Hi weekly August 28 - 2015

VOL 9 ISSUE 20 / AUGUST 28, 2015

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THIS WEEK IN OMAN

HIDEAWAY IN JEBEL SIFAH

LEARN SOME OMANI INGO

PACK THE ULTIMATE LUNCH

Take advantage of the watersports, relaxation, and nightlife of a nearby mini-resort town.

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Get a quick primer on some common phrases and words uniquely found in the Sultanate.

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Take inspiration from lunch bags and boxes from around the world to help you plan lunches for the week to come. PAGE 22

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HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 20 AUGUST 28, 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 felicia@timesofoman.com

Executive Features Editor Felicia Campbell hubert@timesofoman.com

Editors Hubert Vaz, Swati Dasgupta swati@timesofoman.com

Chief Sub-Editors Mohammed Shafeeqe, Ashish Dubash shafeeq@timesofoman.com

Special Correspondent Salim Joseph Reporters T. A. Ameerudheen Faisal Mohammed Naim Mahran Shaukat Ali

ashishdubash@timesofoman.com salim@timesofoman.com faisal@timesofoman.com

ameerudheen@timesofoman.com mahran@timesofoman.com

Chief Creative Officer Adonis Durado Associate Art Director Waleed Rabin Graphic Editor Antonio Farach Design Editor Sahir K.M. Lead Designer Ali Jani Designers Antonio Ismael Sandiego 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 Photography by Said Al Mawali 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

CIRCULATION 24726600/24726666 Ext 135/136 circulation@timesofoman.com

ADVERTISEMENT 24726600/24726666 EXT 435/193 hi7ayam@hotmail.com

SAY HI ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER facebook.com/hiweekly twitter@hiweekly

Tell us what you’re doing this weekend: Tweet @hioman

Tag us in your weekend instagram photos #HiWeekend

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 20 AUGUST 28, 2015

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THE WEEKEND LINEUP Catch the hottest events that are happening this week in our calendar.

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FRIDAY

Dance to Eastern European Beats

Muscat Family Festival 2015

10:00pm Budapest-based DJ Marchello has spun house hits from Ibiza to Paris, and is arriving to host a night of international house music here in Muscat this Thursday.

On The Rocks Golden Tulip, Seeb +968 2451 4444

10:00am-10pm The biggest annual family festival in Muscat will take place this weekend in Qurum. Enjoy entertainment, games, prizes, shopping, food stands, henna, and face painting booths at this free event.

Al Bahja Hall The Jungle restaurant +968 9512 6063

Photography: Supplied

Go to a Match 7:00pm Enjoy football frenzy in Oman as the national team takes on Yemen in an international friendly to prepare for the Fifa World Cup 2018 and AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifiers.

The Oman team’s first home match in this qualifier campaign kicks off in Seeb.

Seeb Sports Stadium +968 2453 3000 OFA tickets: +968 2453 9544

SATURDAY

Attend the Voice of Heaven Contest

Enjoy the incredible singing of choirs representing different churches in Oman at this competition in which they sing Christian devotional songs in three categories – solo, duet and group. Organised by the Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Youth Movement in Muscat, the competition will be held at the St Thomas Church, Ruwi +968 9925 6059 mgomemuscat.com

Meet and Greet Join the Muscat InterNations group at the Millennium Resort in Mussanah to meet expats from around the world while enjoying the relaxing resort.

More details: internations.org/muscatexpats

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VOLUME 9 ISSUE 20 AUGUST 28, 2015

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

8pm, Thursday, August 27 Doha Comedy Day (Qatar) Watch the best standup comedians in the Gulf region including Badr Saleh, Ibrahim KhairAllah, and Fahd Al Betiri from Saudi Arabia; Ali Al Sayed from the United Arab Emirates and Ahmed Al Shimari from Kuwait, along with Qatari host, Hamad Al Emari during a hilarious evening of Arabic and English comedy at the Qatar National Convention Centre.

