SLT6Doha(September09) by Firefly Communications

sur la terre foreword

Photo by: Jean Francois Monier

COVER IMAGE

» foreword

Sur La Terre – Doha General Manager: Jocquine Chami Regional Managing Editor: James McCarthy Editor: Steve Paugh PR, Sales & Marketing Director: Julia Toon Creative Director: Roula Zinati Ayoub

>>> So few things in life are capable of producing such a visceral response in people as that of the automobile. Cars are intrinsically linked with our popular culture and the emotions that they conjure within us are deeply embedded in our collective psyche. We write songs about them, make movies about them and we immortalise them as they immortalise their most famous, and often, most tragic owners. Even the most humble, ubiquitous production-line model can stoke the fires of passion in people. Maybe because it is a first car and represents the youthful freedom of breaking the bonds of parental reliance. Maybe it is because it belongs to a favoured relative, and holds within its steel and plastic frame a lifetime of fond memories. It is the almost instinctive Qatari passion for our four-wheeled friend that is brought to bear in your Autumn edition of Sur la Terre. Within these pages you will meet the local drivers and automobiles that surpass the ordinary and transcend the gap between man and machine. From this little peninsula, jutting with purpose into the sparkling water of the Arabian Gulf, brave men travel the world, pushing the boundaries of speed and peril to bring glory home to Qatar. Championship rally driver, Nasser Al-Attiyah, regales us with anecdotes and stories from the World Rally Championship, his bid for Paris-Dakar glory and shooting for gold in the Olympic Games. Some of you might think that dodging Doha’s dust storms and hiding from the 80 percent humidity constitutes herculean feats of endurance. However, when you read the tales of tenacity and stories of stoicism associated with the Porsche Transsyberia Rally, recounted by race veteran, Adel Abdullah, sweltering September days will seem like blessed relief. With Abu Dhabi due to host its first Formula One Grand Prix, and Bahrain already established on the circuit, Sur la Terre gets beneath the bonnet of the big races and discovers how our little corner of the world is carving a reputation as a motorsport hub. The 2009 Superbikes and Moto GP may have sped off into the distance, but there is much more motoring revving up on the horizon. And so to Unique Rides. It would be inconceivable to have a motoring theme without a mention of Rolls Royce. The quintessentially British marque is one of the forefathers of automotive history and, as such, has a very special place in this issue of Sur la Terre. Cruise the English countryside in style, as the ever-stately Steve Paugh goes Ghost hunting around glorious Goodwood and finds a Phantom. So sit back, strap yourself in and prepare for the ride of your life. Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines for the Sur la Terre Speed issue...

Art and Design: Rena Chehayber, Lara Nakhleh, Michael Logaring Editorial Contributors: Désirée Mitterrand, Francesca Serra, Marie-Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre Distribution and Subscription: Michael Javier Printed by: Raidy Printing Press Published by: Fireﬂy Communications P.O. Box 11596, Doha - Qatar, Tel: +974 4340360, Fax: +974 4340359

JAMES MCCARTHY Regional Managing Editor

sur la terre content

content

08 in town Fresh and new, the latest exciting luxury products, launches and accessories to hit the city

16 going global We take you on a bumpy ride through the Transsyberian Rally

23 showcase The Ascension of Speed races you through a luxurious racing lineage

32 artopia The Doha Tribeca Film Festival is coming! Take a peek at its past and future

37 unique rides The Mistubishi Evo, Maserati Quattroporte and an army of Rolls-Royces

50 beauty Beautify your life with a healthy splatter of Disco Sprinkle

53 gourmet travel James McCarthy trips around the brightest place down under: Sydney

58 brand history Swiss genius, timeless wonder, universal appeal: Avakian Jewellers

67 star-crossed Speeding Beauty: A visual tale of ﬁne-tuned love

73 good tastes Steve Paugh gets “tongue Thaied” at the Grand Hyatt’s Isaan restaurant

sur la terre content

78 out of the box Get ready to think a bit differently with cool local products and activities

84 spotlight An exclusive conversation with Qatarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s off-road royalty: Nasser Al-Attiyah

88 time history SLT rolls through the ages with Rolex

94 objects Grand redesigns, making the everyday extraordinary

99 fashion The newest fashion trends to grace the catwalks

105 accessories The latest accessories and trends

109 in vogue Your guide to the latest trends in fashion and shopping available locally

116 design The blueprint of timeless design: Gregory Phillips

120 society Evenings out, parties, openings happening around town

123 entertainment The best in chapters, tunes, silver screen, small screen and online

128 snapshot A photograph to inspire and admire

I the agenda Events happening around the region

V directory Your local and regional guide

sur la terre in town

In Town est exciting Fresh and new, the lat hes and luxury products, launc city accessories to hit the

Your Watch is Fast Officine Panerai and Ferrari go together like stopwatches and burnt rubber; although not noticeably connected, one always seems to lead to the other. It’s no secret that the two big-time Italian brands have hooked up before to build some very impressive timepieces in their day, but one of their newest creations definitely comes in first as far as we’re concerned. Originally designed by Sergio Pininfarina, the Ferrari California has been one of the Prancing Horse’s most recognisable models since its birth in 1958, and it continues to redefine the screeching spectacular that is sportscar driving. To celebrate that breakneck bloodline, Officine Panerai, the official licensee for the House of Maranello, has crafted an amazingly technical 45mm flyback chronograph. We could go into more technical details, like its tachymeter scale and Glucydur® monometallico balance, but there are almost too many to name, much less understand! For our money, it’s the way this puppy looks that makes it beautiful. Emblazoned on several points with the Ferrari logo and showing the slick yet subtle California name written in its typical cursive on the face, this watch seems to double as an ultra-chic dashboard display. So while you’re sitting in your California, clutching the wheel with one of your leather glove-clad hands and checking out your Officine Panerai wristwatch, you’ll realise one inescapable truth: Time flies!

Streetfightin’ Man

Remember that old video game, Streetfighter II, wherein you could choose from an army of martial artists, some with gifted abilities and cool weapons, others with regrettable mutations and unfortunatelyhued man-pelts; and then, duke it out using energy-based attacks and ridiculously improbable, gravity-defying moves? Now there was a video game you could set your watch to! Sharing not only the name, but also the super-powered legacy and rumbling tone with this digital touchstone in our upbringing is yet another testament to manhood that makes our inner beast growl with vigour: the Ducati Streetfighter! Brought to you by Alfardan Motorcycles, the ‘Fighter comes in two models, the 1198 and the 1098 R Bayliss Limited Edition, which is a testament to the recently retired Superbike World Champion, Troy Bayliss. Both feature ridiculous L-Twin power from the “Testasretta Evoluzione” super-engine, which not only sounds like an Italian supervillain, but acts like one as well, putting out a very mean 85 lbs/ft of torque and an insane 155 hp. Designed by Giulio Malagoli, the style of the Streetfighter redefines naked aggression while maintaining the iconic Ducati look, and was named best-looking bike at the 2008 Milan motor show. Sur la Terre would like to echo those sentiments, but wouldn’t like to meet this Streetfighter in a dark alley! We fully expect that this Ducati’s synthetically sinuous musculature will be all the “road-rage” here in Qatar.

sur la terre in town

These Boots Were Made for Rockin’ We’re not going to lie to you, the new Louis Vuitton Seduction boot, which is part of its highly-anticipated Pre Fall/Winter 2009 collection, had us quaking in our own boots. It’s straight-up scary! Honestly, this thing looks like it belongs in the wardrobe of a double-hard femme fatale or some kind of warrior princess. If Catwoman were real, she would wear these boots and right before she beat us up with her enhanced reflexes and horsewhip, we would remark on how her personal style not only encompasses a keen eye for taste, but also an appreciation for versatility. Much like the masked madams of myth, the Seduction can shift through a variety of different silhouettes. Its two rows of gritted zipper teeth allow its wearer to go from ankle-high to knee-high in one swift movement. Attaching the top portion increases its transformations still, turning it into a thigh-high stomper that can be worn straight or folded down for an extra feminine flair. Plus, the little functional calf-pouch would make any utility belt-clad caped crusader jealous. Coming in two different leathers (sueded goat or lamb) and two heel heights (flat or stiletto), this one-stop arsenal of apparel is perfect for stepping out into the dark night.

Beating the H3AT The oppressive days of Doha’s summer have finally melted away into the more pleasant days of Autumn and Winter, and now that we can finally step on our front doorsteps without instantly vaporising, it’s time to set foot further afield; to embark to points where no one has gone before. That’s right, it’s time for a Qatar Trek [cue trippy outer space music]. Of course, any good captain worth his or her weight in Dilithium Crystals knows that before setting out on such a harrowing journey, one must have the proper equipment. Behold, your perfect vessel: the Hummer H3 V8 SUV! With the compact looks of a futuristic Mars rover, the H3 may be known as a “baby hummer,” but it still contains a celestial power thanks to its 5.3 litre V8 MFI engine, which delivers 300hp (224kW) at 5,200 rpm and 320 lb-ft of torque (432 Nm) at 4,000 rpm. Combined with the higher ratio setting on the rear axle, the H3’s standard rear-view camera system and the hill-conquering power of the StabiliTrack system, even the final frontier is a lot less frightening.

Take a Write Turn The pen, as they cliché, is mightier than the sword, but is it also mightier than the automobile? Well, Cartier likes to think that writing instruments are at least on par with the car, and after seeing their new line of composition accoutrements, we’re inclined to agree. The smooth, ebony contours of the Cartier Roadster collection succeed in giving off that classic motoring vibe from which it has been inspired. At very least, the Roadster invites everyone from budding authors to high-level check signers to take a luxurious spin around the page. Available in ballpoint, rollerball and fountain versions, each pen is coated from body to cap in black resin, with palladium appointments. Its blue cabochon-tipped crown makes us think of the headlights in our stately-manor car. The elegant addition of an 18k rhodiumised gold nib and special Cartier engraving not only punctuates your penmanship with that midas touch, but also makes your John Hancock the new gold standard in signatures. Finally, we can look as good writing our articles as you do reading them!

sur la terre in town

A Diamond for the Rough Sur la Terre is very much like a diamond. Sure, we’re as tough as the day is long, but we’re also ﬂashy and work well in elegant settings. Even with all of this strength and impenetrable beauty, we still have a soft side. After all, just because we “rock” doesn’t mean we’re made of stone, Doha. The same could be said for GMC’s popular automotive crossover offering: the Acadia. GMC was always known for its ultra masculine musculature, but ever since this model hit the Middle East streets back in 2007, the brand has opened itself up. The modernised look and sporty-yet-comfortable feel of the Acadia has led to an increased market for the redesigned SUV, and it has done so without marginalising its loyal fan-base thanks to its V6 3.6 litre engine which generates 313hp. With an interior spacious enough to easily ﬁt eight people, it’s no wonder that it has so many accolades under its seatbelt. Speaking of seatbelts, the Acadia’s intuitive all wheel drive system and other safety features have gained it a “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), making it both strong and sleek; again, just like Sur la Terre.

The Z4 Rock & Roadster

Golden Graham In 2005, Graham London decided to come out with a little something special to signify the storied history and renowned passion for design of their namesake: the watchmaking wunderkind, George Graham. What they came up with was a timepiece that was one-in-a-tourbillon. Collaborating once again with the globally respected manufacturers La Chaux-de-Fonds, La Joux-Perret (as they had done in years past for their chronograph “foudroyant”), Graham embarked on a four year journey to create the unique Automatic Chronoﬁghter Trigger Tourbillograph. Granted, it sounds like the name of a certain evil genius’s “laser beam,” but in actuality, it is probably the most sophisticated, intricately designed watch the brand has ever conceptualised. The delicately complicated movement is encased in 5N red gold and easily viewed through a domed sapphire crystal up front and a ﬂat see-through back, making it a modern work of mechanical art. With enhanced reliability, reinforced resistance and an exquisitely erudite appearance, only one thing can be said about the new Graham tourbillograph: it’s about time.

Ladies and gents, the BMW Z4. Just look at it. Seriously, stop reading and look at it; we’ll wait. See what we mean? It’s a thing of beau ... oh, sorry, still looking? We understand, go ahead ... Done? Okay. See what we mean? It’s a thing of beauty! As a direct descendent of the classic roadster, the Z4 design is rooted in tradition, but draped in the contemporary fantastic. The comfort and space in this new model has been greatly enhanced, while maintaining the low seating position typical of the BMW Roadster. Capable of reaching a top speed of 155 mph, prepare to get pushed back into the seat thanks to the world’s ﬁrst straight-six power unit to feature Twin Turbo technology, which comes optional in the most sporting and dynamic version of the Z4. Now, we know that convertibles aren’t the most popular of cars in the Gulf region, but the Z4 might just be the exception to that rule. Its hardtop retracts in a very short 20 seconds and once the dust and sun soon settle, it’ll be the perfect topless torpedo in which to shoot around the corniche. Add to this the new iDrive navigation control system, enhanced safety features and a modern, clean, driver-oriented interior, the Z4 is the most exciting development to hit the Doha road since the double-hump camel! Find yours at Alfardan Automobiles in West Bay.

sur la terre in town

Canon-Ball!! If it’s one thing we’ve learned from the old Disney film, The Little Mermaid, it’s that there are some pretty crazy parties going on “under the sea.” Crabs are playing the xylophone on the backs of turtles, lobsters are breaking beats on clam shells and stingrays are somehow using corral as maracas! It’s a killer rave and we’re missing out! Not to worry, though, because Canon has our ticket to the deep-sea shebang: the new 12.1 Megapizel PowerShot D10. The PowerShot D10 is the first waterproof digital compact camera in the company’s history. Old school waterproof cameras have suffered from poor picture quality, but with the 3x zoom lens, image stabilising function and multiple framing options, the photo-tech has finally been perfected! Easy to use, but hard to break, the PowerShot D10 contains within its nigh-invulnerable frame intuitive technology, superb quality and all of the modern features and conveniences we’ve come to expect from the digital age, including an exceptionally bright 2.5” PureColor LCD II with a 2mm-thick protective shield. We hit it with our best and most ferocious cannonballs and bellyflops, and it kept on ticking. Now all we have to do is find Poseidon’s underwater kingdom of happiness and song, take a few snaps and watch the money roll in!

The Steering Mille

Versense and Scents-ability Wearing Versace perfume just makes sense ... or “scents,” as the case may be. The pastel green visual essence of the legendary brand’s newest fragrance, Versense, mellows softly from behind its crystal body in an enticingly earthy invitation. The subdued organic radiance that shimmers under the bottle’s Medusa crest, which in turn denotes a fervent femininity, is just the herald of an odiferous odyssey through nature. The fresh, citrusy top notes of prickly pear, green mandarin and bergamot are further enhanced by the intense purity of Jasmine and the exotic, gingery spice of cardamon. Underlying hints of sea daffodils dance delicately throughout the fragrant waltz; nigh-imperceptible, yet necessary, almost like the quiet, yet heady tones of a ﬂute in an otherwise thundering orchestra. Grounding everything in a woody rigidity are the bottom notes of cedar, olive tree, musk and sandalwood. The whole experience is light and airy, using all of the powers of nature to leave your conﬁned civility breathless.

Ever since speaking with Richard Mille late last year, we’ve been in love with the free spirited Frenchman and his quirky yet classy watch designs. His newest timepiece, the RM 004-V2 Felipe Massa, follows his timeless flare for non-conformity and once again delves into his passion for motorsport as inspiration. Named after accomplished Brazilian Formula 1 driver who famously wore the revolutionary RM 006 model during one of his many well-run Grand Prix races, the Felipe Massa is all about durability, precision and performance. The carbon nonofibre baseplate, rendered from composite materials and tempered under extreme temperatures, ensures protection from physical and chemical damage, which might come in handy when you’re foolishly copying the F1 exploits of the real Massa. Equally as stable and sturdy is the chronograph mechanism, the meticulous design of which makes it so that the new RM004 never skips a beat. The torque indicator not only draws to mind the automotive ancestry of the watch, but also serves to measure the optimisation of the mainspring’s delicate tension. Containing more complex techniques than you can shake a dipstick at, the RM004-V2 is complicated and refined, just like its creator, its namesake and, if you’re lucky enough to purchase one of the 40 limited edition pieces in the collection, just like you.

sur la terre going global

Transcending Syberia 4,400 MILES, 24 TEAMS, 6 TIME ZONES, 2 WEEKS, 1 WINNER: WELCOME TO THE TRANSSYBERIAN RALLY

< Team Spain >

< Team Germany >

>>> Ulan Bator. To the undiscriminating xenophobe, this may sound more like a Fantastic Four baddie than a country’s capital, but as nefarious as Mongolia’s largest city sounds, it is actually a place of grand (pre)historic significance, sweeping natural majesty and uncompromising manmade beauty. However, alongside UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Bogd Khan Uul mountain, which rolls the landscape into frozen pastoral swells, or any of the hundreds-of-years-old monasteries, temples and palaces that dot the city and countryside, there is something else particularly special about the city; something a bit more, dare we say it, extreme. For two years, Ulan Bator has played the role of final destination for Porsche’s annual Transsyberian Rally, a hair-raising, chassis-rending race that ends abruptly in a grit of rubber on stone, and a cloud of dust and steam. Of course, much like life, this rally is more than just the destination; it’s about the journey. Ripping ruggedly onto the scene in August 2007, the Transsyberian Rally has since been described by many of its participants and fans as an “old school” endurance race, and it’s easy to see why. There’s a certain amount of fire in your belly and spit in your eye that you need to even have the guts to enter this race, let alone complete it. Taking place over a span of about two weeks, the grueling contest sees a growing number of international teams race from Moscow, Russia to the aforementioned villainously-named Ulan Bator. The route of the rally looks like a crooked

sur la terre going global

frown, carved with a rusty knife on the grizzled features of one of the world’s most dynamically treacherous landscapes.

< Christian Lavieille and Francois Borsotto Team 17 France >

< Team Russia >

Throughout its history, the vast region of Syberia has seen the migration of a rich cultural tapestry of nomadic tribes and established nations, sometimes clashing violently in their back and forth bids for power. That heritage remains true today in the region, but instead of armed combat and steely armaments, the weapons are semi-modiﬁed Porsche Cayennes, Toyota Land Cruisers, Mercedes-Benz G320s and Land Rover Defenders, just to name a few. The sinuous strength of arm and hardened spirit that pounded through the warriors of yesteryear are still employed by the combatants of today, though the means and ends of battle are markedly different. Or are they? The struggle may no longer be based on the capture of land and power, but if it’s one thing the rally does prove, it’s that domination is still everything. Of course, in order to achieve that ascendence to supremacy, the victor will have to ﬁrst defeat another enemy: Mother Nature; and she’s a bitter, bitter mistress. Over the entirety of its approximate 4,412 miles (7,108 km), drivers are forced to do battle with literally every type of terrain, from the rampaging power of whitewater rapids to dense defence of narrow forest paths to the howlingly high winds of the haunting Gobi desert. Nothing is offlimits, and though it seems contrary to the reality of a given situation,

sur la terre going global

no obstacle is un-traversable. Since this is a Porsche-inspired event, most drivers and co-drivers captain the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia, an initially criticised bit of automotive ingenuity, which has forced many of its detractors to eat their shoes thanks to the car’s championship durability and victorious performance in this race. While the Cayenne has been laying dow its dominance over the race since its inception, other makes like Mitsubishi and Suzuki are showing up, rising through the ranks and ﬁnding out what it takes to grit through the gristle of the ground and bring home the win. Most of the time, a check mark in the “W” column is primarily thanks to the skill of the driver, but small adaptations to the body of the chariots have also increased performance; these include a pared down rear bumper and higher angled front, a smoother surface and exhaust system to reduce jutting pieces and eliminate snags, a harder, thicker undercarriage and skid plate to provide armoured protection, reinforced A and B pilars, increased sealing to make driving through water less ... you know ... “wet,” an advanced navigation system and, our personal favourite, a roof-mounted snorkel. Alternatively plodding and racing through the muck, water and gravel of the rally, competitors can usually expect to race daily tours that can take upwards of 15 hours to complete; even more if something should go wrong like, say, “death.” In all seriousness, the Transsyberian Rally is nothing if not perilous, but while there is a substantial number of accidents and smaller injuries, there have as yet been no mortal consequences during the rally. That, of course, doesn’t mean that it can’t be considered a “death race,” for surely that possibility is ever-present given the danger levels.

< Team USA >

And yet, despite the fact that this race contains all of the bed-wetting terror and shrill-peeling excitement of the other major rallies the world over, it is still somewhat looked down upon or worse, ignored, by some of the racing community. Admittedly, this might simply be a case of its age. Unlike other similar races, like The Dakar, which can trace its roots back to 1978, Transsyberian is really still in its infancy. However, the disrespect and disavowal with which it has to currently contend is changing. Already rallying royalty like Armin Schwarz, René Metge and Rod Millen have stepped into a car and slogged it out in Syberia, each stating that it was anything but a walk in the park. Christian Lavieille, a former FIA World Champion who has been turning heads with impressive racing and endurance runs since 1994, and latest winner of the 2008 Transsyberian with a time of 27 hours and 13 minutes, famously said, “The Transsyberia is magic.” We can only assume that he means dark magic, of course. It seems that the strategy for each race differs depending on the driver. The overall feeling, however, is that while boosts of speed are important,

< Team Switzerland >

sur la terre going global

< Team Portugal >

slow, steady and a bit cautious sometimes do win the race. “It isn’t just driving fast. It’s surviving to cross the ﬁnish line,” says Millen. “Forget about driving ﬂat-out all the time.” Even some of our local Gulf boys, who are largely unperturbed by the rigours of their craft, have said that the Transsyberian is one of the most contentious races in which they have competed. Adel Abdullah, a local Qatari and Transsyberian veteran, spoke with Sur la Terre and offered personal opinions and anecdotes about his experiences in the rally, all of which can be read in our exclusive interview with him in the following pages. After speaking with him, we were further impressed by the sheer scope of the race; and by “impressed,” we of course mean “frightened.”

< Top 3 Teams >

In its relatively small time on the international racing scene, the Transsyberian Rally has established itself as a formidable institution. As it grows, welcoming more and more representatives from varying countries across the globe, it will continue to delight its fans and push its drivers to even higher levels of competition and performance. Regardless of how it changes and evolves, one thing is for sure about the rally: it is and always will be one hell of a ride.

For more information about the Transsyberian Rally, including driver information, results and the latest news, rumble over to http://www. transsyberia-rallye.de

< Said Rasshid Al Hajri Team # 13 (Qatar) >

sur la terre going global

Adel Abdullah: The Transsyberian Survivor What is the Transsyberian Rally for those who don’t know? What is the feeling? What’s the importance of the race? Is it different from other rally experiences you’ve had? If so, how? Well, I started racing about 19 years ago, in 1990. I’ve done many rallies and cross country races in the region since then. Transsyberia is completely different. There is everything in this rally: trees, grass, forest, mountains, rivers; everything you can see, everything you can feel. Everyday, especially in Russia, is something different. When we started in Moscow, it was muddy and slippery, through water and forest, and it becomes very hard to keep control of the car. On the second day, there was sand in the forest, which I’ve never seen before. The race goes from one element to another and requires more concentration than in any other race. You see, the organisers for Transsyberia do not prepare the drivers as much as in other rallies, so everything is a surprise and

it is easier to get lost. In Mongolia, there are many ditches, storms and times when it’s raining so hard that you can’t see. All of these challenges are harder to overcome than anyone imagines. Also, there are experiences that you wouldn’t believe, like once in Mongolia when our car suffered from electrical problems. It was pouring rain and we had lost our way. We tried to stop and restart the systems in the car, but it didn’t work. I needed a jumper cable, but of course I didn’t have one, so I had to explain to the people in this small Mongolian village that I needed a cable. We ﬁnally managed after 15 minutes to get this cable with prongs on one end and open wires on the other. Luckily, it worked and once the car started everyone jumped up and celebrated! You’re not only dealing with the ride and the car, but different cultures and situations as well.

sur la terre going global

So, as a whole, you have to be ready for anything. It sounds dynamic and must be difficult to prepare for physically and mentally. How do you get ready for this kind of race? For the Transsyberian Rally, you have to work on endurance. Your body needs to be fit enough to push yourself to the maximum for four to five hours a day or more. The first year we went, we met a French driver who had done rallies for 25 years. When we finished the Transsyberian, he told me it was the most difficult race he’d driven. The race goes into undeveloped places, so again, the terrain can change and get worse as we go along. If you see asphalt, you’re happy! [laughs] In 2007, the water that we had to pass through caused a big problem for us, especially because I was not experienced in driving through water. I learned that watching other racers go first and watching the currents of the water was important. You learn from your own mistakes, and you learn from the mistakes of others. It’s not just speed and power. The Transsyberian race is getting more and more popular, isn’t it? Many drivers and aficionados used to not take the race seriously. Why is that, and do you think that mentality is changing? Some people don’t take the challenge seriously, since the rally is only three years old and hasn’t gotten much media coverage. But, if you talk to the drivers that race there, they will tell you that it is no joke. These are world-class rally drivers who know that the difference between winning, losing and crashing in this race is very small. The status of our drivers is increasing as well. Transsyberia is now seeing former European and world champions racing in it. The talent and recognition have both grown since its start, and even from 2007 to 2008. The rally is getting more and more media attention, as well. Journalists and fans are everywhere now, which shows that it is getting more popular.

sur la terre showcase

The Ascension of How the Middle East reached its Motorsport crescendo, and transformed its rustic motoring passion into high-speed luxury

< QMMF hosts the Moto GP under f loodlights 2009 >

sur la terre showcase

< Qatar has become synonymous with motorcycle racing in the region >

>>> Under the endless desert sands that cloak the GCC nations in a blustery beige skin, there beats a pulse. The simultaneously organic and mechanised rhythm pounds through drums of oil and pipes of gas in a solid throb as it flows through arid veins. The sound roars as it reaches its centre, winding its way past geography and threading itself into the very web of a modern Middle East culture thirsty for legacy. They have given a name to this melodious legacy that now so thoroughly thunders its way to prominence over ancient sands and into stadium stands. It is the aria of adrenalin, the symphony of speed. It is, in short, the music of Motorsport, and the euphonious cadence in the heart of its engine has never been this strong. ROAD TRIPPING THROUGH THE GATES OF EVOLUTION What began years ago in the soft pitter-patter of a growing storm has been strengthened, magnified by a growing throng of faithful followers dedicated to discovering and cultivating a homegrown motoring movement. Of course, it all began with the age-old Arabian addiction to haste. Long before the 12th century, when Arab merchants first impressed visiting Europeans with the historic Arabian steed, they were breeding these animals to go further and ride faster, racing both the horses and themselves into a famished fervour for fleetness. This dedication would last for centuries up to and through the current age, where the vehicle for racing has changed in many different ways. Similarly, watching the progression of the Gulf region in the Middle East is an interesting study in parallel developments. The early days of the 1900s saw the discovery of the material and monetary boon of a strong current of oil and natural gas, which would fuel the region’s industrial boom in the coming years in more ways than one. At around the same time, in the beginning of the 20th century, motorsport was just beginning to skid in to mass interest. The

< Celebrities like Rock legends Robert Plant & Eric Clapton travel to BIC for the F1 >

< Bahrain International Circuit from the air >

sur la terre showcase

< Formula 1 at BIC has become a must-attend event in the region’s sporting and social calender >

1900 Olympics in Paris were monumental, not only because it was the first time women could participate as competitors, but also because it was the first time that motorsports were introduced on the global stage. While not officially part of the games that year, the astounded audiences were left breathless with daring displays and thrilling races the likes of which the world had never seen. Not surprisingly, the world became increasingly interested in the sport, as it gained more credence as a viable entity. So too it was for the progression of the Middle East. Blessed as they became with the luxury of disposable income thanks to their new fuel-driven wealth, places like Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia began to transform into hubs for trade, business and of course, sport. The real drive to create a motorsport mecca in the Gulf was built on the desire of locals, many of whom watched on as the rest of the world honed their professional interests in the sport. Practicing their own driving skills, Gulf nationals waited for the day that they could form their own teams, build their own motoring monoliths and win their own medals. Most motoring events in the region were, at the time, based around more traditional styles like rallying and drag racing. Despite the modern rediscovery and fascination with these forms of racing, they were largely seen as the less “professional” subsets in the motoring world, but faced with a dearth of usable venues, drivers were able to hone their skills based on the surrounding terrain, implementing their knowledge and expertise of driving in the dynamic conditions to achieve a higher level of driving competency. As the money, respect and renown in the region grew, it was time to move forward. Quickly.

