Hi 03 11 2016

OMAN’S LARGEST CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 46,760 COPIES

VOL 10 ISSUE 43 / NOVEMBER 3, 2016

MEET AL BALEED, SALALAH’S NEW SWEETHEART

THIS WEEK IN OMAN

STRIKE A POSE

BBAKE AK A POTATO

Model and beauty expert, Antara Bose, offers five tips for looking like a super star in your next snapshot.

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T all The all-new Hi video cooking cclass sseries (all under 2 minutes llong), ong) are kicking off this week with some super spuds from the w chefs at Al Bustan Palace. cch PAGE 14 P

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DINE IN THE LIBRARY The dark and charming Biblioteaca beckons with a great interior, and even better coffee.

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 43 NOVEMBER 3, 2016

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 Features Production Editor Swati Dasgupta swati@timesofoman.com Research/Copy Editor Ashish Dubash shruthi@timesofoman.com

ashishdubash@timesofoman.com

Associate Editors Salim Hamood Al Afifi Shruthi Nair

salim@timesofoman.com

Associate Features Production Editor Mobin Mathew Blesson gautam@timesofoman.com mobinmathew@timesofoman.com Digital Editor Gautam Bhargav Viswanathan Chief Creative Officer Adonis Durado Associate Art Director Waleed Rabin Graphics Editor Antonio Farach Design Editor Sahir K.M. Lead Designer Geri B. Sonny Designers Antonio Ismael Sandiego Gregory Fernandez Director of Digital Television Joe Morrison Photography MMG Photographers richard@timesofoman.com Chief Sales Officer Richard Pakenham aziz@timesofoman.com

k i Head Of Advertising & Marketing Aziz K. Baker Production Manager Shafi Shaik On The Cover Design by Geri B. Sonny Photography by Mehdi Taghavi For general inquiries or comments: HiWeekend@timesofoman.com

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

SAY “HI” ON SOCIAL MEDIA facebook.com/hiweekly twitter & instagram: hiweekly_oman

HI WEEKLY

THE WEEKEND LINEUP

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Tell us what you’re doing this weekend: Tweet us @HiWeekly_Oman; tag us in your weekend instagram photos @hiweekly_oman; or share with us on FB/hiweekly

Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend

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6:00pm Take Your Inner Child to the Movies Go to VOX and watch the biggest, most anticipated animated film of the year, ar, ‘Trolls’. If you think you’re re too old to go alone, bring g a young you family member as your cover. er.

VOX, City Centre Muscat VOX at +968 2234 4444 44 oman.voxcinemas.com o m

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6:30pm Have Some Family Fun Get fit while busting moves to good music at the Muscat Hills family ‘Fun Night Run’. There’ll be glowsticks, food, a fun run and after run party with DJ. Registration required. OMR10 Reg for adults and OMR5 for kids.

Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club Airport Heights +968 9563 8070 mindinspire1@gmail.com

7:00pm m Enjoy a Military Show Enj w

9:00pm Party with Akcent

Witness the annual royal Wi al military co concert in the courtyard rd of the Royal Opera House, e, where Oman’ Om s military band will ill be showcasing classic military show ry songs along alo with South Korean an and Georgian military bands, Ge s, which will w be showcasing their eir talent d during the 90-minute, e, free-of-charge performance. free-ofe.

Dance your weekend away with the popular Romanian dance-pop act, Akcent, who will be performing at The Cave Gardens. Tickets OMR15 for singles and OMR25 for couples, available at Rumba Lattina in The Cave and at the Virgin Megastore in City Centre Muscat.

Doors open at 8pm

Royal Opera House Muscat at +968 2440 3300 00 rohmuscat.org.om m

The Cave Gardens Darsait +968 2465 1465

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PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

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SATURDAY 6:30pm Induge in Bollywood Nostalgia This Saturday is all about Indian music nostalgia.

Re-live a musical journey titled ‘Sadabahar Burmans’

by Bollywood’s Sachin Da and Pancham Da, who will be performing alongside local talent. Call and collect your invitation before the event.

