THE SMART MONTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE IN BAHRAIN
INSIDE THIS MONTH
The 6 Hours of Bahrain The FIA World Endurance Championship 2012
FASHION. ART. CULTURE. TECHNOLOGY SEPTEMBER 2012
VOL 6, ISSUE 1
BD1
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Candee Beach
SR10
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Call the Hotline (p28)
Rashed’s Food Tour of Bahrain (p10)
(p20)
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APP-ATTACK! (p38)
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FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
THE SMART MONTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE IN BAHRAIN
INSIDE THIS MONTH
The 6 Hours of Bahrain The FIA World Endurance SEPTEMBER 2012
VOL 6, ISSUE 1
BD1
NOTEWORTHY
Championship 2012
FASHION. ART. CULTURE. TECHNOLOGY
(p6)
Candee Beach Bahrain’s favourite beach
SR10
party returns this month!
(p12)
6 6 Hours of Bahrain The FIA World Endurance Championship 2012 is coming to Bahrain this September.
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10 The Japanese Popstars! An exclusive interview with the Irish
Call the Hotline
CULTURE
An interview with one of the most successful Bahrainbased hip-hop artists...
(p28)
Rashed’s Food Tour of Bahrain
are producers who nese) DJs and around the world are its The Irish (not Japa ing the club circu currently storm ain! (p10) coming to Bahr
(p20)
PLUS
APP-ATTACK! The apps and the cr-apps! (p38)
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FACT’s very own local food expert takes us on a tour of some of the lesser known spots...
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An Ali Driver CUV shootout! (p44)
FACT Magazine M.E. Bahrain Edition September 2012 Volume 6 Issue 1
Tour of Bahrain We take you on a grand tour of some of the lesser-known food spots in Bahrain, courtesy of our in-house food expert Rashed!
20 sThoeurdOfs a R d o o F Bahrain!
FACT M.E. Bahrain Publishing W.L.L.
ARTS 28 Call the Hotline
Ministry of Information
We interview one of the most successful Bahrain-based hip-hop artists on the scene...
Director
34 Hotel Transylvania
Editor-in-Chief
We preview the hilarious new animation featuring Count
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Deputy Editor Regional Head of Sales
TECHNOLOGY
Sales & Marketing Manager Senior Sales Designer Fashion Consultant Photography Contributors
38 APP-ATTACK! FACT brings you some of the best smartphone apps out there, as well as some of the cr-apps!
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44 Ali Driver compares two CUVs from
Intern
FASHION
PRINTED BY
50 The 2012 Fall/Winter Preview
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We bring you a sneak peek at seeing in the stores this season...
or omissions.
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FROM THE EDITOR
I LOVE September! And why? Because it’s the same every year – the summer is passing, the weather is cooling down, everyone is coming back to Bahrain, and the place is coming alive again! Just take a look at this month – the 6 Hours of Bahrain World Endurance Championship race, the Japanese Popstars, Candee Beach, the K Factor, Oktoberfest (the Gulf Hotel one, not the one in Germany!), WTF III, and that’s just the things we’ve covered in this issue! There were even more happenings landing in our Inbox as we went to press, but we just couldn’t rearrange the magazine to fit any more in. It’s like this every year, because people plan it that way. They know summer is quiet, but September is lively, so all the hotels, bars and restaurants come back with a vengeance, keen to make up for low profits during the slow months and Ramadan. As a result, September is always one of the most happening months of the year, and this is why I love it!
What’s more, we managed to bag an exclusive interview with the Japanese Popstars ahead of their gig in Bahrain, whilst they’re on their current summer festival tour of the UK, so check that out on page 10. And before you think this is some boy band from Tokyo, you should know that the name is ironic, they’re actually dJs and producers from derry, in Ireland, and they’re enjoying a whole bunch of attention around the world at the moment, including an official partnership with a Formula One team! That’s not the only interview we bagged for this issue, either. We also talk to regional film director Khalid Mahmood about his taking part in the Gulf Film Festival, as well as Bahrainbased hip-hop artist Hotline, who’s currently releasing a single and a music video internationally. There’s much more I could tell you about, but I’m running out of space here, so I’m going to let you find out the rest for yourselves. Enjoy!
Tony Sidgwick Editor-in-Chief tony@factlive.com
My favourite story this issue Bahrain We loved touring Bahrain places to get all kinds of great food in Bahrain, from Muharraq to Riffa. Excellent lamb chops, amazing hommous and more were some of the treasures we discovered!
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News from the
FACT Penthouse
This month we bagged an exclusive interview with The Japanese Popstars, the Irish DJs and producers, ahead of their set in Bahrain this September... Check out the exclusive rap video hip-hop artist Hotline made for FACT Magazine during his interview on our YouTube channel! On the day of going to press, editor Tony Sidgwick ended up getting trapped in the bathroom for almost half an hour when the lock jammed, and had to climb out through the suspended ceiling! It only ever happens to him...
FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
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-BSPCA Fashion show tickets go on sale @
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Endurance Racing at its Best!
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Formula One is the fastest racing series in the world, but at the end of the day, the cars all pretty much look the same. For an awesome variety of racing machines and true wheelto-wheel action, the FIA WEC delivers on all counts!
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in the region to stage a race of an all-new international race series – the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The Six Hours of Bahrain will be the sixth of eight rounds in the 2012 championship. The season calendar also includes races in the US, Belgium, France, the UK, Brazil, Japan and China. Bahrain is the only Arab country to feature in this year’s WEC campaign, despite several other regional circuits interested in hosting. The Six Hours of Bahrain will feature a massive grid of no less than 32 of some of the world’s fastest and most prestigious sports cars, which will be run by top international teams from around the world. Each team consists of more than one driver who will be taking turns behind the wheel during the course of the race. Some of the competitors include familiar faces, such as exFormula One talents like Mcnish, nick Heidfeld, Sebastien Buemi, Anthony davidson and Kazuki nakajima, to name a few. There will be four different car categories: the Le Mans Prototype 1 (LMP1), LMP2, LMGTE Pro and LMGTE Am. Le Mans Prototype cars are not your typical road cars. They’re
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for this category of racing. Le Mans Prototype cars are the fastest closed-wheel racing cars in circuit racing today, and can reach maximum speeds even higher than Formula One cars at times. “The FIA WEC is about great racing but also about providing a platform for manufacturers to test and develop new technology,” said FIA WEC CEO Gerard neveu. “This will be seen here in Bahrain in the form of the new Audi R18 e-tron Quattro and the Toyota TS030 Hybrid cars, as well as cars from manufacturers such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, Corvette, Porsche, Lotus, nissan, Honda, Morgan and Oreca.” Throughout the Six Hours of Bahrain weekend, BIC will be keeping its paddock area open, allowing fans to freely walk around the vicinity and enjoy everything the WEC has to offer. And of course, as with the F1, the There will be plenty of off-track entertainment for all the family in the vending area, including a main stage with live music, and fun and games for the kids. GO:
QUOTE OF
THE MONTH “Some consumers see promotional messages as a breach of their privacy while some consider them as a source of information.” Ms. Ghada Al Qassab,
Follow FACTBahrain on
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THE SCOPE LOVE IT ! Boost!
Whilst One Space Legend Dies, Another is Made!
CAN’T BELIEVE IT
SO OBVIOUS!
Bahrainisation to be scrapped?
HATE IT!
I
Give Up or Go On?
have just come back from a pretty heavy, greedy, fattening, long and tiring holiday. Oh, I’m not complaining – it was amazing! But now I’m back to square one of liver hurts whenever I move, which is more often than people realize. I am now about 8 months away from taking part in the London Marathon and the not looking promising… Before I jetted off to the land of cold, rain and recent Gold medals, my physio warned me what a state
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my muscles were in. Every time I get or snap, or click, or fall out of place. I am not making excuses, I promise! no one likes the gym (even though they may claim to); exercise freaks just enjoy the results after weeks of sweat and tears. I enjoy getting into a bikini getting wolf-whistled on the beach (not that it has EVER happened – I’m speaking hypothetically, of course). My best friend Magnus is running Alicia who breathes and lives running.
At the moment I have set my time for four hours. However, seeing that moment without wanting to drop dead (it’s the heat’s fault entirely, of course), it’ll be interesting to see how disastrously the training pans out. Whatever happens though, training or no training, Tony’s belly will continue to win the award for ‘Most LOVE to see how that looks in a bikini. [I bet you’d also LOVE to see how a massive pile of extra work has just appeared on your desk Zara! Enjoy… – Ed.]
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Tony Sidgwick Music Hall on September 28…
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he Japanese Popstars are possibly the biggest dance act you’ve never heard of. Their brand of no-nonsense electro madness is a little too out there for the mainstream charts, which is why you the likes of david Guetta and Tiesto. However, they HAVE played alongside the likes of Travis, Fatboy Slim, the Chemical Brothers, and even rock band Kasabian, when they played a live set with them at the European MTV Music Awards Preparty in 2011. They’ve played in festivals and events across the world, from dubai to Japan, new York and more. They’ve collaborated with iconic artists such as Robert Smith from the Cure, Tom Smith from the Editors, and Green Velvet, to name a few, as well as remixing tracks by Beyoncé, daft Punk, depeche Mode, Ting Tings, Editors, the Gorillaz, Kylie Minogue and many more. Known for their raucous electro sets often played live in front of packed arenas, this trio of Irish lads from derry, in northern Ireland, have racked up an impressive number of accolades since they emerged in 2006, including “Best Live Act” at the 2008 Irish Music Awards and then every year since. They were also voted “Best Breakthrough Producers” at the dJ Mag Best Of British Awards 2008, awarded “no.1 dance Album” by Hotpress magazine, and won “Best Live Act” and “Best Album” at the 2009 Irish Music Awards, as well as nominations for “Best House
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dJs” at the 2006 World Urban Music Awards and “Best Live Performance” at the 2007 northern Ireland Music Awards. 2011 was a very busy year which culminated in their album being released and six subsequent singles, and videos with numerous awards attached to them, most notably Green Velvet’s collaboration ‘Let Go’. Plus their ‘Shells of Silver’ track was included in the drama Gossip Girl, which led the said video to over 300,000 YouTube hits. As if that wasn’t enough January 2012 saw the guys nominated for Ireland’s Meteor Choice award for Best Album. Add to all this a recently announced collaboration with the Caterham Formula One team, where the boys created a bespoke track, entitled ‘RS27’, featuring the engine sound of the Caterham F1 car’s Renault engine, which led to their logo being displayed inside the cockpit of the team’s cars. The video can be seen on the group’s website, www. thejapanesepopstars.co.uk. We caught up with Gary Curran, who at the time happened to be hanging out with former Bahrain resident (and former FACT freelance photographer) Armand Hough (small world, ain’t it?), who’s documenting the band’s summer festival tour with his trusted camera. So, of course we have to ask, where did the name come from? Originally it started off as a kind of
respect towards Japan, all the manga movies and anime culture and all that kind of stuff, and there was also a bit of thought towards making money in that part of the world. But it was also showing off a bit of our Irish humour, because we’re not from Japan and we’re not popstars, we’re basically the furthest thing you can get from that, so it’s a bit of respect and a lot of tongue-in-cheek! How did you get together? Well, it originally started off when I was producing some music and promoting events back home in derry, and I came across the guys when they were dJing there, and we became friends and stayed in touch, and created some tracks together. Then, a few of the tracks that I was producing got picked up by Ministry of Sound, and through those we were offered a live show, so I tracked down the guys, and people liked us because we were doing something a little different, so that’s basically where it off the back of that gig, and we just kept active, kept doing remixes, and going ever since. How would you describe your music? We like to tap into a variety of things. If you listen to any of our albums, the heavier techno or electro, and the live shows will range as well from house music to techno and electro, so we like to tap into a variety of styles.
