Hi 29 09 2016

OMAN’S LARGEST CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 46,760 COPIES

VOL 10 ISSUE 38 / SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

A

THIS WEEK IN OMAN

DO YOUR DON TENNIS WHITES TE Pro Tennis Oman has classes, workshops, and private coaching wo get kids and adults up-to-snuff to g on the courts.

PAGE 8 PA

ND ESCAPE G WEEKEND ISLA LON

18 PAGE

TAKE A DIP

PEEK INSIDE

There may be no more indulgent a concept on the planet than a restaurant based solely around covering foods in chocolate, which might be just the thing to get your weekend off to a sweet start.

PAGE 12

Dr Yana Korobko’s new book offers a glimpse into the mind of Arab patients and the development of the mental health system in the Middle East.

We sat her down to learn more.

PAGE 24

04

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 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

ashishdubash@timesofoman.com

Research/Copy Editor Ashish Dubash Associate Editors Salim Hamood Al Afifi Shruthi Nair

shruthi@timesofoman.com

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 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 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

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

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

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

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

HI WEEKLY

Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend

29 30 01 THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

8:00pm Mix-it-up

8:00am Friday Workout

Go to The Bank in Qurum this weekend and experience an interesting round of cocktail testing whereby skilled mixologists serve up unusual concoctions to the sounds of a live dj spinning a great party ambience.

Attend a Spartan workout tour at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex from 8am to 10am to learn new training techniques and to score an exclusive Spartan Workout Tour T-shirt. Be sure to register ahead of time (registration link on FB).

9:30am A Photowalk to Remember

The Bank Mumtaz Mahal Building, Qurum +968 9529 9136 thebankoman.com

Be a part of Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk in Muscat and broaden your photographic skills by clicking and sharing pictures with others who share your passion.

The event is hosted

by Photowalk Muscat, a facebook group for photography enthusiasts. p

Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex facebook.com/ SpartanArabia info@ae.spartan.com

Muttrah +968 9553 0744 worldwidephotowalk .com/walk/muttr/

7:00pm Drifter’s Dream

7:00am An Operatic Classic

Come out to the Oman Automobile Association to witness burning tyres, heavy smoke, and a nailbiting competition during round one of the Oman Drift Championship.

A French version of the cclassic Romeo and Juliet will be presented by star opera tenor Jean-François op Borras and soprano Nino B Machaidze.

Oman Automobile Association +968 2451 0239 omanauto.org

Royal Opera House Muscat R +968 2440 3300 rohmuscat.org.om

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

05

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

06

HI WEEKLY

FIVE TO TRY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

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

INTERNATIONAL FASHION MAGAZINES

V MAGAZINE (US) This high fashion-slash-art magazine has the most iconic logo ever, and is known to have A-Listers gracing its covers. Inside you’ll find interviews and editorials on fashion, art, culture, and film.

Buy It: vmagazineshop.com

VOGUE (US) Vogue is the holy book of fashion— the magazine is a one-stop-shop for style, fashion, and beauty for young adults and seasoned stylists alike. Since the 1980s, Vogue has become a movement, with more than 20 international editions including the soon-to-be-launched Vogue Arabia.

Buy It: subscribe.vogue.com

ANOTHER MAGAZINE (UK) AnOther magazine is a Londonbased fashion magazine that will truly inspire you. A dedication to the artsy folks who are obsessed with high fashion, the covers are not just photographs of models and clothes, they are artistic creations made by international image makers.

Buy It: boutiquemags.com/ products/another-magazine

L’OFFICIEL HOMMES (SINGAPORE) Explore the edgy world of men’s fashion in the Singaporean edition of the popular French magazine L’Officiel. Inside you’ll find some of the most artistically shot editorials and fashion spreads around. Visually, it’s the best edition of this publication.

Buy It: magzter.com

LOVE MAGAZINE (UK) Love magazine is a British fashion magazine that has tons of inspirational, glossy pages on art, culture, and other fashionable influences. The covers of this iconic magazine are stylish, colourful, and sometime whimsical, but the insides are heavy on classic black and white photographs. It’s a must-buy.

Buy It: magazinecafestore.com/ love-magazine.html

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

HI SOCIAL SUCCESSFUL MALE MODELS ON INSTAGRAM

BRIAN SHIMANSKY Apart from having the coolest name, he’s a successful male model who’s been featured in loads of campaigns and editorials, with the most iconic one being the Versace perfume ad for Eros.

Follow him for some behind the scenes, travelling shots, and a few modelling photos for the fans.

Instagram: @brianshimansky

MARLON TEIXEIRA This Brazilian on-perpetual-demand model is known for walking many runways and starring in numerous campaigns from Emporio Armani to Roberto Cavalli, to Dior Homme. His instagram is less on modelling and more about offering intimate, personal photos of him at the beach surfing and chilling with friends.

Instagram: @marlontx

DAVID GANDY Also known as “The Dolce Boy”, after appearing countless times in Dolce and Gabbana campaigns, from fragrances to runways to editorials, Gandy has it all. He posts tons of well-shot photos of himself, ad campaigns, magazine covers, and, surprisingly, paparazzi photos.

Instagram: @davidgandy_official

LUCKY BLUE SMITH Lucky Blue was scouted at the age of 10 for his big blue eyes, and now has his very own signature platinum blond bleached hair look that has become a trend among men. Follow him for a little peak into his personal and work life.

