Hi Weekly - May 6, 2016

OMAN’S LARGEST CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 46,760 COPIES

VOL 10 ISSUE 19 / MAY 6, 2016

THE BIKE WHISPERER MEET THE SULTANATE’S MOST SOUGHT-AFTER MOTORCYCLE REPAIRMAN IN HIS UNASSUMING GARAGE, SURROUNDED

BY THE REMNANTS OF BIKES PAST.

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THIS WEEK IN OMAN

HANG AT A HIPSTER CAFE

STYLE YOUR MANLY LOCKS

PUT SOME BOOM IN THE BACK

Dine on house-made, super-fresh cuisine and sip artisanal coffee in the industrial modern dining room of Copper, Muscat’s hottest new hangout. PAGE 16

Men, it’s time to step up your hairstyles. Fear not fellas, we have your guide to the hottest men’s hairstyles of the summer.

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Swapping the factory audio in your car for a customised, system will change your car-jamminglife. Find out where to go and what to ask for. PAGE 12

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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 Research/Copy Editor Ashish Dubash

swati@timesofoman.com ashishdubash@timesofoman.com

Senior Editors T. A. Ameerudheen Faisal Mohammed Naim Mohammed Shafeeqe

ameerudheen@timesofoman.com

faisal@timesofoman.com

Associate Editor Salim Hamood Al Afifi Shruthi Nair

shafeeq@timesofoman.com

salim@timesofoman.com

Multimedia Editorial Assistant Asmaa Al Balushi

shruthi@timesofoman.com

Chief Creative Officer Adonis Durado

asmaa@timesofoman.com

Associate Art Director Waleed Rabin Graphics Editor Antonio Farach Design Editor Sahir K.M. Lead Designer Ali Jani Designers Antonio Ismael Sandiego Geri Batara Sonny Gregory Fernandez Director of Digital Television Joe Morrison Photography MMG Photographers

richard@timesofoman.com

Chief Sales Officer Richard Pakenham

aziz@timesofoman.com

Head Of Advertising & Marketing Aziz K. Baker Production Manager Shafi Shaik On The Cover Design by Ali Jani Photography by Shabin E. 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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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

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THE WEEKEND LINEUP Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend

05 06 07 THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Marvellous Action

12pm Barka Pool Party

5am Take a Hike

Warm up to summertime at Al Nahda Resort & Spa, where there’ll be a rocking pool party with DJ Jaif spinning records from 12pm to midnight.

Tickets are OMR15 for ladies and OMR20 for couples. Lunch and dinner are included.

Follow hike leader Arun D’souza this Saturday and test your stamina as Adventure Oman upgrades their climb difficulty level to Grade 2. The confirmation dates close on Thursday so, be sure to sign up if you’re ready for the challenge.

Go watch Captain America and Iron Man battle it out in the much awaited movie Captain America: Civil War. City Cinema citycinemaoman.net +968 2456 7668 VOX Cinemas oman.voxcinemas.com +968 2234 4444

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Eat-to-Win If you dare to enter the Jungle Restaurant Mighty Ju Mix Grill Challenge, you’ll M have hav 20 minutes to finish a chicken, lamb, fish, or beanchic based base vegetarian grill, three bowls of sides (like hummus), and two fresh breads to win your meal free, a place on yo the wall of fame, a OMR50 Jungle gift voucher, and J ultimate ultim bragging rights. Go anytime through May 7 to an take the challenge.

Jungle Restaurant, Qurum Ju (next to the park) +968 9428 1824 info@junglerestaurant.net

Al Nahda Resort & Spa, +968 9659 9764 alnahdaresort.com

2pm Tropical Groove Head to Blu Beach in Al Bustan and enjoy a 9-hour party by the sea, starting at 2pm. Dance to tropical and house music played by guest DJs for OMR5 for ladies and OMR10 for gentlemen. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Blu Beach Al Bustan Palace Hotel +968 2476 4000 ritzcarlton.com/ albustanpalace

Bousher Hills +968 9931 8651 facebook.com/groups/ AdventureOman/

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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

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FIVE TO TRY PLACES TO SHOP FOR AKSHAYA TRITIYA

MALABAR GOLD Visit Malabar Gold in Ruwi and shop festival deals including a cash coupon with every gold purchase of OMR200, and a special set of pearls with every diamond purchase.