It’s basically just a lot of loud noises! The people we’d look up to would be people like the Chemical Brothers us a lot, but what we produce depends a lot on what we’re feeling at the time. How does it feel to be enjoying experiencing? We’re enjoying it, but we still feel like we’re at the bottom of a very big ladder! We hope to build a big career with every step we take, but we’re still just clubbers who want to have a set in a festival, it’s like, “Right, who do we go and see now?” That’s where we come from, just going out and enjoying ourselves. It’s nice being paid to go to all these festivals now! We started out paying hundreds of pounds to get in, and moved on to offering to play at them just to get in for free and see everybody, and now we’re at the stage where people are offering us money to come and play, which is fantastic! And how did the collaboration with the Caterham F1 team happen? That came out of our manager Matthew Stuart’s brain, a bit of a genius stroke
on his part! He thought that because a lot of our music is quite powerful, with really raw elements and a lot of technology involved, he thought it makes sense to try and team up with a racing team. So, he approached Caterham, and luckily one of the team members was a fan, so it all kicked off from there! They brought us over to Monza to meet up with all the team, and we sampled the engine sounds, and created this bespoke piece of music, ‘RS27’, and our name ended up in the cockpit of the car, which was fantastic! You just can’t pay for that type of marketing, or we certainly couldn’t afford it. The idea was for us to do a few F1 parties, so we’re just putting that together now. We were going to do Hungary, but we were all booked up for the summer festivals, but we’re looking to do some of the upcoming races. collaborated with stand out as fun to work with? I’d have to say that Robert Smith (from the Cure) really stands
out, but honestly we enjoyed working with every one of them. Green Velvet was a really eccentric character but really great to work with, and we’ve just done a recent collaboration with him called ‘Matter of Time’. But Robert Smith was very good to work with, he’s very thorough, and told us exactly what he wanted. He gave us so many parts, he played six string base on the track, and then he invited us to the Royal Albert Hall to watch the Cure perform in box seats, where we got to meet him which was just unbelievable! Have you played in the Middle East before? We played the Sandance festival in dubai about two months ago, it was us Morcheeba, Travis, Tinchy Stryder, Zane Lowe, and Fatboy Slim, and it was really cool to be in that line up, in that location. It’s just a whole different world over there! We’re going back there after our gig in Bahrain as well. Anything to say to Bahrain? Just bring your dancing shoes and a good attitude and you’ll have a great time!
GO:
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NOTEWORTHY
BSPCA Fashion Show 2012! After a threeyear hiatus, this glamorous fundraiser for welfare charity is returning to the kingdom in October, with tickets going on sale as of the
Candee Beach Returns! After two hugely successful events before Ramadan which attracted thousands, Candee Beach returns for another blowout beach party, will be perfect!
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t will be designed, choreographed
their very own Thrift Shop, by the multi-talented Stephen Herschel. The show will also feature the pupils of Victoria’s School of dance, the gifted soloist Anna Thompson-Hall, the El Yown dancers, and talented musicians david and Sachi. This year’s theme will be ‘The BSPCA Academy Awards’ and, in keeping with this glitzy red carpet occasion, the dress code for the event will be ‘dress to impress’, as the venue is the fabulously-renovated Al Fanar rooftop restaurant at the diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel. A lavish buffet, including beverages, will be served. In addition, they have some such as a night in a luxury room for watches donated by Fakhrawi Stores, an air ticket to dubai, a four ball, 18 hole golf voucher from the Royal Golf Club at Riffa, a dragster racing experience from the BIC plus lots, lots more! You will even have the chance to bid for a framed polo shirt signed by the winning Bahrain Formula One Red Bull team Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber. After more than a decade of concentrated fund raising for a new moving down to their purpose-built Animal Welfare Centre at Askar, and September sees them embark on the nationwide Trap-neuter-Release programme to deal with the stray dog population of Bahrain. For every table of 12 tickets sold, the BSPCA will be able to afford to neuter 72 dogs. GO:
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he Candee Beach parties, which take place at the Amwaj Marina beach, have proven to be a runaway success. The last one attracted in the region of two thousand people, with music coming courtesy of respected Ibiza dJ Joshua Roberts, supported by some awesome local talent. Well, the good news is that Joshua Roberts is returning once again for this next instalment, which promises to be even bigger and better than before! For those of you who don’t know him, or missed out on the last party he played at, Joshua Roberts is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and energetic young dJ’s on the circuit today. Soon after learning to mix at just 11 years old, he was already being recognized for both his mixing ability and his capability to move the crowd. Having already graced a top radio station in his region (Kiss) with his presence at the age of 15, he then became a national champion two years later at just 17 years of age, winning the BBC Radio 1 & UKCC national Young dJ Search; a nationwide competition for 14 – 17 year olds to showcase their mixing talents. Following a summer touring the UK, he was invited to open proceedings at Radio 1’s One Big Weekend in Birmingham. Already at 22 years of age Josh has played across the globe, making him
one of the most well travelled dJ’s for his age. He has also appeared on BBC1, MTV dance and been featured in dJ Mag. After spending the summer of 2007 rocking some of the coolest parties at the Ministry of Sound beach club Beach bar out in the Red Sea, he joined forces with both brands and resident for some of their top UK & worldwide dates. Josh is renowned for his fresh and creative style of play, and best describes his style as “Funky, Uplifting, dirty and delightful” His energetic and charismatic presence behind the decks is something which has been noticed across the board, not to mention his unpredictable, exciting approach to mixing and phenomenal technical ability. “I love being creative with my tunes. Mixing, cutting and scratching my way through my sets whilst getting the crowd hyped up to the max”, he says. This is something which has gained him major recognition and earned him bookings alongside the likes of Tiesto, david Guetta, Fatboy Slim, Judge Jules, Graham Gold, Brandon Block, The Freemasons, Tim Westwood & more! GO:
The Malja Community promotion, workshops, and recognition, FACT spoke to the guys at the Malja Art Centre Project who are planning on providing exactly
“W
e have some big plans,” said Abdulla Faisal, Project Manager of Malja. The program is a new studio for artists in Bahrain to use to develop their work; the second is a mentoring program which will see professional artists come to mentor individuals who want to learn and enhance their abilities as much as possible; and national artists via a database which will then be used to coordinate with the media, art studios, and exhibitions to help the industry Malja will be a hub which serves as a network for creative individuals to grow, meet similar people and be inspired by the huge amount of talent that Bahrain possesses. Participants who work with Malja
promotion that the organisation will be able to provide. “Right now we are searching for
sponsors to help us achieve this vision,” explains Abdullah. “Chevron has been a massive help in our progression, however we are looking for more help to aid studio.” The new site aims to have a permanent gallery space, studio, bookshop, lounge, and café. The Malja Art Centre Project works very closely with AIESEC, the world’s largest youth organisation and development scheme. Working with AIESEC has allowed passionate young individuals to collaborate with Malja. People such as Katarzyna, Sara, Alex, and Hayfa are all foreign students who are either still studying or are recent graduates; collaborating with AIESEC has given them the opportunity to travel across the world, experience different cultures and develop their skills. Interns are
given a variety of tasks, such as creating press releases, devising promotion strategies and much more – all to help Malja excel. “We currently have 90 artists on our database, however 90 is not enough. We are looking for all sorts of creative individuals to get in contact with us – and not just artists either. We are interesting in working with musicians, graphic designers This is a great opportunity for the local creative talents to get noticed on a much wider scale than was previously available to them. GO:
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locally-made movies at Cineco cinemas that were featured at the last Gulf Film Festival in Dubai in April. FACT catches up with one of them for a chat…
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he Gulf Film Festival is an annual non-profit cultural event which celebrates the highest standards of cinematography in the Gulf. It’s one of the biggest events in the calendar for the local filmmaker and movie guru, and not only shows off the best quality films that the region has to offer, but also helps to produce the next generation of director geniuses. Khalid Mahmood was one of the filmmakers who came to Bahrain for the screening of his latest movie, Sabeel, which was also screened at the Gulf Film Festival in dubai this year. ‘The film I created for the Gulf Film Festival (GFF) is a simple story of a group of people who sell vegetables on the side of the road,” explains Khalid. “The group take care of their elders at the same time and find life rewarding, yet difficult.” According to Khalid, the film is very visual and has no dialogue and very little sound. “Creating a film with such qualities was a challenge for me, and the general consensus here is that viewers are used to seeing films with plenty of dialogue and noise – so
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emulating a production with the same quality but without sound was not easy. “We found nice locations to shoot and to ensure that it was visual and appealing to the audience. The reason I decided to direct a film that covered this topic was to open up the discussion on the lives of these people. Society needs to be aware that these are real people, with real problems. However, they are often forgotten amongst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. This film shows the simplicity and harshness of life, these people are struggling on a daily basis without begging. What they do is quite inspiring actually.” The Gulf Film Festival is also an inspiring experience, and hopes to develop the local and regional film culture in the Gulf by creating greater opportunities for filmmakers from the region to screen their films and develop future film projects. “Without this competition I don’t think I would be making films today,” says Khalid. “I grew up in Abu dhabi, and this event was the incentive for
me to start, to meet new people and to learn as much as I could about filmmaking. Before the organisation came about there was very little in regards to directing and producing original work. It really changed my life.” Since starting his career in 1999, Khalid has made eight short films. “There are a few which stand out for me because they spoke to me at a certain time of my life, something that I was going through at the time. “In university I had to write to express myself, but after a while I wanted to express myself via different channels, so when I switched to the next step (film) I found new and better ways to express myself. It really allowed me to do that in ways that I perhaps couldn’t
through writing. “When I started filmmaking I would never produce a story in a chronological order. I always tried to play with the format of the order – make it abstract and different. At the time when I started directing and creating, the work from other directors in the industry followed similar steps, it was all very similar. So I tried to stay away from telling stories via the TV drama method, because to me that was always boring,” he finishes. Sabeel, the film that Khalid is screening at the Festival is the last one he created. The project dates back to 2010, and is his most successful production so far. The film has won a collection of awards - both locally and internationally - and had its world premiere in Le Cannes Film Festival, France in 2011. Further to this the short film was selected for film events in Berlin, Palm Springs, dubai, Morocco, Qatar, and is the winner of ‘Best Shot’ in the Eurasian Film Festival in new York. GO:
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MAKING SERIOUS
WAVES Now the weather is cooling off, the perfect place to be is in the water. Coral Bay unveils more about its watersports and diving plans which are now available for everyone across the island.