Tickets: +974 4456 5340, tickets.virginmegastore.me

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KHALEEJI HAPPENINGS Broadcasting the best events in the GCC

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7pm, Friday, August 28 Wrecking Crew Orchestra (Bahrain) Watch a scintillating music-dance show by the innovative Japanese street dance troupe Wrecking Crew Orchestra, an Osaka-based, internationally acclaimed group known for perfectly choreographed movements performed in the dark with illuminated costumes. Cultural Hall of Manama Hall, tickets: +973 1756 9104. +973 8000 8089, bahrainsummer.bh

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Friday, August 28 – Saturday, August 29 Madagascar Live (Dubai) Take the kids to see Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo, and the plotting penguins at Madagascar Live, a stage performance of the animated film taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Tickets: ticketmasteruae.ae

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10am, Friday, August 28 Marfa Event (Jeddah) Spend the day browsing the wares of artisan vendors from around the region and hearing their stories at the Friday Beach Market, which will also feature cultural performances, workshops, food, and drinks at the Park Hyatt in Jeddah. Tickets: marfaworld.org

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FIVE TO TRY Parks for Family Fun hiweekend@timesofoman.com

Wadi Kabir Park

Riyam Park

Qurum Natural Park

Naseem Garden

Al Sahwah Park

Located close to the road leading to Al Bustan, this park has a dedicated play area for toddlers and is adjacent to the Sindbad Amusement Park, a favourite for families who like to spend a day out on weekends or holidays.

Open 6:30am – midnight

An especially popular park for children thanks to its rides, games, and playgrounds, Riyam park, spread over 100,000 sq. metres, offers splendid views of the corniche and harbour and is home to the iconic, giant ornamental incense burner.

Open 9:00am – midnight

The largest park in Oman at over 17,00,000 sq metres, this park has a huge artificial lake, numerous old trees, manicured shrubs and green lawns, and the Marahland amusement park.

Open 8:00am-midnight

Located about 30 km from the Muscat International Airport, this park includes a children’s park, tennis courts, and volleyball and football areas. Enjoy the small falaj that flows beside a Japanese Garden.

Open 4:00pm – midnight

One of the new parks in Muscat, this park has ample space for family recreation as well as for individuals to spend time in solitude. The park includes family rest areas, six Islamic gardens of geometric shapes, a mosque, and coffee shops. Open 9:00am – midnight

Photography: Supplied

10pm, Saturday, August 29 Arabian Nights (Qatar) Turn up in a ‘smart-chic’ outfit for Arabian Nights at the Crystal - W Doha, and enjoy a night filled with the sounds of the latest Arabic hits with an international twist courtesy of DJ Imran Rehmat Ali and DJ Masse.

Tickets: +974 3017 7056, +974 4453 5153, crystaldoha.com

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SO CLOSE AND YET SO FAR

SIFAH SOJOURN Jebel Sifah is a relatively new destination in Oman, located about 30 km from downtown Muscat, the facilities — a mix of planned residential units, comfortable hotels, restaurants, an 84-berth marina, an 18-hole PGA golf course, and shopping avenues — stretch across five kilometres, providing an other-worldly refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city, a mere hour’s drive from the airport or a refreshing sea taxi ride from the Marina Bandar near Sidab. Indulge in a luxurious weekend escape, with minimal travel time, at this opulent refuge.

Story | Hubert Vaz

FRIDAY

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:30AM DRIVE TO JEBEL SIFAWY Boutique Hotel (sifawyhotel.com, +968 2474 9111) early in the morning and leave your luggage at the check-in counter before heading to the marina to start your weekend activities ( you can check into your room at 3 pm).

Photography courtesy: Jebel Sifawy Boutique Hotel

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:30AM GO DOLPHIN WATCHING, head to Al Marassi in the Jebel Sifah Marina (+968 9692 3969) for an 8am departure to explore the shores of Oman in search of dolphins. The waters off Oman’s coast are home to over one hundred dolphins of several types. This trip is both educational as well as awe-inspiring. (Price: OMR15 per person; private charter OMR150 for 10 persons – Book in advance) OR FISHING, at Al Marassi, you also have the option of taking a fishing trip. At 8:00am, depart to Quriyat or Bandar Al Khairan to watch local fishermen do their daily routine, before trying your hand at the sport. This trip is ideal for couples, families or groups (Price: OMR120 per boat for 7 persons).

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:00PM GO FOR LUNCH at As Sammak Seafood Restaurant, located on the resort’s beach, just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel.

This is a good place to try local seafood specialities, fresh-caught from Sifah’s bountiful waters.

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:00PM SIESTA TIME Check into your room and enjoy a short siesta to recharge your batteries following your morning excursion out at sea.

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:00PM GO FOR EVENING REFRESHMENTS at the Captain’s Lounge & Bar, located at the marina. Enjoy a gourmet coffee or a cooling drink as you watch the bar transform into a lively night-spot with music and entertainment.

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:00PM TAKE A DIP in the hotel’s large swimming pool to build up an appetite for dinner.

