Footprints Travel Mag Issue 6

Vol. 1, Issue 6 , August - October 2012, Winter Special

Oman’s first premier travel magazine

“Rock Zoo” of Duqm

Oman-Trail

Globe-Trail

Ra’s Madrakah, Veronica- the swaying beauty,, Cliff Diving World beauty Series at Wadi Shab, Celebrity say & more

A safari to Kenya’s wild, Flight of the Gibbons, Adventures on an Enfield Himalayan Odyssey, Most spectacular sites & more

Readers Forum

Cruise ships offer a whole new experience ‘Balcony Laden Floating Condominium’ –

vacation bliss on a mind-boggling big cruise

the seven day cruise report in Footprints

vessel, but, I did. While the details of the

(November 2011 – January 2012) – made

experience are too long to write here, I must

an excellent read. It took me back to my

say one thing: food, food, food, and food

own cruise on large cruise ship. Although

was in plenty and because of the variety

I am quite shy and feel claustrophobic

one could never get tired of it. Besides that,

when in confined spaces and had so may

everything you want, which includes, gyms,

misgivings before I boarded the gigantic

theatre, music, swimming pool, et al are

vessel, the remaining week (yes, I also had

available and somehow, even if you prefer

a week’s cruise) was one of the greatest

solitude, you will still find like minded people

ever experience for me. I was not sure as to

on board! What an experience!

how, I, an independent traveler would find

Sue Morgan, Al Khuwair

Shrinking Venice and shrinking purse

Lonesome George II?

I would love to catch a sight of the

then have visited most of the major zoos, even the San Diego zoo. But, my biggest

world’s tourism treasures before they

meeting was with Lonesome George! As far as I know, George is close to 100 years

disappear (‘Honey, my Venice is sinking).

and is reportedly in good health. And I am not sure whether George has managed

But, however much I want to I am not

to have an offspring; earlier attempts seems to have been unsuccessful and I do not

able to move in that direction because I

know whether the Galapagos National Park authorities have managed to get any

find my purse is always shrinking!

offspring successfully hatched so far. Would love to know more about George.

I met the rarest creature in the world last year – Lonesome George, a giant Galapagos tortoise (refer caption in Footprints, November 2011 – January 2012). It was an amazing experience. I am a big fan of tortoises and I am always drawn into those big, yellow eyes. The first day I say one of them (tortoises), I was hooked and since

Linda George, Muscat

Sunil DCosta, Seeb

Come, dive in Oman I agree with your comment that Oman is the best kept secret (Footprints, November 2011 – January 2012) in the diving world. A real wonderland exists beneath the waters and divers must feast on them. Serious divers should look into the prospects of diving in Oman and I must say that it (diving here) is not all that difficult as many claim. New divers can of course learn from the many diving institutes set in Oman, but I would really wish that more professional divers would look into the beauty of Oman’s depths. Oman’s diving season is roughly between October and May and the latter is also viewed as the best time for diving. During the season, the water is very clear. Some of the main diving sites include the Damaniyat islands and Bandar Jissah. Next time you are in Oman, go take a dive and see for yourself the wonders that exist below the Omani seas!

D. Lewis, (Tourist in Oman, from Louisiana)

Friend, philosopher & guide

Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Editor-in-chief

Duqm – brand new industrial destination What was once a small fishing village, located some six hours – 700kms -- away from the capital, Duqm, in Al Wusta region, is today poised to become a brand new industrial destination!

A remarkable transformation is on the cards for this once sleepy fishing town when all of the current development work is completed. The government of the Sultanate of Oman has invested heavily in Duqm and all of it is going to bear fruit, soon.

This little town, which faces a busy regional sea lane and its port enjoying a very strategic location, is poised to become a major maritime gateway that will serve an industrial and commercial hub.

Al Wusta region is no longer a mere desert! A port, a dry dock, an airport, a refinery, a petrochemical complex, power and desalination infrastructure, an industrial area and a free trade zone as well as tourism and residential projects are all in the making!

The region is rich with natural scenic beauty too – not to miss the beaches of Ras Madrakha, Ras Markaz, the pink lagoon of Khaluf, the Arabian Oryx sanctuary, the 45 million years old rock garden and the one and only floating hotel Veronica…

C o n t e n t s Editor-in-chief Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Managing editor Priya Arunkumar Work editor Adarsh Madhavan Design & production Beneek Siraj Advt. & marketing Priyanka Sampat Printers Oman Printers

A

10 presentation

Published by: Muscat Press & Publishing House SAOC Postal address: P O Box 86, PC 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos Office location: Hatat House A, 2nd Floor, Suite No: 212 Ph: 24565697 Fax: 24565496 e-mail: footprints@blackandwhiteoman.com

G lobe-Tr a il

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On the cover

A joint venture with Zahara Travel and Service Bureau

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Design: Beneek Siraj 6

August - October 2012

A safari to soak in Kenya’s wild The exotic landscape of Kenya matches with the untouched wilderness and the unusual wildlife.

Rising above them all are the Kenyan people, especially their lovely, innocent children

Adventures on an Enfield Himalayan Odyssey A group of 14 Enfield men (and a woman) went up on one of the toughest motoring routes in the world, on the Himalayas, riding the Royal Enfield 500, to heights ranging between 2700 to 10,000 feet above sea level, and returned as boys (and a girl)!

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Om a n - T ra i l

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Rock ‘Zoo’ of Duqm We stood ensconced between millions of years old rocks and modern life taking shape just some distance away and got ourselves baked under a sweltering sun in the blazing hot Rock Garden in Wilayat Al Duqm, Al Wusta region

Flight of the Gibbon…

A firsthand experience on the Flight of the Gibbon, a unique zipline canopy experience where you fly through a pristine rainforest

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Swaying beauty Veronica, the 200-plus room floating hotel, owned and operated by the DSME, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Oman LLC, the operators of Oman Drydock Company, was seen as a phenomenon when it docked here some years back

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Cliff Diving World Series concludes in the picturesque Wadi Shab – Oman This year’s leading diving competition was launched off the cliffs of the picturesque French island of Corsica. It will continue its journey into some of the most magnificent locations around the world including Norway, Portugal, Ireland, USA and UK before landing for its seventh and closing stop in the wonderful Wadi Shab August - October 2012

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August - October 2012

Black raven

croaking

(a safari to soak in Kenya’s wild) A raven’s low, hoarse…almost croaking…sound seemed to emerge from the dark, dense foliage beyond the main road as we alighted from our extended safari Landcruiser, which had burst a tire. It actually sounded like a sick crow, but van driver Robert insisted that it was a raven.