Expect tons of selfies.

Instagram: @luckybsmith

JON KORTAJARENA Jon is a male-model icon who inspires tons of aspiring catwalkers as he walked for many designers and shot a lot of campaigns including Tom Ford and Guess. His instagram has snaps of him behind the scenes, plus a little bit of his personal life.

Instagram: @kortajarenajon

07

08

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

POWER PLAY TENNIS IS A POWER GAME THAT NOT ONLY HELPS YOU TO MAINTAIN FITNESS AND STAY IN SHAPE, BUT ALSO HELPS YOU TO STAY FOCUSED. STORY SWATI DASGUPTA

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

A

TO D LIST

theory postulates that the “game of kings”, tennis, has Arab roots, with the name derived from the city of Tinnis in Egypt, and the word “racquet” an alteration of “rahat” (Arabic for the palm of the hand). There is more evidence to support the idea that the game more originated in a French monastery, and as the monks taught the royalty how to play, it evolved to include a racquet. The modern form of the game came with the invention of vulcanised rubber by Charles Goodyear in 1850, and in 1877, the first Wimbledon tournament was held on a rectangular court using the same set of rules that are used today.

The gruelling sport requires both physical and mental stamina. Two individuals or a pair of players, volley a rubber ball back and forth, with points awarded to the team whose serve cannot be returned. It is a highly competitive professional sport, but it is also a beloved leisure activity. Though finding an affordable way to partake in regular lessons is often the first hurdle in making tennis part of one’s fitness regime.

Here in Oman there has been a considerable rise in interest in tennis, with instructors, courts, and coaches now available throughout the capital city. Pro Tennis Oman is one such place where you can learn the finer nuances of the game as well as work on health, fitness, and wellbeing.

“Since 2009 Pro Tennis Oman has offered several programmes with a large variety of activities. Our goal is to help children (and adults) enjoy tennis in a fun, safe, and challenging environment in order to reach their full potential on and off court. A comprehensive evaluation of the skill is conducted for each student and based on that evaluation a coaching plan is organised,” said Diana Maria, coordinator and general manager at Pro Tennis.

“Our programme starts with indoor activity for children from the age of 3-5 that enables them to learn the basics and how to enjoy the game through a series of fun activities. For children between 5-12, the focus is more on to train them to get right into the action,” Diana explained. And for those who have their own private tennis courts, professional coaches can make house calls.

“Some of the players training with us work very hard to become top players. They train at least two hours per day along with their regular fitness regime to compete at international level.”

You don’t have to be going pro to reap the benefits of this engaging sport. Anyone will find that a few rounds of tennis per week will improve cardiovascular health and concentration off the court, a fitness win-win. — swati@timesofoman.com

PRO TENNIS OMAN Contact Diana Maria , General Manager Email: protennisoman@yahoo.com Call: +968 9760 8960 Courses (according to age) Tiny Tots (3-5 years) Mini Tennis (5-10 years) Juniors ( 10-16 years) Adult Training, Ladies Morning, Cardio Tennis & Social Tennis ( All group activities cost OMR 6 per session and classes are held 2 or 3 times per week).

Courts • Sultan Qaboos University • International School of Choueifat • Golden Tulip Seeb Hotel • Al Maha Recreation Centre • Sogex Complex

HI WEEKLY

09

10

HI WEEKLY

BEAUTY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

1. BLENDING BLUNDERS • Match foundation with skin tone. Yes, we got that already. But how? Instead of testing foundations on the back of your hands, which are usually not the same colour as your face, test colours on your jawline. Swiping a streak on your jawline will make it immediately apparent what works on your face and blends into your neck too.

• Make sure you are in the right light when checking your blending (natural light works best). Remember, skin colour changes with the seasons, so make sure you have at least two go-to shades of foundation.

• Foundations and primers come in either silicone, water or oil-based, so if you are using a primer, make sure it is the same base as your foundation for the best blending results.

DO THIS, NOT THAT:

Makeup Missteps We’ve all had those days when, in spite of following all the steps in the online tutorials, our makeup ends up far from perfect. In the endless pursuit of flawless makeup, we often forget some of the fundamentals. These five beauty pitfalls might be all that’s getting in the way of your picture-perfect look. STORY ANTARA BOSE

2. HIGHLIGHT, BUT NOT EVERYTHING For many, getting “dolled-up” means adopting a “no-makeup-product-left-untouched” policy.

In reality, that is totally not necessary. Being all decked out doesn’t mean extensive eye makeup and glittery red lips and more-than-abundant luminescent bronzer. It simply means looking like the prettiest version of yourself. So focus on highlighting your assets and striving for balance.

If your eyes are your best asset, don’t undermine them by equally emphasising every other feature on your face. Go easy on the blush or bronzer and opt for a more subtle lip colour, giving the star treatment to your eye and eyebrow styling.

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

3. WALK A THIN LINE Cherry lips, hued lips, nude lips (that rhymed)—there is so much you can do to dress up your pout, and yet, it is so easy to cross that the line between ‘wow’ and ‘oops’. It’s usually the lip liner that can push you over that line. Lip liners are used to stop lips from bleeding colour off your lips. They also can define your lips and, on some occasions, can be used to make lips look a little fuller. What lip liner cannot do is change the shape of your lips completely.