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:00PM HAVE DINNER at Al Sabla, the allday dining restaurant which serves international and regional cuisines, or enjoy some lighter snacks directly on the beach at the aptly named Beach Bar.

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:00PM NIGHTLIFE Take a quiet, leisurely stroll along the beach and the marina or go join the party at The Barten, Jebel Sifah’s newest venue.

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

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Jebel Sifawy Boutique Hotel Contact: +968 24749111 Email: info@sifawyhotel.com

SATURDAY

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:00AM CHECK OUT, SPEND A DAY AT THE BEACH OR ENJOY WATERSPORTS Get aboard an Al Marassi speedboat from the marina (+968 9692 3969) and set out off to a private beach.

Once there, spend the morning swimming in the turquoise waters, snorkelling, kayaking, riding banana boats, and jet skiing.

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:00PM EAT A BARBEQUE LUNCH on the beach, including meat and seafood grills, Indian and Arabic accompaniments, salads, and desserts, while listening to live music.

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:00PM BEACH GAMES Take part in beach games before winding up for the return boat ride back to the hotel, which you’ll reach by 5:00pm. (Price: OMR45 per person (for a group of minimum 10 persons) or OMR250 for a chartered boat, including lunch)

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:00PM DRIVE HOME Watch the sunset as you make the short journey back to Muscat.

You should be back before the last rays disappear from the sky.

— hubert@timesofoman.com

HI WEEKLY

What are your favourite back-to-school finds?

Tweet them at us @ HiWeekly_Oman

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 20 AUGUST 28, 2015

1 Back-to-School Bottle Budget friendly and lightweight, this all-in-one water bottle with a straw to prevent leaks and spills, an attached lid, carrying strap, and cute design, is ideal for primary schoolers. Find one at Lifestyle, Centrepoint, Al Khuwair, +968 2460 1002 OMR 2.300

LUNCHTIME PLAYMATES

By Swati Dasgupta

It’s back to school time and there are plenty

2 Cheerful Japanese Cutlery

of things for us parents to prepare and purchase, but apart from standard bags,

Pair these adorable smiling spoons and forks with colourful Tupperware for a cheerful lunchtime combination.

Available from Daiso in MGM, +968 2439 9937 OMR 0.700 per spoon/fork

uniforms, and shoes, creative school lunch boxes provide the opportunity to send kids to school with a healthy meal and in a fun and cheerful package. Here are a few that are sure to be a hit with youngsters. swati@timesofoman.com

3 Owl Pal Lunch Box Set Children will have a hoot at school with this owl shaped lunchbag. It has a central compartment that is ideal for carrying snacks and lunches and the hard plastic exterior will prevent the contents from being crushed. Get yours at Baby Shop, Centrepoint, Al Khuwair, +968 2460 1002 OMR 15.500

3 Lady Bug Carry-all With carry handle and zipped bottle pouch, and insulated food compartment, this smiling sack is ideal for pre-schoolers and junior class children as an all-in-one option for toting snacks, drinks, and meals to school. The coated exterior is easy to clean with damp cloth.

Find it at Lifestyle, Centrepoint, Al Khuwair, +968 2460 1002 OMR7.500

SCAN TO SEE THE VIDEO

Photography: Said Al Mawali

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VOLUME 9 ISSUE 18 AUGUST 14, 2015

HI WEEKLY

“Driving is an adventure and Shell Super is the partner I trust on & off-road.”

Ten years ago, Shell Oman introduced Shell Super with a special formula designed to give extra kilometres at no extra cost. Today, we look back with pride and thank all our customers for their support over the years.

Shell Super is the only petrol in Oman, designed for extra kilometres at no extra cost to the customer. That, along with our friendly service gives you more reason to return to a Shell service station. www.shelloman.com.om

Musab Amur Al Ghaithi Four Wheel Adventurer

*Comparison between a standard fuel and that same standard fuel containing our fuel economy formula. Actual benefits may vary according to vehicle, driving conditions and driving style.

C.R. No.1/57123/0

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VOLUME 9 ISSUE 20 AUGUST 28, 2015

A SPELLBINDING STUDY ROOM G etting your children to study is never an easy task, but creating a dedicated space for doing homework, where they actually want to spend time, sure can help.

