where you’re travelling from. Your pet doesn’t actually need a passport as such, but you will need a local veterinarian to advise and guide you through the red tape. Find one that offers a ‘’Meet & Greet’’ service for your pet which includes charges for the Import Permit, custom’s clearance and quarantine inspection. Doing it yourself is not a viable option! If you choose to bring your pet as part of the luggage – which is normally the cheaper way but depends on the regulations in your country of departure and on what carrier you use – your vet can meet you on arrival. Your papers will be processed and you are allowed to leave as soon as your pet has been by the quarantine vet and your papers finalised. If your pet arrives by cargo, your vet will meet it on arrival and ensure all official procedures are carried out as quickly as possible. If you use a pet travel company, your vet can deal directly with them.

woman abroad • June 2012

woman abroad â&#x20AC;˘ June 2012

Vaccinations

Import Permit

Your pet needs to be vaccinated within the past 12 months or a minimum of 4 weeks before entering Oman with the following vaccinations: (This is a Ministry requirement and these vaccines need to be repeated annually while in the country):

Your vet will apply for an Import Permit in time for your arrival date. This usually takes 3-5 working days (if urgent, it can be obtained overnight on working days). The permit usually has an expiry date of 4 weeks with a maximum of two months’ validity in special circumstances. Your vet will email you a copy of the permit which you must print out as you will need to display it for the acceptance of the airline - whether your pet travels on the same flight as you, or as cargo.

DOGS – Rabies, Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis CATS – Rabies is compulsory, but it is strongly recommended that they also be vaccinated against Cat Flu and Panleucopenia. You must ensure that the veterinarian vaccinating your pet uses the standard vaccination stickers (supplied by the manufacturer with each batch) in the vaccination certificate as without the official stickers it is impossible for your vet to get an Import Permit.

Health Certificate The Health Certificate for your pet has to be issued by a Government or Ministry vet from your pet’s country of departure before and within 7 days of its arrival in Muscat. You must ensure that your pet’s health certificate is authenticated or issued by a health official or vets at this end may not be able to clear your pet without problems and possible quarantine restrictions. Travelling can be stressful for all of us, and much more so for animals who can’t understand what it’s all about, so think carefully before you decide to put them through an experience which can be traumatic for them – and expensive for you. However, being animals, once they’re reunited with their humans they’ll quickly forget their ordeal. So just follow your vet’s instructions to ensure your furry friend’s trip is as stress-free as possible – for all of you.

Credentials On completion of the vaccinations you must scan and email the following pages of the vaccination card, making sure all details are correctly filled in: • Pet’s description • Details of owner • Nationality of owner and country of export • Vaccinations (recent are most important) with stickers clearly readable. Your vet will check the vaccinations to ensure they are sufficient for an Import Permit. 86

woman abroad • June 2012

Dress for the Opera

or miss it

CANNOT tell you how pleased I was to receive an email warning of the decision by the powers that be to enforce the dress code at the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM). Though the sender of the missive seemed put out that inappropriately dressed people were turned away from a performance for which they had premium seats, I could only think ‘’About time too’’! The point is that here in Oman we are very lucky to have this wonderful facility on our doorsteps – and are able to buy seats for world class international performances at a fraction of the price charged by most other top opera houses. It stands to reason that many who attend have never previously had the pleasure of going to the opera, and could possibly be excused for not knowing the accepted way to dress. But I’m sure they can read, and it does say ‘’Dress: Formal’’ on the tickets. I suppose some people’s idea of formal is wearing their best jeans. I realise this sounds a bit snooty or high-hat, but it’s not that: opera has always been la crème de la crème of entertainment, not something you go to every week with a bag of popcorn, it’s special - and I think it should remain a very special occasion. So you should put on your best formal clothes - suit and tie for men, and for women, evening wear that covers the knees and shoulders (because this is an Islamic country, and we are guests). I know many who’ve been appalled in the ROHM foyer by outfits that would look more at home in a dimly lit downtown nightclub. There’s always been a time and place for everything, so I’m glad that a visit to the opera will revert to being an occasion to remember – for the spectacle on stage, not off it.

