Hi 04 August 2016

OMAN’S LARGEST CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 46,760 COPIES

VOL 10 ISSUE 31 / AUGUST 4, 2016

OUT OF AFRICA (AND ON TO YOUR PLATE) PAGE 18

THIS WEEK IN OMAN

GO TO WAR

GET GAELIC

DRIVE SOUTH

Laser tag has landed in Muscat, offering eager combatants, young and old, the chance for a lively (blessedly air-conditioned) weekend game of war.

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Since 2012, a quirky sport that’s not quite rugby, not quite football, and not quite handball, has been instilling passion in its participants here in Muscat.

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For auto-lovers, a trip to Salalah is an opportunity to enjoy hitting open roads along the coast and through the green, misty mountains.

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 31 AUGUST 4, 2016

Give us a shout with questions, comments, compliments, complaints, or just to say “Hi” Founder Essa bin Mohamed Al Zedjali Chairman Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali CEO Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com Chief Executive Editor Scott Armstrong felicia@timesofoman.com

Executive Features Editor Felicia Campbell Features Production Editor Swati Dasgupta swati@timesofoman.com Research/Copy Editor Ashish Dubash

ashishdubash@timesofoman.com

shafeeq@timesofoman.com Senior Editors Faisal Mohammed Naim Mohammed Shafeeqe

faisal@timesofoman.com salim@timesofoman.com

Associate Editors Salim Hamood Al Afifi Shruthi Nair shruthi@timesofoman.com

Chief Creative Officer Adonis Durado Associate Art Director Waleed Rabin Graphic Editor Antonio Farach Design Editor Sahir K.M. Lead Designer Ali Jani Designers Antonio Ismael Sandiego Geri Batara Sonny Gregory Fernandez Director of Digital Television Joe Morrison Photography MMG Photographers richard@timesofoman.com Chief Sales Officer Richard Pakenham

aziz@timesofoman.com

Head Of Advertising & Marketing Aziz K. Baker Production Manager Shafi Shaik On The Cover Design by Ali Jani Photography Shabin E. For general inquiries or comments: HiWeekend@timesofoman.com

Muscat Media Group AN ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED COMPANY Post Box: 770, Postal Code: 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman EDITORIAL 24726600/24726666 Ext 235/160 felicia@timesofoman.com

CIRCULATION 24726600/24726666 Ext 135/136 circulation@timesofoman.com

ADVERTISEMENT 24726600/24726666 exT 435/193 hi7ayam@hotmail.com

SAY “HI” ON SOCIAL MEDIA facebook.com/hiweekly twitter & instagram: hiweekly_oman

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 31 AUGUST 4, 2016

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THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

10.30pm Dance in the Dark

9pm Party with Optical Illusions

8.30am Escape into Art

Wear your neon and white for the “Glow in the Dark Party” at On the Rocks where you can party hard with DJ Vinyl. OMR15 stag entry, inclusive of 3 drinks. Free for couples and ladies.

On The Rocks Golden Tulip Seeb +968 9798 3333

Experience a unique audio-visual partytime treat this weekend with Wunderground, the brainchild of a visual artist and a house DJ. OMR15 stag entry, inclusive of 3 drinks. Free for couples and ladies.

On The Rocks Golden Tulip Seeb +968 9798 3333

Don’t worry if you are not a professional artist. All you need is the love, willingness, and passion to explore the world of colours and patterns to join the Gailani Art retreat Preregistration is required, OMR20.

Hormuz Grand +968 9760 9925

11pm Spin with a Ukranian One of the hottest female DJs from Ukraine is in town. Groove to her awesome mix of house, EDM, hip hop, R&B, and Trash for a night of non-stop dancing. Entry OMR10, ladies free.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

THE WEEKEND LINEUP

Tell us what you’re doing this weekend: Tweet us @HiWeekly_Oman; tag us in your weekend instagram photos @hiweekly_oman; or share with us on FB/hiweekly

Rumba Lattina The Cave Complex, Darsait +968 2465 1058

Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend

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Have you tried any of these five? What do you think of them? Did we miss any of your favourites? Tag us on Instagram @hiweekly_oman and tell us about it on facebook.com/hiweekly

MANGO TALAAT Enjoy a healthy, fruity concoction at one of Muscat’s most popular juice joints. The extensive menu of inventive juice creations is made even better by the hilariously named drinks.