Al Falaj Hotel Ruwi, Muscat +968 9220 9181

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WEEKEND DOWNLOAD

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Have you tried any of these five? What do you think of them? Did we miss any of your favourites? Tag us on Instagram @hiweekly_oman and tell us about it on facebook.com/hiweekly

MARCO POLO WITH GAUTAM BHARGAV VISWANATHAN

FIVE TO TRY INTERESTING MALLS AND SHOPS

SOUQ BIN RASHID Souq Bin Rashid is a shopping block located behind the giant hypermarket Nesto in Al Mabela. There you can find small fashion boutiques, children clothing shops, floral shops, and carpet vendors.

Location: Phase 5, Al Mabela, Seeb

OMAN CHINA MALL If you’re a fan of famed Golden Dragon Mart in Barka, you’ll definitely enjoy the brand new Oman China Mall. It’s a sister property to Dragon Mart, which is much more organised with sections for furniture, electronics, clothing, shoes, bags, and other home goods.

Location: Barka, Muscat Contact: +968 9158 9288

OPERA GALLERIA Perhaps you fancy some fine dining and luxury shopping. At Opera Galleria you can dine on five-star French cuisine at Fauchon, or nouveau Omani at Al Angham after shopping in Armani Collezioni or the newly opened Paris Gallery.

Location: Al Kharjiyah Street, Muscat Contact: +968 2440 3440

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reat empires make for great tales, something especially true for theMongol Empire, which, through brutal conflict, bloody battles, and a relentless thirst for warfare, spread over the steppes of Central Asia, from Vietnam and Korea in the East, to Poland, Hungary, and Lithuania in the West.

Marco Polo does a fantastic job of dissecting the fascinating ways of the Mongols, exposing the dangerous realities of life at court and on the battlefield. The famous Genghis Khan used a combination of brute force and (rarely) diplomacy to establish himself as the Khagan, or the leader of the Mongol Empire, as well as Emperor of China.

Marco Polo follows his grandson, Kublai Khan, who rules over the vast tracts of land. Portrayed by British-Chinese actor Benedict Wong, who featured in both Prometheus and Doctor Strange, the actor is flawless in the role of the self-styled Khan of Khans.

We learn early on that Mongols value physical strength and martial prowess

above all else, thus Kublai knows he needs to keep winning in order to appease his court and his subjects. Fortunately for him, there are plenty who need quelling, both within and outside of his empire. When we first join Kublai in season one, he’s got the Chinese on the run in the south, but knows he will need ingenuity and a flawless strategy to defeat Chinese engineering with Mongol military might.

Enter our show’s narrator, the explorer Marco Polo, played by the Italian actor Lorenzo Richelmy, whose slightly bemused expression belies a steely resolve and sharp wit that allow him to acclimatise from the genteel opulence of Venice to the barbaric practices of the Mongols. Over time Polo sees that there is more to the Mongols than meets the eye, and develops a deep admiration for the place and the people.

Kublai and the more martial characters to be loud in speech and manner, and are excellently complemented by the more subtle players in this game of courtly intrigue. Joan Chen, previously of Judge Dredd and MacGyver, plays

Empress Chabi, Kublai’s wife, the yin to Kublai’s yang. She roots out deceit within the palace walls to ensure Kublai is able to pursue his ambitions outside them. Her quiet, subtle presence on screen is the perfect foil to Kublai’s more boisterous, forceful mannerisms.

The show transitions wonderfully between the action on the battlefield, courtly affairs, and the lives of the common Mongolian people, providing brilliant perspective on the entire strata of Mongol society.

The costumes, sets, and props are thematically excellent and leave little to be desired in terms of quality.

And the chemistry of the international and Mongoloid actors on-screen ensures the viewer will be utterly transported into 13th century China from episode one. With two seasons now available, this latest undertaking from The Weinstein Company, is well worth a watch this weekend.