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Robert, a native son of Kenya, who was formerly trained as a soldier and

glance at the raven, which fluttered and took wing.

was part of the peace keeping force in

Lookalike raven

Sierra Leone, should know better. He

A scene like this itself could make it into

We went on our way and suddenly

was driving one of the two Landcruisers

a postcard. Orange mud, green foliage,

in the hot semi dust-laden highway

that were taking us – a bunch of sardonic

blue sky, white cars, black men and

our Landcruiser lost another tire to a

scribes and over enthusiastic travel

women wearing a riot of colours. The

puncture. We got down again there on

agents -- to Sweetwaters Tented Camp

men were mostly relaxed and laidback.

this road flanked by small fields where

from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

The women were entirely different. They

some workers were toiling. As we

as part of our Kenyan fam trip, arranged

always seemed to be on the move and

unleashed our cameras, we sighted our

by National Travel and Tourism (NTT)

definitely more industrious. When the

raven, yes, looked like the same one! It

and Kenya Airways. Moyo Holidays were

puncture was repaired we got into the

has to be, or perhaps all ravens looked

the destination managers. Sleepy, after

vehicle but not without throwing a second

alike!

a fabulous breakfast at the magnificent Nairobi Serena Hotel, we were hurtling to the tented camp when the serenity of our drive was broken by the puncture, the first of many to come!

We got out in the blazing sunlight to forage among the bright colours of Kenya: small food outlets painted stark raving red, black attired dark Kenyans along with their red adorned women.

Newspapers, fruits, plants are sold from these roadside outlets bordering large woodlands, abound with amazing colours. Suddenly, our eyes fell upon a lone black bird. Robert was right – it was a raven, which was sizably larger than a crow, almost the size of a hawk.

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It stared at us.

August - October 2012

with wildlife and offers night game drives; guided bush walks plus both horse and camel riding across its plains. There were around 30 luxuriously appointed tents.

Each tent had a thatched roof, an en suite bathroom, a large verandah, most of them overlooking the waterhole. It was not just the quality of its African, Asian and international cuisine (five course table d’hote) that bowled us, the camp night was peaceful (hot water bottles gave us company in the beds) as well as enchanting. Polite and graceful deers walked all around the camp area and the whole night was punctuated with animal cries, some distant, some quite near. The waterhole, which could be viewed from the dining area, as well as

A different brew Two flats and a detour to Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club Resort ate into our time and schedule, but the coffee we had at the resort made up for the inordinate delay. Kenyan coffees were of a different

We are not ready to stand in the Kenyan

the tents, unveiled a steady stream of

blaze, which is really more intense,

animals ranging from zebras, warthogs,

more personal than we can strive to

ibis, cranes…many claimed seeing lions.

understand. There are plenty out there

We were unlucky – we did not hear even

for whom a mere morsel or a drop of

a roar.

water can be the difference between

brew!

life and death. If we understand that, we

A lone elephant

would learn to appreciate the magic of

The afternoon game drive gave us a

A kind of magic

Kenya more. But, who has the time or the

sample of what was to come. But the

inclination?

jumbled sight of a variety of deer (impala,

Still, we were not deterred by the punctures or the heat. There was a kind of magic in the air – the kind of magic that

Charming Sweetwaters

bush

bucks,

dik-diks

etc),

zebras,

warthogs, bison and a lone elephant

The vehicles turned slowly into the

could only whet our lips. The elephant

luxurious Sweetwaters tented camp,

was not near, yet it seemed not too happy

set in a 22000 acre wildlife sanctuary. It

at seeing us and glared at us until we

offers the perfect African ambience for a

moved past it and disappeared into the

wild!

tourist, replete with a tented camp and

distance. They say lone elephants could

a well cared for animal sanctuary. Sheer

also be rogue elephants, but we were not

Tourists are just tourists

bliss! This private game reserve abounds

inclined to find that out for ourselves.

made us believe that our dreams, our fantasies were all going to come true! It was the kind of magic that made us feel that we, somehow, belonged here in the

But, did we actually belong? Were we somehow part of this? Not quite. We are a clear contrast in the scheme of things of Kenya. Highly opinionated tourists, in rich seasonal clothes, expensive cameras, money in our pockets and with nary a care in the world save for our desire to shoot ourselves silly before big game.

We were out of place in the earthy tones of Kenya, where the sheer struggle to live for man and beast alike is an unnerving story, which most of us would studiously avoid. We prefer to have what intoxicates us: the wild animals; snatching up some bargain items from poverty-ridden folks, whom we believe we have successfully conned.

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The exotic landscape of Kenya matches with the untouched wilderness and the unusual wildlife.

Rising above them all are the Kenyan people, especially their lovely, innocent children

August - October 2012

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Globe-Trail Elementaita lodge, which had flower filled gardens, a lovely pool and grassy lawns.

Robert, who sat with us during the lunch, explained how in the south-to-north sequence of Rift Valley lakes, Elmenteita is located between Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru. During the photo shoot and the tour of the premises, our eyes fell on the black raven again. It was perched atop a tree and seemed quite innocent by itself. As we tried to train our cameras on this pesky stalking creature, she (she?) flapped her wings and disappeared.

As we edged out of the lodge, we saw her watching us again. We realised that there was nothing ominous about her presence; she could only be a benevolent soul in the raven form; a fellow traveller; a feathery guide!

Politically conscious A brief stopover at the market town of Naivasha (part of the Nakuru district) gave us an opportunity to hobnob with

Feeding a blind black rhino

spending some time and money there.

some of the locals. Some of them were

If you stumble upon a mother rhino and

We were accosted by others who wanted

exceptionally friendly and helpful, tending

her calf in the wild, it will surely attack you.

to show their outlets too, but we did not

to our needs and going out of the way

In fact, a black rhino can attain speeds

budge. From the corner of our eyes, we

to assist us in our tasks. Most of them

of upto 40 miles an hour, zoo officials

saw Gladys animatedly explaining to her

were highly politically conscious and they

claim. But the one we met was a gentle

neighbour about our generous exploits

had their independent views with working

black giant, so tame that it ate from our

in her shop. She happily waved us

knowledge of other countries’ politics

hands. The rhino is normally considered

goodbye. We responded and felt a little

too.

to be dangerous, but blind Baraka at

flicker of do-good happiness in us.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Sweetwaters)

Hippos of Naivasha

was a sweet old rhino who allowed us

Fellow traveller

the grandness of feeding him. A board

Off the dirt track from the main Nairobi-

3.30am hauled us up from our cosy

however cautions: “…all animals maybe

Nakuru highway, we drove in to Lake

beds of the Lake Naivasha Country Club

Persistent knocks at our door at around

unpredictable. (So) approach Baraka at

where we were staying overnight. We

your own risk…”. We did.

stumbled out and the friendly guards led us over the slippery-when-wet grass.

Feel good moments

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We had befriended the guards who kept

Fruit and vegetable vendors broke the

their promise to help us get up, close

monotony of a rocky drive towards

and friendly with the fabled hippos of

the next destination for lunch: Lake

Naivasha. The previous evening we

Elementaita lodge. En route we had a

had ventured out to the edge of Lake

stop over for photo shoots at a waterfall,

Naivasha – along with the same guards

curio shops et al. Wherever we went

– and spent a near eerie three quarters of

we bargained until the sellers gave in,

an hour watching the submerged hippos.

exhausted. They would never have met

Their eyes bulged out from the river

specimens like us before! But, when

surfaces as they floated close. Where we

Gladys, a thin but optimistic sales lady,

watching them or where they watching

took us to her tiny hole of a curio shop,

us? And, where was our raven? We had

our bargaining resolve melted. There

seen something fluttering earlier from the

were very little items there, but we did

tree tops, but this time our airy guide was

not have the heart to move away without

staying away from sight.