Must-Try: Awar Al Qalb (Heartache), a drink made of vanilla ice cream with banana, strawberry, and mango for OMR1.200 Locations: Al Barakat Street, Al Khoud and Al Khuwair 33 (next to Radisson Blu) Contact: +968 9460 0088

FIVE TO TRY SUMMER SIPS

CARIBOU COFFEE Nothing beats an icy-cold, creatively mixed coffee, and the caffeinated treats at Caribou in Shatti, MGM, and Al Assalah Towers are hard to beat.

Must-Try: Salted Caramel Budino, a lightly salted caramel espresso with steamed milk and cream, which is only available at the Bareeq Al Shatti Branch, for OMR2.750 Location: Bareeq Al Shatti, Qurum Contact: +968 2469 7111

AL SHAM JUICES Al Sham Juices offer blends of fresh fruits mixed with juices, creams, ice creams, and succulent raw nuts, customised to your liking.

Must-try: Shagaf, fruits, honey, and nuts mixed with fresh juice for OMR1.500 Location: Al Khuwair 33, next to Radisson Blu Hotel Contact: +968 22011997

STARBUCKS Not just for coffee, this global chain now offers fantastic, freshly brewed iced tea with fruit flavourings such as raspberry, strawberry, and lemon.

Must-try: Strawberry and Lemon Iced Tea for OMR2 Locations: (almost everywhere) Jawharat Al Shatti, Shatti Al Qurum, Al Khuwair, Avenues Mall, and many more.

Contact: +968 2230 0171

SAJJAD JUICE For a taste of sweet Iranian refreshment, head to Sajjad in Al Khuwair for Persian treats like their fresh ground pistachio and milk beverages, which may be the best thing you drink all summer.

Must-try: Pistachio Milk with Mango for OMR1.400 Location: Al Maha Street, Al Khuwair 33 Contact: +968 9016 5695

KHUZAMA AL ASMI Follow popular Omani designer, Khuzama Al Asmi, on her Instagram account for new, inspiring collections of dresses and uniquely sassy abaya designs featuring her signature leopard print.

Instagram: @khuzama_collection

HANADI Stay up with the latest from a fashion designer who offers elaborate, creative Moroccan-style dresses and colourful abayas that are available in her shop in Souq Al Khoud.

Instagram: @ghanatti_fashion

ALAA AL SIYABI Alaa Al Siyabi is an Omani designer who keeps her Omani culture alive through traditional, yet modern embroidered designs, that are great style inspiration for youthful women in Oman and around the region.

Instagram: @alaa00alsiyabi

NOORA KARIM Located in South Al Hail, Noora Karim’s boutique offers simple, but detailed designs that are almost as wonderful to look at on your Instagram feed as they are to wear.

Instagram: @khalijiaboutique

ELYA BOUTIQUE Follow Elya Boutique’s account to see the latest of her collections of long floral-patterned maxi dresses and abayas, that are globally wearable, great summer fashion.

Instagram: @elyaboutique

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

HI SOCIAL OMANI FASHION DESIGNERS

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 31 AUGUST 4, 2016

KHAREEF ESCAPES OFF-THE-BEATEN-TRACK SALALAH

SOUTHERNLY SCENIC DRIVES It’s Khareef in Salalah, the best time of the year to experience the majesty of nature, and if you happen to love driving, you are in for a treat with idyllic routes along which you can take in all the sights from sea to mountaintop. Driving through the rainy, windy, foggy Khareef weather makes it an exciting adventure, which should be approached with as much caution as enthusiasm.—shafeeq@timesofoman.com STORY MOHAMMED SHAFEEQE

SADAH-HASIK COASTAL ROAD Drive 130km north of Salalah on the coastal via Mirbat and you will reach the scenic harbour village of Sadah. Beyond Sadah, the coastal landscape is unique, as the town is hemmed in by mountains made of black rock and by a small harbour. Drive towards Hasik on the winding coastal road to experience some of the best mountain curves in Oman, known to driving enthusiasts as the cousin of the famed Australian coastal routes. The strong Khareef wind, haze, and drizzle enhances the stunning ambiance. There are viewpoints with large parking bays where you can stop for photos and for the chance to spot humpback whales breaching in the rough Arabian Sea. Watch for weathered rock formations along the way. If you drive the faster Wusta-way down to Salalah, you can opt to return via this ‘road-less-taken’ at a cost of only three or four additional hours.

