VOL 9 ISSUE 19 / AUGUST 21, 2015
LEVANTINE LEISURE MEDITERRANEAN INSPIRATION FOR YOUR WEEKEND MENU
THIS WEEK IN OMAN
AL THAT ALL GLITTERS GL Le Learn about Oman’s dramatic necklaces, dra intricate rings, and heavy int anklets. PAGE 20 an
THE ART OF LIGHT
WARRIOR WOMEN
Take inspiration from an iconic Muscat hotel and use a few well-placed light fixtures to transform an otherwise simple space. PAGE 12
From the Olympics to the high seas, meet five of Muscat’s most accomplished female athletes. PAGE 22
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HI WEEKLY
VOLUME 9 ISSUE 19 AUGUST 21, 2015
Give us a shout with questions, comments, compliments, complaints, or just to say “Hi” Founder Essa bin Mohamed Al Zedjali Chairman Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali CEO Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com
Chief Executive Editor Scott Armstrong hubert @timesofoman.com
felicia@timesofoman.com
Executive Features Editor Felicia Campbell Editors Hubert Vaz, Swati Dasgupta
Chief Sub-Editors Mohammed Shafeeqe, Ashish Dubash shafeeq @timesofoman.com
ameerudheen @timesofoman.com
ashishdubash @timesofoman.com
Special Correspondent Salim Joseph Reporters T. A. Ameerudheen Faisal Mohammed Naim Mahran Shaukat Ali Junior Reporter Shruthi Nair
swati @timesofoman.com
salim @timesofoman.com faisal @timesofoman.com
mahran@timesofoman.com
Chief Creative Officer Adonis Durado Associate Art Director Waleed Rabin Graphic Editor Antonio Farach Design Editor Sahir K.M. Chief Designer Ali Jani Designers Antonio Ismael San Diego Geri Batara Sonny Gregory Fernandez Photography MMG Photographers aziz@timesofoman.com
Head Of Advertising & Marketing Aziz K. Baker Production Manager Shafi Shaik Circulation Manager Vinod Panicker vinodpanicker@timesofoman.com
On The Cover Cover Photograph by Shabin E Design by Gregory Fernandez
Muscat Media Group An ISO 9001:2008 certified company Post Box: 770, Postal Code: 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman EDITORIAL 24726600/24726666 Ext 235/160 felicia@timesofoman.com
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VOLUME 9 ISSUE 19 AUGUST 21, 2015
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THE WEEKEND LINEUP Catch the hottest events that are happening this week in our calendar.
20 21 22 THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Check Out an International Dance Party
Go to the Theatre
Photography: Supplied
Sunburn, a music festival that began in Goa in 2007 and has since grown into one of the world’s largest dance parties, is making its debut in Muscat at On the Rocks with ‘Sunburn Reload’. ‘Su This ‘reloaded’ ‘reload experience will feature state-offe the-art special effects, s mind blowing visuals, b and impressive laser im graphics to accompany the thumping beats at thum this extravaganza. Get ext in touch for details and tickets. Golden Tulip p +968 +9 2434 6765 5 +968 +9 9798 3333 33 sunburn.in n.in
Theatre season is kicking off with the Original Theatre Festival (August 21 – 29), at the Oman Auditorium of Al Bustan Palace Hotel, will host six plays (five in English and one in Hindi), including ‘Two to Tango and Three to Jive’, ‘Get Rid of My Wife’, ‘The Government Inspector’, ‘Hound of Bhaskervilles’ and ‘Class Act’, and ‘Kaumudi’ (Hindi) Oman Auditorium Al Bustan Palace Hotel Tickets: +968 2478 9555
Practice your Reggae Moves Enjoy a thunderous night of R&B and Reggae Dancehall with DJ Teddy Jam, at On The Rocks in Seeb. On The Rocks +968 2461 5560
SATURDAY Practise for an Eating Competition This Wednesday night the “King of Wings” showdown will reward the brave soul who can eat the most medium-hot wings in 2 minutes with a cash prize of OMR200. Get registered and start “training” with an order of fiery chicken. Buffalo Wings & Rings Al Sarooj buffalowingsandrings. om/kingofwings +968 2494 9424/ +968 9393 1931
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Going out of town to see any of these events? Tag us on Instagram @HiWeekly_Oman
Will you be there this weekend? Show us your pics! Tag us on Instagram #HiWeekend and tell us about it on Facebook.com/HiWeekly
KHALEEJI HAPPENINGS Broadcasting the best events in the GCC
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6:30pm Thursday, August 20 Blaze Street Dance (Dubai) From August 20 – 23, the international street dance show, Blaze, will feature some of the best dancers in the world grooving to hits from the likes of Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, David Guetta, and Snoop Dogg at The DUCTAC Theatre. Tickets and details: ticketmaster.ae
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8:00pm Friday, August 21 & Saturday August 22nd The Illuminaire – Fire and Light Spectacular (Al Ain) This fire and light show takes its cues from the mythology of ancient cultures and a vision of an enlightened future for a distinctive and stunning beautiful visual performance. Al Ain Municipality Theatre, tickets: abudhabievents.ae
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8:00pm Friday, August 21 & Saturday August 22nd
The Illusionist (Abu Dhabi) Award-winning master illusionist, Hans Klok, will perform his signature deathdefying stunts at Du Forum in Abu Dhabi. Tickets: abudhabisummerseason.ae
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7.:30pm Thursday, August 20 Tech House & Trance After Midnight (Qatar) The After Midnight Party at the Champions Sports Bar in the Entertainment Hub of Marriot Marquis City Center Doha promises loads of dancing into the wee hours. The order of the night is Trans House and Trance Music churned out by Mr. D, MLoop and Thiago. For details: +974 44196100; mhrs.dohmq.ays@marriotthotels.com
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Friday, August 21 11:00PM OT GENASIS LIVE American Rapper OT Genasis is back in Dubai to perform at Movida in the Radisson Royal Hotel. Reservations: +971 5517 4449, movida-club.com, mihaela@movida-dubai.com
FIVE TO TRY Traditional Souqs *Souks in Oman close midday, and are typically open from around 8am-noon, and again from 4:30pm until roughly 9pm.
hiweekend@timesofoman.com
Nizwa Souq
Seeb Souq
Fanja Souq
Ibra Souq
Al Hafah Souq
Visit the Nizwa Souq, home to traditional goods such as daggers, pottery, textiles, handicrafts, and livestock (now only on Fridays) for centuries. Located adjacent to the popular Nizwa Fort, the Nizwa Souq is a great weekend destination. On Fridays, the market is taken over by a livestock auction and shops are only open from 8am-11am.