Liners are meant to follow your natural lip line, so find a lip liner that matches the hue of your lipstick and draw your lines along the outer lip without leaving a gap. Fill in the lip lightly with the liner for added stayon power and then top with your lipstick.

Because lip liners last longer than lipsticks, doing this will save you from the risk of the lipstick fading out and leaving the dreaded “grandma lips” outline.

4. HEAT-PROOF YOUR FACE During the summer (which makes up a major part of the year in our part of the world), getting your base right is a tricky affair. Ideally, your entire routine should follow this pattern—moisturiser, sunscreen, primer, foundation, setting spray.

This is especially true on days when foundation is a must, but the temperatures are soaring, as a good primer will help keep your makeup from running all over your face as you sweat. On occasions when you know that you’ll be spending time outdoors, keep your makeup minimal, opting for a tinted moisturiser (with a good SPF) if you can’t bear to skip foundation entirely. No matter what, avoid this horrible mistake (which I’m certain we’ve all made): Do not, ever resort to using loose powder as a melting-face-quick-fix. Excessive powder on damp skin coupled with humidity will give you an instant blotchy patchwork look — not appealing.

5. EYE ON THE PRIZE Eyes are a straight giveaway when you haven’t gotten your beauty sleep. The fix? Eyeliner. But, here’s the problem, too much eyeliner, especially dark black, can make tired eyes look even smaller.

Plus, it defines the eyes so well, that it also brings out any redness that you’ve been trying to hide.

Ditch your black pencil for the daytime and choose a light, brighter shade. Whites and pastels look great on fair skinned women while those with darker skin tones look amazing with golds or brown lined-eyes. Feeling bold? Electric blue and emerald green liners are still on trend. Be sure to wear eye shadow and liners that contrast with your natural eye colour, rather than matching it, for the maximum impact.

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

HI WEEKLY

11

12

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

EDITOR’S

PICK

KID A CAN SHO

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

IN NDY OP

HI WEEKLY

STORY SALIM AL AFIFI PHOTOGRAPHY ALI JANI

Whenever I pass by a bakery or cafe and I get a whiff of nutty, cocoa-scented air, I remember the line from the movie “Grown Ups” when the kids shout, “I wanna get chocolate wasted!” And, earlier this year, my desire to indulge was pushed to the absolute limit when Dipndip, a Canadian café and chocolatier franchise, opened in Oman Avenues Mall.

13

14

HI WEEKLY

WHAT TO ORDER Brownies crepe OMR3.250 Fettuccini crepe OMR3.950 Chocolate fondant cake OMR3.500 Lollipop waffle stick OMR2.250 Cafe mocha OMR2 Turkish coffee OMR1.250

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

L

ocated on the basement floor of the Oman Avenues Mall, Dipndip’s sporty “outside” lobby seating area stands out with its eye-catching, flashy red and cocoa shades, while the main restaurant is bedecked with tiny circular mirrors on the walls, which add an elegance touch to the place. Its dark, minimally lit ambiance, set the mood for the ecstatically indulgent, and often messy, dining experience.

The extensive menu features waffle, crepes, ice creams, fondants, fondues, pancakes, and frozen, iced, and hot drinks, all slathered in premium Belgian chocolates or made with pure cocoa butter. And the dessert portions are enormous. That said, these treats are best consumed with a buddy; sharing is caring after all.

For me personally, I know from the getgo that when I visit Dipndip, I’m going to need boxes (and boxes) of tissue to properly enjoy all this drippy, sweet goodness without messing up my Dishdasha, so my first order is always to ask the kind staff for a

massive stack of napkins so I’ll be ready to get down and dirty with the cocoa feast.

I’ve tried more of their luscious creations that I ought to admit, and the best of the bunch, hands down, is the brownie crepe. The crispy crepe is stuffed with soft chocolate brownies, and entirely covered with an artful lashing of Belgian white, dark, and milk chocolate. It is ethereal.

Another life-changing treat is the chocolate fondant cake. The warm, liquid-centred, molten chocolate cake, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (or any ice cream flavour of your choice), might look like a typical chocolate lava cake, but trust me, it is the bomb. A trembling spoon of warm, tender cake; hot, melted chocolate, and a small sliver of cool, vanilla ice cream creates a sensation of pure, sweet, hot, cold, creamy, chewy sensory overload that excites me anew every time I try it. The high quality chocolate and other premium ingredients used at Dipndip, take this already incredible experience to the next level.

There is no bad order on the menu, and some other interesting choices include the

fettuccini crepe — a crepe cut into ribbons resembling fettuccini pasta, served with your choice of ice cream in the centre and dressed with a sauce of melted chocolate.

The lollipop waffle stick, a snack-sized waffle-on-a-stick, dipped in a chocolate sauce of your choice is a perfect “lighter” option. (They also offer full-sized waffle plates). The chocolate mousse and brownie verrine, a glass filled with layers of dark chocolate mousse, white chocolate glazing sauce, and mini, sugar-iced, brownie cubes, is basically a grown-up, amped-up pudding cup.

Compliment your sugar-rush with freshsqueezed juice, an espresso-based drinks, or go all out with a chocolate beverage, like the hot chocolate or cafe mocha.