GEO LOCATORS Sadah: 17°03’05.1”N 55°04’17.7”E Hasik: 17°26’52.2”N 55°14’55.2”E

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AYN RAZAT-WADI SAHALNOOT Climb the winding road beyond Ayn Razat to explore green, wet hills where herds of cows, sheep, and camels graze.

Do a round trip drive through Wadi Sahalnoot, passing through Ashinhaib.

It’s a scenic drive all the way as the road is covered with trees on both sides and the lush green views are fabulous. The roads are good, but narrow with sharp curves. If you have four-wheel drive vehicle, try going off-road into the woods, where at times it will feel like you are driving through a tropical forest road.

GEO LOCATORS Sahalnoot: 17°08’53.6”N 54°10’41.9”E Ayn Razat: 17°07’46.9”N 54°14’11.4”E

ITTIN HILLS One of the most famous and most oftdriven mountain roads in Salalah runs through the Ittin Hills. It will take only ten minutes from the heart of Salalah to reach the luscious green hills filled with mist and drizzle, but the drive itself is an experience. You will see vehicles parked on either sides of the road and families enjoying picnics in the foggy woods. During the evenings, smoke from barbecues blend with the mist. Hidden atop of one of the picturesque hills is Nabi Ayub’s (RA) tomb. Drive beyond the tomb and explore the nature and you can make it a round trip coming back to the roundabout near Raysut Cement Factory after passing many hairpins through some heavy fog on the newly-constructed road. The visibility on this winding road can be below 10% as the area is covered in thick haze and fog, and the going is slow as herds of cows often block the road. For a different sort of experience with better views, try to make this short journey during a clear morning or afternoon.

GEO LOCATOR—Nabi Ayub’s (RA) tomb 17°06’42.8”N, 53°59’37.8”E

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

SALALAH-SARFAIT Though it is only 160km to Sarfait from Salalah, it will take a full day for a round journey to the border village. Drive west on the Sultan Qaboos Street, have a coffee break in Mughsail, and continue until you reach Sarfait, the last Omani village on the Yemeni border. This road is a real engineering marvel, as it was carved into the cliff face of dramatic mountains and zigzags up and down 400m within 5km, with

many of the hairpins at gradients of 10-12 per cent. There are two military checkpoints on the lonely byway where you will have to show your passport. A detour left from the road will take you to Shaat where the most amazing cliffs in Oman can be found. The sheer drop is about 1km to the sea. During Khareef thick clouds and mist will cover this area, but, if you are lucky, you will still catch a glimpse of the sea

through the clouds below. Another 80km drive down the road and you will arrive in the sleepy village of Sarfait. Have lunch and enjoy the raw nature and the amazingly built road on your drive back. Be sure to stop in the beautiful Dalkut harbour village on your return journey.

GEO LOCATOR Sarfait: 16°40’25.1”N 53°06’15.5”E

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I e t young tle, but I c lling you w ay out. a n h a n o s d less a w like h young y, that we a on e , went ll, bot — shr roes. h home uthi@ feelin times g ofoma n.com

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 31 AUGUST 4, 2016

WISH LIST

Motivation (Eyeliner)

Rub Rub Rub

OMR9

(Body Scrub) OMR6

Passionate (Lipstick) OMR9

Lush Pot (Hand and Body Lotion) 240g American Cream

OMR15

(Hair Conditioner) 250g OMR11

New Shampoo Bar (Hair) OMR7.200 Enchanted

Dark Pink

(Eye Cream)

(Colour Supplement)

OMR15

OMR7.500

Ultrabland Facial Cleanser Karma

100g

(Soap) 114g

OMR13.500

OMR50 Feeling Younger (Skin Tint) OMR9

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Living The Lush Life STORY ASHISH DUBASH Peace

W

(Massage Bar) Rehab

OMR8.300

(Shampoo) 250g OMR13.400

Imperialis (Face Moisturiser) OMR16

Bubblegum (Lip Scrub) OMR6.300

Maypole (Soap) 130g OMR40

hile I was shopping at Muscat City Centre recently, something pleasant caught my fancy.

I didn’t know what it was exactly, neither did I know where it was, but I followed the fruity, fragrant trail until I found myself in front of a new shop called Lush.

The aptly named UK brand produces an aromatic line of wellness products in the form of luxurious, all-natural bath and body tonics. The premium handmade soaps, creams, and elixirs are created using the best and raw materials, placing emphasis on fresh ingredients like organic fruits and vegetables, and the highest quality herbs, flowers, and essential oils. Lush leads the cosmetics industry in combating over-packaging by running public awareness campaigns and developing products that can be sold ‘naked’ to the consumer without any packaging. And, it should come as no surprise, this social conscious company doesn’t test any of their products on animals.