WEST GATE MALL RUWI HIGH STREET +968 2470 1916 MALABARGOLDANDDIAMONDS.COM

SKY JEWELLERY Stop by Sky Jewellery on the 8th and the 9th of May and get a half gram gold coin with every diamond purchase of OMR500.

SOUQ RUWI STREET +968 2483 2548 SKYJEWELLERY.COM

LIALI JEWELLERY DAMAS Lulu Hypermarket and Ruwi Damas outlets are participating in the gold buying festival, offering 25-30% discounts on selected diamond brands. With every diamond purchase of OMR200 or gold purchase of OMR350, you get a pearl necklace and earrings set.

AVENUES MALL DAMAS, RUWI HIGH STREET LULU HYPERMARKET, OMAN +968 2458 4340 DAMASJEWELLERY.COM

JOYALUKKAS JEWELLERY Head to Joyalukkas in Oman Avenues Mall on the 9th of May for a 50% sale on selected diamond rings, as well as additional gifts of diamonds and gold jewelleries.

OMAN AVENUES MALL +968 2459 1851 JOYALUKKAS.COM

Hit Liali Jewellery stores and get a oneof-a-kind pearl and diamond pendant in 18-karat gold free with every purchase of OMR250 for diamonds and OMR300 for gold jewellery. Get the pendant along with a gold chain when you make a purchase of OMR500.

OMAN AVENUES MALL CITY CENTRE QURUM CITY CENTRE MUSCAT +968 2455 0857 LIALIJEWELLERY.COM

CARA DELEVINGNE Cara is the girl-next-door you wouldn’t want to miss following. She’s been featured in major ad campaigns, walked for many designers, and now she’s entertaining fans with her quirky and hilariously daily posts that prove this model doesn’t take herself too seriously.

Instagram: @caradelevingne

KATE MOSS Legendary model, Kate Moss, is known for being media-shy, and she broke headlines when she announced that she has a “secrete instagram account.” Good luck finding it, but in the mean time, there are some great fan accounts, like @katemosslatest where you can get your daily dose of this iconic supermodel.

ROSIE HUNTINGTONWHITELEY Rosie is one of the hottest human beings on the planet right now, she’s a Victoria’s Secret Model who posts her favourite self-portraits, photoshoot behind-the-scenes, editorials, and daily life snaps on her IG. Instagram: @rosiehw

KATE UPTON Kate Upton is a gorgeous supermodel known for her curvey figure. Thanks to Instagram, she keeps us updated with her recent photoshoots, interviews, and of course, her exceptional modelling shots.

Instagram: @kateupton

GISELE BUNDCHEN Super tall, super elegant, and super funny, Gisele is currently one of the highest paid models in the industry.

Follow her for a peek into her everyday life, from family shots to runway and magazine editorials.

Instagram: @gisele

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

HI SOCIAL BLONDE MODELLING SUPERWOMEN

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Where are you escaping to this weekend?

Show us on Instagram @hiweekly_oman and tell us about it on facebook.com/hiweekly

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WEEKEND ESCAPE

H O M E AWAY F R O M H O M E STORY SWATI DASGUPTA

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y idea of a perfect weekend after a real frenzied work week is to be at home with no plans to make and no responsibilities to meet beyond reclining on my bean bag with a favourite novel, catching up on television shows, or cooking a special meal for my family. This is far more rejuvenating to me than late night parties or mindless mall hopping.

When I describe weekend plans to my colleagues and friends, I get skeptical or judgmental looks, puckered eyebrows that seem to say, You are in Oman, it is sheer madness to spend your weekend within the con-

fines of the four walls of your house when nature’s bounty (or man’s excesses) are right there, waiting to be explored. But, I stand by my style of weekend indulgence.

So when I received an invitation to spend the weekend in the Jebel Sifah Resort apartments, I procrastinated; not just once or twice, but umpteen times before saying yes. I did not want to miss out my ‘take it easy’ moments, but I finally agreed to go with my family and check it out.