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oral Bay, set in the heart of Manama, has prided itself on maintaining a solid reputation over the past couple of years. Well-known for its fantastic food and extensive facilities, new plans are further establishing it to be one of most sought-after locations to go for residents of, and visitors to, Bahrain. now with the summer sun relenting its rather intense rays, Coral Bay is the ‘one-stop-shop’ for all kinds of watersports and fun sunshine activities. novice or professional, the Coral diving and Watersports Centre has plenty going on to entertain all ages and levels of experience. The team at Coral Bay are now on-hand seven days a week from 9am until sunset. If you are just stopping by to make an inquiry
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or attend your previously made booking, the team are fully equipped to offer you advice, discounts, packages and lessons on all watersports, from jet skis to wakeboarding, waterskiing to drag toys and pretty much everything in between. So what exactly is on offer? For those of you who are the adrenaline junkies, there is a host of activities all guaranteed to give you that extra thrill you have been waiting for all summer. Apart from the previously mentioned jet skiing, boat activities including wakeboarding and kneeboarding are available for Bd20 per half an hour or Bd35 for a full hour. Banana boating is also set at Bd35 for 30 minutes for a group of eight people. Those of you who like to keep things
Coral Bay all kinds of watersports and fun sunshine activities
more sedate, then you can also hire a double kayak or pedalo boat for Bd7.5 for half an hour. The diving scene in Bahrain is one waiting to be discovered. There is already a Scuba Social scene in the Kingdom – it doesn’t matter what level you are, whether you are a fresh faced novice or a seasoned resort and holder of the Green Star Award for Conservation, will give you the opportunity to enjoy the waters of Bahrain to the max. There are four courses on offer, including discover Scuba diving, which starts at Bd65, where kids as young as 10 years old can take part. Those of you who have already earned in the Scuba diver Course, costing Bd145, and is a great warm-up for the Open Water diver course. With this course the supervision of your own dive Master or Instructor to a maximum depth of 12 metres. Perhaps one of the most internationally popular courses is the Open Water diver Course. For Bd220, you can fully appreciate all the waters of Bahrain. Millions of people across the world have already submerged themselves into this adventurous diving lifestyle and claim it to be thoroughly addictive. The last course on offer is the Advance Open Water Course for Bd160. Once this course has been completed, you would have gained a fantastic range of knowledge, skills and experience. This option allows you to dive down to 30 metres and is available for 12 years and above. As well as the mentioned activities, other specialties on offer are emergency and first aid, rescue diving and Coral Reef conservation to name a few. If you have already explored the whole of Bahrain, then there is a whole new world waiting for you in the ocean. Try something new and head down to Coral Bay. You will not be disappointed! GO:
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s t r e b o R a u h s o J . t F At Amwaj Marina r e b m e t p e S h t 8 2 , On Friday www.facebook.com/candee.beachbahrain
CULTURE
of Bahrain
s d e h f r O RFoaos u d To ! n i a r h Ba e e best plac th s w o n k e want it, h ous, if you m m o h to chops s: From lamb . g n ti d Say t Tip... a e e d o h go s a R my Firs o t e m o Welc
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s d e h s a f R r O u o d o T Fo ! n i a r h Ba hrain to place in Ba t s e b e th u n tell yo , and he ca h is d a e m a f his food. N very fond o
Says: Manama City d e h s h Ra start wit will First we
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ws ho kno , w e n ick ly o the on . If he’s off s s ’ e h d p n u hotel, a cook the so ! o m t how no Tom Yu there’s
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Honey Thai Restaurant Tel. 1722 3062
W
idely held by many to be the best Thai restaurant in Bahrain, this no frills outlet is also one of the cheapest, and can be found near Manama souq across from the Gold Souq. It isn’t licensed, but situated as it is near diggers, it can be the perfect place to line the stomach after embarking on one of the area’s infamous bar crawls! It can also be the perfect place to end one too, as this place is open from 10am to 5am, apparently.
Swagat Vegetarian Restaurant Tel. N/A
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Budaiya Harbour Popular Coffee Shop Tel. 3992 3458
A
real hidden gem, this one! drive to Budaiya village, go straight over the last roundabout and keep going until you see the castle (yes, castle). Turn right, and then left, and drive through the gate
ander up Bab al Bahrain Souq’s main street, and keep your eyes left, and eventually, down one of the side streets, you’ll see Swagat Indian Restaurant. It doesn’t look like much, but if you’re bold enough to venture inside, you’ll less than a dinar anyway! Recommended is the Masala dosa, a mild potato curry served in a rolled pancake made from rice and black lentils. It’s a fantastic breakfast dish, and will cost you the princely sum
“This CAn’T be the place!” But trust us, it Tom Yum soups you’ve ever had, even if you’ve been to Thailand. It’s big, and full of seafood, and it’s only Bd1.500. And the best news? They do takeaway… FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
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Burger 63 Tel. 1732 6363
L
ocated in Busaiteen, this place became famous as one of the very few specialty burger shops founded and run purely by a Bahraini. The selection is small, but the choices are good, and the burger patties are proper home made ground beef, and not the mechanically separated crap you get from international burger franchises. Highly recommended is the eponymous Burger 63 burger, which has onion rings in it. Bring it on!
Khor Fesht Fish Tel. 1734 3880
A
restaurant here, you’ll see in a counter
caught fresh that day and which you pay for by weight (Bd4/kg), and cooked in local spices and black lemon. The most traditional small but extremely tasty! You’ll pick them clean with your bare hands accompanied with rice cooked in traditional Bahraini mahamer style, which is a sweet rice that is the staple of the traditional Bahraini ghabga. Right next door is Ramla Lamb Chops, another contender for title of best lamb chops in Bahrain!
Al Tawah Turkish Pastries Tel. 1733 3055
T
his hugely popular place, nestled in the streets of Muharraq opposite KFC, is famous for its pastries and shawarmas. There’s no pretence with this place – it’s takeaway only because there’s no seating inside, but that doesn’t stop people happily munching their snacks in the car outside. They do open and closed pastries from Lebanese-style zataar to shawarma meat and pizza-style ones. Their shawarmas are as close to perfection as you’ll get, mainly due to the amazing sauce.
l Says: my schoo Rashedgot into trouble witsh were
e This plac use all the student t lunchtime a a c once, be ut of the campus he school t o sneaking here instead of in losing money! g s and eatin nd the school wa a , a i r cafete
Rashed Says:
This is my home town, Muharraq City...
Halwa Showaiter Tel. 1734 7992
H
alwa is one of the most traditional Bahraini sweets, and you’ll come across it a lot during Ramadan when it’s an extremely popular gift. It’s a jelly-like dessert made with cornstarch, saffron, and various types of nut, depending on where you buy it. The in Muharraq souq, where there’s a line of places just near the entrance that all do a good example of it.
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y of presenting The original and authentic wa f, but I really Halwa is on an almond tree lea don’t know why!
Bu-Shanab Tikka
Five Star Lamb Chops
Tel. 1734 0898
Tel. 1767 3326
O
ne of hundreds of tikka joints in Bahrain, this place must have something really special to stand out, and stand out it does! People come from all over Bahrain to get tikka from this guy, an old Bahraini who has been running the shop for years. Literally a hole in the wall with a
A
you’ll get
highly contentious issue here, as everyone has their own favourites, but Five Star Lamb Chops, situated just near the airport in Muharraq, is widely held to be one of the best. They do serve burgers and the like, but that’s really not why you come here. It’s all about the lamb chops, grilled, succulent, and heavily marinated in a selection of spices and black lemon. A plate of lamb chops will set you back a dinar, but we advise spending two dinars, because at this place,
of succulent meat chunks.
chops is nEVER enough…
but once you do it’s worth the search for his fantastic grilled lamb, chicken and livers cinnamon and black lemon. For
Rashed Sa ys:
This is the onl yp and one time lace we get tikka from, I came here an d spent sound like muc h, will buy you 3 but consider that this 0 skewers of meat!)
Al- Kewary Baachah
Adam Broasted Chicken
Tel. 1734 6319
Tel. 1767 6232
T
his is a VERY traditional and highly popular Bahraini breakfast found in the heart of Muharraq souq which isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s a soup-style dish served with generous helpings of beef and bread, and can be a bit heavy for people not used to such ample breakfasts. However, breakfast is the best time to go, because if you go in the evenings they only serve it with beef tongue and eyeballs. Yes, really. The breakfast is only you won’t leave hungry!
A
hugely popular fast-food option that is similar to international brands like KFC, but also quite different. Rather than deep-fried, the broasted chickens are cooked in special pressure cookers, so that the skin comes out very crispy, and also very delicious. Again, there are many to be found in Bahrain, but our expert Rashed assures us that Adam, which is located on the Arad main street just near Arad fort, is by far the best! FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
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Rashed Says:
s: us, d Saywants hommo And this is the place I was born e h s Ra my family in Riffa City... When
Alkahla Hommous and Falafel Tel. 1776 0807
H
Marakish Juices Tel. 1766 3581
T
his place was just another juice shop, until a Kuwaiti TV show called High School Girls (only in Arabic, of course) featured a special juice cocktail on it called Awar Galb (which means ‘Broken Heart’). Marakish copied the recipe and created the cocktail in their shop, and it became a smash hit, making the shop one of the most popular juice bars in Bahrain! The cocktail itself is pretty tasty, with mango, strawberry, and vanilla ice cream with nuts all blended.
ys: Rashed Sa that this place is
Says: d e h s Ra
s is The good new h in Umm Al Hassam c n opening a bra ing soon. e where it’s go c a l p e th w a s I already
about w more all us at o n k o t want ese places, c h any of t 1721 6099. n FACT o
ommous is one of the most common features of Middle Eastern cuisine – no matter which country you’re talking about, hommous is on the menu! It’s therefore hard for any particular hommous to stand out from the rest, when there are thousands out there. However, Alkahla manages to stand out a mile – we’re not exaggerating, it’s the best hommous we’ve ever had! They also do fantastic falafel sandwiches, which come rolled like a shawarma and include salad, French fries and eggplant with tahine. The falafels, when fresh out of the fryer, are also some of the best we’ve tasted!
Crazy Tel. 1776 0780
F
hotel, the guy who runs this place decided to branch out on his own, and opened his own restaurant in Riffa, just near Sitra and across the road from The Centre Mall (formerly the Al Alawi Mall). Hugely place at most times of the day, but it’s worth the wait. All of the food is especially good Chinese cuisine, but highly recommended are their dim sum boxes. At Stir Fry Crazy Chinese cuisine without the
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FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
Under the Patronage of
His Royal Highness
Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain
Piaget Rose High Jewellery Necklace
21st Middle East International Jewellery & Watch Exhibition
16 - 20 October 2012 Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre OPENING HOURS Tuesday 16 - Friday 19 October from 4pm - 10pm | Saturday 20 October from 10am - 1pm & 4pm - 10pm
www.jewelleryarabia.com
info@jewelleryarabia.com T: +973 17 550033
FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
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ARTS
THIS MONTH YOU MUST...