Hogwarts (from the Harry Potter series) may be the only school children dream of attending, so we took cues from the whimsical classrooms for this week’s design inspiration. HiWeekend@timesofoman.com

Do you have a beautiful space to feature in Hi? Tell us about it HiWeekend@ timesofoman.com

Inspired to recreate one of the Hi Spaces? Show us before and after pics on Facebook.com/HiWeekly

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THE DETAILS CREATE A MAGICAL WORKROOM FOR YOUR LITTLE WIZARDS

BRASS AND BLACK Choose wall art, picture frames, and accessories in weathered brass and blacks for a mystical, old-school feel.

Find one such accessory, the “Ritzy Wall Clock”, which looks like it could have been plucked from the movie set, at Home Centre, Al Khuwair +968 2460 1569, homecentrestores.com

WEATHERED WOODS A key element of the Hogwart’s look is the old-fashioned looking wooden desks and chairs.

Find great quality “weathered wood” chairs and bookcases at Marina Home, Al Araimi Complex, Qurum, +968 2456 2221, marinahomeinteriors.com

UNUSUAL DESK LAMPS Having a well-lit study area is important, but to keep with the magical, fun theme of the space.

Find an unusual “torch” lamp, as well as an array of antique looking desk lamps, at Home Centre, Al Khuwair +968 2460 1569, homecentrestores.com

Photography: Supplied

ANCIENT ACCESSORIES Spark their creative sides with a treasure-hunting trip to the Mutrah Souq where you can find antique telescopes, compasses, even dusty old copper mugs that make great pencil holders. Check out the many antique shops along the main corridor of the souq.

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PENCIL PUSHERS There may be no school supply as basic as the no. 2 pencil, but these ubiquitous items need not be boring.

For older students who have outgrown cartoon characters, but still want to show some style while scribbling notes, swap basic pencils for playful, multi-coloured, metalic shimmer, and jewel topped tools. Grab a sophisticated, but bold pencil case in a subdued hue, like the ones found at Daiso in MGM (+968 2439 9937). Check out the designer pencils at Stationery Hut (+968 2411 7573) in Ghubra and keep your eyes peeled for colourful options next time you are shopping at one of the hypermarkets.

HiWeekend@TimesofOman.com

Photography: Said Al Mawali

SCAN TO SEE THE VIDEO

It fits just about anywhere.

Ford EcoSport.

Starting at RO 6,399 with 3YEARS/60,000KMS* Service & Maintenance.

The urban SUV with big ambition.

Getting around the urban jungle has never been easier than in the Ford EcoSport.

From its city-sized design to its nimble, responsive handling to other great features like a higher seating position and hill start assist. And not only do you get all this, you get it starting at just RO 6,399 and with 3Years/60,000Kms* Service & Maintenance. So why not stop by and test-drive one today?

HOW FORD IS THAT? *Conditions Apply

When Indonesian expats in Muscat go in search of a taste of home, they head to the unassuming Al Salam Dream Restaurant (+968 9970 9873, fb: alsalam indo food) tucked behind the Al Raffah Hospital in Al Ghubra, check out our ordering guide for the best of the best.

Back at home, get in the kitchen and try your hand at the incredibly easy-to-make Indonesian classic, Satay Ayam (chicken satay). —felicia@timesofoman.com

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HI WEEKLY VOLUME 9 ISSUE 20 AUGUST 28, 2015 Show us your Indo-Feast!

Instagram @HiWeekly_Oman

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DINE IN / DINE OUT

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or at Facebook.com/ HiWeekly

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What was your favourite dish?

Tweet @HiWeekly_Oman

HI WEEKLY

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WHAT TO ORDER AT AL SALAM 1

MIE GORENG (FRIED NOODLES) This popular street food is loaded with flavourful garlic, onion, meat, chicken, and vegetables, and fish sauce.

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SOTO AYAM (CHICKEN SOUP) Vermicelli noodles are simmered with chicken and tonnes of turmeric for this comforting soup.

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BUBUR AYAM (CHICKEN PORRIDGE) Bubur is a rice dish that is cooked down into a porridge and topped with chicken or meat along with spring onion, ginger and fried shallots.

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AYAM GORENG (FRIED CHICKEN) Crispy, well-spiced chicken that goes great with fried rice or noodles.

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GADO-GADO (COOKED SALAD WITH PEANUT SAUCE) This salad of steamed vegetables, hardboiled eggs, and fried tofu, is served in a luscious peanut sauce dressing and topped with mung beans.

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SHRIMP CHIPS These tasty fried snacks are beloved all over Asia. Dip them in your gado gado, hot chilli, and peanut sauces.