But be warned, with a series this engaging, you might find yourself glued to the sofa for 20 hours straight.

—gautam@timesofoman.com

PANORAMA MALL Panorama is Bousher’s new dining hub with a massive food court and more restaurants than shops. The shops it does have include exclusive fashion brands and boutiques such as Furla and Liu Jo. As a bonus, they have the only MX4D cinema in Oman.

Location: Bousher, Muscat Contact: +968 2450 6600

SABCO COMMERCIAL CENTRE Sabco is one of the oldest malls in Muscat featuring brands such as Shoe Palace and Amouage perfumes. Head to the souqinspired venue for fantastic traditional goods, silverware, and high-end souvenirs.

Location: Qurum Commercial District, Muscat Contact: +968 2456 6701

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

The Short and Skinny • What to Download: Marco Polo • Genre: Historical drama (with loads of battles for the action lover) • What it’s About: The rise of the Mongol Empire as told through the eyes of Marco Polo • Number of Seasons: 2 • Episodes per Season: 10 • Run Time per Episode: 1 hour • Cast: Lorenzo Richelmy, Benedict Wong, Zhu Zhu, Joan Chen, Tom Wu, Amr Waked, Mahesh Jadu, Rick Yune • IMDB Rating: 8.1/10

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What is on your “to-do” list? Have you tried any of the activities on ours? Tag us on Instagram @hiweekly_ oman and tell us about it on facebook.com/hiweekly

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LIST

AL HAWALEES THE OMANI TRADITIONAL BOARD GAME Traditional games have a special place in the hearts of Omanis, especially Al Hawalees, a timepassing game that is played by all, from village children to aged fishermen amid their boats.

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l Hawalees is the Omani version of Mancala, a board game that originated in Ghana in the 6th and 7th centuries. It involves a 28-hole wooden board with ‘counters’ made of seeds or pieces of marble. In the Omani version, all the equipment is scrapped, and instead the game is played at the beach sans board, with players scooping holes in the sand and using seashells as their counters.

The game used to be played by old men after they returned from fishing. They would gather and play on the sand between their boats with a small group of bystanders cheering them on.

The game has since travelled around the country from the North of Musandam to Dhofar in the south, with boards carved into the cement in Ruwi, and foldable wooden boards spread on the cliffs of Jebel Akhdar. It is a game that can be enjoyed by anyone, young or old, rich or poor; all you need is a beach or dirt lot, shells or stones, and an opponent.

—salim@timesofoman.com

STORY SALIM AL AFIFI

How to Play •Make four rows of seven holes each for a total of 28 holes (14 for each player). Collect 56 counters. Place two counters in each hole.

•Pick your starting hole; then grab two counters and, moving counter-clockwise, place one

counter in the next hole and keep the other one in your hand. Take the two counters from the next hole (moving counterclockwise) and, with three counters in your hand, place two of them in the next two consecutive holes (one new stone per hole).

•Keep repeating the same pattern and complete a full round till you reach your starting hole (which will be empty).

•When you place a counter in an empty hole, the counters from the two opposite holes on the opponent’s side are taken. After taking your opponent’s counters, it becomes your opponent’s turn to play.

•The second player will repeat the above steps, beginning by choosing which hole to start with.

•The game continues until one of the players possesses all of his opponent’s counters. The player that has counters left in his holes is the winner. *Additional rules: You cannot take counters if your opponent’s first hole is empty and you cannot start with a hole that contains one counter.

Best Places to Play Go traditional and play by the sea with fishermen.

- Seeb Corniche - Al Hail Corniche - Qantab Beach

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Try any of Antara’s tips? Show us your pose! Tag us on Instagram @hiweekly_oman and tell us about it on facebook.com/hiweekly

There is no such thing as being non-photogenic. While taking a good photo isn’t magic, it helps to know the tricks of the trade, especially these days, with social media demanding your best photos (thank goodness for filters) and pretty much everyone going crazy trying to capture the perfect picture of every moment. It is a time when you must be prepared to strike a pose at any moment for your shutter-sniper friends. Fear not, I have five tips to help you look great in every shot.

