THIS WEEK IN OMAN
SO MANY DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
GET THE XMAS LOOK
THE WHATS AND WHERES
Here are some things you need to do this Christmas if you haven’t been doing them already. PAGE 8
Educate yourself about the glamorous looks you could try this Christmas to rock them party shots. PAGE 12
Your ultimate guide to celebrating Christmas in all the finest hotels and resorts of Oman. PAGE 14
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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 Editor Charles Lavery
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Features Editor Swati Dasgupta
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Research Editor Ashish Dubash ashishdubash@timesofoman.com
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salim@timesofoman.com Associate Editors Salem Afifi Shruthi Nair shruthi@timesofoman.com
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Associate Art Director Waleed Rabin Graphics Editor Antonio Farach Design Editor Sahir K.M. Lead Designer Geri B. Sonny Designers Antonio Ismael Sandiego Gregory Fernandez Director of Digital Television Joe Morrison Photography MMG Photographers Chief Sales Officer Richard Pakenham
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Production Manager Shafi Shaik On The Cover Design by Geri B. Sonny For general inquiries or comments: HiWeekend@timesofoman.com
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What are you 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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THURSDAY 7.00pm Christmas Celebrations Great food, good music and lots of entertainment awaits you at Pinoy Chix Restaurant. You will also get a chance to participate in the raffle and win some exciting prizes. OMR 4.500 Pinoy Chix Restaurant +968 9913 7123, +968 9941 1759
22 23 FRIDAY
SATURDAY
6.00am Via Ferrata
8.00am Fitness Saturday
This is possibly the best time to go to Jabal Shams and try the adventurous Via Ferrata atop 200m cliffs of Oman’s highest mountain. Twenty3Extreme +968 9068 9823
Gear up for the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon with the free training sessions hosted by the Wellness Centre. Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex muscatmarathon.om
Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com
THE WEEKEND LINEUP
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HI WEEKLY IN CASE
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YO U M I S S E D I T
THERE’S PLENTY OF NEWS THAT MADE WAVES ON SOCIAL MEDIA THIS WEEK. HERE’S WHAT PEOPLE WERE TUNING IN TO. COMPILED BY SHRUTHI NAIR & SALEM AFIFI GO TO TIMESOFOMAN.COM/HIWEEKLY FOR VIDEOS AND MORE
ROYAL INTERVIEW: Prince Harry’s interview with former US president Barrack Obama sparks quite an interesting conversation, and it’s trending. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
TRENDING THIS WEEK LUSH ON AIR: Check out Emirates’ first class suite. It’s trending with more than five million views on YouTube already. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
GUJARAT VERDICT: Indian prime minister declares BJP’s victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
TOP TRENDING VIDEOS: What do you do when ‘Star Wars’ is releasing a film at Christmas? Simple. You sit at home and make Jedi pancakes! timesofoman.com/hiweekend
TRENDING MUSIC
MARIAH CAREY’S CHRISTMAS The pop diva re-visited the Billboard Hot 100 chart with her holiday staple ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ reaching a new peak.
TRENDING MOVIE
THE LAST JEDI One of the most anticipated films of 2017 ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ opened with a massive $450 million, globally.
#popularhashtag
TRENDING FASHION
SCOTT DISICK TALKS SHOES The ‘Kardashian’ reality star talks to Complex about his favourite sneakers, with brands including Yeezy and Addidas.
#GujaratVerdict #QuestionsThatKeepMeUp #MyMentalHealthIn5Words
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TO D O L I ST
XMAS FUN ‘N’ GAMES 2017 is almost over and it’s finally the festive time when all the places are well lit and decorated, people are merry, and there’s just lots of adorable-looking food everywhere. Yes, it is Christmas season, when there is so much to be excited about. But to make the festivities a little more fun, here are some of the things you should try doing this Christmas.
