FACT Abu Dhabi September 2014

An Artistic Celebration of Arab Culture fact magazine

September 2014. VOL 1 ISSUe 4. AeD 10

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Contents 10. COMP CORNER 14. FACT FINDS 20. DIARY DATES 23. THE BURQA LADY 30. GLOBETROTTER 42. BENTLEY GT V8 S 48. DRIFT SCHOOL 55. FASHION FOCUS 74. TOUCH OF BEAUTY 77. CHEF’S TABLE 82. VENUE REVIEW 88. HOTEL HOTSPOT 93. SPA REVIEW 96. HEALTH & WELLNESS 4.

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N AV I G AT I NG N E W WATE RS Sailing the Dhow, Abu Dhabi, UAE

A S E N S E O F P L AC E . RO S E WO O D A B U D H A B I . +971 (0) 2 813 5555

| abudhabi.reservations@rosewoodhotels.com | rosewoodhotels.com

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THE EDITOR FACT Magazine Abu Dhabi Edition September 2014 Volume 1, Issue 4

Creative Culture “I am sure that only art will bring together all the peoples of the world.” – Ousmane Dia. Check out our Fashion Focus starting on p55,

I

with a lowdown of all the hottest autumn trends

for the season ahead. There’s everything from the runways of the world’s biggest fashion weeks to

getting designer looks from high street brands. I remember when I first arrived in the Gulf

18 months ago (though it seems like years ago!), and one of the first things that stood out for me was local interest in the arts, especially arts that

An Artistic Celebration of Arab Culture September 2014. VOL 1 ISSUe 4. AeD 10

front.indd 1

8/28/14 3:19 PM

Chief Executive Officer Greg Hughes Editor-in-Chief Shabana Adam (shabana@factlive.com) Group Motoring Editor Tony Sidgwick (tony@factlive.com)

can guarantee that this will be your ultimate style

Editorial Assistant Pallavi Ramesh (editorial@factlive.com)

savvy needn’t be a chore for all you guys and girls

Creative Director Paula Leal

guide for the upcoming months, so being fashion(shopping trip anyone?).

Speaking of celebrating culture and creativity,

Senior Graphic Designer Raquel Henriques

was inspired by Middle Eastern culture. It could’ve

let’s talk food! We all love eating out and Abu Dhabi

Design & Photography Rashed Bin Daina

video installations, calligraphy, textiles, or even

kid on the block in Fact Finds on p14, where we

Production & Distribution Manager Neil Mahmood

been an exhibition with paintings, sculptures,

photographs, as long as it captured and celebrated Arab culture, there was always a crowd.

I also noticed that the Gulf is packed with

amazing, undiscovered, artistic talent. So, this month, we wanted to show appreciation, and

celebrate, the creativity of Arab culture. And you may have noticed from the cover, that we found the perfect person to help us do this. The Burqa

is buzzing with dining hotspots. Check out the new dine at The Foundry in Southern Sun hotel; then

turn to p77 for Chef ’s Table and a behind-the-scenes peek into the kitchen at CuiScene, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr; next up is the Venue Review at Amici,

Yas Viceroy on p82, followed by a number of great foodie happenings that you can experience in the city this month (p85 & p87).

After all the Abu Dhabi Summer Season fun,

Regional Key Account Manager Chelsea Copenhaver Contributors Apple Sharma Nick Langmead

Lady is her artist name. She has a humble but far-

we’re ready for a more chilled-out September and

Advertising Enquiries Email: chelsea@nansgroup.com

across her work on instagram (thanks to hashtags!).

coming up over the next few months (who’s ready

Printed By Awal Press

reaching following on social media, and we came Sara’s work embodies Middle-Eastern

culture down to a tee, as she sketches and paints

iconic subjects of the Arab world, with a specific interest in women who wear the burqa. Now,

I don’t want to give too much away about this talented lady right here, as you can read more about her on p23. I will, however, take this

opportunity to say a huge thank you to Sara for

this beautiful cover. We love it, and know that the readers will be mesmerised too!

Staying on the artistic route, we’re also

celebrating the creativity of fashion this month.

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some relaxation time before the many great events for the film festival and F1?!). So, make a cuppa, put your feet up, and enjoy this issue of FACT!

English breakfast, one sugar, and a splash of milk for me, please…

Shabana Adam Editor-in-Chief shabana@factlive.com

All Rights Reserved. Opinion expressed within does not necessarily represent the opinion of the publisher. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy of the information within this publication.

However, FACT M.E. FZ-LLC cannot accept legal responsibility for any erroneous content or omissions.

FACT M.E. FZ-LLC, Office 907E, TwoFour54, Park Rotana Complex, Salam Street, P.O. Box 769328, Abu Dhabi, UAE License Number: D.L. 361/14/A

Twitter: @FACTAbuDhabi Instagram: @factmagazine

ABU DHABI Marina Mall 02 4916594, Abu Dhabi Mall 02 645 0315 Fatouh Al Khair 02 634 5037, Dalma Mall 02 4430455 DUBAI Mall of the Emirates 04 341 0270, The Dubai Mall 04 339 8786, Mirdif City Centre 04 284 3634, Dubai Festival City Mall 04 232 6185, Al Ghurair Centre 04 295 3423 Dubai Marina Mall 04 399 7068, Dubai Outlet Mall 04 425 5921 AL AIN Bawadi Mall 03 784 0912 DOHA Landmark, Lagoona Mall BAHRAIN Bahrain City Centre, Seef Mall KUWAIT The Avenues Mall, Souq Sharq SAUDI Mall of Arabia, Red Sea Mall, Mall of Dahran, Al Salaam Mall, Rashid Mall, Basateen Mall

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SOCIAL MEDIA

mash up

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND MAYBE YOU’LL BE HERE NEXT MONTH! @FACTAbudhabi

Tweets

Sherry Woo @sherrymint So much rage just because Facebook is down. Welcome back tweet peeps #downtime #firstworldproblems Danna Lorch @DannaWrites Just wrote a poem containing the words: pepperoni, toothpick, and spaceship.

AUGUST 2014. VOL 1 ISSUE 3. AED 10

FACT Abu Dhabi @FACTAbuDhabi

Your one-stop culture fix for life in Abu Dhabi | First for local talent, arts, fashion, dining & the coolest events in the city | Instagram: @factmagazine

ISSUU.COM

21,949

reads of our August issue’s online edition!

Khaleesi @FatenFraidoon If you ran like your mouth, you’d be in good shape.

Fatima AlMahroos @Fatima_mahroos I have a problem called I can’t eat less than 3 cupcakes.

Jules @Ratalal Offered to bartend for a party. When the organizer mentioned pre-mix, I knew we weren’t on the same page.

FACEBOOK

1,400

likes from dedicated FACT readers!

APP

2,520

downloads of our interactive app!

Khaliji_Woes @Khaliji_Woes I have post-traumatic stress disorder from my father’s driving. #khaliji_woes #arabproblems 9GAG @9GAG I love when strangers smile at me and I smile back and we have that nice stranger smiling moment.

Find Rashed?

He’s hidden somewhere in this issue, also available to download.

Find FACT’s dapper designer chilling somewhere in this issue and you could WIN a dinner for two at The Foundry in Southern Sun Hotel worth AED500. Look close and hard because Rashed will be perched on one of the editorial pages waiting to be discovered! Email editorial@factlive.com with the page number you think he’s on, your name and contact details! Good Luck!

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WIN

instagram & e-card

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COMPETITIONS

COMP CORNER FACT has some fabulous giveaways this month and here’s how you can enter for a chance to win…

WIN! A 90-minute Anantara Signature Massage at Eastern Mangroves Hotel

by Anantara After visiting one of the biggest spas in the city, we were left refreshed and relaxed! We all know just how important it is to take some time out and indulge yourself away from the city chaos, and there’s no better place to do this than the impressive Anantara Spa at Eastern Mangroves. This month we’ve got a 90-minute Anantara Signature Massage up for grabs! To enter, all you have to do is turn to page 93 and have a read of our spa visit, and find the answer to the question below:

what is the name of the hammam treatment that we experienced at anantara spa ?

WIN! A Bruch For Four At Fairmont Bab Al Bahr This month we had the chance to savour some of the delicious and creative food that makes up the popular seafood night and Friday Brunch at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr hotel. After meeting Chef Chandramouli Perur at CuiScene restaurant, it’s safe to say that FACT is a huge fan of the food served at this lovely venue. Now, one lucky reader can go and experience the exciting Friday Brunch at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr with three friends. To enter all you have to do is turn to page 77, read our chef’s table, and find the answer to the question below:

NAME ONE OF THE DISHES THAT CHEF CHANDRAMOULI PREPARED FOR US...

Send your answer(s) along with your name and number, with ‘FACT AD Comp’ in the subject line, to editorial@factlive.com

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Trivia

FUN FACTs. Call it useless information

or a bit of fun trivia, just enjoy reading it with a cuppa…

If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days, you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee.

Humans are the only primates that don’t have pigment in the palms of their hands.

Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks otherwise it will digest itself

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35 percent of the people who use personal ads for dating are already married.

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Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour.

The ant can lift 50 times its own weight, can pull 30 times its own weight and always falls over on its right side when intoxicated.

Every time you lick a stamp, you’re consuming 1/10 of a calorie.

™

Elephants

are the only mammals that can’t jump.

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It’s possible to lead a cow upstairs... but not downstairs.

The sentence “the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” uses every letter in the alphabet.

(Developed by Western Union to Test telex/two communications)

40 INTERNATIONAL BRANDS fact magazine NOW OPEN AT BAWABAT AL SHARQ MALL, GROUND FLOOR, ABU DABHI

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CHECK IT OUT

Fact Finds The Foundry at Southern Sun

Discover more of Abu Dhabi with FACT Finds. Every month we’ll bring you a new hotspot, our favourite happening, eatery, activity or interesting find from around the city.

It’s the new hotel on the block, and boy is it

going to give the competition a tough fight; Southern Sun Abu Dhabi is a stylish and contemporary property with some excellent dining venues on offer. Being the meat-loving crowd that we are in the FACT office, this month’s find is the stunning restaurant, The Foundry, located in this warm and welcoming modern hotel.

We’ll be honest, prior to visiting The Foundry, we were expecting a small, mediocrestyle steakhouse with a few signature dishes and the usual menu options. But, this was a new place to dine, and you know how it goes, 14.

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if it’s new we’ve got to be the first to try it!

Low and behold, as we stepped out of the elevators onto the floor where The Foundry was located, we were immediately blown away.

With astonishingly high ceilings, sophisticated water features, big sliding doors and a variety of comfortable seating options, the whole floor was dedicated to this incredible eatery.

The venue, as the friendly manager explained to us, doubles as two restaurants in one. By day, The Foundry serves up breakfast and lunch, both buffet and a la carte style, and at night, it quite literally transforms into a chic and elegant steakhouse restaurant plating up some of the finest cuts of meat in Abu Dhabi.

Though it’s essentially a fine-dining steakhouse, there was nothing pretentious about the service, the setting or the food. Now, we’re not architects or interior designers but after walking around this large restaurant, it was clear that a lot of thought had been put into the design and comfort values.

We love that there are several seating options from private dining to comfy sofa seats, and even ceiling high pod-style tables, perfect for a more intimate dinner experience.

Every guest is catered for; from families, couples, groups of friends and even solo diners.

Our favourite seating area where we chose to sit for the evening, was a HUGE round table with throne-high, garden-style, cushioned chairs, surrounded by free flowing water – it was, seriously, a sight for sore eyes!

Being handed the menu was a treat; it was simple and easy-to-navigate with just the right amount of choices. It was nice to choose from a menu that wasn’t overwhelming. And though it’s meat-heavy, there were a few seafood and veggie options too.

GO: Dine at The Foundry in Southern Sun Hotel Abu Dhabi.

Dinner is served from 7pm to 11pm and the dress code is smart casual. Call +971 2818 4888 for more information or to make a reservation.

For starters we had Seared Diver Scallops and the Tasting of Hand Crafted Burrata. We loved the chilli-mango salsa kick on the taste buds when trying the scallop, and the buffalo mozzarella cheese was to-die-for!