< A bahraini woman shows off a henna Tattoo of the BIC logo >

sur la terre showcase

< Abu Dhabi is set to host its first F1 Grand Prix this year, adding another high profile fixture for the region >

In total, there are a planned six international racing circuits to be built in the Middle East, all of which are already, or will be at a world-class level. Abu Dhabi already has a raceway, which will also have a Ferrari World amusement park, and Dubai similarly impresses with its Autodrome. However, within this growing list of recently burgeoning countries, the two that stand out above the rest for their dedication to new forms of motorpsport are, without doubt, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Qatar. Both GCC nations truly set off on the road to motorsporting might in the early days of the 21st century. In fact, 2003 was a hallmark year for the two countries, and saw both developing key institutions that have lasted the test of time and ﬁnancial crisis, and in the wake of growing appeal, have grown with the promise to be massive means of income for both countries in the future. THE BLOSSOM OF THE BIC Designed by former driver and now legendary Fromula One raceway architect, Hermann Tilke, the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) was the lifelong dream of many of its proponents, which became a reality thanks to the initiator of the project, H H Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom and of course, its patron, His Majesty Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Many racing fans stood in disbelief as the plans came together to build one of the region’s ﬁrst world-class motorsport circuits. Luckily, the foresight of the Kingdom’s leaders looked past the vehement arguments of BIC’s initial detractors, and instead focused on the gains (both monetarily and culturally) that the new complex would produce in and for the country and region. Of course, the critics soon ran out of gas and were quickly run down once the US$150 million project came to fruition, having since proven to be a wise investment. On the 169 hectare site where BIC now lies, there once stood only a vast expanse of sand, desert brush and untapped potential. However, in the staggeringly

< Speed, Girls and Glamour are a staple f ixture at such events >

< Virgin boss, Richard Branson promotes his new Brawn F1 team at BIC this year >

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rapid span of 16 months after its initial ground breaking in December 2002, that plot of barren land was transformed into one of the most lauded venues for motorsport in the world today. The circuit, which sits 30km outside of the capital city of Manama and used to languish in the company of passing camels and ferocious desert winds, now bustles in the exhilaration of thousands of keen racing fans and blusters in the fury of roaring engines. As well as being able to accommodate most disciplines in the motorsport world, the BIC is most importantly the first Middle East-based institution to be named as an accredited venue for the official FIA Formula One World Championship. The inaugural race took place on April 4, 2004, and saw racing royalty, Michael Schumacher, hurtle his Ferrari past the finish line to carve yet another groove into racing history. Since that day, it has brought in many more international events, such as Formula 3, GP2 and FIA GT championships, not to mention tens of thousands more fans. To all the naysayers who scoffed at its creation, saying that it would be a gaping void of lost dinars, the BIC has but one, simple retort: cha-ching! According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the BIC will account for much of the US$3.8 billion in revenue generated for Bahrain under tourism by the year 2015. Already, the venue has accrued millions of dollars worth of interest, in one case making US$580 million alone for a weekend in 2007. It also raises the profile of the Kingdom even further as a city draped in the red carpet, as it is not only legendary motoring stars that drive up the visibility of the country, but also area and global VIPs, many of whom have enjoyed the lavish facilities housed within the state-of-theart venue. Of course, there is just as much heart in its commitment as there is cash in its coffers. There is a commitment to care and education with the circuit’s global road safety initiative, “Think Before You Drive,” which focuses on implementing and using safety features in cars such as seat belts and child safety devices, as well as making drivers aware of the dangers of fast driving on the road; they want everyone to leave that to the professionals. The BIC has truly blossomed into something great, not only increasing the exposure of Bahrain as a key site of motoring greatness and providing a more professional venue for new local stars to train and ply their trade, but also helping to bring the Kingdom into the forefront of its own sporting destiny.

< Qatar’s QMMF team at the Endurance World Championship’s 24h Le Mans race >

THE CRYSTALLISATION OF THE QMMF At about the same time that Bahrain’s BIC seemingly burst from beneath the desert floor, there was another growing rumble in nearby Qatar. The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has been the centre of motorsport in Qatar for years, transforming itself from a loosely tied union of varying motorists into a country-wide coalition with one shared cause: Speed. However, even with a 20-year evolution, the QMMF first truly geared itself to grandeur in June 2003. Not to be outdone by its neighbouring brothers, Qatar was literally driven to establish its own name in the road-worn realm of motorsport, a passion for the country that at least equalled that of Bahrain. It was this motivation that pushed the State to sign an agreement with Dorna Sports of Spain, the company that originally funded and organised the MotoGP motorcycle race in 1949. This contract guaranteed Doha the right to host the very first MotoGP World Championship in the Middle East.

< Losail has become a beacon for the region’s motorcycle enthusiasts >

In a bid similar to that of President Kennedy’s “We choose to go to the moon” approach of stirring the drive without much preparation, the deal with Dorna Sports allowed only 18 months in which the worldclass racing circuit could be built. However, as has been true with their approach to building most of the other manmade constructs in the region, Qatar refused to be held back by the practicalities that sometimes weigh down vision. Under the leadership of the Emir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and the guidance of Heir Apparent HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, as well as the ground direction of current QMMF president and former 1993 Middle East Rally Champion, Mr. Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Attiya, everyone involved with the project worked hard, spending time and over US$58 million in a mad dash from the ground breaking event held in December 2003 to the inaugural event in October 2004. In a shocking turn of events, QMMF’s dream to build their own MotoGP-compatible ground incredibly came true within a year. Losail International Circuit, the premiere point of motorsport in

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< Noise, power and speed at the startline of the 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix >

Qatar, was officially born. In its first event almost five years ago, Losail hosted maestros of the motor, like Valentino Rossi, Carlos Checa, Kenny Roberts Jr., Max Briggs and Sete Gibernau, to lord over the now tamed land in a display that was the first of its kind in the Middle East. Since then, Losail has seen many more firsts race across its luxuriously laid roads, including His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s movement to hold night races, a lofty ambition for a racecourse positioned 30km outside of Qatar’s capital city. Literally surrounded by a domain populated by dust and haze, the environs around Losail are anything but conducive to the modern convenience of technology. However, with the help of Musco Lighting, the innovative individuals behind Losail were able to flood the midnight black of their corner of the world with light, effectively turning blackness into day. What could be more apropos an image for a nation that literally switched the light of sporting progress on an otherwise past-darkened landscape? The circuit has turned a former wasteland into a premiere destination which brings locals close enough to rub elbows with celebrity and smell the volcanic tang of the burnt rubber of sporting luminaries. Luckily, the build in a rich lineage of both motorsport and Qatar is set to continue until at least 2016, thanks to a renewal deal signed recently between Dorma CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and QMMF President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah. With that extension and all of its planned developments, it is a sure bet that this Prix will continue to get even more Grand. Over the years, the Gulf has changed. Nomadic and trade-driven in the past, it has gone through a forced, yet welcome evolution that has taken its inclusive countries to great heights and capabilities far beyond those of even the most seasoned state. This stalwart progress is perhaps best seen in its treatment of sport, bringing in many contracts and sports that

have otherwise evaded the Middle East region. Motorsport is the world’s fastest growing sport in terms of popularity, and nearly every nation is vying to dominate its presence. With developments like BIC and Losail, it is easy to see that, just as it has done in the past, the Gulf is gearing up to speed ahead and take the lead.

To ﬁnd out more about BIC, go to their website at www.bahraingp.com, and to learn more about QMMF, go to www.qmmf.com

< The home team prepare for race time at Losail, Doha >

sur la terre artopia

Home Movies The Tribeca Film Festival was born in the ashes of tragedy, cultivated in the fertile ground of creativity and spread in the name of artistic transparency. With excitement mounting for the festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrival in Doha, Sur la Terre turns its own lens on the national history and legacy of Tribeca, and explores the international scope of its bright future.

sur la terre artopia

>>> September 11, 2001. The world remembers this day, with great consternation, as one that changed the face of geopolitics, bringing to bear the gaping social issues of intercultural understanding, as well as the meaning, nature and cost of war. There were many casualties in the sad act that displaced the world that day, not only in the more important physical ramifications of lost life, but also in the almost immediate collapse of systems. Not least of these were the flashdecay of the economy, and the vacuum swallow of the multinational arts culture in the immediately affected areas within New York City. At the same time manmade physical structures tumbled to the ground in the piercing hush of an inaudible scream, so too did the voice of music choke and the arts of movement and still life stumble. A harrowing silence loomed in the space between times, pausing in the slow, throaty hiss of lost breath as the strength of an international culture waned into a grinding halt. This respite, however, was not to last. Culture, like any body, refuses to quit so easily. The cardiac arrest of New York’s creativity was most palpable in the seclusion of lower Manhattan, which had already gone through economic and cultural renewal in years prior. History is, in this case thankfully, not above repeating itself. Defibrillation came shortly after the attack, by hands well-practiced in the art of cultural, or more specifically, cinematic, rejuvenation. The Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) was founded in 2001 by luminary stars of the silver screen, Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Rosenthal’s renowned philanthropical husband Craig Hatkoff, with the intention of spurring on that much-needed revitalisation of the New York arts and culture scene. According to the festival’s website, www.tribecafilm.com, the philosophy of the annual event “focuses on assisting filmmakers to reach the broadest possible audience, enabling the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema and promoting New York City as a major filmmaking centre.” That lofty mission has, over the near eight years of its existence, been successfully met, and still continues to grow. Not only has Tribeca introduced a financial stimulus into the suffering economy of New York in excess of US $425 million, it has also become recognised as one of the predominant film festivals across the international spectrum. Its main motivations were founded on the shared desires of its founders to launch and assist the careers of local and independent filmmakers, and while

sur la terre artopia

the festival maintains that perseverance to disseminate such features, documentaries and films to a wider audience, it has also increased its scope by hosting the premiere of many Hollywood blockbusters, including About A Boy, United 93, Mission Impossible III and Star Wars: Episode II. Of course, the festival is more than just movies, as it has also grown into a flavourful fusion of all parts of culture, including a street fair with lively elements of the musical, theatric and of course, the fantastic. For an event born and bred in the shadow of loss, the Tribeca Film Festival is, in actuality, the ever-growing product of hope, determination and sheer will. The spread of its reach has already surpassed the cloud of rubble and debris that heralded its arrival, ensuring that the power of the echo has undermined the violence of the voice. That reverberation which has resounded along the streets and between the buildings of New York has officially escaped the confines of the city and, as was announced last year, has rippled across oceans of distance and culture to settle within the soft sands of one of the most promising, and ironically fertile, grounds for the growth of culture: the Middle East. Doha, Qatar has thrust itself into the forefront of a modern arts culture around the Arabian Gulf, particularly with its smaller, independent art houses and more visibly with its international paragon of culture and art in the modern Arab world: Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art. This hallmark establishment was the perfect

platform to announce a union between these two markedly different, yet similarly revolutionary institutions, and so it did last year, just weeks before the museum’s opening. From October 29th to November 1st this year, Doha will play host to the very first Tribeca Film Festival outside of New York City and in so doing, inaugurate a new wave of creativity never before seen in even this increasingly more progressive region. The founders of the original event understand that Doha stands at the precipice of progress in the Gulf as a cultural icon, thanks to its commitment to education, the arts and interjecting culture in places where it was previously barren. “We are honoured to create an enduring cultural partnership with [the Qatar Museums Authority],”said TFF co-founder Jane Rosenthal,“and to announce the launch of the Tribeca Film Festival Doha. Qatar’s transformational vision for the 21st century with its emphasis on culture and education is uniquely consistent with the goals and aspirations of the TFF.” One of the leaders of this national drive to achieve a greater sense of culture is Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Chairperson of QMA’s Board of Trustees. Under her patronage, the Tribeca Film Festival Doha will, according to literature distributed by the authority, “feature new work from established filmmakers alongside film debuts from newly discovered directing talents.” In this way, it will follow the dynamic lineage of the original festival, while at the same time

sur la terre artopia

introducing new elements to this unique audience of interested film lovers. It will also build on the already internationally feverish interest in Arab art, film and culture. The festival will showcase around 40 films of local and international talents alike. “The festival will include a wide range of programming,” says Abdullah Al Najjar,Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar Museums Authority, “from outdoor screenings to movies for children, from documentaries to new Hollywood releases and form independent films to showcases of the very best works by Arab filmmakers.” Along with implementing ideas from the original TFF, including a subfestival that will run concurrently at Al Bidda Park called The Family & Sports Festival, the Doha chapter will also introduce a new element to Tribeca’s future as well as the host country’s cultural landscape: The Doha Conversations.These open dialogues will continue a modern trend in Qatar to open discussions between foremost thinkers and creative icons in the arts and, similar to the festival itself, foster the bridge-building between the cultural divides of East and West. This will enable art to transcend beyond previously held borders. As Robert De Niro said at the media event which announced the festival last year, “We hope that film will not only be used as a form of entertainment at Tribeca Film Festival Doha, but play a role in bringing cultures closer together. By learning each others’ stories, we can see how much we share in common as well as explore and better

understand our differences.” Fellow co-founder Craig Hatkoff agreed by saying, “We think the key to success will be understanding and respecting one another’s cultures and traditions. We believe this festival will lead to many other important and educational initiatives in Doha and Beyond.” It is without question that TFF Doha will continue the modern heritage in the Middle East of encouraging artistic and cultural growth. The way has been paved by other regional festivals such as the annual Gulf Film Festival held in Manama, and the Alexandria Film Festival in Egypt, but Tribeca brings with it a much broader appeal and international potential. That the Gulf, and specifically Doha, was chosen to be the first location of this groundbreaking event’s foray into the global scene is really no surprise, thanks to its position as a forerunner of culture, much like Tribeca when it first started. The Tribeca Film Festival has literally come a long way since it first freed itself from the dust of ruination and rose like a guiding light for a new generation of arts, entertainment and culture. TFF Doha is set to do the same, this time rising through desert sands and fanning the winds of change for a whole new breathless audience.

For more information about the Tribeca Film Festival Doha, visit www.DohaTribecaFilm.com

sur la terre unique rides

The Theory of EVOlution

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is a liar. That’s right: a liar! The deceptively diminutive stature of this petite pavement peeler hides an interior essence of power, control and good old fashioned fun. Jump in the seat, slam on the gas and feel all of your preconceptions wash away in a torrent of zip. I usually don’t like being lied to, Mitsubishi, but just this once, I made an exception. In the end, I was glad I did. >>> When I went to the Mitsubishi dealer on Salwa Road last June and saw the Evo X (named as such since this is its tenth iteration), I raised an eyebrow, crossed my arms and let out a very skeptical “hmm.” Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very cool looking little car, but my initial thought was that it was more Mini-Me than Doctor Evil. Now, I’d heard the reports and read the reviews that called it a pintsized powerhouse and claimed that it consistently outperformed others in its class in international rally events, but as I came head-to-

headlight with the latest Evo, I was still a tad dubious. As I addressed it in this manner, I noticed something about the face of the car: it was scowling at me, almost as if it knew what I was thinking, and was responding in kind. Its curved front headlights and chiseled, almost gaping grill slanted forward in an impressively challenging stance, encroaching on me as if to say, “Wipe that look off your face, wise guy.” Smiling back, I gave him a nod and thought, “Now, that’s the spirit.” What can I say? I like moxy.

sur la terre unique rides

When I popped open the door and sat inside, I was surprised at how sparse the interior was; of course, maybe I shouldn’t have been. While its own separate beast, the Evo is a direct descendent of the Mitsubishi compact sedan, retooled to compete in the World Rally Championship (WRC). Thus, the Evo comes from a long line of no-frills functionality and still maintains that outward non-avowal of its hidden prowess. It has only three dials on the dash: one for speed, one for revolutions and one for overall digital display (petrol, warning lights, etc.). Its less than intense interior may at first look fairly banal, but it quickly becomes comforting in its simplicity, making it almost immediately driver-friendly. Despite the cold, furrowed looks I was getting from the outside, the inside was like a nice, tight hug as I sat down into the firm, leather combination RECARCO seat. At once, I felt safe, snug and connected to both the car and the road. Slowly but surely, the car was beginning to endear itself to me, despite my haughty, noncompliant mindset. That’s when I turned the key and things got a little ... weird. I’m fairly certain the Evo, whom I eventually came to call StEvo (out of an almost familial attachment), was trying to speak to me. I mean that literally. Still unsure about the Evo, but impressed by its audible burst of power on ignition, I listened to the engine settle into a steady hum and started searching the radio for some good driving tunes. The first song that crackled into frequency was ABBA’s classic “Take a Chance on Me.” Well that just warmed the cockles of my little heart, so a chance on the Evo I decided to take. Besides, far be it from me to refuse ABBA! Pulling onto Salwa Road, I received another surprise, along with a little glimpse into the Evo’s secretive world. The tiniest touch of my toe on the accelerator shot me forward like a compact cannonball, giving me just a small taste of its 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder MIVEC4 engine, which at full tilt is capable of producing 295 horsepower and around 300 pound-feet of torque. Of course, I didn’t want just a little piece, I wanted the whole thing! So, I decided to head to the outskirts of town, where the dusty trails are less travelled and the speed limits are more open to interpretation. Just as the itch to switch up and down the six speeds of the Twin Clutch-SST came to a fever pitch, I hit the last roundabout before leaving town. Almost as if it was choreographed, StEvo spoke to me again through the radio. This time, it was via the dulcet tones of Mr. Freddie Mercury and his band Queen that the little-car-that-could made his intentions known to me. “I Want to Break Free,” he cried. Feeling a simultaneous will-to-power, I was only too happy to oblige.

Upon ﬁnally reaching the open roads, I went a little crazy, and so did my little buddy. He, punctuating my power shifts, dead stop breakaways and G-force inducing pickup acceleration with Tom Cochrane’s “Life is a Highway,” and me, grinning like a frightened primate throughout the entire experience. Throwing StEvo into Sport and then Super-Sport mode made things all the more interesting, as each step loosened up the suspension, implementing a much more racetrack feel. This rocket-like road ripping was given a more fervent fun factor by switching to manual transmission, alternatively working the stick shift and the magnesium paddle shifters just behind the steering wheel. It was here that I realised just how much fun I was having with a car I had originally approached with such trepidation. It’s simple, it’s safe (Brembo 4-wheel ventilated brakes, ABS and a 7-point airbag system) and most importantly, it’s some of the most intense, high-torque titillation I’ve experienced in some time. I’m a big enough man to admit when I’m wrong, and I can say unabashedly that I was wrong to ever doubt the somewhat understated appearance of the high-performance Evo. I’m pretty sure StEvo will miss me just as much as I miss him; at least, that’s the feeling that I got as I returned him to his Mitsubishi home and he decided to play “Hold me Closer, Tiny Dancer.” I’m not gonna lie, it got emotional; or should I say, Evotional?

sur la terre unique rides

When Worlds Collide Sur la Terre has a go in the Maserati Quattroporte S, which has only recently arrived in town, and comes to grips with a car that has four doors and two distinct personalities. >>> Indecision is usually a pet peeve of mine, which is ironic since I myself am pretty indecisive. Blatant disregard for hypocrisy aside, I find it pretty frustrating when someone or something can’t decide what he, she or it wants to be. It’s kind of how I felt after seeing the portrayal of nefarious Decepticon leader Megatron in the latest Transformers movie. Are you a scary looking plane or a creepy looking tank? Last time I checked, your name wasn’t Can’tdecideatron! Sorry, I get a little emotional when it comes to my evil robots. Anyway, this indecision is why I initially had trouble warming up to my latest driving date, the Maserati Quattroporte S. After experiencing it firsthand, though, I’ve since learned that vacillation isn’t always vexing, and can sometimes, just sometimes, be very, very vogue. The brand new Quattroporte S is, at first, a conundrum in dichotomous uncertainty. In a way, it’s always been that way, ever since the original model was released on the Italian streets in the early 1960s, when it was one of the fastest four-door saloons on the road. And yet, as it has evolved through the years, so too has its binary disposition. On the one hand, you’ve got a luxury saloon with options and features equal to, if not better than, most of the competitors in its class. On the other hand, however, you’ve got a fully-loaded sports car with all the attitude of a brash Italian youth. Experiencing the whole of the exterior and interior in rapid-fire succession is a bit like wearing a fitted Armani suit with a pair of skin-tight leather chaps; and not just your run-of-the-mill skin-tight leather chaps; I’m talking about the kind with tassels! Those are popular in Italy, right? When I first sat inside of the Quattroporte S last July, I must say that I immediately felt comfortable. For some reason, though it’s more confined and much more technologically savvy, it immediately reminded me of an evangelical version of my parents’ old Toyota Avalon, but, you know, nicer. Using fine materials like Starwood, Vavona and Polished Wengé for the wooden veneers, fine leather for the seats and dash, and small touches of Alcantara, aluminium and chrome that highlight and define the decadent nature in every Maserati, this is a saloon that is designed for the well-to-do, discerning business exec in mind. The seats are ergonomically designed and the controls are naturally intuitive, rendering the space around both driver and passengers a cinch to manipulate. There is nothing too visually sporty about the Quattroporte S interior, at least not at first glance. The thick, race-ready steering wheel

and aluminium shift pedals hidden behind it might give something away about its true nature, but even these are largely subsumed under the blanket of pure luxury. Even the exterior is a bit of a quandary. It’s almost like a mirror image reversal of the “chic mullet” hairstyle that is, for some unknown and completely baffling reason, once again popular in Europe; it’s decidedly more of a party in the front and business in the back. That’s not to say that legendary styling house Pininfarina, which designed the latest model, didn’t do a great job. In fact, their claim that the Quattroporte has a “style that transcends fashion and stands the test of time,” isn’t just an idle boast. With this particular model, Maserati were the first to create the “luxury sports saloon,” and they are leading the way in fine tuning that class, both visually and technically. The sinuous musculature of its classically Tridentcrested front is low and angry (the hallmark of any great sports car), and seems to merge effortlessly toward its boxy, more conventional rear, with the only sports-like style point being the visible dual exhausts. It sort of shape-shifts depending on the angle in which you look at it, and since it always seems to be in a state of flux, it’s a difficult concept to grasp. Of course, that all changes when you grab the steering wheel and finally come to terms with the dual nature of this car. The Quattraporte S is equipped with a 4.7 litre V8 engine with an output of 425 horsepower and 361lb-ft of torque. It can hit 60 miles per hour in 5.3 seconds and is able to max out at a top speed of 174 mph. All of those

sur la terre unique rides

facts and ﬁgures may look pretty from a PR perspective, but how does it feel to drive, you ask? It feels good; really good. The look of the Quattroporte is largely Bruce Wayne, but the heart and soul is all Batman. Rocketing from a halted stance is a dizzyingly powerful feat that should and could not be performed in a conventional luxury saloon. The suspension is a bit gruff at times, almost as if the inherent Skyhook system, which monitors and adjusts suspension settings, is making up its mind about how to treat this car, too. Even still, it’s a singularly smooth ride, even when shifting between the auto and manual options of its semi-automatic transmission. Opening up the engine whilst engaging the Sports mode, which not only changes the dynamics of the ride, but also opens the exhaust valve for maximum power, is yet another surprising development, especially when you’re

surrounded by the rich trappings of its luxurious interior. It handles ramps and roundabouts like a dream and is able to power through even the most curvaceous turning arcs. I found the brake pedal just a bit sticky and jittery at times, but overall, the 330mm ventilated discs in the front and rear did their job and allowed me to maintain complete control. The Quattroporte S may not be “the best of both worlds,” but it has taught me that maybe indecision isn’t always such a bad thing. In fact, I really enjoyed how the manageability of its tailored business poise wasn’t always a uniform ﬁt with its maniacally sporty charisma. Indecisive variation may not be the spice of life, but it is the spicy burst of ﬂavour that makes the Quattroporte S so darn tasty.

sur la terre unique rides

Sur la Terre Editor, Steve Paugh, fulďŹ ls a childhood dream as he explores the supernatural world of Rolls-Royce

sur la terre unique rides

May 15, 1989, USA

May 15, 2009, Qatar

2:55 pm: I am eight years old. It is last day of school before summer. Already the hot, sticky heat of East Coast America has settled in, painting our neighborhoods with the rippling mirage of oily evaporation and melting tar, beckoning us to join its blissfully lazy liquefaction. After what seems an age, the school bell sounds. We are young, we are free and we think we are ready to experience everything that man, magic and nature can throw at us. We are wrong.

3:05 pm: “It’s Rolls-Royce, Steve”, says James, my Regional Managing Editor. “You’re going to be driving Phantoms.” I’ve been waiting 20 years and ﬁve minutes for this moment.

3:00 pm: My brother Greg and I thrust ourselves into the bruised leather bus seat and join the celebratory cheer from our fellow students as the still engine shudders to life. The cacophonous clamour seems like it will go on forever unabated until suddenly, from behind us, the din dims like a dying wave. Much to the driver’s dismay, everyone rushes to the left side of the bus to see what could possibly subdue a pack of fully-loaded pre-summer students. The shadowy form that glides alongside the length of the bus slowly drapes us in its eclipse; its sheen shimmering with the reﬂection of our awed expressions. A communal shudder of anticipation tickles our backs as the silhouette smiles at our slack-jawed expressions with a toothy metallic grin. Time stands still now in a different way as we watch the light caress the liquid contours of its piano-black skin.

James explains that the Europe and Middle East ofﬁces of Rolls-Royce have kindly asked Sur la Terre to join them for two very exclusive experiences. The ﬁrst will take place in Doha, where we will get the rare opportunity to drive the entire modern Phantom range. SLT will then travel to the mythic RR factory in Goodwood, UK, and take part in another driving experience around the quiet country roads of east England. Not only that, we will also be treated to an exclusive showing of the all-new Rolls-Royce model, which is set to bring about a new focus for the legendary marque. My face melts into the same awestruck disbelief that originally painted it 20 years ago as I walk slowly back to my desk. I stare blankly at my computer screen for a few moments before composing a new email. “Dear Greg,” I type, “You’re going to hate me ...”

“What is it?” I whisper to no one in particular. “That’s a Rolls-Royce, Stevie” my brother replies, eyes still forward, “That’s a Phantom.”