Check out Seeb Souq, north of the Seeb airport on the scenic oceanfront corniche, not only for traditional goods, but also for extremely fresh vegetables, meat, spices and textiles, all sold for a song. If you arrive early, you can strike a deal on good seafood sold straight off the boats.
This souq was once located in the old shopping area of Fanja, but was shifted to its present location to allow better access for shoppers. People from Fanja and neighbouring villages come to the market to buy or sell handicrafts, pottery, and antique household articles, especially Mandoos (wooden chests).
If you are a lady, you should visit the Ibra Souq on a Wednesday when the womenonly market, held from 6am1pm, draws women from all over for traditional garments, imitation jewellery, henna, shoes, and a wide variety of handicrafts and traditional home décor. Visit as a family on the weekend to experience the more typical daily market.
Stop by at the Al Hafah Souq, during your trip to Salalah. About 3 km from the city, this souq is surrounded by tall coconut trees and is the perfect place to pick up fresh fruits and vegetables, jewellery and clothing, as well as the best frankincense in Oman.
Photography: Supplied
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MUS C AT S TAY C AT IONS
SPA ESCAPES Who doesn’t crave an escape after an especially tiring week at work? But here’s the catch; after such a week most of us don’t have the time or energy to get out of town. A day at one of the capital’s luxurious spas can help you disconnect and recharge, no packing required. Here are a few of our favourites. By Swati Dasgupta THE SPA, CHEDI MUSCAT Visit ultra-modern, ultra-luxurious spa at the Chedi in Ghubra and choose from an extensive variety of health and beauty rituals based on the holistic principles of aromatherapy, ayurveda, and herbalism. Go for A 90-minute therapeutic massage from one of the fantastic therapists. Then spend the afternoon relaxing in their tranquil rejuvenation room that overlooks the Sea of Oman. This weekend you could also opt for the summer special: a 60-minute Ancient Balinese Massage followed by an Aromatic Herbal Steam Bath. Add on a thirty-minute beauty treatment like Body Polish or an Organic Cleansing Facial to complete your pampering. Cost Summer special spa treatment (OMR60) Book Your Escape ghmhotels.com, +968 2452 4485 spa@chedimuscat.com
CHI, SHANGRI-LA’S BARR AL JISSAH Tucked away amid seaside cliffs, about 30 minutes from the centre of Muscat, the Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa is an oasis in and of itself, and their Chi spa offers a private refuge within the gorgeous setting. Go for A Chi Signature Massage as part of the “Indulgence of Time” package, a two-hour and 30-minute experience that starts with an aroma bath to relax the body and calm the mind followed by a Chi balance signature massage and facial. Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling through the idyllic property. Cost Indulgence of Time (OMR102)
Photos: Supplied
Book Your Escape shangrila.com/muscat, +968 2477 6828 chi.muscat@shangri-la.com
Tell us about you’re ideal weekend getaway: Tweet @HiWeekly_Oman We wanna see photos! Post on our Facebook page and tag us in your weekend Instagram photos @HiWeekly_Oman
SPA, AL NAHDA RESORT Just under an hour from central Muscat, the Al Nahda Resort & Spa in Barka is a meditative wellness retreat that offers plenty to soothe the mind and body, from meditation areas in their lush gardens to wellness consultants who discuss and recommend spa treatments with clients. All 65 treatments on offer are designed to create balance between mind, body and spirit. Go for Al Nahda Signature Massage. Then create a signature set of treatments with your consultant, which might include the 45 minute body masks and wraps to detoxify the skin, or an Ayurvedic therapy. Cost Al Nahda Signature Massage (OMR 28) Book Your Escape alnahdaresort.com, +968 2688 3710 stay@alnahdaresort.com
ZAYNA SPA, MILLENNIUM RESORT About an hour north of Muscat in Mussanah, the Zayna Spa offers a peaceful sense of privacy, with its out of the way location and lovely views of its private marina. The eleven spacious treatment rooms include one couples’ suite, along with facilities including a hammam, steam rooms, a Jacuzzi and a ladies’ lounge. Go for The Moroccan Hammam, to get a deep, relaxing cleanse, followed by a classic massage to work away any remaining tension. Cost Moroccan Hammam (45 minutes): OMR 25 Relax Classic Massage (60 minutes): OMR 33 Book Your Escape millenniumhotels.com, +968 2687 1595
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What are your favourite trends of the summer? Tweet them at us @ HiWeekly_Oman
VOLUME 9 ISSUE 19 AUGUST 21, 2015
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HI WEEKLY
VOLUME 9 ISSUE 19 AUGUST 21, 2015
DRAMATIC DROP-LIGHTS
The Chedi hotel in Ghubra is one of the greatest examples of modern Omani architecture in the city, combining dramatic arabesque features, from the towering arched doorways to the incredible “chandelier” of sorts in the lobby, made by artfully arranging dozens of colourful hanging lanterns. The addition of clustered pendant or drop-lights are an easy way to create a stunning focal point to any room. We shopped around Muscat for some playful options. —HiWeekend@timesofoman.com
Do you have a beautiful space to feature in Hi? Tell us about it HiWeekend@ timesofoman.com
Did you create your own floral oasis? Show us before and after pics on Facebook.com/HiWeekly
VOLUME 9 ISSUE 19 AUGUST 21, 2015
THE DETAILS ADD A DISTINCTIVE DESIGN FEATURE TO YOUR SPACE WITH HANGING LIGHTS ITALIAN OPTIONS The LDS Italian pendant lights on offer at Muscat Lightings (various locations, +968 2447 8219, muscatlightings.com) range from clean and contemporary to rustic modern, but all of them have that signature Italain flair for the dramatic.