The most popular item at Lush branches across the world is the ‘Karma’ soap, consisting of a mix of rare essential oils and citruses. It contains patchouli and a citrus blend for the relaxing element, while pine, lemongrass, orange oil, and lavender oil refresh and soothe the senses and the skin.

The ‘Maypole’ is an instant therapy soap made from glycerine and sorbitol (MPG free) and contains a mix of high quality essential oils and ingredients like gardenia. The composition is used by aromatherapists to treat tension and headaches.

All this natural goodness comes at a price, which the brand says is based on the quality of the ingredients in the products. Owing to the brand’s strict freshness policy, the exotic blends have a limited shelf life, making them more costly to produce.

“We believe our products are a good value, that we should make a profit, and that the customer is always right,” a brand representative explained. “The concept of Lush is romantic: Long candlelit baths, sharing showers, massage, filling the world with perfume,” all done in a sustainable, responsible way.

Lush may be a bit pricey, but it’s also the ultimate feel-good indulgence — good for the earth, good for my body and mind, with smells so sweet that they can literally lead you down new paths of discovery.

—ashishdubash@timesofoman.com

PAMPER YOURSELF

nd Facial

Lush

anser

0g

Muscat City Centre, Seeb

3.500

+968 2454 3364 Full of Grace (Serum) OMR9.700

Open from 10am-10pm Sat - Wed Ro’s Argan (Body Conditioner) 500g OMR34.500

Thurs & Fri 10am till 12 midnight lushmena.com Instagram: @lushmuscatcitycentre

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An upgrade that delivers an instant power boost and lasts a lifetime, replacing your paper air filter with a performance, oiled air filter, is one of the smartest ways to get more out of your car’s mill.

STORY FAISAL MOHAMMED NAIM

PUMP UP YOUR CAR’s LUNGS

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ust like for we humans, air is essential for an automobile, and breathing well is key to performing well. At its most basic level, an engine is an air pump — more air entering the engine increases the efficiency of the combustion process which creates more horsepower and torque. Though factory filters will do the job just fine, performance air filters like K&N and BMC, which are oiled air filters designed to deliver both high air intake and superior dirt protection, can give your car’s performance an instant boost.

Easy to Care For Made for a wide range of vehicles, both two and four wheelers, the performance air filters are washable and reusable. They can be easily cleaned and oiled as many times as reasonably necessary, and perform to specification perfectly up to 100 washes.

It is recommended to check the oiled filter (K&N) every 50,000km, though under general driving conditions the filter will not require cleaning until 80,000km of continuous use.

More frequent service may be necessary however, under extreme conditions such as off-road use where dusty conditions are prominent.

The best part is any and everybody can perform the periodic 80,000km service in under an hour. Yes, it’s that easy.

Legal and Warranty-Friendly The stock replacement K&N and BMC filters are designed to replace the originally installed air filter, and fit into the factory air box perfectly sealed with no air leakage. The filters are also emissions legal and do not void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Go with the Pros A sincere piece of advice is to avoid cheap copies and imitations. Dirt protection is as critical to engine performance as air flow. A K&N or any other premium air filter look-alike could provide increased airflow, but at the same time, severely compromise your engine’s dirt protection.

American performance parts manufacturer K&N Engineering has been manufacturing performance air filters for over 30 years. The company uses an oil-impregnated, cotton-gauze filter element surrounded by a wire mesh. The cotton material lets air pass through it easily while trapping dust particles in the sticky, oilcovered fibres. The design is superior to a paper element as it allows for superior airflow while maintaining effective air filtration.

On average, the K&N replacement air filters are designed to provide up to a 4% increase in horsepower and torque, though the amount of performance gain varies from vehicle to vehicle based on the overall factory air intake design.

The greater the restriction created by the stock paper element, the greater the potential performance gain when you switch.

—faisal@timesofoman.com

Authorised distributor for K&N filters in Oman: Fairtrade Auto, Al Khuwair +968 9744 5272 *Filters are available for all major car and motorcycle brand models

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Boost Performance and Save Money While the performance filters are an added expense initially, they prove to be substantially cheaper than OEMs in the long run. Check this, a K&N filter comes with a 10-year/1.6 million km limited warranty, with 80,000km cleaning interval, which is essentially made to last the lifetime of your vehicle. Compare this to the OEM air filters, which must be replaced every 15-20,000km, about every six months.