Then, round came the bread and butter trolley (yes, trolley!). To our foodie delight, there were scrumptious (and rather unusual) choices of butter. We went for the lobster, hazlenut, sun dried tomato, and garlic with herbs - four fabulous flavours, and a variety of breads to accompany. This was a really nice added touch to the dining experience!

For mains, it had to be steak! In this case, we opted for the Blackmore, Australia 9+ Wagyu Tenderloin with gratin potatoes; and the Milk Fed Veal Tenderloin from Peter’s Farm, Holland with truffle potato mash on the side.

Each steak was cooked exactly to the temperature we wanted; medium/ well. One of the standouts here was the

signature steak sauce, which beautifully complemented the juicy meat!

For dessert it had to be the Valhrona Warm Chocolate Fondant with vanilla bean ice cream, and the Deconstructed Cheese Cake with Graham cracker and forest berry compote. Yummy doesn’t even begin to cover the lip-smacking goodness of these two delectable choices.

The best way to describe our evening at The Foundry is like a journey; from the moment you step in and pick where to sit, to being explained the sophisticated menu by knowledgeable staff, then choosing your butter and bread, picking out your choice of steak (and steak knife!), all the way down to the last spoonful of dessert, it truly was a culinary adventure and we’ll surely be back to take another ride, very soon.

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SCOOP

Around the world ...Doing the UAE Proud

Bringing you the latest news of local and fellow Emiratis and their influence around the world... tell us your news, or share your finds with us on twitter @FACTAbuDhabi!

France Five Emirati students are currently in Paris for an intensive course at La FĂŠmis School. After a rigorous selection process, the aspiring filmmakers are taking part in a five-week curriculum of creative workshops, designed to give them a complete understanding of the roles and tasks that are part of filmmaking today. The students will be taught filmmaking theory and practical skills by top tutors in the industry.

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UAE Buzz

United Kingdom

A big congrats to Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), which has scooped two awards at the annual Association of Event Organisers’ (AEO) awards ceremony, held in London. The high profile industry awards recognised ADNEC Group-owned venues Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre as ‘Most Sustainable Exhibition and Conference Venue’ and Excel London as ‘Best Venue of the Year’.

The awards recognise the best that the global events industry has to offer. Well done ADNEC!

Love it

Free Fitness Classes

The ‘Get Driver Fit Health’ campaign is 10 action-packed weeks of sports inspired by the fitness regimes of racers! This campaign is ongoing till November 14 and aims to get residents of Abu Dhabi fit and active.

Sessions will focus on the muscle groups, cardio-conditioning, and overall body strength. The best performing man and woman will win a trip to a luxury treat in Thailand!

Hate It

Warning Against Cyber Scams

Saudi Arabia Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces led the UAE delegation to Saudi Arabia to meet King Abdullah. Along with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, they were welcomed by Prince Miteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Saeed Mohammed Al Dhaheri. They discussed regional and international developments of interest and how they could strengthen relations between the two nations.

Abu Dhabi police have warned residents against various cyber scams and ask online users to be cautious at all times when browsing.

The Crime Investigation Department has logged around 33 cyber blackmail cases during the first half of 2014 only, after police found video footage of victims in indecent situations, often a result of being lured into a calculated trap.

Can’t Believe it

Man Loses His Bag But Gets Arrested!

The story goes, an Arab guy who was in a café, noticed his purse was missing and tried searching for it, but in vain! He went to Abu Dhabi police to file a complaint, but forgot that he had a small pack of hash in the wallet. The cops found the missing wallet and he confirmed it was his!

Immediately he was arrested for using drugs and driving under the influence. *facepalm*

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HAPPENINGS

Getting Out & About This Month in Abu Dhabi

Say goodbye to boredom this month and mark your diaries with these all-important dates. We’ve put together a calendar packed with happenings just for you! This is what FACT recommends (and you can still find more throughout the mag!).

03 0610 13 15 wednesday

saturday

wednesday

saturday

monday

Special Summer Events at Al Forsan International Sports Resort

Yas Island’s Coolest Summer Ever

Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition at ADNEC

Afternoon Tea at Tea Lounge, St. Regis Abu Dhabi

Lunch AT THE Beach House, Park Hyatt Hotel & Villas

Spend your day enjoying the festivities with summer at Al Forsan.

There’s an array of sports activities, entertainment, delicious cuisine, kids summer camp fun, surprises and lots more.

Great for families, friends and anyone interested in the exciting culture of the UAE!

Enjoy a summer adventure at Yas Island!

Swing by your favourite hotels and attractions at Yas Island and ask for a copy of the Yas Summer Special booklet, featuring 2 for 1 vouchers for attractions, spa visits and restaurants across Yas Island. A day out needn’t be a chore anymore!

This exhibition is one of Arabia’s most popular; visitors can marvel the beauty of the saluki and falcons, participate in camel auctions, and art and coffeemaking competitions.

There are several other hunting and equestrian activities on offer too for enthusiasts!

A traditional English experience, here a Tea Sommelier prepares signature infusions according to your preference and palate.

Your chosen blend is mixed, brewed and served along with delectable finger sandwiches and savouries - delightful!

Overlooking the waters of Saadiyat beach, this beautiful restaurant serves delicious homemade dishes from the Mediterranean, prepared family-style and accompanied by a selection of vinos, sangrias and cocktails.

Enjoy a family lunch from 12noon to 4pm.

Call +971 2556 8555 for more information.

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Visit www.yasisland.ae for more information.

Call +971 2444 6900 for more information.

Call +971 2694 4444 for more information.

Call +971 2407 1138 for more information.

17 20 24 27 30 wednesday

saturday

wednesday

saturday

TUESDAY

chic lady show Abu Dhabi at ADNEC

Chic Home International Furniture & Decor Exhibition at ADNEC

Sweet Indulgence at Piano Lounge, InterContinental Abu Dhabi

Arabic Delights at Barouk, Crowne Plaza Yas Island

Express Lunch at Lemon Tree, Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi

This event is a sign of beauty and fashion in the city! High quality local and international participants display their distinguished designs with daily fashion shows and stands. Visitors have a wide variety of fashion to explore and satisfy their trend craze!

If you plan to refurbish your home and need some cool home decor ideas, this exhibition is a must-visit. On showcase will be the latest furniture and interior designs, lighting, kitchen and bathrooms, carpet and lifestyle and garden products. Yay, interiors!

Indulge in Chocolate and Cheese heaven, every Wednesday from 6pm to 10pm with Dolce Vita Duo performing for a lively evening. Priced at AED125++ including vintage grape and bubbly.

Enjoy an evening filled with an authentic Arabic ambience at Barouk.

Revel in delicious mezze, mixed grills, and Fish Tagine, with a talented Oud player creating a relaxing dining atmosphere for guests to enjoy.

Revel in the Express lunch at Lemon Tree which offers a quick (45 minutes!) and delicious meal for AED55. The restaurant offers guests a variety of cuisines, which include Italian, French and Spanish. Hello food!

Visit www.al-hader.com for more information.

Visit www.al-hader.com for more information.

Call +971 2666 6888 for more information.

Call +971 2656 3064 for more information.

Call +971 2657 4888 for more information.

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REGIONAL HAPPENINGS

For those of you thinking of jetting off around the region this month, we’ve rounded up some of the best events for you to check out in our neighbouring nations…

Diary Dates

Lebanon, Beirut Art Fair Where Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Centre, Lebanon.

When September 18 to 21.

Art enthusiasts listen up! Beirut Art Fair is back for 2014 to showcase the best in creative talents of the regional and international art scene. Packed with exhibitions, conferences and workshops, this is a collector’s haven with up-to-date 20. fact magazine

information on artists, trends, galleries, publications, and institutions which make up this fast-evolving part of the art world.

This spectacular art fair covers the ME.NA. SA region, all the way from Morocco to Indonesia, bringing established artists and rising stars from all different cultures together. Go and discover the creative world and be inspired by the heritage, history and hype of these artists! If you need a culture fix this month then Lebanon awaits.

Visit www.beirut-art-fair.com for more information.

“Go and discover the creative world and be inspired by the heritage, history and hype of these artists.”

Qatar

Jordan

Gr eece

Where Qatar National Convention Centre, Doha When September 4

Where Dead Sea, Jordan When September 7 to November 7. From 8am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday for JD250, including video and photos.

Where Thessaloniki, Greece When September 17 & 19 to 21.

Skills, thrills and a sense of adventure and adrenalin is what you’ll need for this!

SkyDive Dubai is heading to Jordan again to give you the highest rush at the lowest point at the Dead Sea. This could be your excuse to visit Jordan and check out some of the beautiful local sites and welcoming culture. OR, it could be your excuse to go SkyDiving! Either way, go and get your travel fix this month with a visit to Jordan. Email info@skydivejordan.com for more info.

Ok, so maybe not quite the closest destination but we thought this one was well worth a mention. Based on this year’s programme, Reworks Festival didn’t break its stride. The 2014 lineup is possibly the most exciting, and most ambitious yet.

Expect to see big name acts like Jessie Ware, And.Id, Ben Klock, Dreamachinery, Ison, Viton, and Nina Kraviz, to name but a few of the stars taking to the stage. The festival is known for its reasonable priced passes, thrilling atmosphere and fun crowd vibes! Visit reworks.gr/en for more info.

The Bellamy Brothers Live

Playing live for the first time in the Arabian Gulf are Nashville, Tennesse country/pop stars, Bellamy Brothers.

Mark the date, book your seats and take a deep breath as they perform their world-famous hit singles like, “Let your love flow”, “More of you”, “Lovers live longer”, and “Old Hippie”, to name but a few big numbers! After hitting the music scene in 1976, The Bellamys ruled the charts and jammed for audiences with their patented blend of rock/ country music. A show not to miss!

Visit www.qatarconvention.com for more info.

SkyDive at The Dead Sea

Reworks International Music Festival

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Make the most of your holidays and business trips to the Kingdom of Bahrain this summer at Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain with our “Summer Sunshine” offer. Enjoy discounts up to 30%. Offer is valid for stays between June 1st and September 30th, 2014.

Terms and conditions apply

For reservations visit moevenpick-hotels.com/summer or call us toll free from the following countries: Bahrain 8000 1991, Egypt 0800 441 111, Jordan 0800 222 02 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 800 124 2929, Kuwait 2 225 3228 Qatar 800 2001, United Arab Emirates 800 4934

www.moevenpick-hotels.com

Summer sunshine savings up to 30%.

magazine Scanfactand book 22.

Al Khobar · Aqaba · Amsterdam · Kuwait · Beirut · Berlin · Dead Sea · Doha · Dubai · Geneva Istanbul · Jeddah · Madinah · Makkah · Paris · Phuket · Sharm El Sheikh · Zurich

The burqa lady fact magazine .23

COVER STORY

“Arabian beauty; I am obsessed with the burqa, the gold headpieces, and the henna.�

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CULTURE CELEBRATED

A Palestinian-Jordanian artist, who studied in Qatar, and now living in Abu Dhabi; Sara is a mother-of-two with a deep and genuine passion for art – particularly art that showcases the beauty and diversity of Arabian women and Middle Eastern culture. Shabana Adam caught up with the artist behind ‘The Burqa Lady’ to talk about her creative work, family life and future goals…

Promising to bring you the best local talent, this month FACT wanted to give an Abu Dhabi-based artist the chance to showcase their work and takeover the magazine cover. And where better to find the ideal candidate than everybody’s favourite picture-perfect social network? Instagram, of course.

It took a simple #abudhabiarts search to find The Burqa Lady and, immediately, we were mesmerised by bright colours and vivid images of subjects specific to Middle Eastern culture. There were canvas paintings of women in traditional burqa, silhouettes of picturesque mosque buildings, and even vibrant cushion

“I always want to capture the beauty of the art piece I am working on, using colours that are vibrant.”

covers and scarves displaying intricate Arabic patterns and writing.