Dream on… MANY of us have dreamed about the possibility of a nice big windfall, preferably in the form of a lottery win, and over the years some have had their lives transformed by a set of

lucky numbers. It used to be the Football Pools in the UK and then the National Lottery came into being and within the first year, my stepson’s teacher had her life turned round by a huge (at the time) £3.5 million win. She and her husband bought a local hotel and as far as I know, lived happily ever after. But now things have become almost obscene with the EuroMillions lottery generating winners of £40, £45 and £46 million euro – and the record at a staggering £161m (about 100 million Omani Rials). How can any average person be expected to cope with sums that are inconceivable to most of us – and unnecessary to revolutionize lives. I think there should be a cap on the winnings so that no one can gain more than 10 million. There’d be many more jubilant winners, not just one who will probably never be able to envisage, let alone spend the extent of his wealth. But I suppose it’s the old story of the more you have, the more you want. I was going to say that the common word is greed, but though I still believe it would be better to have more winners, after recently watching interviews with a cross-section of people in the United States who were participating in the world’s biggest ever jackpot – over half a billion dollars ($646,000,000,000 to be exact) – I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s all about hopes and dreams. And that’s something we all need.

Well done – you’ve failed! STAYING on the subject of large sums of cash, I am one of the many who cannot understand how any employee, albeit an international banker, can be worth a bonus of millions. Given a job to do, most people give it their best shot whether it’s cleaning toilets, sweeping roads – or investing pension funds. Of course those at the top of the heap where the proverbial buck stops should be paid more for the responsibility they take – but in this time of global recession, how can companies who have received government bailouts justify the ridiculous bonuses paid to top executives whose performances must have been under par? The money boys claim that they have been justly earned and distributed, but though I would never claim to be a genius with figures, to me it equates with 2+2=5. In other words, it just doesn’t add up. In any other trade or profession, when you screw up so royally you don’t get a pat on the back, you get the sack.

● Any comments? Put ‘’Mailbox’’ in the subject line and send them to: editor@womanabroad.net woman abroad • June 2012

woman abroad â&#x20AC;˘ June 2012

Woman Abroad is delighted to introduce Muscat’s only independent midwife, Karen Wilmot RM, RYT

What you need to know about being pregnant in Oman

AVING a baby, especially your first, in a foreign country can be a daunting thought. Your family and support system are far away and you don’t know where to go for things you would easily find in your hometown. Life as an expatriate requires an adjustment in our lifestyle and attitudes. It is important to remember that routine antenatal care is standard in most countries and you will be offered the same tests and scans as you would in your home country. These include screening tests (estimate the risk of your baby being born with certain conditions, such as Down’s syndrome but don’t give a definite answer) and diagnostic tests (confirm whether a baby has a certain condition and are offered if the screening tests predict an increased risk of a problem). It’s your choice whether or not to have any test during your pregnancy. No test can rule out all problems, but by far the majority of babies are healthy. Sometimes neglected in our culture is tending to the psychological, emotional, and spiritual preparation as we approach this life-changing event. So for a moment, let’s forget that we are pregnant in a country far from home and go back to the basics.

What to do in the first trimester Once you know you’re pregnant you need to be seen by a Gynecologist for your booking appointment, ideally before 10 weeks. During this appointment you can expect tests to confirm • Your rhesus blood (RhD) type • A Full Blood Count to test for anemia • Blood screening for infections that can affect you or your baby - hepatitis B, syphilis and HIV • your immunity to rubella (German measles) Your blood pressure will be checked and your urine tested for infection, protein and glucose. You will be offered an ultrasound scan called a dating scan to estimate when your baby is due.