August - October 2012

Night hippo safari

our doorsteps as they munched the

in the group turned mini Santas doling

“Don’t go too close!” the guards cautioned

vegetation and leaves of trees outside

out toffees to the youngsters.

us as this intrepid group braved the cold

our rooms. Moments such as these

and the dark morning to wander along

cannot be explained in mere words.

with some of the most dangerous beasts

The women members tried out the fashionable tight curls and braiding

on earth – the lumbering hippos! Soon,

Shantytown stopover waves

danced

from a Kenyan hair stylist set in a small

the group split into two as we followed

Heat

up

from

the

dwelling. You could also get rides on

the pre-dawn snacking of the beasts on

ramshackle slums where water taps are

100 to 200 cc bikes and in fact, Robert

the grassy lawn. There were others too,

known to have dried, but we still went

hopped on one to get an essential spare

but some of them whom we followed

searching for something to wet our

part – a fan belt -- from the main town

disappeared into the night and later we

parched lips. Dust whipped through this

for his vehicle, which was broken, one

heard them splash nosily in the river as

small town, which comprised of many

of the main reasons for stopping at this

they plunged headlong into it.

tin-roof shacks, where vendors sold

shantytown.

small essentials.

Empowering women

We also had the luck to be greeted by some really extra tall giraffes right at

Children gathered around as some of us

We were some hours into the interiors of Kenya, yet, we had not seen anything of the big game as yet. Or, any game. Big birds, yes! And big men lolling about, while their thin as well as large women desperately sought out to better their lives by engaging in all kinds of labour to meet both ends.

Africa is honed in this constant struggle of these determined women, with several kids and mostly a work-shy husband, who does the job of 10 men to keep her family afloat. The success story of Kenya too would lie in empowering these women who have the power and the ability to lift families and communities – men included – out of poverty.

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August - October 2012

Tall woes Being the tallest living terrestrial animal has its disadvantages. Because of its long neck, it is difficult for giraffes to pick, eat or drink from the ground level.

To bend down to eat, it has to either spread its front legs very wide apart and pick its food, or bend its knees. Most often, they look as though they are about to fall.

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Out of disappointment stemmed such

Ensconced in the safety of the lodge,

idealistic

that

we relaxed and how! We made up for

afternoon, which was originally reserved

observations

because

the time lost in the afternoon and our

for a game drive, where we were supposed

deprived luncheon with a vengeance. But

to see the game of the savannah, was

deep in us, we wondered whether this

totally wasted as we were stuck with a

was one Kenya trip sans the big game?

handicapped vehicle. It took a while for us to reach the Mara Serena Safari lodge

God’s own creatures

and all this while our eyes darted out of

But the big game was just playing hooky

the speeding vehicle trying to rediscover

with us. They were just around the corner

the raven again. Sometimes we thought

waiting to surprise us in the expanse of

we saw her, and sometimes we didn’t.

the Masai Mara. En route to the Keekorok

She was playing hide and seek.

lodge, we finally began to satisfy our cravings for the big game as most of the

No big game?

missing members and other creatures of

Rains lashed the car and drowned the

the safari capital of the world streamed

dusty track with muddy streams as we

into view displaying their sheer majesty

neared the Mara Serena lodge. Just as

for us.

we dashed in from the rain, we heard her again. The raven. Croaking in the rain.

Post lunch, we were once again treated to

But, we still couldn’t see her. She was

a real time play of the mesmerising animal

somewhere around!

world peopled with as many animals that we could conjure in our fantasies. As we

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August - October 2012

ventured deep into Kenya’s most popular

Camp was one of the best camps

kings in paradise. The only downside

game sanctuary, we began to realise that

out of the whole trip. The camp is well

to the luxury tented experience was the

there is nothing more satisfying than to

positioned to enjoy the best of the Masai

odd policy of power cutting from 4pm

watch God’s own creatures go about

Mara. Although we did not have the luck

to 6pm and 12am to 4am. Since some

their lives in their own wild world.

to view the phenomenal spectacle of

of us were not warned about the same,

the wildebeest migration, which could

we were quite incensed at this power cut

Best for last

be viewed sitting at the camp, thanks

and ventured out in the inky blackness

This trip reserved the best part for the

to its layout and the other activities

to voice our protest. However, we were

last. The beautiful Sarova Mara Game

there, we enjoyed the locale like mini-

pacified when the friendly and supportive guards helped us out with candles and matches and led us back to the safety of the tent. Also, the wooden doors had no locks. Perhaps security may not be an issue there in such a beautiful locale, but it does pose some uneasy moments when you realise this.

Epilogue We stopped for lunch on the side of the highway whilst on the way back to the airport from where we would fly out to Muscat. At a distance we saw our raven alighting on the branch of a tree. It waited while we finished our meal and then as our vehicles moved, it flew past us and beyond, its tail waving us goodbye. We made a silent prayer of thanks to the departing wings of this strange black mascot. She seems to have been our good luck charm. Other than some punctures, we were all safe and sound.

Bye, bye raven! Keep flying!

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An oft repeated quote in the biking circles – especially in the Enfield biking segment, where it originated from -- is that if you ride as a boy on a bike to the Himalayas you will return as a man; if you ride as a man to the Himalayas then you return as a sage sage;; if you go as a sage, you will probably return as a boy.

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August - October 2012

Him a

laya n y O e – adv s d s enture y so n an

Here, a group of 14 Enfield men (and a woman) went up on one of the toughest motoring routes in the world, on the Himalayas, riding the Royal Enfield 500, to heights ranging between 2700 to 10,000 feet above sea level, and returned as boys (and a girl)!

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Ani Varghese revs up his Royal Enfield Classic 500 at his bike showroom in Wattayah.

The bullet rumbles in its classic tug-tug-tug sound and strikes an immediate chord in the heart of Bullet lovers. There is something unmistakingly rough, tough and wild about a Bullet/Royal Enfield, which other bikes, however bigger and richer, cannot offer. There is nothing like a Bullet, which while being minimalist, still offered an unusual rugged charm.

Ani, 41, whose love affair with a bike began when he was just 14, was the team leader for this Himalayan ‘Bullet’ expedition. He explains that their ride up the Himalayas was not just a picnic – but one of sheer adventure.

Here, both Ani and his other team member, Krystal Murriy, detail the wonder of riding together in extreme conditions on an isolated terrain and how they flogged their Enfields on almost impenetrable roads.

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August - October 2012

have to be most vigilant to complete the nine-day route successfully. Our team of 14 bikers comprised senior professional bikers to rank new bikers; a backup team to ensure that the adventurous trail remains safe and exciting!”

Love for bikes “Biking is in my blood. A biker is not created – you either have it or you don’t.

The passion for it is inbuilt and you need to build on it. My dad was a biker and he had an Enfield. So, I took up biking at a very young age. I have had the experience of riding all brands of bikes.”

Other than his passion for riding, Ani is also a full-fledged bike mechanic: “I was one of the first –starting in 1999 -- Harley

Thundering atop mountains

not break down! We somehow rose to

They had their share of tumbles, ill luck

the occasion and managed to battle the

and risky life-and-death moments. But,

odds!”

like Ani noted, riding an Enfield is not just a

Davidson mechanics in town.”