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NASI RENDANG (SLOWCOOKED BEEF) Rendang, a kind of dry curry, uses a slow cooking method to ensure the meat absorbs tonnes of flavour.

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This Indonesian-style fried rice is studded with chunks of chicken and chopped egg and seasoned sweet soy sauce and shrimp paste.

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INSTRUCTIONS • 6 stalks lemongrass, trimmed and chopped • 3 cloves garlic, peeled • 3 large shallots, chopped • 1 (13 cm) piece ginger, sliced • 1 1/2 kg skinless chicken thighs, cut into cubes • 30 bamboo skewer (soaked)

• Purée all ingredients from oil through ginger in a food processor until smooth. Transfer paste to a bowl and add chicken; toss to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and chill 4 hours.

• Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.

• Thread 2 pieces of chicken onto each skewer and grill, turning once, brushing often with oil until charred, 5-6 minutes. • Serve with a peanut sauce.

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Photography: Shabin E.

• 2 tbsp cup peanut oil, plus more for brushing.

• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar • 1 tbsp ground coriander • 2 1/2 tsp ground turmeric • 1 1/2 tsp ground fennel • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt

SATAY LAHM (GRILLED MEAT) The meat version of this skewered favourite is crusted with spices and charred for a hefty bite.

DID SOMEONE SAY SATAY? INGREDIENTS

NASI GORENG (FRIED RICE)

SATAY AYAM (GRILLED CHICKEN) Chicken satay, a mild marinated grilled chicken skewer is served with thick sweet-savoury peanut sauce.

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A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO GROOMING

BY H U B E RT VA Z

A man goes through a series of grooming rituals every morning before setting out for a day of work, activity or sport. These rituals are aimed at nourishing and enriching as well as enhancing the appearance of hair, face and body, and revolves around four actions: bathing, shaving, hair care, and skin care. Nadeem Qureishi of the exlusive Leather and Lather shop in Avenues Mall, has researched male grooming products in different parts of the world, and he believes that the products one chooses are as important as the rituals themselves.

A Shop for the Well-Groomed Man Leather & Lather, an exclusive store for men selling grooming accessories, from premium shaving kits to skincare balms and hair tonics, as well as premium leather products, occupies a prominent space near the entrance of the new Avenues Mall and was opened by Nadeem Qureishi and his brother after they realised that there were no dedicated stores providing high-end male grooming and lifestyle products in Oman. The store combines the twin concepts of luxurious leather products and lather, a symbol of the age-old male grooming ritual of the shave. As the only store of its kind in the Gulf region, Nadeem, admits that it was partially opened as an answer to his very own quest for a store that was classy, chic, and exclusively masculine.

Photography: Shabin E.

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Show us your favourite grooming gear on Instagram @HiWeekly_Oman

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A TONIC FOR EVERYONE

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Begin With A Bath

A male grooming ritual should essentially begin with a bath, not with a shave, as most men normally do. By using a body wash made of natural ingredients during a warm bath or shower, you open your pores and cleanse impurities from the skin, which leads to a better shave.

Try a natural body wash from Baxter of California, followed by a scrub with exfoliating body bars, or a lather with moisturising cleansing bars. Before a night out, grab a bar of fragrant sandalwood soap from Dr Harris.

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Love Your Locks

Men may not be particular about their hair care products, but using the right protein-rich shampoo and conditioner is important for maintaining volume and lustre. The right products nourish the scalp while also significantly curbing hair fall.

Go for a nutrient-enriched protein shampoo and moisturising conditioner with a refreshing mint scent from Baxter of California. For styling, avoid hair gels, rather go for a clay pomade or hard cream/hard water pomades for hold and natural shine finish, also available from Baxter of California.

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A Proper Shave

The shaving ritual should ideally be done after a bath when the skin on the face is cleansed and clogged pores have been opened. Facial skin is the most sensitive, hence, it is important to unclog the pores before using a razor. Use a shaving cream to work up lather rather than a shaving gel or foam which has paraffin and other harmful chemicals.

There are three parts to shaving – unclogging the pores (during bathing), opening the pores while working up a lather with the right brush, which will facilitate a close shave, and shaving using the right blade that glides easily over the skin (traditional classic blade or the modern triple blade razor).

Go for the trendy shaving kits from Muehle, which include stylish razors (a classic as well as Mark III) and brushes made from natural hair of the badger. Be sure to also get a good, natural aftershave or tonic, like the ones have tonics from Baxter of California and Dr Harris.