METALLIC ARABESQUE
The new arabesque droplighting at Home Centre (various locations, +968 2208 6000, homecentre.com) are beautiful during the day when sunlight reflects off the intricately carved metal surfaces, and at night, when the lanterns throw geometric patterns on the walls of rooms they light.
UNDERSTATED PENDANTS
Photography: Shabin E (Room interior), Supplied (product images)
In Ruwi, the high end European showroom, Gautier (near City Cinema, +968 2470 4317, gautier. co.uk) sells uber-modern grey and orange pendant lights by the piece, mix and match the colours at various heights to create a focal point in your entryway or over your dining table.
PAPER LANTERNS Go explore everything from cheap paper lanterns (which can become custom art pieces with the right treatment) to bejewelled chandelier drop lighting at the massive discount import mall, Dragon Mart, in Barka (visible from the freeway, +968 2689 2999).
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Sony ICF C1 Radio Alarm Clock On longer trips, a handy alarm clock that doubles as an FM radio, like this Sony, which features a large, easy-to-read, backlit LCD display, makes for a good companion on any trip. Besides, helping you wake up and time your tasks, it can also provide a bit of local entertainment. Available for OMR11 at Sony Electronics stores; +968 24470644, sony-mea.com
Sony MDRE9BLUE Headphones What’s a trip without a pair of good headphones? If you crave the sound of bulky, full-ear headphones but want to lighten your load, go for powerful earbuds, like these Sony MDRE9. Available for OMR2.200 at Sony Electronics stores: +968 24470644, sony-mea.com
Ariete Travel Steam Iron If you’re the type of travel bug who cannot be seen in crumpled outfits and loves to lightly iron out even T-shirts, you can carry along a lightweight travel iron that occupies very little space in your travel bag. For this purpose, the Ariete Travel Steam Iron seems a good choice to allow ironing anywhere, even without an ironing board. Available for OMR8 at Carrefour QCC/MCC, +968 24472800, carrefour@maf.ae
TRAVEL GEAR When you set out on a trip, it’s good to carry along a few handy gadgets to guide, entertain and facilitate your stay away from home. But make sure to carry things that Nikon S2800 digital camera What’s a trip without capturing a few memorable moments? If you’re a professional shutterbug, then you probably cannot go without all your heavy camera gear, but if taking pictures is just part of the fun, then pick up a lightweight digital camera like this pocket-sized Nikon which has an impressive battery life that lasts for around 250 shots. Available for OMR20 at Sharaf DG (MGM), +968 800344357, sharafdg.com
Fitbit Zip FB301C Wireless Activity Tracker If you’re meticulous about your travel routine, then you must carry along an activity tracker that enables you to track your steps, distance covered on foot, and calories burnt, so you can burn enough to keep the travel weight gain at bay. The Fitbit wireless activity tracker is compatible with iOS and Android devices. Available for OMR33 at Emax, +968 24558062, landmarkshops.com
are light and easy to use. Here are a few travel gadgets and where to get them. Hiweekend@timesofoman.com
Energizer Car Charger 3A If you’re the type who never remembers to get your devices charged before leaving home, then a must-carry item for your next road trip it should be this two-port Engergize car charger. Available for OMR14 at Extra, Al Ghubra, +968 24212421, extrastores.com
Philips HP8696 Multi-styler Who says you can’t do a little styling for your hair when you hit the road? Make your own style statement by curling your hair the way you want with a lightweight hair-styler that’s easy to carry and use. Pick up a Philips multi-styler, available with a 1.8 metre cord length and 3 minutes heat-up time, to give yourself a new look everyday of your trip. Available for OMR12 at Emax, +968 24558062, landmarkshops.com
Geepas GE5535 High Power 3D LED Lantern If you’re stepping off the beaten track, then you should pack a reliable light source. A good lightweight lantern, like the Geepas LED lantern, made with unbreakable PC glass, is great for lighting dark paths and tent interiors. Available for OMR6.500 at Sharaf DG (MGM), +968 800344357, sharafdg.com
HI WEEKLY
DINE OUT
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Show us your mezze! Instagram @HiWeekly_Oman
or at Facebook. com/ HiWeekly
What’s your favourite Lebanese dish? Tweet
01 Fancy Freekeh Salad Hearty cracked wheat, crunchy cucumber, and tart pomegranate seed masterpiece
02 Fish Kibbeh Delicious seafood spin on the classic meatstuffed treat
03 Sesame Seed Hummus Nutty, rich, unexpectedly incredible
04 Classic Hummus Creamy chickpea and tahini goodness
05 Semsom restaurant in MGM offers classic Lebanese dishes with playful twists. Check out our visual guide to some favourites
Tabouleh Refreshing, clean parsley salad
Semsom First Floor Muscat Grand Mall +968 24 498611 semsom.com Hours: 11am-12am daily
06 Sumac Hummus Shocking pink colour and pleasantly tart flavour
07 Taboun Addictive, fresh-baked flatbread
Lebanese cuisine is incredibly diverse, varying from region to region and house to house, but mezze, the small plates that start off every meal, are beloved in homes from north to south, and might just be the country’s most popular culinary export. At the wildly popular Lebanese restaurant, Semsom, which opened earlier this year in MGM, the chef puts a modern spin on mezze classics like hummus, freekeh (cracked wheat) salad, and kibbeh. This weekend, go out for a taste of Semsom’s new classics, then get in the kitchen to try out some great new recipes from contemporary Levantine chefs. felicia@timesofoman.com
MODERN MEZZE
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BETHANY KEDHY’S FREEKEH AND FIG SALAD
Hummus
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2 red onions, finely sliced
For the stuffing (househ)
250g dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
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2 tbsp sunflower oil
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with 2 tablespoons baking soda
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250g/ 9 oz cleaned,
chopped (1/4 inches)
whole grain green wheat freekeh
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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MAUREEN ABOOD’S KIBBEH 2 cups sweet onion (1 medium onion),
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2 lemons, juice only
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Garlic paste
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100g/3 1/2 oz dried figs, chopped
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1 pound ground beef
(1 clove garlic, crushed with 1 teaspoon sea salt)
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100g feta cheese, crumbled
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2 tsp salt
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100ml tahini
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Pinch of allspice