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Secret Santa Secret Santa has become a Christmas tradition that people irrespective of their faith, country, background have been actively following. It is a fun game in which you become someone’s Santa and make their day by giving them a present. Members of a group need to pick chits that will have names of other members of the group. You will be assigned to buy a gift for the person whose chit you pick.
Bake One thing I used to look forward to during the Christmas season as a child were the plum cakes. With time my taste in cakes kept varying but I would always want to try a variety of them during Christmas. So this year you could try and bake your own cake either by joining a quick baking class or through the most reliable teacher - YouTube. Pick a theme and bake not just for yourself, but also for your friends and relatives and distribute it around.
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Christmas Karaoke There are tons of Christmas classics that can get you in the festive mood almost instantaneously. Organise a fun karaoke session with your friends and sing out loud at a cosy venue of your preference. Some of the Christmas specials you must put on the list would be All I Want For Christmas Is You —Mariah Carey, White Christmas —Bing Crosby, Santa Claus is Coming to Town — Jackson 5, Blue Christmas —Elvis Presley, 8 Days of Christmas —Destiny’s Child.
Brunch Even if you are not much of a brunch person, Christmas brunches are always special. You get to wear the Christmas caps, be amidst the beautifully pleasant decor and savour on some amazing food while Christmas carols and jingles play in the background blending with your conversations. There are a number of places in Oman where you can go to dine out or you could even invite your gang home for a nice brunch by the Christmas tree.
Decorations The Christmas season doesn’t just feel good, it even looks good. It’s all about bright lights and colours and fancy decorations. Now is the time to open your DIY kit and hone your art and craft skills to make your crib look pretty and festive. Some of the essentials would be fairy lights, Christmas tree and accessories, wreaths and garlands, DIY snowflakes and other paper-made adornments.
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CELEBRATE THE GOOD TIMES Oman’s latest hotel, Sundus Rotana, is home to Ginger restaurant, which features some of the Sultanate’s most eclectic cuisine. Hi Weekly was invited to check out the finest food this side of Seeb. STORY ASHISH DUBASH • PHOTOGRAPHY SALEM AFIFI
DINING
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CHRISTMAS DAY BRUNCH Enjoy a Christmas Day brunch at Ginger with traditional roasts, pies and pastries, and enjoy a lavish festive buffet fit for all tastes and styles. Date: December 25 Time: 12.30 pm – 4.00 pm Price: OMR17 ++ Christmas brunch, including soft drinks and OMR9 for children (6-12 years) Prior bookings required.
H
otels have been mushrooming across Oman in the last few months, so when the famed Rotana brand asked me to review their new hotel, Sundus Rotana, I jumped at the opportunity. The hotel is located close to the airport, and you cannot escape the sense of déjà vu while passing this place. Situated close to the old Oman Exhibition Centre, the hotel is truly a pleasant surprise. Entering the bright and welcoming hotel lobby, I couldn’t help but look in awe around me as I was whisked away to the conveniently located Ginger restaurant, which instantly reminded me of the essential ingredient used in everyday cooking. Lovely and pleasing to the eye, the restaurant is large, and can be extended outdoors on both sides — one towards the swimming pool and the other in front of the huge open parking lot. One can thus enjoy the cool climate, which we have been experiencing for some time now. On my arrival, I was served a refreshing smooth and creamy mango treat, which also consisted of orange, banana and yoghurt, served along with hot cashew nuts for me to munch on. Having decided to eschew the starters, I straight away attacked the