Dream life A life with bikes has always been a dream

ride – it is a special bike for a special rider

Third-time venture

for Ani and it is this dream that he brought

and they were special moments. Riding

This is Ani’s third biking adventure so

to life at a very early age. “My love for the

an Enfield is about attitude and riding

far. “After completing this successfully,

Enfield is not a passing fancy, as a sound

it skillfully is an achievement. Riding it

we are now keen to make this an annual

technical bike mechanic, I can vouch for

atop the Himalayas is all about teamwork

affair. June to July is the best time for

its performance any day. The trip which

and having a sound head above your

the trip and I would always recommend

we took would have been impossible on

shoulder. But, it is the ultimate adventure

the Royal Enfield 500 (classic) for these

any other bike other than an Enfield 500.

on a mountain, Ani noted.

type of mountainous biking adventures,”

The brand is synonymous with quality,

Ani said.

durability, performance and credibility.

Oman’s bike market is still at a very

Recalling their thrilling moments when the group thundered across the mountains

“For every biker this is a dream route

nascent stage and only a handful of

and plains of the Himalayas, Ani noted

with all sorts of different and difficult

passionate bikers are available in town.

how such rides were all about the rider

terrain from water to ice to rock to gravel

Being the dealer for Enfield in Oman, I

and what he/she rode. “Riding in the

to sand… every turn is tricky and you

hope to woo in many more passionate

Himalayas is primarily about who you are and not just about how you ride,” Ani explained. “When you talk about riding, it is riding in an unusual environment where we have to meet with difficult challenges at every turn. But, it is also about making a mistake and then learning from it!

“We experienced lot of hurdles, but we managed to overcome them, and some days, it was quite difficult to ride. Bikers had their share of tumbles; bikes had their share of damages! We also had our share of altitude sicknesses! There were some moments when we wouldn’t feel like getting on a bike, but, once we did, we forgot everything and rode like the wind!

“But, despite all the challenges, we did August - October 2012

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‘Bullet’ riders whiz past a camp in the Himalayas

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August - October 2012

and serious bikers in to the adventure

all that a biker can ever dream of!”

team. I hope to do more of the road trips

there

were

sheer

and

unbeatable

moments of tranquility and peace where

and one day hope to take up a bike trip

This year, the team of 14 comprised

the stillness enveloped everything. “There

on the Silk Route. The Leh-Ladakh route

different nationalities, and of a mean

were moments of complete stillness that

is considered the toughest motoring

age range of 24 to 64 years; some were

was amazing; it could heal any wound,

route in the world and I believe that every

professional bikers, while some were

real or imagined; it was poetic!” Ani and

serious biker should take up this route. It

pretty raw. Most of them were above 40,

Krystal recalled. And there was music

is a lifetime achievement for every biker

but all keen bikers. It was truly a trip of

too. There were moments when nature

as it offers multiple terrains to ride on!”

the like minded.

thrilled them with heavenly music. “The sheer wind and the trickle of water from

A real biking experience

“I remember every corner was tricky,

little springs made magical music!” they

“I have no words to describe the 9-day

every terrain a challenge! In fact mine

said as they rekindled those moments of

(actually 11, taking in the total days of

was specially challenging one, with a

sheer bliss atop the Himalayas.

travel) adventure!” Krystal Murriy, a keen

small mishap that threw me off my bike

biker, noted.

at a treacherous turn, leaving me with a

Six out of the 14 bikers were from Oman:

broken wrist. I feel, for a biker, the safest

The six bikers are residents of Oman,

“This is a route and ride every biker will

haven is on top of a bike, and I had to

brought together by the love of biking

dream of. I have been on a bike since I

confine myself to the seat of the follow

and the Enfield brand…

was three. Both of my parents are biking

up van for a day, until my wrist was

enthusiasts. I have mastered the bike at

medically attended to. In fact sitting in

The 11-day trip started off from Oman to

an age where girls of my age were just

the van actually made me more nervous,

New Delhi airport and to Chandigarh by

out on the playground.

because of the winding roads! After a

local train, reaching the starting point of

day of rest, I was back on track with a

the nine-day adventurous biking route.

When Ani told us all about the Leh-

bandaged arm and completed my trip

Ladakh route trip, I knew I was not going

successfully. Good times always come to

Bikers from Oman

to miss it! Looking back, I guess I will do

an end but I have come back refreshed

• Ani Varghese (team Leader and

it every year! It is a challenging, exciting

and ready for the next adventure!”

Enfield local dealer) • Krystal Murriy

and a dream route for bikers of the world.

With a good support team, the 9 to 11

Moments of bliss

• Simon Hawgood

day trip proved to be a well planned

When they were riding, the roar of the

• Lars

adventure. The climate, the landscape,

bikes could drown any other sound. But,

• Jesper Ege Rasmussen

the terrain and the vroom of the bikes is

when they camped out in the Himalayas,

• Kevin Junglov August - October 2012

27

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August - October 2012

“The Leh-Ladakh route is considered the toughest motoring route in the world. Every serious biker should take up this route. It is a lifetime achievement for every biker as it offers multiple terrains to ride on!�

August - October 2012

29

Globe-Trail

Day 1: Narkanda

Day 2: Kalpa

Stay at: Agyaat Vass Eco Lodge

Stay at: Hotel Shangri-la, Kalpa

Route: Panchkula – Pinjaur – Kalka – Dharampur – Solan

Route:

– Kandaghat – Chail – Kufri- Theog-Narkanda

Poari-Recong Peo – Kalpa

Narkanda is a town in Shimla district in the Indian state of

Kalpa is a small town in the Sutlej river valley, above Recong Peo

Himachal Pradesh. It is at an altitude of 2708 meters on

in the Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh. It is inhabited by

the Hindustan-Tibet Road (NH 22) and about 65 km.

Kinnauri people and famous for its apple orchards.

Narkanda-Rampur-Jeori-sungra-Wangtu-

Karcham-

Kalpa is a town with a history of ancient temples. The Sutlej river below hurtles through deep gorges, the winding mountain road is bordered by chilgoza forests. The serenity of this sleepy hamlet was not often visited by foreigners until recently, but there are still relatively few visitors. Relaxation of the inner line permits in the mid-nineties (kinnaur borders China) opened the area to tourism.

Day 3: Kaza Stay: the Spiti, Kaza Route: Kalpa-RecongPeo – Poari – Jangi – Puh – Yangthang – Chango – Tabo – Kaza The town of Kaza, Kaze or Kaja is the subdivisional headquarters of the remote Spiti Valley in the Lahaul and Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh in the western Himalayas of India. Spiti, which is a part of the the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal. Kaza, situated along the Spiti River river at an elevation of 3,650 metres (11,980 ft) above mean sea level, is the largest township and commercial center of the Valley.

Day 4: Keylong Stay at: The Chandrabhaga, Keylong Route: Kaza – Losar – Kunzum – Pass – Batal – Chhatru – Gramphu – Sissu – Tandi – Keylong Situated at an altitude of 3350 m, keylong is the headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. The region is strange, exciting, primitive, mountainous and delightful. It is located along the Manali-Leh Highway, about 7 km (4.3 m) north-east of intersection of the Chandra valley, the Bhaga valley and the Chenab valley; on the banks of Bhaga river. It is an oasis of green fields and willow trees, water streams surrounded with brown hills and snow capped peaks.