It wasn’t only the art that caught our attention. Sara’s bio reads “Arabian woman, Art lover, wife & best of all a Mom of two beautiful children.” It quickly occurred to us that this instagram account belonged to a woman who simply wants to share her love of art, and, more importantly, her love of Arabic culture.

“Getting my work out to the public used to be a challenge before but, now, because of social media it has become easier and much more fun,” Sara explains.

“My husband is the one who encouraged me to post my work on social media. He is very supportive,” she says. fact magazine .25

COVER STORY

01 Market Place 02 Colourful Silhouettes 03 Zeynab: The Woman in Blue 04 Beautiful Mosque Buildings 05 Woman of the Desert 2

From talking to Sara, it’s evident that she truly appreciates the diversity of Middle Eastern culture, and it’s from this, that the 32-year-old gets her artistic vision. “My inspiration comes mostly from women; Emirati, Omani, Qatari, and Jordanian and Iraqi women in particular,” Sara says.

“Arabian beauty; I am obsessed with the burqa, the gold head pieces, and the henna.

“However, my true inspiration comes from my mother. I have paintings in her name Ameera. She truly is my inspiration as she was the one who pushed me to do more paintings - she even has a few of mine on her wall back home.”

With such a rich, varied and exciting cultural muse, we wonder what Sara’s thought process is when creating her paintings? “Well, I always want to capture the beauty of the art piece I am working on, using colours that are vibrant, and also different textures,” Sara tells us. “I want people to see the beauty of Arabia through my work.”

As far as techniques go, Sara usually sketches first then uses oil and acrylic paint to develop the colours that she wants in the painting. Her artistic skills and knowledge date back to her teens: “I studied Arts in high school and college,” she says. “I have been drawing and sketching from a very young age and I feel that art is who I am.”

She’s been married for a decade now, and it’s heartwarming to learn that Sara’s family life and background has really helped to influence her artistic journey (it seems she’s not the only one with a creative flair and interest in the arts!). “My father collects art pieces from around the world,” she says.

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“My sister is a freelance photographer and graphic designer, and she sketches.

My brother is an assistant director and is working on a television series in Lebanon.”

“My Mother is where I get all my confidence - she has been a great support.

She actually bought my first painting and has it up in our home in Jordan,” Sara recalls. So, who or what does she look up to for artistic guidance. “There are a lot of artists who have amazing work,” Sara says.

“For instance, Nouf Al Himiary from Saudi Arabia - I love her style. Also, the traditions and culture of the Gulf inspires me.”

And, the question on everyone’s mind – why The Burqa Lady? – it’s definitely the most intriguing pseudonym we’ve ever come across! “The Burqa lady evolved when I started painting the veiled women of Arabia and the Middle East,” Sarah explains. “I am fascinated with the Burqa and the traditional women in the Gulf.”

Sara has one particular piece that she admires most. She tells us: “It’s named Zeynab; the woman in blue. I love this piece, as it was my first official painting.

Her modesty, the gold burqa and the blue abaya; she’s shy and sometimes I see myself in her.”

Though Sara has only taken part in exhibitions in Jordan, where she sold a few paintings, she says that the next step would be to take part in local expos in Abu Dhabi – a city she happily calls home.

“My mother is where I get all my confidence… She actually bought my first painting and has it up in our home in Jordan.”

01 01

04

02

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COVER STORY

TOP 3 Sara’s favourite places in Abu Dhabi that visitor’s should see…

Saadiyat Beach

“The most beautiful beach I have seen in the Gulf ” One of Abu Dhabi’s world-class leisure and cultural hubs with a fantastic, pristine beach for locals, holidaymakers and visitors to enjoy.

“I love the culture in Abu Dhabi,” Sara says. “I love the people here, and I hope that one day my art work gets showcased in a well-known exhibition, and that people from around the world can see my work through my eyes.”

For young artists in Abu Dhabi, Sara’s advice is: “If you have passion for what you do then go for it and don’t let anyone bring you down. We need to show the world how beautiful the Arab world is, so why not show them through our artwork?”

If, like us, you were curious to know more about the woman behind The Burqa Lady, you need not wonder any longer.

She’s a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend, and, in our humble opinion, a wonderful artist, proud of her culture and heritage, and ready to let the world see the Middle East through her eyes.

For this reason, we’re convinced that The Burqa Lady will be making a lasting mark in the Arab art world very soon.

Good Luck Sara!

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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque “So vibrant and beautiful”

You can’t miss this architectural wonder when driving past it on the highway. Its majestic white domes will catch your attention every time.

GO: View Sara’s work on instagram @theburqalady or visit www. theburqalady.wix.com/ theburqaladyabudhabi

“We need to show the world how beautiful the Arab world is, so why not show them through our artwork.”

Emirates Palace “My favourite hotel in Abu Dhabi”

A true mesmerising landmark, which houses over a thousand chandeliers and a huge 42m grand atrium. This is one place everyone has to see!

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w hen we were given an opportunity by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to visit Bangkok, we obviously jumped at it (who wouldn’t?) and packed our bags to explore this magical and vibrant city. Here are some of the main highlights of our trip.

First and foremost, how to get there!

Emirates Airline takes you from Bahrain to Bangkok via Dubai, in about seven and a half hours.

Flying on the Airbus 380 was not just pleasant, but pretty exciting, especially the in-flight entertainment system (which we couldn’t get enough of!). We somehow forced ourselves to fall asleep, so we could be fresh as daisies, for the schedule was packed for the next few days, from massages to Thailand Happiness Festival, sightseeing and experiencing Thai culture at its best.

Tower Club at Lebua Located on the corner of Charoen Krung and Silom roads, Tower Club at Lebua is Bangkok’s finest 5-star, executive all-suite and all-club hotel, at the heart of Bangkok’s business and shopping areas, with nightlife at an arm’s reach. Each of its spacious suites offer breathtaking views of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River.

Each of the hotel’s 221 spacious suites (from 51st to 59th floors) have a warm and contemporary decor, accented by hardwood floors and honey beige and light brown furnishings adding that touch of luxury. The uber-comfy beds come with Finesse mattresses, 330 thread count linen, down feather pillows, and all the amenities for an 30. fact magazine

Globetrotter

amazing thailand

Thailand was recently voted the top wish-list destination in South East Asia. FACT’s Apple Sharma went on a journey to explore Bangkok and experience firsthand what makes this city truly amazing!

unforgettable stay. We were pampered at the Tower Club Lounge on the 52nd floor, with a sumptuous atmosphere and unlimited privileges. The Dome (on the 65th floor) at Lebua comprises excellent restaurants and bars, offering an exquisite selection of cuisines from Mediterranean to innovative European and modern Asian. The celebrated Sky Bar (of The Hangover II fame) stole the show, with its inspirational cocktails, including the hangovertini, which was invented for the cast and crew of the film! GO: Visit www.lebua.com for more information.

Sampran Riverside Sampran Riverside is an award winning eco-cultural destination close to Bangkok (about two hours). Since 1962, its philosophy and activities are based on traditional Thai way of life of the Sampran District. The facilities include a 4-star riverside hotel, Thai houses, spa, restaurants, meeting rooms, Thai Village, Organic

Farm and a weekend farmer’s market. We experienced various cultural activities at the unique Thai Village, with morning art and craft workshops and afternoon cultural show. The 4-star riverside hotel has superior rooms, family rooms and suites, each with its own balcony and equipped with modern amenities. The traditional Thai houses by the lake are one, two and

four bedrooms, all with modern facilities and services. The 10-acre Organic Farm is certified by IFOAM and EU standards, with vegetables, fruits and herbs grown for the hotel and restaurants. Sampran riverside also caters to tailor-made events, green meetings, team building, weddings and special occasions.

GO: Visit www.sampranriverside.com for more information. fact magazine

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Upcoming Events

What to do

September Ratchada night Bazaar This is like a mini showroom to buy vintage knick-knacks, as well as inexpensive clothes, shoes, and leather bags. It runs on Saturday’s from 6:30pm to 2am.

Royal Barge Procession Takes place on Chao Phraya River for special occasions. There’s 51 traditional barges, and other escort barges, with more than 2,000 oarsmen in traditional uniforms.

General Attractions With so much to see and do in Bangkok, you have to approach the city from different angles, depending upon your interests, needs, desires, and time available.

As a gentle introduction to the city, Lumpini Park is a good place to start. Bangkok is a river city at heart, so a trip to the Chao Phraya River to see the Royal Palace and Temple is a must. Try and fit in at least some gallery-hopping and the famous Jim Thomson House.

Explore Bangkok at night, be it Chinatown or hip clubs like Q Bar, Club Culture or Narz. Complete the overview of Bangkok on a high, by enjoying a meal at one of the sky scraping rooftop dining and drinking spots, including the Sky Bar, Sirocco, Vertigo and Moon Bar, or the Red Sky. You’ll need some time to even begin covering the star attractions, much less all the amazing restaurants, markets, galleries, temples, shops and shows. You’ll simply have to come back for more!

cTransportation Visit Temple of Dawn, cross over to the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew – to see the Emerald Buddha, and Wat Po, home of the world’s largest reclining Buddha.

Taxi Taxis cruise the streets of Bangkok, with designated “taxi-metre” charge of 35 baht for the first 3kms and approximately five baht for every kilometre thereafter.

MBK, Siam Center, Siam Paragon, Central World, Robinson Chidlom, Gaysorn Plaza, and The Emporium.

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October

Tesagan Gin Je Festival (Vegetarian Festival) where yellow and red flags signal stalls selling food in line with festival regulations.

November

Loy Krathong – Festival of Light – yearly on the full moon of the 12th lunar month, with lanterns in the sky and offerings in the river.

Royal Palace & temple

shopping

Nan Traditional Long Boat Racing showcases various kinds of big and small boats, with competitions, markets and exhibitions.

Tuk-Tuk Tuk-Tuks or three wheel taxis are quite popular among the

tourists, especially for short journeys inside Bangkok.

This is a fun way to explore the city, but the fare must be bargained in advance.

bts Sky Trains BTS Sky Trains go along Silom, Sukhumvit and Phahonyothin Roads, connecting many major city areas for tourism.

December

Chiang Rai Asean Flowers Fair features ship parade of flowers, gardening contests, a beautiful agricultural market and so much more.

Istanbul: Delightfully Turkish, delightfully yours.

Turkish Airlines connects you to a city which is connecting two continents. turkishairlines.com | +90 212 444 0 849 fact magazine .33

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8/28/14 4:39 PM

Amari watergate bangkok The Amari Watergate Bangkok offers the vibrancy of Bangkok at your fingertips.

FACT’s Apple Sharma experienced the facilities and tells you what makes Amari a notch above the rest.

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mari Watergate Bangkok, located in the heart of the vibrant Pratunam neighbourhood in downtown Petchburi, brings the excitement of Thailand’s capital city right to your doorstep. The hotel is surrounded by the bustling landscape of shopping bazaars and lifestyle malls, yet when you enter the hotel lobby, you are instantly transported into an environment of tranquillity. The relaxed ambience of the lobby, the welcoming staff and the sound of Thai classical music immediately puts us at ease. The hotel’s spacious rooms and suites, fine dining restaurants, superb service and fantastic recreational facilities made for a very memorable stay.

Rooms

Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, the 569 deluxe rooms and executive suites are well-equipped for every need, with broadband internet access in all rooms and Wi-Fi available throughout the hotel. The rooms/suites overlook the city centre, and the 36. fact magazine

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higher you go the better it gets (stunning view of the entire city). There are four executive floors (starting from the 32nd floor), with a private reception, 24-hour butler service and an executive lounge. The facilities and amenities were top-notch, with a luxury hotel feel and the comforts of home.

Restaurants

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to dining venues as there are seven different restaurants and bars. We discover various world cuisines from authentic local food at Thai on 4, to lively buffet at Promenade, Cantonese food at its best at Heichinrou, daily happy hours at Henry J. Bean’s Bar

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& Grill, international snacks and tapas at Cascade, relaxing tropical cocktails at the Pool Bar, and sundowners and nibbles at the Executive Lounge (exclusive for Executive Floor guests). You can also enjoy authentic Middle Eastern cooking prepared by the hotel’s award winning Master Chef Yasser Darwich.