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Skin Deep

Men, too, need to take care of their skin every day. A simple skin care ritual before and after the daily shower can help in rejuvenating skin, protecting it from the harmful effects of sun and grime and rid toxins for a healthy, more youthful look.

First, one should clean the face with an astringent or face cleanser before showering, then use a facial scrub or clay mask once a week during or just after bathing. After showering and shaving, use moisturising lotions to keep the skin soft and hydrated.

Find all kinds of high-quality, natural facial cleansers, scrubs, masks, lotions, and balms at our shop in Avenues Mall. But no matter where you shop, be sure that the products you buy are of good quality and all-natural.

Taking care of your skin is one of the best investments a man can make.

Leather & Lather Ground floor, Avenues Mall, Al Ghubra Contact: +968 9901 4433 / 9936 7630

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ASK AN OMANI

Omani Lingo Interspersed with Arabic conversations overheard throughout the capital city, even native Arabic speakers might be surprised to hear some unfamiliar words thanks to a host of unique Omani dialects. Times of Oman Reporter, Tariq Ziad Al Haremi, teaches us a few of the basics.

Mu What?

Mu Khbar What’s up?

Khala Let’s go

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Warak What’s wrong?

‘Oq Throw

Sukh Be quiet

Have a burning question about Omani dialect?

Get in touch HiWeekend@timesofoman.com , Tariq@timesofoman.com

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Back in the swing of the new school season, students are no doubt in the throws of new friendships, adventures, and challenges. For

THINK INSIDE THE BOX

many moms this is the time when we face our own unique daily challenge: what to pack for lunch? We strive to offer

something healthy and tasty, but sometimes inspiration runs thin. So we looked to lunchpacking moms around the world for new ideas.

By Swati Dasgupta

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FROM JAPAN WITH LOVE Moms in Japan take pride in creatively crafting unique designs and characters for their children’s bento boxes, shaping rice balls and cutting vegetables into animals, flowers, or cartoon characters for lunches that are beautiful and healthy.

The takeaway: Making food appealing to children is not just about taste, children prefer foods that have funny shapes and attractive colours.

1 CREATIVE CUTS An easy way to make food look nice is to cut veggies into cute shapes, even simple, neatly cut squares and circles will do.

2 FLOWER POWER Peel orange and arrange its segments around a cherry for a playful lunchbox flower.

3 CUT THE CRUST Use a cookie cutter to cut sandwiches into miniature shapes. Or, simply remove crust and slice sandwiches into diamond or star shapes for a change.

4 SEPARATE A key to bento presentation is the neat packing. Use cupcake liners to keep the elements of your child’s lunch separate and more attractive, and be sure to fill your box completely to keep all the elements tight.

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ALL-AMERICAN The typical American lunch consists of a grab-and-go sandwich, piece of fruit, savoury snack, and dessert. Mix and match lunches like these, centred around a sandwich, are ideal for middle and secondary school children who have to stay in school for longer hours and like to eat on the run.

1 Shop for items that keep well outside of the refrigerator, like apples, bananas, bags of crackers or pretzels, and individually wrapped treats.

2 Write a checklist of the elements to pack — fruit, sandwich, and so on — and then get your children to pack their own lunch, choosing from the ready-to-go elements you purchased. They will enjoy having the choice and it will teach them how to build a healthy meal.

3 On Saturday evenings, create a make-your-own sandwich bar with toppings like low-fat cheese, lean meats, fresh cut veggies, different types of bread and wraps, and plenty of condiments from chutneys to ketchup. Get the whole family involved making sandwiches for the next day. It will make your Sunday easier and give good insight into the taste preferences of your family members.

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INDIAN EXPRESS Innovative Indian tiffins or lunch boxes are specially designed to keep the contents separate and hot until it’s time to eat. The meals inside are typically well balanced, with a serving of vegetables, whole grain breads, and lentils or other protein to keep the kids full all day. The dishes inside these stacked wonders are as diverse as the country itself. Take inspiration from these hearty midday meals and regional Indian favourites.

1 People from southern India prefer to pack delicious breadbased lunches in the form of upma, idli and dosa in their tiffins.

Those from northern India typically go for aloo puris (fried Indian bread with potatoes, parantha or hearty chole (chickpea curry) with rice or bread. Other classic tiffin dishes includes poha pulav (beaten rice with mixed vegetables), methi thepla (at wheat bread with fenugreek leaves), and dhokla (steamed cake made with a fermented batter derived from rice and chickpea powder).