STORY ANTARA BOSE GO NATURAL, BUT NOT NAKED The most wonderful thing about the combination of makeup and photographs is that even if your skin isn’t flawless, you can end up having photos that could be cover-shots for a face wash ad.

As much as we all like to go #nomakeup, a little dab here and brush there will help to accentuate your best features. Just be aware that a mismatch between your skin tone and foundation is an instant give away under a flash, so be sure to match it well. If you’d rather skip the foundation all together, a light powder to dab away any excess oil will also suffice. If you forgot to wear blush, rub your cheeks or pinch them gently for a little blood rush just before the snap.

Don’t forget your neck and shoulder areas. Dust a little shimmer powder on your collarbones for some added oomph.

But keep the glitter on your upper body and off your face, as it can reflect the light and cause your face to lose definition in the shot.

A nice cherry lipstick often makes all the difference as a fresh, finishing touch. If you favour dark matte shades on your pucker, use with a wee bit of gloss to give a more luscious effect. Avoid nudes as they end up giving a washed-out look on camera.

Pro tip: Use a sheer highlighter on the bridge of your nose and at the tip of your cheekbones for an instant facelift in the shot (it is a classic trick that is also employed by men).

CATCH THE RAYS Nothing makes you look better than natural light. Outdoor shots at dawn or dusk never fail to give an impeccable glow to the skin. Even a pleasant cloud cover can work well. Just avoid the harsh light of afternoon-shoots when the sun beats down. It is like standing directly under a light, which makes hair look way too shiny, your face too dark, and seems to highlight every imperfection. Go for soft light, ideally hitting your face from the side to soften your skin’s look and even make you look younger.

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EYES ON THE PRIZE You can really enrapture your audience with those lovely eyes, but closed eyes, red eyes, and droopy eyes are all real photo spoilers. If you are that friend who is notorious for ruining the group picture with closed eyes, try blinking fast a few times just before the picture is taken.

For close-up drama and to avoid red eye, look straight at a bright light source just before snapping a photo to constrict your pupils, which will not only eliminate red-eye, but also give a to-die-for twinkle.

To avoid the droopy eye or zombie-look, simply squint a little. You’ll be surprised to see the difference in your expression when you basically flex your eye muscles .

ALL ABOUT THE ANGLES There is a reason photographers obsess over angles, and understanding why will make you realise that the famous, unphotogenic mantra of “the camera adding ten pounds” is a myth. Cameras don’t, but angles do. For a slender face, elongate your neck and gently push your face forward to eliminate the dreaded double chin effect. Whatever is closest to the camera will appear largest, so be sure to position your body so as to keep the parts you don’t want to emphasize as far from the lens as possible. Simply twisting your torso can also give the illusion of a slimmer waistline. And instead of standing and staring straight at the camera, turn to a 45 degree angle, bring one leg forward, put all your weight on the leg that is behind you, and look slightly above the camera lens for a flattering pose. If all else fails, just remember to arch your back, pull your shoulders back, and let your confidence radiate.

PRACTICE YOUR POSE Practice makes perfect, and this couldn’t be truer when it comes to posing for photos. The more photos you are in, the more you will understand what looks good and what does not (and we can always ‘accidently’ delete ourselves from those not-so-pretty ones). Take to the mirror and pose away to find your “good side” and skinny angles. Copying what others do isn’t the key to taking your best photography, and comparing yourself to others will go nowhere. The key is to find your own personal style and get comfortable in your own uniquely beautiful skin. And an authentic smile is the fastest way to look your best.

—HiWeekend@timesofoman.com

Antara is a professional model living in Muscat. Check her out on Instagram @antarabose

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PHOTOGRAPHY SALIM AL AFIFI

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OMANI SLANG OMANI L ADIES’ FASHION

Shambar A Gold Headdress

Leso Colourful Scarf Worn at Home

Watya

Sandals or flat shoes

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Interspersed with the Arabic conversations overheard throughout the capital city, even native Arabic speakers might be surprised to hear some unfamiliar words. Though Arabic is the official language in the Sultanate, there are all kinds of words and phrases that are purely local. Here’s your monthly primer from Hi’s Omani team members, Salim and Asmaa.