On a bright and breezy morning, I headed off with my daughter to Marina Bandar Al Rowdha to catch the water taxi that was to take us to Jebel Sifah Resort. One of the biggest attractions of the trip was that

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we could skip the traffic and instead go by sea to the resort. These water taxis provide a fast and comfortable commute for both guests planning to stay and for those looking for a scenic day-trip. The 45 minutes ride was interspersed with plenty of excitement — the spectacular views of the sea rocks and coastal cliffs; flocking birds creating amazing patterns in the sky; and of course, the cool saltwater breeze setting the vacation mood.

On reaching Jebel Sifah Resort, we were warmly welcomed and taken to our very own sea-side apartment. Built around the Marina, these apartments that have been developed by Muriya, are available in one, two, and three bedrooms. Our flat was a spacious two bedroom with all the amenities of a fantastically furnished home from a washing machine to a fully outfitted kitchen with everything down to dishes and an espresso machine. I found different kinds of knives and cutters, not to forget a pizza cutter, in the cabinet, giving me confidence that I wouldn’t miss the lack of room service.

The rooms were modern with an open kitchen, dining, and a huge living area. It was perfect for those on holiday with the whole family, and especially well-suited for someone like me who doesn’t like excessive hospitality, preferring privacy and quiet over the butlerservice offered at many hotels. Overlooking the Marina walkway, the waters of the Arabian Sea, and the distant Hajar mountains, the balcony was my haven for the weekend. There I soaked into the calmness and forgot everything else around me. In short, it was like we had never left home...only better.

I loved having the option to cook my own meals, stocking up at the small grocery shop a few steps away. I also took solace in the fact that if I didn’t feel to cook (which at the end of the day I didn’t), I could take a stroll to all the restaurants and cafes of the main Jebel Sifah complex. We had our meals at Al Sabla, which serves buffet breakfast and dinner, as well as an à-la-carte menu of international and local cuisines. If you are a seafood connoisseur, As Sammak Seafood Restaurant is close by, and The Breeze Lounge offers refreshing beverages with a relaxed, beach-town vibe.

And for the more active types, there is no dearth of activities at the resort. At my daughter’s behest, I ended up in the Kids Zone play area outfitted with video games and other activities. It is perfectly located right next to the pool, a blessing for parents who

Where are you escaping to this weekend?

Show us on Instagram @hiweekly_oman and tell us about it on facebook.com/hiweekly

want to soak up the sun or take a dip, while their kids play close by.

There are plenty of other water activities as well from jet-skies to underwater snorkelling adventures to dolphin watching and fishing trips. My favourite was the new inflatable water park in the Marina, a veritable jungle gym of slides and swings, trampolines, high and low jumps, a bouncy bridge, a slippery balance beam, and monkey bars, all bobbing on the ocean waters. Not being too adventurous in water, my daughter settled for the simplest looking water slides, while I chose to take a lazy walk around the property to catch the final glimpses of the setting sun over the mountains.

In the evening Jebel Sifah takes on a totally different air, with beautiful, romantic lighting perfect for a meandering walk in the chilly night air before bed.

We spend our last morning enjoying a leisurely breakfast followed by a quick dip in the pool before packing up and hitting the road. We chose to take a car back home, and as we meandered through the mountainous terrain, we reminisced about our weekend, re-living every single moment of our stay at the resort. It had been the perfect place to spend the weekend in the company of loved ones. Totally recharged, I was ready for the frenzied work week once again.— swati@timesofoman.com Book a Home Away From Home Jebel Sifawy Boutique Hotel +968 2474 9111 sifawyhotel.com info@sifawyhotel.com Book a Boat or Car For water taxis (from Marina or Almouj Marina at The Wave) or car rental, call and book through Sifawy Boutique Hotel (+968 2474 9111).

For water taxis, fishing trips, or dolphin watching, call Marrisa office (+968 9888 2822) Water Taxi Schedule (Thursday to Saturday, weather permitting)

Marina Al Rowdha to Jebel Sifah 9am & 4pm Jebel Sifah to Marina 10am, 3pm, 5pm

PHOTOGRAPHY: SWATI DASGUPTA /SUPPLIED

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GROOVE TO-GO STORY FAISAL MOHAMMED NAIM

Aftermarket audio systems can seriously upgrade your driving experience, delivering booming bass and crystal clear sound at volumes sure to block out the noise pollution of the roads around you.

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ur car is not just a car.