Call the Hotline! An interview with the Bahrainbased hip-hop artist...
HEAR Lights by Alanis Morissette eighth album...
READ by Cheryl Strayed A journey of self-discovery!
WATCH The hilarious animated for monsters...
FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
27
“BELIEVED IN MY DREAM SO I INVESTED IN MYSELF, I MAKE IT PAY OFF EVEN IF I PAY IT OFF Rap in Bahrain?
Call the Hotline… Few of us would believe that a rapper based in Bahrain could go on to enjoy considerable international success, but that is exactly what Hotline has done. catches up with Richmond
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D
D ,
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“Believed in my dream so I invested in myself, I make it pay off even if I pay it off in health, Passion of an underdog, Determination of a Lion, I never look up at the clouds, I look -Richmond ‘Hotline’ Shaw you at the moment? H: I am releasing an album in Australia with a really talented rapper over there called Whiplash, that is going to be really good. I also have a music video coming out for MTV Italy in September this year. I have a new single coming out in the UK this year in September. And I am also teaming up with Kurtis Blow in September for “Back 2 da Realness”. So this is going to be a really busy month!
asked the class to produce a creative piece of work – the content could be anything from a short story to music. I opted to do the poem, simply because it was the least amount of work for me to do. A few weeks after we handed in our projects the teacher calls me and one other up to the front of the class. At this point I was thinking I might be in trouble for something – that was usually the case, anyway! It turned out that the work we submitted entered a competition which all of the schools in the district participated in – so some 60,000 people were involved. I found that my poem came second in the whole district. My teacher told me that “you never know when someone was looking at your work, so that is why it is important to give everything you have every single time”, and she was totally right. My successes from the competition spurred me on to continue writing after I left school.
Pontiac, Detroit, which is a city of savagery. Flint, Detroit, is the most dangerous area in the US.
F: Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you were H: I’m from Pontiac, detroit, which is a city of savagery. Flint, detroit, is the most dangerous area in the United States – and I grew up just next to it. People turned to hip-hop to express themselves, and as such hip-hop music is huge in detroit. For example the likes of Eminem came from there. When I was at school the teacher
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FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
F: You were in the US military, what was that like and why did you decide to join? H: That’s right, I joined the military before I started rapping full time. I was posted in downtown Baghdad, Iraq. I met a lot of great people during my service and I am proud to have been a part of the US army. I joined because I wanted to serve my country, and I am very happy to be a part of the small sector of society to say they have done it. I used to rap on the bases for fun and because of it I gained some recognition – even from senior officers. They told me “you have a talent”, and although it may have been against protocol for them to tell me to pursue other avenues, they did anyway. So I left the army to pursue my dream of becoming a rap star because I thought I had the talent to do it. F: What is your opinion of modern day hip-hop? H: Contemporary hip-hop almost innately comes with a superficial image. For many people the image is more important than the product produced. For me, I stay true to the music by making sure that I bring my personality to my work rather
than the way I look – that is how I choose to express myself. Many people have got their public personalities so twisted that they have lost their individual qualities. For example, I like Rick Ross’s music, but I know that he is not who he says he is in his songs. With all the current technology we have it is very easy to figure out who is lying and who is not. Rick Ross, for example, was never a “Gangster” – he worked as a Prison Officer in actual fact. So, what he was portraying in his songs, particularly in his early mainstream songs, were lies. I see similar themes with the way that other artists choose to express themselves in their songs. How is it exactly that you can be rich enough to own all the jewellery you want, a G5 jet, and more when you have not even produced your first album? These artists must think the public is stupid! My biggest issue about lyrics like these is that the words do not reflect the artist and the nature of hip-hop. Hip-hop was never about bragging about material items, it was about poetry. If you go back to the times of Grandmaster Flash, back in the 80’s, the music is totally different – it is unique because it is genuine. A bit later on in the 90’s we had some of the best hip-hop that ever was, the likes of Tupac, Biggie, Bone Thugz, and many others that promoted real issues. Tupac was brilliant at expressing his feelings in his songs, you can really feel the pain and the emotion that he had about serious issues that affected him, his community, and so on. We don’t have that anymore – we have not really had anyone do that since. F: Who are your biggest inspirations? Who do you admire most? H: My big inspirations from hip-hop are Biggie, Tupac, and Eminem. These artists are not just rappers, i.e. rappers we think of in the contemporary sense, they are orators – urban poets. I always mention Biggie when people ask me, not for his voice, but because of his storytelling ability. When you listen to some of his masterpieces, such as ‘Suicidal Thoughts’ and ‘I Got a Story to Tell’, you realise that these are poems, with real meaning. FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
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ARTS In Association with Virgin Megastore, Bahrain City Center
CHOICE TUNES Folk/Rock
Havoc & Bright Lights By Alanis Morissette
was her third,
, which catapulted her to international
- her last album was
, released back in
Those looking for a recreation of the angst and torment of will be sorely disappointed. Here is an Alanis Morissette who is eighteen years older, and wiser, and in a out of the music. There are a few touching moments of is a haunting and beautiful melody, but these boast a feeling of lessons learned rather than troubles being faced. Alanis has faced criticism from her old fans that she has lost the case at all. She is simply an artist who has mellowed and matured, but her music is still as unique and edgy as it ever was. A truly remarkable return for the Canadian songstress!
Rn’B
Dance
Dance
Looking for Myself
Famous
Club Life Vol. 2 - Miami By Tiesto
By David Guetta
By Usher
While Usher has always been a talented vocalist, in our humble opinion his music was never original, instead borrowing styles
were invariably recycled and clichĂŠd. seems to present something resembling
A-
YET another dance compilation, this one comes from global trance giant Tiesto. A which was released back in 2003. It has since spawned a movement, with regular events taking place in Ibiza and throughout the world, with David providing the music and his wife Cathy tirelessly promoting them. Many of the tracks on this latest incarnation will be instantly recognisable to most of us -
funnily enough, a glossily produced collaboration between Usher and Diplo,
, this one instead pays tribute to another party capital of the US, Miami. Again, there is the usual line-up of dancethat are bound to get people excited. The most notable, perhaps, is a Tiesto remix of
trance. Tiesto also applied his skills to goes on and on.
complement Ushers vocals. There are, however, low points as well, Empire of the Sun, which on paper sounds great, but in reality seems to cancel
B+
talents instead. Overall though, a good offering.
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Tiesto has earned his reputation as a groundbreaking or original about the album, Guetta does display his innate talent for boasts nothing but pure crowd-pleasers, and is the perfect CD to whack on at a house-party at 1am to get
B+
biggest venues by churning out bombastic trance anthems on a regular basis, and creating sets that grab the masses and whip them into a frenzy, and he applies the same magic to his CD compilations.
B
ARTS
CHOICE WORDS
In Association with Virgin Megastore, Bahrain City Center
Autobiography
Wild
By Cheryl Strayed is the true story of a journey a griefstricken young woman takes, both internally and externally. With a dead-end job, a failing marriage and the recent loss of a beloved mother, Cheryl decides, for no clear reason,
Although the old story of someone “going
that stretches from Mexico to Canada. Along the way, the physical hardships are ecplised by her gruelling mental journey of
everything that
long periods of isolation with no creature comforts or alcohol to turn to in order to take the edge off. Along the way she encounters dangerous wildlife and other travellers, some nice,
clichĂŠ now, this is an example of the genre that is so good it literally brings it back from the dead.
the writer has faced real heartache, and the
Cheryl every step of the way, of self pity - just a steadfast determination to get over the
A-
some kind of inner peace.
Non-Fiction
Non-Fiction
Fiction
Predator Nation
Quiet
The New Republic
is a detailed outline of the various immoral and criminal activities carried out by major banking and investment
THE entire human race is divided up into two types of people, extroverts and
his life. He was a fat and unpopular kid
By Charles H. Ferguson
By
by Susan Cain
crisis. These include things like irresponsible lending and illegal trading, as well as illegal asset seizures. The book also attempts to highlight exactly why all of these crimes have so far gone unpunished.
which one you are. explores the differences between the two, and how society increasingly celebrates the extroverts whilst ignoring the introverts. Cain argues that this tendency is creating a worrying imbalance, as personality traits common to extroverts like exhibitionism,
documentaries that attempt to highlight exactly what this book is saying, but the
attention and action without thinking is overshadowing the more reserved traits of introverts.
since he reached adulthood. Then he comes across one of his old schoolmates who was a popular boy he idolized in his youth, Toby Falconer. Falconer is now a respected journalist, and advises Edgar to follow the same career path. Desperate to do anything to make himself more interesting, he follows the advice and ends up working as a correspondent covering a dodgy part of Portugal. When you read a book like this, if you do, in
like Michael Moore who, though he never
from the perspective of the downtrodden unfortunates. What makes different from the rest is the author. Charles H. Ferguson
differences between the two personality types, and realise that she is describing many facets of your own personality. When she begins to analyse the actions and personalities of famous historical
carry much more weight. The immoral elite should be much more wary of words like these coming from inside their own camp!
historical events, you start to realise how important understanding the two character types really is for all of us.
B
B+
has enjoyed considerable success with , which led to her being able to convince them to publish this book, which was actually written a decade ago. She should have let it lie. The characters are shallow and unengaging, the plot is cliched and unconvincing, and the dialogue borders on the downright ridiculous! D Seriously, what were
FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
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ARTS
ON SCREEN
Hotel Transylvania a string of lacklustre cinematic offerings, Samberg, Selena Gomez.
Count Dracula has turned his castle into a
monsters and ghouls, who he invites to However, a normal human backpacker turns up and crashes the party, and worse, takes a
that really tickles us. Perhaps it was the part where a secret wall slides back to reveal a skeleton taking a shower, who proceeds to throw a loofah in of Frankenstein, the Mummy, and werewolves needing a relaxing retreat to escape from those bothersome humans.
hiding behind an animated vampire alter-ego, he can really pack a punch. Whatever it is, this movie is an absolute hoot, and looks like some good old fashioned animated fun for all the family. Think meets . Actually, on second thoughts, perhaps
have taken a bit of a battering lately with
WIN 2 FREE CINEMA TICKETS Who voices the character of Count Dracula in Hotel Transylvania?
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FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
ARTS
End of Watch Two young cops who are partners and close friends are on the rise in the police force as they make successful bust after bust. However, things get a lot more serious than they bargained for when they bust a stash house of one of the most dangerous and ruthless cartels in Central America, who take offence somewhat, and put a contract out on them.
WATCHING:
, seems to tick all the right boxes. And the whole idea of two small-time cops going up against a whole ruthless cartel intent on killing them in the most gruesome
The Words
follows the story of a struggling
career seems to be going nowhere. Then one day, he stumbles across the manuscript of a brilliant book by a supposedly dead writer, and decides to claim the story as his own. The book becomes a wild success, but the deception begins to unravel, threatening his whole career.