—hiweekend@timesofoman.com

Wqaya

Sarwal Pants

ILLUSTRATION ISIDORE VIC CARLOMAN

Head Cover (Similar to Niqab)

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WELCOME TO

BIBLIOTEACA W

hat happens when Harry Potter goes to culinary school? You get Biblioteaca, an ancient library-themed cafe and gelato wonderland in Shatti that serves healthy, quick bites and the most delicious ice cream in town.

Last weekend, out on my usual ritual of cruising around town with my friends looking for new hotspots, I found myself in Shatti facing a majestic-looking navy signboard that read ‘Biblioteaca’ in golden letters. The old school typography and thick, blue velvet curtains obscuring the view inside, peaked my curiosity. I scanned the facade for more clues, hoping to figure out what on earth this place was — a fine dining restaurant? A luxe pub of some sort? A bookstore? There was only one way to find out.

I approached the storefront, sun-reflecting off of the glass, and a gentleman dressed in a fashionable, almost boarding school-esque, uniform opened the door and welcomed me in. I felt like I was entering a posh hotel.

As the library keeper (waiter) escorted me to a pleated leather sofa, I noticed a round gelato display, rotating to show off all the colourful choices. Beyond it was an open beverage display showcasing exotic-looking imported soft drinks. It turned out that the mysterious tavern was in fact a reasonably priced restaurant, café, and gelateria.

From the library-inspired decor to the display showcasing a variety of cakes, I was smitten.

In addition to rows of books and dark leather furnishing, antiques decorated the space, from an ancient telephone set on the countertop to retro table lamps and vintage abajour lamps, to artsy, historic old photos on the walls. The seating areas were a combination of puffy, comfy, palace-like sofas in a chocolate shade; flashy red chairs surrounding round, mirror-topped tables, and a massive study table with dark wood accents paired with olive green-covered chairs. The styling of Biblioteaca is so transportative that I felt I could smell the old books and dust in the air, though there wasn’t a speck in sight.

During the day, the space is a place of calm, while at night, it become a cacophony of young energy as the tiny place becomes totally packed.

The A4-sized menu, printed on paper with dotted lines, text boxes, and a university-inspired logo is simple and to the point. You can order a variety of coffees, teas, milkshakes, affogatos, gelatos, and sandwiches. Some items are mixed with local flavours such as their signature, spiced-up karak tea, but the real draw here, the menu items that will keep me coming back over and over again, are the creamy, homemade gelatos and desserts.

Especially memorable is the Dhofari coconut bar, a crumbly cake made with coconut powder and crushed pistachios with a rich, dense flavour that pairs nicely with a cup of spicy karak. Then there’s chocolate fridge cake, a thick, milk chocolate dessert in which cocoa and biscuits are layered for an over-the-top, indulgent, match made in heaven. The portion is massive and it is incredibly sweet, so this behemoth dessert requires a strong cup of black coffee to balance it out. But, my absolute favourite was the gelato. Biblioteaca has a wide selection of some of the best gelatos I’ve ever had in Muscat, from delicate toffee, saffron, and mango puree, to the ultimate flavour choice: Lotus chocolate, a dense, homemade gelato ice cream mixed with chunks of chocolate and glucose biscuits. Stumbling back out into the fading evening sun, I felt like Alice emerging from the rabbit hole. Biblioteaca is not your typical tea parlour; it’s a portal into another world. A quiet, reflective place in the mornings and afternoons, and a place overflowing with youthful, artistic energy at night. It is a place to go for simple pleasures, little indulgences, and a complete change of pace.