For most of us it is a second home. And in the moving house, the biggest, and perhaps the only entertainment (apart from the thrills of the road) is the music system. In most cases the stock, factory-fitted speakers, are not quite up to the mark as the audio system is the last thing manufacturers consider when designing and building an average car. Though factory installations have improved over the last few years, there is still a massive room for improvement through sound system upgrades. Replacing the factory audio setup with a custom aftermarket system makes a big difference in sound quality with better overall clarity, a greater range of sound, and tighter bass.

When it comes to aftermarket audio, it is all about compatibility and a perfect sync of all the components. These upgrades start from as low as OMR100 and can reach upwards of OMR500 for a fully loaded, ready to blow-the-room-off audio system.

So where to begin? When it comes to sound, how you pump matters more than how much you pump, so you need to focus on two aspects: the speaker units (audio systems) and the main receiver unit (stereo receivers).

AUDIO SYSTEMS There two types of aftermarket car speakers, coaxial and component. Sold in pairs, the coaxial speakers pack multiple components, such as tweeters and woofers, into each unit, and they are the cheaper option. Component speakers separate individual units for each component, like the tweeter, speaker, and woofer, enabling the installer to give each one the most suitable and convenient positioning, resulting in a better listening experience.

Additional dedicated subwoofers and amplifiers (which provide additional power to drive your speakers) should be considered for even richer sound, if your pocket allows for it. Subwoofers deliver deep, richer lows, and a much tighter bass (those punchy throbbing beats that you no doubt have heard pulsating from a car next to you). However, to deliver to the increased power demand for enhanced sound at greater volumes, you will also have to install amplifiers.

STEREO RECEIVERS Receivers are the governing units or feeders of information to the audio setup. The main receiver units vary by the number of added functions you look for, starting from Aux In to Bluetooth and WiFi compatibility, with other

upgrades like touch screen available as well. Some premium stereo receivers also feature in-dash GPS capabilities, Smartphone Audio Integration, satellite radio, and HD radio.

Popular after-market brands include: • Pioneer • Kenwood • Kicker • JVC • Sony • Alpine • JBL • Polk Audio

WHERE TO GO FOR IT Many in-car audio shops are scattered around Muscat. Theses shops are known to cut into dashboards to fit the aftermarket stereos they have available, which is fine for older cars, but not ideal for newer models or resale value. To have all the models and makes at your fingertips, go to the car music market in Ruwi, one street back from Ruwi High Street, near KM Trading shopping centre. There you will find blocks of car music outlets where you can peruse a wide range of branded speaker systems and customised main receiver units specific to the make and model of your car.

—faisal@timesofoman.com

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A HAIR-ON-FLEEK GU IDE Story Salim Al Afifi Illustration Lucille Umali I am the kind of guy who can’t stick to a single hairstyle for more than a season, or even through an entire season to be honest. Why keep the same style when there are so many looks to experiment with? Despite all the funky options out there, I know a lot of men who fall into hairstyle-ruts, so I’ve shortlisted my five favourite globally-in-trend 2016 hairstyles.

Go ahead, pick one and welcome the summer with a new ’do.

THE ARCHITECTURE’D LINE I call this ‘the architecture’d line’ hairstyle, and it is one of the edgiest hairstyles out there. It is a classic undercut with a modern twist that incorporates uniquely shaved-up lines, angular structures, and fading element. This hairstyle is suitable for darker hair tones with a courser, wavy texture.

STYLING TIP: Keep the lines of your hair and beard super sharp, especially on the sides all the way to your chin, as well as a sharp, straight line above your forehead. Get creative with the fading technique; you can shave or trim the lower part of the already trimmed hair for a double-undercut or levels.

THE TOP KNOT

THE ANGULAR FRINGE

My favourite lazy-summer hairstyle, which I am currently sporting, is basically a man-bun with trimmed sides and back. It offers that cleaned-up, stylish hobo look, and plenty of versatility for guys who love experimenting with hairdos. It looks especially bold if you have curls or wavy hair, but it is suitable for all hair textures.

An emerging trend this year ever since Justin Bieber wore it last fall, this trendy yet modern-classic hairstyle suits all hair tones and faces. It’s beautiful conceptual look will add a bold statement to your overall look. The haircut is all about angular cuts, meaning your hair must be longer on one side, and slightly trimmed on the other to create a long fringe that can be waxed backwards or blowdried and layered outwards. This style is suitable for both straight and wavy hair.