May 30, 2009, Qatar 11:00 am: I arrive at the BMW dealership in Doha’s West Bay area with a growing sense of anticipation. It’s difficult to describe how it feels to behold a Phantom in person. They are ethereal; otherworldly. The exterior reflects the bewitching crystalline lustre of liquid night, while the interior is equally refined, blanketed in almost 20 handchosen bull hides and up to 28 layers of aluminium and wood. Both are uncluttered yet dynamic, fine yet functional. Like its namesake, the true spirit of the Phantom is largely invisible. On first inspection, you wouldn’t see the hidden advanced navigation system, or the two 12-inch monitors that lurk behind the front seats. All of the controls for seat adjustment and entertainment are tucked into a centre console so as not to scatter the interior with unnecessarily jutting dials. This demure, elegant look affords a clear, unobstructed view of the Phantom’s preternatural exquisiteness. Staring into all of this style and elegance makes me feel like a kid again, as I burst with presummer adrenaline and childlike excitement. Still giddy, I finally hear the words I’ve been waiting for: “Okay everyone, pick your Phantom. It’s time to drive.”

sur la terre unique rides

11:15 am: My very first Rolls-Royce is a red Phantom Drophead Coupé. Originally based on the 2003 re-imagining of the Phantom, this 2007 model exudes the same courtly constitution of a modernised state car, but with just the right splash of design panache to make it sporty yet dissimilar. As I pop open the rear-hinged “coach door” and slide myself into the soft leather seats, I suddenly realise how HUGE a Rolls truly is. I feel like Captain Ahab in Moby Dick, grappling with my own lifelong obsession and coming to terms with being dwarfed by its grandeur. I’d been told that the Rolls-Royce “shrinks” when you drive it, but I still wasn’t convinced. After pressing the button that automatically closes the door and slowly, cautiously nudging the accelerator, I’m happy to report that the rumours are true: the Phantom is thankfully intuitive and surprisingly adaptive. Using the iconic “Spirit of Ecstasy” hood ornament to establish my spacial bearings, I find myself awash with confidence as I career down the dusty road. In a matter of minutes, I’ve tamed my “white whale.” Eat it, Ahab! 11:30 am: By the time we reach Losail, the first driver change point, I feel like a motoring veteran. Still, as I pull over, I’m left breathless by the way the 6.75 litre V12 engine delivers its power to the road in an intangibly smooth way. The Phantom proves it is well-named in the almost incorporeal way its six-speed ZF automatic shift-by-wire

are sentiments that will no doubt be echoed here in Doha. Frank Tiemann, Manager of Corporate Communications in Europe and the Middle East, was my wingman for this leg of the journey. In between urging me to drive faster and really give the Coupé a good go, he told me about the importance of this market to the brand. Frank said that the Gulf showed record growth last year, with a regional increase of almost 50 percent in 2008, and is consistently the strongest market in global sales for Rolls-Royce. Qatar is making a steady rise through the RR ranks, he says, while Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are already both in the top ten, with Dubai second and Abu Dhabi topping the list of international sales. Score one for the home team. 1:00 pm: After a quick lunch at the quirky Al Sultan resort in Al Khor, I’m rolling once again, this time in the classic Phantom. This is the culmination of my dreams, and it doesn’t disappoint. Travelling with me this time is Joesph Tayyar, Brand Manager of Rolls-Royce in Doha, who dares me to push the envelope more than anyone else. The only unfortunate aspect of the ride home is that the air conditioner is on the fritz, blasting out not the refrigerator-like gust of arctic cool I’ve been experiencing all day, but rather the hot hair dryer feel of our ever so lovely seasonal Doha squalls. As I peel down the highway at the behest of my host, he makes a quick call to his maintenance engineer, who is never further than a phone call away. Everyone has heard the stories of stranded Phantom owners being saved by engineers arriving by helicopter, and while these tales may sound tall, they’re not far off. Tayyar tells me his man will be there by the time we get back and should have the AC ﬁxed before the next group takes off at 2pm. 1:45 pm: We pull back into the showroom and I am reluctant to disembark from the captain’s seat. The only thing that keeps me going is that in two weeks, I will be back in a Phantom, this time cruising not across the blustery sands of Doha, but instead through the rich, early-summer green of the English countryside. It’s going to be a long two weeks.

gearbox makes the climb through gears imperceptible. At 100mph, each model’s power reserve dial (one of the only displays visible in the car) shows that 90 percent of the engine’s power is actually unused, making it frighteningly easy to get lost in the serenity and spectre of the Phantom’s speed. The powerful engine may be the same in every model in the range, but the drivability is unique in each. This was proven to me with the next model I jumped into: the Phantom Coupé. 12:00 pm: Most people will tell you that it’s better to sit in the back of a Rolls, while an English gentleman named Reginald or Peabody squires you around wearing a uniform, hat, white gloves and (if possible) a monocle. However, to throw askew the idea that the Rolls shouldn’t or couldn’t be driven is the Phantom Coupé. The suspension in the Coupé has been tuned-up and made ﬁrmer, while the wheelbase has been shortened by 250mm, making corner-cutting more crisp and the car more responsive, more comfortable and more fun to drive. These

sur la terre unique rides

June 13, 2009, UK 2:00 pm: While it may just be a blink of an eye on the page, the preceding two weeks in reality have crawled by like a parched man desperate for drink. My ﬁrst Rolls-Royce experience in Doha has left me desiccated, begging for another drive. Luckily the time has come to slake that thirst. After my early morning Qatar ﬂight touches down into mid-afternoon England, I am picked up by a driver and whisked away to Goodwood Hotel in West Sussex. During the hour-long journey, I take a few moments to appreciate the vast expanse of room at my disposal and can clearly feel that everything in the Phantom is passenger-oriented. As I sit looking out of the window at the verdant hills that undulate past me, I think about family and friends, all of whom constantly talked about one day being driven around in a RollsRoyce. I cheekily smile at the thought of them, still waiting. 3:00 pm: Being the family seat of the Duke of Richmond for over 300 years, the regality of the Goodwood Hotel is the perfect backdrop for this weekend’s excursion. The spirit is already here; the Ghost is on its way. 6:00pm: The other journalists and I meet up with Frank for dinner and excitedly discuss our itinerary over the hours and days ahead. As we do, I note a growing fervour in my colleagues as we chat in a way similar to my school friends 20 years ago. Tired from the journey, but still excited, we look forward to the events of the next morning when we would once again get to step into a Phantom and get a glimpse into the renowned Bespoke programme at Rolls-Royce. It was going to be a perfect day; after all, what could possibly go wrong?

sur la terre unique rides

June 14, 2009, UK 12:00 pm: The crash was sudden, abrupt and jarring. The middle-aged woman who was tearing around the sharp turn of the T-junction lost control of her motorbike and slammed into the back of the Drophead Coupé, which had only moments before come to a stop in front of me. If it had been two seconds later, she would have hit the front bonnet of the Coupé I was driving and would have surely been crushed under our weight. Praise-be to the huge 374mm brakes in the front and 370mm in the rear, which, as the literature for the car says, “brings the Coupé to a stop quickly and without drama.” Drama is deﬁnitely something we didn’t need in this situation. Thankfully, even though she somersaulted through the air and was trapped under her own bike, it seems the only injury to befall her was a broken ﬁnger, a bruised leg and a few rips in her Indiana Jones: Temple of Doom t-shirt, the irony of which was not lost on her. The Drophead Coupé was similarly none-the-worse-for-wear. You have to respect that classic British stiff upper lip.

12:30 - 3:00 pm: We made it to the Four Seasons hotel in Hampshire without further incident and took lunch and tea with Richard Carter, Director of Global Communication. Full and fresh, we proceed once again to the roads to complete the last leg of our trip, which ends at the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars factory in Goodwood. Designed by internationally celebrated architects Sir Nicholas Grimshaw and Partners, the Goodwood site is a modern marvel, not only for its avantgarde appearance, but for its environmental conscience. Surrounded on all sides by trees and plants of seemingly every description, the plant (pun intended) is topped by the largest “living roof” in the UK. Covered in a blanket of sedum and various grasses, the roof blends the factory in with its natural surroundings, providing a natural respite for local wildlife, many species of which have grown in number since its completion. When you see how literally organic it is for Rolls-Royce to meet the needs of a growing international business ethos, it really comes as no surprise that they can meet the customisation demands of their discerning client base. 3:45 pm: Led by Gavin Hartley, the Bespoke team at Rolls-Royce is always busy accommodating its customers. Excepting the engine, which cannot be altered, almost every portion of each model is customisable. In the brief presentation given to us, the team showed

just a few interesting designs they have been asked to do, including a special, Scottish-tartan embroidered boot with a matching picnic set, a glovebox that had been turned into a humidor, headrests embroidered with signatures or specially-designed patterns, a neonblue luminous Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament and any number of colour combinations from the over 45,000 hues available in the shop. The programme is so popular that over 85% of Phantoms last year were Bespoke models. Imagination, it seems, is the only limitation for the Bespoke team, and even those boundaries can be pushed to an apparently limitless infinity. 10:00 pm: Our dynamic, and somewhat perilous day finally comes to a close with dinner at the Goodwood Kennels, a fully restored Georgian building originally designed by James Wyatt in 1787 to house the 3rd Duke of Richmond’s hounds. Lord March, the current attendant of the Goodwood Estate, re-established the building as a premiere venue for entertaining dinner guests of the area with locally grown produce and organic meats and cheeses from the Goodwood farm. The sumptuous seven-course meal was spiced with flavourful stories from the day, and a hearty round of conversation about the things to come on the next. We all slept that night with bellies full and minds dizzy, dreaming dreams of Ghosts.

sur la terre unique rides

June 15, 2009 UK 9:00 - 10:30 am: The blue Phantom that picked us up from the hotel slowly winds itself into the Goodwood Sculpture Park, which today stands not only as a showcase of modern art, but also as the launch platform of the previously named Rolls-Royce 200EX, now known to the world as the Ghost. Explaining the concept behind the Ghost was Tom Purves, Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “If the Phantom is a car for the moment” he announces with aplomb over a steaming coffee, “then the Ghost is a car for every moment.” The vision behind the Ghost is a new one for the untouchable luxury marque, but is not as wildly divergent as some industry naysayers projected. This is not a lesser Phantom designed for the less affluent market, even though the projected price will be about $100,000 less than the Phantom; instead, it is a robust concept that maintains the exquisite feel of the brand’s name while at the same time creating a more dynamic, flexible and leaner subset. In the hour we had exploring the new Ghost, it was easy to see that, in it, Rolls-Royce had succeeded in creating something new and on the cusp of contemporary design, while holding firm its unwavering commitment to exclusivity. Purves went on to explain the difference in this updated Rolls by saying that Phantoms are all about “presence and authority,” while the Ghost is about “presence and agility.” That common, yet contrasting, path is palpable, particularly when viewing the two models together. On hand to further explain developments was Chief Interior Designer Alan Sheppard. He showed us that all of the hallmarks of Rolls-Royce are still there. The long, sweeping silhouettes and instantly recognisable front grille that captured my imagination in youth are present, but flaunt a much more virile, low-arcing verve. Its upward-sweeping lines merge toward a low-cut top before swooping with purpose over muscular shoulders into a tapered rear. The uninterrupted sprawl of its lithe body displays an informal presence and powerful potential previously hinted at in other models like the Coupé, but not so expressly flaunted until now. The interior is still a thing of hidden, minimalist beauty, but it is even more driver-oriented than the Coupé, as both the size and immediate ease are much more manageable than the acquired comfort of the Phantom range.

Admittedly, this is still the first iteration of the Ghost, but neither Purves, Sheppard nor any member of the team we met said it would change significantly between now and its “official” launch in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show. 12:30 - 3:00 pm: After snaking our way through the surrealist denizens of the nightmarishly beguiling sculpture park and taking a whistle-stop tour of the Goodwood factory, we reconvene for lunch at the Michelin-starred West Stoke House, where the design team hibernated for months, consolidating their creative energy, before finally walking out with the conceptual designs of the Ghost. The picturesque vistas surrounding the inn was the perfect setting as we said goodbye to Goodwood and our Rolls-Royce hosts. 3:30 pm: As the driver angles our Phantom through the roads that 24 hours previously I was navigating myself, I am left to once again stare outside at the rolling hills and think about all of my experiences over the last month. Every single expectation I have ever had with RollsRoyce was met and exceeded over the span of these weeks, and after driving the ultimate luxury car, I can only express a firm agreement that they truly are the best. I can say that unequivocally, unabashedly, and without a shadow, a phantom or a ghost of a doubt.

sur la terre

sur la terre beauty

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sur la terre gourmet travel

Ocean Colours

Seen It is not quite the capital of the country-continent that is Australia, but it has become the enduring image of the nation as well as a vanguard for its cultural and lifestyle renaissance of recent years. James McCarthy explores the Harbour City of Sydney. >>> The first thing you notice about Sydney is the blueness of the water. Maybe it is a trick of the light, simply bearing the reflection of the Lapis sky. Perhaps it is offset by the lush green of Sydney Heads or the gleaming white of the iconic Opera House at Circular Quay. Whatever the reason, it never fails to take the breath away. It is like Sydney has its very own blue - a civic hue if you will - designated by Mother Nature as the colour that will always stay fresh in the minds of those lucky enough to see it for themselves. Of course, there is more to Sydney than just one colour or a sole flavour. Its vividness is unquestionable and near-infinite, with many ways to see and experience it first hand. TAKE THE HIGH ROAD The daredevil in you might fancy the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb, an arduous but rewarding three and a half hour hike to the top of the famous structure that spans the estuary to the Parramatta River and its tributaries. The bridge, known locally as the Coathanger because of its shape, was completed in 1932 in the midst of the great depression and is the world’s widest long-span bridge and its tallest steel arch bridge. The climb itself takes visitors along the upper span of the arch on catwalks and ladders, all the way to the summit, where climbers will be met by amazing views from 134 metres above Sydney Harbour. More recently, bridge climbers have been allowed to climb through the structure to stairs and catwalks never previously opened to the public. Winding through a tangle of hatchways and steel girders suspended above the traffic, visitors can now see the location where the arch was joined for the first time and access walkways once only used exclusively by maintenance teams.

For the same stunning vistas, but without the climbing and the grey jumpsuit, Sydney’s highest point, the Sydney Tower, offers a more sedate viewing experience from over 1000 feet up. Standing as the third tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere, it is armed with specially built double-decker elevators that whisk visitors from street level to the top of the tower in an ear-popping 40 seconds. When the doors open onto the indoor observation deck, visitors are greeted with a breathtaking and unhindered view of Sydney’s golden beaches to the east and the distant haze of the prehistoric Blue Mountains to the west. Like the bridge and the Opera House, which we will come to later, the Tower is one of the city’s many famous landmarks, and over the years has played a starring role in Sydney’s now famous new year celebrations, as well as being illuminated by a myriad of colours during the 2000 Olympic Games. This sporting link continues every year with the Sydney Tower Run-up, which challenges competitors to run up the 1,504 stairs from Pitt St Mall to the Observation Deck as quickly as possible in order to raise money for cancer charities. CULTURE CLASH Sydney has become a melting pot of different cultures, from European migrants to Asian and Polynesian inﬂuences. The city is home to a large Chinese population and boasts its own China Town district, where you can pick up immaculately tailored suits for next to nothing and enjoy some of the best Oriental food outside of the Orient itself. Some of the notable oriental tables to try include Shiki Japanese Restaurant, known for its exquisite fresh cuisine of traditional favourites and innovative

sur la terre gourmet travel

on offer, a day’s notice of your visit will ensure that the staff can arrange the fish you fancy in time for your arrival. End your culinary quest on a high, by devouring the aerial views of Sydney Harbour. Trip up to the 36th floor of the Shangri-La Hotel and enjoy a meal at Altitude, as well as the amazing sight of Sydney at night from high above the Central Business District (CBD) skyline. Altitude serves up the finest local produce crafted into a fine feed through the world-class talent of Chef de Cuisine, Steven Krasicki.

< Centre point is one of the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest structures >

delicacies; Sailor’s Thai, serving creative dishes noted for their specially grown fresh produce and Yoshii, an open kitchen restaurant that offers intimate dining with a clear view of the chef performing the ﬁne art of sushi making. However, while you can pick up tasty traditional Thai treasures, and a lip-smackingly good Singaporean spread from small restaurants and takeaways at the bottom end of George Street, the up-market place to hang out is The Rocks. Framed by the diamond-sprinkled waters of Sydney Harbour and shaped by history, The Rocks is where the settlement and colonisation of Australia really began. Nineteenth-century warehouses, renovated and reborn, now house some of the city’s trendiest restaurants, cafes and boutiques. Sydney is also renowned for its seafood fare, and one of the city’s ﬁnest purveyors of piscine platters is Fish At The Rocks. The menu changes seasonally with daily specials and a special pretheatre dinner menu. Should you require something that isn’t currently

< The famous celestial pool at the Observatory hotel >

YACHT A GREAT IDEA When you have finished your slap-up fish supper, it is time to head back to your hotel, but are you the conventional type that wants to stay planted on terra firma or do you fancy something a little different? If you are looking to immerse yourself in the Harbour City, there is no better way than to join the Darling Harbour boating set by dropping a line to Sydney Harbour Escapes. The company provides visitors to the city with awesome aquatic abodes, catering for everyone from the sailing enthusiast to those just looking to languish in luxury as the sun sets over Sydney Heads. The five-star service has been enjoyed by celebrities from John Travolta to Australian national treasure, Kylie Minogue. Most recently, the charter company has catered for former leader of the free world, George Bush. Travellers can choose from the company’s extensive fleet of harbour hopping homes. Jump aboard Hillsy, a 98-foot Monte Fino Luxury Cruiser; with its two sumptuous double bed cabins and relaxing on-deck hot tub, you will be able to entertain up to 10 guests in the lap of luxury as the azure Pacific ocean laps against the hull. If you fancy something more regal, take the ex-President’s choice and soak up the Australian sun aboard the A.Q.A ‘Age Quod Agis’ (Latin for ‘Do what you do well’) 92-foot luxury motor cruiser. However, if conventional accommodation is more your thing, the Observatory Hotel is where you want to lay your head. The sumptuous Observatory Suite features a magnificent four-poster bed with mahogany hand-carved front posts, as well as a spacious en-suite bathroom lined with wall-to-wall marble. Evoking memories of a bygone age of colonial luxury, the suite is fully furnished with elegant, custom-made furniture. The sofa and armchairs face magnificent white marble and an antique

sur la terre gourmet travel

< Sydney’s New Year celebrations have become a benchmark for other cities >

coupled with its excellent eateries the QVB, offers shoppers the complete package and occupies a full block along George Street, between Town Hall and Market Street. Despite being a few years older than the QVB, The Strand Arcade is considered somewhat more contemporary and cutting edge than its Victorian counterpart. The Strand was nearly razed to the ground by ﬁre in 1976, but like the QVB, has been fully restored to its former glory and now houses some of Australia’s top designer labels, jewellers, boutiques and beauty salons. You don’t have to walk far to get there either, The Strand extends from the middle of Pitt Street Mall through to George Street, just a block up towards Circular Quay from the QVB. Sur la Terre also recommends spending a few hours browsing Grace Brothers’ department store. Situated on the corner of George Street and Market Street, the store has seven ﬂoors including a mezzanine level, and boasts the largest range of cosmetic products in Australia, while its millinery department is THE place to buy an iconic Akubra hat.

< The Queen Victoria Building is the best place for designer shopping >

fireplace. The fabric lined walls are offset by an antique, gilt-framed mirror, providing the perfect backdrop for the walnut writing desk and dignified mahogany dining table complete with Queen Anne chairs. The rich tasselled curtains at each window frame charming views of Sydney’s historic and heritage-listed Observatory Hill. If this is not enough to convince you, then how about relaxing in the Observatory Hotel’s world famous spa and spectacular swimming pool. Wallow in wonder at the high arched ceiling which sparkles with fibreoptic lights that represent the celestial constellations of the southern hemisphere, giving the romantic impression that you are lazing in a limpid moonlit lagoon or floating among the stars. BUY GEORGE! Once you have shaken off your starry-eyed reverie, take to the street and see what Sydney’s shopping district has to offer. Head to George Street where the Queen Victoria Building should be your first port of call. A purpose built shopping centre, the QVB opened its doors to great fanfare in 1898 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. After a brief period of destitution, the building was painstakingly restored to its original grandeur and is now one of the most stunning examples of Victorian architecture in Sydney. With over 190 designer labels and specialty stores

Another city icon is David Jones. It is the oldest department store in town and has been serving the Sydney public since 1877. As well as being among the world’s few 132-year old department stores that still trades under its original name, the shop boasted the City’s ﬁrst hydraulic lift and still stands by its founder’s original commitment to sell “the best and most exclusive goods” and to carry “a stock that embraces the everyday wants of mankind at large.” Finally, to grab a garment or two at some of Sydney’s more interesting and innovative fashion retailers, skip to Piccadilly. With over 40 specialty stores and boutiques - from footwear to homeware - the centre, opposite the Hilton hotel on Pitt Street, is a great place to pick up an interesting gift for someone special.

< The iconic Opera House at sunrise >

sur la terre gourmet travel

GOING OUT WITH A BANG And so we finish our whistle-stop tour of the harbour city back where we started, in the shadow of the stone pylons of Sydney Harbour Bridge on Circular Quay. Sydney is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year, but without a doubt, the night that the city comes alive like no other is that of New Year. It is nearly always the first major city to be splashed across the news, heralding in the New Year with its spectacular pyrotechnic displays, central to which is always the grand old bridge and the iconic Opera House. Hundreds of thousands flock to the harbour to see the passing of the year sent off in a thunderclap of noise, a myriad of colours and plumes of smoke. They pack themselves into charter boats around Circular Quay, into the Botanic Gardens and often take over the private gardens of Kirribilly on the North Shore to witness what is always the most impressive fireworks festival in the world. There are usually two displays, one at 9pm for the thousands of families that flock to the shores of the world’s prettiest port, and the main event at midnight. Often the displays are themed, and every year the Bridge plays its central role to perfection with what has become known as “The Bridge Effect.” From smiley faces to a dove of peace, engineers have always kept the public guessing what the bridge will do to celebrate Father Time, as his relentless march continues onward through the ages. Recent effects have been a love heart in 2006, a diamond in 2007 to celebrate the bridge’s stately seventy-five years and an hourglass in 2008. A sun heralded 2009, perhaps offering a ray of hope through the bleak financial times recently faced in no small part by Australia, as well as the rest of the world that would follow the city into the New Year. Often, the city fathers co-ordinate with local radio stations, so that the multitude of revellers have a musical soundtrack, making the whole display an elegant, yet dramatic opera of light and sound that excites all the senses, which, in a way, sums up Sydney to a tee.

< Sydney Harbour and the mouth of the Parramatta River from the air >

< The replica tallship, The Bounty, moored by Sydney’s Central business district >

< The Sydney Harbour Bridge climb offers stunning vistas of the city >

UTZ AND DOWNS THE HACKNEYED STORY OF THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE You cannot have a city guide to Sydney without a mention of the iconic Opera House which, along with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, dominates the vista of Circular Quay. Jutting into the open water from its foundations on Bennelong Point, the Opera House has become as synonymous with Australia as kangaroos and Vegemite. Now we could go down the hackneyed old path of how the Opera House was designed by Denmark’s Jørn Utzon after he entered a competition in 1953; and how it ran massively over budget which led to protests on the streets of Sydney; or how disagreements on the structure and design of the interior, coupled with budget pressure from the New South Wales government of the time, saw Utzon quit the project and vow never to set foot in Australia until the building had been redesigned as he originally planned. Oh… we did already. Well, enough of that. Utzon, true to his word, died without ever returning to city of his lasting fame. However, his son did and is currently overseeing a renovation of the iconic structure that will see Utzon senior’s original designs become a reality. The architectural masterpiece has had its detractors, but it has remained just that - a masterpiece. The unique shape of the vaulted roof shells has also been the subject of debate. They are often referred to as sails and given signiﬁcance as such by those who attribute Utzon’s vision to that of The Fist Fleet or its harbour location. However, the shells were designed by Utzon in collaboration with internationally renowned engineers, Ove Arup & Partners, and if they were to be pieced together would form the surface of a single sphere. If you are kicking your heels around Benelong Point this autumn, then swing into the box ofﬁce and book yourself a night of entertainment. Throughout early October, The London Philharmonic is performing Wagner, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov; The Australian Ballet performs Concord in November and Sleeping Beauty in December, while eccentric pop starlet, Tori Amos, has a three night run there in mid-November.

sur la terre brand history

< Jade ring (32.47 cts) mounted on white gold and set with 67 diamonds rose cut and 33 diamonds â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jade Fortune Necklaceâ&#x20AC;?, necklace with 179.81 cts of exceptional jade, 140 diamonds, 4.65 cts tsavorite and 45 carats red coral >

For Edmond Avakian, everything is always possible! Inventiveness, dynamism and hard work are the keys to the success of the Swiss jeweller, a visionary businessman fascinated by precious stones, who knew how to surround himself with family, to promote the brand name. From Haute Joaillerie to jewellery store collections, Slavic, Latin and Oriental inspirations adorn the Avakian creations with the most original colours and shapes giving them a spirit of authentic exclusiveness. The inherited sense of success!

sur la terre brand history

< Edmond and Taline Avakian with their children Haig and Corinne at the opening of the Avakian boutique in Beverly Hills, the 4th of december 2008 >

< The Geneva Avakian boutique located 19, rue du Rhône >

>>> In the hustle of two ﬂights and the ringing of his 7 mobile phones, Edmond Avakian, with his sight riveted to one of the many screens continually connecting him to one of his 6 boutiques across the world (in Moscow, Beverly Hills, London and Geneva), tells us the story of his jewellery brand in a whirlwind. Head of the family group for more than thirty years, the businessman and gemmologist exudes a strength of will and dynamism inherited, according to him, “from his Armenian roots.” Bright and charismatic, Edmond Avakian has a charming smile, a voice with oriental intonations, a direct sharp brown gaze, a quirky sense of humour and it seems that nothing can resist his energy. “I don’t take ‘no’ for an answer, that is the spirit of the house; there are no problems, only solutions”. For a man, who has experienced exile (his father

had to leave Bulgaria where Edmond was born to escape communism), then opened his boutiques in Lebanon under the bombs, the current planetary crisis is far from scaring him! Even better, it gives him food for thought and new opportunities. In this morose period, the tireless visionary and challenge-addict demonstrates his undying optimism: he has just asked his design team to work on a black and white diamond talisman: NO CRISIS… Optimism, the appetite for risk, perseverance and the pursuit of perfection are the Avakians’ trademark. Values inherited from Edmond’s father and shared by the new generation, Corinne and Haig, who have joined the family group. Three generations have in forty years enabled the Avakian house to develop into a real success. A beautiful family story which

< The Avakian boutique in Beverly Hills >

starts with Edmond’s father, freshly arrived from his native Bulgaria to Lebanon, who opened his ﬁrst jewellery boutique in 1969. The young Edmond, already interested in design and stones, soon joins him after promising studies. “I was born in Bulgaria where there are many hard stones. I used to pick them up in the countryside and admire them… they used to transport me to imaginary universes; it was magic. But at ﬁrst I wanted to become an architect and had to go to the Middle East to work in the construction business due to the petrodollar boom in the area.

sur la terre brand history

< Cuff links in platinum and yellow gold, yellow diamonds (3.02 cts) and diamonds (3.04 cts) >

< «Jade Fortune Necklace», necklace mounted on a diamond chain (21.96 cts) with blue topazes (55 cts) and sapphires (4.52 cts) in the middle an exceptional jade surrounded with topazes and sapphires mounted on white gold >