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JUST FOR KICKS STORY SHRUTHI NAIR

I

was at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex to catch a glimpse of a sport that I couldn’t even spell properly. I loved playing games in school, but was never exceptionally good at any in particular. Hence I only have a vague idea about the rules of play for most sports, but I knew enough to see that the game taking place on the field in front of me that day was strange. Girls and guys used their hands, legs, and bodies to move the ball down the pitch, yet the referee didn’t blow his whistle.

Though new to me, Gaelic games have existed for centuries. The four most popular Gaelic sports still played today in Ireland are handball, rounders, hurling (camogie for girls), and Gaelic football.

Gaelic handball is a sport similar to American handball or squash, while rounders involves hitting a small ball with a round-ended stick. Hurling is a slightly more aggressive game played with sticks and a ball called sliotar and is said to have originated with legend of Cork Collin who, upon engaging in a fight with his enemy, came face to face with his enemy’s dog. Apparently, the man used hurling techniques to get past the dog, and his strategic moves mor-

phed into a sport. The most popular of the games, the one which I was watching at the Sports Complex, was Gaelic football, a sport with an interesting history all it’s own.

In the days before TV or other modern forms of entertainment, people in Ireland were desperately looking for recreational activities to keep themselves busy. In pursuit of a hobby, they started using a hog’s bladder and kicking and throwing it around. Slowly, but steadily this kick-the-bladder game evolved and by the late 19th century, an organised sport that was played and followed throughout Ireland had developed.

The official association for Gaelic games was founded in 1884 in a hotel called Hayes in Tipperary, Ireland, and soon there after, every village, town, and parish in Ireland had a Gaelic football team.

Gaelic football is a sport played by both men and women (separately). It’s a cross between football, basketball, and rugby and is a physically challenging sport that requires immense amounts of mental and physical strength and discipline. To this day, whenever there is a Gaelic match in Ireland, the national stadium is always packed, with an average of 85,000 spec-

tators filling the stands. The finals and semi-finals are also watched from home by at least 5 million viewers.

In 2012, the Oman GAA was founded in Muscat by Steph McQuaid with the support of the Middle East county board.

Steph had been living in Oman for a few years, and after gaging the interest, she learned that many of her Omani friends were interested in taking up her hometown sport. Since they were all newbies, she didn’t want them to be intimidated by the aggressive, experienced players that were already participating in organised matches in the region, so she founded Oman GAA to provide a welcoming environment for all the sports aspirants, irrespective of their nationality or background, to learn the sport.

Many of the current players have a background in football and basketball, and were totally unaware of the Gaelic game before joining. And though games are still held for beginners, the Oman Gaelic Football team is becoming a force to be reckoned with.

The first Gaelic Football World Games was held last year in Abu Dhabi, in which Oman participated, and this year, the second World Games will be held in the

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RULES OF THE GAME Gaelic football is a game that is played in a pitch that is slightly bigger than a soccer field with a ball that is smaller than a soccer ball. Players in the game are allowed to carry the ball in their hands, kick it, or hand-pass it. He or she must bounce or solo the ball after every four steps. In a ‘solo’ the player has to drop the ball onto his or her foot and kick it back to the hand. Though the game may allow for a little physical contact, it is not as aggressive as rugby. Shoulderto-shoulder contact is permitted while slapping the ball out of an opponent’s hand. However, players cannot punch, trip, pull, or cause any physical damage to the opponent on purpose.

Gaelic football has a slightly different scoring system. Honestly, it did remind me a little of Quidditch. A goal is scored when the ball crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar, while a point is scored when the ball goes over the crossbar. A goal is the equivalent of three points.

LEARN MORE Oman GAA +968 9918 5517 facebook.com/omangaapage

—shruthi@timesofoman.com

SCHEDULE FOR WORLD GAMES 2016 GROUP A: Canada Eastern - Europe - Middle East - NACB Chicago - Argentina GROUP B: Germany - France - Oman GAA - NACB Eire Og San Francisco - Beijing GROUP C: Brittany - Galicia - New York - South Africa Gaels TUESDAY, AUGUST 9 2 Groups – 2 of 5 (Group A & Group B) and 1 of 4 (Group C) playing on a round robin basis – 26 games.