You will be given your Green Maternal Health Card. This is an official record of personal information, results of blood tests and has space to document all your antenatal visits. It is very important that you carry the green card with you at all times as it provides any caregiver with vital information about your pregnancy. You will be instructed to take the card to your local health clinic to register with the Ministry of Health and obtain a number. Screening for Down’s syndrome - Nuchal translucency scan This is an ultrasound scan between 11 and 13 weeks, which may be done at the same time as your dating scan. It measures the thickness of the layer of fluid at the back of the baby’s neck (the nuchal area). A thicker than normal layer of fluid may suggest that the baby has an increased risk of Down’s syndrome.

What to do in the second trimester Once a month between week 12 and 28 you will need to see your care giver to measure your blood pressure, your weight and test your urine for protein, glucose and infection. You will be offered a midpregnancy ultrasound scan, known as an anomaly or morphology scan, between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. The scan is to check for problems with the baby’s development. You will be offered another blood test for anemia at 28 weeks as well as a Glucose Tolerance Test to check for gestational diabetes.

What to do in the third trimester Between week 28 and 36 you will need to see your care giver every fortnight. If your pregnancy proceeds normally and your baby’s measurements show that growth is good, you don’t normally have any further scans during your pregnancy. After 36 weeks you will be seen weekly to assess the position of the baby, the level of engagement into the pelvis and your readiness to give birth. This is also the best time to have the 3D or 4D scan. If you have any concerns you can contact Karen on her website www.pregnantinoman.com Next month Karen writes about ‘’Emotional preparation for pregnancy abroad’’ woman abroad • June 2012

ARROW WORDS Tokyo is there

Booming loudly

Young dogs

Nasty

Rink Answer

Among

'Tis (2'1) Before (poetic) Displace

Sales agent

Asian sauce

Cruel person City, Calf-length -- Angeles skirt Open

Brassiere

Ordinary Scalp strands

Flits

Erase, -- out

Extinct birds

Metal pin

Mutilates

Embedded (in)

Get Haughty

Chewing pellet

Yemen port Bunny

Jogged

Vex

More parched

Spot

The ones here

Leg joints

Small islands

Racket

EACH of the colours in our pyramid represents a letter. You can decipher the six words reading across from left to right with the help of the given O letters.

E O

Notice

Argentina's Buenos --

O E

Egyptian river

Lift

AM, -meridiem

Funeral vehicle

Snoop

Pace

Golf pegs

SQUARE SHUFFLE

STEPS

Take one letter from each color to make up 4 six-letter words that are all different colours. We have given you the first letter to get you started. Every letter must be used once only.

s 1000 Publications

Altering one letter at each stage to form a new word every PYRAMID POWER ANSWER: Cue, Onto, Utter, Cocoon,time, Torrent, Currency. change the word on the top line to the word on the bottom.

RULE

MOPS

LAST

woman abroad • June 2012

STEPS SOLUTION: Rule, mule, mole, mope, mops, maps, laps, lass, last.