—salim@timesofoman.com

MUST TRY • LOTUS CHOCOLATE GELATO, OMR2 • MANGO PUREE GELATO, OMR2 • DHOFARI COCONUT BAR, OMR1.2 • KARAK CHAI MILK, OMR2.5

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BIBLIOTEACA Location: Shatti Al Qurum

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY SALIM AL AFIFI

(near City Cinema Shatti) Contact: +968 2460 4601 biblioteaca.com Hours: 8:30 am to 11:30pm *Keep an eye out for the awesome, soon-to-come breakfast menu, which will feature poached eggs and homemade gelato.

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hey say it is the little things in life that matter most, and when it comes to luxury travel — that particular category of leisure that is immune to price, and, at times, jaded — the details are everything. It is the little extras, surprises, exceeded expectations, and unique experiences that Anantara properties are known for, and at their newest property here in Oman, the Al Baleed Resort in Salalah, they are living up to their global reputation as one of the finest hotel chains in the world.

It all begins with the arrival. Rather than pulling up to the well-designed lobby to be greeted with a refreshing beverage and cold towel (you’ve already been given those in the car as you were whisked away from the airport), you will find yourself pulling to a stop on a quiet stretch of beachfront where a group of local men and their camels are waiting. With your Anantara Panama hat atop your head (an arrival gift), you will be assisted in mounting your steed. Once upright, you’ll not only feel, but also look like, a romantic character in a 1920s film about the great mysteries of the Orient. As you caravan down the nearly empty beach, waves crashing at the feet of your unusual new friend, the cool Indian Ocean breeze swirling around you, I wager that you will have a hard time thinking about anything other than the adventure you are on, and what lies at the end of your trek.

Just passed the 8th century AD Al Baleed Archeological Park, a Unesco World Heritage site, an entourage awaits at the edge of what looks like a chic Omani village. (That is, if village homes featured private infinity pools and modern architecture.) More cold towels and welcome drinks are offered and your personal villa host — if you are lucky enough to book one of the 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom lagoon, garden, or beach view villas — will escort you to your accommodations.

Wandering down the palm-lined path that leads through the villas, the hand-carved wooden doors and windows, whitewashed stucco walls, and stone facades are distinctly Omani, in the most modern interpretation. There are even nouveau falaj fountains running throughout the property. The surprises continue once you reach your villa, where a hand-painted palm with your name on it hangs outside your courtyard entrance. Inside, two more members of the welcome committee have prepared bowls of cool water and scented oils for your foot ritual, a traditional Thai act of hospitality (Anantara is Thai-based).

After your feet are refreshed, you can sign your check-in documents, accept the list of complimentary activities for the day (everything from watersports to beachfront sunset yoga), say goodbye to your villa host, and settle into your surroundings.

The villas include a spacious bedroom, a bathroom with a deep soaking tub and rain shower with direct access to your

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Though you could happily spend your entire vacation in your room, you’d be missing out as the facilities and activities are world-class and the passionate, expert staff set the property apart as much as the fine finishes and views

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private pool, and a large living room leading out to the real show-stopper — your private terrace. The ‘backyards’ feature curtained lounge beds, a seating area, a good size plunge pool, and a small dining table, either overlooking the beach, the lagoon (and Al Baleed beyond), or completely walled-in for absolute privacy in the garden view option. Electric lanterns are peppered throughout the space for romantic evening lighting.

Back inside there are plenty of thoughtful touches, from Frisbees and volleyballs for some backyard or beachfront sport, an overflowing fruit basket, a beach bag stuffed with towels, locally made soaps in scents like sandalwood, ginger, and patchouli, and Amouage bath products. And, of course, towel animals and palm art on your plush bed. At turndown, you’ll have new creations waiting along with house-made sweets to enjoy on your terrace.

Aside from the villas, those who opt for premier sea view (the hotel’s standard room option) or deluxe rooms are also in for a pleasant surprise. The spacious premier rooms, could be considered suites in many other hotels and feature the same luxurious bath setup along with balconies that overlook the infinity pools and beach, while the deluxe rooms have private entrances and courtyards surrounding the massive 91sq metre interior space.