Middle East team consists of 14 players from Oman GAA All 15 players of Oman GAA are Omani and from Oman GAA WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10 CUP Competition: Top 3 in the Group A & Group B and Top 2 in the Group C (8 teams) qualify for CUP - forming 2 groups of 4 teams (Group D & Group E) to play in a round robin series. – 12 Games. Winners of both groups qualify for FINAL. SHIELD Competition: Bottom 2 in Group A, Group B & Group C form a group of 6 to play in a round robin series (Group F) – 15 games. Winners and runner-up qualify for SHIELD FINAL. THURSDAY, AUGUST 11 SHIELD Competition: Final - 1st Group F v 2nd Group F FRIDAY, AUGUST 12 CUP Competition: Final: 1st Group D v 1st Group E (Croke Park)

PHOTOGRAPY: PROVIDED

motherland of Gaelic games, at Croke Park in Ireland, a dream for these competitors.

The Oman team is being trained in fitness, strategy, and technique by Irish coach, Mark. Incredibly, the players, who were all from different countries, including Palestine, Jordan, Pakistan, Sudan, Morocco, Korea, Syria and of course, Oman, were shouting things to one another in their own languages, everyone completely understood each other and followed without a hint of miscommunication. Even during the warm-ups the counts were given in a different languages each round. Even from the sidelines, I could feel their camaraderie.

They felt like a tight team, like a family.

I managed to speak to one of the most experienced Omani players on the team, Salim Al Habsi, whose eyes never left the field throughout our little chat, despite the fact that it was at 11pm, and he had just finish a strenuous training and practice match.

“I randomly joined the team four years back. I thought it was a weird sport at first,” he laughed. Now this former traditional footballer feels this game and this team are his driving forces. “I had the chance to play with my team in the world games last year, which was an incredible experience.”

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FIRST LOOK

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MC’s AIc CNeIoN VOLUME 10 ISSUE 31 AUGUST 4, 2016

STORY SWATI DASGUPTA | PHOTOGRAPHY SHABIN E.

If I say Muscat is gradually growing up to be a foodie’s paradise, I am sure I won’t be outrightly dismissed. After all, seeing the growing number of multinational and local food chains mushrooming here, the claim is certainly not an exaggeration. Different cuisines from all corners of the globe have traversed many-a-kilometre to tantalise the ever-more-sophisticated palates of the Sultanate, the latest of which has arrived directly from Africa.

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“THIS IS THE FIRST PROPER, PREMIUM AFRICAN RESTAURANT IN MUSCAT AND WE HAVE TRIED OUR BEST TO GIVE IT AN AUTHENTIC FEEL”

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rom the wilds of Africa, the pan-continental cuisine being served at Savannah BBQ is a delight not just for African expatriates, but also for food connoisseurs in Muscat who have thus far had limited gastronomic opportunities to taste the foods of this diverse area of the world.

As I walked inside the swanky Panorama Mall in Bousher to check out the African cuisine at Savannah BBQ, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The wide open space at the entrance beckoning me into the warm, rustic interior, which had clearly been designed with immense precision and care.

From the entry point to the farthest corner of the restaurant, various artefacts, be it traditional furniture or the ceremonial masks, dolls, and figurines, or imported chandeliers, were visible.

The staff, dressed in traditional attire, added to the Africa essence of the place.

“This is the first proper premium African restaurant in Muscat and we have tried our best to give it an authentic feel of Africa, from the décor to the staff,” said Lee Ashton Hess, African native and manager of Savannah BBQ. Wood dominates the entire interior décor at Savannah. Lee explained that it has been liberally used as it’s very typical in African environments, where wood is easily available. But what really caught my eye were the rustic chairs, which are actually traditional drums that have been converted to seating.

“A lot of effort and research has gone into this. Each and every piece of furniture and artefact has been brought from Mombasa with individual specifications,” said Lee. The ambiance was wonderful, but what about the food?

“Though we have a few South African dishes, our focus is more on cuisine from Eastern Africa, which is spice centric and for which the use of chillies is predominant,” Lee explained. But for those craving South African BBQ, should fear not as a huge charcoal barbecue grill has been set up inside the kitchen to ensure an authentic taste. “We do not use electric grill at all,” Lee assured me.

I sat down to sample the cuisine for myself. I started with Savannah Salad and Pweza Salad. The former is a salad of freshly tossed coloured peppers drizzled in a cream sauce, while the latter is a far more interesting salad of barbecued octopus on fresh greens topped with mango and strawberry slices. Superbly fresh, both salads set the mood for the dishes to follow.