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2 tsp cinnamon
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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2 tbsp olive oil
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½ tsp pepper
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2 tbsp lemon juice
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1 cup toasted pine nuts
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Fresh herbs, such as coriander
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Parsley or mint, to garnish
Topping •
250g minced lamb
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1 tomato, seeded and finely chopped
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1 small purple onion, finely chopped
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1/3 cup parsley leaves, finely chopped
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1 tsp ground allspice
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1 red chilli, seeded and finely diced
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1 tsp pomegranate molasses
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Salt and black pepper
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2 tbsp pine nuts
Make the hummus: Rinse soaked chickpeas for 2-3 minutes. Place in a large saucepan and cover with water, bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours, checking every 30 minutes, until they begin to break down. (Alternatively, use canned chickpeas) Puree chickpeas in a food processor or blender with lemon juice, garlic paste, and tahini. Add black pepper. Adjust salt, tahini, and lemon juice to taste. Set aside. Make the topping: Puree minced lamb, tomato, onion, parsley leaves, allspice, red chilli, pomegranate molasses, salt and pepper to form a paste. Heat a splash of olive oil in a sauté pan over medium high. Add pureed lamb mixture until browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside. Sauté pine nuts. Top hummus with crumbled meat and nuts, and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with flatbread.
Place a heavy-based frying pan on medium heat; add oil and fry onions until golden brown. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel and set aside.
For the kibbeh •
2 cups fine bulghur (#1 grade)
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1 cup sweet onion (1 small onion),
coarsely chopped Meanwhile, add the freekeh to a pot, cover with plenty of water (about 600 ml/2fl oz/ 2 1/2 cups water) seasoned with a pinch of salt; cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until tender. Drain excess water and season with allspice and more salt to taste. Mix in olive oil and lemon juice and mix well. Adjust seasonings to taste. Freekeh will drink a lot of olive oil; the more the creamier. Top the freekeh with figs, caramelised onions, feta cheese and fresh herbs.
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2 tbsp cinnamon
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1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
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5 tsp salt
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1 kg ground beef
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Canola or other neutral oil, for frying
Make the stuffing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, season with a little salt, and sauté until soft and translucent. Do not brown. Add the meat, season with salt, cinnamon, and pepper. Cook the meat, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks, until cooked thoroughly. Remove from the heat, transfer to a bowl, and add the pine nuts. Set aside. Make the kibbeh: Rinse the bulghur in cold water, drain, and cover to ½ inch with cold water. Soak for ½ hour, or until the bulghur is softened and most of the water absorbed. Puree the 1 cup coarsely chopped onion with 1/8 cup cold water. In a large bowl, knead the meat with the seasonings and pureed onion and about half of the cracked wheat (squeeze out any remaining water from the soaked bulghur before adding) to the kibbeh. Dipping your hands in cold water periodically as you knead, add the wheat ½ cup at a time until it’s fully incorporated. Season with salt, pepper, cayenne and cinnamon. Take about 2 tbsp of the meat “dough” and shape into a ball, make a hole in the ball and fill with a teaspoon or two of the stuffing mixture. Push the kibbeh together at the open end and gently shape into a torpedo shape. Smooth the kibbeh with a touch of cold water, making sure there are no openings. Fry the kibbeh in canola oil in a heavy pan over medium-high heat until deep golden brown, then turn over with tongs and fry the other side until deep golden brown, about 4 minutes total. Remove the kibbeh from the pan with tongs to a paper towel-lined platter.
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DINE IN
GREG MALOUF’S HUMMUS BIL LAHM
HI WEEKLY
Make these sophisticated, but simple recipes for classic mezze dishes. Just add flatbread, zaatar, and olive oil and you’re ready for a casual Levantine party.
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VOLUME 9 ISSUE 19 AUGUST 21, 2015
Intense Pulsed Light Hair Removal
Silken Rays 1 What is IPL?
Intense Pulsed Light is a form of light removal. therapy used for hair remov val. IPL works like a ash bulb sending scattered sccattered wavelengths of light. The light penetrates penetrates into the skin and is absorbed byy the hair pigment which kills (burns) thee growing cells that make the hair.
2 How is it Done?
Unwanted hair is ďŹ rst shaved using a razor. An ultrasound gel is applied to the part of the body from which hair is to be removed. Then light pulse beams are stamped repeatedly over the skin. In-grown hair might grow back in about a week to 10 days, but this can be easily dusted off the skin as they are no longer connected to the root.
Have a great nail artist? Show us your fingers and tag the salon. Instagram @HiWeekly_Oman
VOLUME 9 ISSUE 19 AUGUST 21, 2015
SIMIA medispa opened in Al Khuwair in 2008 and was the first beauty centre to introduce IPL hair-removal technology in Oman. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is one of the latest and most effective technological advancement when it comes to permanent hair removal solutions. Affordable and supposedly pain-free, I went to see for myself. Sameera, the owner of Simia medispa walked me through the process (see the video at timesofoman. com) and gave me all the details about this innovative beauty treatment. Story | Shruthi Nair
The number of treatments depends on the skin type, hair colour, and, most importantly, how the body reacts to the treatment. In some rare cases all the hair may go in just one sitting, but typically takes around ten (the lighter the skin, the more effective the treatment.).
4 Does it hurt?
Most people experience a slight tingling sensation when the IPL device comes in contact with the skin. The intensity of the beam can be adjusted depending on skin type, texture, colour, exposure to sunlight and other such factors.