STYLING TIP: Keep your beard longer, for that ragged, hipster look, or trim it to a scruff that connects to the trimmed hair on lower sides for a bit more polished grit. To keep the style looking good, trim the sides regularly and make leave-in conditioner your best friend.

STYLING TIP: The best part about this hairstyle is that you can play around with it. For a classic look you can use wax or gel to create a chic, slicked-back style. And for that super cool, messy look you can use styling cream without combing and push it to one side. Or you can go full-on Bieber-style and sweep your locks forward to cover one eye.

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THE MAN BRAID Though this style is still deemed as ‘too much’ for some people, especially here in the Gulf, thick man braids have been making their way into the spotlight recently. This unconventional style is set to get trendier in no time, being dubbed as the “next man-bun.” It basically involves a french braided top knot in two or more rows along the top of the head. It suits all hair types and tones.

STYLING TIP: Black hair is boring for this type of hairstyle, so dye your hair in a variety of highlights to accent the style and your skin tone, then start braiding. This will create a beautiful, strongly imaginative look.

Highlights and hair dye combinations result in an attention-grabbing, multi-coloured braid.

WHERE TO GET COOL HAIRCUTS IN TOWN* THE FUNKY POMPADOUR BLADE 18th November Street, Al Azaiba +968 9311 1193 Hours: 10am-11pm SPALOON Qurum, +968 2466 2906

The Pompadour hairstyle is the ultimate edgy-classic style that can work for every man, from businessmen to hipsters, and everyone in between. Thanks to Elvis, “The King of Rock and Roll,” this trend is now celebrated by men globally, and it’s rocking harder than ever this year. Classically a volumised, swept-upwards-and-backwards hairstyle, the contemporary version includes tightly-trimmed sides (think Bruno Mars). This style works best for those with smooth or slightly wavy hair.

STYLING TIP: This hairstyle is excruciatingly alluring and very stylish, but it does demand a high level of maintenance. You must trim the lower sides regularly and keep your hair super fresh with daily styling. Use a leave-in conditioner to keep it moist throughout the day even after excessive styling.

Hours: 10am–10pm —salim@timesofoman.com *No matter where you go for your cut, be sure to always bring a reference picture (like the ones on this page) to show your barber.

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In a decidedly cool space that you’d expect to find on a small street in Brooklyn or London, Copper Restaurant is turning out inventive dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients right here in Qurum.

STORY SWATI DASGUPTA PHOTOGRAPHY SHABIN E.

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uscat’s foodie culture has been expanding over the last few years, with all sorts of new restaurants coming up, but I always wondered why there weren’t any young, urbanfeeling cafes built to draw the fashionable, young set like in other cities around the world. These thoughts were drifting through my mind one Saturday as our car meandered along the ever-busy roads of Qurum, and I caught a glimpse of new signage from afar. We parked and stepped into the brand-new Copper Restaurant, and my mid-day laziness vanished.

I must admit, I fell for the charms of Copper straight away. Upon entering, the first thing that caught my attention was a majestic red motorbike. “This is from Johnny Pag,” said Gregory Maclean, of the Iconic American-designed accent piece. Gregory is Australian chef whose years of culinary expertise and passion for food, along with years spent in the Sultanate, inspired him to open an urban hipster concept-restaurant. As far as the design went, he had succeeded in doing just that.

A few steps further inside a set of bicycles were neatly stacked on one side of the shop, while on the other side there was an array of spare bike parts arranged as wall art. But what really took my heart were the lights that not only provided soft illumination to the dark-wood interior, but also lended it a chic, industrial look.

“We wanted to introduce a café culture to the youth with an urban hipster theme.

So apart from the bikes and cycles we have also used the corrugated iron fence around the kitchen, something that is very common in Australia, but perhaps the first here in Muscat,” said Gregory. But what about the food? Great design and great food are a tall order here in Muscat.

“Though Copper was started with the youth in mind, people from all age groups can sit and relax and enjoy a selection of cuisines, from breakfast to dinner, we have everything to create a truly urban experience,” he said as he handed over the menu. One look at the fresh, eclectic menu, and I was sure I wouldn’t make the right choice, so I handed it back to him and let the chef decide for us.

