Hi Weekly - August 11, 2016

OMAN’S O OMA MA AN N’S S LA LARGEST L ARG RGE R GE G ES ST T CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 46,760 COPIES

VOL 10 ISSUE 32 / AUGUST 11, 2016

GO FOR GOGIGUI PAGE 12

THIS WEEK IN OMAN

SSTART STEPPIN’

HIT THE ROAD

GGET A LIGHT

Hi Hiking the mountains of Oman is an adventure O that offers cheap thrills, tha camaraderie, and a great ca escape from the oppressive es heat of the coastal areas. he PAGE 10 PA

Join us on the winding byways of Jebel Akhdar and at the pristine (discounted) accommodations perched atop the mountain on our road test of the Lexus NX 200t.

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F From rustic, maritime to ornate golden scrolled, lanterns add a g ttouch of romance and intrigue tto any space, indoors or out.

We’ll tell you where to find the W best of the bunch in Muscat. b PAGE 16 P

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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 swati@timesofoman.com Research/Copy Editor Ashish Dubash

ashishdubash@timesofoman.com

shafeeq@timesofoman.com Senior Editors Faisal Mohammed Naim Mohammed Shafeeqe

faisal@timesofoman.com salim@timesofoman.com

Associate Editors Salim Hamood Al Afifi Shruthi Nair shruthi@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 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 Salim Hamood Al Afifi 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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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 32 AUGUST 11, 2016

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Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend

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10.00pm Go Back in Time

Go on a nostalgic joyride this Thursday with throwback tracks you’ve no doubt forgotten, but will love dancing and reminiscing to. OMR10 entry for men.

On the Rocks Golden Tulip Seeb +968 9798 3333

FRIDAY

7.30am Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Being happy is a way of life. Learn how to adopt it by attending the Happiness Programme, which involves meditation, yoga, and tips for keeping your mind positive.

Workshops run from the 7th to 12th of August.

Harley Davidson Building, Near Zakher Mall, Al Khuwair +968 9364 1266 artofliving.org

Beat the Heat

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

THE WEEKEND LINEUP

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

With temperatures hitting 44 degrees Celsius, head to Fun Zone to enjoy bowling, ice skating, laser tag, and other family-friendly activities in the comfort of air-conditioning.

Fun Zone Qurum (next to Qurum Natural Park) +968 2466 2951 funzoneoman.com

SATURDAY 12.00pm Dine and Sway What could be better than an interesting combination of food and music to finish-off your weekend? The Decade Apart duo will be performing at the Muscat Hills Club for an audience who will dine on delicious English fare from 12pm until 10pm.

Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club +968 2451 4082

5.00pm Win Your Way to Doha Head to the Muscat Grand Mall to compete in a quiz contest for a chance to win stays at the best hotels in Qatar.

Other activities like face painting and magic shows will take place at MGM from the 11th to the 13th.

Muscat Grand Mall +968 2200 0000

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FIVE TO TRY

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

PHOTO EDITING APPS

NABILA AL BALUSHI Owner of Lilyan Beauty Centre in South Al Mawaleh, Nabila Al Balushi is an expert artist, offering courses for beauty lovers as well as a variety of makeup styles to suit any occasion.

Instagram: @nabila_albalushi2

IMAN AL BALUSHI No one is better than Iman Al Balushi when it comes to making your eyes look spectacular. Colourful eye shadows as well as glitters will certainly give you a sparkly look.

Instagram: @iman_albalushi

SHAHIRA AL BALUSHI Are you a bride to be? Then Shahira Al Balushi, owner of Lilyan Beauty Centre, is the perfect choice for you. She offers you a stunning look, all the way from hairstyles to eyelashes.

Instagram: @shahiraalbalushi

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

HI SOCIAL OMANI MAKEUP ARTISTS TO FOLLOW

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PRISMA Download this extremely hyped photo editing app and turn your dull photos into pieces of art. It has various filters with stunning effects, and the best part is, you can easily share your creations on social media sites through the app. You’ll have to decide for yourself if it’s worth the hype though.

FOODIE This app is a true gem for foodies as it has unique filters and effects that were created to add beautiful touches to your food shots, as well as super cool features such as smart guide, to help you shoot food from above.