I stopped over in Beirut to see my father.” It was a decisive stop for the young man who saw his father in difficulty with the Lebanese war. This difficult situation stirred his taste for challenge. “When the war was on and all the great horology and jewellery names were leaving, I said to myself that this was a good opportunity to enter onto the market and develop the family business.” In 1976, the family business, energised by Edmond’s ardour, got larger and became the exclusive distributor of great Swiss horology names. However, the young man, having done advanced studies in gemmology, wanted to create his own jewellery name. In six months, he developed a creation workshop and made his dream come true: becoming an influential jeweller. Despite the inherent danger overhanging the country, the young jeweller receives important orders from the region’s influential people. He goes on to make use of three points-of-sale in the Lebanese capital. In 1985 with the opening of

his boutique in Geneva, “his beloved city,” it was the beginning of a harnessed growth with the creation of new locations in London, Moscow and Beverly Hills. Travelling the world to hunt up the most beautiful stones and meet his clients, kings, princes and figures, with whom he created a unique relationship of loyalty, the jeweller presents creations that draw attention by daring colour contrasts and unusual shapes. For this great traveller influenced by several cultures, the influences are manifold. His Slavic, Latin and Oriental inspirations adorn the jewels with vibrant colours giving them a much-sought extravagance and exclusivity. “My client has everything from Van Cleef & Arpels to Cartier and is looking for something different and original.” Edmond is in search for combinations of materials and rare colours for the uniqueness of a jewel. “I use original stones cuts, like the rose or triangle cuts, rarely-

requested fire opals, shapes that are hard to find since easy things can be done by anyone.” Being a stone lover, he is fond of keeping certain outstanding pieces for years. “I think of the women who will wear them and I become very eager to see these stones come alive. I sometimes wait for inspiration but then it becomes difficult to part with a stone that one has kept for so long. I used to have a 100-carat emerald that I had kept for 20 years in a safe! In the end, I thought of a simple design that would enhance the stone’s exceptional beauty. I know now in which part of the world the emerald necklace is, but I regret not being able to see it anymore.” In his quest for perfection and creativity, the jeweller has built himself a good place in the world of Haute Joaillerie. Speaking seven languages, he is as at ease with a Saudi Prince, under a desert tent as with the President of Kazakhstan, the King of Bahrain, the Sultan of

sur la terre brand history

< “Concept N°1” : Self-winding mechanical movement of 11.5 lines, large date and date change with quick correction, second time zone at 6 o’clock, power reserve of 42 hours, open-work case back. White gold case with mate or polished ruthenium gold bezel, crocodile or leather bracelet >

Malaysia or an oligarch understanding their culture and country’s history. For them, he knows how to create the unique, the tailormade. His patience, experience, and determined temperament have won him with these highly-demanding clients a much-coveted reputation. Real relationships of trust and friendship have been built over the years. For the planetary jeweller, nothing is impossible; he must always anticipate and answer the desires and dreams of a clientele in perpetual quest of more exclusivity. When the rap group “Dream” walked into the new Beverly Hills boutique (opened in December 2008), Edmond immediately understood their expectations and at once gathered his four designers assigned for special orders. In 24 hours, two propositions of black diamond plates were produced, winning therefore the enthusiasm of the singers. In his constant quest for differentiation, the jeweller makes for historical commemorations (such as the anniversary of King of Jordan’s reign, the

birthdays of the Presidents of Russia, as well as the Kings or Sultans of Malaysia), royal family birthdays or precious gifts offered to sovereigns and presidents, unique customised works of art (goblets, clocks, etc.), out of precious stones and ﬁne gold. These rare pieces are tailor-made by artisans of exclusive craftsmanship. Up until now, Edmond Avakian has never published these exclusive creations, with respect to his clients’ privacy. The boutique collections come out of the same boldness and quest for originality. Movement and modularity are characteristics of his creations, and allow for all possible combinations. “It is probably my engineering studies that led me to think of interchangeable or moving jewellery. For example, in a playful spirit, the Joker collection mingles the semiprecious stones in a colourful medley and playful movement. The tinkling of the oscillating stones like precious bells, when pivoting, charmed

< The “Joker” ring that Madonna choose to wear, in white gold, white diamonds and kunzite >

Madonna who bought a ring and earrings. With this same thirst for novelty, Edmond created the Links collection, like “précieuses attaches” (precious ties) which is about scintillating and interchangeable links. The necklace and bracelet can be joined together to form a long chain depending on one’s wishes. In a glittering stream, the Riviera collection mirrors the ﬂuidity of water and enables each piece to switch between ﬁne stones, pearls or pavings of precious stones, according to one’s mood. Corinne, the jeweller’s daughter is proud of the name’s extravagant creations. “I love to see our jewellery worn as it draws attention and is different from what is done on the market. We are among the very few independent designers and this gives us the freedom to be totally original. It is our greatest strength.” Ideas mostly come on the plane, a second home to Edmond, who enjoys not being disturbed by phone calls. There, his mind can wander and

sur la terre brand history

< “Victory” (1995 Avakian’s f irst “classic” collection) bracelet and earrings in white gold and topazes >

imagine designs inspired by architecture, art or history. For example, the Byblos jewellery collection reveals a rather geometrical construction, in tribute to the ancient Phoenician City. The Galaxy collection recalls the beauty and power of the cosmos, with its semi-precious stone cabochons vibrating like small coloured spheres. Back on the ground, Edmond gets back to his team of designers who explore this abounding creativity and work according to the jeweller’s initial ideas and sketches. From this collaboration, collections with magical consonances are born: Byblos, Riviera, Constellation, Joker, Rainbow, First Love, Tzarina and Victory. There are so many promises of travel and amazement for those who wear Avakian’s sparkling creations. The primary requirement of the jeweller is that he wants to transmit the sense of perfection to his children: jewellery should be as beautiful on the inside, in the detail of the rings, the pavings, and in the customised encrustations, as at ﬁrst glance.

< “Riviera” necklace, white gold with white diamonds and Tahiti pearls >

One of Edmond’s great pleasures is revisiting the existing collections. “For the Links collection, I am going to imagine a version with round rings whereas they are currently oval. It’s very entertaining work.” With the notion that one can always do better, Edmond Avakian has given the family group worldwide popularity, with four boutiques supplying the collections of the house and two multibrand outlets under the name Piantelli, in Geneva (Grand Kempinski Hotel) and London (at the Jumeira Carlton Tower Hotel). There are a total of 40 employees, including 15 in Geneva. “Some

have been with us from the very beginning, because loyalty is very important to us.” Proud of its independence, which is very rare in this competitive world where the tendency is to join a large luxury name, Edmond masters its expansion and privileges its freedom. “Sixteen years ago, I did not want to be financed by banks or by a partner, let alone today! Thus, every franc spent is important, everything is auto-financed.” With the current crisis, shares of some major jewellery houses today have lost up to 70% of their value and the names are dependent on banks, shareholders and markets. For Edmond, this freedom that enables him to be flexible and to persist in his quest for originality comes at a price: his time is entirely devoted to the family business. “Few holidays, limited leisure, plenty of stress as there are constantly important decisions to make!” Always on guard, taking advantage of time differences, the entrepreneur jeweller does not hesitate to wake up in the middle of the night to send text messages to his son in Los Angeles and emails to his daughter about an idea that just came to him, all the while keeping watch on the screens of his boutiques on the other side of the world.“I want to be informed of everything. My dream would be to live 24 hours round the clock without needing to sleep!” Working in urgency and under pressure, with mounting adrenaline, is not to Edmond’s distaste. He humorously recalls the Leo, his astrological sign, as an explanation for his taste for challenges. “In the hotel of a big European capital, I can sell in ten minutes pieces which sometimes take three years to sell

sur la terre brand history

< Billy Zane and Alice Panikian >

< Corinne Avakian and Debra Messing >

< “Zodiacs” bracelets in white gold or pink gold, set with white or black sapphires on a leather string >

In-between two phone calls to manage this unexpected event, Edmond says amusedly, “That’s my life! But I relish the challenge. I can even go as far as saying that I love it.”

< Hillary Duff and Kristen Bell >

in a boutique. I love seing my clients convinced and this comes to me naturally and without any effort, especially due to our reputation and the loyalty of our clients. I sometimes get a cold sweat especially when I sold around sixty pieces to a very important client while a week later he had lost part of his fortune on the stock exchange! One has to have a strong stomach to bear the ups and downs of this trade!” During our interview, Edmond is told that he needs to go again in a few hours in order to introduce pieces to a major client for his daughter’s wedding. They must organise, in urgency, the transport of the jewellery from the Los Angeles boutique and from a Miami ongoing exhibition to London, where the wedding is taking place.

The greatest happiness of a jeweller is to known how to pass on to the future generation the values that will perpetrate the name Avakian. In the wake of this vigorous father, Corinne (30), responsible for developing collections of jewellery as well as communication and marketing, and Haig (27), who is in charge of the expansion in the USA and relations with the Anglo-Saxon press and celebrities, have successfully put themselves at the family’s service. The hardship of working within the family? “All the lunches, dinners, everything revolves around work. But we have more or less grown up in this!” Corinne immediately imposed her own label with the successful launch of her Zodiac collection, bracelets representing astrological signs. “We sold all our stock, over 400 pieces across the world and we still have a long waiting list. Last week, Britney Spears wanted one.” On her wrist was a delicious charm, a subtle combination of leather, precious stones and gold, under the sign of Sagittarius. Haig’s baby is the ﬁrst Avakian timepiece for men,

presented in December 2008, a unique model only available in a limited edition. It has a second time zone, offers a large date display and instantaneous date change with quick correction, all positioned on a movement of 11 lines 1/2 with manual or automatic winding. This was a very noticeable launch, as the Avakian house already has experience in watchmaking as a distributor since 1985 of the most prestigious Swiss horology names. In connection with stylists and celebrity agents, Haig was able to arouse the stars’ gusto for the family brand. From pop singers Rihanna and Pink, to actresses such as Eva Longoria and Katherine Heigl, Hollywood ﬁgures happily wear Avakian ﬁnery for their public appearances. The inauguration success in late 2008, of the Beverly Hills boutique in the hotel of the “Pretty Woman” movie, has assembled the family and a celebrity gathering, marking the expansion of the brand. For the jeweller with a thousand ideas, many projects are being developed including a presence in the Middle East and Asia. “But I want to control growth and keep control of what I do; no more than 10 to 12 boutiques. With our development, I’m already living less well than I was 10 years ago!” His dream is for the name to continue to exist in one hundred years!

sur la terre star-crossed

SPEEDING BEAUTY

Production Fireﬂy Communications Art Direction Roula Zinati Ayoub Photography Jorell Lagaspi Location Qatar Racing Club, Doha, www.qrczone.com and Al Anabi Workshop Stylist Chantal Mossess Make-up Diana Haddad Hair dresser Rabih Ezzeddine A big thank you to our models Nathalie and Nouhad Accessories and Outﬁts from VILLA MODA for Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Valentino, D&G, Marni LA REMZA for BCBG Max Azria, Karen Millen, Coccinelle AL BORAQ AUTOMOBILES - Porsche Center Doha DANA MOTORS for Lamborghini and Bentley RIVOLI GROUP for Tag Heuer Cars from DANA MOTORS for Lamborghini JAIDAH MOTORS for Chevrolet

CAR CHEVROLET CORVETTE C6 2009 Top BCBG MAX AZRIA Leggings BCBG MAX AZRIA Jacket ABS Headbands VALENTINO Necklace DOLCE & GABBANA Gold Bag BCBG MAX AZRIA Gloves GUCCI Bracelets VALENTINO Ring DOLCE & GABBANA Shoes KAREN MILLEN Handbag D&G Belt (black) BCBG MAX AZRIA Belt (bronze) D&G Keyring PORSCHE Cap LAMBORGHINI

sur la terre star-crossed

CAR LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO Top KAREN MILLEN Skirt D&G Jacket TAG HEUER Ring BCBG MAX AZRIA Ring KAREN MILLEN Bracelets KAREN MILLEN Belt BCBG MAX AZRIA Boots KAREN MILLEN Handbag D&G Necklace BCBG MAX AZRIA Earrings BCBG MAX AZRIA

sur la terre star- crossed

Shirt D&G Trousers KAREN MILLEN White Bracelet ABS Necklace MARNI Cap PORSCHE Shoes BCBG MAX AZRIA Hair Brooch D&G Scarf BCBG MAX AZRIA Laptop LAMBORGHINI Bag LAMBORGHINI Red Hat PORSCHE Scarf GUCCI Belt PORSCHE Blue Hat BENTLEY Watch TAG HEUER

sur la terre star- crossed

NOUHAD Suit GUCCI Shirt GUCCI Tie GUCCI Watch TAG HEUER Briefcase BENTLEY Ties BENTLEY

sur la terre star-crossed

NATHALIE Dress DOLCE & GABBANA Shoes KAREN MILLEN Jacket KAREN MILLEN Necklace (in hair) MARNI Handbag MARNI Watch COCCINELLE Bracelet BCBG MAX AZRIA

sur la terre star-crossed

CAR CHEVROLET CAMARO SS 2010 NATHALIE Dress DOLCE & GABBANA Handbag KAREN MILLEN Shoes BCBG MAX AZRIA Necklace BCBG MAX AZRIA Fur Scarf GUCCI Headband VALENTINO Bracelet (chain) KAREN MILLEN Bracelet BCBG MAX AZRIA Earrings KAREN MILLEN Torch Keyring PORSCHE

NOUHAD Suit DOLCE & GABBANA Shirt DOLCE & GABBANA Tie DOLCE & GABBANA Cap LAMBORGHINI Watch PORSCHE

sur la terre good tastes

Giving Thai Another Try In the ﬁrst installment of our new restaurant review feature, the discerning (yet admittedly dubious) taste buds of Sur la Terre are put to the test, as we experience all the decadent delights that Doha has to offer. Our ﬁrst mission: make obstinate editor Steve Paugh change his mind about Thai food. This isn’t going to be easy...

sur la terre good tastes

>>> I walked into Grand Hyatt’s popular Thai Restaurant, Isaan, with one thought in my head: I don’t like Thai food. That simple point of taste has dogged me for years, ever since Thai food became the next big “it” cuisine in the West. In fact, the phrase, “I don’t fancy Thai food, thank you very much,” has taken me through many lonely experiences through life; at every turn, I have faced blank stares of disbelief, quiet whispers behind my back and being ostracised by friends, family and loved ones alike. It’s not like I haven’t given the cuisine in question ample opportunity to WOW me, having tried Thai food in the States, the UK and Japan, but for one reason or another, its hot, overly-spiced flavours have always been a bone of culinary contention stuck in my craw. This has all led me to ask: How many roads must a man walk down before you can call him a man who likes Thai food? Apparently, the answer has always been one. It just turns out that all this time, I’ve been taking the wrong paths. There to greet us as we walked into the restaurant was Mark Hagan, the Grand Hyatt’s Executive Chef. Despite being in charge of all of the hotel’s restaurants, Mark was kind enough to sit and speak with myself and my dinner guests to tell us more about the concept and ethos of Isaan (see the interview on p. 75). When I told him about my misgivings, he smiled and nodded, looking as though he welcomed the challenge. In a possible effort to wear down my aforementioned resistance to the coming repast, Chef Hagan took us on a whistle-stop tour of Isaan. I have to admit that it was during this walk-around that my recalcitrant perspective began to realign. As we navigated our way through the floor plan’s open space, it was impossible not to be enticed by the scent of fresh herbs and spices bubbling away in traditional Thai pots. The restaurant is laid out in such a way that each food station (frying, steaming, salads, sauces, etc.) is set apart, each offering a unique viewing experience for peckish patrons. Thai cuisine is renowned for using fresh spices and herbs, as opposed to the dried-out variety, and Isaan doesn’t disappoint in that regard. Brilliant, natural colours pop from every countertop, offering an amazing rainbow contrast to the alternatively light and richly dark woods that blanket the restaurant in subtle refinement. Whilst being spread-out, Isaan is careful not to tread into a possible cafeteria feel, maintaining an intimate atmosphere by implementing soft lighting and light curtain dividers. Confident and comfortable, and more than a bit hungry, we returned to our table where we said goodbye to Mark and hello to a mountain of food. As we were warned by the chef, there was no hierarchical concept of appetisers and mains; everything came out together. in a flood of fabulous foodstuffs. The deluge began in trickles, with a small dish of chilli-braised beef strips, the exquisite texture and taste of which were made more robust by its spices and were not hindered in the slightest.

sur la terre good tastes

Mark Hagan Executive Chef of Grand Hyatt Hotel In an exclusive interview, Chef Hagan tells Sur la Terre what makes Isaan the culinary Thai-breaker.

Interesting, I thought as I chewed pensively, I’m actually enjoying this ... a lot. As the light trickle burst into a roaring riptide, we were inundated by plate after plate of expertly-prepared bites. We seemingly tried everything on the menu, from pla yang bai tong, a delicate yet meaty fish cooked and presented inside a banana leaf with herbs and scallions, to kaeng phed ped yang, an amazingly rich roast duck curry, a facsimile of which in any other establishment would have paled in comparison. To follow was a kaleidoscope of flavour and colour twisting around in arcs across our circular table. Favourites include spicy baby squid in ginger and basil sauce (plamuek pad cha), spicy pomelo and shredded crab meat salad (yum som-o), the always classic green beef curry (kaeng kiew wan nuea), an amazingly unusual grouper, fried and then covered in a delicious red curry sauce (shu shi pla gao) and larb ped, a minced duck salad that one of our guests cryptically said tasted “like Christmas.” Oddly, after taking a bite, we could all see what she meant. In a way, the entire evening was like Christmas in that a flurry of hands scattered across the table in a blur of gesticulation, pointing and grabbing. It seemed like conversation was incessant for the duration of the entire meal. “Have you tried this,” one of us would ask. “Oh yeah, that’s amazing; did you put a bit of this sauce on top of it and then follow it with a piece of this,” another would reply. It was during one point when I was simultaneously savouring a shrimp soufflé, grabbing a piece of shrimp toast for myself, passing over some sugarcane-infused grilled chicken and discussing the salvo of flavours on my palate that I realised the genius of Isaan. Our laughter and fun were constantly being punctuated by discussing what was on the table, sharing our new experiences with each other in an atmosphere that I could only call semi-formal familial. As I chewed the last of the sweet chili fish cakes, slurped up the final noodle and washed it down with a generous gulp of fresh coconut juice - actually served inside a baby coconut shell - I realised that I had to come to terms with something that I never thought possible. After so much searching, and having suffered throughout overly spicy experiences and pungent failures, I am now able to say, in direct contradiction to my feelings at the beginning of the night, that I LOVE Thai food. Thanks to Isaan and the efforts of Chefs Hagan and Wachira, I can finally move on, re-establishing friendships previously left in shambles and rebuilding relationships that have grown decrepit from disagreements about this particular cuisine. In short, I can finally fix my life, which has been, up until now, un-Thaied.

To contact the Isaan restaurant at the Grand Hyatt, Doha, call +974 448 1234 or go to the hotel’s website at www.doha.grand.hyatt.com

How long have you been in Doha and what brought you here? I originally came to the Gulf in 2004, when I began work at the Park Hyatt in Dubai. While there, I was promoted to sous-chef. I was there for four years and was asked about 15 months ago to come to Doha and help oversee the Grand Hyatt here. We have the same concepts of restaurants in Dubai called Dubai Kitchen because it was very popular and we thought it would work here. So far, we have been right! What is the concept for Isaan here in the Grand Hyatt? Authenticity. We make authentic Thai food. Only Thai chefs are allowed in the kitchen. Sometimes I’ll let some of the chefs from other restaurants come to train with the chefs here, but during service, it’s only Thai chefs. I try to encourage them to use their own life experiences in their cooking. When I talk to them, I tell them, “cook as your mama would cook it.” After that, I largely leave it to them, leaving the reins with the restaurant manager. They are in charge of everything from food costing and ordering to menu planning. We give them the necessary tools and guidance, but they are in control. We also use only Thai products for this restaurant. Everything, from the vegetables to the sauces, you will ﬁnd in Thailand. Not many people realise that soy sauce is different in every Asian country, and the same is true for something like ﬁsh sauce. Getting the right ingredients and materials really makes a difference, and I think that’s what Hyatt is trying to do with all of their restaurants. It took a long time to get these products into Doha, but I think if you use this attitude you’re going to have a genuine dining experience. People travel nowadays and they know the cuisine in each country, so they are more educated about what something should taste like. Getting it right is the most important thing for us. Besides the food’s authentic preparation, in what way does Isaan set itself apart from other restaurants with a similar theme or cuisine? As you can see, the menu is quite simple, and everything comes in little bowls so that it’s very easy to share with other people. We want you to experience all of your favourite Thai dishes in smaller, almost tapaslike portions. This makes for a very family orientated, fun experience, because it encourages our guests to have conversation about what they are trying and which dishes they enjoy the most. Another nice thing about many small dishes is that you’re not limited to just one big bowl of green curry; you get to try the noodles, the sauces, and dishes from the steamed, grilled and fried sections. You can experience a little bit of everything. If you really like something, you can have a bit of it; if you’ve never tasted something, you can try a bit of that, too. We usually suggest three or four dishes for each person.

sur la terre good tastes

Perhaps because of that commitment to authenticity, Issan is a very different concept than the “fusion” restaurants that are so popular these days. Do you see that as being beneficial? Ah, con-fusion [laughs]. The thing is, for a proper fusion restaurant, you need chefs with imagination and skill. It takes a lot of time, and when you’re always pushing the boundaries with cuisine, it can sometimes go wrong. Again, for us, it’s the idea of the authenticity of a culture. Here, we want our guests to have the taste of a home-cooked meal, with some specialties of Thai cuisine. We don’t mix ingredients from the Philippines, China or Japan, because that’s not the idea we’re going for. Proper Japanese food, like sushi, or Vietnamese cuisine is delicious on its own. The palate can only experience something like four or five tastes at once, so mixing many different flavours isn’t necessary. We’re purists that way. Is there anything unique about the way in which the food is served at Issan? As they come to the table, all of the dishes are explained, as are the spices. We have had phenomenal responses from the expats and the local Qataris alike. We have many regular guests who come back, not only for the food, but for the service. The food does not come out in any order. As soon as it’s ready, it comes. In Asia, there are no starters or appetisers, nothing like that. Everything comes after it is prepared so that it is fresh when it gets to the table, and so that it can be experienced together. Even our service is uncompromising; we do things the way they should be done. Do you have a favourite dish to prepare in Thai cuisine? Are there any personal experiences you bring to preparing it? Well, most of my experience in cooking Thai food is at home; professionally, I leave it to these guys. My training is mostly in Western food, working in fine dining establishments and steakhouses in places like London and Ireland. When I came to work for Hyatt in Dubai, there was such a variety of restaurants. One of the main things while I was there was to learn how to cook everything from Japanese and Lebanese to Indian cuisine. Even though I have experienced cooking in different styles, we only want the trained Thai chefs back there in the kitchen. Saying that, it was a very interesting experience opening this restaurant. For the first few months, I spent a lot of time here with [Head Chef Wachira], learning and watching. With all of the strong flavours, you need to be careful with the amount of spice you use in each dish. Getting the quantities right is very difficult, and while I love Thai food, I leave it to the chefs here to prepare it professionally. I will be going to Bangkok soon, and plan on trying a lot of the street and restaurant food there. I’m going to explore the seasonal fruits and festival food that they have on when I’m there. Once I find something I like, I bring it back to the head chef here and tell or show him because he’s the expert. We’ve heard that the brunch concept of Issan is also unique. Can you explain why the concept is different? On Friday, it’s all you can eat; but, it’s not a buffet, it’s à la Carte. We want you to try everything, but it’ll be fresh. Under one set price, you can try the same food that we have on normal nights. It’s a different feeling than you get at just a buffet, particularly from the ones you get here most of the time in the Gulf.

sur la terre out of the box

The Duners Sur la Terre introduces you to the monsters of modern day Middle East Motocross >>> Evel Knievel made it look so easy. If you watch his old jumps, he makes it seem like just about anybody could put on a star-spangled jumpsuit with a cute little mini-cape and perform death-defying leaps over pools of sharks and through rings of fire. We tried it last Tuesday; it wasn’t so bad. Plus, we look adorable in that cape! Truth be told, we have nothing but the utmost respect for Knievel, whose awe-inspiring antics and beautifully-coiffured bouffant have made him a personal hero. His is a legacy of daredevilry that fired-up and flabbergasted the mass public on an almost daily basis, and while he made riding look easy, we all knew it wasn’t. That impulsive pedigree continues to stir like a frenzy in the hearts and minds of an international throng of thrill-seeking fear eaters. Timid tenderfoots be warned; you may want to look away and move along, because this one is likely to set your lilly-liver all aquiver. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Qatar Duners, a local group willing to breach the gaps of generation and geography in a single bound. Of course, unlike Evel Knievel, whose cape-draped capers were relegated to the realm of the ridiculous, the practitioners of Motocross are not just about looking Death in the face and saying, “whatever, man.” It is actually much more technical than one would immediately assume, and has a rich history and development. The sport actually began near the middle of the 20th Century in Britain. The first mudlaced race, or “scramble” as it is referred to in the off-road world, tore through the muck of Surrey in 1924. Throughout the remainder of the century, Motocross would become more rugged, yet more refined, implementing modifications and retooled equipment specifically designed for the sport, which increasingly verged ever sharper off the track and into the wild. The sport hit the height of its crescendo in the technological developments of the 1980s and 90s, allowing its stars to splatter their way into the field of vision of a wider audience. Today, Motocross is at the heart of what has been dubbed the “Extreme

Sports” movement, almost becoming mainstream in its widespread appeal. Its following has jumped the bridges of culture and has found itself popping wheelies and narrowly navigating muck-splattered tracks at nearly every point on the globe. In a sport where open space and tempting terrain is a must, it was only natural that its dusty, tireworn trail would eventually lead to the desert ... our desert. As a sub-division of the Qatar Motorbike Group, the Doha-based duning club is a growing family of like-minded buzz-junkies dedicated to the glee of ridge riding, big-air jumping and high-speed bushwhacking. While this collective love of general tomfoolery is not without a thrilling cohesive thread, the individual tastes of each rider are as varied as the colours and themes of their brightly-hued bikes and vivid racing gear. Whether its the technical maneuvering involved in tracing the subtly curvaceous lines of a dune face or the zanier hijinks of launching oneself into the air and contorting into a fully-splayed superman dive, The Duners can do it all. Regardless of which path a rider takes, there is one thing that always remains the same: safety. After watching some of Knievel’s more celebrated disastrous spills, it’s easy to see why this sport can be so extremely dangerous. All riders, regardless of experience level, are required to bedeck themselves in essential protective equipment, including helmet, goggles, chest protectors, gloves, boots and joint pads. In the event of an accident, which is rare with the group, all of the necessary ﬁrst aid materials are on hand. It also does the heart good to know that many of the riders are trained in emergency medical treatment. While safety is important, the spice on the steak of life is excitement, and there is plenty of it to feast upon with The Duners. The nice thing is that anyone is welcome to join the group, from nonplussed newbies to voracious vets, and already the fraternity contains a sampling of both ends of the spectrum and all points in between. Some members have

sur la terre out of the box

even competed in the 21-day, 10,000 kilometer long endurance test of the Dakar rally, while still others have participated in regional Baja races. This mix makes a day out more than just having a great time, as it can equally be educational. In this sport, personal development can only be achieved through mutual support, and there is no short supply of that with The Duners. The bikes similarly range in power and prestige, from 250cc all the way to 450cc, with each being ideal for one stunt or another. Choosing your own two or four-wheeled chariot of chase is the ﬁrst step to joining the crew in any of their events, which usually take place on Fridays from sunup to sundown and run the gamut of the “easy rider” experience. Normally a day out includes rocketing to the inland sea and bashing the dunes for a good few hours before pitching camp and recounting the revolutions of the day over a nice, family barbeque in the rolling sands. After a day of full throttle trailblazing, it’s nice to downshift into a dull roar. Most motocrossers will tell you that a day riding is more physically and mentally taxing than a day knocking out the reps and sets at the gym, not to mention ten times more thrilling. You may not be able to pull off either the stunts or impeccable style of Evel Knievel (though we are more than willing to help you with the latter), but that doesn’t mean you can’t ingrain your own personal sphere with the tread of a life well lived on the edge of your seat. Whether you’re a beginner looking to master your bike or an old hat itching to continue riding and tell the stories of each scar and callus, The Duners are there to facilitate your frantic ﬂight through all things fast. Either way, unlike the famously nefarious Hell’s Angels, this is one biker gang you DO want to mess around with.