“The food here is basically AustralAsian, which is more about fresh grill, fresh salads, and light spicing. The

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idea is that one can walk out of this place feeling good about the whole experience of eating.”

Perhaps the most authentically hipster thing about the place is the dedication to great food and the use of locally grown, farm fresh, organically produced ingredients — a staple of the urbanista cafes around the world, but a new concept here. “We do not serve any kind of processed food. Everything that is used here is locally available and we use lot of local ingredients like chillies, garlic, and lettuce. Our main intention is to introduce the different cuisines of the world,” Gregory explained. We started our food journey with the so-called Furikake, potato fries tossed in cheese custard and fish floss and garnished with Japanese mayo, scallions, coriander leaves, and roasted sesame. Furikake refers to a dry seasoning used in Japan that can be sprinkled on top of cooked rice, potato, vegetables, and fish for delicious, umami flavour. These with roasted sesame toppings for extra crunchiness and coriander leaves adding to the freshness, these fries certainly lived up to their exotic name.

Next up, we enjoyed chickpea and edamame salad, a refreshing and colourful combination of parsley, labneh, cheese, pumpkin seeds, lots of herbs, pomegranate, and roasted corn, the salad invigorated our taste buds as many flavours were packed in one dish.

The mains appeared next, an Asianinspired short rib over endamme and carrot puree, and fish tacos. While I gave short ribs a miss, I couldn’t say no to the fish taco, which featured grilled kingfish topped with Japanese mayo. Exploding with flavours, the combination of fish and herbs folded in a soft corn tortilla.

To fully enjoy this dish you need to get casual, forget your fork, and get your hands dirty. Throwing out some of the rules of dining etiquette, I relished this dish to my heart’s content while my colleague sank his teeth into the tender short ribs (he says they were fantastic). For those looking for fresh grills, try Cape Malay spiced chicken with sweet corn and mango chutney; Auzzie lamb chops; jumbo prawns; or miso salmon. But whatever you do, keep room for one of the luscious, house-made desserts, like crème brulee, chocolate torte, and fried choux pastry with sugar, cinnamon, and chocolate sauce. They also have daily-made cakes and homemade ice creams along with an elaborate breakfast menu, but smitten and full, we decided to keep that for our next visit.

—swati@timesofoman.com

Location Sayh Al Malih Street, Qurum

Opening Hours Sunday-Thursday, 8am-10pm Thursday-Saturday, 8am-11pm +968 2456 4292 www.copper.restaurant

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KEEPING THE BABES RUNNING For years serious bikers have entrusted their rides to Ganesh Govindan, heading to his shop in Wadi Kabir in hopes of getting the best service in town from this old school bike man.

STORY FAISAL MOHAMMED NAIM PHOTOGRAPHY SHABIN E, SALIM AFIFI

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n a small, shoddy workshop in Wadi Kabir, full of worn spares, rubbers, and used batteries, the walls painted in grease, there is no sophistication in the air. There are no ramps, no lifts, and no cool, techno-tools. The place reeks of engine oil and the only person in sight is a busy man in blue mechanic jumpsuit rushing about his work.

Take a closer look around, you’ll notice he is hopping between half-assembled (or disassembled) bikes. There is a row of shining motorcycles— Harleys, Hondas, Yamahas, and Suzukis—parked on the roadside opposite the shop. This is no ordinary repair shop, and the man is no ordinary mechanic.

Ganesh Govindan, the man attending to the bikes is busy. He’s so busy that he likely won’t even notice you as you stand watching him. Ask him something and he’d respond passively, clearly preoccupied. That singular focus is one of the things that has made him the most respected and sought after motorbike mechanic in Muscat, attending to everything from cruisers to sports bikes in the Sultanate for over 25 years.

Time is a rare luxury for Ganesh, who works alone, with no assistants, on everything from servicing to washing to ordering parts. As the saying goes, “If you want it done right, you have to do it yourself,” and for this old school mechanic, quality matters more than anything else.

“Even if it takes extra time, I ensure the bike is fully free of the problem it was here for. Also, I cannot think of leaving a bike to anybody else’s care. One small

scratch could badly hurt the bike and the owner, and I make sure that does not happen. That’s what my customers love me for. They trust me absolutely and I will not break it,” Ganesh explained while he attended to an open clutch.

Passionate for his métier, the man is a self-taught genius, with no formal training, specialising in everything on two wheels from sports bikes to cruisers to small capacity bikes and even scooters.