GIFX A must-have app for arty minds and those who enjoy funky photos, this app allows you to get creative with your photos by integrating animated gifs, videos, and photos using numerous filters and masks.

CAMERA360 ULTIMATE This popular app is set to convert your shots into beautifully lit and edited photographs with more than 200 creative filters, tons of features, and adjustment options with a variety of fixing tools. It’s easy to use, plus it’s free.

PHOTODIRECTOR PhotoDirector is basically the ultimate app for mobile photographers. It offers almost all the tools and filters one could need to edit photos, from simple filters, to text bubbles, to more complex stuff like curves and colour correction, and the best feature is the fact that every tool and feature is adjustable, giving you total control.

ON INSTAGRAM

RAWAN AL MARJABI Looking for an artist that will give you a cinematic look? Rawan Al Marjabi is a professional artist who helps actors and actresses look the part that they’re assigned to.

Instagram: @wani_daily

FARIDA AL WAHAIBI With her magical brushes and her own collection of eyelashes, Farida Al Wahaibi will give you a ravishing look. She also gives step-by-step tutorials on how to apply makeup.

Instagram: @farida.makeup

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KHAREEF ESCAPES OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH SALALAH

DHOFARI DELICACIES No trip down south would be complete without trying some local Dhofari foods. During Khareef, men and women from the surrounding villages travel to Salalah where they sell their specialties at the Salalah Festival and at roadside stalls along the main road. Many of these foods cannot be found anywhere else in the country, and are well worth seeking out.

STORY FELICIA CAMPBELL

MUTHBE The most famous southern specialty is a dish called muthbe, which is more of a cooking method than a particular food. For muthbe, smooth, clean wadi stones are piled over the embers of a huge fire, and once they are glowing hot, salted meat and chicken are seared on the stones. The stones naturally pull moisture away from the exterior of the meat, creating a crisp crust and a juicy interior. The chicken muthbe is especially good and is typically served with a yellow, mandi-style rice in aluminium takeaway containers.

INDIAN OCEAN SEAFOOD Directly on the Indian Ocean, Salalah has a bounty of seafood, though it can be tricky to find a good seafood restaurant in Salalah itself. To enjoy the freshest catch of grouper, king fish, and cuttlefish, head just north of Salalah to the fishing village of Mirbat, where the humble restaurants next to the port serve just-caught fish at incredibly low prices along with freshly made flatbread.

Find it on the main street leading out of Salalah toward the mountains (ask anyone where the muthbe grillers are, and you will be pointed in the right direction)

Find it in Mirbat at the small restaurants next to the port.

This dish is more beloved in Dhofar than Shuwa, and is considered one of the important celebration foods in the region. Strips of beef or camel are salted and hung to air dry before being fried in cubes of fat. The resulting food is crispy, oily, and will stay good for up to a month outside the refrigerator. The flavour is distinctive to say the least, and any foodie should try it at least once.

Find it at the stalls on the same line as the muthbe grillers at the shops hung with drying meat.

KAK BREAD Unlike the chewy, sesame-seeded Lebanese bread of the same name, Dhofari Kak is more like a cracker than a bread. Slightly sweet and flavoured with cardamom and black nigella seeds, you can watch this Salalah staple being made on clay moulds at the Salalah Festival. It is especially good with Dhofari Chai, a sweet karak tea flavoured with thyme leaves and cardamom.

Find it at the Salalah Festival and at local bakeries throughout town.

PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF THE FOOD OF OMAN (ANDREWS MCMEEL, 2015)

MA’AJEEN

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KHUBZ LAHOOH A twice-fried, chewy, crispy, slightly sweet crepe-like bread, khubz lahooh is a dream food for any carb-lover. Watching the Dhofari women at the Salalah festival making the bread is utterly mesmerising, as they pour batter into large skillets, deftly flip the giant round, and carefully pour oil under the circle where it boils and dances under the thin dough, crisping the outer surface.

Find it at the Salalah Festival.

NOT-FOR-THE-FAINT-OF-HEART SPECIALTIES For those who are into more extreme foods, there are several on offer in the south that have, shall we say, more pungent flavours. At the grilling stands, you can order goat head and use the jaw bone to pry open the skull to eat the tender brain. Often the vendors will not sell this part of the animal, as they want to keep the savoury treat for themselves. At the same muthbe stands, you can purchase coils of intestines, which are stuffed with intestines. This is a very popular choice for visiting Omanis.