5 Will it harm my skin?
The IPL specialist makes sure that the light setting is completely adjusted to your skin type and colour. Balm is applied to the skin prior to treatment to cool and soothe and after the treatment is done an organic skin lotion is applied to restore moisture. There are absolutely no known side effects of IPL, but there are some precautions that should be taken before and after treatment.
PREPARE FOR YOUR IPL TREATMENT • Do not wax or pluck body hair 4-6 weeks before undergoing IPL. However, you need to shave the parts of the body to be treated prior to your appointment. • Do not go to the swimming pool for at least 48 hours before the treatment to ensure there is no chlorine on the skin. • Try to protect your skin from the sun 2 weeks prior to and post IPL. Immediate exposure to sun can lead to skin burn. Sun bathing or sun tanning is a complete no-no.
IPL is available at Simia medispa in Al Khuwair +968 2449 2333, +968 9667 9388 instagram: simia_medispa Scan here to watch a video of Shruthi trying out the IPL at Simia.
ILLUSTRATION: LUCILLE UMALI
many treatments does it take for permanent hair removal? 3 How
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ASK AN OMANI
TRADITIONAL BLING Story | T.A. Ameerudheen Photography | Shabin E
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p until recently, silver jjewellery ew wel e le l ry w was as b byy fa farr the most popular ornamental metal Oman. enta en tall meta ta me eta tall in nO maan. There was a time, in the he not not so so distant dist dist di s an a t past, when customers flocked d to to ssililil lversmiths to buy uniquee pieces iinnscribed with Quranic verses an Arabic aand nd Ar A ab bic scripts. Jewellery with intricate geometatee ge at geom om mettric patterns, decorated with stylised floral yli lise sed flo sed se flora raal patterns, were also popular. Though silver lost some of its its ts sheen sh heeen e as local preferences shifted to gold ld (a rresult esul es ultt of ul global fashion trends and the oil il boom boom of of the the mid-century), the traditional designs desi de sign si gnss themgn them th em-em selves prevailed. Fahad bin Mahmood Al Hasni, Ha assni n, the senior curator and exhibitions itio it ions ns manager at Bait Al Zubair, sat d down own ow n with me to explain the cultural si siggnificance of these ancient objects ctss ct of beauty. I soon learned that this was a complicated matter, with jewelelllery designs differing between en regions and tribes. One can find nd plenty of varieties among anklets ts
alone. have a religious signifialon ne. And, And,, many manyy of of the the items ite t cance held belief that jewcanc ca ncee as well, nc welll,l as as itt is is a commonly com co m ellery and miniature elle el lery le ry with wit i h Quranic Qu Q ura r ni nicc inscriptions in Holy Quran Holy Q u an ur n protect pro rote tecc people from evil spirits. Silversmiths S lver Si erssmit er smiths hs in Nizwa, Dhofar, Sur, Sharqiyah, Shar Sh arq ar qiya qiya qi yah, ah, h, and a some parts of Al Batinah hand-made jeweln h still na stil st illl produce il pr lery, lery le ry, with ry with the wi th large pieces taking a month orr mor more to complete, while even ho take at least a couthee smallest th smal sm alle lest lest le st pieces p plee of weeks. pl wee eeks ks.. These traditional pieces ks by the weight of the aree priced ar pric pr iced ic ed not nott only o material used m ma teri te riiall u se to make them, as is the standard stan st and an nda dard d with most gold jewellery in n the th market here, but they aalso al lso vary in price according to the th h intricacy of the work. One can find antique piece in the souqs across Oman es aand you can view a collection an from fro fr o around the country at Bait B Ba ai Al Zubair. What follows is a primer on W some so som om of the key pieces of traditional tion ti onaa Omani jewellery.
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Finger rings Traditionally there are specific rings for each finger. Pyramidshaped Shdabiyyah, made of small round beads soldered together, is for little finger. Squareshaped Khatim Mrabba, featuring large geometric or floral designs, is for the ring finger. Diamond-shaped with soft edges, Heisawith, is for the middle finger. Gabrayyah has stylised studs running down the length of the joint and is worn on the thumb. The pointed Shahidis is worn on the index finger.
Necklaces Shibgatis are made of silver but intricately stamped with gold. They feature both red stones and red coral accents and are popular throughout the country.
Anklets Worn by married women from Salalah, Al Habus anklets are attached with miniature bells that make rhythmic sounds while the wearer is dancing. Many girls in the north wear Hajul, the Balushi style anklet, while dancing, as the gravel inside jingles. Women in Sharqiyah use Mutal, which are lighter than anklets from other regions. Interestingly, anklets worn by brides during marriage ceremonies in other parts of Oman are also known as Mutal (regardless of style).
Unmarried girls in the interior wear Salwa or Kharza, necklaces with a central round disc pendant made of glasses or bicycle reflectors. Qarsh Mkahhal have a large central disc pendant that has silver bullion coin adorning it on either side. The large disc pendant usually contains a flower design on the front and has an inscription from the Holy Quran on the rear. QarshKtab contains verses from the Holy Quran. The most common inscription on the pendant is the AyatKursi from the Surat Al Baqara. On the back there is a chained symbol of evil spirit, Um Subiyan, which is thought to protect the wearer.
Ear rings Many of the traditional necklace sets have ear rings designed to be worn with them, but Ghlamiyyat are distinctive Omani earrings that can either go through a pierced ear or hang over the ears on a leather strap.
B Bracelets M Maqadbat are D-shaped bracelets unique to the Dhofar region. le And though found throughout A Oman, Muayynat, consisting of O coral and silver beads threaded co together, is most popularly seen to in Dhofar region as well. To the north, the Bedouins wear Hagula, closed bracelets w with a flat, decorated surface w that becomes rounded as it bends th around the wrist. Kamar, which ar means moon, are the tiny bracem lets worn by children in all parts le of Oman.