30

August - October 2012

Day 5: Sarchu Stay at: Himalayan Saga, Sarchu Route: Keylong – Jispa – Dharcha – Patsio – Baralacha LaSarchu Sarchu (Also called Sir Bhum Chun), a tented camp in the Himalayas on the Leh-Manali highway, on the boundary between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir) in India. It is situated between Baralacha La to the south and Lachulung La to the north, at an altitude of 4,290

Day 6 & 7: LEH

m. The journey along the Manali-Leh highway at high altitude and variable road conditions, normally takes two days, so

Stay at: Hotel Caravan Centre, Leh,

travellers and tourists use this spot as an overnight stop. An

Route: Sarchu – Lingti- Lachalung La – Tanglang La – Rumtse

Indian army camp is sited nearby on the banks of the Tsarap

– Lato – Upshi – Thiksey – Leh

Chu River. The highway and thus the camp are closed during

Leh is the heart of the Leh Disctrict and capital of Ladakh in

the winter, when snow blocks the high passes along the road.

the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

This spot can also be used as a start point for the difficult trek

Leh is located in the Indus river valley at a crossroad of the old

into the Zanskar region of the Ladakh.

trading routes from Kashgar, Tibet and Kashmir.

Day 8: Nubra Valley Stay at: Thirit Camp, Thirit Route: Leh – South Pullu – Khardung La – Khardung – Khalsar – Thirit The Nubra Valley, once on the trading route that connected easter Tibet with Turkistan via the famous Karakoram Pass, is the most recently opened area of Ladakh. Nubra invites you to a trip back in time into a nearly forgotten ‘Shangri La’. With breathtaking views and delightfully hospitable inhabitants, it is quite an experience. Local scholars say that its original name has was Ldumra (the valley of flowers). The Shyok River meets the Nubra or Siachan River to form a large valley that seperates the Ladakh and the Karakorm Ranges. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 ft. above sea level.

Day 9: Return to Leh Route: Thirit – Khalsar – Khardung- Khardung La – South Pullu - Leh August - October 2012

31

Flight of the Gibbon‌ Words: Priyanka Sampat Photographs: Jackline Vieira

32

August - October 2012

One moment I was on terra firma, and in the next, I was swinging wildly from tree to tree like a mad monkey.

It was great to be a teenager again! I doubt whether any ‘flight’ could be this fun and exhilarating!

I was in a deep Thai rainforest enjoying an unrepeatable adventure – the Flight of the Gibbon, a unique zipline canopy experience where you fly through a pristine rainforest.

My heart skipped a beat when I stood on the first treetop platform and viewed the scene before me – the ziplines looked like some thin lines, more like electric lines, connecting some large trees in a dense green forest. For some moments I stood there transfixed, not fully sure of what I was going to do. Then the gentle voice of one of the two young sky rangers, who accompanied us throughout the tour, broke in to my moment of temporary paralysis: “It is quite safe, you don’t have to worry one bit,” he said, smiling reassuringly at me.

I closed my eyes, gulped and finally decided to take the plunge.

But, before I leap, let me take you back to how I got here: August - October 2012

33

34

August - October 2012

During the Eid holidays (Aug 2012) my group of friends (famously known as the ‘Wolfpack’) and I decided to go on a mini vacation or more like a weekend getaway.

After

many

discussions

and

brainstorming sessions on the various destinations to visit, we zeroed down on Thailand, deciding to explore Thailand a little differently than the usual. Some research led us to discover an adventure sport, Thailand’s premiere day Zip Line Canopy adventure tour called the ‘Flight of the Gibbon’, which is located an hour away, on the outskirts of Bangkok in the lush rainforests of the Chonburi district in Thailand, somewhere between Bangkok and Pattaya. The world famous course is situated between the 30,000 hectare Chompoo Wildlife Sanctuary, home to some of Thailand’s most fascinating plant and animal life and Khao Kheeo Open Safari.

Once

we

reached

there

we

were

welcomed by the friendly staff who gave us a verbal tour of the flight. Then we were introduced to the sky rangers.

They explained the nitty gritty of the tour and gave us the safety instructions, after which we were equipped with the safety gear.

Then we set out for a quite steep 15 minutes walk in the rainforests of Thailand, which brought us to the first treetop platform to start off our zip lining experience.

The whole zip line canopy was stretched over three kilometres. The first zip line was rather low and stretched to around 50 meters. Every time we started off, one sky ranger would zip line to the other end before us to ensure that we land safely…

I shut my eyes, uttered a prayer, and then launched myself into a world unknown.

August - October 2012

35

36

August - October 2012

A gibbon at the Khao Kheeo open zoo

August - October 2012

37

38

August - October 2012

But, I couldn’t shut it permanently. My eyes inflated, my heart raced and my breath whizzed along with the ‘flight’. For the first few moments, I did not realise that I was screaming and when I did the silence that followed was all enveloping and I began to scream again.

What I was doing was – in a crude form – what the masters of air locomotion, namely, the gibbons, did in forests – swinging from branch to branch. But unlike these extremely acrobatic and agile creatures of the forests, I was a novice to this. Yet, within the next few minutes, I realised that there was nothing much to fear. Safety is foremost in this flight and while it is a fast paced experience (you can zip between platforms in mere seconds at times) and quite a challenge for the vertically disinclined. But, if you manage to control your initial fear, it is a cakewalk, or should I say, ‘cakefly’?

August - October 2012

39

Globe-Trail

40

August - October 2012

One important thing to remember though is that you should never ever place your hands on the iron rope – your fingers could get sliced off in a jiffy! But, the safety aspects were thoroughly drilled into us by the sky rangers so we were not liable to make such mistakes. I flew, sometimes, low, but still cutting in between the trees and other times, atop them, so much so that all I could see below were the frail tips of the presumably tall trees!

Sometimes it felt as though I could even touch the skies.

I was part of a nine member group and all of us zipped, most of us yodeling on top of our voices. We zipped across 24 platforms, with one of the longest zip line stretching over 300 metres. We spent nearly three hours in the air enjoying one of the most unadulterated flying pleasures one could ask for. They say all good things have to end and so it was with a certain amount of reluctance that we descended down from the ‘heavens’ back to the land, but an authentic and delicious Thai meal helped bring us down to earth. We ate ravenously, for we did work up an appetite.

Post delicious meal we were taken around the Khao Kheeo* open safari where we were given a full animal treat up close, even some of the most endangered ones.

When we were getting out of the enclosure, we saw a group all trussed up in safety gear moving a bit nervously towards the platforms. We grinned amongst ourselves and gave them a silent wink – they did not know they were going to experience a flight of a lifetime!

(Khao Kheeo is a world renowned model for the ‘open zoo’ concept where animals are kept in spacious landscaped enclosures.)

Price: 3299

Baht/person

(approx

OMR41/

person) Website: http://www.treetopasia.com

August - October 2012

41

Oman-Trail

In the stillness of a half moon silent night a stray mut mutt barks somewhere in the distance. We pullle down the windows of our four wheeler pulled and gazed g out into the darkness. We wanted to have a night vision of the rather strange spot we had vvisited earlier in the day. We were passing th hrou this place so we just briefly stopped to through h ave a night look at a rock garden that we were have a all awe struck by, earlier that morning.