They have a pronounced, gamey flavour. For many, brain and intestine are typical, but the local specialty known as hubshah, is an intense (albeit beloved) dish even for the locals. At the Salalah festival, most of the spreads of local foods presented by the ladies include a hot pot of this soupy dish, which is a sour, vinegar-based soup of goat stomach and other internal organs.

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STORY MOHAMMED SHAFEEQE

TAKE A HIKE HEAD FOR THE HILLS TO ESCAPE THE HEAT AND EXPLORE THE WILD, UNTOUCHED NATURE OF OMAN

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HI WEEKLY

iking has a history of one-and-a-half million years, beginning the moment mankind stood upright and began walking through the wilds. But as a leisure activity, it’s a bit more difficult to say when these survival treks for hunting and scouting became a form for fun and recreation.

We do know that during the 20th century, after the industrialisation, a walk in the forest was seen as a luxury, and nowadays it’s a billion- dollar business with millions of people donning high-tech gear and setting out to explore the nature at home and around the globe through hiking holidays.

Here in Oman, new mountain lodges are erected and new hiking trails are marked every season to meet the demand of the ever-increasing hiking enthusiasts.

Unlike other GCC countries, Oman has a unique geography that is perfect for both for multi-day hiking holidays and short day hikes. And although hiking is probably the last activity that comes to mind during the hot, humid summer, the fact is, Oman’s mountain ranges are breezy and much cooler than the cities and beaches, making them a perfect place to enjoy some outdoor adventure while escaping the heat waves.

Walk through stunning canyons, explore remote abandoned villages, and experience true wilderness camping. Lay out your sleeping bag at night on a mountain top under the stars, turn off your head lamp and say goodnight to fellow travellers and just lay there, focusing on the stars above. The view of the night sky in Oman’s mountains and deserts, miles away from city lights, are magical—the other worldly twinkle of stars from numerous galaxies laid out in front of your eyes. The next morning, wake up early with the sun and have a camp breakfast before breaking down your campsite and heading deeper into the mountains.

There are numerous marked hiking routes in Oman – both on interior mountain ranges and on coastal ridges. The most popular hiking routes are in the mountains of Jebel Shams, Jebel Akhdar and the Sharqiyah Mountains, as well as the coastal areas of Tiwi, and Kalhat.

The experiences are different as the mountains will keep you cool at higher altitudes and you can enjoy great views of canyons, valleys, abandoned villages, crystal clear wadis, and green oasis orchards. Meanwhile, the coast offers fresh sea air with great views of the ocean, rugged coastline, and pristine beaches, though in the summer the coast also equates to tropical humidity and intense sun, so be sure to stay hydrated and get ready for some serious tanning.

Oman Mountain Club (OMC) organises short hiking trips every week along with a once-per-month ‘long walk’ through the eastern and western Hajar Mountains.

The group is open to all, and they offer practice hikes once or twice a week in the late afternoons (normally on Fridays and Tuesdays) to get beginners ready.

Wadi Walkers is another such group that conducts hikes every Wednesday, exploring the wadis of Muscat. They have identified more than 20 new wadis so far.

The group also organises special walks,

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THE CHECKLIST • Food and water (a minimum of 4 to 5 litres per day) • Good hiking boots • Long trousers to protect against thorns and snake bites • Rucksack (backpack) • A light, waterproof jacket to protect from wind and rain • Large rubbish bag (pack out what you pack in) • Emergency kit including a torch, matches, knife or multipurpose tool, first aid, sunscreen, and insect repellent

THE CODE • Respect nature • Keep to existing trails (except on official expeditions) • Do not damage plants or trees or endanger wildlife • Respect the environment • Do not pollute water sources • Do not litter (clean up after yourself and others) • Respect others • Dress and behave appropriately at all times

THE DESTINATIONS • Bandar Khayran Reserve • Grand Canyon • Jebel Hareem • Samhan Mountain • Jebel Shams (Sun Mountain) • Majlis Al Jinn Cave (Salma Plateau) • You can obtain hiking route maps from Ministry of Tourism omantourism.gov.om

THE CLUBS OMAN MOUNTAIN CLUB +968 9419 2102 omanmc.org +968 9288 5593 (Eva), +968 9235 4114 (Khalid) WADI WALKERS wadiwalks@gmail.com CANYON ADVENTURES +968 99412660, Abdul Rahman (Specialised hiking guide) canyonadventurestours.com

especially during wintertime, to places like Wadi Bani Kharoos and Jebel Akhdar for day-hikes. They occasionally offer ladies-only trips to encourage Omani women to join in.