Dipndip, with its all-things-cocoa theme, is the ultimate restaurant for chocoholics, like myself. It’s a place to feed your inner child with wild abandon. What keeps me coming back is this blissful, whimsical, over-the-top feeling, as well as the friendly staff and the cool ambiance. But mostly, I come to get “chocolate wasted”.

—salim@timesofoman.com

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

DIPNDIP Oman Avenues Mall, Bousher +968 2462 6774 dipndip.com Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 10am-11pm Thursday-Saturday 10am-1am

HI WEEKLY

15

16

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

OMANI SLANG RELATIVES 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.

STORY SALIM AL AFIFI & ASMAA AL BALUSHI ILLUSTRATION ISIDORE VIC CARLOMAN

Hamati

Mother-in-law

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

HI WEEKLY

Hbabooty

Grandpa

Nabaˇ il hanaan

Habboh

Grandma descriptive slang used for Mother

Ashmeg

In-laws

17

18

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

THE LONG WEEKEND ESCAPE

FOUR DAYS IN SRI LANKA’S CULTURAL TRIANGLE STORY FELICIA CAMPBELL | PHOTOGRAPHY MEHDI TAGHAVI

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

HI WEEKLY

19

Towering rain trees sag over shaded, winding roads littered with small shacks. Smoke wafts from fire over which fresh corn is boiled in cast iron cauldrons and thick roti dough sears to crisp perfection. In the trees, small rilawa (toque macaque) monkeys fight and glare down in search of a snack to grab.

Tall, slender coconut palms seem permanently bent against the incessant wind, which serves to make the 30 degree temperatures here feel much cooler.

Those coconuts are the lifeblood of the land, where they are used in nearly every cooking preparation, fermented for a celebratory drink, and used to make rope and building materials. Mountains tower above the rainforest canopy and statues of Buddha, some recently erected and some over 22 centuries old, loom on the hilltops, in cave temples, and encased in glass amidst psychedelic lights on city streets. And that’s just what I was able to see.

T

he ancient 65,610 square kilometre Indian Ocean island of Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, has far too much diversity to cover in a single long weekend. Sri Lanka boasts vast tea plantations in the rainy hills in Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains; luxurious beaches along the west coast in towns like Bentota, and in southern cities like Galle, along with wild, natural surfer’s paradises on the east coast on beaches like Arugam Bay; as well as an area in the central part of the country known as “the cultural triangle”.

After much deliberation, my husband and I decided to forgo the beaches (Oman has some of the most beautiful in the world, after all), steer clear of the tea country, simply because the drive down there was so long, settling on a more focused trip to the nature reserves, hiking trails, and historic sights of “the triangle” in Dambulla, Sigiriya, and Kandy.

We started our drive from Negombo (a small beach town which is actually closer to the Colombo International Airport than the capital city itself ) to Dambulla early in the morning. We jerked through a bit of traffic on the narrow alleyways leading out of the town, emerging onto a small highway. We watched tuk tuks jockey for space on the road, fields being burned and cleared for the new harvest, and, about an hour into our journey, the thick trees met above us to form a canopy under which the roadside vendors began

to appear. We pulled over, again and again, for steaming cobs of starchy corn cooked in salt water, then for sweet, milky tea, then again for fresh, thick rounds of roti served with spicy sambol for dipping.

There were other shops, too, stacked high with earthen pots of fresh buffalo curd topped with a hearty drizzle of honey.

After our frequent stops, we finally arrived at the Dambulla cave temple, which dates back to the first century BC. At the top of the hill, we took in the breathtaking views, and turned our shoes over to the “shoe caretaker,” who charged 25 rupees to watch the footwear.

We wandered through the five rooms, which contained lovely, well-preserved Sri Lankan art in the form of murals and sculptures. Though, I found the views of the lush countryside as awe-inspiring as the site itself. We continued up the road, stopping for our first of many lunches of curry and rice, a leisurely affair involving a large plate of steamed white rice accompanied by four or more coconut-based curries, mostly made of vegetables and fruits, from banana flower to pumpkin and jackfruit. We ended our journey at our home-base for the trip, the Aliya Resort.

After ascending the minimalist stairs, we were hit with an expansive view over the infinity pool of the jungle, fields and rising above it all, the iconic Sigiriya Lion’s Rock. We snapped a few photos and checked in to our luxury tent, built under a wooden cabana with a large deck area and well appointed bathroom, surrounded all around by trees. How

incredible it was to wake up to the sounds of exotic birds and monkeys fighting.

We enjoyed poolside refreshments and watched the sun set over Lion’s Rock, before retiring to the open air lounge where local musicians played guitar, accompanied by the sound of the ocean-like wind.

Over the next few days, we hiked Lion’s Rock, exploring the ruins set atop the lava plug, the one-time fortress of a mad king. We went on an elephant safari in the Minneriya National Park.

We explored the remains of Sri Lanka’s 3rd AD capital city, Polonnaruwa, scoring a quick tour through a hidden back corridor in the image house of Jetavanaramaya, a monastery built around 1100 AD, through which monks used to walk and chant with burning incense.