42

August - October 2012

The dog barked again and in the distance as our eyes got used to the darkness we saw some eerie looking mammoth-sized animals taking shape. It seemed as though we were on another planet – an animal planet -- where the beasts were cast in stone. Have one of those stone beasts come alive? Did the barking mutt emerge from this stone zoo?

Beasts coming alive ed We raised the windows and moved on in the dark as we pondered over this weird theory of a ‘stone’ animal coming alive. It was a strange experience and so we did not want to entertain such lay thoughts. The ever affable Mutasam Sulaiman Nasser Al Taway, a media man from Oman Drydock Company SAOC (which had organised this trip to Duqm, particularly to this rock garden), e a turned and smiled at us: “Do you want to get down and have hought, midnight picnic in a rock garden?” We were energised by the thought, aste o his but we finally decided not to give into our whims. We already had a ttaste off tthis famous garden in the blazing sunlight earlier that morning…

August - October 2012

43

Oman-Trail

looking limestone and sandstone rocks.

kilometers stretch of limestone and

hundred

Never judge anything – even rocks – by

sandstone rocks, which was formed in

kilometers away from Muscat, almost in

their looks. For these rocks are said to be

an underground freshwater aquifer over

the middle of nowhere: On one side we

some 40-odd million years old!

46 million years ago.

were touching several millions of years,

Standing in the rock garden, overwhelmed

and on the other – now, modernity,

by the strange rock formations, we also

Larger-than-life figures

today. Millions of years old rock on one

realised that we were in the middle of

This three-square kilometers stretch is

side, today’s technology on the other.

history,

and

devoid of all activity, except for curious

We stood ensconced between these

geology, and then strangely enough, as

visitors like us who have come to admire

millions of years old rocks and modern

we looked into the near distance, you

nature’s work of art. Over the years,

life taking shape just some distance

saw cranes and trucks moving. “On the

some of the greatest artists known to

away and got ourselves baked under a

one hand you have millions of years old

mankind, namely wind, water, frost and

sweltering sun in the blazing hot Rock

rocks and on the other you have modern

other natural forces, have shaped some

Garden in Wilayat Al Duqm, Al Wusta

technology plugging away on the ground

unusual figures on this soft white sand.

region.

nearby as new buildings and offices

Some larger-than-life animal figures are

slowly take shape in the distance,”

hewn out of the limestone and sandstones

Mutasam Al Taway explained to us.

forming a veritable Rock Zoo.

Amidst history and modernity We

stood

some

several

45 million years old

44

archeology,

geography

History touched modernity and that

The incongruity of the scene is that

unique moment was not lost upon us as

development activity is spread all around

Top site of geological importance

we gingerly stepped on some ordinary

this rock garden, which is a three square

Duqm’s rock garden is one of the top 25

August - October 2012

sites of geological scientific importance

Another 45 million years?

in Oman and the rock formations

A visit to this rock wonder is highly

are

beauty.

recommended. It is amazing how in the

This ancient stone park set in a dry

stillness of these uniquely shaped rocks

landscape is a protected heritage site.

your mind empties itself and slowly

While its geological scientific value is

takes on the surroundings. This is a

unmistakable, the other aspect, its ability

phenomenon that has managed to lift

to inspire is equally amazing. Recently,

itself from above the mundane growth

it was also a location for a group of

of civilisation and even the ravages of

artists,

writers

time for the last 45 million years. Instead

who, according to published reports,

of asking the trite question whether it

stayed there for three days as part of a

might survive another 45 million years,

project, to create their own impressions

the question to really ask is whether we

of this geological and geomorphological

will be true to our responsibility to keep it

wonders of this planet.

going for the next 45‌?

of

exceptional

scenic

photographers

and

August - October 2012

45

Oman-Trail

46

August - October 2012

Is that a dog? A sea lion? No, just a rock shaped like an animal at the Rock Garden in Duqm

August - October 2012

47

Oman-Trail

Where the sea, mountains and hills

48

August - October 2012

After savouring the rock garden, we thought it would be only fit

realised seeing the number of vehicles returning from the beach

to visit a pristine natural spot where the sea, mountains and hills

area as we sped there. Some of them were tourists too. Most of

meet. A visit to Duqm is not complete without visiting one of its

them come to enjoy the weather, to bathe in the sea and the fish

most popular spots – Ra’s Madrakah, a peninsula that can be

and also to soak in the serenity of the surroundings.

found further to its southern end.

Moving into the white beach, we quickly panned the area to find

Ra’s Madrakah is about 46km -- around 40 minutes by car –

some quick shots to take back home. The beach is set in an

from Duqm in Al Wusta region. We hit the road from Duqm in

area with rocky cliffs on either side. Some of the rocks seem

the late afternoon hours to reach our destination a little over

to rise from the sea and one could sit on the sands watching

40 minutes owing to a couple of stops to reconfirm the route

the sea playfully gushing over the rocks and sometimes sending

with passers bye. There are some villages scattered along its

spectacular sprays. The sun was setting as we sat there,

coast and this quaint spot is a much visited area as we ourselves

emptying our minds of all thought.

August - October 2012

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Oman-Trail

50 50

Aug A Au August ugus ug uust sstt - October Oct O Oc cttobe ct obbbeer 2012 oobe 201 0012 12 12

Swaying

beauty Duqm’s unmistakable pride is docked silently at its port. But, the silence is expected to be broken soon when news of this swaying beauty spreads far and wide and its popularity rises in tandem with the emerging industrial oil town that is Duqm.

The town is surely going to blip on the global industrial radar soon, and the country’s first and only floating luxury hotel, is also going to get its due.

August - October 2012

51

Oman-Trail

52

August - October 2012

Veronica, the 200-plus room floating hotel, owned and operated by the DSME, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Oman LLC, the operators of Oman Drydock Company, was seen as a phenomenon when it docked here some years back. It came at a time when the Omani government was investing heavily in Duqm’s development. Thereby it served as the ideal venue to accommodate the stakeholders involved in the development. A cheerful Sean Halliday, rooms division manager of Veronica, gave us the works: “All of the 200-plus rooms on the Veronica are well furnished. You can choose from a range of luxury, deluxe and standard rooms. Veronica also has readily available entertainment facilities for the guests including karaoke rooms, library, business centre, sports bar, theatre, shopping arcade, gym, salon, swimming pool, lounges and multi cuisine restaurants.”

August - October 2012

53

Oman-Trail

54

August - October 2012

Halliday gave us a tour of the Veronica where one can stay a night at prices ranging from OMR32 for serviced residences to OMR215 for one of the two luxury cabins on board. In October 2010, the DSME bought Mona Lisa, a cruise ship built in 1966, from Bahamas shipping firm Leonardo Shipping Inc, with the intention of converting it into a luxurious floating hotel, to be stationed at the Duqm Drydock. With investments of over $30mn, the ship was renamed as Veronica. The Veronica, previously known as the MV Mona Lisa, began life in 1966 as a transatlantic liner for the Swedish American Line, a passenger and cargo shipping line. It was commissioned in Clydebank, Scotland by one of the biggest shipping companies of the world John Brown and Company.