The mains include ‘Batat’, herb potatoes in cream sauce; ‘Viazi Rojo’, a chunky potato soup flavoured with green mango; BBQ lamb; ‘Pill Pill Fries’, which are French fries smothered in a spicy tomato masala; ‘Kuku Mhogo’, a barbecued chicken served with fried cassava; ‘Ngisi’, a BBQ calamari served on roasted bell pepper; or ‘Kamba Choma’, barbecue prawns with lemon butter sauce.

Along with the mains, I was served Ugali, a white polenta that is a staple of

East African cuisine. Known to be the most common dish in Kenya, Ugali is typically served with seafood, meat, or mashed vegetables. Made of cornmeal, millet flour, and cassava flour boiled in water or milk until it reaches a soft, mushy, dough-like consistency.

It was my first experience with Ugali and, totally ignorant of the right way of having it, I dove into it with my fork and spoon, only to learn later about the proper way to enjoy it. To save you from my faux pas, here it is: Make a small ball with a portion from the dough, form an indentation with your thumb, and use the dough ball to scoop up the other dishes. Mine, a seafood dish of prawns cooked in a coconut-based curry mixed with spinach, would have been perfect for this scooping method.

Delighted as I had been with the subtle flavours of the Ugali, I was eager to try the next dish: An exotic Pilau rice served with lamb. This specialty is from the Swahili region where rice is flavoured with several spices and condiments including garlic, ginger, cardamom, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, and broth. The dish was served with fried onions and cashews along with a curried lamb. The pilau is perfect for those who are fond of fiery spices.

Totally satiated and full I didn’t have room for anything more except the desserts (there is always room for dessert), but I was tempted by so many other unusual delicacies like Babooti, a South African dish made of mince beef topped with a savoury egg custard baked to perfection and served with rice; or while Mishkaki (like Omani mishkak),

a barbecued lamb served with fried bananas and a tangy tamarind sauce; or Ndizi, a green banana cooked with meat and coconut sauce.

For dessert we chose Mandazi, a deep-fried African bread topped with cream and fruits. It was a subtle, perfect ending to a wonderful meal full of discoveries.

As tantalising as the flavours of the dishes at Savannah, are the plating and the presentation. The food was not just tasty, but colourful, beautiful, and artful, too.

If food, presentation, and ambiance aren’t reason enough to visit, on weekend evenings, guests can also enjoy live African music, to which the waiters dance. What a grand addition to our city’s growing world of global cuisine.

—swati@timesofoman.com

SAVANNAH BBQ 1st Floor, Panorama Mall Bousher + 968 2459 1936 @savannahbbq15 DON’T MISS • Pweza Salad, OMR4.100 • Ugali, OMR6.800 • Pilau with lamb OMR5.900 GO • • •

FOR Authentic African decor Live African music (weekends) Fantastic East and South African food

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While most of their compatriots play with toys, Hood and Faisal Al Busaidi can be found on muddy tracks fine-tuning their motorcross skills in hopes of becoming champions one day.

BIKER

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STORY: T.A. AMEERUDHEEN PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF OAA

T

hey listened to their dad carefully before taking their bikes out of the trailer attached to the family’s 4WD vehicle. “You have to be careful at the turns, else you will fall down,” their father warned. Hood and Faisal nodded in agreement.

The duo began putting on their protective gear — long sleeve shirts, gloves, body armour, and thick boots — which gave them a serious look that contrasted sharply with the boyish innocence of the young pair. Hood is just 14 years old and Faisal is only 10.

Suited-up and ready to go, mannerisms, they waved excitedly to their father, Salim Al Busaidi, before heading to the starting gate of the motocross arena at the Oman Automobile Association (OAA), where the young brothers have already begun to make their name on the regional motocross scene.

Salim brought his boys to the motocross arena for the first time in 2014, and Hood and Faisal were hooked after their first ride. “I was so passionate about motorcycles when I was a child, but I couldn’t fulfil my ambition,” Salim explained as he watched the boys. “So, when my children fell in love with bikes, I didn’t stop them.

Instead, I bought them 50cc bikes and took them to practice sessions. The domestic competition was on at that time, and the organisers allowed the talented youngsters to participate in two rounds. Twelve years old, at the

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 31 AUGUST 4, 2016

AFTER EACH TITLE WIN, MY FRIENDS USED TO ASK ME QUESTIONS ABOUT BIKING...

BUT I USED TO DODGE THEIR QUESTIONS BY SAYING IT WAS MY BROTHER WHO WON time, Hood took part in junior category, while eight-year-old Faisal competed in the PeeWee section (a category for children between 6 and 8 years).”