Day hiking is the perfect way to enjoy the natural wonders of Oman. It is inexpensive, free save for the petrol to reach your route and a pair of hiking shoes, though as the main action is walking, it is important to select boots that offer proper ankle and sole support. Anyone can enjoy it going for a hike, improving each week as you are getting stronger and more familiar with the terrain. Most multi-day hiking excursions are not meant for casual leisure tourists, as some of the routes cross challenging terrains on unmarked paths. But for seasoned hikers, these unmarked trails are especially fun, as they afford the opportunity to blaze a new trail, a sweet goal to aim for indeed.

—shafeeq@timesofoman.com

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FIRST LOOK

CAPITAL CITY

I’ve always been an admirer of East Asian cuisines — rich, distinctive aromas, colourful, unfamiliar plates, and new discoveries galore. But it isn’t always easy to find authentic Asian here in Muscat. So, when I happened upon Amazing Chicken, a hidden gem serving authentic Korean delicacies in Al Ghubra, I knew I’d hit the foodie jackpot.

STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY SALIM AL AFIFI

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SEOUL FOOD

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t was 2pm when hunger struck. I needed to eat something, but none of my go-to places felt appealing. I wanted to try something new. I sat thinking about my options, trying to ignore the growling in my stomach.

Then I remembered hearing about a place called ‘Amazing Chicken’, though I couldn’t remember what was supposed to be so amazing about the place.

I called the restaurant for directions, and after a few rounds in Ghubra, I parked in front of the Gulf Hotel Apartments and set off on foot to find the place.

Luckily for me, the restaurant was tucked away just behind the hotel, its signboard obstructed by construction platforms.

I was in full experimentation mode as I approached the simple exterior, ready for anything. But when I entered the black-walled interior and heard the Kpop music playing in the background, my excitement peaked.

I grabbed a seat by the window and learned that Amazing Chicken opened in 2014, serving authentic dishes from South Korea along with a handful of other popular East Asian staples. Soy sauce, kimchi (fermented) seasoned veg-

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etables, sesame seeds, and noodles filled the menu on which all the dishes were titled with their original Korean name transliterated into English text, making it possible for non-native speakers like me to sound-out the exotic, foreign names.

I was too hungry to think straight. And what they say about your eyes becoming bigger than your stomach when you’re in this kind of state is also true. Fearful that I’d end up ordering enough food for a family of eight, I closed the menu and asked the waiter to surprise me with the four best main dishes on the menu (it’s all about moderation).

The friendly waiter disappeared, returning with a traditional teapot of Korean green tea, and by my second sip, tiny plates had started to fill my table. I looked at him with a bit of confusion, and he explained that Korean meals begin with complimentary little plates of tangy, fermented, pickled items, or condiments as they call them. I was delighted to taste the rainbow of strange dishes before me— crisp blanched broccoli dressed in a simple vinegar; a bite-sized omelette; diced sweet potato; and myulchi dried fish with peanuts and honey. The nibbles were just

enough to silence my screaming hunger, and whet my appetite for the main event.

First up was the Japchae, thick, chewy, translucent stir-fried glass noodles made from sweet potatoes, served with chopped mixed vegetables. I was told this was a popular Korean dish, and after one bite, I could understand why; the combination of the potato noodles with fresh, vinegarseasoned vegetables is to die for—from the vibrant flavours to the simple fact that they are beautiful to look at. Before I could totally devour the delicate noodles, my Bibim arrived. A piquant bowl of cold noodle tossed with special Korean chili paste and vegetables, topped with a boiled egg, Bibim is served alongside seashore-scented seaweed soup. This was an exciting dish to savour, as the sesame seeded noodles were tossed with ice cubes for a symphony of unusual textures, flavours, and temperatures, all in one dish.

I washed down the delectable spicy dish with my green tea. Taking a slight pause to catch my breath before diving into a rich, amber-coloured bowl of Kimchi soup, which was a sour, spicy, tomato-based stew filled with fermented kimchi vegetables and tiny chunks of tuna.