Meeting Room

With numerous convention and meeting rooms to boast on various floors, the hotel’s

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Attractions

Pantip Plaza A six-floor shopping mall devoted to gadgets, famous for its pirated media.

Good place for digital cameras, printers and so on, but test what you’re buying!

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01 Lobby 02 Executive Room 03 Garden 04 Heichinrou 05 Executive Suite

Spa

efficient team caters to almost every wish with seamless precision. The hotel can organise themed events for companies to suit any occasion, especially conferences and incentives. Various equipment, including LCD and video projectors, wireless microphones, multi-vision shows, video conferencing equipment, flipcharts, whiteboards, pointers and more, are also available to make your meetings and conferences hassle-free. Amari also provides other supporting services like business centre, board room, translation service, office for rent, secretarial service and banqueting facilities, to name but a few.

06 Executive Room 07 Promenade 08 Ayudhaya Meeting Room 09 Meeting Room 10 Breeze Spa

There is nothing as relaxing as a day at the spa and the hotel’s Breeze Spa is the epitome of luxury, transcending you into a cocoon of serenity. We had a chance to unwind as the trained spa therapists pampered us with a Thai massage.

Take in the Bangkok sunset at the outdoor garden terrace, which houses a swimming pool with jacuzzi and sundeck. Fitness enthusiasts can make use of the Clark Hatch Fitness Centre, with gymnasium, squash court, steam and sauna. If that’s not enough, the Breeze Beauty Salon will have you looking prim and pruned in no time.

GO: Visit www.amari.com for more information.

Platinum Fashion Mall A air-conditioned shopping mall, especially good for women as they mostly sell clothes, handbags, shoes, accessories, and make-up at wholesale prices!

Pratunam Center The four-floor centre has textile and jewellery for retail and wholesale. Two floors are taken up by OTOP (one tambon, one product) that sells handicrafts from every township of Thailand.

Central World Thailand’s largest shopping complex, offers more than 500 stores, 100 restaurants and cafes, 15 cinemas, Kids’ Zone and Learning Centre, a food court, a huge supermarket and an outdoor square for large-scale events.

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REVIEWS

Big Screen

The Maze Runner What’s it about: After his memory is erased, Thomas wakes up trapped in a massive maze, in a community of boys.

He’s no memory of the outside world except from strange dreams about a mysterious organisation called W.C.K.D, and he soon begins to discover fragments of his past with clues in the maze. He must join forces with his fellow “runners” to uncover his true purpose and for a real shot at escaping!

Director: Wes Ball Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter, Patricia Clarkson, Dave Batista, Lee Pace, Karen Gillan Why it’s worth watching?

This is nothing like your typical literary adaptation. Oh no! The Maze Runner (based on the best-selling novel by James Dashner) is somewhat of a pinnacle as far as book to big screen productions go; the casting is near perfect, the special effects are spectacular, and, more importantly, all the favourite book moments are there. We must applaud the young cast for bringing honesty, heart and ferocity to the character they play. If you’ve read the book you’ll know that bringing the general horror of the maze to life, and to do the grandeur of it justice, would have been a mammoth task.

But, Wes Ball and his team have far surpassed expectations to create an awesome backdrop for all the exciting moments.

Fans of Dylan O’Brien’s work on Teen Wolf *swoon* and those looking for a world of escapism, rest assured that you won’t be burned by this one. For Twentieth century Fox this may well be one of the year’s biggest breakout hits.

Highlights “Fans of Dylan O’Brien’s work on Teen Wolf *swoon* and those looking for a world of escapism, rest assured that you won’t be burned by this one.”

The Equalizer What’s it about: Denzy Washo fans stand up and get ready!

The man of the hour is back with another action-driven crime thriller to get your pulses racing. In The Equalizer our main man plays former black ops commando Robert McCall, who faked his own death to live a quiet life in Boston. He’s forced to come out of retirement to rescue Teri (Moretz) a young girl whose kidnap leads him face to face with ultra-violent Russian gangsters, and, soon, his desire for justice is reawakened.

“Wes Ball and his team have far surpassed expectations to create an awesome backdrop for all the exciting moments.”

The Maze Runner

“Expect slick fight scenes, tense character face-offs and, of course, the alwayswelcomed presence of Denzel” Director: Antoine Fuqua Cast: Denzel Washington, Chloe Grace Moretz, Dan Bilzerian, Marton Csokas Why it’s worth watching?

A relatively small-budgeted action-flick anchored by a world-famous star, The Equalizer is about situations of right and wrong, and good and bad. In Denzel’s case, his character Robert is the person to call on when there’s a problem and you have nowhere else to turn. Expect slick fight scenes, tense character face-offs and, of course, the always-welcomed presence of Denzel Washington (and it’s directed

by Training Day’s Antoine Fuqua, bonus!).

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Let us take you on a cruise at sunset.

Let us delight your palate with our culinary skill.

Let us slow your world down at our Spa. Let us show you that sometimes life’s about being, rather than doing.

Experience your Summer holiday in Qatar and partake in The Ritz-Carlton, Doha For more information and reservations, contact your travel profesional, call +974 4484 8000 or email doha.reservations@ritzcarlton.com. or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/doha

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REVIEWS

on the record

Fully Booked

CRIME FICTION

The Silkworm

By Robert Galbraith

ALTERNATIVE INDIE/ROCK

This is All Yours

By ALT-J

One of the music industry’s true sleeper

successes, Alt-J return this month with their sophomore album This is All Yours. With fans in high places, this record even got the stamp of approval from Miley Cyrus who the English alt-rockers have given a shout out to on the album’s hypnotic lead track, Hunger of the Pine, which sampling Cyrus’ 4x4. Even with being involved in such celebrity circles, This is All Yours doesn’t take a wrecking ball to Alt-J’s indie credibility; the 14-track album still carries the familiar psychedelic sound that fans of the indie rockers know and love them for. Take Warm Foothills with its dense rhythms and a whistled refrain; the electric edge on The Gospel of John Hurt; and even the diverse, soul-rocker sounding Left Hand Free, all of these build on the distinctive dub-folk, alt-rock, indie-infused sound established on the band’s best-selling debut, An Awesome Wave. The humble exit of Guitarist-bassist Gwil Sainsbury, hasn’t thrown the remaining trio off their music game, and as they recently said in an interview, this album is “smart enough to be cool, but accessible enough that people like it.” We agree, completely!

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Pop/R’N’B

My Everything

By Ariana Grande Ok, so she dresses a little too grown for her age and has that same high pony hair going on, but credit to the Nickelodeon star, she has a decent voice and the knack to produce some really catchy tunes (we’ve had Problem in our heads all summer!). One thing’s for sure, in comparison to a lot of teen-pop singers, the Victorious actress has evolved massively. On My Everything there’s collabos with the likes of Zedd, Big Sean, The Weekend, and Childish Gambino to name but a few. Not one that we’d tell you to rush out and buy, but nonetheless, seriously good modern-day pop.

It’s no secret anymore that Robert Galbraith is indeed the pen name of best-selling Harry Potter author JK Rowling, and if you enjoyed her first attempt at writing a crime novel, The Cuckoo’s Calling, then you’ll most definitely enjoy The Silkworm. Returning to the pages is private detective Cormoran Strike and his young assistant Robin Ellacott. Together they are investigating the disappearance of novelist Owen Quine, a hunt that quickly takes a nasty and mysterious turn. If you love the adrenalin feeling of a race against time then you’ll love The Silkworm – a well-written, fast-paced, and compulsively entertaining read. It sure is a unique spin on the traditional British crime novel.

Dance/House

Junto

By Basement Jaxx The Jaxx duo are back and it’s about frickin’ time.

Producers Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe had a chart-destroying run of hits in the 90s and 00s, and with the likes of Disclosure, Rudimental and Alunageorge taking influence, it’s only fitting that the two-piece returned to show the newbies how it’s done. We’re loving the club-ready Unicorn; the carnival beat on Power to the People; and the stomping piano chords on Never Say Never.

With upbeat sounds, layering and looping, Junto is somewhat of a nod to the 90s, demonstrating the duo’s signature style and production prowess.

NON FICTION

This Star Won’t Go Out

By Esther Grace Earl

You’ll go through many boxes of tissues while reading this book, but the story of Esther Grace Earl will draw a smile too. This is a collection of the journals, fiction, letters, and sketches of the late Esther Grace Earl, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 16 after battling cancer.

Award-winning author John Green dedicated his bestselling novel The Fault in Our Stars to Esther as well. Sometimes it’s the books about real people that are wonderful to read. This story will truly impact you in one way or another.

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CITY RIDES

Bentley Continental GT V8 S

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A weekend in a Bentley is always a memorable experience, but in the superb Conti-MENTAL GT V8 S, it’s something that you’ll remember until your final days…

Photography by Nick Langmead

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hen the Bentley Continental GT was first released, way back in 2003, it boasted a monstrous twin-turbo 6.0l W12 engine that was so powerful that, when you planted the accelerator, the car didn’t move forward so much as the earth spun a little bit faster underneath you.

However, it also guzzled fuel, and the arrival of the credit crunch and the ongoing trend towards greener technologies put pressure on Bentley to produce something a little more and fuel-efficient.

So while that impressive W12 engine is still present in the Continental GT W12, GTC and GT Speed, Bentley is now offering the car with the slightly more ‘sensible’ 4.0l twin-turbo V8 too, which can deactivate fourcylinders seamlessly under sedate cruising conditions to deliver an incredible 40% higher fuel efficiency over the W12.

This model in particular is the V8 S, which boasts an uprated engine, 521hp and 680Nm compared to the standard V8’s 500hp and 660Nm. It also features a lowered and adjustable suspension and 20-inch alloys as standard. Bentley have gone to great pains to present the V8 not as a compromise, but

rather an alternative. There’s still the kind of power that could send a rocket to the moon, and Bentley have decided to present the V8 S as a leaner and meaner machine that offers a more engaging drive than the refined GT W12. Whereas the W12 is about ultimate luxury, the V8 S is all about the experience.

They’ve tweaked the noise of the engine in such a way that, when you’re cruising along the motorway you don’t hear a thing, but when you hit the acceleration, you get the full benefit of that magnificent bellow from the twin-turbo V8. The sound is visceral, gorgeous, like a bag of trapped thunder being shaken around when you plant the gas pedal. It’s the ultimate combination of stately elegance and downright muscle car madness!

And it’s ferociously fast, with a 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 309km/h, which is incredible for a car that weighs over two tonnes! The interior is the word in class and elegance, with soft padded leather everywhere, and we loved the chrome pushrod handles for the airflow from the AC. fact magazine .43

CITY RIDES

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However, it does have its drawbacks. Even though it’s supposed to be more sensible, it still drinks the fuel.

We put AED300 in it over the four days we had it, though that did included a trip to Al Ain and back, and much enthusiastic driving on Jebel Hafeet!

In addition, because of that long coupe shape it also has extremely long doors. This means that in a tight spot you can’t open them very far, making it awkward to get out of.

And finally, despite the huge 21-inch sports tyres, the rear-biased 60-40 split all-wheeldrive system and the lower ride height, you can still feel the two tonne weight of the car when you’re throwing it around bends. While it does feel planted, and not jittery in any way, the ever-present wail of the tyres lets you know that they’re really working hard to keep the big GT in check.

And yet, all its faults seem to make it more endearing rather than annoying, because they all define what it is. It’s big and heavy because it’s a super-luxury GT. It drinks the fuel because it’s massively powerful and refuses to compromise.

The Bentley is more than just the sum of its parts. It’s a way of life. You’re treated differently when you’re driving it, by other road users, by the valet attendants in hotels,

and by the general public. When you leave a hotel, rather than having to wait for it to be fetched from the darkest recesses of the underground garage, it’s parked right there in the driveway alongside the Ferraris and the Lamborghinis. Because that’s where it belongs. It’s just… magnificent!

When you’re cruising you don’t hear a thing, but when you plant the acceleration, you get the full benefit of that magnificent bellow from the twin-turbo V8.