For more information, email Gabriel Salmone at gsalmone@yahoo.com or communicate with the group through their interactive mailing list, qatar-duners@googlegroups.com

sur la terre out of the box

Dishing the DiRT 2 SLT takes a closer look at one example of how the gaming industry is bridging the Gulf >>> Guys are pretty simple. Really, what we want out of life is just a small handful of amenities that will help define us as strong, assertive, yet reasonable human beings. These are basic things; nothing too off the wall. For example, one of the main products we require is a cool car ... preferably one that can fly and shoot lasers from its headlights. We’d also like a pet tyrannosaurus rex, which we would call Captain Bitey. One of the final things we would like is to have ourselves made digitally immortal in a playable video game; but let’s be honest, that’s not likely to happen here in the Gulf. OR IS IT? Colin McRae: DiRT™ 2 is the revolutionary off-roading sequel to the popular racing game featuring 50 driving dignitaries, such as Ken Block, Tanner Foust, Dave Mirra and Travis Pastrana, as well as the game’s late namesake, Colin McRae. Ever since its unveiling at the 2009 E3 gaming trade event, the incredible graphics, stunning gameplay and increased in-game features have been turning heads all across the gaming world. However, it is one of their other, perhaps lesser-known developments that have Gulf-based gamers clamouring for the hit sequel’s release. DiRT™ 2 is the first in the history of video games to feature an Arab racing celebrity. That’s right, race fans, we’ll finally be able to control one of our very own hometown heroes. So, who’s the lucky man who will live forever as a pixilated paragon of pulsating propulsion? It’s none other than the 14-time, undefeated FIA Middle East rally champion, Mr. Mohammed Ben Sulayem. While not having raced competitively for about seven years, Ben Sulayem continues to be one of the most prominent names in regional off-road racing. He continues to be an influential presence in the sport as the FIA Vice President, and president of the Automobile and Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates. He is also the official head representative for all motorsport in the UAE and Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, which he established and is now the first round race in the FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup. With all of these credentials on his impressive CV, it’s a wonder it took so long for him to be a digital star. Still, his time has finally come, and he couldn’t be more excited, as we would be were we in his shoes.

“I am honoured to be featured in Colin McRae: DIRT™ 2, one of the most anticipated racing games of the year,” said the passionate Ben Sulayem, who appears with his now famous Nisan Z sportscar in the game. “Working closely with Codemasters’ team to develop a digital version of myself was a surreal experience. I look forward to the worldwide success of the game and I am confident that motorsports fans will have a great gaming experience.” We are, too! DiRT™ 2 is such a visual feast that when we reviewed the story mode movies and gameplay, we had to make sure it was actual game footage and not a live capture video. The fully rendered real-world environments in which the racing takes place are as multitudinous as they are vast and intricate. The off-roading adventure takes you from the dense muck of jungle trails to the perilous peaks of canyon competitions to city stadiums. Of course, let’s not forget about good ol’ desert racing which has made our boy Ben Sulayem such a star. With newly retuned game dynamics and an increased plethora of solo race and multiplayer options, DiRT™ 2 looks like it’s going to be huge! “We believe the entire GCC region is at a tipping point in the video game industry,” says Hal Bame, Director. “We plan on investing heavily in products, on-line and overall marketing activity, in order to maximise what we feel is a market tailor-made for Codemasters’ portfolio of products, including our official Formula 1 game lineup in 2009 and 2010.” To exemplify this new commitment, Codemasters will be hosting a Colin McRae: Dirt 2 virtual racing tournament starting in September. The winner of the tournament not only gets bragging rights, but will also screech away in the brand new Nissan Z! To find out more about the torque-filled tournament, race over to www.dirt2arabia.com Whether or not you’re a virtual virtuoso of the geard-up gamer set, DiRT™ 2 is definitely worth a good gander for the simple fact that one of the local boys has been immortalised in the digital world, taking us all one step closer to grandeur. Now, about that dinosaur we were talking about ...

sur la terre out of the box

Survive if You Can, Endure if You’re Able Webster’s Dictionary defines endurance in this way: en·dur·ance: \in-'dúr-ǝn(t)s, -'dyúr-, en-\ (noun): the ability to withstand hardship or adversity; especially: the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity. >>> While admittedly a bit formulaic and bland, it does get straight to the point. Anyone who actually has endured through anything in his or her life will agree that the process is more visceral than simply “withstanding hardship,” and may instead agree with renowned Scottish theologian and author William Barclay, who famously described it as something more triumphant, saying, “Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.” Now that’s the stuff. For those not in the know, endurance racing consists of covering long distances (sometimes up to 1,000 miles) and can take up to 24 hours to complete. Rules and distances vary, but usually teams consist of two to four members who switch out with other members once their leg of the race is completed. Endurance racing is simple to understand, but it’s the farthest thing from easy to do, taking great concentration and willpower to even enter, much less complete. Still, riders have been pushing their physical and mental limits in this type of race for a significant amount of time. Even though the concept of FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) was given framework under a loose federation of interested countries in 1904, the fervour for endurance racing truly reached an international crescendo at around the halfway point of the 20th century, and was finally given credence by the FIM Endurance Trophy in 1960 and then the first official world championship in 1975. The sport as a whole has picked up the pace and raced around the world, gaining notoriety, official recognition by other international bodies and of course, a fiercely loyal fan base. As its international power

and influence grew, so too did the numerous countries clamouring to be a part of the action; to taste the motoring glory. Glory is one thing that Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) does and has done well since it first organised the MotoGP race back in 2004. It added the piquant spice of endurance to the mix in 2007 when it was made an official title sponsor for the Endurance World Championship by FIM. In the same year, under the patronage and direction of Mr. Nasser Khalifa Al Atya, the first Qatari Endurance Racing Team (QERT) was born into the Superbike category (750-1000cc) in order to allow national achievement in endurance. The switch to the Superstock (600-1200cc) class would come the next year in 2008, and would bring with it a not completely surprising championship result. The riders for this competition were Mashel Al Naimi, Rashid Al Mannai and French team member Anthony Delhalle. Thanks to the determination, resolve and drive to triumph, the team proudly lifted the FIM Endurance Superstock World Cup title in their first year, with an overall score of 165 points. In 2009, the team has grown even more, with Junior Team members Sultan Al Naimi, Nasser and Yousef Al Malki and Naief Al Qubaisi joining the ranks and increasing exposure of the Qatari national presence in endurance racing. Qatar and QMMF are dedicated to increasing the publicity of this new form of national motoring pride by supplying the best equipment, training and participants in the races. To have a championship homegrown talent pool, the depth of which is only now being explored, is the sign of greater things to come in the endurance racing world. It may still be growing, but with endurance racing national title holders, one thing is certain: Qatar has the patience, will - and most of all - the endurance to become a leader in the sport and fully taste the international glory that has for so long been only a word on the tip of its tongue.

HO 2

sur la terre

sur la terre spotlight

Rally To Greatness Nasser Al-Attiyah Nasser Al-Attiyah is Qatarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own racing royalty. With over 20 years and countless honours, awards and championships under his safety-belt, Nasser has earned a prized and respected position at the vanguard of international rallying, so what more could he want? We know he now drives a Volkswagen, but what is it that truly drives him? Finally, how is the racing landscape he so expertly paved changing? In an exclusive interview, Sur la Terre jumps into the hot seat and gets under the hood with the Pole Position Premier: Nasser Al-Attiyah. < Victoriious in the UAE, 2008 >

sur la terre spotlight

< Representing Qatar in Skeet Shooting at the Biejing Olympics >

You have been driving professionally for about 20 years now,beginning your career with BP Desert raids in Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan. The very next year, in 1990, you secured the first of many championships, being declared the Qatar Rally Champion. Since then, you’ve won an unprecedented amount of FIA Middle East Rally Championships, Qatar National Championships and international honours, and have even been crowned the FIA World Cup Champion for Cross Country. It sounds like you’ve seen and done it all. As a multiple-title holder who has risen through the ranks, how do you think the motoring industry and sport is changing in the Middle East, the Gulf and specifically, Qatar? Is it growing? If so, how? Yes, as you said, I began my rallying career in 1989 in local competitions in Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait. I won Qatar the National Rally Championships five times between 1990 and 1995. In 1995, I competed in skeet shooting for the first time in the Asian Games in Jakarta and found myself winning the second position. After the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, I chose skeet shooting instead of motorsport because His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the Qatar Skeet Shooting Federation wanted me to be on the national skeet shooting team. I began rallying again in 2003 because the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) needed someone who could win the Qatar International Rally, which had not been won by a Qatari since 1993. In my experience, the industry of motor sport is changing very much, and has

changed since I started, especially in the Gulf region. I think this is mostly because the economy and the media are both growing in a positive way. Before, only a few people had the capacity to participate in rallying and motor sports events, but now many people have the ﬁnancial ability and resources to participate in these events. This has made the sport more popular and the interest for it much greater than it was 10 or 20 years ago, so that big events like F1 in Bahrain, boat and rally racing in Qatar and cross-country racing in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have grown. More interested parties from the West are now looking at the region with more interest and we’re getting more exposure, this makes both our sport and our region much more popular. We are becoming a centre for these types of motor sporting events. This year, you’ve participated in the Dakar Rally in Argentina, the FxPro Rally in Cyprus, the Vodafone Rally de Protugal and the Rally d’Italia Sardegna just to name a few. Throughout all of these events, you have carried the Qatari ﬂag proudly. Do you think that the Qatar presence and recognition on the circuit is growing because of your runs? Will Qatar play a bigger role in the future of racing? What other institutions, people or ideas do you think are changing the face of motor sport in the future of Qatar and the Middle East? I am proud to be a presence in this sport in Qatar at a national level, and to act as an ambassador for Qatar at an international level. My team and I have

sur la terre spotlight

been fortunate to win many titles, and I have a hand in making Qatar more famous in this sport, but I am not the only reason. There are many other drivers who are becoming better known on the scene, and still more factors that are giving us international recognition. Qatar is a country that is already famous in the West. Let’s face it, Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world today and the leadership and vision under His Highness the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is making more people look to us for many opportunities and relationships in different ﬁelds, and now for sport. HE the Heir Apparent, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and HE Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani are also primary supporters of motor sport in Qatar; they are always pushing to help us excel. The QMMF and companies like Barwa, the most visionary and innovative real estate company in Qatar, with whom I have a long contract, support me as well as other talents and events, like Cross Country PWRC and Middle East championships. All of these factors are making me that much more competitive. I will do my best to become more successful and to raise the Qatari ﬂag high. When fans go to rallying websites, they can see a stronger presence of Qataris rising through the ranks. Do you personally see a growing trend where Qatar nationals are garnering more praise because of their exposure? Are there any other pioneers out there who are paving the way for the next generation of drivers? If so, how are they changing the motorsport landscape? I absolutely think it’s a growing trend to see more Qatari drivers at the international level. Once a few of us started winning big titles, the interest increased and more talent came up to be like us, and they have

< Recognition from the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) >

been doing well. As you may know, Qatar has a smaller, closer community than others. If the younger generation of rally drivers have someone to look up to, they will step up and try to match it. It’s all about getting the right support. If they have the leadership and the funding from the government, companies or even their families, they can go a long way. It’s the same for the country as a whole, not just in sport. Our leadership has changed Qatar and it makes us want to be the best in many other areas because we, as a country, have done so well. Of course, we are always striving to do more. On the same note, one of my biggest dreams is to start a rally team and driving academy, supporting young talented drivers and directing them toward excellence, I want to help them become more successful. I want to help as much as I can to help the new pioneers of cross country and rallying. I want to find and help teach the new Nasser Al-Attiyah. As a driver based in the Middle East, what were some of your biggest challenges when you first started driving at the international level? Were these challenges mostly based on the different terrain in the different countries, or were they the mental and emotional challenges of being a pioneer for your country? To be an Arab driver competing in the Middle East championships was a great start for me because the races here are very difficult in each stage, with very high temperatures and difficult terrain. The Middle East is a great testing area before going into the international arena. From the beginning, I dealt with dust, gravel and heat, but in places like Monte Carlo or Sweden or GB, the terrain is much different. I found it difficult when I began in the PWRC because of these changes, just as anyone would, but even back then, I had a three-year plan to be a world champion. This motivated me, and despite the challenges, I became a world champion in that time period. In the first year, I came in seventh, the next year I came in second and in the third year, I won first place. Now, I have companies wanting to sign contracts with me, like most recently, I became the official driver for the Volkswagen Red Bull Team. Even though there were difficulties in the beginning, all I needed was motivation and experience. As for the other cultures, I had been traveling long before I started rallying, so I embraced the multi-cultural aspect of racing internationally very well. In the beginning it takes time. I started with an English team in the first year, and we had a few misunderstandings, but after some test runs and from working together, everything came together quite smoothly. There again, it was all about experience. What are some of the difficult things to conquer as a driver today, as opposed to when you first started? Do you think that drivers today from the Gulf are experiencing some of the same challenges you went through, or are they different? When I started rallying, the cars were not as fast or technically advanced as they are now. Today, you can adjust every part and piece in each car. The teams are also much better arranged and organised. Many current drivers from the Middle East have grown up in this age, so they do not focus on increasing their skills. Thanks to the financial funding I was talking about earlier, drivers sometimes rely too much on the speed and power of the car rather than focus on their personal training. That’s easy to do and it’s a challenge for the new drivers to connect with the mentality of the old champions. Many of the older guys can drive the car in a real and proper way, without having to adjust much, but now that you can change everything, it makes customisation easier. They want the car to do the work for them rather than vice-versa, but the old champions pushed both themselves and their cars. I have seen cars with great power and

sur la terre spotlight

< Driven to glory: Making a bid for the 2009 Dakar Rally title >

capacity do very poorly, and that’s because the drivers don’t have enough experience. When I first started, the car I drive was great and it is still great now, but I always give 100% to every race and to every training session. This sport is all about sacrifice, and if you can’t give your whole heart and soul, you won’t do well, no matter how good your equipment is. I always wanted to learn first how to drive and then keep up with the new technology, and I think I’ve successfully done that, which was also a challenge. In 2006, you were named the first Global Sport Fund Ambassador for the United Nations. What does this title mean to you and what are your official duties as ambassador? I am honoured and happy to have been named the first United Nations Global Sport Fund Ambassador. I was awarded this position during the 2006 Asian Games and it means so much to me. I am participating in humanitarian and charitable activities to make voluntary contributions for the benefit of the United Nations Fund, which seeks to help young people gain interest in sport instead of doing harmful things on the street, like drugs or crime. We are finding more and more cooperating organisations to help us with this type of work, and I am honoured to be a part of it. I hope to participate in more charity events around the world, and especially in the Middle East. At the moment, I am very busy with rallying so I am unfortunately not as active as I would like to be, but I hope to be able to do more soon. As I travel around the world speaking to groups in my role as ambassador, I also hope to receive a UN Sports Passport one day so that I am easier able to travel and fulfill my duties in this role without complications.

motivation, concentration and focus through the very different stages in each race is the tricky part. So, no, I cannot pick just one race because each one presents its own new set of challenges, and because of that, each has its own result. What’s next for Nasser Al-Attiyah? Other than bringing home more championships, what will be your focus as your career continues? The future is pretty open, my plan is to continue rallying so long I find it pleasure and to fulfill my dream to win Dakar. I will devote more time to the United Nations Global Sports Ambassador´s duties. Another dream of mine is to win a gold medal in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, so I have been training for that as well. I will also be an ambassador for the 2022 FIFA World Cup bid and do all I can to support it. There is also the academy I mentioned earlier and helping young drivers become better drivers, and hopefully one day make rally team. In the end, though, it doesn’t matter which sport I am doing or what role I am playing. Whether it is skeet shooting, cross country or something completely different, the only thing I really want is to raise the Qatari flag high and proud. I want to do my best to help carry Qatar into what lies ahead and into the future of sport.

We know about your dream of winning Dakar. Is that still the strongest dream that you have or are there others? What do you think it will take to make that dream come true and bring the championship to Qatar? I want Dakar. I WANT Dakar. Yes, that is my dream and I will win Dakar before I hang up my boots and retire. I will keep on competing in the rally until I win it. This year, I think I will win it. I am prepared. I have the best car and the best team and I feel that it is my time to win. I have been testing the car in other events to find the best adjustments. I’m also training personally by running, swimming and going to the gym. Dakar, Nasser is coming. In your long, multi-national career, can you pick the ONE most difficult race you have ever been a part of? Why was it so difficult? Well, some people might think I would say Dakar, but I would actually answer in a different way. Each rally is different in its own way, so I cannot say which one is more difficult than another. I could not tell you that Argentina is easier than Monte Carlo or that Turkey is easier than Italy, because each race has its own difficulties. Rallies are interesting because they are based on stages, and each stage is different from one to the next, much less every race being different. Maintaining your lead,

< Just another dull day at the office - traversing the 2009 WRC in Cyprus >

sur la terre time history

Rolex, Swiss jewel Rolex, with international headquarters in Geneva, is the emblematic leader in Swiss watchmaking. For over a century, it has been the most recognizable symbol of timekeeping and no longer needs to prove its performance. The brand has never been at the mercy of fashion and is today, more than ever, synonymous with prestige and know-how. WORDS: DĂŠsirĂŠe Mitterrand

< Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date in yellow Rolesor. Case features a new rotatable bezel in yellow gold Blue Cerachrom bezel insert, 120-notch anti-return click system. Movement with Parachrom hairspring. >

sur la terre time history

< The 1953 Oyster Perpetual was worn on the ascent of Everest. >

< Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II. Platinum case with a smooth bezel. Ice-blue dial with Roman numerals. >

>>> “If you don’t own a Rolex by the age of 50, you’re a failure,” stated famous French advertising executive Jacques Séguéla recently. He was addressing a journalist in defence of French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, who was attacked for his ostentatious tendencies. If the assertion seems a little out of place, it nevertheless underscores the impressive aura of the Swiss brand. From Steve McQueen to Roger Federer, from Paul Newman to Che Guevara, it is impossible to draw up an exhaustive list of personalities who have at one time or another sported a Rolex watch. A fascination that has never faded over time, wearing a rolex elicits the same desire among personalities and amateurs. The proof is that a considerable number of watchmaking enthusiasts, not content to simply buy new models, also vie for vintage pieces at prestigious auctions. The legendary brand is inseparably linked to its founder Hans Wilsdorf who, in the early 20th century, when pocket watches were common currency, devoted himself to making his dream a reality: the creation of a waterproof self-winding wristwatch endowed with maximum precision.

sur la terre time history

< The front page of the Daily Mail recounting Mercedes Gleitze’s Channel swim sporting an Oyster watch. The f irst Rolex Testimonee. >

< Rolex Workshop. >

The Rolex legend began in 1905 in London, when Hans Wilsdorf, a young Bavarian 24 years of age, founded “Wilsdorf & Davis,” a company specializing in the distribution of watch components in Great Britain and the Commonwealth countries. The company strove to offer its customers unequalled know-how and entrusted the manufacture of highly precise movements to Aegler, a Swiss manufacturer located in Bienne that was to become the Manufacture des Montres Rolex in 1932. It was three years later, in 1908, that the young Wilsdorf invented the name Rolex to sign his creations. It was a short name easy to inscribe on the dial of a watch and easy to pronounce in all European languages. The brand with the famous crown as its symbol was born.

< The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II regatta chronograph. >

Hans Wilsdorf was eager to reach well-to-do and demanding customers who travelled and played sports, so he made wristwatches that he constantly submitted for testing by the official watch rating authorities in order to certify their chronometric precision. Thus, in 1910, a Rolex watch received the first Swiss official chronometer certificate for wristwatches. Four years later, the same model received the first international Class “A” certification from the Kew observatory in England. The increase in customs duties to finance costs related to the First World War in England incited Hans Wilsdorf to move to Geneva in 1919, and found the company Montres Rolex S.A. Several years later, in 1926, Hans Wilsdorf turned the watchmaking world on its head as he broke a crucial barrier by creating the first waterproof and dustproof watch.

sur la terre time history

< Oyster Perpetual Datejust Special Edition, 34 mm. Introduced in 2009. >

One of Wilsdorf’s greatest achievements was creating a watch with a case as tightly sealed as the shell of an oyster, to which he gave the obvious English name, “Oyster”. The following year the model became famous worldwide thanks to Hans Wilsdorf’s marvellous marketing idea. Mercedes Gleitze, a young English woman, swam across the English Channel in over ten hours, wearing the famous Oyster on her wrist. At the end of this feat, the watch was in perfect working order. To celebrate the event, the watchmaker published an advertisement on the front page of the Daily Mail, constituting the Rolex Oyster’s ﬁrst success story. This ﬁrst “Testimonee” campaign prompted the brand to regularly put its watches to the test. Since the 1930s, it has equipped numerous Himalayan expeditions, which set out to conquer Everest, with this invaluable watch. Far from resting on its laurels, Rolex has, since 1931, been marketing watches equipped with the Perpetual Rotor, a selfwinding mechanism for wristwatches. This new, even more successful revolutionary movement allowed the timepiece to self-wind with the natural movements of the wrist. This most ingenious system is still the basis of the mechanisms found in automatic watches today. In the years that followed, thanks to the phenomenal chronometric precision and waterproofness of these timepieces, the so-called professional watches were developed. They were designed for activities such as scuba-diving, aviation, mountain climbing or even motor racing.

< Rolex watch from 1915. >

sur la terre time history

< Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in white gold with white leather strap. >

Launched in 1953, the Submariner, the first watch waterproof to a depth of 100 metres, is a perfect example of the professional watch. At the same time, Rolex created prestigious watches that quickly created great enthusiasm, such as the Datejust (1945), which shows the date in a window on the dial, and the Day-Date (1956), the world’s first wristwatch to display the date and the day of the week in full. André J. Heiniger succeeded Hans Wilsdorf in 1963 and transformed Rolex into a universal watchmaking brand. Determined to perpetuate the aura and reputation of the brand, he initiated partnerships between Rolex and internationally recognized entities, sports personalities and artists. Heiniger also launched the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, designed to provide support to men and women seeking new ways to increase knowledge and to improve the well-being of mankind. In 1992, his son, Patrick Heiniger, was appointed head of the company. In the mid 1990s, he decided to vertically integrate the means of production in order to completely control the manufacture of the essential components of the watches, thus ensuring the autonomy of the brand. All activities were consolidated on four sites located in Geneva and Bienne. This decision made it possible between 2000 and 2006 to build production units that were at the cutting edge of technological progress. Patrick Heiniger was faithful to the philanthropic tradition begun by his father. He set up the Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative, which offers young artists the opportunity to work with celebrated masters in their discipline. Rolex continues to expand today under the management of CEO Bruno Meier, former financial director of the company. With a well-established network in some one hundred countries, the company distributes its watches through 26 affiliates and several thousand official jewellers. These timepieces are the result of the skill and attention to detail of nearly 4,000 Rolex-trained watchmakers, who leave nothing to chance in their quest for perfection. Assembled by hand, the watches benefit from decades of know-how and integrate the latest technology, making Rolex a brand that is perpetually moving forward and destined to survive the centuries. < Gem-setting at Rolex >

Throughout the years, Rolex has established close ties with various sports disciplines and personalities. These elite champions are called “Testimonees” by Rolex because they are more than images, they are real achievers.

sur la terre time history

< The F irst Oyster (1926). >

TENNIS In 1978, Rolex became the “Ofﬁcial Timekeeper” of Wimbledon. Today, its partnership extends to such prestigious events as the Australian Open Grand Slam tournament, the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, the Sony Ericsson Championships and the Masters 1000. Testimonees: Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Ana Ivanovic.

< Legendary Swiss tennis champion Roger Federer, Rolex Testimonee. >

EQUESTRIAN SPORTS Rolex has been involved in equestrian sport since 1957 and today is the partner of the International Equestrian Federation, the world’s principal authority in the discipline. Since 2002, it has also sponsored the World Equestrian Games. Since 2007, it has been the Title Sponsor of the Rolex FEI World CupTM Final and the Western European League World Cup. Testimonees: Rodrigo Pessoa, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Zara Phillips, Pippa Funnell. GOLF Rolex’s association with golf dates back to 1967, when Arnold Palmer became a Rolex Testimonee. Today the watchmaking company sponsors a large number of events such as the Masters at Augusta, the US Open Championship, the Solheim Cup, the Evian Masters and the four tournaments of the Grand Slam. Testimonees: Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Lorena Ochoa, Annika Sorenstam.

< German rider of American origin Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, the f irst woman to be ranked world number one in jumping (2005), Rolex Testimonee. >

< Lorena Ochoa, Mexican professional golfer, Rolex Testimonee. > Photos by © Rolex / Fadil Berisha

MOTOR RACING The presence of the brand in motor racing dates back to the 1930s when Sir Malcolm Campbell, wearing a Rolex Oyster, broke numerous speed records. Motor racing inspired the fabulous Cosmograph Daytona, which can measure elapsed time and calculate average speeds. Since 2001, Rolex has been the “Ofﬁcial Timekeeper” of the Le Mans 24 Hours and that of the Le Mans Series since 2005. It is also the partner of Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Rolex Sports Car Series. Testimonee: Sir Jackie Stewart. SAILING In the late 1950s, Rolex established relationships with key sailing events such as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the Rolex Fastnet Race, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, the Rolex Swan Cup and the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship. In 2007, the brand also created the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II, equipped with a programmable countdown feature. Testimonees: Paul Elvström, Paul Cayard, Soﬁa Bekatorou Kosmatopoulos, Gary Jobson.

sur la terre objects

Glamourously easy High tech design follows our constantly evolving society. Speed, multifunctionality and, of course, glamour are the attributes of the creations we have picked out for you this time. From music to video, from our kitchens to our bedrooms, these items share a common factor: they are gorgeous, but still easy to use.

Voluntary exile Although autumn heralds colder days, we can still enjoy peace and leisure by staying at home in comfort. There’s nothing better than to give up society life and to be absorbed in an excellent cinematic experience, forgetting our worries and sharing a quiet moment with loved ones. Philips chooses the perfect time to launch its new compact Home Cinema systems. The HES4900 (150 watts) is perfect for hanging on the wall while the HES2800 (350 watts) is ideal for sideboards. They share an elegant shape and superb images thanks to the upscaling HDMI to 1080p and impeccable sound through Dolby Virtual. Philips Home Cinema, HES4900 and HES2800, www.philips.ch

Glance at the future Imagining the kitchen of the future, Zaha Hadid has designed a compact structure equipped with a control panel (LCD screen) to trigger any action, from controlling the cooktop to regulating the music and lighting. Even a perfume diffusion has been set up to create a really tailored and pleasant sense experience. The line is sensual and despite the futuristic shape, great functionality is guaranteed with the “ﬁre” and “water” zones, an intelligent storage system and the possibility to arrange the components in different positions. Z. Island by DuPont Corian, price upon request, www.corian.com

sur la terre objects

Strike a pose Gazing at its petals, one might think of it as a work of art but this high tech jewel is the result of fashion photography techniques created to provide optimised lighting, enhancing the experience of trying on clothing. Thanks to its sensors, MorphoLuminescence recognises when a user is bending over or reaching up to remove clothing, only arriving at its state of pose when the consumer is ready. The quality of the picture is reached through a three-point lighting set up, arranging a bright key light above eye level, in combination with softer ﬁll and back lighting to create subtle shadows and a three dimensional effect. MophoLuminescence, www.i-m-a-d-e.org

Horizontal or vertical Music all around you

Memory bricks

This wireless multi-room music system has a key feature: it is intuitive and easy to use, with shortcuts to the most frequently used functions and multi-room control to set the volume in every single room. The touch screen keybord enables rapid music searching including 25,000 radio stations and podcasts, the creation of custom radio stations from services like Deezer as well as your own personal music library. The maximum of music experience with a simple touch of a ﬁnger! SONOS Controller 200 (CR200), www.sonos.com

After being a highlight of the fashion world, the Lego trend is spreading to the hi-tech gadgets that we use every day. If you have to choose between all the different shapes available, choose the most fashionable! Lego pieces have already been seen as art and jewellery pieces, now they have made their way into accessories. A hi tech symbol of the timeless toy, they come in varied but cheerful colours to adapt to your desk. They can also be adapted to corporate branding, if you want to put your logo on the lego! Zip Zip USB Memory Bricks, from 2GB to 8GB. Soon available with 16GB, www.zipzip.net.au

Nokia Nseries devices combine the most advanced high-speed mobile computers with location-aware sensors for a mobile and online customised experience. In fact the N97 provides, with Ovi Store, a one-stop-shop for plenty of applications, games, videos, podcasts, web services and location-based services that we hope will continue to increase. Ovi offers a free media-sharing service where you can store an unlimited number of photos, videos and other media types. Nokia Maps allows you to pre-plan your journey as well as to obtain suggestions for local points of interest. This super-smart phone has 32GB on-board memory and up to 16GB more via a microSD memory card slot. Nokia N97, 3,5’’ screen, 5 megapixels, from around www.nokia.com

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Tiny looking

All in black Total black is a statement of classical elegance. Hublot has created in collaboration with BMC a new bike that combines state-of-the-art technology with innovative materials. With pedal bearings containing ceramic and carbon ﬁbre for the frame to allow strength and rigidity, this racing bike is also extremely light and ready to grant the best performances.