TwoWayTeaser

CRYPTIC CLUES 11

Across 1. Dog belonging to us is hard work (6) 13 5. Pen requested by Starsky›s partner (5) 8. Owns up and allows access (6) 11. Fails to notice about four official letters (8) 15 16 17 12. Eradicate variety of Italian hen (10) 13. Team asks waiter for extra dishes (4,6) 22 23 24 14. Needs hem repaired - it’s caught up (8) 15. Drink from the tap (4) 16. Your personal property may be seen as special in movies (7) 28 29 19. Used divine means to detect spring (6) 22. Half a chance to repeat ballroom performance (3-3) 24. Bringing back rather a wan understudy is a bit ignorant (7) 31 32 33 27. Left before duo became rowdy (4) 28. Frugal actor held festival (4) 29. Chose to be electrocuted, court dismissed (7) 36 37 38 30. Seedlings in factories (6) 31. Before the jumble sale, we found what goes pop (6) 41 33. Picture of wine and fish (7) 34. Swap back cat’s feet (4) 36. Call Eric to put in order in relation to office work (8) 43 44 39. Part of recipe needed when I get dinner organised (10) 41. He moves in when others come out of their shell (6,4) 42. Job for the summer (8) 43. I touch down, I’m told, in Sicily or Corfu (6) STRAIGHT CLUES 44. Combines one thousand and nine points (5) Across 45. Someone who avoids a LA baseball player (6) 1. Toil (6) 5. Rabbit cage (5) Down 8. Lets in (6) 2. Is a workout before nine really foolish? (7) 11. Communiques (8) 3. They stand and deliver (13) 12. Decimate (10) 4. ‘Stuck inside forever!’ berated The Echo (11) 13. Meal accompaniments (4,6) Two Way Teaser 064 5. Heats arranged according to speed (5) 14. Entangled (8) 6. Pitfalls of returning paintings as an afterthought (5) 15. Brewery product (4) 7. He turns around to see predators (7) 16. Consequences (7) 8. Like a bad actor, senior journalist is humiliated (7) 19. Used divining rod (6) 9. Sailor’s knots (5) 22. Latin American dance (3-3) 10. Name on the cover will count for one (5) 24. Oblivious (7) 17. Stroke of luck to see whale tail (5) 27. Deafening (4) 18. Hired transport for councillor nursing broken heart (7) 28. Festive occasion (4) 20. We will be given position with quality inclusions (4-9) 29. Selected by voting (7) 21. Some visit Luxembourg and return to gloat (5) 30. Shrubs (6) 23. Move with effort in the avenue (5) 31. Stoat-like animal (6) 25. Tree trapped inside? Balderdash! (5) 33. Depict (7) 26. Hated my deep confusion. It’s senseless! (5-6) 34. Touches clumsily (4) 32. Tracked down order for cold tea (7) 36. Secretarial (8) 33. One who made progress curls lip up like The Reaper (7) 39. Required element (10) 35. Fetching a few who were behind victory (7) 41. Soft-bodied crustacean (6,4) 37. City guides speak out (5) 42. Maths calculation (8) 38. Dance around Burma (5) 43. Water-bound area (6) 39. Where Pandora found evil new correspondence? (2-3) 44. Blends (5) 40. Tumbler, for example, seen in mirror (5) 45. Shirker (6)

Down 2. Silly (7) 3. Childbirth specialists (13) 4. Ring (11) 5. Hurry, make ... (5) 6. Ambushes (5) 7. Game stalkers (7) 8. Abashed (7) 9. Distance units (5) 10. Chapter heading (5) 17. Accidental success (5) 18. Company’s constitution (7) 20. Nicely furnished (4-9) 21. Rejoice (5) 23. Haul (5) 25. Birch relative (5) 26. Vacuous (5-6) 32. Traced (7) 33. Religious traveller (7) 35. Charming (7) 37. English football team, ... United (5) 38. Cuban rhythm (5) 39. Tray for incoming paperwork (2-3) 40. Window pane (5)

woman abroad • June 2012

6 7

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the

5 2 digits61 to 9.

6 4 9 7 8 2 3 1 5 7 3 2 1 5 4 8 9 6

4 4 5 13 8 683 994 257 1 6 5 8 4 3 9 7 2 4 9 1 3 297 115 6 8 2 8 7 5 9 6 1 3 4 Fill every 3 the 2 1grid4 so6 that 7 5 9 4 3column, 5 row8 and 1 every 9 7 4 3 2 5 6 8 1 every 3x3 box contains the 8 5 6 9 1 7 2 4 3 1 to 9. 6digits 2 6 38 3 67 4 7 9 5 1 22 9 1 8 2 6 3 7 5 4 8 2 4 7 5 2 1 4 8 6 349 4 2 5 8 1 9 3 6 7 9 2 8 8 37 7 512 639 4 1 5 1 9 6 3 7 4 5 8 2 Fill every 6 the 7 1grid4 so5 that 8 9 3 6 1 2column, 7 row2 and every 5 4 3 9 8 1 2 7 6 every 3x3 box contains the 2 8 9 6 3 7 4 1 5 1 to 9. 7digits 2 3 9 8 4