Hailing from the Indian state of Kerala, 49-year-old Ganesh has been into bikes since 1982. Right after high school he started his own bike repair business, and in 1990 he brought his business to Muscat on a friend’s recommendation.

“I feel like the motorcycles talk to me. Like an ailing horse, I can know the trouble with a bike by its sound,” he explained, and he has the track record to back up his claim.

From the oldest bikes to the newest models, none have ever posed a problem he couldn’t solve. “Though technology has evolved much over the time, still the science behind the engines is very much the same. Every part has a clear function; nothing confusing. From the small, single-cylinder Honda Unicorn to the six-cylinder Honda Goldwing, I am comfortable with, and enjoy, working on them all.” However, he does have his favourites, including Honda and Suzuki motorcycles.

“Their mechanisms are real simple, and the parts easily available. I really enjoy working on them – no obstacles.” On the flipside, Harley Davidsons are the most demanding. “Everything is complex about them. You even require exclusive HD spec

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“I FEEL LIKE THE MOTORCYCLES TALK TO ME. LIKE AN AILING HORSE, I CAN KNOW THE TROUBLE WITH A BIKE BY ITS SOUND...” tool kit, as they are not metric,” he said.

A normal routine service is a same day affair at his place, though there is often a long waiting period, so his regulars know to call up and fix a time in advance. If there is some serious trouble with a bike, it could end up remaining with him for a much longer time. “Availability of genuine motorcycle spares is a big problem in Muscat. If a bike needs a new spare, you mostly have to order it from Dubai and wait for days for them to arrive,” he explained. “Even though it takes a lot more time getting the bike serviced here than at the dealership or other mechanics, my customers still opt to get it done only by me, because they trust me.”

Customer loyalty is what Ganesh treasures the most, boasting proudly that any customer who ends up once at his shop, will never again take their bike anyplace else. His long list of loyals includes not only riders from the many of the motorcycle clubs here in Muscat, but also riders from other GCC countries as well.

“Most guys who visit me are from the riding clubs. As the different clubs regularly keep travelling to the nearby countries, many riders from those countries visit me as well on the recommendation of riders from Muscat. A lot of riders from other countries like Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain specially travel here to get their bikes fixed by me,” he said.

A biker at heart himself, Ganesh also goes out riding occasionally. So which bike does this old-school expert calls his own?

“None,” he answered.

“With so many bikes around, do you think I still need to own one? I can ride any and many,” he grinned. Now that’s one lucky guy.

—faisal@timesofoman.com

Want to make an appointment with the Bike Whisperer?

Find him at MOTORCYCLE REPAIRING SHOP (Saeed Al Balushi Trading) Way No. 6508 Wadi Kabir +968 9937 5087 8am to 9pm

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 19 M AY 6 , 2 0 1 6

The first-ever Apollo Hospital in Oman and the Middle East was inaugurated by His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said. Photography: Jun Estrada

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 19 M AY 6 , 2 0 1 6

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The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey’s National Sovereignty and Children’s Day celebrations at Al Bustan Palace Hotel (Recreation side). Photography: Shabin E

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 19 M AY 6 , 2 0 1 6

‘Lamhe’ concert by Kay Kay was organised by Eventful at City Amphitheatre in Qurum. Photography: Purushothaman Kunnummal

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 19 M AY 6 , 2 0 1 6

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The Mighty Mix Grill Challenge being held at the Jungle Restaurant in Qurum.

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 19 M AY 6 , 2 0 1 6

SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY Fill empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column, and area.

Level | Very Easy

Level | Easy

9

2

3

4

8

5

7

2 1

3 5 6

7

3 2

3

3 2

6

4

5

5

3

6

1

7

8

8

Level | Moderate

3

9

7

8

9

1

6 1

1

9

4

7 2

1 9

8 1

1

2 6

7

4

6

1

5

8 9

2

3 8 9 2

1 8 4

3

5

8

3

4

2

6

9

3 6

4 4

8

3

8

5

7

1

6

7

7

Level | Difficult

1 2

8

4 8

4

5 2

5

6

2

9 6

2 3

1

3

9 8

4

2

8 2

1 9 8 6

5

2

2

7

8

9

2

3 5 6 2

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