My kindly waiter and culinary guide saved the best dish for last. Kimchi Joen, aromatic Korean-style savoury pancakes made with cornflour, seafood, and kimchi, were served with the restaurant’s signature sauce, a sweet-salty, almost barbecue-like concoction that was downright addictive. The pancakes themselves were soft, tasty, and perfectly bite sized.

I obviously returned, savouring and discovering other fantastic dishes, like Kimbab, a Korean-style sushi, and falling in love with Gogigui, Korean tabletop barbecue. The unmarinated, fresh beef is charred before your eyes and is served with ‘banchan’ side dishes, salads and pickles. The pieces of beef are eaten wrapped in lettuce and topped with any number of the spicy, tangy, funky condiments that I am still trying to learn the names of.

This sense of true discovery, of tasting, smelling, and even eating in a new way is something as unusual as the foods themselves. It is this sense of culinary adventure that will keep me coming back to this tiny back alley of Ghubra. Well... that and the Kimchi Joen.

—salim@timesofoman.com

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WHAT TO ORDER Kimchi Joen pancakes OMR3 Japchae glass noodles OMR3 Bibim cold noodle OMR3.5 Kimchi soup OMR4 Kimbab rolls OMR3 Gogigui barbecue OMR8

AMAZING CHICKEN KOREAN RESTAURANT Behind Gulf Hotel Apartments, Ghubra North (Park infront of Gulf Hotel and walk to the backside of the attached residential building) +968 2207 5558, +968 9710 0694

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ARTFUL

WISH LIST

ILLUMINATION STORY SHRUTHI NAIR | PHOTOGRAPHY ALI JANI

Rustic OMR 34.500 Western Classic OMR 23.500 Marina Home Interiors

Marina Home Interiors

Contemporary OMR29.900 Home Centre

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The latest trend in home décor isn’t so new at all. Ornate, decorative lanterns have long added their romantic light and shadow to Moroccan interiors, rustic (or styled to look rustic) coastal balconies in New England, and alluring boudoirs the world over. And mind you, I’m not talking about the ‘cheat lanterns’ that run on electricity, I’m talking authentic lanterns that protect the quivering flames of honest-to-God candles or tea lights.

Though the concept isn’t new, the availability of stylish, simple, ornate, or modern lanterns here in Oman certainly is. Soft light-lovers rejoice, because now we can find a cradle for every candle without digging through dusty antiques or expensive imports at the souqs as lanterns have landed at two of the biggest home stores in Oman.

LOOK FOR LANTERNS AT: Home Centre, Oasis Mall; +968 2208 6000; homecentrestores.com/om Marina Home Interiors, Oman Avenues Mall; +968 2206 0999; marinahomeinteriors.com

Old-School Ornate

East Meets West

Modern Eastern

OMR29.900

OMR27.900

OMR12.500

Home Centre

Home Centre

Marina Home Interiors

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OMANI SLANG BEDROOM FURNITURE 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 Al Afifi and Asmaa Al Balushi.

STORY SALIM AL AFIFI & ASMAA AL BALUSHI ILLUSTRATION WINIE ARIANY

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ncing On Water Synchronised swimming, a visual delight of grace and rhythm, is a sport which requires immense strength in order to synchronise each beautiful stroke into an aquatic, artistic formation. And now, young bathing beauties in Muscat can learn this classic artform.

STORY SWATI DASGUPTA

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Few months back the members of Ras Al Hamra Recreation Club (RAHRC) witnessed an exclusive spectacle in the pool. Ten girls, all between the ages of six and eleven, emerged poolside dressed in matching fuchsia and black costumes with ribbon sashes, hairpieces , and waterproof makeup. Their hair were gelled and rolled up in buns to keep it in place and they sported rubber nose-clips (to prevent water from entering their nostrils during their show).

The little mermaids were divided into two groups in the water. Then the music began. The girls moved in sync with each other and to the songs CottonEye Joe and Happy, delighting spectators as they splashed into various formations in the water. A trio of girls completed the show by swimming to classic tunes from The Mask of Zorro.