Sudoku Level 5 Solution

Sudoku Level 4 Solution

7 8 1 6 9 6 2 1 8 4 3 5 9 2 7

8 7 5 5 38 4 3 9 7 1 1 46 5 6 8 2 6 2 7 8 8 7 6 5 9 4 1 3 8 9 2 4 6 4 5 3 8 7 1 4 5 8 2 6 3 9

8 6 2 3 9 7 1 5 4

9 3 5 6 1 4 8 7 2

9 4 7 2 6 1 3 8 5

5 4 1 9 3

3 2 9 1 6 5 7 4 8

6 4 8 2 7 3 9 1 5

593 412 3 8 7 5 36 2 9 13 8 5 6 1 987 22 98 7 4 9 3 1 6 5 4 2 4 1 3 7 6 2 8 9 4 7 3 9 1

L A B O U R S B E M I S S I V E N T E S I D E O R D N T B B E E R E F I R C H A C H A E I T G A L A E L V N WE A S E L O C L E R I C A E U A H E RM I T C D B E I S L A N D 8 4 9 7 1 2 3 6 5

Sudoku Level 3 Solution

1 8 3 5 9 4 2 7 6

5 4 1 9 6 3 8 2 7

9 6 7 2 5 8 3 1 4

8 3 2 1 4 7 9 6 5

H U T C H A R U S A N N T P T E R S E R F E C T S L H U N AWA K R L E C T E D E E P O R T R I L I N G G N L R A B A I O S M I X E S

I N

A R D

A DM S I H I L A E M E S E D OW E L L L A P P O D I N I T E O D E M P T Y H E A D E D

I T S I A T E L H E D S E D X O U D L N T S AW I E N S I O M G E

S T N R

1Two 4 Way 5 2Teaser 064 5 9 7 8 7 1 3 6 8 7 9 4 4 3 2 5 9 8 6 1 2 5 4 3 6 2 8 9 3 6 1 7

Sudoku Level 2 Solution

7 5 6 3 2 1 4 8 9

2 5 3 6 4 8 9 7 1

4 9 6 7

2 9 4 7 8 6 5 3 1

1 7 6 3 9 5 8 2 4

2 8 6 4 5 1 3 9 7

4 7 9 8 1 2 6 5 3

5 3 8 9 6 4 2 1 7

5 7 3 9 2 6 4 8 1

6 1 8 4 3 5 7 9 2

9 6 4 1 2 7 5 8 3

4 9 1 7 3 8 5 2 6

3 2 5 6 7 9 1 4 8

7 2 1 8 5 3 4 9 6

1 5 7 8 4 9 2 6 3

4 8 2 5 7 6 1 3 9

6 4 8 2 7 3 9 1 5

I T S

SOLUTIONS 6 1 5 2 3 9 7 4 8

3 2 9 1 6 5 7 4 8

H A I R S

3 9 7 4 8 1 6 5 2

8 9 8

9 3 5 6 1 4 8 7 2

E R I N R E N A E P L Y A A D I S DODO E T Y N

5 6 7 2 8 2 5 6 1 8 3 4 7 9

1 4

8 6 2 3 9 7 1 5 4

K N E E S

1 9 2 7 6 4 7 1 6 2 9 5 3 8

TwoWayTeaser Solution

3 1 9 6 5

5 2 6 4 5 8 2 6 3 9

5 2 2

9 71

I S L E S

3 8 4 9 5 3 8 9 5 7 4 6 1 2

8 3 2 1 4 7 9 6 5

D R I E R

2 4 9 3 1 5 3 2 8 9 7 1 4 6

9 6 7 2 5 8 3 1 4

E A N T P E

8 5 3 4 7 9 4 7 2 6 1 3 8 5

5 4 1 9 6 3 8 2 7

UND N A D R OO T S M R I V UD B I T H I S E R E S K E E

6 1 8 4 3 5 9 2 7

1 8 3 5 9 4 2 7 6

O B T A I N

1 2 4 7 5 6 8 9 3

7 5 6 3 2 1 4 8 9

Sudoku Level 1 Solution T ME AM U P L O S B P R R A Y R A I N

8 6 3 9 4 2 7 5 1

2 9 4 7 8 6 5 3 1

7 1 3 2 7 7 2 3 9 8 1 5 3 1 6 8 9 4

STEPS SOLUTION: Rule, mule, mole, mope, mops, maps, laps, lass, last.