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City RIDES

The 2014 Infiniti Q50 A super-stylish luxury sedan with a sublime interior and masses of power makes the Infiniti Q50 one of my favourites on the market today!

The Infiniti Q50 is the replacement for the outgoing G Sedan, under Infiniti’s new model designation scheme where everything is Q-something. Whilst the G Sedan was a nice car, the exterior, in my humble opinion, was a little bland for a premium brand, which is supposed to appeal to the heart as well as the mind.

The Q50 is a vast improvement. I love the front end, which has a much more aggressive and powerful look to it with those ‘frowning’ front lights and that large spoiler.

In fact, it looks much sportier all round, with muscular contours and a sleek profile making it a very handsome car.

Inside the good news continues, with a very stylish and luxurious interior boasting ample space front and back. A feature I particularly loved was the centre console.

Instead of one touchscreen doing everything, Infiniti has decided to provide two. One is just a display for the Sat-Nav and general info, and the other is a smooth touchscreen panel integrated into the audio and AC controls that controls all the features of the car. It’s a really clean and eye-catching design, and one of my favourites in the market!

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features, such as the adaptive cruise control, reverse parking cameras and excellent navigation system, which are really the icing on the cake. And now we come to the best part – the driving experience. I have driven the outgoing G Sedan, and it’s a lovely car – fast, powerful and smooth. But then, all premium cars are just that, and so there needs to be a little something extra, like sophisticated gadgetry, which is where the G Sedan felt like it was lacking a little.

The Q50 addresses all of that. When you change the chassis setting to sport mode, you literally feel the entire car tighten up, as if it’s tensing itself ready to pounce. The suspension gets a little stiffer, to improve grip, although it doesn’t become hard to the point of jarring. The steering also tightens up and the response improves, so that you get more of a result from a little input of the wheel making for a much sportier feel, although it could do with a little more feedback from the front wheels.

And, the throttle response noticeably improves too, so that when you put your foot down, the reaction is instant and brutal. It’s huge amounts of fun! This reaction is entirely down to the Q50’s immensely powerful 3.7l

“I love the front end, which has a much more aggressive and powerful look to it with those ‘frowning’ front lights and that large spoiler.”

V6, which puts out 328hp and 365Nm of torque through the all-wheel-drive system of the model we drove.

What I love about the Q50 is that, in a world where turbos are increasingly being used on smaller engines as the eco-friendly efficient option for power, the Q50 still feels like a muscle car. As they say, there’s no replacement for displacement!

The G Sedan was fast, powerful and smooth, but was overshadowed by its German rivals. The new 2014 Q50 keeps the power and the comfort, but adds a heady dose of technology, refinement and style to make it a dangerous competitor in a tough segment. I was truly impressed! fact magazine .47

MOTORING

The Fundamentals of Drifting FACT heads down to the Yas Marina Circuit for a crash course (not literally!) on the delicate art of driving sideways at speed…

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n a sweltering hot Friday morning in August we stood in a car park populated only by some cones, and a row of nondescript-looking white Toyota 86’s. The rather unsubtle clue as to what this place was were colourful decals splashed across the bonnet and doors of one of the 86’s in an urban graffiti-style font: Yas Drift School.

Unsurprisingly, perhaps, given the intense heat, there was no-one else sharing the moment with us. During the cooler weather later in the year, given the fun we were about to have, we can guarantee that we wouldn’t have had the experience all to ourselves!

It all started with a briefing from our mentor for the day, one of Yas Marina Circuit’s seasoned racing driver/ instructors, Abbas Al Alawi. He went over the particular lessons we’d be having on the day, which included a stint on the wet skidpan with a kick plate and on the figure of eight course.

Cars used for drifting require a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout with a traction control system that can be completely disabled, which is what makes the Toyota 86 perfect for this kind of thing.

We then head out into the car park, where Abbas heads over to the edge and

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turns a tap somewhere which causes plumes of water to sprout all over the car park.

“In cooler weather we can do it without the water, but in this weather the cars will overheat as they have to work harder to keep the drift on dry tarmac,” he explains.

On the wet skidpan the surface is totally waterlogged, meaning that the car is pretty much constantly aquaplaning, and your job is to try and maintain a controlled skid using the steering and power. Easier said than done, especially when the kick plate comes into play.

This mechanical device kicks the rear end of the car out to one side automatically when you drive over it.

It’s an extremely strange feeling having the back end of the car suddenly kick to one side, pretty similar to the sensation of having a rear tyre blow out.

You have to react quickly to maintain control, which is why this kind of

experience is not just for fun, but also good training for real world hazards.

The surface of the figure of eight is damp rather than completely waterlogged, to help with the loss of traction required for a controlled skid. You start with the simple one-directional drift in a circle, before attempting the changeover to the neighbouring circle in the opposite direction.

Abbas makes it look very easy, but I can tell you that it is MUCH more difficult than it looks. After twenty minutes of sweaty effort, I finally managed my first successful figure of

eight, and felt like a true drift king!

That is, until I heard that I’d only mastered the very basic beginner’s course, and that there were many levels above this one, including big to small circles, wet to dry surface, right angle to hairpin, and more.

Ah well, there’s always next time…

The experience was huge amounts of fun, and we would highly recommend it to anyone. The price tag of AED1000 is well worth it, considering you get a 2.5-hour session, and walk away with invaluable driving experience that could save your life in the real world.

And if you’re thinking about having a go, now is a better time than ever, as the Yas Marina Circuit currently has a summer buy-one-get-one-free offer running till the end of September. The offer is applicable to the Karting, Learn to Drift, Drag & Splash, Challenge Drag, Yas Track Days and Scream & Tour experiences.

Log on to www.yasmarinacircuit.com now to find out more.

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MOTORING NEWS

MINI Launches GoPro App!

Riding fun straight out of the movies: MINI Connected customers can now use the MINI Joystick or MINI Controller to shoot videos and take photographs with a camera mounted on or inside the car - a globally unique offer in the area of in-car infotainment available free of charge from the Apple App Store.

A new MINI Connected ready App enables GoPro cameras to be controlled in typical MINI style using the operating system of the model in question. This makes it possible to start shooting videos or take photographs with a GoPro camera mounted on or inside the car while travelling - intuitively, conveniently and safely.

This comes as the brand turns 55 years old this year and remains as vibrant, fun-loving and modern as ever, thus proving that age is only a number!

Happy Birthday MINI!

Porsche

Launch Cayman and Boxster GTS The new Porsche Boxster GTS and Cayman GTS have now arrived in the Gulf. With Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system as standard, Porsche is also implementing the two strongest engines that have ever been used in a production Boxster or Cayman. The flat six-cylinder boxers are based on the 3.4l engines of the Boxster S and Cayman S, though thanks to fine-tuning the Boxster GTS now has an output of 330hp, while the Cayman GTS delivers 340hp.

Both mid-engine sports cars are equipped with the Sport Chrono package as standard. The results: in conjunction with the optional Porsche PDK gearbox and active Sport Plus button, the Boxster GTS sprints from a 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, and the Cayman GTS in 4.6. The new roadster is the first Boxster to top the 280km/h mark, reaching a maximum speed of 281km/h.

One of the most exciting launches of the year, the eagerly anticipated all-new Range Rover Sport SVR was unveiled at the glamorous Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance. The stunning sports off-roader, a sleeker, faster version to the hugely popular new Range Rover, will still boast the company’s breathtakingly powerful 5.0l supercharged V8.

This engine, which boasts an output of 550PS and 680Nm, will take the Range Rover Sport from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds, and on to a top speed of 260km/h.

The new Range Rover Sport SVR boasts a lightweight all-aluminium chassis, the first of its kind in the segment, as well as uprated performance tyres and sports suspension. All of these elements combined to earn the Sport SVR a hugely impressive Nürburgring time of just eight minutes and fourteen seconds!

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The New

Range Rover Sport

McLaren P1 GTR Concept Unveiled

For those who didn’t think the mighty P1 could get any more impressive, feast your eyes on this!

A track-focused, hard core race-ready McLaren P1 built, maintained and run my McLaren Special Operations, which was unveiled at a private event at the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance.

The power of the P1 GTR has been increased to 1,000PS (986 bhp) from the motorsportoptimised 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine and lightweight electric motor.

With no need to meet the legislations for road legality, the McLaren P1 GTR will be the most track-tailored and most powerful model produced

by McLaren Special Operations to date.

Nissan Patrol Surges Forward

The ongoing success of Nissan’s full-size luxury SUV, the Patrol, continues unabated through the summer, as the company posted record sales figures across the GCC. July sales for the region hit a record monthly high of 3,581 units, a substantial hike of 103 per cent on the same month in 2013.

In the UAE a record 1,506 Patrols left the showroom floors, while Oman (702 units) and

Qatar (316 units) also notched all-time highs.

Kuwait (347 units), Bahrain (95 units) and KSA (316 units) added to the impressive record tally in the GCC countries.

Nissan recorded dramatic July year-on-year increases in the UAE (72%), Qatar (57%), Oman (63%) and Kuwait (80%). fact magazine

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PLUGGED-IN

Fitness Forefront: Nike+ Fuelband

Stepping up your health regime? We tell you why the Nike+ Fuelband is a great choice for monitoring, influencing, and improving, your fitness and exercise habits…

Design On Point

There are a number of trendy colours like neon green, pink, yellow and red to choose from, as well as plain black too. It has a rubbery matte finish, which doesn’t irritate the skin and looks great too. We love the 100-dot LED display, which can be read in full daylight, and the band comes in three different sizes so you can get the best fit for your wrist.

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Thanks to an energy-efficient Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) radio, the Nike+ Fuelband has a much-improved battery life compared to its predecessor; after a week of solid use, you’ll likely have to charge once only, and USB charging takes a little over an hour (pretty impressive, huh?).

Smart Bluetooth

Feature Frenzy

The features and capabilities of the Nike+ Fuelband are enhanced with its link to the Fuelband app. A built-in 3-axis accelerometer delivers instant feedback on daily steps, calories burned and Nike’s activity metric currency, Fuel points. Whether it’s walking to the shops or running 10 miles a day – the idea is to make everything you do count towards getting fitter!

Battery Life

Competitive Circles

It’s all about yesterday’s score or outperforming a friend on Facebook.

Take the ‘Win the Hour’ feature, which aims to get you active every hour of the day for just five minutes – an LED flash acts as a reminder, as well as a notification popping up on your phone.

Perform well and share the results on your social media!

The best thing about the Nike+ Fuelband is that, like many top-ofthe-line, wearable-tech products, it adopts the Bluetooth LE (also known as Bluetooth 4.0). This enables devices to connect and disconnect and sync automatically in the background, with less strain on the battery.

App-licious Today’s tech-savvy generation of smartphones and tablets means the world is at your fingertips, literally! FACT has three great apps to download for your device, keeping you plugged-in to all the best techie help for every area of life...

Fashion Chic Feed (Android, iOS)

Get fashion-forward with this one stop fashion app, which serves as a perfect trend dictionary. With pictures, news and style, Chic Feed compiles in one place, streetstyle trends, cool and funky fashion from popular bloggers like the The Satorialist, Face Hunter, Lookbook, Altamira NYC and many more. Fashionistas this one’s for you!

Lifestyle Pinterest (Android, iOS)

Organise all your ideas into collections on ‘boards’ with visual bookmarks called ‘pins’. If you like any dresses, shoes, furnishings, garden designs, exotic locations, anything that makes you smile, just pin it! Discover ideas for your interests from other users too and repin any exciting finds! Boards can also be shared with friends, and on your social media platforms.

Style Pose (Android, iOS)

Take a picture of your outfit, tag the brands you’re wearing and share it on Pose with a line of description, if you want! With users across the world, you can check out global trends and take inspiration from them. Also like and comment as you browse. A style inspiration app for all the fashion-savvy looking for an instagram-like app specifically for guys and girls to strut it out!

Download our app for FREE!

Stay connected and get FACT magazine on your phone or tablet. Get the latest issue at your fingertips, and enter the world of FACT whenever and wherever you are!

Step 1 Download FACT to your device and flick through at leisure.