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THE MAGIC MEET THE OMANI SUPERWOMEN OF SPORTS
STORY | T. A. AMEERUDHEEN PHOTOGRAPHY | SHABIN & AGENCIES
THE LAST EDITION of the GCC Women’s Games was a testimony to the fact that Oman is gaining ground as a female sporting powerhouse. Oman, led by rich medal hauls by talented athletes, clinched the runner-up title—a huge achievement for a country that finished at the bottom of the table in the inaugural year of the five-nation event in 2008. Most of the athletes who lead Oman to the second-place finish have returned to the arena. Runner Buthaina Al Yaqoobi has resumed her rigorous training with an aim to seal a spot in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Fatma Al Nabhani’s racket continues to do the talking as she climbs up the international tennis ranking ladder. Shinoona Al Habsi vows to hold on to her crown as the fastest Arab female athlete for a few more years. Meanwhile, Oman’s top wheelchair athlete, Ghaila Al Jabry, and sailor, Ibtisam Al Salmi, have set their sights on titles in their areas of competition. These women are united by their love of competition, and they shine under the toughest conditions. They burn with the same vigour that helped them storm a supposedly male sporting bastion a few years ago, emerging as role models for thousands of women in the Sultanate and acting as agents of social change. These champions shared their success stories and struggles with ‘Hi Weekly’ in hopes of inspiring other young Omani women and girls to take up the challenge and join their ranks as torch-bearers of the Sultanate’s sporting legacy.
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hen Buthaina Al Yaqoobi entered the Beijing National Stadium on August 16 in 2008, sports lovers all over the world trained their eyes on the athlete, clad in hijab and long clothing. She was catapulted to celebrity status when she qualified to compete in the Olympics, Oman’s first female to hold such a distinction. The 17-year-old girl was slotted to compete in the 100m dash, an event in which top athletes vie for the coveted “fastest athlete” title. While Buthaina didn’t cause any upsets in the overall event, exiting with a ninth place in the preliminary round, it was a historic moment. “I couldn’t qualify for the second round, but it didn’t disappoint me. I became wiser as the competition gave me plenty of memorable moments,” Buthaina said. Watching the elite athletes in action, Buthaina realised the importance of intense training and a never-say-die attitude to becoming a champion. “The Olympics was a wakeup call for me. After I came back from Beijing, I trained hard and my perseverance paid off as I became a successful athlete in the Gulf region.” Buthaina asserted her supremacy recently when she won gold medals in 100m hurdles, 4X100m relay, and long jump in the GCC Women’s Games. Though the achievements speak volumes about her calibre as an athlete, Buthaina believes that it is the support of her family that made her a champion. “I wouldn’t have been able to come this far without the support of my family. They trusted me and allowed me to train and travel.” In a sporting career spanning over a decade, Buthaina has won 58 medals of various hues, but she still fondly remembers her first big win in 2010. “I couldn’t control my emotions after I won the 100 metre dash in the West Asian Athletics Championship. The competition was tough, and I was able to surge ahead of my competitor near the finish line to win my first gold medal.” Buthaina believes that her achievements will inspire more Omani girls to take up sports. “Sports are good for health. If you are interested in sports, don’t hesitate to take it up. It is a matter of focus. You should understand that nothing is impossible Everyone can prove it with hard work.”
The Olympics was a wake-up call for me. After I came back from Beijing, I trained hard and my perseverance paid off as I became a successful athlete in the Gulf region
BUTHAINA AL YAQOOBI RUNNER, HURDLER, LONG JUMPER
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It was an amazing feeling when Nike chose me as the lone female athlete from the Middle East and shot a film on me to commemorate the World Women’s Day
FATMA AL NABHANI TENNIS PLAYER
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ne could find many similarities between Fatma Al Nabhani and multiple Grand Slam winner Martina Hingis. Like Hingis, Fatma learnt her tennis basics from her mother. “My mother moulded my career and travelled with me all over the world. She is my biggest inspiration,” said Oman’s top tennis player. Fatma began exhibiting a glimpse of her massive talent when she won her first title as a nine-year-old, toppling many fancied players on her way to winning the West Asia Championship in the under 13 category. Later, she went on to figure in the top 30 in the junior rankings and played in four Grand Slam events.
“I am proud of my achievement. But I am hungry for more. I am eager to improve my ranking and earn a berth for Rio Olympics next year,” said the 24-year-old. This goal seems to be well within reach, as she proved that her preparations are on track when she became the first-ever player from GCC to win a match at a WTA Premier 5 event last March in Dubai. “I never expected I would be making history. It was a great feeling. I was not threatened by major injuries since 2010 and I am hopeful of realising my dream,” she said. The hardworking Fatma won many laurels in her illustrious career, but she got a rare reward this year when
Nike, the world’s leading sports apparel manufacturer, made a short film on her. Shot in Oman, it covers her initial years as a player and the rigorous training schedules that made her a champion. “It was an amazing feeling when Nike chose me as the lone female athlete from the Middle East and shot a film on me to commemorate the World Women’s Day on March 8 in 2015. I am so happy to tell my story to the world.” Even as she aims for bigger feats, Fatma feels that absence of a regular coach is a major handicap to her aspirations. “Coach plays an important role in the development of a player. It is very difficult to improve my performance
without proper assistance from a reputed coach. I am just surviving with the help of a sparring partner. It is really expensive to get a coach. I cannot do it on my own,” she said. So the Gulf region’s topranked female tennis player’s wait for a coach continues, even as she aims to seal a spot in the Rio Olympics. She believes this kind of scenario will change if more girls begin playing tennis and other sports in the Sultanate. “If you have passion for sport, don’t hesitate to take it up. Don’t do it for the sake of doing it. The effort should come from your heart,” she said, adding: “Athletes should always remember the sporting motto: No Pain, No Gain.”