Maritime history Early in the tour, Halliday pointed out to a large mural, which depicted the maritime history of Sweden. “We have retained this mural as a memoir to the ancient history,” Halliday explained. “The last owner was Greek and the vessel was called Monalisa. The DSME took charge some 22 months back and this was the second vessel to go to the Drydock.

The ship was refurbished and the interiors were done by DSME and are managed by the same operators,” Halliday said.

Focus on Duqm “Duqm ‘as a region’ is on the highlight of development and progress and we hope to see more tourists and visitors in the near future. With the Duqm airport on the agenda, we are sure the percentage of the visitors will only increase. Our first international guests were from Sweden, a group of serious bird watchers. They were in Salalah and on their way back stayed in Duqm on the Veronica. There are no five star hotels currently in this area and Veronica is a pleasant and unique luxury option.

With the beauty of the pristine beaches nearby, like the Ras Madrakha and Ras Markaz, the wind sculpted heritage Rock Garden dated several millions of years and the fabled Oryx Sanctuary near Haima, the region is a rich destination for visitors and tourists. We arrange tours for our guests aboard,” Halliday said.

A good place to rest Currently, the local residents are unaware of the facilities available at Veronica and guests are mostly business related clients of companies like ODC. “There is a fair amount of people travelling from Muscat and Dubai to Salalah and Duqm being the halfway point would be a good place to rest from the long drive. We are looking forward to those travellers in the near future, once we start our promotional and seasonal offers,” Halliday said. The Floating Hotel Veronica also has several retail and office spaces available for lease to local and international businesses who wish to open a satellite office in Duqm and be closer to their project sites,” Halliday said. The Veronica offers guests a homeaway-from-home atmosphere and it can also accommodate both long staying business clients involved in Duqm projects as well as tourists visiting to see the tourist spots within the vicinity, he added.

(The B&W team visited the Veronica in mid-May this year and the facts are related as per the date. For bookings: reservations@veronicaduqm. com; rooms@veronicaduqm.com )

August - October 2012

55

Cliff Diving World Series concludes in the picturesque

56

August - October 2012

Wadi Shab – Oman

August - October 2012

57

58

August - October 2012

Re

d

Bu ll

Cliff Diving

The world’s elite cliff divers step up their game for the series finale on September 27th Every high diver’s dream is to qualify for the Olympics. They

and there are fantastic echoes heard when one swims in it.

work hard to perfect their jump and achieve the ultimate score,

Kingfishers add glorious splashes of colour. Although parts were

overcoming the many risks and obstacles that come in their way.

damaged in a cyclone, it is still one of the most scenic Wadis in

With time comes the experience, and with experience comes

all of Oman. Some of the natural pools are not for swimming in,

perfection. But after outgrowing swimming pools, divers begin to

however, as the spring water is an important part of the local

search for bigger challenges, ultimately reaching for one of the

villages’ resources.

most exhilarating sports in the world: cliff diving. And with Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series dominating that scene, divers will

Mana and Pono – back to the roots

definitely step up their game for a chance to be crowned World

Building on its Olympic roots, this extreme sport requires both

Champions.

immense strength and balance or what is known as “Mana” and “Pono” in ancient Hawaiian Shamans. These fundamental

This year’s leading diving competition was launched off the cliffs

beliefs were at the core of 18th century cliff diver – Lei Lei

of the picturesque French island of Corsica on June 22nd. It will

Kawa’s philosophy as he rose to fame for his daring jumps. In

continue its journey into some of the most magnificent locations

modern times, cliff diving continues to call for these two qualities,

around the world including Norway, Portugal, Ireland, USA and UK

particularly with diving adventures thriving in various locations

before landing for its seventh and closing stop in the wonderful

around the world. Yet it wasn’t until May 2009 that the sport

Wadi Shab – Oman on September 27.

acquired its organised and professional form of today, when

The Oman stop will be held under the patronage of His Highness

Red Bull launched the Cliff Diving World Series involving dives of

Sayyid Tarik bin Shabib Al-Said and in partnership with the

vertiginous heights comparable to that of the roof of a 10-storey

ministry of tourism, Muscat Arab Tourism Capital 2012, MBC

building. Every year, 14 of the world’s cliff diving elite with huge

Action, Omantel and Merge FM.

amount of cliff diving experience and ranging in age between 25 and 46 years are selected from 10 different countries to compete

The final stop

in this absorbing contest.

Oman hosts the season showdown in the gorgeous Wadi Shab.

The canyon-like valley provides a most spectacular backdrop

27 meters, 3 seconds, 85 km/h

for the crowning of the 2012 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series

It takes three seconds to jump from a height of 27 meters and

Champion.

hit the waters at the speed of 85 km per hour... three simple

Palm and date trees line the narrow, winding and old rock paths,

seconds that define this mighty jump and call for perfect physical

with a series of streams, aquamarine pools and waterfalls —

awareness as the slightest mistake could cause permanent

the Wadi combines the attractions of coastal areas and inland

physical damage to the diver, similar to a 13 meter-high jump

wonders. Wadi Shab lies in Niyabat Tiwi, a village between the

on dry land. During that time, divers accelerate from 0 to

capital, Muscat,and the town of Sur. Easy to reach from the

85km/h. But what might seem like a blink for the spectator is

Qurayyat-Sur highway; it has at least seven pools of emerald

in fact an eternity for the athlete as he “flies” off the cliff in a

green water and is studded with dramatic boulders. One of the

perfectly synchronised motion, before immersing in the water,

pools is in a cave where light streams in dramatically from above

decelerating then resurfacing with a sigh of relief.

August - October 2012

59

The competition itself is organised under the form of dual

As for Artem Silchenko, he secured back to back wins during the

confrontation with heightened levels of excitement all throughout

third and fourth phases which prompted him to third place (500

the event. And still... the incredibly skilled athletes have to win the

points) in the overall standings.

approval of the international judges, who score every fraction of the dive starting from the moment of the jump to every position

The leading trio is joined by eight other divers to constitute the

during the “flight” all the way through to immersion.

11 permanent divers in the competition, with three more being

Cliff diving heroes

selected at every round to bring up the total number to 14. The first three rounds include seven dual confrontations, with the

In the inaugural 2009 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series competition,

winners and the losing diver with the highest score qualifying

Orlando Duque from Colombia was crowned champion followed

for the final dive.

by UK’s Gary Hunt in second place and Artem Silchenko from

athlete who scores the highest cumulated number of points in all

Russia came in third. In the following season, roles were inverted

competitions during the season.

Cliff Diving World Series champion is the

as the Englishman managed to exceed expectations and sweep up the lead, relegating the Colombian back to second, while the

RBCD World series finale in Wadi Shab

Russian maintained his position.

Seven stops around the world from Corsica in the Mediterranean, to Grimstad in Norway, to the Azores in Portugal followed by the

60

Unfortunately, Duque sustained some injuries which kept him

Serpent’s Lair in Ireland, Boston in the United States, Wales –

away from the competition in 2011; Hunt retained his lead and

UK and finally Wadi Shab in Oman, seven battles in breathtaking

Silchenko jumped up to second place while Michal Navratil from

venues to decide the championship.

the Czech Republic won the last of the podium positions. The 2012

The pinnacle of high diving competition will fittingly conclude in a

World Series is well on its way towards the second half following

showdown of divers versus gravity over the emerald waters of the

stops in Corsica, Norway, Portugal and Ireland, lead by Orlando

Arabian Gulf in Wadi Shab – Oman to crown the World Champion

Duque (610 points). Hunt (UK) is in second place with 510 points.

and mesmerise audiences.