2 The key to Indian tiffin lunches is that they are treated like a proper meal, rather than a snack. Try creating new entree- worthy dishes from weekend meal leftovers. For example, if you made mashed potatoes and roast meat on Saturday, layer them with a little cheese and bake in tin cupcake foils for lunchbox-ready shepherds pie for Sunday.

3 Get the right gear and invest in a good quality tiffin set or at least a lunch box with separate containers to keep items like salad, main dishes, and bread separate and fresh.

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A mobile planetarium is on a mission to share the wonder of astronomy with young Omanis from Muscat to Salalah, and in every village between.

Story | Mohammed Shafeeqe

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Photos: Supplied

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alaxies with millions of twinkling stars, planets, and moons loomed massively over the excited school students’ heads. Rust-orange Mars, eerie blue Neptune, pastel swirled Jupiter, and the icy rings of Saturn danced above as the curator, Suleiman Hilal Zahir Al Busaidi, used an iPad to traverse the solar system virtually, swooping from planet to planet, past moons and through the glimmering asteroid belt, teaching us about these worlds — the thin atmosphere of Mars, Jupiter’s 400-year-old storm, the possible seas of methane on Saturn’s moon, Titan, black holes, and more.

From inside one might call this place ‘a starship of the imagination.’ But really, it was a sort of an inflated tent in front of a hypermarket in Nizwa. The Petroleum Development Oman’s (PDO) Mobile Planetarium, the first in Oman, travels the country offering students, in this case the fifth graders of a Nizwa primary school, the opportunity to experience the mighty and mystic universe for the first time.

The travelling planetarium is an igloo-like fabric dome made by Fulldome.pro of Russia that stays upright with the help of layers of connecting rods covered by a wall of three layers. The inner most layer is the screen onto which the immersive visuals are projected. The dome is big enough to hold a classroom of sixty students. Operators use an iPad, to operate the Fulldome.pro DC MK2 in the centre – a 3K fulldome projection system with 6 projectors allow the dome to approximate the boundlessness of space.

The dome was launched at the Annual Muscat Festival last February as part of the PDO’s outreach efforts that also included student visits to the PDO Planetarium and public star-gazing events around Muscat. The PDO planetarium attracts lot of students and public, but not many from the interior region have the opportunity to visit, so the mobile planetarium was designed to take astronomy to them.

In the first two weeks of the Muscat Festival, more than 8,200 people visited despite the very limited visiting hours.

After the festival, the dome travelled to different cultural and educational venues throughout the country to promote the study of astronomy. Nizwa, in one week more than 8,000 people came to watch presentations inside the travelling dome.

“For the convenience of the students we organised morning shows for only students and evening for public there.

There was also a good turnout at SQU when we visited there as part of the 14th Science Festival.” The last destination was in Salalah during the festival this month. “So far, more than 21,000 people have visited the mobile planetarium,” said Suleiman.

Far more than a festival attraction, the dome is a vital teaching tool. Beyond the planetary shows, there are programmes designed to expose children to a whole host of basic math and science concepts in a fun and engaging way. Students practised math skills by counting the stars and used geometry to connect stars in the sky to form triangles, squares,

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THE FOUR SHOWS The year 2015 is observed as the year of light by The International Astronomical Society, so in honour of this, the planetarium launched two new shows, IBEX and Two Small Pieces of Glass (with Arabic narration).

More shows will be launched in 2016.

Astronomy: 10 Steps Through the Sky “Astronomy” is an introduction to astronomy basics, its history, and major discoveries. The show presents many educational topics such as star locations, constellations, the structure of the solar system, and also tells the audience about Galileo and Copernicus’ discoveries and the achievements made possible by the Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope.

Two Small Pieces of Glass

STAR GAZING LOCATIONS and circles. From the worlds of physics and astronomy, the students were introduced to planets, shooting stars and constellations and discovered that because there is no air wind on the moon it’s impossible to fly a kite. “Most of the shows are narrated in English, but we have four shows narrated in Arabic as well, said Suleiman. “I translate it myself.”

As the planetarium travels throughout Oman visiting schools, other education centres, and social organisations for children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to visit a planetarium, Suleiman has found that finding suitable place to erect the dome is the most challenging part of the job.

“For safety reasons we prefer a closed area for setting up the dome. It takes more than eight hours to erect the dome.

Around hundred pipes have to be connected together to form the dome shape. Sometimes it is very hot and windy, that makes it difficult to run the show. We need to see all these aspects before putting up the dome, which is being kept at the PDO store when not on show,” Suleiman said.