Looper is about a hit-man in the past who offs time and place. However, when the person who
enjoying suburban bliss with her handsome husband and adorable daughter.
her to perfect a virus that all but wiped out mankind. Or something like that... human-mutant hybrid ass-kicking femme fatale is back, and the plot is as
FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
35
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FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
XXX LTEJCBISBJO DPN XXX LTEJCBISBJO DPN XXX LTEJCBISBJO DPN
TECHNOLOGY
APP ATTACK!! Smartphones are part of the fabric of society nowadays. And what makes smartphones so
FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
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APP-ATTACK!! Smartphones are part of the fabric of society nowadays. According to statistics, more iPhones
out the best, and the worst, of the bunch.
ONE FOR THE TALKERS…
ONE FOR THE PROCRASTINATORS…
VOXER
THE CHIVE
Created to make voice communications more useful, this app is a Walkie Talkie for smartphones and lets you send instant audio, text and photo messages to your friend (or friends). The messages stream live as you talk and the application also has Facebook integration that allows you to chat to everyone online instantly. Working over WiFi, 3G and any other data network, this is also available in over 50
no, this is not an app dedicated to herbs, though it is probably more one for the guys. Perfect for those moments when you are twiddling your thumbs, The Chive is a series of constantly updated photo albums, often under the titles of ‘Morning Awesomeness” or “Hot Chivettes” (great as certain websites are banned in the Middle East). There are thousands of themes and albums to browse through, most of which are pretty entertaining and the 8/ 10 ideal way to kill some time.
Compatibility: Android and Apple Price: Free
your native tongue isn’t too much of a problem.
Compatibility: Android and Apple Price: Free
7
/ 10
ONE FOR THE FRIENDS ABROAD…
SKYPE
Compatibility: Android, Apple, Windows Phone Price: Free
Probably one of the most popular apps of the century, Skype is a must-have for anyone with a phone capable of downloading it. Call, video call and instant message anyone else in the world who has it – you can also buy Skype Credit and call mobiles and landlines internationally for a considerably cheaper price. With Skype even in the pipeline to be available on Xbox, this is way to keep in touch with your friends all over the globe.
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10/ 10
ONE FOR THE MOVIE BUFFS…
IMDb
Compatibility: Android, Apple, Windows Phone Price: Free
reliable movie database in the world, IMdb is the app to download to watch trailers, browse photos, track your ‘must-see’ list and rate your favourite movies and TV shows. not only that, you can look up dVd birthdays and TV listings. Perfect for cheating in a pub quiz or looking to prove a point to your ‘know-it-all’ friend, it currently features two million movie and TV titles 9/ 10 and four million actors, directors and celebrities.
the radio, and this amazing song comes on, and you called, FEAR NOT, for ONE FOR THE Shazam is the answer! WORKAHOLICS…
CARDMUNCH ONE FOR THE MUSIC LOVERS…
SHAZAM
Compatibility: Android, Apple, Windows Phone Price: Free
By far one of the BEST applications created to date. When you’re listening to the radio, or perhaps you are in a club or friend’s house and this amazing song comes on and you can’t, for the life of you, remember who sang it or what it’s called, FEAR nOT, for Shazam is the answer! All you have to do is hold your phone up, let it listen and tag the music. Seconds later you have the song title, artist and album – and then there’s the added option of being able 10/ 10 to download the track from iTunes.
Compatibility: Apple Price: Free If you are like us, collecting and storing business cards becomes something of a real headache, and them all in our wallets or bags, there just isn’t enough room. Well, let us introduce to you the app that is CardMunch. Created by the LinkedIn Corporation, this app converts business cards to an address book contact and then also adds them as connections on LinkedIn. Perfect to keep the art of networking at its best, all you have to do is align the card to the on-screen box, tap the screen to focus and voila – the details shall be saved. Sometimes the app does have a few issues in focusing and therefore struggles to make sense of the contact. worth a download – it is free after all!
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/ 10
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ONE FOR THE LAZY BUMS…
DRAGON DICTATION Compatibility: Apple Price: Free
nuance Communications are the people behind this pretty impressive creation. We have all had those days when typing is a real struggle, especially on the Autocorrect-obsessed iPhone. Well dragon dictation is an easy-to-use voice recognition app that lets you speak and instantly see your text. Five times faster than typing on your keyboard, the text can be sent as an email, a text message or even uploaded straight to Twitter or Facebook. If you, for some reason, have a really strange accent, then it may struggle to work out what you are saying, but the majority of the 9/ 10 time, this app is fast, reliable and makes texting a whole lot easier.
This app allows you to track
ONE FOR THE APP-ADDICTS…
DRAW SOMETHING
and tracking map of any
Compatibility: Apple Price: Free
ONE FOR THE GEEKS (OR IMPATIENT FRIENDS)…
FLIGHTAWARE FLIGHT TRACKER Compatibility: Android and Apple Price: Free There is a secret geek in all of us, and for those of you partial to a spot of plane watching, then look no further than this recently updated app from FlightAware. Stuck waiting for a friend to appear in Arrivals and wondering where the hell they are? Well this app allows you to track the real-time
number, city pair or airport code, the date details and full-screen maps with nEXRAd radar overlay.
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FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
8
/ 10
There’s no logic required to work out what this app is all about. Think of Pictionary, then think of virtual Pictionary, then think of wasting a couple of hours playing it instantly with your friends. With over seven billion drawings created, this has to be one of the funniest games to play as some of the options to choose from can consist of anything from Elvis to zombies to ‘Crazy in Love’. OMGPOP designed this app and even though you don’t require any drawing skills to play, this game does entail a little bit of strategy to gain those extra coins. Addictive, time wasting and a 9/ 10 must-have on the app list – it’s a pity the other platforms aren’t compatible yet.
AND NOW FOR THE CR-APPS… ONE FOR THE POINTLESS APP COLLECTORS…
TAXI FLASHER Compatibility: Apple Price: 300 Fils One look at the app and you will most probably ask yourself – what the hell is wrong with my hand? Fine, everyone understands that different countries have different systems when it comes to hailing a cab. now with this amazing Taxi Flasher app you don’t have to worry (apparently)! What this app does is saying ‘Taxi’ in yellow and black – you can even change the text and the colours. Yay! That is if someone doesn’t steal your phone before you manage to get that lift home. Individuals with epilepsy are warned -8/ 10 that it may have side effects.
ONE FOR THE DOWNRIGHT LAZY…
IS IT DARK OUTSIDE? Compatibility: Apple (everyone else count yourselves lucky) Price: Free We laughed when we saw this. not a ‘how funny is this’ laugh – but more of a ‘how did the world produce such a lazy s***’ laugh! The worst thing about this app is that it was probably created by someone who has become so large so they can’t even get up to look outside, or their eyelids need to be manually opened. The app is simple – the name says it all really. So you want to know whether its night or day and you think your phone, TV and wall clock are lying to you. FEAR nOT, just open the app and the internal GPS tracking system tells you whether it is dark or light. Ellen deGeneres once made a joke about this app: “Before, I’d have to call someone and ask whether it was dark outside and now I -10/ 10 don’t have to”… If you downloaded this app – SHAME On YOU!
ONE FOR THE MONEY WASTERS…
HOLD ON! Compatibility: Android and Apple serious?!) Probably one of the most ridiculously overpriced apps out there (and trust us there are plenty to choose from), IMAK Creations are the fools behind this application. Without even knowing which category to place this in, Hold On! It’s a creation that consists of a button that you hold to see how long you can hold on to it for. There is a timer that shows your progress to the millisecond and you can even store your personal record. designed to develop your perseverance and improve your concentration skills (we would recommend reading a book, but that’s just us…), this app is utterly useless. You might as well save that a bar of chocolate – at least then you enjoy some sort of happiness at the end of it.
-5/ 10
FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
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AIR RACER X WHEN we saw this we really particular gadget may probably be more for kids than adults, but that about ten hours solid! We all loved remote control cars when we were kids, and we probably still secretly do, but when you combine a remote control car with your iPhone or your Samsung kid inside you comes bursting out jumping up and down and going you can control via an app that works with your smartphone to control the car with the on-screen controls. There are three skill full motion. In beginner mode the controls are slower, making the car easier to drive, but in full motion, the car moves at full speed, and you really need to get the hang of it before you try this. gimmick that will wear off relatively quickly. Serious R/C enthusiasts compare to anything from Tamiya The controls themselves, though
good for touchscreen controls, are no way near as accurate as a normal handheld control. In addition, even though not durable enough to play with extensively in the dirt, especially apart and fix it if it gets broken, like you would with a DIY kit car. But then, for the price, you only BD35, it makes for a great Christmas stocking filler for the said that, we just know that Dad will be wrestling the iPad away from said kids for a quick spell on it at some point on Christmas day!
EMOTION
AIR RACER X EXPERIENCE-METER Happiest human ever
Very impressed
Pleased
Indifferent
Ouch!
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LG OPTIMUS 3D MAX THIS groundbreaking 3D phone which, thanks to a parallax barrier overlay over the screen, allows for 3D screen viewing without the need for glasses. This new version upgrades the software of the previous one and comes in a more slimline and compact package, bringing it more in line with other smartphones out there. The software is a modded version shows all the icons as 3D boxes in an attempt to really emphasise the 3D viewing experience. However, while this does work, is has the unfortunate side effect of making the menu screens look like something out of a
the phone is the software that allows you to convert 2D images and videos to 3D, meaning that any picture or video you capture can be converted. An added bonus is that there is a YouTube 3D app that can be enabled, the objects on the screen downloaded for the phone that can really do gain an added perspective convert any video on the website too! and depth. There is one major The 3D Max has a dual core processor that is claimed to be 20% barrier overlay is activated, it causes more powerful than the one in the old the screen to dim slightly, which makes it hard to see in bright sunlight. model. In addition, there is 1GB RAM and 8GB internal memory which can 480x800, which is quite low for a high- be expanded thanks to a microSD card slot. end smartphone these days. What the parallax barrier overlay creates in order to make the 3D work. Think of one of those stereoscopic rulers you see in gift shops, the ones where the picture moves if you turn it slightly. However, what is a cool feature of
is a good phone, but not a GREAT phone; not quite up there with the likes of the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy. However, the 3D really adds an interesting element to it, and if
EMOTION
LG OPTIMUS 3D MAX EXPERIENCE-METER Happiest human ever
Very impressed
Pleased
Indifferent
Ouch!
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the CUV ShootoUt InfInItI JX
VS.
LInCoLn MKX
approaches to the CUV from opposite sides of the Pacific.” Our Mystery Motoring Expert, Ali Driver, gets to do something a
I
t’s not often that I get to do a model comparison – in fact, I don’t think I’ve EVER done one before. So when I was offered two premium brand crossovers in the space of a week, I thought to myself “Hmmm… this could be interesting!” In essence, the two cars are similar. Both are the premium brands of existing car companies, Lincoln for Both are mid-sized crossover utility vehicles, and so are designed to be large, spacious family carriers with limited off-road capability. Both have a both front and rear passengers, and both are four-wheel drive (or at least, the range-topping models we drove were). However, that is roughly where the similarities end, because when you get to grips with the two cars, you begin to realise how different they actually are! For starters, the two cars used to have the same engines, a 3.5l V6, with roughly the same output, but for the 2012 model year the MKX was upgraded to a 3.7l V6 with an output of 305hp to the JX’s 265hp.