We explored a spice and ayurvedic herb garden in Matale on the way to Kandy, the second largest city in Sri Lanka, where we strolled past the Temple of the Tooth (which contains one of Buddha’s teeth) and around the lake, built in 1807 by the last Sinhalese king. We shopped for wood carvings, watched traditional dance, and ate, ate, ate. We spend our last few hours in the capital, Colombo, feasting on modern Sri Lankan fare, and quietly walking through the picturesque, colonial courtyard of Independence arcade, built in 1882 as an insane asylum, renovated in 2012 as a trendy dining and shopping complex. We left the country with rich experiences, and we had so much left to see which I find is the best way to explore the world, never without a reason to return. —felicia@timesofoman.com

20

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

YOUR LONG WEEKEND GUIDE TO CENTRAL SRI LANKA

FOOD AND DRINK RICE AND CURRY This is the land of rice and curry, a meal eaten once or twice a day, every day, by locals. A large plate of white rice is served with a selection of small dishes of coconut curry. The lighter coloured curries are a bit less spicy, thanks to fresh coconut milk, while the red ones tend to be fiery. Cool it down with scoops of plain rice or a bread like roti or hoppers. The bounty of fresh vegetables and fruits make it so that you will be hard pressed to have the same curry twice, even if you eat rice and curry every day in Sri Lanka, which I highly recommend you do. Watch out for divine, chewy, savoury banana flower curry; meaty jackfruit curry; and amazingly creamy, slightly sweet, pumpkin curry.

There are usually meat and fish curries on offer as well.

KOTTU is the most popular fast food in the country, made of chopped pieces of thin Godhamba roti stir-fried to-order

with vegetables, spices, meat, and seafood.

ROTI AND SAMBOL found at village restaurants and roadside stands, the roti in Sri Lanka is much denser than its Indian counterpart. The hearty bread is sometimes made with coconut or maize and is usually served with a fiery sambol.

HOPPERS crispy bowls made of a pancake-like batter, you’ll find these breakfast staples in savoury-form, topped with egg, sweet, or made with coconut cream.

TROPICAL FRUIT The fresh produce markets are vibrant with unusual fruits and vegetables. Taste as many as you can, from tart, super sour cherries to sweet, redskinned bananas, sweet and bitter limes, to fresh olives and countless others.

TEA AND COFFEE Sri Lanka is famous for its Ceylon tea and massive coffee exports. Loose local tea or local coffee is worth seeking out, especially in Kandy, which is closer to the Tea Country.

Oddly, Nescafe and big-brand tea bags are used most places.

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

HI WEEKLY

MONEY The exchange rate is OMR1 to 380 Sri Lankan Rupees, but don’t let that fool you, Sri Lanka is a place where you can spend the same amount of money in a weekend that you would in an entire month, depending on your style of travel. Buses and trains are cheap, while drivers charge a premium. Street food costs close to nothing, while meals at the fancier hotels are closer to what you would expect to pay here in Muscat. When it comes to shopping and transportation, negotiate hard.

It is not uncommon for vendors to drop their prices by 30-50%. But entrance to the major sites, parks, and tours are nonnegotiable and can add up fast, so be aware and plan for it. The great thing about Sri Lanka is that you have options, so you can create your own adventure based on your personal priorities and budget. Most places accept USD or Sri Lankan Rupees.

It can be hard to find an ATM, so better to bring cash.

GETTING AROUND In the cities there are tuk tuks and taxis galore (always negotiate before getting in), but for a longer haul, you might want to consider arranging a driver or booking a one-way taxi.

There are benefits to both options.

With a one-way taxi, if you don’t get along with your driver, you aren’t stuck with him. Just be sure to settle on a fixed price before starting the journey. If you do like him, more often than not, he will be up for sticking around.

The car and driver option is a mixed bag.

If you pre-arrange it properly so that your quote includes petrol, tolls, driver accommodations, and meals, it can save you the headache of negotiating each time, and if the driver is good, they can act as very helpful guides. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Some drivers are rather insistent on following their own itineraries and take customers where they want to go (some get kickbacks from shops where they take visitors). Or you might just not gel, as was the case for us. When that happens, you are out of luck. This is your guy for the duration, but at least you know exactly what you are paying for him.

Train travel is slow and somewhat unreliable, but if you have time, it can be a great experience. There is a Kandy-Colombo route, as well as a route through tea country. Tickets should be purchased ahead of time at the station or through an agent (visitsrilankatours.co.uk) if you want to be assured a seat.

TOURS AND SITES Be aware that to enter temples in Sri Lanka, ruined or otherwise, you must remove your shoes and cover from shoulders to below your knees. At every site there will be people milling around offering to give you a guided tour, if you choose to employ one of them, just be sure to agree to the price ahead of time. As for the entrance fees for national sights, it is relatively expensive, complicated, and a bit maddening, but these are the general costs at our time of visit: DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE There are two options, when entering, from the main lot, which is a longer walk, or parking at the rear entrance, which allows you to start climbing the stairs to the temple directly. Visit usually takes around 1 hour.

The site is currently free to enter due to a government dispute, but used to be around $10 per person.

SIGIRIYA ROCK Entrance ticket provides single entry, all-day access to the ruins and the museum. Keep your ticket with you as

they will ask for it along your hiking route.

90 minute hike/ $30 per person SIGIRIYA VILLAGE TOUR includes a bullock cart ride into a typical village, lunch and cooking demonstration in a home, and a catamaran lake safari. 2 hours/ $24 per person MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK Visit around 3pm when the animals are more active, park closes at 5:30pm. Cost is about $20 per person, plus jeep fee, plus Jeep rental, all-in, about $150 for two people in a private safari Jeep.