The girls – Alix Dupont, Anna Lemos, Ella Wusten, Gargi Moghe, Hanna Van Doren, Julia van Bourgonje, Julia van Cuijck, Jumana Saada, Maria Crampin, and Saskia Tromp — had practised the techniques for days in order to showcase their skills in this rare sport exclusively performed by women. A hybrid form of swimming and dance, synchronised swimming or water ballet is a combination of dance and gymnastics, for which swimmers perform a synchronised routine of elaborate moves in the water, accompanied by music.

Even before it was formally named, the first water ballet was held in Berlin in 1891, but the formalisation of the artistic sport is attributed to Australianborn actor, professional swimmer, and inventor of the one-piece bathing suit, Annette Kellerman whose athletic prowess and beauty wowed the world in the 1900s. In 1907, her iconic underwater perfor-

mances in a glass tank in London, New York, and Chicago, were groundbreaking for the sport, which continued to develop as an athletic and artistic endeavour.

Later in the United States, synchronised swimming was officially adopted as a competitive sport, but in order to be selected as an Olympic sport (before even being considered for a vote in), athletes had to demonstrate at the Games. After two decades of demonstrations, the International Olympic Committee accepted the duet event for the 1984 Olympics and later accepted the solo event as well.

Making its first debut at the XXIII Olympiad in Los Angeles, synchronised swimming finally earned it's place on the world's sporting stage.

A sport of artistic discipline and strength, it is one of only two female-only Olympic sports, though men continue to try to break into the ranks of female synchronised swimmers. While they were allowed to compete at the World Aquatics Championships for the first time in 2015, men are still barred from competing in the Olympics.

While this sport is still in its infancy here in Muscat, Engy El Selouky, who started synchronised swimming when she was eight, going on to compete in national competitions throughout Egypt over the years, brought her beloved sport with her when she came to Muscat in 2015.

“I started training in Egypt as an assistant coach.

In 2011, when I travelled to London, I joined Queen Mother Sport’s team as a synchronised swimmer.

Then I trained the synchro team, for girls under 18 years, joining the local clubs competitions,” Engy, explained. “In 2015, when I joined Ras Al Hamra Recreation Club (RAHRC) this sport did not exist in Oman. When I first advertised for it in the club, I got 80 girls who were really interested to join. First, I

did an assessment for them, and I only chose ten out of them to be trained once a week due to the limited timing available for the pool. I started training these ten girls in October 2015, and by end of May, they did a wonderful show. This was the first synchronised swimming show in Oman.”

Engy describes this beautiful water sport as one which demands advanced water skills, immense strength, and endurance. Essentially pool-based gymnastics, swimmers perform choreographed moves on and under the water to a musical soundtrack. The swimmers have to master several key skills, including the 'egg beater kick' which allows the performer to remain above water and while leaving their hands free to perform strokes with music.

"But the most important skills in water ballet are flexibility, grace, artistry, and precise timing," she said. “One should also acquire exceptional breath control when upside down underwater,” she added.

As the first instructor for the sport in Oman, Engy works only with girls between six and eleven years old, and by the time they start with her, they already must have a solid foundation.

“Beginners should know how to swim freestyle and back stroke, also playing gymnastics can give them an edge in the water. Girls can start by improving their swimming in different strokes, also playing gymnastics and ballet would help," she offered.

"I don't want to be just a pretty fish," declared the original mermaid, Annette Kellerman, in 1914. The decades have favoured her memory, as this lovely sport has proved to be about far more than beauty.

An amalgamation of art and dance choreographed to music, synchronised swimming is just as much about remarkable feats of strength and flexibility, which, in my mind, makes it the ultimate female sport. —swati@timesofoman.com

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TRY OUT FOR SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING CLASSES Call Engy: + 968 9124 8649

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Or email: engy.elselouky@gmail.com

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ROAD TRIP OMAN

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TO SPLURGE AND SAVE

STORY FELICIA CAMPBELL

PHOTOGRAPHY MEHDI TAGHAVI

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I am the type of person who likes a little luxury in my life. But as a hard working, waged employee without an endless supply of wealth, I’m also a sucker for a good deal. It’s not that I’m cheap, it’s just that I see saved money as more money I can spend on the next indulgence. This is exactly what drew me to the lavish Alila resort last weekend, and the precise mentality for which my ride to the resort, the Lexus NX 200t, seems to have been created.