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The JX is an all-new model whereas the MKX has been around since 2006, with the current generation being released last year. The JX has three rows of seats accommodating seven passengers to the MKX’s The MKX uses a 6-speed automatic, whereas the JX has a continuously variable transmission. The MKX is American. The JX is Japanese… but is it? The JX is actually produced in America, and the version we drove was an American-spec import brought over just for the press, and still had the MPH gauge on it! However, despite the fact that both were built in America, they have fundamentally different design approaches – the Lincolns are designed and conceptualised in America, created by a team in Japan. This translates to a very different identity for each car. Both feature the leather padding and trims you’d expect from premium cars, but whereas the Lincoln has a more modern, technological approach with chrome detailing and smooth touch-sensitive panels, the
with curved lines and wood panelling that is prevalent throughout their model range. To drive, the JX is not as racey as its sister model, the
and bounds in this regard – I’ve driven models that have impressed me more than some BMWs and Mercedes I’ve driven, and that’s no lie!
hugely fast and a hoot to drive, feeling not one bit as large as it actually is. The JX, though still quick, is not as fast, but thanks to the CVT transmission the power delivery is amazingly smooth and constant, with almost imperceptible gear changes. And while it’s not as nimble as the FX35, the four-wheeldrive system does make the JX surprisingly agile for its large size. despite being almost mechanically identical to the Ford Edge, the Lincoln nearly matches the JX in terms of ride comfort and agility, again thanks to the four-wheeldrive. Though the MKX feels quicker, it also doesn’t give quite as much an impression
pulls ahead of the MKX is Selector, which allows you to choose between the Standard, Sport, Snow (which will come in REALLY handy in Bahrain!) and Eco modes. I suppose that putting it in Snow mode when it’s raining and the roads are really greasy wouldn’t hurt – it’ll keep the revs low and the traction control super sensitive, to stop those wheels spinning. I have to say that I preferred the interior of the MKX to the JX, if only because of my preference for a slightly more modern styling. The MyLincoln Touch interface brings a touch sensitive centre console into the picture to adjust all the car’s settings,
not as nimble as the FX35, the four-wheel-drive system does JX surprisingly agile for its large size.
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from the infotainment to the climate control. To be
One of the most impressive features on the MKX is the colour adjustable interior lighting, previously seen on the Ford Mustang.
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to get used to before you can accurately adjust things like temperature and volume. One of the most impressive features on the MKX is the colour adjustable interior ambient lighting, previously seen on the Ford Mustang. You can choose the colour of the interior lighting at night from a selection of seven colours, which is a very nice, if slightly pointless, gimmick! I’m a sucker for gimmicks… I also prefer the exterior styling of the MKX to the JX, mainly because of the general shape – if you’re reminded of the Ford Edge when you look at the Lincoln, it’s because they share a platform, and the JX reminds me all too much of an MPV, which is essentially what it is, albeit a very luxurious one. This is despite the fact that they’ve desperately tried to disguise it
as an SUV! Both of the cars have rear dVd systems with headphones included as standard in the top spec models, but where the in this regard is the BOSE Waveguide audio system it boasts, which produces incredibly clear sound, although the Lincoln does boast a THX sound system with it’s audio, which is also pretty good! What is also impressive about to the rear row, and the fact that the middle row’s seats can be adjusted to slide forwards or backwards, allowing for more room on either row. The many different seating versatile and practical option for transporting family and luggage. So, the verdicts: compared to its sister model the FX35, is not as fun, but
WAY more practical. So what it really comes down to is the size of your family, really. If you have a large family, and need the extra seating, then the JX35 is a better option, especially given that it’s about a grand-and-a-half cheaper than the FX35 at Bd21,000. However, if you dO need the extra row of seats, you won’t get as much luxury for your money as you do with the JX. There are bigger premium SUVs with three rows, but they also come with much bigger costs, and the JX carries seven people with the utmost comfort, luxury and practicality. Again, if you don’t need the extra seating, the Lincoln MKX is a worthy competitor to the FX35. While it’s not quite as fun to drive, it is two-and-ahalf thousand dinars cheaper at Bd20,000. So, in the shootout between the JX35, as luxury CUVs they’re pretty evenly matched – what it really comes down to is what your individual preferences and requirements are. However, in does slightly pull ahead of the Lincoln MKX, even if it does look like a bit like an MPV!
Who is Ali
1. He lives in Bahrain and says he grew up on the streets of Muharraq, but we
4. He claims to be able to change a regular car tyre in under 4 minutes, but
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FASHION
a F
r e t n i W ll
ewick i v e r P u 20in1, w2e bring you a q
to roll s t r a e! t r issu ions s e t b c o e t l l o Oc inter c in the W / e l t l a a pd eF for th hion u s R a f P l l e ur fu As th d of o a e h a
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FASHION
Feminine
Style
improved winter wardrobe. Because we want nothing more than for you to look as good as Mila need to look out for…
A Second Skin
We’re lusting after all things leather this season. Full of provocative connotations, it’s sure to add an edgy twist to your fall wardrobe. Expect to witness a full overhaul of leather in the next month, as it rapidly becomes a staple fabric. designers have taken an already timeless and lavish fabric to a whole other level by introducing print, high sheen patents, clever cuts and unexpected colour.
Seeing Red
It was a dark and ominous colour palette that dictated fall fashion this year, of which the main attraction was red. The shade of red that had most people talking was oxblood, a deep moody tone set to bring some much-needed drama to your fall wardrobe.
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Going Large
FASHION
We’re talking about oversized outerwear; pillow sleeved jackets, roomy trousers and enormous bags. Models took to the runway bearing larger-than-life looks leaving us wanting nothing more than to supersize our wardrobe.
A Little Friendly Fire Military is back in a big way! Get ready to join the ranks in armyinspired gear with a couture twist. Inspired by urban street style and pop icons like Rihanna, this is a look with attitude to spare. This season will be occupied by a surplus of army greens, brass buttons and military pockets. Our must-have military inspired piece has to be the parka.
The Statement Trouser
Trousers rocked runways from Paris to new York this season. What has forever been a wardrobe staple was taken to new heights by fashion houses like Balmain, Céline colour, sharp tailoring, luxury fabrics and extravagant embellishment, the trouser just became much more interesting.
This look by Céli ne is one of our fa their use of oversiz vourites for and top to bottom ed proportion, luxury fabrics print.
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FASHION
Style
Masculine broken free of its previous banal and overtly traditionalist routine. This fall models stormed onto the runway sporting ingeniously inspired and delightfully innovative over again. As a result racks will be packed full of bold patterns, military jackets, puffer coats and sophisticated embellishments. Footwear has also broken new ground, whilst styles remained traditional, detailed embroidery and bold metalwork turn the shoe into an art form.
Givenchy Shark Sweatshirt This Sweatshirt by Givenchy, with its aggressive graphic
its way into our wardrobes this fall. Matching it with a pair of chinos and plimsolls will help achieve an effortlessly cool look.
Versace gloves
There’s nothing ground breaking about gloves in the fall, but they are rapidly becoming as important for their style as they are for their ability to keep your hands warm. These burgundy leather embossed gloves by Versace have quickly won their place in our hearts and on our hands. 52
FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
Clever detailing and considered fabrication hold the key to putting together a truly polished look. This season fabrics are textured and luxurious. Keep an eye out for shearling, leather, velvet and intricate knits. When purchasing any garment it is so important to look not only at the stitching but the fabric itself, a cheap fabric can be spotted a mile away and has the potential to really ruin
Using rich velvet as the primary fabric paired with an elegantly embroidered shirt, Versace gives the classic tuxedo a modern lift.
Finally we look at colour. Within this season’s colour many similarities between it and its female counterpart. However it is the subtle distinctions that make menswear truly stand out on its own this season. The main shades to watch out for are burgundy, navy, grey and black. By using these four tones as a base you can introduce bursts of vivid with a statement shoe, scarf or accessory.
Layering is a central theme this fall, and not just for its capability to keep you warm. This look by TOPMAn is a great example on how to layer garments in terms of colour and proportion.
Carolina Herrera flat cap
FASHION
If there’s one thing designers agreed on this season, it is the importance of headgear, making the cap one accessory that you’ll need to master this season. Rocking a cap isn’t easy, is an easy wear.
Jimmy Choo velvet slipper
These statement embroidered slippers by Jimmy Choo work across the board. Wear them to introduce a little Hollywood charm to a look.
Valentino velvet and satin blazer
Introduce a little wicked charm to your occasion-wear with a velvet blazer. This one by Valentino in an easy-to-style navy is our choice.
Salvatore Ferragamo timepiece
A good watch can be a sign of both a man’s social standing, as well as his fashion knowhow. This watch by Salvatore Ferragamo is a great example of sophisticated design and faultless style.
Aubin & Wills corduroy trousers
Burgundy is this season’s mustwear colour and we’ve chosen by Aubin & Wills. They’re a great way to stay on trend whilst still assuring the comfort you expect from a casual garment. FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
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FASHION inthe Home It’s All About the
We bring you some fantastic collections from Q Home Decor. From classic to modern styles, they have something to suit most tastes...
FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
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It’s All About the
the technical wizard who supplies about Q Home Décor, a home making waves since it opened in the region in 2007…
A
fter having laid the foundation stone in 2007, year after year Q Home décor has proved its commitment to offering a unique range of furniture handpicked from around the world to match all moods and compliment your surroundings. So far, they’ve opened stores in dubai, Abu dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah, Bahrain, and soon Saudi Arabia too. The Bahrain branch, located at Bahrain City Centre, was opened in 2008. need to give your home a complete new look from top to bottom, or even just to give your room a quick and easy refresh. They have stylish furniture pieces perfectly complimented with their large range of accessories, wall décor, and bedding. Q also offers its customers personal services like Wedding Registry, Interior design, Gift Wrapping, and Flower arranging. Q Home décor prides itself on sourcing products from all over the world ensuring a full range of options and styles for its customer. They have unique pieces from Turkey, India, US, Mexico, China, and the UK to name but a few. Their stores are carefully planned and designed to give their customers design ideas that they can create in their own home. Visit one today and be inspired by design. In order to cater to everyone’s individual tastes, their entire collection is subdivided into the following four main categories:
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Inspired by the 18th century, the Classic collection has a feel of timeless design, fine craftsmanship, warm finishes and superb value. The wide range of traditional masterpieces is exclusively designed to make your house flaunt a feel of royalty, generosity, luxury and exhibit an aura of golden days. The Eclectic collection is a true blend of classic and modern furniture and accessories. Bring out the creative in you to mix and match from exotic rustic to today’s contemporary, making your home feel inviting and comfortable for everyone. MODERN Influenced by modernism, the contemporary collection bestows a glittering simplicity and style. Created for the modern era, every piece of this collection boosts fashion with unique freshness, colours and themes to go with all seasons. The marvellous accessories and crockery collection can convert your home to a magnificent design house. From beautiful lampshades, cushions, candle stands, showpieces, crockery, gift items and much more, you have a great variety to choose from.