Though you could happily spend your entire vacation in your room, you’d be missing out. The facilities and activities are as world-class as the accommodations themselves and there are enough on-site options to keep you occupied for a week, from cooking and mixology classes to fitness classes, yoga, and bikes for cruising along the nearby corniche and Al Baleed Archeological site. The beach itself offers a world of new experiences to explore thanks to the resort’s position on the Indian Ocean, which sees much larger waves than the ripples we experience on the Sea of Oman up here in Muscat. That means seriously challenging stand-up paddle boarding and sea kayaking, which the incredible on-site fitness staff are more than happy to patiently help you master. If you prefer a more restful beach day, you need to only choose between the hammocks, the canopy beach beds, and the traditional lounges, and umbrellas. Staff will regularly come by to take your fresh juice orders, bring you cold towels, and even clean the saltwater off your sunglasses for you.

If you still manage to get restless, there are a seemingly endless array of offsite tours from overnight desert adventures in the Empty Quarter where you can explore the lost city of Ubhar, to souq tours with a local guide, hiking in the Dhofar mountains, dolphin watching and fishing excursions, diving and snorkelling along the coast near the quaint village of Mirbat, and tours of incredible archaeological sites like Ayub’s (Job) tomb and the ruins of Sumhuram, the ancient palace of the Queen of Sheba.

To help plan these excursions, or simply to offer insight into the local area, the hotel has employed its very own “Salalah Guru”. Hussain Balhaf is a Dhofar native who, in addition to having a deep knowledge of the ins-and-outs of the area’s mountainous back roads and hidden beaches, has an effortless sense of hospitality. Spending a half-day with Hussain means impromptu stories and anecdotes, and, once he has had time to see what you are really enthusiastic about, suggested side trips on the way

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to or from your destination, which make it feel as though an old friend is eagerly showing you around his home-turf.

Passionate, expert staff, like Hussain, set the property apart as much as the fine finishes and stunning views, especially when it comes to food and beverage. In addition to in-room, in-villa, and private dining, Al Baleed has three restaurants: Sakalan, an indoor-outdoor all-day dining buffet; Al Mina restaurant, an alfresco Mediterranean poolside café that overlooks the sea and comes alive with a band on weekend evenings; and Mekong, a celebration of modern Asian cuisine. At the helm is Executive Chef “Sam” Gaspare Greco, an Italian by birth, who has travelled the world cooking in some of the best hotels and restaurants across Asia and the Mediterranean. His unyielding standards are apparent in every dish, from the modern mezze, fresh gazpacho, and prime cuts of beef served at Al Mina, to the downright stunning cuisine of Mekong.

My husband and I had the opportunity to enjoy the food of Mekong in the most exclusive of settings thanks to the creative stylings of Ahmed “Waddey” Waheed, the director of in-room dining who oversees the Dining-by-Design programme. Raised in the Maldives, Waddey got his start in the world-famous luxury resorts of the Islands, and his elaborate beachfront dining setups reflect his experience. Each Dining-by-Design is a custom creation, and for our dining room, he surrounded a cabana with softly glowing fire pits, driftwood hung with lanterns, and flickering candles in what was the most sophisticated beachside dining set-up I’ve ever seen. Rather than ferry our meals from the main restaurant out to the beach, a cooking station had been arranged beachside as well (though far enough away to be unobtrusive). The set-up alone was impressive, but the real pageantry was yet to come.

After reviewing a menu that had been specially prepared to suit our dietary restrictions and preferences, a dapper-looking Eng-

Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara +968 2322 8222 albaleedsalalah@anantara.com salalah.anantara.com Opening special rates are 25% off all rooms and villas starting from OMR109 with breakfast from November 3 -December 15.

Get There on Oman Air +968 2453 1111 omanair.com Oman Air operates 7 daily flights between Muscat and Salalah for approximately OMR65 return economy and OMR148 return business class. The hour and 45-minute flights are rarely crowded, thanks to the frequency of flights and light meal service is provided along with a baggage allowance of 30kg for economy and 40kg for business plus a 7kg allowance for hand luggage.