7 9 5 3 1 8 2 6 4

4 7 9 8 1 2 6 5 3

Rating:

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

9 1 6 2 4 5 5 6 1 9 4 1 8 7

SQUARE SHUFFLE SOLUTION Blue, Pink, Gold, Grey.

4 9 7 3 2 1 1 8 6 2012 6 5 8 9 3 2

8 6 5

Rating:

6 1 8 4 3 5 7 9 2

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

5 8 4 3 6 1 2 8 7 9 2 8 9 4 2 4 3 7 6 4 3 9 5 3 8 1

Rating:

PYRAMID POWER ANSWER: Cue, Onto, Utter, Cocoon, Torrent, Currency.

6 7 5 woman abroad • June 1 4

zles

9 4 9 7 2 1 8 7 1 3 1 4 7 9 9 2 8 7

zles

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and Moderate 4140 every 3x3 box contains the ©9.Lovatts Puzzles digits 1 to

4 3 8 5 5 9 1 3 4 5 1 4 6 2 8 6 7 3 7 8 4 6 9 2 8 3 2 5 6 7 9 1 4 8

Rating:

1 5 8 6 7 5 1 4 2

9 Rating:

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

woman abroad â&#x20AC;˘ June 2012

ARIES (March 21-April 20) May is a pivotal month for you (as it is for everyone) but you’ll be soaring to great heights and moving in new directions. As you are the pioneer of the zodiac, what you do with the information and zillion ideas (that are stirred up as a result of the solar eclipse late in the month) will be stellar and you might just be able to take your ideas to the bank. You will be changing direction and doing different things. Your career is more of a focus than personal matters and you are now seeing the results for all your work (although you may also face more opposition than usual). You can really make your mark upon the world as you have more drive and determination to succeed, and so many ideas, clearer thoughts – and more power and authority over others. TAURUS (April 21-May 21) If you’re single and in the “amour” market, this is a sensational month to hook up with someone special because you’ll be looking great and feeling more confident and putting yourself more “out there”. March and April have virtually wiped out your energy and you could still have a number of “issues” to wrap up, but you can relax now and try not to obsess quite so much. The time has come for you to actualize your vision of how you would like to be in the future and this means putting your beliefs on the line and incorporating them into your lifestyle. However there IS a mentor in the picture... Identify or seek out this person, probably a male (or a tough and uncompromising female in a position of authority) who will turn out to be your Knight in Shining armor. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Well the last year has certainly been an “interesting” one. (You know that Chinese expression “may you live in interesting times”well did you know it’s actually a curse?) And a lot of Gems have felt like they are cursed or have walked under a ladder with the eclipse influences in Gemini for most of 2011 (and you will be slammed twice more this month and again in November). But the difference between November and now is that you’llbe having your annual solar return as well so ALL the focus is going to be on you. This is the time to act because you also have a new moon later in the month, in your sign and Jupiter still in your 12th for the last month.Rid yourself of self- destructive traits and deep-seated fears and you get in deeper touch with these and your subconscious mind.