This sofa is eclecticism at its best with the classic look of red luxurious velvet upholstered onto the classic perfectly matched. Whether you have the full collection or even use the armchair only as an accent piece, this collection exudes a touch of class and brings a regal look to any room. MODERN DINING This simple white dining table is brought to life with the vibrant purple upholstered chairs of this collection. You can really see in this image how accessories play a big role in a modern room, and the best part is that accessories can easily change your colour scheme and with a white table as your base you can really go for any colour... so why not be adventurous?
This collect the big princeion is perfect for the lit can see why. ss! This is one of the btle princess in the family canopy fabri The g rand four poster best selling classic bedroo, or even this season anc makes this a unique pieed perfectly complimen ms and you te ce d will contin ue to be pro . This vintage look is ved with the minent in nex ry t season also in trend .
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EXCLUSIVE AGENT: FOR YOUR ADVERTISING: +973 17 564 250 www.groupplusmedia.com | groupplus
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//
Time Unwind to
Recreation is just as important in life as occupation! This is your guide to
FINAL WORD
BAHRAIN
IQ T
a Rush out to buy your tickets, as you saw them live
at a festival in the UK over the summer
and they were awesome? in good events should always be supported Rush out and buy your tickets because Bahrain?
b
c
T a
breaks it up nicely? too long to wait for the F1, so this in good events should always be supported Rush out and buy your tickets because Bahrain?
b
c
T a b c
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BAHRAIN IQ - p74
Our sly monthly round-up of recent Bahrain news FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
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VENUE REVIEW
Elevation Burger BD5-10 per person
ELEVATIOn Burger is a concept that will be welcome to anyone who loves burgers, but feels guilty every time they have one. This is because they have a VERY organic and ‘green’ philosophy that affects almost all aspects of their business. For example, they use 100% range beef, which doesn’t involve feedlots (basically, concentrated industrial animal feeding), antibiotics and growth hormones, all of which are known to increase the chance of disease, antibiotic resistance, and other nasty stuff. They also deep-fry their French fries in olive oil, which is free of saturated fats and many times more healthy than standard chip fat. They use non-processed cheese. And, they have a strict policy of recycling and using recycled paper, which includes reusing their discarded fat and oils for biofuels. with half the guilt! We say half the guilt, because at the end of the day, you’re still eating a burger and fries, with all the calories involved – it ain’t no salad! However, it’s a LOT healthier than your average fast-food franchise. And don’t, for one second, think that just
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because it’s a healthier option it’s a less tasty option, because that most certainly isn’t the case. We opted for the eponymous Elevation Burger (because, well, what else would you order when doing a review of Elevation Burger?), as well as the standard Cheeseburger. You get to choose up to three standard toppings to go with the burger, such as pickles, raw onions, tomatoes and so on, but if you want to make it extra special, you can go for one of the Messy Toppings, which include caramelized onions, double Elevation sauce, and so on. And then there are the Extras, such as blue cheese dressing, jalapenos and hot relish. And here’s where we come to the rub – the burger, despite costing Bd3.400 (for the Elevation Burger), doesn’t come with a side and drink – these will have to be ordered separately. And the standard French fries are Bd1.250, with the Fancy Fries weighing in at a whopping Bd2.250! The good news is that ALL of it is delicious. The burger meat is something to be savoured with these burgers, and not disguised with lots of sugary bread and sauces.
The toppings are also delicious, complementing the burgers just like they should, and you can really taste the quality of the ingredients. And the Fancy Fries are worth the Bd2.250, especially if you take the smart option and share one between two, because they’re big enough. In this life, you get what you pay for, and with Elevation Burger you get delicious burgers made from very high-quality ingredients that are healthier than those you’d get with other burgers. However, pay for it, you will! Try not to think about it as a fast food joint, as much as a gourmet burger joint, and you’ll feel better…
TOTAL
DINING NEWS
New Brunch At Bushido! Bushido has been many things to us since
Noodle House Opens in Bahrain After sitting empty for almost a year, the Noodle
there was always one thing missing… a brunch! Until now, that is… BUSHIdO September. With a selection of its best-selling items and some new creations, Bushido Friday Brunch will offer a mix of Japanese and Continental selections. Chef Chong, Bushido’s Executive Chef, carefully developed a wide food selection appealing to all pallets. “We wide range of cooked food that will make people change their understanding of Japanese cuisine,” he says. There’ll be a special room for children, with activities such as games, painting, drawing, and video games, so that parents will be safe to fully enjoy their Friday Brunch experience at Bushido. The price of the Brunch is Bd19 net price for food, water and soft drinks, while the alcoholic option will be priced at Bd25 net price with a selection of beverages available.
opened its doors, bringing an exciting new concept in Asian food to Bahrain… IT recently celebrated its tenth year anniversary in May 2012, and has gone from strength to strength ever Towers in 2002. drawing its inspiration from the streets of South-East Asian cities such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bangkok and Jakarta, the noodle House is renowned for its healthy, delicious and vibrantly fresh food, served in a cheery, communal setting. affordable fast food, the noodle House has already struck a chord with dubai’s worldly diners, and continues to do so in markets worldwide. The signing in Bahrain extends the noodle House presence to eight countries, with new restaurants opening in Russia, Morocco and the UK in the coming months.
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With Chef Didier Guyon This month, we take yet another unique turn on the showed us some of the secrets behind the colourful creations he makes…
W
hile you will get many normal chefs who can cook desserts, and many pastry chefs who can cook normal food well, you’ll rarely get someone who’s a master at both. This is because being a Pastry Chef is a whole skill unto itself, with unique techniques and methods that don’t apply to normal cooking. It’s a case of one or the other. Before we continue, we should make it clear that the title ‘Pastry Chef’ is somewhat misleading, as a Pastry Chef is not limited to concoctions involving pastry. In fact, a Head Pastry Chef such as didier is responsible for everything sweet and dessertrelated that a hotel such as the Gulf Hotel makes, from sweet pastries like croissants and baked items to cakes, sweets, chocolate, mousses and much, much more. This interview was interesting, as the hotel had just received a booking for 600 people, and as a result, Chef didier’s kitchen was in hyperdrive, scrambling to prepare all the pastries and desserts for the event. While this meant that Chef didier was unable to provide us with as much of his time as we would have liked, it did give us an invaluable insight into the preparation a kitchen must undertake for an event such as this. As he spoke to us, Chef didier was in the process of making three separate desserts – a millefeuille, a chocolate banana cake and a mint mousse, and we were able to observe him in action.
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First off was the mille-feuille which, he says, is one of France’s most traditional desserts, and pastry chef will make in his career. “When you start working things you will learn. Mostly because it is quite easy to make, so there’s less chance you’ll make a mistake!” he explains. “Mille-feuille” literally translates to “a thousand layers”, due to the many layers of the puff pastry involved. “When I started to work in pastry, my head chef always preferred to have the puff pastry in the mille-feuille just a little burnt, not black, but browned, as he said this had we’re putting pastry cream, although sometimes you can use other things like strawberry or raspberry jam – there are many different kinds of mille-feuille.” The fondant layer on top, however, is a more complicated matter. “For the fondant, you only learn this after maybe a year, because it’s easier to make a mistake, as you have to get the temperature just right. The normal way to test it is with the lip, because it is so sensitive, you can tell whether the temperature is right. It has to be the same temperature as the body.” We then watch Chef didier work on the chocolate banana cake. He brings out pieces of banana to garnish the cake with, as this is the usual way to indicate what kind of cake it is. He sprinkles the banana with sugar, and then uses a kind of blow-
torch to caramelise the sugar to coat the banana. “This seals in the banana to stop it turning brown on the buffet,” he explains. Chef didier began his career at the tender age of just 14, working in his uncle’s bakery apprenticeship, his early career was spent mainly working on luxury cruise ships, and his posts include time spent on the worldfamous Cunard luxury liners the Queen Elizabeth 2 and the Queen Mary 2! “It was an interesting experience, but VERY hard,” didier recalls. “We started at 5 in late. The passengers are very high-class English and American society, because the ship was going from Southampton to new York, so it was a tough job.” In addition to his various posts in ships and hotels around the world, in places such as Beijing, dubai, the dominican Republic, and more, didier has owned two of his own bakeries, and he intends to bring that experience with him to the Gulf Hotel’s new café and pastry shop, Café delices. “I want to make it in a French style, and to make very nice, fresh products. I’m planning to make chocolate pralines, I have a very nice recipe for them – it’s a bit of a speciality of mine! I do praline hazelnut chocolates. I like to make them, and when I do, people seem to like them a lot. “In September I’m going to France, in Cannes where I have a house, and not far from my place there is a town called Grasse.” Grasse is world famous for its over two thirds of France’s natural aromas. “I want to go there and take some edible essences to use with the new chocolate.” And we can’t wait to see the results! FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
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VENUE SPOTLIGHT
DONT MISS...
K Facto
Dragon Hotel & Resort www.mujuamwaj.com
r
Hosted at Muju every Friday and overlooking the azure
Kicks Off!
BD25 nett, inclusive of all beverages and takes place from 12PM-5PM.
PLUS...
Corners
with thousands of dinars worth of prizes up for grabs! THIS competition will very much follow the
miss a moment of your favourite sports, comedy nights and great music. You can even test your skills at the lively new quiz night that has started on a
on the azure seafront of the Dragon Hotel. A Mediterranean infused experience day and night, it boasts live Arabic entertainment and an authentic buffet on the table every Friday.
being chosen during two rounds of auditions on September 4 and 6. This field will then be whittled down to just four finalists over the course of six weeks, with each contestant being mentored by a member of the Overnite guide the contestants in their musical direction and talents. The six rounds take place each Thursday, and contestants will be judged on criteria like appearance, stage presence, vocal talents and so on. The final four contestants will battle it out on the last day, performing three songs each to determine the Winner and Runners up. something special to take away with them. The overall winner will walk away with BD700, plus flights and a stay for two in Dubai. In addition, the winning song will be recorded with Overnite Sensation, and the winner will be given five CD copies of it, as well as hearing it played on Bahrain radio! Second prize will be BD200, plus a stay at the Dragon Hotel on Amwaj Islands, and third Amwaj Islands. There will also be smaller prizes for the fourth and fifth finalists. on Fridays, more than a few of you are partial some prizes up for grabs, we fully expect this event to be a smash hit! GO:
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VENUE SPOTLIGHT
Déjà Vu
The Restaurant...
WTF III @ KLUB360
The third instalment of these highly successful parties returns to
THIS Taylor, a man who was introduced to the decks at a young age by his father, a successful Motown,
Indulge
yourself
in
Déjà
Mediterranean cuisine. The chefs use the freshest ingredients inspired by the colourful multi-cultural heritage of the Med. They also specialise in private parties such as birthdays, anniversaries or corporate events, and outdoor catering. ENJOY... Two complimentary glasses of house wine Sunday through Tuesday from 7 to 10pm.
The Lounge...