To everyone’s amazement, the new riders won several of their rounds. The siblings didn’t hesitate to enter the next domestic season that began a couple of months later.

In preparation for the competition, the boys became members of the Jebel Ali Motocross Arena in Dubai to sharpen their skills. “I took them to Dubai for training and competition whenever I got time. The fight is tough in Dubai and I think it helped them understand their weak areas,” Salim said.

The youngsters are now training under renowned motocross champion, Ben Menzies, who is based in the United

Arab Emirates. And Ben has high hopes for his wards.

“When I met them last year, the first thing I taught them was to shift the gear.

From then on, they showed tremendous improvement. They are very talented. I am happy that they are following my instructions,” said Ben. According to Ben, the duo’s calibre is evident from their progress. “Within a year after their start, they are in the mid-pack. They will take one more year to become professionals. But I can see them reaching there. They are focussed and wanted to do it. And their dad is very supportive.”

“My aim is to become a champion rider of the Gulf region,” Hood said, as his brother cut in. “I discuss the difficulties during trainings and competitions

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with my brother. We support each other to realise our dreams. But, I love to compete with Hood during training sessions ... even though I haven’t been able to beat him so far,” Faisal said.

Hood and Faisal have a busy schedule like their peers. They have to attend the school, tuition and Holy Quran classes.

“Motocross is just one of their activities. I never forced them to concentrate on motorsport. So whenever they feel like riding, I take them to the track,” said Salim.

The pair train only when their father, who works with the Petroleum Development of Oman, is around. Otherwise, they spend their time pursuing their passion for sports with games of football with their friends.

“I am very much concerned about their safety. So I inspect their bikes thoroughly before practice sessions and competitions. Besides, I ensure that the boys have put on the safety gears, including the overall, boots, elbow support, neck support, chest protector and goggles, properly. It is a dangerous sport and riders should always use protective paraphernalia,” Salim explained. “We will focus on their physical fitness during the summer holidays. I will hire someone to train them in jogging and cycling.”

After the boys began to win titles, they were surprised by the attention

they started to get at school. “After each title win, my friends used to ask me questions about biking. They knew about my success through newspapers.

But I used to dodge their questions by saying it was my brother who won the trophy,” Faisal laughed. But, Faisal was quick to point out that they didn’t fall in love with the sport for the praise or attention, but for the challenge of this intensive sport, and for the way he feels it has made them stronger in every aspect of their lives.

“A rider should never lose his focus,” Faisal explained, “he has to do calculations during the jump and while negotiating the turns. It makes us tough physically and mentally.”

—hiweekend@timesofoman.com

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TAKE UP MOTORCROSS THE TRACK Oman Automobile Association (OAA) +968 2451 0239 +968 2451 0630 omanauto.org

THE SHOP Honda +968 2456 0391 +968 2469 6856 omasco.com

THE CLUB Ride Oman rideoman.com email: rideoman@gmail.com

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Fashion Show at Rumba Lattina dubbed ‘A Night Behind the Mask’, featured ladies and gents in a variety of masks and unique designs at this design event and afterparty. Photography O. K. Mohammed Ali

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Alfardan Motors, the official importer of Ferrari in the Sultanate, hosted an immersive event showcasing the aspiration and luxury values associated with the Ferrari lifestyle at its Muscat showroom where clients were offered a unique glimpse at the pre-owned vehicle selection of California T, California 30, FF, and F430 models.

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The sixth Omani honey market, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (Honey Bees Department), took place at the Muscat Grand Mall. Photography: Talib Al Wahaibi

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Domino’s Pizza, Ruwi organised a staff appreciation meet.

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 31 AUGUST 4, 2016

SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY Fill empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column, and area.

Level | Very Easy

Level | Easy

1 7

6 3

8 2

9 4

9

5

9

2

7

3

8

1

5

7

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3

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9

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9 3

2 5

2

3 8

8

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6

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7

1

9

7 3

1

Level | Difficult

7

5 4

4

2

2

1 6

3

5

3

1

6

1

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8

5 1

6

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1

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4

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8 6

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2 8

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9

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8 3

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9 1

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7

Level | Moderate

3

7 1

2

1 6

1

1

4 6

8 3

3 4

1

6 9

2

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4 4

6

9 3

VISIT US AT FACEBOOK.COM/HIWEEKLY FOR THE SOLUTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PUZZLE