RUINS OF POLONNARUWA. Entrance ticket provides multiple entry, all-day access to the ruins and the museum. Rent a bike to explore the entire complex, or you can drive from site to site for a faster tour.

Open 7:30am-6pm/ $25 per person KANDY CULTURAL SHOW AND DANCE. Nightly hour-long show begins at 5pm and ends with fire walking. $3 per person KANDY SRI DALADA MALIGAWA (TEMPLE OF TOOTH) $10 per person

KANDY BOTANICAL GARDEN $15 per person KANDY BATIK WORKSHOPS AND GEM FACTORIES Free.

ACCOMMODATIONS Sri Lanka is filled with inexpensive guest houses, most of which are very highly rated by guests ( just check out tripadvisor.com), so if that is your travel style, you will be spoilt for choice with average prices around OMR15-25 per night. There are also budget hotels, which are very basic, but also affordable.

When it comes to luxury hotels, there are ultra-premium, which go for staggering (locally) rates of over OMR200 per night, while fabulous luxury hotels are on offer for around OMR60 per night. Just be sure to read reviews and check a location map before deciding which property is best for you. Adventurous types can also simply walk-in to hotels and guest houses on arrival and negotiate room rates for as little as OMR5 per night.

21

22

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: SRI LANKA DAY 1: NEGOMBO/ COLOMBO TO SIGIRIYA Activities: • Dambulla Cave Temples (open 7am-7pm) • Gem Factory (free, but may be encouraged to buy something or tip) • Roadside food stalls • Swim and relax at Aliya Eat: • Roadside roti with sambol and tea • Roadside fresh boiled corn • Curry and rice at Shenadi restaurant, +947 7785 5690 in Sigiriya • Roti snacks from bakeries (super spicy) • Fresh coconut and tropical fruit juices Don’t miss: • Dambulla Cave Temples The fruit stands • Red bananas • Wood apples • Sour cherries • Fresh olives The roadside shops • Boiled corn • Roti with sambol • Stuffed roti • Buffalo curd with honey Resort amenities • Infinity pool • Spa • Bikes • Running trails • Life-sized chess • Racquetball courts • Private terraces around luxury tents • Live nightly music in the open-air lounge Stay: Aliya Resort (theme-resorts.com/aliyaresort) is a fantastic, high-end property with unique tent bungalows set in the forest behind the modern dining and recreation facilities of the main building. A great value for money, go for the bed and breakfast option, as the ala carte prices add up, and the morning spread is a generous affair.

DAY 2: SIGIRIYA AND POLONNARUWA Activities: (Pick 3) • Hike Sigiriya Lion Rock (7am-5:30pm, go early or late to avoid mid-day heat.)

• Village Tour and Lake Safari in Sigiriya (prearrange the two hour tour, start around 11am) • Bike Polonnaruwa Ruins (Open: 7:30am-6pm) • Minneriya National Park elephant safari (closes at 5:30pm, start the safari around 3pm) *The elephants move between national parks, so ask the drivers where to go Eat: • Hoppers for breakfast at the hotel • At the family-run Priyamali Gedara restaurant (+947 1721 6480) in Polonnaruwa taste home made curries, sweets, and rotis. The food is excellent (note that the spice is toned-down for foreigners) and the restaurant overlooks a nature reserve.

• Street snacks of kottu and stuffed roti.

Don’t Miss: • Lion Rock • Polonnaruwa Ruins or Elephant Safari • Priyamali Gedara’s rice and curries meal Stay: Aliya Resort (night two)

DAY 3: SIGIRIYA TO KANDY Have a morning swim and breakfast at Aliya before checking out and driving to Kandy Stops Along the Way • Spice Garden in Matale • Woodcraft markets on outskirts of Kandy. We stopped at Oak Ray Woodcarvings (+948 1238 6561, oakraywoodcarvings.com) where they gave a short tour and explained the wood types.

Activities: • Walk Kandy Lake and the produce market • See a cultural dance performance and shop for handicrafts at Kandyan Art Association & Cultural Centre (show starts at 5pm) • Visit Temple of the Tooth (Open 5:30am-8pm) Eat: • Kottu at Eat Street near George de Silva Park (+947 7780 5959/ Hours: 5pm-11pm)

• Sri Lankan street food made from soy at the aptly named Soya Centre in the YMCA Building (+948 1220 2016/ Hours: 8:30am-6:15pm) • Local tea and snacks at the cafe above the Mlesna Tea Centre in the city centre (mlesnateas. com/ Hours: 9am-6:30pm)

Stay: Amaya Hills (amayahills.com) a well-priced luxury property on a hillside overlooking Kandy.