But the challenges are well worth it for the opportunity to share the wonders of the universe with young Omanis.

“I am in contact with the school authorities, Ministry of

According to Suleiman Hilal Zahir Al Busaidi, PDO Planetarium curator, Jebel Shams and Jebel Akhdar are the two best places to watch stars in Oman. “Due to light pollution, Muscat and its surrounding areas are not apt for star gazing,” he said adding, “Earlier we use to go to Al Jufaina near Al Amerat for stargazing parties. Owing to the light pollution we shifted the location to Halban near Barka.

There also is a highway with a row of street lights there now.”

Education and Ministry of Culture to organise shows for the growing up students. This is an exciting tool for learning. The kids found it very interesting. Most of the kids from the interiors are seeing a planetarium for the first time in life. Even they have not been to the cinemas before. The enthusiasm is so high that they want us again and again to visit them. So the good thing is like we try to send the message about science, astronomy to attract young people to knowledge,” Suleiman said.

Next year the travel planetarium will stop in Sohar, Sur and other interior places in hopes of sharing the majesty of the natural world and perhaps inspiring the next generation of Omani scientists.

“We’re just minuscule in the grand scheme of things,” said the curator narrating our space tour. “We know there’s so much more out there than we can grasp. Space is vast.” Nestled in the 10-metre-wide, 5.8 metre high dome, students and teachers alike looked on in amazement at the multimedia planetarium show. Stars twinkled overhead and shooting stars flashed across the sky, the entire room united in that moment by the beauty and wonder of the night sky.

—shafeeq@timesofoman.com

THE VISUAL TECHNOLOGY

and the audience. For the earth segment, Event Horizon provides multiple layers of infographics and integration with online maps.

Scan QR code to watch video of Event Horizon

IBEX – Search for the Edge of the Solar System Join scientists who are investigating the boundary between our Solar System. The show follows the creation of NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX), giving an in-depth look at the mission and how IBEX is collecting highspeed atoms to create a map of our Solar System’s boundary. Narrated by two inquisitive teenagers, audiences will hear from the scientists and engineers that developed the IBEX mission and created the spacecraft, and get the latest updates on the mission’s discoveries.

Sizing Up Space

Event Horizon Event Horizon is a fulldome real-time environment that is able to visually simulate the universe according to accurate, up to date scientific data.

The software is based on the latest Unreal Engine technology and provides up to 4K resolution graphics, which – combined with a beautiful soundtrack – grants revolutionary user experience.

Event Horizon is controlled from an intuitive interface on the iPad. Event Horizon brings a completely new level of interaction between the presenter

400 years ago, a simple adjustment to a child’s spyglass revealed for the first time an infinite and perplexing universe.

Join us today, as the world’s great telescopes, born of that serendipitous moment, gaze ever further into the distant past — and into our future.

Produced to engage and appeal to audiences of all ages, “Two Small Pieces of Glass” traces the history of the telescope from Galileo’s modifications to a child’s spyglass, to the launch of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, and explores the future of astronomy.

Presenter 360 Presenter 360 is a unique solution for creating stunning presentations in a fulldome format.

The presentation is no longer flat or limited to a rectangular screen. Information surrounds the audience, deeply immersing it in the visual data flow.

Simplicity is the key – add the content (text, pictures, video, and sound) and apply pre-designed layouts and animations with a single click, apply the presets and animation effects.

Sizing Up Space demonstrates the scale of the universe using modelling and animation in this fun show, created by participants of the Blender Production Workshop at the 2009 Mediaglobe Users Group Conference.

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Art Exhibition Bait Al Baranda organised a summer art workshop for children in which they moulded clay, stitched recycled material together, drew and painted, even on the walls, and their masterpieces were revealed at an exhibition celebrating their work.

Photos : Jun Estrada

IN FOCUS WERE YOU AT ONE OF THESE EVENTS? SEE IF WE CAUGHT YOU ON CAMERA. SCAN QR CODE TO SEE THE FULL GALLERY

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Independence Day Independence Day celebrations of Pakistan and Flag Hoisting Ceremony held at Pakistan School Muscat.

Photos : Jun Estrada

IN FOCUS WERE YOU AT ONE OF THESE EVENTS? SEE IF WE CAUGHT YOU ON CAMERA. SCAN QR CODE TO SEE THE FULL GALLERY

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 20 AUGUST 28, 2015

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