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GHALIA AL JABRI WHEELCHAIR SHOT PUTTER
Sport gives me the strength to fight against odds and look at things positively. I consider my disability as my ability
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halia Al Jabri always gets an adrenaline rush when she heads for her evening training sessions. “I will focus only on practice when I reach here,” she said pointing to the training arena for the disabled sportspersons at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. The soft-spoken Ghalia is the top disabled woman athlete in the Sultanate, and her rich medal haul in the regional competitions are proof positive of her capabilities. “I began to believe in my abilities after I won the bronze medal in shot put in the Arab Games for Disabled Athletes in 2007 in the United Arab Emirates. The performance pushed me to work hard,” said Ghalia, who takes part in discus throw, javelin throw, and shot put competitions. “Sport gives me the strength to fight against odds and look at things positively. I consider my disability as my ability,” said Ghalia, who is working as a receptionist at a hospital in Muscat. But success didn’t come easily. She overcame many challenges to become a champion athlete. “The biggest difficulty was to attend training sessions regularly. I didn’t push too hard in the beginning. My confidence level improved after some time and was able to tide over the crisis on my own.” Though more than 40 medals adorn her cabinet now, she still cherishes her first gold medal, won in 2008, the most. “I was dreaming of winning a gold medal. I could realise it in the GCC Athletic Meet for Disabled Athletes in Kuwait. I could not control my emotions when I received the medal. I worked hard to win it.” However, she still waits for her opportunity to compete in bigger events like Paralympics and other world competitions. “I have established my presence at the regional level. Now I am looking for an opportunity to rub shoulders with top class athletes from other parts of the world. I hope I can realise my dream soon.” Ghalia is proud of the achievements of disabled Omani women in different sports disciplines and their athletic bond. “All the Omani disabled athletes encourage each other. We live like a family during training camps. It brings about the best in the athletes.” Ghalia says disabled girls and women should understand the power of sports to change their lives. “Sports helped me forget my physical disabilities and concentrate on the task at hand. That is why I urge all disabled women and children to start training. Work hard and you will become a champion one day. It will change your perspective about life.”
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IBTISAM AL SALMI SAILOR
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btisam Al Salmi never thought that her association with Oman Sail as a volunteer would lead to a career change. “I was studying at the Oman Tourism College when I volunteered for Oman Sail for an event. The professional work environment caught my attention, which led me to join their Women’s Programme to become a sailing instructor,” Ibtisam explained. From sailing instructor, Ibtisam moved into competitive sailing. And recently she was invited to join the only all-female Team SCA crew at the Volvo Ocean Race in Abu Dhabi. Ibtisam has been a long-time admirer of Team SCA’s achievements and said it was a privilege to be a guest of the team and experience how one of the competition’s leading teams prepares for a gruelling race around the world. She was on board as Team SCA won the inshore race ahead of Team Brunel, representing The Netherlands, and Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. She exited the boat just before the fleet entered open water. “It was a great experience for me. Female sailing is growing stronger in the Middle East, and Dee, and all the other Team SCA women, are inspirational role models to all of us. This all-female crew is a wonderful stepping stone to get more women into professional offshore racing.” Ibtisam encountered plenty of difficulties in her career, but she says it is part and parcel of any sport. “Each sport has its own positives and negatives. I overcame difficulties such as cold water and windy days. I always enjoyed going out and sailing. And it paid dividends.” Ibtisam is now aiming her focus on a sailing trip around the world. “It is my ambition and I will try to achieve it,” she said.“It is a completely different world.” As for all the adventure-loving Omani girls out there, she recommends taking to the water.
Each sport has its own positives and negatives. I overcame difficulties such as cold water and windy days. I always enjoyed going out and sailing. And it paid dividends
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man’s fastest female athlete, Shinoona Al Habsi, will go into a deep thought if you ask her to pick the competition that turned around her sporting career. “It is a difficult question as I believe that there were two events — the Youth Olympics in Singapore in 2009 and the London Olympics in 2012 — that transformed my life.” The International Olympic Committee launched the Youth Olympics in 2009 as a kind of meeting point of young athletes from all over the world. It was distinct from other sports events as it aimed at integrating unique cultural and educational programmes based around five main themes: Olympism, social responsibility, skills development, expression, well-being, and healthy lifestyle. “The Singapore trip and the interaction with top young athletes from all over the world changed my perspective about sports. I could understand the importance of scientific training, systematic diet and competition exposure in the making of a champion athlete.” The next big thing was the 2012 Olympics in London. “Participating in Olympics is a dream for any athlete. And I was able to reach there in three years after beginning systematic training. Everyone was talking about Arab women’s participation in the quadrennial sporting extravaganza and I could prove our strengths in front of a huge crowd. Clad in red hijab I had already earned a celebrity status even before stepping into the track for the much-anticipated 100-metre dash,” she said. It was in London that she met her future coach, Guzel Khubbieva, for the first time. “I watched Guzel, the former Asian Games champion, closely as she went through her paces. She was a top contender for the semifinal spot. But she didn’t look nervous at all. I couldn’t speak to her at that time, but I dreamt of having a training partner like her,” Shinoona recounted. Two years later, in 2014 Shinoona’s wish was realised when the Uzbek athlete, whom she idolised during the London Olympics, landed in Muscat to train her. “Guzel was my rival in 2012, but I am happy to get her services as my coach in 2014. She is the best trainer I had in my career so far,” Shinoona said. Shinoona is winning the dividends for her intense training under Guzel, as she returned with her best-ever performance in the GCC Women’s Games in March. For the first time in her career, she won three gold medals (100m, 200m, and 4X100 metre relay) in the same competition. “I am indebted to my husband, Ali Al Mabasli, for supporting me to pursue my dream,” she said. She feels encouraged by the fact that more girls are actively pursuing athletics these days. “I believe that performances by Omani women athletes may be a reason for them to take up the sport. I feel happy to make a contribution to the growth of women sport in the country.”