Robot Remote Toshiba’s ApriPoco is a prototype Home Robot that can detect human voices and recognise spoken commands. It can detect and extract people’s voices from ambient noise and it interacts by asking questions to get more information and add new words to its database. ApriPoco functions as a control center for electronic equipment. It can switch the TV on and off, adjust lighting and air conditioning and much more, since it can be programmed to manage all key functions in a digital home network. Toshiba ApriPoco, prototype in development stage, www.toshiba.eu

And for those who still think that sport does not rhyme with glamour, consider that the biker jacket has been the season’s musthave topper of Fall/Winter runways, we can deﬁnitely proclaim that biking is hip... High tech, High style and High speed! www.hublot.ch

Do not be fooled by its 25x25 silhouette! This compact size is endowed with high quality sound and maximum connectivity. It offers incredible sound output combined with musical ﬁdelity that you would never expect from such a mini system. To enhance the user’s lifestyle, the new D-F107DAB features a wide range of connection options. It comes with a front USB port for connecting an iPod or other USB memory. Denon D-F107DAB, www.denon.eu

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The magic f lute Never understimate the importance of morning rituals to start your day off right! B&O has created BeoTime, a clever alarm clock that allows you to set timer functions or program any Bang & Olufsen unit in the room, so you can wake up to BeoTime’s discreet chime or the sound of your favourite TV programme, radio station, or piece of music. Features like the built-in motion sensor and the subtle automatic backlighting makes it surprisingly practical. The unobtrusive design allows you to place BeoTime anywhere in the bedroom: on a side table or hung on the supplied magnetic wall ﬁxture. BeoTime, from around 260 €, www.bang-olufsen.com

Ice ice baby! The shape makes me think of an ice cube and reminds me of the famous Vanilla Ice song which goes: “Dance go rush to the speaker that booms”. This speaker system is the result of the cooperation between the Japanese lighting manufacturer Odelic and Kenwood. The illumination maximizes the appeal of the stylish glass design while Kenwood’s expertise in sound-production has given birth to a piece of technology that allows wide ranging depth from low to high pitches. Odelic’s Glass Stand Speakers SP0011 and SP0012

sur la terre fashion

GOSSIP GIRLS

Clothing: LORICK www.loricknewyork.com Photography: Tom Hines Art Director: Roanne Adams Stylists: Meredith Markworth-Pollock and Gina Aglietti

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The Kitty A Cape in heavy red wool

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Anouk Top in “alaskin plaid” wool

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sur la terre fashion Francois dress in mother grey silk and “mariée noir” wool

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Abigail wearing the Anouk Top in “alaskin plaid” wool and the Bara Skirt in “alaskin plaid” wool and black wool

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Elma is wearing the Giorno dress in navy wool with “raj red” silk

Abigail in The Babba Dress in “raj yellow” silk with blue organza overlay

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Radical Statement Production : Juliette Blondel Photographs : Ian Abela @ Visionairs In Art www.ianabela.com Models : Ayelevi Kakanou & Julien Sitbon Manicure : Elsa Durrens @ Artlist Location : Studio des Amandiers

Trench dress BURBERRY Binoculars collection “In the pocket” with Barenia calfskin strap HERMES Right hand: Bracelet “Première” in white and yellow gold with onyx CHANEL Silver ring “Save The Children” BULGARI Left hand: Ring collection “Happy Diamonds” in white gold with 1 moving diamond CHANEL Watch “Cape Cod Tonneau grand Model”, steel case, double bracelet with Barenia calfskin strap HERMES

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Pendant with diamonds’ sphere collection “Xtravaganza”, white gold with 544 diamonds and necklace collection “Les Chaînes” in white gold CHOPARD Right hand (holding the microphone): Above: ring “Jane” in white gold with diamonds LORENZ BAUMER 3-rows silver ring “Espionne” HERMES Black leather cuff bracelet with synthetic stones VICEDOMINI Left hand: Ring “Gocce de Aqua” in grey gold DE GRISOGONO Watch Bulgari Bulgari Moon Phase, steel case (38 mm), dial set with diamonds, alligator strap BULGARI

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Long sleeves polo LACOSTE Elastic cotton belt LACOSTE Cotton trousers LACOSTE Foulard tie “Ghost” in vintage silk HERMES Sunglasses EMANUEL UNGARO Watch “Big Bang Blue carat” pink gold case set with topaz, 100 m waterproof, rubber strap HUBLOT Necklace collection “Les Chaînes” in white gold with Sterling silver bracelet “Link” TIFFANY & CO Lambskin ball “Herstress” HERMES

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White cotton t-shirt BURBERRY Leather tie CELIO Lambskin strech trousers JC JITROIS Lambskin strech trousers EMANUEL UNGARO Metal belt EMANUEL UNGARO Necklace with charms SCOOTER Necklace with “Tondo Sole” pendant in yellow gold and steel BULGARI Tie pin “Crâne Fou” with coral, sapphire, diamonds and yellow gold LORENZ BAUMER

Right hand: Silver ring “Espionne” HERMES Steel bracelet with 2 black Onyx BULGARI Bracelet “Atlas” cuff in titanium and sterling silver TIFFANY & CO Left hand:Watch Uno in blackened stainless steel de GRISOGONO

sur la terre in vogue

In Vogue at to look Where to shop and wh ive trends in for – the latest exclus ilable the fashion world, ava y all to you loc

In the Know with Chloé Kate Bosworth, Kylie Minogue, Kirsten Dunst, Natalie Portman, Chloé Sevigny and Katie Holmes. This may sound like a random list of 21st century high-society, but there is actually one commonality that all of these paragons of personality share: good taste. Why, you ask? Well, not only do each of these gorgeous women want to date certain members of our editorial team, they also have a keen eye for beauty in other forms. Each of these scintillating starlets have become loyal customers of one of the most respected luxury prêt-a-porter houses in the world: Chloé. Thanks to the opening of a brand new Chloé boutique at Qatar’s own luxury destination, The Pearl, these distinctive Hollywood tastes have never been closer to home. The uniquely artistic 227 square metre boutique creates an incredible atmosphere of radiance, made all the more brilliant by its gilded leaf-encrusted central dome and further magnified by Chloé’s refined yet bohemian legacy. That carefree yet classic feminine soul ruffles within the store’s ready-to-wear collections, stretches languidly in its leather goods and accessories and swims in its fragrances. Chloé has inspired greatness across the world since the days of Jackie Kennedy and Grace Kelly, and we are certain its legacy in Qatar will continue to saunter romantically well into the future.

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Making Home Homemade We’re guessing that, over the summer, you’ve been staying indoors quite a bit thanks to the seasonal heat that dominates the Gulf. All that time inside can lead to a serious case of Cabin Facelift Fever (CFF), a condition caused by imprisonment within the drab decorations and dated decor of your own home. Symptoms may include stir-craziness, obsessive cleaning, excessive sighing, palastaie limosae (commonly known as mud wrestlers rash) and headaches. Luckily, CFF is treatable with regular inoculations of interior individualisation. To assist in doling out these doses of redesign is the new BoConcept Urban Design brand in City Centre mall. Having been an international sensation for years and now boasting a presence in 27 countries, BoConcept has come to Doha to deck-out modern men and women who have a keen eye for DIY customisation. The new 590 square metre space offers a full range of furnishings and accessories to transform your humble hovel into an ultramodern mansion of magniﬁcence. The new 2010 BoConcept collection has just rolled into town and it is an international ﬁesta in dazzling colours like ochre yellow and deep purple (great band, by the way). These bold expressions run like a rainbow throughout all the furnishings. If the new range is too diverse, don’t worry because the good folks at BoConcept can provide you with personal consultation or, by utilising their home decorating software Furnish, can reignite that crippled creativity. Don’t let CFF get you down; instead, go get your shot of the anti-shanty, now available at BoConcept.

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Captain Hermès & The World of Tomorrow! Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow was one of the coolest films of 2004 thanks to its retro-futuristic take on science fiction, and an almost anachronistic visual and fashion stye that immediately registered the classic look of late 1930s pulp action serials. Hermès, in a possible bid to relive its initial booming days of the same time period, has captured the same retro-chic feel in its latest Autumn/ Winter Femme collection. Bomber jackets with fat, furry lapels and trenchcoats with broad shoulders and alternatively steep or sloping silhouettes collide in a fantastic milieu of dark cocoa browns, friction-defying blacks and charcoal purples that look as though they are still glowing with the ashen heat of an organic kiln. The way leather simultaneously sticks and flows like the dual nature of rich chocolate is a sight to behold, and one that Hermès is always so adept at effortlessly achieving. Silken dresses offer the liquid ooze of spilt ink, while sometimes pulling back its own drape to allow a peek of a soft, pink underbelly. The natural waist is back in fashion, and is defined here by cuts and silhouettes that

appear almost premature, if they didn’t give the look such a deﬁned equilibrium. We love this collection, from the goggle-domed top to the lacy toe or buckle-clad boot, and while it’s surely a throwback to the past, we’re certain it will propel the already sky-scraping name of Hermès into an even higher atmosphere of fashion this season.

Fashion-ton DC

Back in the day, if you were d--o-w-n with the k-id-s, you had to get yourself a pair of DC shoes. All of the skaters, boarders and bikers were wearing them, and the only chance you stood at looking cool after completely screwing up a switch foot ollie or a rail slide was by sporting these kicks. In their over-75 years of existence, DC’s have been called many things by their devotees, including “dope,” “boss,” “rad,” “phat,” “fresh” and “ﬂy,” but it can all be summed up into one word: classic. Originally made in 1933 for the budding extreme sport set, DC has since skidded its way into mainstream fashion along with the stars that sport the brand’s style, like pro-skaters

Danny Way and Travis Pastrana. What started as a name dedicated solely to bangin’ stomps (shoes) is now a haven for graffitied-out, killer threads (clothes). Definitely catered for the younger audience (in mind if not in body), DC has officially landed in Doha for the very first time at its base of operations in Metropolis at City Center Mall. Whether you’re an avid skater or just a spectator that digs the style, DC is destined to be your hookup for a whole new look that is brash, brazen and non-conformist. Now go get threaded and meet us at the halfpipe; we’ve been working on our varial double heelflip! Bring some band-aids.

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Who’s Your ‘dados’? Pink. That’s the first word that popped into our heads when we received information about ‘dados’. Every piece of literature from ‘dados’ is lined with eye-popping hot pink or dotted with electric fuchsia. That was our first sign that this is unashamedly a place for the girlygirls. Founded in frilliness in Autumn of 2008 by sisters Hanadi and Heba Mohammed Al-Okar, ’dados’ is a unique concept in Doha, which brings together trendy fashion brands with hair and beauty spa treatments, all under one roof. The ‘dados’ mixology mentality doesn’t end there, though, as the interior of its Al Seal Residence location in West Bay includes elements of not only a rich tradition of the Middle East, but also that of the Far East. Painted cherry blossom trees and traditional Japanese symbols of revitalisation twist and sway across the walls of the salon, their roots hiding under a cherry wood floor, decorated in soft pinks, of course. The vivid design and vibrant environment of ‘dados’ may be girl-giggle inducing, but the indulgent treatments allow daddy’s little girls to get pampered like the princesses they are, or would like to be. Holistic treatments, traditional

hammams, exclusive designer products and innovative therapies are all available from a comprehensive menu of options. We’re particularly intrigued by the Cupcake Manicure and Twinkle Toes Pedicure; unfortunately these are just for kids, but what are we supposed to do about OUR twinkle toes? For that quintessential “chic-chick” experience, there’s no place better than ‘dados’.

Be My Valentino Cruella de Vil. Now there was a villainess with more than just an evil streak; she also had a sense of style. We can appreciate that ... well, apart from the whole obsession with making a fur coat out of puppies, but nobody’s perfect, right? Still, if we were going to pick a famous character that reminds us of the new Valentino Fall/Winter line, it would deﬁnitely be Madame de Vil, and maybe that’s why we love it so much. Much like Cruella’s form, the straight-laced silhouettes that slink down the new Valentino collection in sleek, slim and professional lines seem to double deliciously as tightly pursed lips, just barely holding back the icy grin of a sensuous femme fatale. Each look seems to celebrate the contrastive elegance of a cheeky stoicism. Inky, slinky knee-length dresses geyser upwards in a midnight gush of curvaceous darkness before arching in a crescent at the shoulder and falling

gracefully down an attached cloak before finally pooling into an edgy lining of moonlit silver fur. Other looks lustre in wild reptile prints and leopard furs, complimenting high waists with almost fluid silhouettes and billowing forms. The end effect in the entire range of colourful designs, from quietly simmering reds and softly electrifying emeralds, is a lusciously liquid feel, perfect for the most dynamic of divas. For a completely different look and feel, there is the new Valentino 360V bag. Unlike Cruella de Vil, who prefers “evil clutches,” these new hobo bags are loose and relaxed, but do not fall into slovenliness with their flexible approach to shoulder fashion. Much like Cruella and a baby Dalmatian, we wouldn’t suggest putting these two different styles in the same room, but separated and in their own space, they’re both great things with which to be seen.

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Give in to Givenchy Remember the 1985 cinematic classic Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome? Of course you do! In it, the legendary Tina Turner plays Aunty Entity, the self-appointed leader of the post-apocalyptic enclave, Bartertown. Not only did this energy-mongering monarch have a ruthless streak (and a righteous little turquoise crossbow), she also had a wicked fashion sense, consisting mostly of colourful chain mail, feathered shoulder pads and hard-nosed sloping cuts, all exemplifying the barbarous nature of the world over which she so deftly ruled. Such is also the case with the 2009/10 Haute Couture Givenchy line, led creatively by Riccardo Tisci. Here, the new Italian icon expertly employs heightened shoulders, unexpectedly jarring silhouettes, fang-sharp cross cuts and sheer drops from alternatively billowing and keen waistlines into fitted, tapered bottoms to somehow marry his usual gothic style with that of a nomadic dystopia of futuristic design. Softening the jagged edges of gilded industrial coronets, the barbed decadence of facial jewellery inspired from an Arabic bedouin past and sparklingly sharp knuckle-dusters is the flared plume of dramatically sweeping gowns and the ghostly opacity of ultra-fine, full-body veils. Ornamental jewel highlights studded many of the lighter pieces in a rash of robust colour. If Aunty Entity were real, we think she would vocally appreciate in her maniacally shrill way this quasi-futuristic, 1980s inspired look ... right before she banished us to the wastelands to battle mutant hyenas using only our wits. CURSE YOU, AUNT ENTITY!!!!

What’s it Jaula-bout? When the opportunity came up this past July to visit the Grand Hyatt’s brand new Jaula Spa, the SLT editorial department decided who would go in the only civilised and professional manner possible: ﬁsticuffs. Although a decidedly un-tranquil way to determine who would go to Doha’s newest relaxing spa experience, we were all too willing to brandish arms against one another for the simple chance to unwind in what promises to be one of the country’s most premiere spots of serenity. Coming out victorious was Kelly, our resident business editor, who excitedly rushed to the spa whilst the rest of us licked our wounds. Needless to say, Kelly was in the mood to relax, and so she did in what she called an “immersive, all-calming experience.” As part of the Grand Hyatt’s worldwide “Hyatt Pure” line, which mixes an overarching attention to relaxation with local culture, the Jaula philosophy incorporates the best in Western spa treatments and therapies with emotive, cultural touches from the rich traditions of the Middle East. Meaning journey in Arabic, Jaula takes you on a quest where every sense is sensationally quieted. Much to our envious rage, Kelly lovingly extolled to us how Jaula helped her achieve a decompressed essence thanks to the spacious, private interior of its treatment rooms and its multifaceted menu, which includes a near endless assortment of massages, body rubs and exfoliating treatments, all using natural materials and holistic methods. We were all impressed by the look and feel that Kelly described, and have vowed to go into martial arts training so that next time, we will be prepared for battle. Besides, Kelly’s so relaxed these days thanks to Jaula, we ﬁgure she’ll be a pushover.

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In Vogue Vacancies Have you ever been chastised for “sitting in your ivory tower?” Well we have, and while we were initially a bit insulted for being referred to as “elitist,” now we welcome such a turn of phrase, thanks to Alfardan Properties’ newest residential destination, One Porto Arabia. This future ﬁxture on The Pearl’s fashionable facade is set to lustre the layout of Doha’s manmade island in the luxury of lush accommodation. One Porto Arabia is situated on the catwalk-cum-boardwalk of Porto Arabia, where fashion, fun and sea-faring adventure lay within steps of the front door. In any of its one to three bedroom apartments, one to four bedroom townhouses or duplex units, its residents can rest assured in the fact that they will be possessed by panning views of the enticingly emerald Arabian Gulf. The interior decor of the rooms offers comfort in the grandeur of ultramodern amenities, modish modern styles and the height of 21st century techno-chic, all the while emanating a traditional Middle Eastern spirit. If relaxing in reﬁnement or taking in the neighbourly sights just isn’t your thing, you can always pop down to the in-house cafe for a bite and sip, head to the pool or jacuzzi for a simmer and trot to one of the gyms to get a little more ripped. Alfardan has truly nailed this one and established a whole new way to live. Feel free to go sit in your ivory tower.

Revolving Dior We’ve got three words for Dior: lacy facemask ... seriously? Don’t get us wrong, we love us some Dior fashion, particularly when their conceptualist styles are eccentric, offbeat and hard to grasp at first. It’s like staring in the face of a colourful postmodern painting; it’s weird, it’s unexpected, but you know what, you kinda like it. Honestly, we’re starting to warm to the lightweight, near-transparent veil worn across the eye in this otherwise classic collection. It sort of brings together the worlds of Jackie-O and Stanley Kubrick; plus, it gives off a very superhero vibe, and who doesn’t like superheroes? During the coming autumn season, Dior not only shocks and surprises with little touches like this one, it also drips with the elegant flow of femininity. Swooping silhouettes cascade their way down flared lines in the rich, dark embers of the season, sometimes coming to an abrupt, chunky end in bunches in the classic fur coats. Form-hugging evening gowns similarly trace the length from shoulder to toes, which are tucked into rounded shoes that either define or defy the convention of the outfit. As per usual, the Dior style takes our heads for a spin, revolving through worlds both classic and contemporary and making us dizzily hungry for more.

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Ricci Rich Nina Ricci may be old, but as the old saying goes, “the older the berry, the sweeter the juice” ... or something like that. In any event, the popular brand has been facilitating fashion aficionados since the mom and son team of Maria “Nina” and Robert first flung open the doors of the now world-famous Parisian fashion house back in 1932. Since then, the essentially feminine brand has not only stood the harsh test of time by continually stepping up fashion across the world, it has also kept itself new by diversifying

from its original focus in apparel to shoes, accessories and even fragrances; and it hasn’t stopped there. Just in time for Fall, Nina Ricci is showing that even a 70-years-young lady like her has some fresh moves and good looks. The very ﬁrst bag collection to be produced by the traditional tailors is called Ondine, and will incorporate the classic spirit of the house while bringing in new elements and materials to help launch the label well into the future.Whether it’s a tote, hobo, clutch, crescent moon or shoulder

bag you’re after, Nina Ricci has quite possibly the best of the best, as each stitch in the colourful materials, which include lamb, python and alligator, is expertly rendered by the steady hand of ﬁne Italian craftsmen. Almost all of the bags show off the instantly recognisable signatures of the brand in braided chords, knotted threads and in the twisted crest of the classic emblem. The mistress of reinvention Nina Ricci has done it again, and will undoubtedly provide the bag industry with just the pick-me-up it needs.

Bobby... er... Bobbi Brown When Sur la Terre’s regional managing editor ﬁrst came over and said, “Hey, Bobby Brown has some new stuff out,” excitement leapt across the workspace like a proud jungle cat. We immediately threw on the old New Edition hit Candy Girl and reminisced fondly about the glory days of early 80s R&B. It had been a while since Brown, the former Mr. Whitney Houston, had dropped an album and being fans of his earlier work, we were aquiver with anticipation. The record skipped suddenly when someone dropped the buzz-kill that it was Bobbi Brown, the famed mistress of make up and not Bobby Brown, the infamous upstaging megalomaniac that captured our hearts so many years ago. Drat! Still, our buzz wasn’t completely blown thanks to the new limited line from Mrs. Brown. The natural “nude” look she made famous is still reinventing the way women like to look. Her Nude Shimmer Brick is awash in ﬁve organic shades of pearl, from lively pinks to lovely caramels, each one grasping at the natural glow of soft feminine features and bringing them

to the foreground, rather than just covering them up in a caked-on calamity. Enhancing the Shimmer Brick further is Brown’s new Creamy Lip Colour line, which captures the rich autumnal hues of Rose Bud and Twilight amongst others. Decorating the look in a thin ﬁnal touch is the Caviar Ink Long Wear Gel Eyeliner, which still shines in the award-winning mixture of liquid ease and the rigid endurance of gel. The end result is an uncluttered earthen beauty with just-subtle hints of a deeper angelic glow. After almost 20 years of being a cosmetics queen to cosmic culture, it’s impressive that Brown can still delight. Of course, we still think that the way she calls it the New “Limited” Edition is a veiled reference to the original Bobby Brown supergroup ... yeah, we can’t back that up.

Sur La Terre International S.A. Head ofﬁce: 26 avenue de la Praille – 1227 GENEVA – SWITZERLAND Tel: + 41 22 310 48 00 | Fax: + 41 22 310 48 01

Timeless design The dreaming child who used to draw buildings is now a prestigious architect, able to turn your ﬂat it into a private oasis with a panoramic view. Gregory Phillips’ beautiful residential projects won numerous awards and are the subject of many articles. Here, we try to know more about the man behind the work. WORDS: Francesca Serra

PICTURES: Peter Johnston, Paul Smoothy

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< Details of a beautiful property in Totteridge, an of a sofisticated lighting >

high level of knowledge gained from international 5 stars travel”. By managing numerous assignments, and coping with a variety of needs and expectations, he developed the ability to deal with all the aspects of the process. Among his clients he counts some important personalities, both in the ﬁeld of arts and business thanks to his reputation for fulﬁlling even the most ambitious plans.

>>> Each of Phillips’ projects is a distinct homogenous and relaxing universe. The lines drawn by his mind evoke precision and calm, while his use of lighting brings a poetic touch. During his studies he was inspired by Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Alvar Aalto, Carlo Scarpa. He gained extensive experience in residential and office projects, restaurants and galleries working for David Chipperfield and Julyan Wickham. Today he creates refined modernist buildings which are striking for their modern but personalised formula. “I have worked on high quality private houses since the late 1980’s. I set up my own office in 1991 largely based on residential projects. So I am very aware of the changing attitude and trends that have affected people’s houses. There has been a shift in expectation level. Today’s clients’ expectations are extremely high. They want their house to be better than the best hotel they have stayed in and they have an extremely

“I have developed an understanding of which questions to ask to elicit the brief from my clients. We also have a routine. However, all of our designs are bespoke tailored to each individual client. The analogy with Savile Row works in that whilst they have a routine of measuring, a style of pocket they prefer and a technique for checking the size, each suit ﬁts the customer perfectly. We make houses that ‘ﬁt’ our clients’ lifestyle.” Gregory provides full architectural and interior design services. “I am equally obsessed with interiors and architecture. I always loved the work of Le Corbusier, a man who had ideas about city planning, architecture, interiors and furniture. He also painted. I have taken a leaf from his book and started painting on large canvasses lately”. His inspiration drives him to a certain rigour and sobriety. He loves to follow all of a project’s phases against the general trend of specialisation. That’s why there is a strong trust between him and his trades people. “I like the traditional role of being the main person in charge of the entire project. In the era of building cathedrals and castles, before even the term architect came into being, there was one man responsible for everything, under whom worked the different skilled craftsmen and artisans.”

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< Partial view of an extention in the north of London, which opens out to a immense garden >

His end-to end job guarantees integrity and the respect of the strong idea behind a project. Since an architectural renewal always constitutes an emotionally overloaded project, the commitment of all the parts involved can lead to a result that is plenary and scatheless. Indeed he likes to create houses that combine pragmatic thinking with a sense of being a sanctuary from the outside world, joining glamour with spirituality. “I enjoy art that can be based on ideas and elements that live in two domains. I think, for example, of the work of Gerhard Richter, whose work I admire for its complexity and beauty.” Complexity is an element that Gregory can handle. He has indeed worked with listed buildings and has risen to the challenge of maintaining the historical exterior while obtaining a new striking building, harmoniously. He has turned English Heritage restrictions into a great opportunity. His extensions can span the width of the back of the house with giant windows. This option has proved very successful since it gives a great view to the outside without injuring the historical beauty and value of the structure.

An extension to a Victorian home in Kew earned him the Bentley International Property Award in 2005, and since then Gregory has become a kind of ultimate creator of extensions.

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“In my extensions, I have made my signature out of creating a strong connection with the inside and outside space. The ability to have a window about 10m long that looks onto a modern designed garden is a joy to live with. It creates a situation where the changing daily weather and changing season become part of the experience of living in the house.” Indeed Kew house was found to be very important for the owners to create a new space where the family can spend more time together and entertain friends. Thanks to his many tricks, like his walls of storage and the use of unfussy materials, Gregory is also a master in creating uncluttered spaces. “My view is that the design should be luxurious and simple, I would rather have one fantastic thing rather than ten indifferent things. I like things in their place, a wall of books is a pleasure to see but I won’t put it beside a screen because it would distract the eye. I consider comfort highly important, perhaps paramount”. “I believe that a combined kitchen with dining area and a sitting area that is elegant and, ideally, has a great external view helps support family life, as everyone can eat and live together. I prefer the home cinema to be in a dedicated room. Media rooms need to be darkened down and to allow for loud volume, so you can enjoy a movie with speakers turned up and the lights turned down.” The use of modern technology is indeed another element that can be used to control mood effectively.

< The upper floor of a building in Tabernacle Street, called Contemporary Chic. The sloping glass offers a wonderful connection to the outside, especially at night. Thanks to the electric actuators, it can also be instantly transformed into a balcony. >

All the awards and nominations have not slowed his creativity or increased his ego, and we will continue to see his superb examples of design, coupled with his humble manners.