August - October 2012

2012 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series stops: Corsica –

France:

22- 23 June

Grimstad –

Norway:

6-7 July

Azores –

Portugal:

20-21 July

Inis Mor –

Ireland:

3-4 August

Boston –

USA:

24-25 August

Wales –

UK:

7-8 September

Wadi Shab –

Oman:

26-27 September

For more information visit: www.redbullmea.com/cliffdiving

August - October 2012

61

Celebrity say

62

August - October 2012

‘King of Scotland’ falls in love with Oman’s desert Oman’s pristine brownish red desert can make anyone fall in love with it. The ‘Last King of Scotland’ was one such man who was struck by the beauty of Oman’s desert. Oscar winning actor Forest Steven Whitaker, who was here in Oman as part of the 7th Muscat Film Festival (MIFF), was bowled over by the beauty of Oman’s desert. In between picking an award (Golden Khanjar) as part of the festival and enjoying his stay at Oman’s internationally renowned hotel, Al Bustan Palace hotel, Whitaker quietly slipped into the Sharqiyah sands along with the organisers to soak in the sun and sand. Sharqiyah sands, which extends over an area of upto 10,000 square kilometers, is the original homeland of the Bedouins and is a well known tourist attraction offering excitement and vitality – far away from the madding crowd!

The Unesco Goodwill Ambassador dune bashed the sands and enjoyed a night under the stars in one of the world’s finest deserts.

August - October 2012

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Information

Traveller’s guide Airlines Flight Information (24 hours): 24 519456 Aeroflot: 24 704455 Air Arabia 24 700828 Air France 24 562153 Air India 24 799801 Air New Zealand 24 700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24 701128 British Airways 24 568777 Cathay Pacific 24 789818 Egypt Air 24 794113 Emirates Air 24 792222 Ethiopian Airlines 24 660313 Gulf Air (toll-free number) 800 72424 Indian Airlines 24 791914 Iran Air 24 787423 Japan Airlines 24 704455 Jazeera Airways 23 294848 Jet Airways 24 796680 Kenya Airways 24 660317 KLM 24 566737 Kuwait Airways 24 701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24 796387 Lufthansa 24 796692 Malaysian Airlines 24 560796 Middle East Airlines 24 796680 Oman Air 24 707222, 24519953 PIA 24 792471 Qatar Airways 24 771900 Qantas 24 559941 Royal Jordanian 24 796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24 789485 Singapore Airlines 24 791233 Sri Lankan Airlines 24 784545 Sudan Airways 24816565 Swiss Air 24 787416 Syrian Airways 24797567 Thai Airways 24 705934 Turkish Airlines 24 475030 Art galleries Al Madina Art Gallery Bait Muzna Gallery Omani Heritage Gallery Omani Society for Fine Arts Raj Relics 99329842 Yitti Art Gallery Bookshops Borders Family Bookshop, Qurm Madinat as Sultan Qaboos Turtles House of Prose (Used books) Cinemas Al Nasr Cinema Al Shatti Plaza 64

August - October 2012

24691380 24739204 24696974 24694969 24564297

24558089 24564391 24600084 24696217 24564356

24831358 24693557

Markaz al Bahja Cinema Stars Cinema

24540855 24791641

Embassies and consulates Algeria 24 605593 Austria 24 793135 Bahrain 24 605074 Bangladesh 24 567379 Belgium 24 562033 Canada 24 788890 Chile 24 561977 China 24 696698 Colombia 24 816264 Cyprus 24 490200 Denmark 24 526000 Egypt 24 600411 Finland 24 701454 France 24 681800 Germany 24 832164 Greece 24 706648 Holland 24 603706 India 24 814120 Iran 24 696944 Iraq 24 604178 Ireland 24 797083 Italy 24 693727 Japan 24 601028 Jordan 24 692760 Korea 24 691490 Kuwait 24 699627 Lebanon 24 695844 Malaysia 24 698329 Mexico 24 561977 Morocco 24 696152 Mozambique 24 594207 Netherlands 24 603719 Norway 24 603706 Pakistan 24 603439 Palestine 24 601312 Philippines 24 605140 Portugal 24 561400 Qatar 24 691153 Russian Federation 24 602894 Rwanda 24 487978 Saudi Arabia 24 601744 Somalia 24 697977 South Africa 24 694793 Spain 24 691101 Sri Lanka 24 697841 Sudan 24 697875 Sweden 24 708693 Switzerland 24 568202 Syria 24 697904 Taiwan 24 605695 Tanzania 24 601174 Thailand 24 602684 Tunisia 24 603486 Turkey 24 697050 United Arab Emirates 24 600988 United Kingdom 24 609000

Uruguay USA Yemen Libraries Bibliothèque Française: British Council Knowledge and Learning Centre: Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Public Technical Library Science: United States Information Service: Raspberry’s Books: Museums Bait Adam 99356676 Bait Al Baranda Bait Al Zubair Children’s Museum 24605368/9 Currency Museum Muscat gate Museum Nakhal Fort museum National Museum Natural History Museum Omani-French Museum Oman Heritage Museum Planetarium: Sayyid Faisal bin Ali Museum Salalah Museum Sohar fort Museum Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum Sur Maritime Museum

24 568202 24 643400 24 600815

24681874 24681000 24707684 24673111 24643400 95086074

24605033, 24714262 24736688

24641510 24739005 26781384 24701289 24641366 24736613 24600346 24675542 24641650 23294549 26844758 24588700 24541466

Special interest groups American Women’s Group 24594751 Environment Society of Oman 24482121 Historical Association of Oman 24563074 Horticultural Association 24605493 Indian Social Club 99322713 Muscat Amateur Theatre 24562511 Oman Bird Watching Camp 24695498 Omani Women Association 24602800 Royal Omani Amateur Radio Society 24600407 Woman’s Guild of Oman www.womensguildoman.org Taxis Al Dar Taxi Hello taxi Muscat Cab

24700555 24697997 96429096

Oman’s First Free Fortnightly Magazine

Read our magazine ONLINE Log on to

www.blackandwhiteoman.com Find us on facebook

blackwhite Oman

August - October 2012

A Perfect Weekend Getaway

Breathtaking views

Sounds of Silence

15 exclusive personalised en suite luxury tents

Never-ending Campfire Tales

Refreshing escape

Also open to groups and for meetings 2.5 hrs away from Muscat nestled in the mountains in Al Hamra www.theviewoman.com

on Two Wheels with our unique guided tours

Avail our introductory offer and get 10% discount on any of our exciting tours

PO Box 833, Postal Code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman Tel: Off: (968) 24400873, Fax: (968) 25422095, Mobile: (968) 95165038, 98518778, Email: manager@bikeandhikeoman.com, reservations@bikeandhikeoman.com www.bikeandhikeoman.com

Offer ends December 31st 2012