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he Alila Jabal Akhdar is a wellknown destination, perched high in the Hajar mountains, a world apart from the heat and hustle of Muscat, offering a class of service and well-designed accommodations that rival five star properties around the world. It should go without saying that it is also one of the pricier hotels in the country, though one which is well worth the expense. That’s what makes the current resident rate special downright incredible, offering Oman and GCC ID card holders one of the property’s fantastic suites (all of which boast great views and fabulous balconies), breakfast, and a three course dinner (excluding drinks and taxes) for around OMR90 per night during the week and OMR110 per night on the weekends. Lunch and beverages will cost you plenty, but overall what you get for the price is simply spectacular. Where else can you enjoy utter silence and 25 degree weather in the middle of summer?

What isn’t such a great deal is the transfer fee from the bottom of the mountain for those who don’t have their own four-wheel drive vehicle.

At OMR80, the round trip transfer costs almost as much as the room rate.

There are private rental companies in the village of Birkat Al Mouz at the bottom of the hill that can provide less expensive transfers, but, luckily for me, I was behind the wheel of the NX 200t, road-testing Lexus’ entry-level all-wheel drive SUV. The smallest in Lexus’ line of sport utility vehicles, the NX comes in a compact, sporty package featuring sharp lines and a wide range of flashy premium paint options. Mine was the eye-catching Exceed Blue. Inside, the sport package seats are a rich red with black trim accents, and, thanks to the styling and acceleration, once I was comfortably sitting in the driver’s seat hitting the gas pedal, I totally forgot that I was in an SUV. The NX only has a 2-litre engine, but it has a light body and is turbo-charged, which makes for a zippy ride. The light weight, while good for gas mileage, could have been problematic on the steep declines of Jebel Akhdar, but the six-speed manual option made it a breeze to come down the severe grades without stepping on the break at all.

With all the bells and whistles and options

one would expect in a luxury SUV, from heated and cooled front seats, navigation, a Mark Levinsion sound system, and an especially nice projected speedometer that reads unobtrusively on the windshield, the NX is a good option for small families who want a premium SUV that can seat four (technically five, but four comfortably) while getting decent gas mileage and packing enough pep to reach most Omani destinations where you’d want to go for a weekend escape or a picnic (forget dune-bashing, but this sassy ride could easily get you up to Jebel Shams).

And, at the end of the day, this is not a frumpy family car. It’s a Lexus. That means that along with the prestige of the brand, owners enjoy the support of concierge-like afterpurchase service with six years unlimited mileage protection and 24-hour assistance.

The price tag is higher than some of the other entry-level SUVs on the market, but lower than other base-model luxury SUVs, making it a practical choice for those who demand a dose of luxury with their pragmatism.

–felicia@timesofoman.com

THE DESTINATION Alila Jabal Akhdar (accessible via 4WD vehicle or transfer only)

alilahotels.com/jabalakhdar +968 2534 4200 THE DEAL The Oman and GCC resident rate includes room, breakfast, and a three-course dinner at Juniper restaurant, plus a 20% spa discount.

Weeknights from OMR90, Weekends from OMR110.

Tip: Book a Jabal Terrace suite and enjoy lounging on your own private sun bed

THE CAR Lexus NX 200t • 2.0L, 4 cylinder engine with turbocharger • 235hp/4800-5600rpm • Torque 35.7kg.m/1650-4000rpm • D-4ST Direct injection 4-stroke superior with turbo • 6-speed automatic transmission with tap-tronic and steering wheel paddle shifters • All Wheel Drive • 8-way adjustable front seats with lumbar support, driver memory, and seat ventilation • Bluetooth enabled 7” display audio • Moonroof • 14-speaker Mark Levinsion surround sound system • Sport package option for superior interior styling • 360-degree cameras and blind spot monitoring • 6 year unlimited mileage protection • 24-hour assistance AUTHORISED DEALER Saud Bahwan Automotive Wattayah Showroom Lexusoman.com +968 2457 8913

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Embassy of Morocco in Muscat organised a celebration to commemorate the anniversary of the crowning of Morocco’s King Mohammed VI. Photography: Jun Estrada

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Mercedes Benz E-Class launch was held at the Mercedes Benz showroom in Qurum. Photography: Shabin E

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 32 AUGUST 11, 2016

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

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