Step 2 Want to share what you like? Click the scissors in the top right corner.

Step 3 A number of social networks will drop down. Choose yours and hit post!

Please note: the fact app is available for IPHONE, iPad and ANDROID. It will soon be available on other platforms too.

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QATAR

THE ESSENCE OF STYLE

Celebrating inCredible Women

App

Free for iPhone, iPad and Android devices

SHARP, SMART & STRONG

Fashion

Spring Clean

in Full

YOUR BEAUTY THE ESSENCE OF STYLE

Bloom

the return of bold Colours

THE SEASON’S NEW GAME CHANGERS

ACID BRIGHTS, COOL METALLICS & MORE...

1

OHLALA! DECEMBER 2013

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www.ohlala-magazine.com

MARCH 2014 | ISSUE 33

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Coming to Abu Dhabi Fall/Winter 2014

Uniting women across the region

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FALL/WINTER 2014 www.facebook.com/pages/Ohlala-Magazine issuu.com/ohlalabahrain

54. fact magazine 62. fact magazine

ashion Fall fashion is on the agenda this month for all those looking forward to cooler climates.

FACT brings you a special fashion forecast of some of the strong recurring trends and looks that emerged with a vengeance from the runways of London, Paris, New York, and Milan. From oversized outerwear to the swinging 60s, and patterned to patchwork, we’ve got the lowdown on all the best catwalk styles for the girls and the guys, followed by our pick of the best runway styles that can be easily achieved with high street alternatives, meaning you don’t have to break the bank for a designer look…

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FASHION FOCUS

Catwalk Craze

Fair & Square

Still a force to be reckoned with, classic tartan, plaid, and geometric checks seduced the fall catwalks. Red prints often rule, as well as softer, dark checks with navy and wine shades injected with flashed of mustard. Try fitted check trousers or all-over plaid dresses to nail this look for autumn.

Seen on the runway: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Pink Tartan, Tod’s, DKNY, ICB.

Lady in Red

Fair & Squar e

Ladies, just because autumn brings chillier climes doesn’t mean you can’t turn the heat up with your wardrobe choices. Here’s our fall trend report for all you fashionistas out there…

Fiery red is a noteworthy hue for the season ahead, and it seems that the best way to wear the bold shade in fall is to go all out. Rock it head-totoe with something cool like a casual jumpsuit or a lengthy evening dress for the glamorous effect. This is one colour we never tire of !

Seen on the runway: Donna Karen, Beaufille, Sig Neigum, Prada, Zac Posen.

Oversize Out

You can’t get more of an autumn feeling than with a cosy sweater or coat.

This season it’s all about soft, smooth and strong volumes with supersized outerwear. Basic in nature, you can steal this trend with chunky knits paired with some skinny jeans and stylish boots.

Now you can get the being under-thecovers feeling on the go!

Seen on the runway: Isabel Marant, Pink Tartan, Tommy Hilfiger, ICB.

Patchwork Fur

Strap up with fall’s flurry and fuzzy statement-making, colourful, patchwork fur coats. As many designers embrace the motto ‘symmetry is boring’, this asymmetrical cold-beating style is not hard to pull off. Think blue jeans and a solid top, 56. fact magazine

Lady in r ed

finished off with a vividly patterned, snug fur coat. 70s vibe anyone?

Seen on the runway: Altuzarra, Topshop Unique, Roksanda Ilincic, Fendi.

Swingin’ 60s

Swingin’ 60 s

Patchwork Fun

Over size Out

Characterized by mini skirts, high boots (and, of course, Twiggy), this is a trend that may usually be perceived as ‘costume-y’ for some modern ladies.

But Sixties style has been given a contemporary twist using subtle modinspired accents, with metallic boots, delicate A-lines, mini shift dresses and prim collars. Get experimenting girls!

Seen on the runway: Dsquared2, Gucci, House of Holland, Valentino, Versace.

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Gents, get ready to spice up your closet with bold yet simple chic looks this season.

Here’s our fall trend report for all you fashion-forward men out there…

Geometric Lines

It’s time for the power of monochrome to shine through this season with a reimagined, sharper and more experimental edge. Step up your style with contoured lines, diagonals, and optical illusion garms to play with eye. There are stripes and chequer board patterns etched into cool shirts and jackets too, with black and white remaining the undisturbed choice of colours.

Seen on the runway: Neil Barrett, Y-3, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Agi & Sam.

Orange Is The New Black

Occasional bursts of the bold shade popped up on various runways and though a full look in the colour was rare, our favourite way to wear it this season would be either a pair of amber-orange chinos with a smart blazer or bright, pumpkinorange polo with smart trousers – perfect for adding some warmth to your fall getups and everyday attire.

Seen on the runway: DSquared2, Hardy Amies, Etro, Topman Design.

Sharp Indigos

Another primary colour dominating the runways was the cool blue shade of indigo. Razor-sharp tailoring and classic blazer suits were employed by a number of designers who opted for a head-totoe look in the grown-up shade, layering traditional suit jackets over lightweight 58. fact magazine

Orange is the New Black

Runway rollers

Geometric Lines

FASHION FOCUS

Arctic Layers

Nothing says autumn quite like thick oversized layers! Stock up on fur-collared coats, big-hooded jackets and anything that’s exaggerated at the neckline. It’s best to let yourself get enveloped in large layers, and we especially love the muted colour palette – caramel, charcoal, beige and slate – as well as fabrics – shearling,

Arctic Layer s

Gr een Street

Sharp Indigos tees or matching shirts. Great for smart and casual!

Seen on the runway: Lanvin, Salvatore Ferragamo, Daniele Alessandrini, Jill Sander.

cashmere and wool – for the perfect textile-rich, tonal looks.

Seen on the runway: Fendi, Billy Reid, Ami, 3.1 Philip Lim, Acne Studios, Calvin Klein.

Green Street

No matter what your style is, green is a shade that is ludicrously easy to wear! And in the absence of greenery outdoors, this is your chance to step in. Though most designers opted for a full on green look mixing a variety of shades, it’s easy to carry off this trend with one staple, standout item like a casual bomber jacket or a suave blazer.

Seen on the runway: Gieves & Hawkes, D&G, Dior Homme, Richard James.

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STYLE

City in Bloom All things floral extend from summer into autumn with delicate daisy prints and vintage rose designs pollinating the streets with a feminine feel for a slick city vibe‌ Debenhams

NEW LOOK

H&M

Miss Selfridge

DOROTHY PERKINS

ACCESSORIZE CALL IT SPRING

BERSHKA

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H&M

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STYLE

Off the Grid The signature tartan print is making a comeback with classic to utility-style trousers, tops and dresses, transitioning from summer prettiness to autumn confidence‌

Debenhams New look

CALL IT SPRING

Miss Selfridge

New look

River island

New look TOD’s 62. fact magazine

get caught wearing the same thing

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STYLE

Keep it Gangster With swagger written all over it, take the lead and strut it out in strong, sophisticated, and masculine autumn wear, reminiscent of Debenhams 1940s gangster swing‌

Zara Men

Massimo dutti

H&M

River island

ALDO ALDO

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Asos

River Island

A C C E S S O R I E S

C A M PA I G N

PA R F O I S .C O M

PA R F O I S

PA R F O I S _

UAE · The Dubai Mall · Deira City Centre · Mirdif City Centre · Marina Mall Abu Dhabi · Abu Dhabi Mall · Al Wahda Mall Al Hamra Mall · Manar Mall · Bawabat Al Sharq Mall · Bawadi Mall · Sahara Centre · KUWAIT · Al Kout Mall · Avenues Mall Awtad Mall · Gate Mall · OMAN · Muscat City Centre · Qurum City Centre · BAHRAIN · Bahrain City Centre fact magazine .65

STYLE

It’s Sports Play Brimming with playground attitude and old-school number detailing, the athletic trend is making a return this season for all the men who want to capture the sport’s spirit…

Asos

Asos

H&M

TOPMAN

River Island

River Island

Bershka

Zara Men

Zara Men

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Your time to reconnect

A family holiday is even more relaxing when it’s close to home. Here in the heart of Doha, discover a kid-friendly urban resort, with an array of restaurants and lounges, beachfront pools, fun children’s activities and a lavish spa for parents. Intuitive Four Seasons care makes everything easy.

Explore our offers and packages: fourseasons.com/doha fact magazine .67

FASHION ADVERTORIAL

Apparel Fashion

As the summer heat begins to die down and the autumn breeze takes over, here are some of our top fashion and footwear picks from Apparel Group’s trendiest brands.

PrettyFit

Birkenstock

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Naturalizer

Le Chateau

Charles & Keith

Tommy Hilfiger

NIne West

Dune

ALDO

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FASHION ADVERTORIAL

Apparel

Accessories

It’s all about statement-making bags, belts and jewellery this season. For all your accessory wants and needs check out some of the smart and elegant choices from Apparel Group.

Aldo Accessories

Tommy Hilfiger

PrettyFit

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All about watches

Charles & Keith

QUP

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FASHION ADVERTORIAL

Apparel

kids

Whether it’s back to school, a mini-break, or a seasonal wardrobe change up, treat the kids to stylish clothes and accessories too with Apparel Group’s fashion offerings for the young ones.

The Children's Place

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LCC Waikiki

Tommy Hilfiger Kids

Birkenstock

Skechers

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Beauty

Touch of beauty Step up your beauty game with some well-deserved essentials and our picks of the month…

Irresistible Softness

Nourish your hands with Roger & Gallet Creme Sublime Bois d’Orange Hand & Nail Cream.

Enriched in Argan Oil and Evening Primrose Oil, its formula with a delicious fragrance protects hands and nails. It’s non-greasy and intensely nourishes hands and nails. With SPF 15 protection and an invigorating fragrance, this is the ideal beauty buy for all those who need to a little tlc for their hands!

A Clear Difference

Estée Lauder introduces ‘Clear Difference’ which is a highly-effective, rapid-acting system that targets, treats and dramatically reduces blemishes, effectively yet gently. Clear Difference Advanced Blemish Serum has multi-action properties that target the source of breakouts and help minimise the severity and frequency of breakouts. Gentle enough for daily use, skin looks incredibly clear, fresh, clean and smooth.

Make A Splash!

Sephora introduces its waterproof makeup range with lasting eye colors that really pop. The colour adapt bronzer creates a customised bronzed effect for any skin tone. It also unifies and blurs imperfections with its micronised powder texture for easy and perfectly even application. As an added bonus - it provides flawless wear that lasts for 12 hours. So, for a sun-kissed glow throughout the day, this is what you need.

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Luscious Lips

L’Oreal Paris ushers in a fashionable lip colour revolution with the fresh and exciting, Colour Riche Extraordinaire range of lipsticks. For the first time, precious micro-oils infused with rich pigments catch the light and act like a magnifying glass, fashioning the perfect lip surface and colour from within!

L’Oreal Paris has created a new generation of bold and beautiful lip colours with a sophisticated gleam for your smile!

Neon Nails

Essie introduces the ‘Too Taboo Neon Collection 2014’ nail colours, celebrating stylish girls around the world struck by fashion fever. The Neon palette includes fuchsia, blue violet, aquamarine blue, lime, coral, berry hibiscus and blanc. How’s that for a mani-pedi choice? Summer hasn’t left us just yet, and this is the perfect time to experiment with bright shades, so get out there and treat your self to these catchy colours.

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Chef Chandramouli Perur Abu Dhabi’s food scene has become a scurry of culinary hybrids, and amidst the different kitchens there’s one venue in town that has grown popular for its exquisite seafood night and its fun Friday brunch; CuiScene at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. We went to meet Chef Chandramouli Perur to sample some of the tasty food that he and his team prepare for the restaurant’s two biggest crowd pleasers… fact magazine .77

CHEF’S TABLE

It’s become somewhat of a foodie institution, famous for its stupendous brunch and themed buffet nights, CuiScene is proving that having the right man in the kitchen really works wonders for keeping the diners coming back time and again.

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I

t’s Executive Sous Chef Chandramouli Perur, alongside Executive Chef Cladys, and a team of talented juniors who carry the mammoth task of producing palate-pleasing food for the all-day dining hotspot, CuiScene.