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lishman appeared pushing a bar cart. Recruited from the bustling Liverpool bar scene, Daniel Cunningham is as much showman as he is mixologist. Regaling us with stories about the origins of Indian Ocean punches, we watched with fascination as he poured and shook his potions, which ended up in a massive, vintage rickshaw punch bowl garnished with fresh lemongrass and ginger straws. Lighting a torch, he threw cinnamon through the crackling flame, toasting the spice for a dramatic finish. The resulting mocktail was far from the syrupy sweet concoctions often served in these parts; it was balanced, complex, and utterly refreshing.

We sipped on our rickshaw, and the first course arrived — fiery papaya salad, fresh spring rolls, and a mind-bending banana blossom and chicken salad, which is the best thing I’ve ever eaten in Oman. We savoured our meal, enjoying the sounds of the lapping waves mixing with the soft music being played by the American singer and guitar player performing at Al Mina. Then we met Stefan. A wine specialist from Canada, Stefan St Pierre worked in wine making before entering the hospitality side of things. Recruited by the property, he is in charge of the viticulture programme and guest education. His passion and knowledge are matched only by his flair for entertainment, which we experienced first-hand when he wielded a saber, deftly slicing the top off of a bottle of bubbly before pouring us each a glass.

The passion of the Anantara staff for their areas of expertise, is matched only by their enthusiasm for sharing their knowledge and ensuring their guests have a memorable, perhaps oncein-a-lifetime, experience. This attitude creates the sensation of effortlessness, an indulgent stay that feels somehow casual and accessible, an escape that makes you feel pampered, but not fawned over, thanks to the authenticity of both experiences and hospitality. This is the global benchmark for modern luxury travel. And, with the arrival of Anantara Salalah, a new bar has been set in Oman. —felicia@timesofoman.com

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Lulu Hypermarket opened its new hypermarket in Bidaya which was inaugurated by Sheikh Hamoud bin Nasser bin Hamoud Al Hashmi, wali of Suwaiq, in the presence of several dignitaries and representatives from the community.

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Majees Lighting Industries, owners of the Omani brand, ‘’Majelite’’, celebrated its 20th anniversary at Grand Hyatt, Muscat, along with its partner Khimji Ramdas, in the presence of many of its valued customers.

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 43 NOVEMBER 3, 2016

The Muscat Gujarati Samaj, Gujarati Wing of Indian Social Club, recently organised a “Diwali Mela” to celebrate the start of the festive season of Diwali. The event was held at Al Bahja Hall in the presence of Indian Ambassador Indramani Pandey.

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Dashing Nails & Beauty Lounge, an all-natural beauty salon, celebrated their third year of business at their venue on the second floor of Al Mouj , The Wave Retail Centre.

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Vadakara Sahitya Vedhi organised an Onam celebration where the chief guest was Neelu Rohra, Second Secretary at the Indian Embassy in Oman. Photos by Purushothaman K.

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Peeyali Bhattacharya, a singer from Oman recently released a Bengali album, “E Bhabe Ki Phera Jaye”, which was launched by Indian Ambassador Indramani Pandey, at Hotel Muscat Holiday.

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 43 NOVEMBER 3, 2016

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Indian School Salalah recently held the inauguration of the inter school CBSE Oman Cluster for Kho-Kho boys and girls categories.

The Indian School Salalah girls team saw a thumping third consecutive victory in the CBSE Oman Cluster Kho-Kho ďŹ nals, while Indian School Muladha boys triumphed, victoriously defeating the hosting Indian School Salalah boys team, to become champions of CBSE Oman Cluster KhoKho Tournament 2016.

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SAISA girls volleyball tournament drew 100 female U18 volleyball players to TAISM in Muscat from Sri Lanka, Chennai, Lahore, Bombay, and Kathmandu to compete.

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