woman abroad • June 2012

CANCER (June 22- July 23) You’ve just about had enough haven’t you? Don’t worry, you are on the crest of a wave and you’re not going to get dumped - well even if you are, you’ll come up for air again. But you’re very preoccupied with someone that’s bigger than Ben Hur but being kept hidden in some way. All month you’ll be dealing with a lot of stuff that happened in the past. No wonder you’re not sleeping much and feeling wiped. You’ll still be going through the motions for most of the month and keeping busy, in fact you could be striving towards one particular goal - and hitting a few home runs! Start formulating future long-term goals and begin dreaming up ideas for the future. Make a wish in May, make it a big one and really visualize it and ifyou don’t take you eye of the ball, you’ll see it blossom into a full blown reality by July at the latest. LEO (July 24-Aug 23) “You are the champion of the world” in May (or so Freddie Mercury would say). If you want to hit a home run in your career or public life or pull off a big coup, this is the month when your star is shining particularly brightly, and hence the month to do it in. You certainly seem to be smooching with VIP’s and movers and shakers and you are in the spotlight. May should see you making lots of progress in your career and business life as it’s an excellent time to make in roads professionally. You’re also going to be more “one for all and all for one” donating to charity - or just being less selfish. Many Leo’s are going to fall in love in May and the rest will enjoy stronger relationships. In turn they will offer you lots of support to start new enterprises, new projects and new lives. Success for you in May is simple. It will come from passion, not position. VIRGO (Aug 24-Sept 23) What is life without integrity and sound values and acting honorably? These will be the things that you are pondering in May when something (or someone) has the potential to put an end to your reputation, as you know it - or enhance it out of sight. Some Virgo’s will have some issues of home versus work – and perhaps have been spending too much time developing their career and ignoring the home fires - or alternatively not spending enough time at work! Most Virgo’s will receive a welcome promotion or are start a new career direction (which of course can impinge in some way on your family) or perhaps you are long-term unemployed and feel like you’re letting the family down. But all of you will be dealing with these sorts of issues and they will be the agenda for May.

LIBRA (Sept 24 - Oct 23) Just when you thought it was going to be calm and smooth ride for a while, voilà, someone else lets you down again. People are such disappointments and you wish they would learn to behave, or is it you that should be behaving better? There are ethics and morals issues in May. You have to decide whether you sit on the fence (your favorite place) or make a stand. You’re feeling somewhat stressed by it all, but at least you’ll have a better idea where you stand now that everything’s come to light and nothing is being hidden. The sooner you do address this issue, the better for your outcome, because what you unearth now and the turn of events will affect your plans for the rest of the year. That said, travel will figure prominently in May, and you’ll either be meeting foreigners or travelling to foreign lands but the real discovery is seeing things with new eyes. SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22) It’s not like you to consider others to this extent but that’s exactly what you are doing in May and “togetherness”is going to be the theme of the month. You could of course be joining someone in a business enterprise (instead or as well) as a physical and emotional one, but it’s an incredible “growth” month for you. You are also undergoing incredible breakthroughs in terms of spirituality and understanding what makes others, and more pertinently, yourselftick. If you haven’t got a one-onone going on, then you’ll be seeking out companionship, as there is an increased desire to connect. But it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be alone in any capacity because your magnetism is sky high. Glitches in relationships can be readily solved in May by you changing the structures and routines of your life to make yourself feel more whole…even healed. SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 - Dec 21) Are you alone? If you are you certainly don’t want to be and chances are you won’t be by the end of May. In fact this month sees you one-on-one with another or even “others” – it could be business, it could be pleasure, but when they say two halves make a whole -you are one of the halves!If you’re in any union and not happy with it, you will have more chance of ending the association this month than at any other time of the year. You do seem to want peace of mind and that equals peaceful connections, and if you’re not in tune with someone it’s probably not going to go the distance as you crave mutually supportive associations in your life now. You’re working hard and staying healthy. But May is the month when you offload and rid yourself of whatever is not working; and you’re more than happy to stand alone and be counted.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 - Jan 20) It’s a fun month. Whilst you may not be partying non stop, you’ll still be really enjoying yourself, kicking back and indulging and not taking anything too seriously. You want to play and make love - not war, and work and other serious stuff will take a back seat. In fact you may even throw caution to the wind and do something daring or risky and so un-Cappy-like. You’ll be more flirtatious (and ostentatious) and you want to be loved and admired and appreciated. Later you revert to type and may have to amend for all your revelry, gripped by a desire to sort everything out! And if your working life IS toxic, do something about it in the last week in May because otherwise it will start to affect your health. Try taking up a hobby it will make you feel a whole lot better – but true creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. AQUARIUS (Jan 21 - Feb 19) It’s so unusual for the water bearer to be so “homey” but you may as enjoy it when the mood strikes (as it is doing now). It won’t last forever and indeed by the end of the month you’ll be back to your fun and carefree ways again. Meanwhile you’re like a bear hibernating for winter and it could be for any number of reasons. You may simply want to feel connected – or it could be for entirely different reason. Home can be where your best memories or greatest concerns are right now – it’s not ALL harmony and happy days for everyone in May. There is also a lot of bonding with offspring and friends will figure prominently in your life. By the end of the month you’re putting your party hat back on and doing what you do best, socializing with your friends and kicking back and having fun. PISCES (Feb 20 - March 20) You won’t have time to read these scopes this month (well you will of course) but you’re probably not even at your abode. Chances are you’re in transit, at a hotel (or some foreign establishment), on a plane, boat or another zip code…in other words you are busy. There is a work/play aspect to the month also, and for most it’s gregarious and expansive but without any “heavy” undertones. It doesn’t feel like a make-or-break period in your life and you can stop fretting about some of the things that have engaged your attention in previous months of 2012. You’ll want greater domestic security and if you are alone, that may mean getting someone intoyour domestic picture, or you contemplate relocating.In order to get what you want and need emotionally, you are going to have to make a choice, a change or a compromise.