Chef Chandramouli had spent two days especially preparing a Chef ’s taster menu for us, drawing inspiration from the food and flavours of CuiScene’s two most-visited dining days. “I combined our seafood night concept with elements of the Friday brunch,” he says. “For example, the sushi station is very popular at the brunch so here you have a

Chef ’s raw seafood tasting platter.”

Made up of Salmon Tosa-mi with Ponzu Dressing, Citrus Scallop Ceviche, Tuna Ravioli, and White balsamic marinated Obsiblue Prawns, the platter was a refreshing delight. We especially enjoyed the Asian flavours of the tuna and the spicy kick of the scallops, but, surprisingly, it was the rare obsiblue prawns, with a subtly sweet taste, that highlighted just how fresh and delicious the seafood night offerings must be!

Chef Chandramouli’s professional cooking career is approaching 25 years and he has been with Fairmont since 2009, so

we were intrigued to hear how he keeps his everyday tasks exciting. “The good thing is that it’s not the same routine every day,” he explains. “You’ll keep changing the buffet menu, or in the morning you’ll go to the fridge, see what’s in and ask yourself ‘what can I do with this?’ - this change keeps me going.” As we move onto dish number two; English Clam Chowder with Smoked Sweet Corn and Beef Bacon Bits, we have to point out the immaculate presentation of the dishes that Chef Chandramouli is serving up.

“I always visualise the menu,” he tells us. “I draw the plate I’ll choose, what size it’s going to be and how I’ll plate up. When you want to develop something there’s a lot of creative process and attention to detail.” And, this meticulous approach certainly pays off. fact magazine .79

CHEFS’ TABLE

“At the end of the day you want to give the best to your customer – that starts right from getting the best ingredients, to the way you cook, and the plating.”

Chef Chandramouli

GO: CuiScene at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr is open from 6.30am to 11.30pm.

Call +971 2654 3238 for more information or to make a reservation.

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The chowder is beautifully light (not what we expected at all), so don’t worry about it being too heavy for a starter, it’s just right! The clams are tasty and each mouthful is a real treat. It’s clear that being a seasoned chef means knowing what tastes good together! “Some chef ’s do it on a trial and error basis, but out of experience you know that certain combinations work very well,” Chef Chandramouli says.

Next up is Braised Duck Legs with Puy lentil ragout, Caramelized Wild Mushrooms, and Carrot Puree. We love that the duck has been shred and mixed with small chunks of pears and apple, the texture is wonderful and all the different components of this main complement each other, both in flavour and visually too. So, how difficult is it to balance taste and presentation? Chef Chandramouli says: “There’s no compromise on either; as a chef if you want to put out the best, you will not compromise on anything.

Last, but by no means the least, was the dessert. There’s only one way to describe what was in front of us; a vibrant explosion of colour! The Chef ’s Favorite Dessert Selection Platter included Blue Berry Delight, Mango Crunch, and Opalys Chocolate Mousse with Pistachio crumble (and lots of other little bits!). This, by far, was the icing on the cake (pun definitely intended!). Everything was scrumptious and just the right amount.

Chef Chandramouli humbly admits that being a professional cook was never his chosen career path. “I never even dreamt I’d take this as my career,” he says. “ To be honest when I finished my 12th grade I wanted to become a pilot.” Boy, are we glad that he turned his hand to food instead!

It’s clear to see that Chef Chandramouli carries a genuine passion for food and cooking. Team that with the casual and trendy CuiScene restaurant and you have the perfect recipe for dining success.

Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa: Luxury has a new residence Located in the business district of Seef, opposite to Seef Mall and 4-minute drive from Bahrain City Centre, Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa offers a 5 star experience whether travelling on business or simply on a mini weekend spree.

Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa provides all the facilities you may ask for under one roof with stylish rooms, various dining outlets and one of the best-late night venues for a perfect night out.

Seef Area | Kingdom of Bahrain | T: +973 17 111 999 reservation@rameegrandbahrain.com www.rameegrandbahrain.com

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VENUE REVIEW

Amici at Yas Viceroy Casual, friendly and super trendy, Amici at Yas Viceroy is offering guests homely Italian food.

FACT took a leisurely trip to Yas Island to learn more about this inviting dining outlet…

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It’s not every day that you’ll venture to Yas Island for just a bite to eat (even we had forgotten that it’s quite a leisurely drive, what some might even call a ‘long’ way from mainland areas of Abu Dhabi). But, if you’re making the 30-40 minute trip, there’s one place that should be at the top of your foodie list Amici at Yas Viceroy hotel.

We’ve got to start off with a compliment to all the staff in the restaurant, that’s everyone from the waiters greeting you at the door to the waitresses taking orders, the restaurant

manager carrying food to the tables, and the friendly chef and his team. All are polite, efficient and welcoming.

Much like the hotel, Amici is decked out in stylish, modern decor with cool lighting fixtures hanging from the ceiling, trendy furniture, and contemporary interior design. Would you have known immediately that it’s an Italian restaurant - probably not. But it’s small, comfortable and airy - perfect for couples, families and if you’re flying solo.

The menu is full of pasta dishes, pizza, some meat options, and a few seafood offerings. Now, if you’re looking for an upmarket, fine-dining style dining experience, this is not it. What Amici gives you is a homely, casual atmosphere with healthy, hearty regional Italian food. And this classic approach was wonderfully reflected in the menu items we chose to eat!

For starters we tried the Bafala (fresh mozzarella and basil pizza), straight out of the wood-fired oven, the base was beautifully thin and the toppings deliciously fresh. Then came the Insalata Di Mare (mixed seafood salad with lemon dressing) with everything from shrimp, clams, scallop, crab and mussels, to name but a few of the mouth-watering ingredients in this light and tasty salad.

We especially loved the next course; black olive crusted lamb rack with artichoke, potato and mint jus. The meat was succulent and cooked to our desired temperature; medium. Next up was our favourite dish of the evening; sea bass

GO: Open daily 12.30 to 3pm and 7 to 11pm. Call +971 2656 0600 for more information or to make a reservation.

fillet with a polenta crust, saffron, braised fennel, and pea purée. This innovative yet simple dish, with a combination of crispy and tender textures, was, much to our surprise, delightfully delectable and full of flavour.

For dessert we had the open Sicilian cannoli with sweetened ricotta chocolate and pistachio; as well as the scrumptious tiramisu, of which the chocolate orange truffle was a standout. Service throughout the evening was relaxed yet attentive.

What we really liked seeing was the

Chef occasionally popping out to say hello to diners and make sure they were content with the food in front of them; a personal touch that made our dining experience all the more enjoyable.

Yes, there are numerous Italian restaurants in Abu Dhabi. Yes, Yas Island might be a bit of a trek. BUT, when you do find yourself hitting up the nearby attractions or looking for a dining escape from the city, Amici is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat!

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CITY BITES

True Colours of Italy

Thai Food Festival

Marine-front Dining

If Italian cuisine is your foodie calling then you’ll be excited to learn that awardwinning Chef, Gianluca Cazzin, will be in town at Frankie’s Italian Restaurant & Bar in Fairmont Bab Al Bahr this month. Ready to take diners on a gastronomy journey through the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas, the Paddana plains, the Piedmont region, and Tuscany, Chef Gianluca will put together four themed menus (blue, green, white, and red – representing the colours of the Italian flag) to showcase the most exquisite, rustic Italian cuisine.

Try everything from Sea Bass Acqua Pazza, to Risotto al Radicchio e Amarone, and Lasagna Aperta all reflecting Chef Gianluca’s homeland and heritage.

Any Asian food-lovers out there? If, like us, you love the diverse tastes and flavourful food options from Asia, check out the Thai Food Festival at Sofra bld in Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri. A guest chef from Bangkok will especially prepare authentic Thai food including mouth watering appetisers and tantalising mains to be served up buffet style for diners to enjoy. The restaurant will also be transformed to represent Thai culture and atmosphere with embellished traditional décor. The whole place will come to life with a nightly dance performance to add some lively Thai vibes to your dining experience. Delicious food teamed with light entertainment?

Italian fine-dining restaurant Cipriani on Yas Island offers a refreshing and enticing array of seasonal dishes and beverages in a beautiful breezy, marine-front setting.

And best of all is the exquisite menu made up of food options using the freshest summer ingredients, transporting diners to the Italian countryside with an unrivalled culinary journey. Try the delicious Artichoke salad with Avocado and shaved Parmesan; this palate-teaser is made from juicy, tender artichoke hearts and creamy avocado chunks, topped with generous Parmesan shavings, all mixed with a zesty citrus dressing and a sprinkling of parsley. Also, opt for the northern house favourite of Risotto ‘alla Primavera’; or the coastal delight of Italy’s Pan Seared Salmon with Green Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes. Top off a palatepleasing meal with a light Lemon Sorbet or the divine Venetian Tiramisu. Cipriani serves great food in a chic, trendy hangout!

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GO: Chef Cazzin’s menus are available from September 6 until November 28 during lunch from 12noon to 3pm and dinner from 7pm to 11.30pm at Frankie’s Italian Restaurant & Bar. For more information or to make a reservation call +971 2654 3238.

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GO: The Thai Food festival will take place at Sofra bld in Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri from September 29 to October 3. Priced at AED195++ per person. For more information or to make a reservation call +971 2509 8888.

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GO: For more information or to make a reservation call +971 2509 8888.

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CITY BITES

Afternoon Tea Refined

Scrumptious Steakhouse

A Foodie Frenzy

Elegant, authentic and simply delightful, the new Afternoon Tea selection at Le Café in Emirates Palace is refining the art of the popular English tradition with two new sets.

The Traditional English Afternoon Tea Set will serve freshly baked scones, savoury tea sandwiches, including roasted angus beef with horseradish cream and house smoked salmon; and sweet treats like strawberry vanilla tarts and vanilla crème brulée; as well as a choice of one cake to curb your afternoon hunger.

On Thursdays and Fridays, chocolate lovers can rejoice with the Chocolate Afternoon Tea Buffet, offering a sensational selection of tea sandwiches, fluffy scones, and sweet treats with a special focus on chocolate. Saving the best until last, you’ll enjoy a 24 carat gold chocolate fondue with cocoa fudge, biscotti, orange marshmallow, berries and strawberries to dip (Y.U.M.M.Y!).

Meat-lovers take note! The newly opened Novotel Abu Dhabi Al Bustan boasts six dining outlets amongst which there’s Choice Cut Steakhouse; a haven for meat-eaters and seafood enthusiasts, this dining venue lets the best meats and seafood take centre stage as the only items on the menu. Enjoy your dinner with a complimentary salad bar, bursting with flavour and variety, providing the perfect accompaniment to your main meal. The modern interior with beautiful sandblasted wooden floors incorporates an open kitchen, rotisserie and a fully-stocked, glass, walk-in vino cellar. If you’re after a juicy steak prepared from the finest prime beef cuts and chargrilled to perfection, this is the place you’ll find it!

If dining promotions (and good food) is what you’re looking for this month then you might want to take note of all the appetising offers at Sevilo’s Italian Restaurant in Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi. Check out the popular pizza and pasta promo every Wednesday. You can share an authentic pizza or a delicious pasta dish in a homely ambience for AED120 net, plus soft drinks, or AED195 net with house beverages. That’s not all; try the scrumptious Family Friday Brunch from 12noon to 4pm with live food stations and international cuisines. The best thing? Children eat for free whilst adults can tuck in for AED160 with soft drinks or AED195 inclusive of house vino and ales. And if that doesn’t fulfil the gluttons out there, check out the Seafood Night every Thursday from 7pm to midnight which serves up a tantalising buffet of succulent seafood.

There’s also Ladies Night and House Vino Night for all those who need to take the edge off.

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GO: Afternoon Tea at Le Café, daily between 3pm to 6pm. The Traditional English Afternoon Tea is priced at AED260 (two people). The Chocolate Afternoon Tea Buffet is priced at AED180 per person. For more information or to make a reservation call +971 2690 7999.