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

HI WEEKLY

23

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

JET AIRWAYS: A Trip Within a Trip

J

et Airways offers Muscat travellers the opportunity to enjoy two trips in one, either with some much needed rest and relaxation before and after your adventure travel in Sri Lanka (which is exactly what we needed), or a day-trip to Mumbai for dining, sightseeing, or for a quick visit with family or friends. Here’s your double-delight travel plan:

DAY 4: KANDY TO COLOMBO Have a morning swim and a quick breakfast at Amaya Hills and do some last minute shopping in Kandy before driving to Colombo Stops: • Road snacks • Pineapple grooves • Henerathgoda Botanic Gardens, home to the first Asian rubber tree plantations (25km from Colombo in Gampaha/ Hours: 8:30am5:30pm/ entrance: $8 per person) Activities: • Colombo day tour (colombocitytours.com) • Pettah central market (Open: 7am-4pm) • Check out the live local talent perform at Qbaa (qbaa.lk) or at the more low key Asylum lounge (asylum.lk) in Independence Arcade Eat: • Snacks, sweets, tea, and rice and curry in the historic Fort neighbourhood at Pagoda Tea Room, which opened in 1884. (+941 1232 5252/ Open 7am-5:30pm) • Modern Sri Lankan at Kaema Sutra (kaemasutra.com) in Independence Arcade. The crab kottu, overflowing with tender, fresh caught crab meat, is amazing, as is the big-as-yourhead coconut hoppers.

CITY TOUR (MUSCAT TO COLOMBO) MUMBAI LAYOVER 4:25AM-6:05PM A day in Mumbai is a striking contrast to the slower pace of life in Sri Lanka, and it is a fun way to kick-off your vacation. Arrive and check-in at Niranta Hotel where you can freshen up in your room’s luxurious, extremely clean marble bathroom. Leave your bags behind and head outside to find a taxi.

Take advantage of the light traffic this early in the morning, and do some sunrise sightseeing. First stop: Haji Ali Dargah, in Worli. Walk past the street hawkers down the long path to the quiet island on which the mosque sits, surrounded by the lapping waves of the Indian Ocean, and also visit the famous Mahalaxmi temple nearby.

Next up, head down to the colonial era Taj Mahal Palace Hotel (taj.tajhotels.com) and have breakfast overlooking the Gateway of India. Then walk up Causeway Bay Street to experience the energetic hustle and bustle of vendors selling everything from accessories to shoes to saris. Pop into the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (csmvs. in), formerly Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, at the end of Causeway Bay street. Take a detour to Ballard Estate, in Fort and have lunch at one of Mumbai’s famed Parsi cafes, Britannia & Co. Restaurant (bytplus.com), for a meal of chicken berry pulao, sali boti (meat cooked in tomato gravy and served with potato straws), and caramel custard. Hail a taxi by early afternoon and get back to the airport via the Bandra-Worli Sealink. Rest or change your clothes at the Niranta, then check-out and head to your gate. It’s time to continue your adventures in Sri Lanka.

REST & RELAX (COLOMBO TO MUSCAT) MUMBAI LAYOVER 8:20AM-10:10PM Before getting right back into the grind of daily life back home, use this layover to rest and recuperate from your high-energy, adventurous journey through Sri Lanka.

Arrive and head straight for the Niranta Transfer Hotel you’ll pass through security before entering the terminal, so when it’s time for your flight, you can literally just walk onboard. Check in and order breakfast, which will be served in Niranta’s private dining area at the requested time. Arrange for an afternoon spa treatment as well.

While your breakfast is being prepared, head back into the terminal to Vaango! and order a filter coffee, that fabulous Indian specialty of coffee brewed in boiled milk, for a creamy, caffeinated wake-me-up. Take over to the terminal’s indoor garden, where you can sit under a canopy of trees and enjoy your beverage. Then go downstairs to Niranta for breakfast, followed by a hot shower and a nap on the ultra-comfortable bed.

Have lunch at Amreli, where you can enjoy a number of different thalis and casual foods that are incredibly inexpensive, and even more incredibly fresh and tasty. There are a ton of other dining options if you aren’t in the mood for South Asian, from several sit-down bistros, to fast food chains like Burger King, Pizza Hut, and Subway.

Go shopping at the high-end boutiques like United Colors of Benetton or in Duty Free.

Then take in the contemporary artwork on display around the terminal as part of the Jaya He GVK New Museum. Relax with a massage before heading downstairs to freshen-up and pack for your short flight home.

Jet Airways Book your ticket from Muscat to Colombo Online: jetairways.com Call: +968 2478 7248, +968 2478 7246 Niranta Hotel Book your luxury transit hotel Online: nirantahotels.com Call: +9122 6729 6729

24

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

Dr Yana Korobko, a 28-year-old, multidisciplinary scholar, psychoanalyst, orientalist, and an international relations expert explains more about her recent deep dive into the Arab mind ‘Arabs in Treatment: Development of Mental Health System and Psychoanalysis’, in which the octolingual, Ukrainian psychoanalyst explores the place of the mental health professional in relation to the traditions, cultures, and social norms of the Arab and Islamic World.

STORY SHRUTHI NAIR

HI WEEKLY

25

Q&A

with Dr Yana Korobko, author of “Arabs in Treatment: Development of Mental Health System and Psychoanalysis in the Arabo-Islamic World” (available on amazon.com) A guide...that is what “Arabs in Treatment: Development of Mental Health System and Psychoanalysis in the Arabo-Islamic World” seems to be to most people, from professionals in the field of Muslim mental health to those personally interested in undergoing analysis to those who are simply keen to understand more about how the ancient ways of the east and the new ideas about mental health from the west could compliment one another. As a professional psychoanalyst practicing in Abu Dhabi, Yana often wished she could reach for such a reference book. When she couldn’t find one, she decided to go out write one herself.