Alan Taylor took his son under his wing and taught him how to read a crowd, use the equipment and present himself professionally was reinforced at various radio stations, where he would watch his father present specialist shows and conduct one-to-one interviews with celebrities. Fast forward to 14 years of age, where Martin nightclub, showcasing his newfound skills to a large capacity crowd. He initially played chart music before moving onto a dance and electronic music sound, with tracks from Armand Van Helden, Faithless, David Morales and Masters at Work plus hundreds of others. He quickly learned the importance of keeping maintaining his music collection to be upfront and one step ahead of the ever-growing competition! clubs all over Wales and England for guest spots and full-time residencies, which ensured he was out playing almost every weekend.
THIS MONTH... 20 September - B.A.K.E co. aimed at bringing Bahrain a taste of Bohemian Bourgeois
REGULARS... SUNDAYS
Classic House
MONDAYS
Retro Nite
TUESDAYS
All-Nite Happy Hour
WEDNESDAYS
CHIC
Buy-one-get-one-free till 12am on selected beverages, with music from the 70s, 80s and 90s.
clubland and bagged him international gigs to play at, including numerous guest sets at Hed Singapore. Other countries he played at include America, Cyprus, Abu Dhabi, Spain and more. Year after year Martin has partied and performed in Ibiza promoters. He prefers to play funky, disco and soulful but is never limited to styles. His tendency is on a journey of all things music, using clever traditional mixing skills with an array of special effects and a sprinkling of musical surprises to wow even the most demanding clubber!
Enjoy fantastic savings, with a 30% discount all night long. cocktails for the ladies.
Wine, Cheese and Conversations here for BD 10/- per head, from 7pm to 11pm.
THURSDAYS
Funktion
FRIDAYS
Bling
HAPPY HOUR - Enjoy 30% Discount every day from 7pm to 9pm
The Resident DJ... DJ Aaron Wolf
GO:
FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
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VENUE SPOTLIGHT
Upstairs Downstairs
Downstairs and make your way through the bar to the utterly charming twolike being at a private dinner party hosted by a friend, with an ambience further heightened by local jazz musicians performing on stage. International guest stars regularly take the stage too. The menu is eye-catching, with a varied selection of cuisines from around the
Oktoberfest Returns!
A true highlight of the year, the Oktoberfest at the Gulf Hotel takes place in September again this year‌
well catered for. So drop in to Upstairs Downstairs and experience something truly unique in Bahrain today...
EID EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS! Throughout the Eid Holidays:
Breakfast served from 7am Brunch served from 12 noon Includes a four-course brunch set menu and all house beverages, for only
Dinner from 6pm Every night in Eid from 12.30pm
Saturo
IF Gulf Hotel, then we suggest that you buy your tickets soon, as you need to experience this fantastic night! If you HAVE been to it before,
Every night in Eid from 8.30pm
probably already booked your tickets! festival in Germany, which attracts hundreds of thousands of people from around the world and is one of the biggest German cultural festivals of the year. Coming over for the event is the much-loved
EVERY FRIDAY - All inclusive Brunch set menu and all house beverages for BD15++ per person.
** 20% off all fo
od and drink ** 6pm-8pm from Saturday to We dnesday
event every year, entertaining people with their combination of authentic and traditional German music and international hits. And then there is the food! You know that when it comes to food, the Gulf Hotel does nothing by halves, and the Oktoberfest is no exception. Huge tables heavily laden with traditional heaven! And then there are the countless barrels of the occasion from breweries across the country. Thursday, September 27 is a dinner buffet which lasts from 7.30pm till late, and costs of the day from 11.30am till late afternoon. GO:
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SUBSCRIPTION CAMPAIGN Are you a keen FACT and Ohlala! reader? This is your chance to not only receive both magazines to your door for a year but if you subscribe this month you will automatically be entered into a draw to win some fantastic prizes, including...
A holiday in Thailand! You could enjoy the breathtaking views and ultra-luxurious surroundings of Samui Sunset Pavilions in Koh Samui, Thailand. www.samuisunsetpavilions.com
The Essence of Style
Email: zara.dh@nansgroup.com Call: 1721 6099 FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
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f lo o o h ch ritis ase S h r B ch itis you pur r e B ent f the y! h t s o r t or . Pre % libra p 5 p l u nd d o d s ry fu , an cho n a ra ard e s ow n lib nt c o th n y ai re s t Bu ahr l pa goe B oo h Sc
Fantast ic range o f greeting s cards in stock !
Stockists of: Great value Birthday, Anniversary and other Greetings cards from BD1 Gift wrapping service available Yankee Candle scented products Willow Tree figurines Baby gifts/baby baskets Photo frames/albums Wedding gifts/accessories Birthday gifts Household ornaments & gifts
Located in Hamala, near the Dream Body Centre and the British School
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Tele: +973 17610012
A Health Tip from bnl How wearing stockings could stop you snoring
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earing tight stockings during the day may be a new way to tackle snoring at night. Compression stockings used to treat varicose veins and prevent blood clots in the legs after surgery given to people with sleep apnoea, a major cause of snoring. The idea behind the stockings is that during the day. normally, the leg muscles circulation or who are largely sedentary. Experts believe an accumulation of this then collects around the throat, squeezing the tissue and triggering sleep apnoea. The theory is that wearing the stockings during the day will squeeze the veins and help the
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Health & Wellbeing Your body is your temple, so
and eating health food - a good pampering is just as important...
of the body.
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The ThePerfect Perfect Predator Predator from when we think of all of the hard work involved. investigates the latest trend that is to help you mentally, emotionally and physically. Amed Yazzin tells us more…
B
orn from the concept of a permanent lifestyle change, this latest craze to hit the island is one to keep an eye on. In our present day and age, bad habits seem to have transformed into a generic disease – if it isn’t an obsession with sitting in front of the television for hours on end, we each have our vices, whether it is a chocolate obsession or fastfood addiction. In order to change our bodies, we have to change our mindsets – Predator is the answer to the universal question: How can YOU change your life physically, mentally and socially? Amed is an expert. Originally from Peru, he has lived on the island for two years now, and is already known for the regular classes he holds at Coral Bay. Young in face, body and mind, you would struggle to accept the reality of his age. However, through hard work and determination, Amed is a role model are younger, you have so much energy but little experience. The older you get, the less energetic you feel so the key is to prepare your body now to make it easier as the years go by.” So what exactly is Predator? It is a 69-day training programme which focuses not only on the aesthetics, but also on mental function, including the character and self-esteem – the main part of the mechanism called ‘being human’. There are four dimensions that make up this workout: Firstly, each individual is given a medical consultation, which includes a basic health and clinical analysis. This is a compulsory aspect of the regime, as there are major risks involved if the correct advice is not followed.
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Following the assessment, the second part of the programme is an extreme 60 days of physical conditioning, aerobics and resistance. Anaerobic follows suit, where gym machines are incorporated into the routines, and the latter part of the physical training consists of capoeira, Muay Thai, boxing, kick boxing, dance routines and stretching. Each of the individual sessions takes place in various locations ensuring that every session differs from the one before. With six as the ‘day off’. There is a common universal misconception whereby people can consume whatever they like and to all of their problems. However, those who eat and exercise a tonne normally weigh a tonne – a point that Amed is determined to put across in the workout’s third dimension. The trainee must learn to become aware of the importance of natural and low calorie foods are a must. Predator Programme is when the trainee learns how to lead their new lifestyle without Amed’s help. “By the end of the 69 days, each of the individuals should have learnt how to truly appreciate their own bodies. Predator’s motto is simple: “When will not value the glory. I want to get people to really feel their hunger for life… if you do that, that’s when you can really start to enjoy life.” GO:
The Season to Move
guru Craig Heslop, Founder believes that a more back-tobasics and natural approach to living is the key to a healthy lifestyle… THE kingdom is cooling down and we can enjoy outdoor living again. It is a fantastic time of year to live in Bahrain. The beautiful weather provides a great environment to walk the coastline and rocky interior. At Tribal Fitness we are excited to get outside and move in nature again. The deserts, beaches and parks provide the only gyms we need. We don’t need treadmills or machines to get our members fit and healthy. Along with our Tribal Fitness group sessions, we recommend that our members walk every day. This promotes an active lifestyle and provides chill out time. We also promote sensible sun exposure and enough quality sleep. This contributes to natural circadian rhythm and sufficient recovery. We use nature as our reference for optimal health. My advice is to simply get outside and enjoy the adventure of exploration. We welcome all our members and new faces back when we start on 9th September. Our schedule can be seen on www.tribalfitness.com. Here’s to the winter months! GO:
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VENUE SPOTLIGHT
The link between body and mind Christal Dennis is a Personal Performance Coach and Hypnotherapist with a Masters in Psychology Development and Coaching. She is dedicated to helping people overcome tapping in to their deepest potential...
Are you ready for a new hairstyling experience? Are you ready for a new hairstyling you will find a modern ride that renders you a great new look. highlights, color correction, extensions and hair treatments along with its own hair care extra time to coach clients on how to reinvent their salon style at home leaving them with a WOW Factor that will never be forgotten. unmatchable customer service, making you tell all you know about this world class salon. Make them bring out the real you. www.toniandguybahrain.com
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I have just completed a profound journey which I would love to share with you. It was a journey into the self which has taught me that I have the power over the day to day suffering which is intrinsically part of life. This journey is called Vipassana. For ten long days I stayed in a picturesque camp surrounded by snowcapped mountains and the sights and sounds of nature. It was spectacular. For those ten days 38 other people and myself promised to not hurt anyone, to not steal, to not lie and to not speak at all. I can safely say these were days like none other in my whole life. Vipassana is a form of Buddhist meditation. First one is taught to focus the mind by concentrating on the breathing. Later one is taught awareness of all sensations in the body. during this time I became aware of sensations I never knew my body even had. Some sensations were pleasant, some neutral and some even painful. You may wonder what you could possibly learn from awareness of body sensations, but I have learned lessons that can only be learned in this experiential way. These are lessons that no amount of reading and book learning can teach you. I learned on the experiential level that all sensations pass. All suffering, and pleasure is impermanent. This makes it easier to overcome cravings, and things that used to irritate me in the past no longer seem so bad. Craving and aversion are said to be the creators of human suffering, and at the most basic level one is faced with them. Vipassana meditation is not a religion or cult. It is a technique which all people are welcome to learn in order to allow happiness into their lives. One will find people from all different religions and walks of life at a Vipassana retreat, and converting people from their respective religions is not part of the process. May you all be happy! GO:
Outlets in Alosra Saar and Alosra Amwaj (NEW) Currently renting or looking to rent a vehicle? Why not try us? New vehicles available, from saloons to 4x4s Competitive prices Daily – Weekly – Monthly – Long-term rental schemes Vehicle delivery and collection to your home Airport pick-up and drop-off service
Contact: Amwaj: Saar: Out of Hours:
1601 0131 1779 5300 3885 2413
“Redefining the Rules of Rental” FACT BAHRAIN SEPTEMBER
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This issue we feature an interview with Bahrain-based hip-hop artist Hotline, who has a single a b c
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