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GO: Dine at Choice Cut Steakhouse, open from 6.30pm to 11.30pm, in Novotel Abu Dhabi Al Bustan. For more information or to make a reservation call +971 2501 6444.

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GO: Dine at Sevilo’s Restaurant in Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi. For more information or to make a reservation call +971 2614 6000.

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Thai Traditions meet Arabic Hospitality located in the city’s new business and government district, to experience what Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi is really all about, a weekend stay will give you an indication of what the well-known hospitality brand offers ITS guests...

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HOTEL HOTSPOT

he Dusit Thani brand prides itself on offering “traditional Thai grandeur, a rich heritage and world– renowned hospitality” for guests staying at its hotels.

As we walked into the grand atrium at Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, everything from the décor, to the friendly staff, and the calm vibe we get, makes for great first impressions. Beautiful, gold, symbols double as wall furnishings in the grand lobby, which leads off to dining areas and the “bullet lifts” which help to whizz guests up and down the hotel’s impressive, sky-high atrium (it’s the third largest in the UAE!). The hotel elegantly blends contemporary elements with personalised touches, and we couldn’t wait to check into one of the 402 luxury guest rooms.

Stay: A Haven Of Comfort

With 402 guest rooms, 131 serviced apartments, and nine room types to choose from, believe us when we say that the Dusit Thani has the accommodation needs of all types of travellers covered. We stay in a spacious deluxe room, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering excellent natural light, as well as incorporating earthy, warm interiors that evoke traditional Thai

style. The bed is huge; there’s a desk, an especially-comfy armchair, and all the regular amenities such as a Flat-screen TV, Telephone, Iron, Minibar, Tea and Coffee making facilities, Safety deposit box, hairdryer, bathrobes, and toiletries by Nature’s Touch amongst other less usual facilities like a Laptop safe, DVD Player and iPod Docking station (Win! Say hello to movie time). However, best of all was having far-reaching, panoramic city views. You can see for miles and appreciate the beauty of Abu Dhabi whilst revelling in the peaceful surroundings of your room. For us, the deluxe room type had everything a guest could ask for when staying for a relaxing weekend!

Dine: Urban Kitchen Delights

What’s fantastic is that once you’ve checked into the hotel, you needn’t leave to go out for food, as the eclectic mix of dining venues on offer will likely satisfy all your foodie cravings, to a high-quality standard. We went to try Urban Kitchen, the popular all-day dining restaurant that specialises in international and Arabic cuisine, serving up a scrummy buffet and live cooking stations alongside a la carte menu options. Service is great as staff frequently pass by to make sure you have everything you need. Most of all, we loved the open plan design of Urban Kitchen and being able to see behind the counter, and interact with the chefs. This personalised touch was another sign of Thai roots being embraced in the hotel’s dining outlets. And let’s not forget the food; the buffet options were aplenty and there was something for both meat-eaters and vegetarian-lovers!

“Most of all, we loved the open plan design of Urban Kitchen and being able to see behind the counter, and interact with the chefs.”

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“You can see for miles and appreciate the beauty of Abu Dhabi whilst revelling in the peaceful surroundings of your room.”

Pamper: Relax at Namm Spa

The hotel features an impressive rooftop swimming pool with stunning, widereaching city views. In the warm autumn months this would be the perfect place to hang out! However, if pure relaxation is what you’re after then Namm Spa would be the place for a wellness fix.

Try the signature Thai massage, an invigorating treatment where muscles are awakened and soothed using authentic Thai techniques. Our massage therapist is 90. fact magazine

welcoming, well versed and wonderfully comfortable at her craft. She targets the back and legs, which we noted as the areas to concentrate on, and though Thai massages are commonly known for being quite vigorous, she is able to draw the spirit of this type of massage and tailor it to our specific needs.

We also love the airy treatment rooms, which allow for a complete serene experience at the spa! There’s also an

extensive list of treatments available so you can easily disappear to the spa and forget the outside world for a good few hours. There’s also the modern DFiT Fitness Centre with yoga and aerobics studio, if you want to get workout in!

HOTEL HOTSPOT

Location: pERFECT PLACE

When it comes to location, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi has somewhat of a prime position; close to the city’s thriving malls, and also key areas such as the lush Eastern Mangroves; the iconic Corniche, and the exciting event-filled Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. So, if you did want to venture out, you’re within reach of a great number of entertainment and activity!

What is most evident and about Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi is the attention to detail on everything from the lobby to the lighting, the rooms and the dining, and the many facilities throughout the hotel.

Nothing is too much for the helpful staff and concierge, who are on hand for the simplest of requests. Though it’s a fairly new hotel, we’re confident that Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi will comfortably gain a loyal clientele and carve out a unique position in the city’s ever-competitive hotel industry.

01 Urban Kitchen 02 Ballroom 03 Deluxe Room 04 Dusit Club 05 Naam Spa Treatment Room 06 Naam Spa offerings 07 Rooftop Pool

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Coming soon To Abu dhAbi

A new quarterly publication from Nans Group, the company that brings you a portfolio of leading magazines from across the GCC. 92. fact magazine

Authentic Pampering At Anantara Spa Anantara Spa Eastern Mangroves embodies everything that you would want and need from a stress-relieving, body-nurturing, and wellbeing-enhancing spa break.

Shabana Adam spent the night at this tranquil location to find out if it’s THE place for an escape from city commotion‌

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Anantara automatically makes me think ‘high STANDARDs’. Every Anantara hotel or resort I’ve visited in the past has lived up to a certain great standard, so I wasn’t surprised that, on first impression, the hotel at Eastern Mangroves followed suit... ...For one, the location is breathtaking. Farreaching views of the tranquil mangroves and the distant city skyline make staying in a beautiful room, with a spacious balcony, an absolute treat. I soon venture to the Anantara Spa, famous for using traditional techniques and gentle remedies for therapeutic pampering. Much to my delight, this spa offers an array of both Middle Eastern-influenced treatments and authentic therapies from exotic Thailand. In all, there are 15 treatment rooms, two Vichy shower rooms, a dedicated LPG face and slimming room, an open Hammam area, and sauna and steam rooms.

But I was here for the star player; the spa’s Traditional Turkish Hammam, featuring two private Hammam rooms (they’re huge!). The first of the two treatments we had was called the Royal Ottoman Hammam. It began with five minutes in both the steam room and sauna, preparing the skin for the kese mitt body scrub 94. fact magazine

SPA review – this exfoliation is great for removing dead skin cells – followed by a traditional foam massage treatment using handmade olive oil soap, and a pressure point head massage, which includes hair cleansing and conditioning. Now, if you’re well and truly stressed, then believe me, half an hour into the 60-minute treatment, you’ll feel all of your tension ease away.

Next, the face and body is replenished with a nourishing honey, lavender and white sesame scrub. Immediately my skin feels smooth with a healthy glow, ready for the 90-minute Anantara Signature massage to follow. After having relaxed with an iron drink and a variety of Turkish sweets (to replenish the body’s nutrients) – I’m led to a calm treatment room for a fabulous massage.

The lovely therapist gets to work straight away with a signature blend of oils combined with wringing, kneading and stretching to stimulate the circulation and

GO: The Royal Ottoman Hammam Experience lasts 60 minutes, priced at AED500. Anantara Signature Massage for 90 minutes is priced at AED765. Anantara Spa is open 10am to 10pm. Call +971 2656 1146 for more information or to make a reservation.

promote deep relaxation of the muscles. It was one of the very few times I was able to drift off to sleep and by the end I was happily relaxed with a restored flow of positive energy!

If you want out of the city chaos then this is the place to check into. If you want a bona fide Turkish Bath experience then this is the place to have it. And if you want a weekend of doing absolutely nothing but relaxing and taking in the peaceful surroundings, then Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara is where you can do just that! fact magazine .95

HEALTH TIPS

01.

Couple Up!

A study reviewed census data and found that those who never marry are 58% more likely to die at a young age than those who take the plunge and exchange vows.

Well, there goes the dreams of being a bachelor or bachelorette forever!

02.

Burn more calories Walking against the wind, in the water, or while wearing a backpack burns around 50 more calories per hour than walking with no resistance (and anyone who goes to the gym knows how much every calorie counts!). People who wear pedometers also tend to burn more calories. Oh, so that’s why walking the opposite way in the Lazy River is like trying to push a double decker bus down a London high street!

Did You Know:

Health & Wellness

From your social networking habits to the shoes you wear, and even your marital status, here’s some light-hearted health info (proven to be fact by one study or another) to inspire your lifestyle…

03.

It’s All In The Blues It’s not rocket science that you eat less food when using smaller plates. The theory is simple; a full plate tricks you into thinking you are eating more, making food portions look bigger. All you have to do (according to a study somewhere) is eat your meals on salad plates, preferably blue, and never white, to give the illusion of having a full plate! The result; you’re satisfied with less food. Aah, so why are the plates at buffets ALWAYS white?!

04.

Balanced Out

Aim for five to six meals a day, consisting of nine to 12 servings of vegetables and a gram of protein for every pound of body weight. A 25g serving of protein is about the size of your fist. Eating more protein will help keep you full, stabilise your blood sugar and help build muscle. Basically what we’re saying is, eat right and live more!

05.

Bright Eyes

Up your seafood intake; Salmon, sardines, and mackerel, all containing omega-3 fatty acids, which the body uses to produce tears, are great for keeping dry eyes shut out.

People who consume higher amounts of these fats are less likely to have dry eyes. Fish fingers anyone?

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Headache Healing Rubbing peppermint oil, Tiger Balm or white flower oil into your temples reduces tension headaches. All three remedies contain menthol, which has analgesic / painkiller properties.

So, if work’s stressing you out, or you get regular burst of migraine – pop one of these in your bag next time!

07.

Best Foot Forward!

Women love heels, but heels don’t really return the love!

What is surprising is how women deal with the pain. If your heels cause you pain within 6 minutes of wear, you should probably reconsider; because the consequences of injurious heels aren’t pretty on the eye, but are can also cause severe back pain!

08.

Facebook Therapy Facebook may be good for your health as studies show that staying in touch with family and friends can ward off memory loss and help you live longer. In other words, those who are posting selfies all day long aren’t really contributing to their good health, and those sending regular messages to loved ones have totally got this whole Facebook thing on lockdown!

09.

Chuckle Vision There are several beneficial efforts attributed to humor and laughter, including improved immune function, increased pain tolerance, and decreased stress response.

Laughing for 10 to 15 minutes increases your heart rate by 10 to 20 per cent, which means you can burn an extra 10 to 40 calories a day. And, ladies and gents, that’s why we spend so much time reading BuzzFeed!

10.

Hello Sunshine Exposure to sunlight is the way your body naturally produces vitamin D, this helps ward off depression, heart disease and certain cancers. About 10 minutes of sunlight per day is enough to charge up your vitamin D intake. Quick walk on the Corniche will do the trick! fact magazine .97

Nicolas Gardier Executive Assistant Manager i/c Food & Beverage at Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi.

city insider

A cultural hotspot in Abu Dhabi that people should SEE WHEN VISITING THE CITY… I am fairly new to Abu Dhabi so I am still discovering the city and the many opportunities it has to offer in terms of culture, gastronomy and entertainment.

But, definitely the Grand Mosque is a place to visit. I have heard good things about the Heritage Village to learn about pre historic Abu Dhabi, so that is on my bucket list.

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Tell us your favourite places to dine in the city…

When you have the chance to work at Beach Rotana, it is very difficult to dine in any other place. We have a great variety of outlets, portraying the best of all cuisines; from the 20-year-old Trader Vic’s with French Polynesian cuisine, to one of the best steakhouses in Abu Dhabi, our recently revamped Rodeo Grill, and the contemporary Indian restaurant Indigo, that just celebrated

its 7th anniversary. Also, in my opinion, the best Italian in town, Prego’s. We are actually somehow a cultural culinary hotspot in Abu Dhabi!

Describe your ideal day off in Abu Dhabi…

My ideal day off would be a golf round in the morning, breathing in the fresh air, followed by an afternoon cinema date with my wife, and in the evening a splash in the pool followed by a nice dinner at home.

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