woman abroad • June 2012

WIN A LUXURY WEEKEND FOR TWO AT THE FIVE-STAR SALALAH MARRIOTT RESORT!

HE Salalah Marriott Resort in Oman is set on the idyllic shores of the Arabian Sea in the Dhofar region on the white sandy beaches of Mirbat Cove and at the foot of Jebel Samhan, 80 kilometers from Salalah International Airport. Located in the South of Oman, Dhofar is the ideal place for a family holiday, diving trip or spa experience. The Salalah Marriott Resort offers luxurious rooms, suites and beach chalets with sea and mountain views for business travellers and for families. Explore the local flavours and international cuisine in one of the restaurants or bars after a day filled with outdoor activities, such as tennis, beach volleyball, snorkelling or diving. Revive your senses at the Balinese Spa -whatever your preference, the Marriott Resort is the ideal place

woman abroad â&#x20AC;˘ June 2012

for a family vacation and for meetings or weddings with its dining, conference and leisure facilities. It is the first Marriott Hotel in Oman. Offering 595 sqm of total meeting space, the largest meeting room is Mirbat Ballroom with a maximum space of 335 sqm and seating for up to 350. For all events the hotel also offers exquisite catering capabilities, customized to enhance weddings, social events and theme parties. On-site event and wedding planners are available to personalize and coordinate every detail from start to finish, and the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cuisine teams offer excellent customizable menus for any event or occasion. Arange of spacious guest rooms makes it a perfect choice for out-of-town guests and there is a spectacular outdoor function space around the impressive swimming pool.

WIN this wonderful weekend and you may: ● Relax in peaceful and luxurious surroundings ● Dip into the largest pool in the Sultanate of Oman – 2000sqm! ● Enjoy extensive massage services and the beauty shop at the Frankincense Spa by Chavana ● Soak up the pleasant climate and the cool temperatures in the Dhofar region. ● Explore the historic sites of Salalah and its surrounds ● Take a romantic stroll on a white beach ● Indulge in delicious dishes cooked by international chefs OUR PRIZE is a voucher* for two people for two nights at the Salalah Marriott Resort and includes breakfast at the hotel, return flights from Muscat to Salalah plus airport transfers between the hotel and Salalah Airport. *The voucher is subject to availability and is valid until May 31st 2013, but not during peak periods, and you must pre-book.

THE COMPETITION:

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is answer the following three questions correctly. 1. How big is the swimming pool at the Salalah Marriott Resort? 2. How many people can be seated in the Mirbat Ballroom? 3. What is the Arabic name for the site known as Job’s Tomb? The competition is open until June 30th 2012 and the winner will be picked at random from the correct entries. Send your answers by email to: editor@womanabroad.net and write ‘’Marriott Competition’’ in the subject line.

woman abroad • June 2012

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