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United Development Company Unveils Tower 4 at The Pearl The very first residential tower was opened to great pomp and circumstance at Qatar’s premiere showcase of the prowess and ingenuity of modern man, The Pearl. Welcoming new residents to the multinational community at Tower 4 on Porto Arabia last June, UDC staff celebrated in style with synchronised swimming displays, a breathtaking light show, a live band and a culinary kaleidoscope of international flavours from all of the 28 different nationalities that will or already do live in the monument to the modern home. The music, displays and food all harkened from places like Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, and delighted the new neighbors as they drank in the first unfettered glimpse of their new dwellings. On hand at the event was Eric Lebrun, Vice President of Assets

Top left to bottom right: Ibrahim Mohamed Al Jaidah, Jassim Jamal, Ali Muftah, Jaber Al Harami Omar AlFardan, Ahmed Hassan Bilal The Blue Diamond band and the singer Sevine Abiaad Synchronized swimmers from Slovakia

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Management at The Pearl, who said of the hallmark achievement in luxury living, “Now, you no longer need to climb onto an airliner and spend many hours to get someplace special, because your own home will be your favourite place to be.” Capping off the night was Mr. Khalil Sholy, Managing Director and President of UDC, who, through the scores of “ooohs” and “aaahs” brought about by the resounding entertainment, welcomed everyone quite profoundly as he stated, “The Pearl-Qatar truly is tomorrow’s world today.” Welcome to the future.

Top left to bottom right: Omar AlFardan, Ahmed Hassan Bilal, Hussain AlFardan, Ibrahim Mohamed Al Jaidah, Abdulrahman K. Jawhari The drummers from Austria

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sur la terre society

From Skid Marks to Hoof Prints: MotoGP Meets Al Shaqab In a unique showing of true horsepower, Al Shaqab hosted a unique event that brought together two distinctly different worlds of speed. In the early days of Summer 2009, MotoGP racers were welcomed at Al Shaqab to meet the forefathers of their mechanised vehicles in the sinuous musculature of the historically celebrated Arabian horse. Racers were invited to learn about, pet, feed and even ride the powerful equines that truly began manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s obsession with speed. Riders Randy de Puniet, Toni Elias, Loris Capirossi, Yuki Takahashi and Gabor Talmacsi all took a break from their busy training schedules to visit Qatarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous Al Shaqab farm and had an absolute blast trading in their bikes for a more organic approach to racing for the day. To their credit, all the riders were able to literally take the reigns of control and approached the unique experience with relish. Of course, it was hard to determine which group was more excited, the speedsters or the steeds!

Top left to bottom right: Loris Capirossi and Toni Elias Randy de Puniet and friends Loris Capirossi feeling the horsepower (big picture) Loris Capirossi in for a kiss and a carrot Toni Elias refuels his new ride The winning team of Al Shaqab and MotoGP

sur la terre clicks

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NY times Lens Blogs

Addicting Games

Fantastic Contraption

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com

www.addictinggames.com

www.fantasticcontraption.com

The first image in today’s “Showcase” on http:// lens.blogs.nytimes.com is a heartwarming picture of a loving couple sharing a tender moment and a cigarette. Set before an azure urban landscape darkened by looming backalley shadows and a tapestry of shadowy graffiti, the picture in no way lessens in beauty when you realise that these are two members of a group of Canadian castaway addicts. Clicking to the previous day’s entry engulfs you in an entirely different emotive response, as a small green patch of encircled foliage is dutifully watered amongst the concrete strangle of a metropolitan jungle. Such is the gut-wrenching, dichotomous visual and storytelling style of the New York Times’ official photojournalistic blog. Each day, the site is updated with the latest colourful pictures to be captured by the Times’ most skilled photographers and video journalists. While many of the pictures, videos and slideshows on the site do indeed come from in-house photographers, it also celebrates the work of non-NY Times affiliated photographers from a variety of different outlets. It’s easy to spend an entire afternoon gorging on the multimedia feast that the blog spreads before its audience.

Before us, a furiously furrowed brow seems stuck in a frozen quiver as beady eyes stare menacingly in a threatening challenge. Under the canopy of an ostentatiously large tricorne hat, a late-career Burt Reynolds smirk peeks out from behind the salt and pepper curtain of a wispy beard. Have we fallen asleep again after a marathon viewing session of Vincent Price’s Rage of the Buccaneers? Not this time! Instead, we are looking down the business end of one of our favourite new websites, www. addictinggames.com. In “Pirate Puzzler,” you are armed with a cannon, a steely gaze and a ﬁrm grasp of digital physics, and charged with the task of sinking treasure chests into Davey Jones’ Locker without disturbing obstacles like toxic green chemicals. This is just one of many highly absorbing games on the site, none of which make much “sense,” but all of which provide hours of work-ignoring entertainment. Yet another great time-waster is “Interactive Buddy,” wherein you meet a cute little character comprised completely of spheres, who you then proceed to pummel, immolate and bash with maniacal relish. With literally thousands of games on the site, you can kiss your productivity goodbye.

This site is a direct descendent of an old series of PC video games called The Incredible Machine, or TIM to his friends. The 1992 title allowed physics-minded players to build a machine out of various objects like gears, wheels, conveyor belts, cats and rockets to achieve an all too important goal like, say, popping a balloon or lighting a candle. Fantasticcontraption.com uses the same premise, giving the gamer the sworn duty of moving a pink block into a designated “Goal” area. Sounds pretty easy, doesn’t it? Well, just give it a go, hot-shot! We think you’ll find this “fun little time-waster” is much more complicated than its cartoony exterior belies. You are not given that many objects or materials to build with, but the combinations are near infinite. If you don’t have a firm grasp of physics and an unflappable resolve, it will break you down like a gas tank full of sugar. We thought we were doing pretty well with our inventions, simple though they were, but we were left humbled when we saw the saved videos on YouTube. We’d like to think these were designed by engineers, but somehow we think they were really made by five year olds. We hate it when that happens.

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sur la terre chapters

Frankenstein: Dead and Alive by Dean Koontz

Where the Wild Things Areby Dave Eggers

Christine by Stephen King

Dean Koontz has been shocking, thrilling and horrifying his avid reader fan base with his novels since the late 60’s. In his newest Frankenstein Trilogy, he displaces Shelley’s classic story into the contemporary age, tweaking its characters, building on its lofty premise and wringing more gravitas from an already weighty work. The trilogy tells the story of two New Orleans detectives, who are minding their own business - detecting this and that when they are one day recruited by a hulking man named Deucalion, to help ﬁnd renowned philanthropic billionaire Victor Helios. It turns out that Deucalion is Frankenstein’s original monster and Helios, Dr. Victor Frankenstein himself. Having escaped death, Helios/Victor has gone mad (or “madder” as the case may be for mad scientists), and is now back to prove his own mental might! Luckily, Deucalion and some of Helios’ renegade “monsters” are there to stop his schemes. Expansive yet intricate, the story employs a wide range of monstrosity, though one that is tempered in frailty. Well written and truly page-turning, Dead and Alive, which is predated by Prodigal Son and City of Night, is the perfect end to an incredible trilogy.

Where the Wild Things Are, originally a short children’s book written and illustrated in 1963 by Maurice Sendak, is by far one of the most memorable stories of its kind in America. The award-winning book is now a movie, directed by the legendary Spike Jonze. Jonze’s fellow co-writer on the film, Pulitzer-Prize winning Dave Eggers, has taken the story through yet another evolution by adapting the work into a 300+ page novel. Eggers stays true to the heart of the story, which sees a young boy named Max deal with his adolescent frustrations and overactive imagination by escaping from his mother and sailing to a fantasy world populated by terrifying yet lovable monsters. While never expressed in the original, Eggers explores the familial bond between Max and his mother, while introducing new elements to the story. Its critics say that the already deeply moving work does not need to be extended and that such a novelisation is unnecessary, but we think that its expansion draws out further elements for a whole new audience. We are certain that this book will succeed not only in filling that nostalgic hole for fans, but also in reigniting the dying imagination that was first sparked by the original.

Everyone remembers the first car that shows up in their group of friends. For us, it was a Toyota Corolla. This “Deathmobile” had many things: a skull-crowned gearshift, an inexplicable pile of our friend’s mother’s old shoes and ... an evil soul! One day, upon leaving, a sudden, sharp pain exploded in my thigh. The car bit me. IT BIT ME! We never trusted that rage-filled rust bucket after that. No wonder we understand Stephen King’s classic horror novel, Christine. This 1983 tome tells the story of a boy named Arnie. A geeky sort of guy who wants to increase his reputation and appeal at school, Arnie one day comes upon a beautiful 1958 Plymouth Fury. Slowly, the reader discovers that this “Christine” is slowly fixing itself from its rundown state and in so doing, is also fixing Arnie’s own appearance and attitude. The usually affable Arnie becomes increasingly aggressive as his friends notice something nefarious afoot. Christine then moves on a murderous killing spree, crushing anyone who threatens, insults or even questions Arnie. One of King’s most famous works, Christine has been made into a popular 1983 film. With the increasing intelligence of today’s cars, Christine is more topical than you’d first imagine, Honk if you are horrified!

sur la terre tunes

21st Century Breakdown, Green Day

Playing for Change, Mark Johnson

We’ve followed their recalcitrant career of Green Day ever since Kerplunk, which led to mega-hit Dookie. Of course, as with any entity that comes of age, Green Day suffered a bit of fat around the middle with albums like Insomniac and Nimrod. Just when it looked as though they would completely lose their stride, the boys dug in and nailed a big success in American Idiot, their ﬁrst foray into the musical odyssey of a coherent narrative, a style made popular by The Who. This smash hit has been followed up beautifully by their newest album, 21st Century Breakdown. In what has been described as a looser story thread, this “rock opera” follows the exploits of Christian and Gloria, a young couple trying to ﬁnd a strained sense of normality in a politically fractured world. Set in three acts, Breakdown incorporates all of the styles the group has employed throughout its career, from harder, throatily-whiny songs like “Know Your Enemy” to softer, wrenching tunes like “21 Guns.” If nothing else, this is a labour of love from central songwriter Billie Joe Armstrong. It’s sometimes weighed down by its own sense of purpose, but it’s still to standard with their phenomenal revitalised direction, and is already attracting well-deserved praise from the music community. Expect to use your repeat button liberally.

Playing for Change is one of the most amazing musical movements that has ever come into the Sur la Terre ofﬁces, and we don’t say that lightly. Begun in 2004 by producer Mark Johnson, Playing for Change is a webbased project that compiles different musical elements from around the world to make one uniﬁed song in an effort to, as Johnson says on the movement’s website, “inspire one another to come together as a human race.” A guitarist from France, a drummer from the Congo, a washboard player from New Orleans and singers from Atlanta, India, Amsterdam and South Africa all combine, without ever meeting, to perform covers of classics like “One Love,” “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” and probably the group’s most recognised song, “Stand by Me.” The harmony of styles, the idea of which might initially sound like a bad idea; almost like having too many cooks in the kitchen, is, in reality, an irresistibly delectable dish of delicious decibels. As cheesy as it may sound, listening to the new album, which was compiled and released earlier in 2009, actually does make you believe in the power of unity through music. If you aren’t stirred by Playing for Change, then we’re pretty sure something’s wrong with you.

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Heartbeat City, The Cars Has there ever been a band that that so successfully summed up an entire decade as The Cars? Well ... yes, quite frankly, but they’re still great! The Boston-based boys began their career in the mid-1970s before releasing their first single, “Just What I needed,” which has since become an anthem on classic radio and weight-loss ads on TV. From there, The Cars became experimental, mixing eccentric forms of music like synthetic pop and New Wave, with perhaps more “traditional” fare like rockabilly and punk. Highly stylised, a bit goofy and encapsulating everything so cleverly kitsch about the self-reflexive pop-art movement, The Cars found their stride in 1984 with Heartbeat City. The album includes hits like “Drive,” “Magic” and our personal favourite, “You Might Think,” the music video of which was the first to ever win an MTV Video of the Year award. It featured lead singer Ric Ocasek using his digital powers to transform into a fly, a giant monster, a tube of lipstick and an alarm clock: four objects that Ric incontrovertibly proved women cannot resist. The whole experience of The Cars can be summed up in this album: overly synthesised, confusingly nonconformist and quite simply amazing.

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sur la terre ﬂicks

Ponyo

District 9

Days of Thunder

Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki and his business baby, Stuido Ghibli, have been responsible for some of the most avant-garde examples of animation for the past 20 years. To date, their releases include the amazingly heart-wrenching Grave of the Fireflies, the epic Princess Mononoke and the Academy Awardwinning Spirited Away. Ponyo is the latest film to come down the pipeline from the legendary director and animation house. The title character is an anthropomorphic goldfish, and terrifying daughter of a powerful sea-sorcerer and the powerful yet benevolent goddess of the sea. One day, Ponyo runs away to shore and is found by a young boy named Sosuke, who takes her in and cares for her. After falling in love, Ponyo transforms herself into a human girl to spend more time with Sosuke and his family. However, this decision has stronger ramifications than either youngster expects, as the very magic Ponyo used to become human threatens to consume the entire world. Once again, Miyazaki’s animations prove to be fluid, beautiful and utterly timeless, brought to life by an impossible imagination and childlike glee of exploration. Do not miss this one!

We were beginning to lose hope in the cinematic scene last Summer. And then there was District 9. Directed by Neill Blomkamp and produced by Peter Jackson, District 9 expands on a short film Blomkamp created called Alive in Joburg. Over 20 years ago, an alien ship suddenly arrives above South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg. When humanity finally makes contact, it finds an alien populace in dire need of medical attention, food and help. Initially, things go fairly well, but things quickly devolve into an “us vs. them” mentality, and the “prawns” (as the aliens are derogatorily nicknamed) soon overstay their welcome. In present day, an organisation called Multinational United (MNU) polices District 9, the alien zone that has since become a fencedin, dilapidated breeding ground for illicit activity. Shot in a gritty, guttural documentary style with penetrating social commentary, the film is expertly driven by a hapless MNU official named Wikus, who, while performing his duties evicting the District 9 population to another site, finds out much more about the prawns than he is prepared to discover, and it may change him and the world forever. Oooh!

“I’m droppin’ the hammer!” These emotionally charged words are probably the only memorable things about the 1990 “classic,” Days of Thunder. Some of us recalled watching the flick at the time and remembered it being dated even back then, but we were driven (get it?) to revisit the tender yet schizophrenic days of the early 90s and watch this movie, despite any adverse effects to our mental health it may induce. Blasted by critics for being a blatant Top Gun clone (which it is), Days of Thunder follows the developmental exploits of upand-coming Nascar driver Cole Trickle (Cruise). Cole is driven (there it is again) to prove his hot-shot attitude is not just a brash flapping of gums. It’s a rough, rocky climb to the top, with as many twists and turns as a Nascar track, which is to say, not many. Along the way, he is forced to find peace with his sponsors, defeat veteran Rowdy Burns and find love with neurosurgeon Dr. Claire Lewicki (Kidman). If the tang of cinematic cheese isn’t your taste, then the all-star cast should be worth the price of admission. Cruise’s character sums it up in a fit of philosophy when he says, “I’m more afraid of bein’ nothin’ than I am of bein’ hurt.” That’s called bravery, folks.

sur la terre tv

127

Glee

Top Gear

Knight Rider

The desperate, disenfranchised cries of ostracised youth always make good fodder for tv shows and bad poetry, but never have these high-pitched whines been so pleasing to the ear. Set in the American midwest, Glee follows a Spanish language teacher at McKinley High School who has taken moderator duties over the glee club. This singing club is basically known as the musical realm of geeks, nerds, dorks and otherwise frowned-upon subsets of teenage culture. The war between these outcasts, and the “popular” kids is welltraveled territory for this type of show, but the difference in Glee is that it is actually a musical. Covering nearly every genre, Glee includes songs from award winning stage shows like Les Miserables to new tracks from pop music stars like Rhianna. With topical central themes and deep insights into American high school culture, Glee feels like a big televised breath of fresh air; the kind that makes a whistle when you inhale. Critical reception has been strong so far, so with any luck, this new show will be singing its way over to the Gulf in less than a quarter note. Tune up now so you can sing along later.

Top Gear is more than just a TV show. It’s an institution. Hosted by its three now-legendary presenters, Top Gear has, in its giggle-gilded, gear-headed format, redefined how car magazine shows should be. While born under a moon of British machismo, which, despite what you may think, isn’t an oxymoron, the show has transcended unilateral coolness and achieved global masculine appeal. Segments on the show include multi-vehicular races pitting, for instance, a car (Bugatti Veyron) against a fighter jet, and a truck (Toyota Hilux) against a dogsled in a race to the north pole. Challenges are a bit less rigorously defined, but usually include, to great effect, ridiculous driving scenarios, perilous races, biting social commentary and, of course, caravans. We’ve even seen them jump a herd of bouncy castles in an ice cream truck. As you do. One of our favourite segments is “Star in a ReasonablyPriced Car,” wherein a celeb takes the reigns of a Chevrolet Lacetti and peels around the track for quick times and bragging rights. The leader board for most races is topped by the show’s resident masked motorist, The Stig, whose driving prowess, and true identity, are both infinitely bewildering. Top Gear is now in its 13th season on British TV, and is available in all of its seasonal brilliance on DVD.

“Knight Rider, a shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a man who does not exist. Michael Knight, a young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless in a world of criminals who operate above the law.” Even the velvet baritone of this opening speech from the classic 80s programme is cool. Knight Rider follows the exploits of war veteran/detective, Michael Long, whose face was shattered in a murderous double-cross. Luckily for our hero, he was saved from death by two things every lionhearted lothorio needs: a mysterious billionaire benefactor and a metal skull plate. Wishing to build a new form of steely justice before his demise, the ailing Wilton Knight rehabilitates and recruits the poorly detective, arming him with a cooler identity, skin-tight jeans, a perm and of course, KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand), a talking Pontiac Firebird. Whether they were fighting dastardly crime lords, crooked rock stars, corrupt country sheriffs or evil doppelgängers named “Garthe,” Michael and KITT always used their wits and keenly synchronised combat maneuvers to fight for truth, justice and chicks. The complete series is now available on DVD.

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sur la terre snapshot

I was inspired to take this photo when I saw my little brother crying. I noticed how the light hit the teardrops and how they clung onto the eyelashes, so I decided to try and replicate the effect with a water drop on my sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyelashes. It took several attempts to get the droplet right using an eye dropper, testing both mine and my sisters patience. However, I ďŹ nally got the shot I wanted and it was worth it. I used a 100mm macro lens and I decided to make the photo black and white to focus on the tones and lighting of the subject, rather then letting the viewer get distracted by the colours. Photographer: Dana Ali Bin Ali

sur la terre cultural agenda

THE AGENDAf the biggest A detailed directory o events and coolest activities in the region !

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2009

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sur la terre the agenda

Global Champions Tour November 11th - 15th, 2009

Horse riding, presentation and jumping have all been staples in Qatari culture and sporting history for years, and the country’s obsession with horses in general has gone back hundreds more. Jumping in particular has seen a renewed passion for local equestrian aficionados in recent years, with many of the world’s best showcasing their talents on the Qatari stage. To celebrate that interest this year, the Global Champion’s Tour (GCT), the first international outdoor series of eight or more of the most prestigious international show jumping competitions, is once again coming to Qatar. While it hosted the kick-off event last year, Doha will, in 2009, host the wildly popular show’s final and it is one that will surely attract the sport’s VIPs as well as those looking to see one of the most amazing spectacles in the world of equestrianism today. Created only a few years ago in 2006, the GCT has quickly become one of the most important series of events for the top-ranked riders in the world. The event is tantamount to the PGA Golf Tour, the F1 series of races and the ATP Tennis Series, but without question is much more naturally beautiful than all of these thanks to the breathtaking nature of the world’s finest steeds. Officially accredited by

the International Equestrian Federation (FEL), the GCT has garnered some of the finest partners and sponsors from across the board, but it has never found such a like-minded associate than Doha’s own Qatar Equestrian Federation, who is proud to host the event this year. The final

will be, as they say in the sporting world, “the granddaddy of them all,” and will undoubtedly capture the imagination of all lucky attendees. To find out how you can be a part of the neighing, whinnying and jumping action, trot on over to http://www.globalchampionstour.com

sur la terre the agenda

Brazil v England

Doha Debates

November 14th, 2009

Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier. Hulk Hogan v Andre the Giant. Godzilla v power lines. Truly the world has seen its fair share of titanous battles both within and outside of the realm of sports. However, while these epic battles were pitched abroad ... or in the land of fantasy ... it will be Doha that will stand as the site for the next legendary heavyweight battle when, in November, England and Brazil will duke it out in a “friendly” game of football. Recently announced by the events coordinators Qatar Football Association and Al Jazeera, the game will tentatively take place on November 14, 2009, though this largely depends on England’s schedule within their World Cup qualifying group. Still, the excitement has come to a fever pitch for what we are calling “The Quarrel in Qatar,” which we’re pretty sure will catch on; come on, it’s much better than “Rumble in the Jungle” any day! Anyway, the match has been officially confirmed by both sides, as well as all event organisers involved, and when it does happen, it will be a finger-licking feast for football fanatics across the country. Both teams have been

October 12th, , 09 - June 17th, 2010 looking good in 2009, with England winning most of its international games and Brazil still fresh from a Confederations Cup win in South Africa. Regardless of your personal preference or particular side you support, one thing is for sure when Rooney, Cole and Beckham match wits and kits with Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka: this is gonna be good! To keep up to date with any new developments, visit the Qatar FA at http://en.qfa.com.qa

Oryx World Cup Championships November 19th - 21st, 2009

With all this talk of motorsport this issue, let’s not forget the kind that takes place off the tarmac. Normally a kingdom shared by traditional dhows, hammour fish and Aquaman, the Arabian Gulf is very soon going to be the host for something completely different. On behalf of the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF), HE Sheikh Hassan Bin Jaber Al Thani signed a landmark agreement with the American Boat Racing Association (ABRA) to host what will prove to be one of the fastest, most heart-palpitating events that Doha has ever seen. The inaugural Oryx Cup World Championship takes place in November and will showcase the unbridled power of no less than 10 unlimited hydroplanes, the uncontested fastest boats in the world today. Using a T-55 L7 turbine engine usually reserved for military helicopters, these bad boys of the deep blue can reach speeds exceeding 200

mph! Officially, this is the final of the ABRA World Championships, but it will surely reshape the watery landscape of Qatar’s marine motorsport future. This new excursion into Qatar waters shows that this showcase of speed is spreading. To find out more about QMSF and to keep updated with this and other events, go to www.qmsf.org

The dull rumble of conversation that has rolled around Doha for the past few months will finally build into a trumpeting roar once again. Starting in October, hip fans of current events and polite conversation can all rejoice, as The Doha Debates once again charge onto the political and social scene here in Qatar. Now entering into its 6th series, the Debates took a brief respite for the Summer, with its June edition finding 62 percent of attendees voting in favour of allowing Muslim women the right to choose their own husbands, a stark contrast to polls previously conducted both by the Debates and elsewhere. This result just goes to show how electrifying, enlightening and topical the monthly debates can be, as well as the freedom and transparency allowed in discussing such subjects. Hosted by seasoned journalistic veteran Tim Sebastian and covering a wide range of topics with special guests, the Doha Debates have quickly established themselves as a local treat for students, professionals, armchair philosophers and political punters not only to hear what their contemporaries think, but also to throw in their own two cents worth. This, of course, is not to mention the worldwide exposure the Debates have garnered, turning it into a global free-speech phenomenon. Attending The Doha Debates is free, easy and definitely well worth it. To literally be a part of historical discourse in the making, visit the official website at www.thedohadebates.com or email thedohadebates@qf.org.qa

sur la terre the agenda

Jewellery Arabia 2009 November 17th - 21st, 2009

As long as recent memory serves, Jewellery Arabia has been the venue in the Middle East to rub elbows with the finest pieces of jewellery in the region, and outside of it. Where else will you be able to sit with Cartier, Chopard, De Beers, Graff, Harry Winston, Piaget, Al Zain and Van Cleef & Arpel all at the same time and under the same roof? Of course, many purely national brands also participate in the yearly event. Hailing from places like Brazil, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Thailand and Turkey, these names may be less well-known, but they are definitely no less impressive. As with the previous shows, the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre is sure to dazzle in the bright reflection of pricelessness. Over 600 exhibitors from 30 separate countries were on-hand for the 2008 edition of the show, which saw the jaws of over 42,000 visitors drop at the brilliance of the bright and beautiful stones that peppered the 18,000 square metres of showroom floor like the mirrored sequins of a rotating disco ball. This was the largest show in the event’s history, and despite any concerns with “financial crises,” event organisers have predicted that this year’s will exceed the glamour of last year’s record-breaking event. To see exactly who is going to show up this year, as well as floor plans and information about admissions, go to http:// www.jewelleryarabia.com/. As a final caution, we highly suggest you bring some shades with you. It tends to get brilliant in there.

III

Horse Racing Season Start October, 2009 - April, 2010

It’s time to get ready for REAL horsepower! That’s right, the thunderous beat of hooves are beginning to rumble to a steady beat as probably Bahrain’s favourite past time is once again coming round the bend. Established in in 1977, the Equestrian and Horse Racing Club was the first governmental body to formalise the sport. The facility in Raffa boasts two turf tracks measuring 2400 metres with a 1200 metre straightaway, which gives plenty of room for these ponies to pound it out. The grandstand is capable of seating over 3,000 fans who will no doubt be chomping at the bit to see the best of the best go nose to nose. The stable is packed with the finest equines on earth, offering a mix of the local Arabian thoroughbred heroes, as well as handpicked international sensations. The racing season officially begins in October and is a long trot to April. The heats happen six times a day, one day a week with an average of nine horses for each race.

For more information about admission prices and race dates, head to www.bhhorseracing.com

BIC Driving Experiences September 18th, 09 - December 18th, 2009 The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is known the world over for its divested interest in the study and execution of pure adrenaline and speed. However, not ones to hog the limelight, the folks at BIC are willing to let you jump in the seat of a speedster. Throughout the Autumn and Winter seasons, the BIC holds open track days for those who want to test their mettle by putting the pedal to the metal in their own rides. If you’re the kind of person who wants to push your driving ability and vehicular vigor without having to worry about silly little things like “breaking the law,” then this is the event for you. Alternatively, you can experience getting behind the wheel of something a little different, like the rear-wheel-drive 160bhp Caterham buggy, probably the closest you’ll ever get to an F1 car without stealing it. For good old fashion racing fun, BIC also offers more than a few karting days for you to peel around the course like the crazy little lead-footed maniac you are! If you’re more

passenger than driver, the BIC has you covered, with exciting 4X4 off-road and V8 Lumina race car driving experiences. All in all, any of these options presents a great way to spend a day at the track. To find out more about availability and to see the events calendar, screech on over to www.bahraingp.com

4 IV

sur la terre the agenda

Dubai World Championships November 17th - 22nd, 2009

Long touted as “Golf’s Ultimate Prize,” the last stop on the 2009 European Tour season has recently taken a hit, and it’s not the straight drive we were all expecting. Instead, it’s a bit off centre and on the edge of a sand trap. Of course, we are dealing with professionals here, and any avid player will tell you to never give up and to keep on swinging! So what if the purse of the upcoming Dubai World Championships has taken a 25 percent cut, there is still US $7.5 million at stake here, and even for the most seasoned pro, that’s nothing to sneeze at, particularly in these trying times. Besides, as of press time, no participant who agreed to play in The Race to Dubai is pulling out, which means that the star power is still going to be just as bright, with pros like Martin Kaymer, Paul Casey, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood amongst many, many others. Besides, there are other things to look forward to than just the money aspect, like the guaranteed quality of play and of course, the absolutely majestic Earth course developed by the legendary Greg Norman. Depending on how the crisis will further effect the sport of golf, this might not just

be the first Dubai World Championship ... it might also be the last. But hey, that just means it’s going to be more exclusive, and we just LOVE exclusives. To keep tabs on the progression of the event, and to see how you can be a part of history, swing on over to www.dubaiworldchampionship.com

International Film Festival December 9th - 16th, 2009

Created with the intention to “Lead in building cultural understanding through creative achievement in film,” the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has always celebrated superb cinematic selections, both domestic and international. Since its birth in 2004, DIFF has showcased and awarded hundreds of quality films, proving that not only are local audiences well-informed film-ites, but also that they are just as adept in the art of movement’s creation. On a global scale, the festival has carried and presented such films as last year’s hit, Slumdog Millionaire and has even been attended by Hollywood’s shiniest stars, such as Ben Affleck, Salma Hayek, Danny Glover, Nicolas Cage and Martin Scorsese. Even though DIFF has grown by leaps, bounds and skyrocketing numbers, it still remains a pure showcase of world cinema philosophy

and proves a commitment to creativity and art in the region. DIFF allows budding filmmakers and actors a bigger piece of the pie, with over 28 internationally lauded prizes worth more than US $575,000. To learn more and to see what the DIFFerence is, head to www.dubaifilmfest.com

Dubai Motor Show November 16th - 20th, 2009

After a long two years, the Dubai International Motor Show is finally back to crank the engine of every single Gulf-based gear head, or anyone who has ever taken the time to gape at a sweet ride. This year marks the 10th time that the show has screeched into Dubai, and despite what you may hear about the “depressing” nature of similar events in Geneva and Frankfurt, this year’s show is set to pop the clutch and speed shift into unleaded excitement. It has always been known for being the best motor show in the region, most probably because of the draw that Dubai always seems to have; even now during what some people call “economic turmoil,” but what we simply refer to as a speed bump. Still, the Middle East is the bread and butter of the car industry at the moment, so the big names are bound to make a bid for glory in Dubai this year. That addiction to affluence has brought in quite a few celebs, VIPs and members of royalty to the show, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of other attendees who race to the biennial event. Of course, the stars of the show will be the beautiful rides that drape the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre like a fibre glass canvas of artistry. Huge names like Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Bugatti and Bentley are but a few dignitaries of diesel that have shown up in the past and promise to do the same this year and well into the future. To get more information about the Dubai International Motor Show, such as the 2009 exhibitors and registration information, go to www.dubaimotorshow.com. Race you there!