—shruthi@timesofoman.com

Yana, how does your new book break down the huge topic of mental health systems in the Islamic world?

My book is divided into three main parts. The first part introduces the historical background of mental health in the Arab world, and elaborates on the interactions between psychoanalysis and Islam. The second part talks about the structure of the Muslim psyche, through the experiences of psychoanalysts across the world. And the final part focuses on the most common mental health issues in the contemporary Arab world.

The book covers Arab psychiatric history from jahilya epoch through the present day. Do you see regional history directly influencing the modern Muslim perspective on mental health?

The analytical element of the first part of the book comprises of various theories, hypothetical reflections, and conceptual equations regarding the events that occurred in the Arab history and how they influenced the formation of the collective mind. We are who we are today because of our past. The past is in direct interdependence with the present. In this context, I wanted to question modern Islamic identity, which, to some extent, remains a sensitive issue globally. I wanted to promote genuine reflection over this subject, while avoiding manipulation, distortion, or stereotyping.

Your book draws a conclusion that there is no incompatibility between psychoanalysis and religion, did the Islamic research you conducted alter your perspective on the religion?

The writing of the book itself was a rediscovery of the Islamic mind for me. My attitude towards Islam has been enhanced. Regarding Muslims, I do not make any generalisations, every Muslim is different.

Did your draw more from historic sources or from personal experience?

My research examined interpretations of the Holy Quranic suras that cover the issue of mental health and sanity, as well as, reflections on the classical psychoanalysts who spoke on the topic of the Arabic Orient, including Freud and Jung, as well as modern-day psychoanalysts, such as Jalil Bennani and Fethi Benslama. The mental health statistics were gathered from international organisations, NGOs, clinics, and rehabilitation centre databases. But, the most valuable sources for me were the cases from my private practice (with all personal data kept confidential, of course), encounters with Arab analysts and thinkers, as well as, observations of daily life in the Middle East.

There are some interesting, little known facts about psychology and the Arab world in the book, for example, I never knew that the first mental hospitals were opened here or that the Sharia law prescribes a caring attitude towards the insane. Have you found an openness to your work here, or are stigmas attached to psychiatric in the region?

There are some stigmas. For example, some Muslims claim that they can do without professional psychoanalytic help since there is always a family member or Imam to talk to, or healing Holy Quran ayats to read in case of distress. However, time is passing, and the rates of mental disorders in the Arab region are only increasing. At the end of the day, the suffering person will come to the psychotherapist, however, what has been lost is the time. The other widespread stereotype is that, if psychoanalysis has come from the West, it is, therefore, unsuitable for the Muslim milieu. It’s not true.

Psychoanalysis deal with the most human in human – the unconscious.

The very essence of unconscious is that it is inherent in everyone, regardless of culture, religion or any social markers.

What was your aim or objective in writing this book?

To promote a proactive dialogue and action to promote an open mental health culture in the region in which every Muslim has access to twentyfirst century, diversified, professional psychotherapeutic help.

26

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

2016 Battle of Britain Ball raised more than OMR12,000 for charity as 453 guests gathered in the Shangri-la Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa ballroom for the event, which was hosted by The Royal Air Force Loan Service Oman.

IN FOCUS DO YOU WANT TO BE IN FOCUS? SHARE YOUR PICTURES WITH US ON FACEBOOK.COM/HIWEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

IN FOCUS DO YOU WANT TO BE IN FOCUS? SHARE YOUR PICTURES WITH US ON FACEBOOK.COM/HIWEEKLY

Al Injaz Private School held an award ceremony and conducted the investiture ceremony for the members of the 2016-17 Student Council.

HI WEEKLY

27

28

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

Indian School Muscat felicitated senior section academic achievers at the Annual Academic Merit Award ceremony.

IN FOCUS DO YOU WANT TO BE IN FOCUS? SHARE YOUR PICTURES WITH US ON FACEBOOK.COM/HIWEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

HI WEEKLY

Oman Social Lounge Facebook group celebrated their ďŹ rst year of meet ups in Muscat at the Jeans Grill restaurant.

IN FOCUS DO YOU WANT TO BE IN FOCUS? SHARE YOUR PICTURES WITH US ON FACEBOOK.COM/HIWEEKLY

Oman Road Safety Association (ORSA) has launched the pilot phase of a nationwide programme to distribute car seats for young children and infants, and to raise awareness on important road safety issues including correctly using seat belts and child restraints in all vehicles to safeguard passengers. The pilot phase of the campaign was held at the Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah.

29

30

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 38 September 29, 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

2

1

1

5

8

7

2

3 9

7

2

9

2

7 8

7 6

6

5

8 4

3

4

8

9

5 2

Level | Moderate

1

1

1

2

4

5

3

4

2

8

5

4

3

7

1

9 3

9 5

8

5

1

3 2

4

5

7

6 9

3

4 6

8

9

4

7

4

8

9

8

2 7

6

5

8

4

1

5 7

Level | Difficult

3

2

4

6

3

9

4

3

1

4

8

6

8

6

3

9

8 1

2 8 6

4

3

4

7

6

6

9 7

7

6

5

4

5

9

4

6 7

1

3

1

2

4

7

5

VISIT US AT FACEBOOK.COM/HIWEEKLY FOR THE SOLUTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PUZZLE