Olympics is a dream for any athlete... Everyone was talking about Arab women’s participation in the quadrennial sporting extravaganza and I could prove our strengths
SHINOONA AL HABSI RUNNER
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NAVIGATING DANGEROUS WATERS STORY | SALIM JOSEPH
ACCORDING TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
372,000 PEOPLE DROWN WORLDWIDE EACH YEAR DROWNING IS AMONG THE TEN LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN EVERY REGION OF THE WORLD EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY MORE THAN 40 PEOPLE LOSE THEIR LIVES TO DROWNING MORE THAN 90% OF THESE DEATHS OCCUR IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES THIS DEATH TOLL IS ALMOST TWO THIRDS THAT OF MALNUTRITION AND WELL OVER HALF THAT OF MALARIA GLOBALLY, OVER HALF OF ALL DROWNING DEATHS ARE AMONG THOSE AGED UNDER 25 YEARS
MALES ARE TWICE LIKELY TO DROWN AS FEMALES
Teaching children to swim is the best answer to the rising number of drowning cases being reported in Oman. The PADI Swim School hopes to reduce the alarming death rates and build up a generation of swimmers
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ccording to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report on drowning, an average of 1.4 people out of every 100,000 drown in Oman every year. Whether it’s small children slipping unnoticed into pools, teenagers and adults overestimating their abilities when attempting to swim in the sea and in wadis, or residents caught in flash flooding, death by drowning in Oman is on the rise. It’s been a year since Stuart Martin’s company, Lua Lua Diving and Adventure, began offering swimming lessons to both children and adults. The four instructors conduct group lessons at the swimming pool at Golden Tulip hotel and at Ras Al Hamra Club, PDO; private one-on-one lessons at people’s homes; and ladies only lessons. “Oman, unfortunately, has very high drowning rate. You got a completely
different circumstance in wadis or beaches unlike in a swimming pool, which has a very controlled environment. Here the maximum depth is the bottom of the pool and you have no current. In the ocean, there’s current under water and there could be rip tides,” Stuart points out. Students, he says, express their wish to swim in the ocean. Then they are told about rip currents, how to spot a rip current in places like Qurum beach which is notorious for rip currents and how to get out of it (by swimming to the side and out of the narrow current). “Swimming in wadis is also different but a bit more like in a swimming pool unless you have water movement and current flow. But in wadis there are chances to get your legs stuck between rocks beneath. But everybody needs to learn how to
swim and it would help you get out of trouble and get yourself safety.” During summer, classes are offered late into evening (up until 10pm) because of the heat, but the schedule of classes will return to a daytime schedule in September when schools reopen. “In the group lessons we have a maximum of 6 students per instructor. It’s very important to keep the ratio low so that your time can be spent with each individual in the group.” The PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) swim school programme has five stages and each stage has a safety skill benchmark and a swim skill benchmark that need to be achieved for one to progress. “Some learn very quickly and some may take a bit longer. But, on an average, students need about 30 lessons, before they are able to achieve forward movement.”
“It’s a different case for adults who have an incredible fear of water,” he adds. Children, Stuart says, have very little fear compared to adults. “If I ask a child to jump into a swimming pool, he might do it quickly, but an adult will be very apprehensive in doing so. With them, you are dealing with a lot of psychological barriers, especially with adults who have had some drowning experience in the past. We help them overcome the fear of water,” he says. It takes a bit of time to work with such people as the instructor needs to build up the trust. Once the students complete the PADI swim school, they can go on to PADI stroke school, where the swimming techniques of each individual strokes — freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke — are taught by stroke. Students can opt to sign up for all four or just a single stroke class.
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THOUGH TECHNIQUE and even diving classes are taught by Lua Lua, the school’s main mission is to prevent drowning to education. “That’s the big role we play. In the very first class, we tell the students to always ask permission before getting into the water. This is important as children, when they are around a swimming pool in a friend’s house, sometimes enter the water unnoticed and drowning happens in seconds. We also teach how to climb out of the water, how to assist others in trouble without getting into the water, and about calling emergency services.” Some of Stuart’s students start young, really young, as there are 6-month olds and toddlers participating in “mommy-and-me” classes. The infants have an automatic reflex to hold their breath under water and the moms are taught how to roll and flip onto their backs to lie and float with their babies. Children over the age of five are eligible to enrol in the Swim School programme, which offers the best swimming curriculum available today. It was developed by Starfish Aquatics Institute (SAI), America’s largest swimming organisation, after tying up with PADI, the world’s largest diving organisation. And it’s taught by diving instructors who have been cross-trained as swimming instructors and they get refresher courses once a year. “The plan is to bring in more instructors, to expand to our own facility with a purpose-built swimming
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NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN 60 per cent of the parents who bring their children to the Lua Lua Swim School do not know how to swim themselves. But it is never too late to learn. Studies have shown that drowning rates would be reduced by 95 per cent if everyone was trained on how to swim. Besides the safety aspect, swimming is a great sport from fitness point of view. It works every single muscle group in your body, is easy on the joints, improves endurance level, and is good cardio.
pool so we can make the classes available to the public.” Lua Lua PADI Swim School currently teaches swimming to around 200 residents per month, but they hope to make an even bigger impact by taking their curriculum to the schools where they would be able to teach all school-age children in the city basic swimming, water safety, and safe rescue skills, an ideal that is in line with the WHO’s recom-
mended community-based actions to reduce drowning. “We have put together a school programme. Our swimming instructors would be coming in and training children as well as training some of the staff to become swimming instructors. There are a couple of us in the company who are instructortrainers. So we can teach people how to become swimming instructors,” says Stuart.
Not all the schools have jumped on board at this point, but the swim programme is expecting to launch in a private school by the end of the month. GET IN TOUCH WITH LUA LUA Paul, Lua Lua swim coordinator +968 9790 2972, swim@lualuadiving.com lualuadiving.com, FB page: Lua Lua Swim School Muscat
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ASEAN celebrations Celebrations to mark the 48th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) held in Crowne Plaza, Muscat. Photos: O K Mohammed Ali
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Independence Day celebration Indian Social Club, Muscat celebrates Independence Day at Al Bustan Palace Hotel. Photos: O K Mohammed Ali
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