5 REGIONAL HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND CAFÉS GUIDE ABU DHABI

HOTELS < Al Raha Beach Hotel Al Raha Corniche Tel: +971 2 508 0555 www.danathotelgroup.com 5 Star < Beach Rotana Hotel and Tower Tourist Club Area 2 Tel: +971 2 697 9000 www.rotana.com/property-4 5 Star < Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Sheikh Hamdan St. Tel: +971 2 621 0000 www.crowneplaza.com 5 Star < Emirates Palace Hotel Corniche Road Tel: +971 2 690 9000 www.emiratespalace.com 5 Star < Hilton Baynunah Corniche Road Tel: +971 2 632 7777 www.hilton.com 5 Star < Intercontinental 4171 Bainuna Street near Zayet Tel: +971 2 666 6888 www.ichotelsgroup.com 5 Star < Le Royal Meridien Khalifa Street Tel: +971 2 674 2020 www.Starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien 5 Star < Millenium Hotel Khalifa Street Tel: +971 2 614 6000 www.milleniumhotels.com/ae 5 Star < Oryx Hotel Corniche Road Tel: +971 2 681 0001 www.oryxhotel.ae 5 Star < Sands Hotel Electra Street Tel: +971 2 615 6666 5 Star < Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri 308th Road Tel: +971 2 509 8888 www.shangri-la.com 5 Star < Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort Corniche Road & Salam Street Tel: +971 2 677 3333 www.Starwoodhotels.com/sheraton 5 Star RESTAURANTS < Al Birkeh Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Tel: +971 2 644 6666 www.abudhabi.lemeridien.com Cuisine: Arabic < Al Fanar Le Royal Meridien Tel: +971 2 674 2020 Cuisine: International < Al Mawal Abu Dhabi Hilton Hotel, Al Khubeirah Tel: +971 2 681 1900

Cuisine: Arabian < Bam Bu! Marina & Yacht Club, Al Meena Tel: +971 2 645 6373 Cuisine: Chinese < Benihana Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers Tel: +971 2 644 3000 www.rotana.com Cuisine: Japanese < Flavours Sheraton Abu Dhabi, Corniche Rd East Tel: +971 2 677 3333 www.sheraton.com Cuisine: International < Fish Market Intercontinental Abu Dhabi Tel: +971 2 666 6888 Cuisine: Seafood < Il Palazzo Al Ain Palace Hotel Tel: +971 2 679 4777 www.alainpalacehotel.com/ restaurants.htm Cuisine: Italian < Marakesh Millenium Hotel Tel: +971 2 626 2700 Cuisine: Arabian < Palm Court Le Royal Meridien Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street Tel: +971 2 674 2020 www.lemeridien-abudhabi.com Cuisine: International < Peppino Intercontinental Hotel Al Markaziyah Tel: +971 2 626 2200 Cuisine: Italian < Riviera Marina Al Bateen Resort Tel: +971 2 665 0144 Cuisine: Italian < Shamyat Al Salam St, Markaziyah Tel: +971 2 671 2600 Cuisine: Arabian < Shuja Yacht Le Royal Meridien Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street Tel: +971 2 695 0539 www.lemeridien.com Cuisine: International < The Wok Crowne Plaza, Sheikh Hamdan St Tel: +971 2 621 0000 www.abu-dhabi.crowneplaza.com Cuisine: Asian < Zaitoun Danat Resort, Jebel Dhanna Al Ruwais Tel: +971 2 801 2222 Cuisine: Arabian cafés < Al Majlis Emirates Palace Hotel Tel: +971 2 690 7999 www.emiratespalace.com Café < Zyara Café Near Hilton Residence, Corniche Tel: +971 2 627 5006 Café

DOHA

Hotels < Al Sultan Beach Resort Al Khor Tel: +974 472 2666 www.alsultanbeachresort.com 5 Star < Four Seasons Al Corniche Street Tel: +974 494 8888 www.fourseasons.com/doha 5 Star < Grand Hyatt West Bay Area Tel: +974 448 1234 www.doha.grand.hyatt.com 5 Star < Grand Regency Near Sports R/A Al Sadd Tel: +974 434 3333 www.grand-regency.com 5 Star < Intercontinental West Bay Lagoon Tel: +974 484 4444 www.ichotelsgroup.com 5 Star < La Cigale Suhaim Bin Hamad Street Tel: +974 428 8888 www.lacigalehotel.com 5 Star < Marriott Ras Abu Aboud Street Tel: +974 429 8888 www.marriott.com 5 Star < Millennium Jawaan Street, Al Sadd Doha Marriott Tel: +974 424 7777 www.millenniumhotels.com 5 Star < Movenpick Tower & Suites West Bay Area Tel: +974 496 6600 www.moevenpick-hotels.com 5 Star < Ritz Carlton West Bay Area Tel: +974 484 8000 www.ritzcarlton.com 5 Star < Sharq Village Spa Ras Abu Aboud Tel: +974 425 6666 www.sharqvillage.com 5 Star < Sheraton Al Corniche Street Tel: +974 485 4444 www.sheraton-doha.com 5 Star < W Hotel West Bay Area Tel: +974 499 6530 whotels.com\doha 5 Star Restaurants < Al Borj The Diplomatic Club Tel: +974 484 7444 www.thediplomaticclub.com Cuisine: Pool Snacks & A La Carte

< Al Buhayra Al Sultan Beach Resort Tel: +974 472 2666 www.alsultanbeachresort.com Cuisine: International < Admiral Club Ritz Carlton Hotel Tel: +974 484 8000 www.ritzcarlton.com Cuisine: International < Al Dana Sharq Village and Spa Tel: +974 425 6666 www.sharqvillage.com Cuisine: International < Al Dente Seafood Al Sultan Beach Resort Tel: +974 472 2666 www.alsultanbeachresort.com Cuisine: Seafood with Italian < Al Ghazal Sheraton Hotel Tel: +974 485 4444 www.sheraton-doha.com Cuisine: Arabian < Al Liwan Sharq Village and Spa Tel: +974 425 6666 www.sharqvillage.com Cuisine: Arabian and Persian < Asia Live! Marriot Hotel Tel: +974 429 8888 www.marriott.com Cuisine: Asian < Bistro Bistro Ramada Plaza Tel: +974 428 1428 www.ramadaplazadoha.com Cuisine: European < Bombay Balti Ramada Plaza Tel: +974 428 1428 www.ramadaplazadoha.com Cuisine: Indian < Brasserie on the Beach Four Seasons Hotel Tel: +974 494 8888 www.fourseasons.com/doha Cuisine: Italian < Chopsticks Grand Regency Hotel Tel: +974 434 3333 www.grand-regency.com Cuisine: International < Fauchon Salwa Road Tel: +974 432 4888 www.fauchon.com Cuisine: French < Fish Market Intercontinental Hotel Tel: +974 484 4444 www.ichotelsgroup.com Cuisine: Seafood < Flamingos Ritz Carlton Hotel Tel: +974 484 8000 www.ritzcarlton.com Cuisine: International < Grand Gourmet Grand Regency Hotel Tel: +974 434 3333 www.grand-regency.com Cuisine: Contemporary Global

sur la terre mode

< Greens Ramada Plaza Tel: +974 428 1428 www.ramadaplazadoha.com Cuisine: Vegetarian < Il Teatro Four Seasons Hotel Tel: +974 494 8888 www.fourseasons.com/doha Cuisine: Italian < JW’s Steakhouse Marriot Hotel Tel: +974 429 8888 www.marriott.com Cuisine: Steakhouse < La Cigale Traiteur La Cigale Hotel Tel: +974 428 8888 www.lacigalehotel.com Cuisine: International < La Mer Ritz Carlton Hotel Tel: +974 484 8000 www.ritzcarlton.com Cuisine: French < La Veranda Sheraton Hotel Tel: +974 485 4444 www.sheraton-doha.com Cuisine: Italian < Laffan Sheraton Hotel Tel: +974 485 4444 www.sheraton-doha.com Cuisine: International < Layali & Neo Salwa Road Tel: +974 431 0005 www.alayanqatar.com Cuisine: Arabian < Le Central La Cigale Hotel Tel: +974 428 8888 www.lacigalehotel.com Cuisine: International < Le Cigalon La Cigale Hotel Tel: +974 428 8888 www.lacigalehotel.com Cuisine: Modern Mediterranean < Le Gourmet Al Sadd and Old Souq Tel: +974 436 1789 www.legourmetrestaurant.com Cuisine: Arabian & French < Le Grill The Diplomatic Club Tel: +974 484 7444 www.thediplomaticclub.com Cuisine: International < Le Notre Salwa Road Tel: +974 455 2111 www.lenotre.fr Cuisine: International < Lina’s Salwa Road, Tel: +974 436 5488 Cuisine: French < Pier 12 Ramada Plaza Tel: +974 428 1428 www.ramadaplazadoha.com Cuisine: Seafood < Pool Grill Four Seasons Hotel Tel: +974 494 8888 www.fourseasons.com/doha Cuisine: International

< Porcini Ritz Carlton Hotel Tel: +974 484 8000 www.ritzcarlton.com Cuisine: Italian < Privates Cove Sheraton Hotel Tel: +974 485 4444 www.sheraton-doha.com Cuisine: Seafood’s and Barbeque < Ruby Wu’s Ramada Plaza Tel: +974 428 1428 www.ramadaplazadoha.com Cuisine: Chinese < Sakura Ramada Plaza Tel: +974 428 1428 www.ramadaplazadoha.com Cuisine: Japanese < Seasons Movenpick Hotel Tel: +974 429 1111 www.moevenpick-hotels.com Cuisine: International < Shisha Diwan Ritz Carlton Hotel Tel: +974 484 8000 www.ritzcarlton.com Cuisine: International < The Lobby Marriot Hotel Tel: +974 429 8888 www.marriott.com Cuisine: International < Za Moda Intercontinental Hotel Tel: +974 484 4444 www.ichotelsgroup.com Cuisine: Italian Cafés < Alkut Lounge Grand Regency Hotel Tel: +974 434 3333 www.grand-regency.com Café and Pastries < Atrium Millennium Hotel Tel: +974 424 7777 www.millenniumhotels.com Café and Pastries < Atrium Lounge Sheraton Hotel Tel: +974 485 4444 Café < Café Batteel Salwa Road Tel: +974 444 1414 Café < Cafe Ceramic The Mall Tel: +974 467 1100 www.cafe-ceramique.com Café < Lime Café Movenpick Tower and Suites Tel: +974 496 6600 www.moevenpick-hotels.com Café < Ristretto Villaggio Mall Tel: +974 450 7208 Café < Silver Cafe Al Sadd Tel: +974 413 1773 www.nbks.com Café

DUBAI

Hotels < Al Murooj Rotana Hotel And Suites Al Saffa Street, Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 705 4277 www.rotana.com 5 Star < Al Qasr Madinat Resort Jumeirah Intersection Al Sufouh Road Tel: +971 4 366 8888 www.jumeirah.com 5 Star < Arabian Court Al Soufoh Road, ,In Front Of Media City Tel: +971 4 399 9999 www.arabiancourtyard.com 5 Star < Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Beach area Tel: +971 4 301 7777 www.jumeirah.com 7 Star < Coral Deira Al Muraqqabat Street Deira Tel: +971 4 224 8587 www.coral-international.com/deira 5 Star < Crown Plaza Hotel Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan Road Tel: +971 4 701 2222 www.crowneplaza.com 5 Star < Dhow Palace Kuwait Street Bur Dubai Tel: +971 4 359 9992 www.dhowpalacedubai.com 5 Star < Dubai Creek Hilton Beniyas Road Tel: +971 4 227 1111 www1.hilton.com 5 Star < Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa Jumierah Beach Road Tel: +971 4 346 1111 www.dxbmarine.com 5 Star < Dusit Dubai 133 Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 343 3333 www.dusit.com 5 Star < Grand Hyatt Al Qutaeyat Road Tel: +971 4 317 1234 www.dubai.grand.hyatt.com 5 Star < Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa Al Sufouh Road, The Dubai Marina Tel: +971 4 399 5000 www.grandjumeirah.habtoorhotels.com 5 Star < Hyatt Regency Dubai Deira Tel: +971 4 209 1234 www.dubai.regency.hyatt.com 5 Star < Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Next to Endurance Village Tel: +971 4 809 6100 www.jumeirah.com 5 Star < Jumeirah Beach Club Jumeirah Beach Road Tel: +971 4 348 0000 www.jumeirah.com 5 Star

< Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha Tel: +971 4 341 0000 www.kempinski-dubai.com 5 Star < Le Meridien Dubai Airport Road Dubai Tel: +971 4 217 0000 www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien 5 Star < Mina A Salam Madinat Jumeirah Jumeirah Road Tel: +971 4 366 8888 www.jumeirah.com 5 Star < Moevenpick Hotel Bur Dubai 19th Street Opposite American Hospital Tel: +971 4 336 6000 www.moevenpick-hotels.com 5 Star < Palace At One And Only Royal Mirage Al Sufouh Road, Almina Siyah Tel: +971 4 399 9999 www.oneandonlyresorts.com 5 Star < Park Hyatt Adjacent to Dubai Creek Tel: +971 4 602 1234 www.dubai.park.hyatt.com 5 Star < Ras Al Khaimah Hilton Al Muntaser Road Tel: +971 7 228 8888 www1.hilton.com 5 Star < Renaissance Dubai Salah Al Din Street, Deira Tel: +971 4 262 5555 www.marriott.com 5 Star < Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel and Towers Baniyas Street Tel: +971 4 228 1111 www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton 5 Star < Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort & Towers Al Sufouh Road Tel: +971 4 399 5533 www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton 5 Star < Taj Palace Dubai Dubai Creek north bank Deira Tel: +971 4 223 2222 www.tajhotels.com 5 Star < The Fairmont Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 332 5555 www.fairmont.com/Dubai 5 Star < The Ritz-Carlton Jumeirah Beach Tel: +971 4 399 4000 www.ritzcarlton.com 5 Star Restaurants < Antique Bazaar Four Points Sheraton, Bur Dubai Tel: +971 4 397 7444 www.fourpoints.com Cuisine: Indian < Asado The Palace Hotel, (Sofitel), Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 428 7888 www.sofitel.com Cuisine: Argentinean Grill

sur la terre mode < Bistro Madelain Intercontinental Dubai Festival City Tel: +971 4 701 1128 www.intercontinental.com/dubai Cuisine: French < Cactus Cantina Rydges Plaza Dubai, Satwa Tel: +971 4 398 2274 www.cactuscantinadubai.com Cuisine: Latin < Chinese Treasure Oud Metha, Dubai Tel: +971 4 336 3525 Cuisine: Chinese < Choices Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Garhoud Tel: +971 4 282 0000 www.rotana.com Cuisine: International < Dias Le Meridien Dubai, Garhoud Tel: +971 4 283 2832 Cuisine: Greek < Exchange Grill Fairmont Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 311 5999 www.fairmont.com Cuisine: Intenational < Hunters Room & Grill The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, The Dubai Marina Tel: +971 4 399 3333 Cuisine: Contemporary < Jambase Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah Tel: +971 4 366 8888 www.madinatjumeirah.com Cuisine: American < Malecon Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa, Jumeirah Tel: +971 4 346 1111 www.dxbmarine.com Cuisine: Cuban < Mango Tree The Palace Hotel, (Sofitel) Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 426 7313 www.sofitel.com Cuisine: Thai < Nezesaussi Al Manzil Hotel, Burj Dubai Boulevard Off Doha Street Tel: +971 4 428 5888 Cuisine: Australian / Bar Food < Sapphire Lounge Century Village, Garhoud Tel: +971 4 286 8520 www.thesapphiredubai.com Cuisine: Thai < Shahjahan Metropolitan Hotel Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 343 0000 Cuisine: India < Spice Emporium Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, The Dubai Marina Tel: +971 4 399 4141 Cuisine: Asian < Teatro Towers Rotana Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 343 8000 www.rotana.com Cuisine: International

< Trader Vic’s Crowne Plaza Dubai Tel: +971 4 331 1111 www.ichotelsgroup,com Cuisine: International

MANAMA

Hotels < Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort Sakhir Tel: +973 17 845 000 www.banyantree.com 5 star < Crowne Plaza Bahrain Manama Tel: +973 17 531 122 www.cp-bahrain.com 5 star < Gulf Hotel Adliya Tel: +973 17 713 000 www.gulfhotelbahrain.com 5 star < InterContinental Regency Hotel Manama Tel: +973 17 227 777 www.interconti.com/manama 5 star < Mövenpick Hotel Muharraq Tel: +973 17 460 000 www.movenpick-bahrain.com 5 star < Sheraton Bahrain Manama Tel: +973 17 533 533 www.sheraton.com/bahrain 5 star < The Diplomat Radisson SAS Manama Tel: +973 17 531 666 www.manama.radissonsas.com 5 star < The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Seef District Tel: +973 17 580 000 www.ritzcarlton.com 5 star Restaurants < Al Arisha Um Al Hassam Tel: +973 17 725 414 Cuisine: Lebanese < Al Berdaouni Intercontinental Regency Hotel Tel: +973 17 227 777 www.interconti.com/manama Cuisine: Lebanese < Al Fanar Superr Club Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel Tel: +973 17 531 666 www.manama.radissonsas.com Cuisine: Arabian < Al Raouché Sheraton Bahrain Hotel Tel: +973 17 533 533 www.sheraton.com/bahrain Cuisine: Moroccan < Al Waha Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 713 000 www.gulfhotelbahrain.com Cuisine: International < Brazil! Adliya Tel: +973 17 826 686 Cuisine: Brazilian

< China Garden Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 746 423 www.gulfhotelbahrain.com Cuisine: Chinese < Fire of Brazil Seef Mall Tel: +973 17 583 776 www.fireofbrazil.com Cuisine: Brazilian < Fish Market Al Bander Hotel & Resort Tel: +973 17 701 201 Cuisine: Seafood < Fusions Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 746 427 www.gulfhotelbahrain.com Cuisine: International < Golestan Sheraton Bahrain Hotel Tel: +973 17 533 533 www.sheraton.com/bahrain Cuisine: Iranian < La Fontaine La Fontaine for Contemporary Art Tel: +973 17 230 123 www.lafontaineartcentre.com Cuisine: French < La Mosaique Crowne Plaza Bahrain Tel: +973 17 531 122 Cuisine: International < La Pergola Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 713 000 www.gulfhotelbahrain.com Cuisine: Italian < La Perle Novotel Al Dana Resort Tel: +973 17 298 008 Cuisine: Seafood < Le Bistro InterContinental Regency Hotel Tel: +973 17 227 777 www.interconti.com/manama Cuisine: International < Mirai Adliya Tel: +973 17 713 113 www.mirai-restaurant.com Cuisine: Japanese < Mondo Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel Tel: +973 17 531 666 www.manama.radissonsas.com Cuisine: Italian < Nirvana The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Tel: +973 17 580 000 www.ritzcarlton.com Cuisine: Indian < Olivo’s Brasserie Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel Tel: +973 17 531 666 www.manama.radissonsas.com Cuisine: International < Plums The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Tel: +973 17 580 000 www.ritzcarlton.com Cuisine: Steakhouse < Primavera The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Tel: +973 17 580 000 www.ritzcarlton.com Cuisine: European < Rimal Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort

Tel: +973 17 845 000 www.banyantree.com Cuisine: International < Saffron Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort Tel: +973 17 845 000 www.banyantree.com Cuisine: Thai and Asian < Sato Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 746 429 www.gulfhotelbahrain.com Cuisine: Japanese < Soie Sheraton Bahrain Hotel Tel: +973 17 533 533 www.sheraton.com/bahrain Cuisine: Chinese < Silk Mövenpick Hotel Tel: +973 17 460 000 www.movenpick-bahrain.com Cuisine: International < Takht-e-Jamsheed Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 746 431 www.gulfhotelbahrain.com Cuisine: Exotic Persian < Tamarind Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort Tel: +973 17 845 000 www.banyantree.com Cuisine: International < The Meat Co. Mövenpick Hotel Tel: +973 17 460 000 www.movenpick-bahrain.com Cuisine: Steakhouse < Versailles Intercontinental Regency Hotel Tel: +973 17 227 777 www.interconti.com/manama Cuisine: French < Zahle Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 746 417 www.gulfhotelbahrain.com Cuisine: Lebanese Cafés < Al Andalus Lounge Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 713 000 Café < Al Nour Lounge Al A’ali Complex Tel: +973 17 227 777 Café < Café Lilou Adliya Tel: +973 17 714 440 Café < Camille’s Sidewalk Café Diplomatic Area Tel: +973 17 533 808 Café < Casa Blu Adliya Tel: +973 17 710 424 Café < Overlook Café The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Tel: +973 17 810 180 Café < The Atrium Café Gulf Hotel Tel: +973 17 713 000 Café

sur la terre mode

LOCAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES DOHA < ABS Villaggio Mall Al Waab Street Tel: +974 450 7084 www.absstyle.com < Al Shaqab Education City Tel: +974 454 6245 www.alshaqab.com < BCBG Max Azria Villaggio Mall Al Waab Street Tel: +974 450 7082 www.bcbg.com < Bentley Dana Motors Al Saad Street Tel: +974 444 5112 www.alahmadgroup.com < Bahrain International Circuit Gate 255 Gulf of Bahrain Avenue Tel: +973 174 50000 www.bahraingp.com < BMW Showroom Alfardan Towers Al Funduq St., West Bay Tel: +974 447 7577 www.alfardan.com.qa < Bobbi Brown 4U Perfumery City Centre Mall Tel: +974 483 9240 www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com < BoConcept City Center Mall West Bay Tel: +974 411 5054 www.boconcept.com

< Coccinelle Villaggio Mall Al Waab Street Tel: +974 413 4761 www.cocinelle.it < Dados Spa Al-Seal Residence West Bay Tel: +974 498 0033 www.dadosbeauty.com < DC Metropolis City Centre Mall Tel: +974 439 3355 www.nbks.com < D&G Villaggio Mall Al Waab Street Tel: +974 460 4279 www.dolcegabbana.com < Dior Villaggio Mall Al Waab Street Tel: +974 413 4665 www.dior.com < Dolce & Gabbana Villaggio Mall Al Waab Street Tel: +974 460 4279 www.dolcegabbana.com < Ducati Alfardan Motorcycles Centre Suhaim Bin Hamad St. Tel: +974 446 3500 www.alfardanmotorcycles.com < GMC Mannai Trading Co. Rayan Road Tel: +974 455 8718 www.gmcarabia.com

<Bottega Veneta Villaggio Mall Al Waab Street Tel: +974 413 4665 www.bottegaveneta.com

< Graham London Ali Bin Ali Watches & Jewellery Royal Plaza Al Sadd street Tel: +974 413 1391 www.graham-london.com

< Canon Salam Studio & Stores Tel: +974 483 2050 ph@salams.com www.canon-me.com

< Grand Hyatt West Bay Shoreline Tel: +974 412 8086 doha.grand@hyatt.com www.doha.grand.hyatt.com

< Cartier Boutique Ali Bin Ali Watches & Jewellery Royal Plaza Al Sadd street Tel: +974 413 1391 www.alibinali.com

< Gucci Villaggio Mall Al Waab Street Tel: +974 413 4612 www.gucci.com

< Chloe Boutique The Pearl Tel: +974 600 7433 www.chloe.com

< Hermes The Pearl Porto Arabia Tel: +974 601 1892 www.hermes.com

< Hummer Mannai Trading Co. Rayan Road P.O. Box 76 Doha Tel: +974-441-2555 www.manai.com < Jaula Spa West Bay Shoreline Tel: +974 412 8086 doha.grand@hyatt.com http://doha.grand.hyatt.com < Karen Millen Villaggio Mall Al Waab Street Tel: +974 413 4503 www.karenmillen.com < Lamborghini Dana Motors Al Saad Street Tel: +974 444 5112 www.alahmadgroup.com < Lanvin NBK Fashion Group Salwa Road Al Waâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ab City Tel: +974 409 2600 www.lanvin.com < Louis Vuitton Villaggio Mall Tel: +974 413 4931 www.louisvuitton.com < Marni Villaggio Mall Al Waab Street Tel: +974 413 5222 www.marni-international.com < Maserati Alfardan Centre Grand Hamad Street Tel: +974 432 2577 sportmotor@alfardan.com.qa < Mitsubishi Salwa Showroom Salwa Road, NBK Complex Tel: +974 469 9665 www.mitsubishi-motors.com.qa < Nasser Al-Attiyah www.nasser-al-attiyah.com info@nasser-al-attiyah.com < Nina Ricci ZAI Al Waab City Salwa Road Tel: +974 425 6156 zai-sharq@prime-nbk.com < Officine Panerai Ali Bin Ali Watches & Jewellery Royal Plaza Al Sadd street Tel: +974 413 1391 www.alibinali.com

< One Porto Arabia Alfardan Properties Tel: +974 440 8408 www.alfardanproperties.com < Porsche Al Boraq Automobiles Co. Tel: +974 469 4911 www.porscheqatar.com < Qatar Airways Qatar Airways Tower Tel: +974 449 6000 www.qatarairways.com < Qatar Animal Welfare Society Tel: +974 539 6074 contact@qaws.org www.qaws.com < Qatar Duning Group gsalome@yahoo.com qatar-duners@googlegroups.com < Qatar Football Association QNOC Tower Tel: +974 494 4411 en.qfa.com < Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation Salwa Road Zone 24, Bldg. 59 Tel: +974 437 9884 info@qmmf.com www.qmmf.com < Richard Mille Ali Bin Ali Watches & Jewellery Royal Plaza, Al Sadd street Tel: +974 413 1391 www.richardmille.com < Rolls Royce Alfardan Towers Al Funduq St., West Bay Tel: +974 447 7577 www.alfardan.com.qa < Tag Heuer City Centre Mall West Bay Tel: +974 483 9204 www.tagheuer.com < THE One Villaggio Mall Tel: +974 450 7778 www.theoneplanet.com < Doha Tribeca Film Festival www.dohatribecafilm.com < Valentino Villaggio Mall Tel: +974 411 9055 www.valentino.com < Versace Boutique Suhaim bin Hamad Street Tel: +974 447 8478 www.versace.com