main course. The restaurant serves a mix of Continental and Arabic food. I began with the lemon and rosemary rubbed chicken which was marinated with herbs and sautéed with artichokes, olives, sundried tomatoes, and herb jus, served on a bed of pureed, mashed potatoes. The chicken had a slight crunchiness, which was the delicious result of chef personally cooking it in the restaurant oven. Next on my adventure was the rib-eye, a superb steak cooked to your taste and marinated in oil, crushed pepper and salt, which is then grilled in the oven, and served with grilled asparagus, zucchini, yellow capsicum, portabella mushroom, and cherry tomatoes, all marinated in herbs, and a side of crunchy onion rings. It was indeed a juicy piece of meat. But it was the Laham Maqlay that took me by surprise. This is mutton marinated in Omani spices and sautéed with onions, garlic, tomatoes and simmered for 45 minutes until it is soft and succulent, which is then served with vermicelli rice. I found the dish delicious, as it reminded me of home-cooked food. Next on my list was the herb-marinated fillet of salmon, which was given a coating of breadcrumbs in pesto sauce. It had a slightly charred exterior,
which helps make the skin extra crispy, and was served with lemon butter sauce. I further dug into some grilled jumbo prawns, marinated in herbs and served with tahini sauce, which only heightened my feeling of wow-ness, as I savoured it with some fattoush salad, complete with crispy fried Arabic bread. Also on my table was penne pasta, which was served with Parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, garlic and olive oil, as a subtle accompaniment to my food. But the climax came with the rich, creamy Toblerone chocolate cheese cake, topped with grated slivers of the famed Swiss chocolate, which was an absolute delight to indulge in. I finished my food with Kyoto coffee, which is a slow, cold brew which takes about eight to 10 hours of meticulous preparation, is a must try for coffee lovers. Chemex is another signature brew at the Lobby Lounge. This brewing method extracts the finest flavour from the coffee beans. The coffee simply runs through the filter and gives you a pure and smooth taste, which just cannot be compared to anything else. If you are looking for a new place to celebrate with your family, whatever the occasion, then Ginger at Sundus Rotana is the right place to do so. — ashishdubash@timesofoman.com
LOCATION Al Maardih Street, Seeb, opposite to Muscat International Airport. +968 2451 1800
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BEAUTY
MAKEUP LOOKS TO TRY FOR CHRISTMAS Christmas is in the air! And that means a lot more hugs, surprise visits, and most importantly, photographs. And we can’t afford to look anything less than absolutely glamorous in those Christmas party shots, can we? Here are our favourite looks you can try this season. STORY ANTARA BOSE
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ROSE If you’re trying to sport something dreamy, go for pastel pinks with a little bit of a sheen. Pick a pretty pink eyeshadow of your choice and couple this with a dusty rose lipstick. Keep a shade similar to the former two for your cheeks. A creamy blush with a little highlighter can give a fresh, dewy look to your skin. Perfect for winters. ICY MOCHA Want to try something a little frosted? Apply a pure white eyeshadow and sweep a light-handed coat of silver over the lids. Use the silver shimmer to highlight the arches of the brows too. Line both the eyelids with jet black liner. Contrast the eyes with a lipstick in deep mocha. You’ll be sure to turn heads with this unique look. SMUDGY PINE GREEN LIDS AND LIGHT PINK TINTED LIPS We couldn’t go through a list of looks without a tribute to the Christmas favourite pine tree, could we? And it’s such an elegant colour to sport at those dinners. Sweep some pine coloured shadow over your lids and add a dash of dark grey to the ends to give a smoky look. Line below your lower lashes with the same colours too. Coat your lashes with oodles of mascara and finish with some light pink lip stain. PURPLE HUES A great duo for evenings. Create a smoky effect with purple and black eyeshadows and use lavender or lilac for a little highlight. For the lips, go for a wine or berry shade. If you want a lighter version of the look for daytime wear, stick with the lavender shade only for the eyes. RED LIPS AND COPPER EYES This one is a classic. If you aren’t certain about what colours to opt for, this combination will never let you down. Go for your favourite shade of hot red lipstick and couple it with a coppery eyeshadow. Give a little extra attention to your contouring while sporting this look. If you want to use glitter on the lips then keep the eyes matte and vice-versa. Finish with single or double winged liner for an evergreen look. GOLD EYESHADOW AND GLOSSY LIPS It’s Christmas season; so it’s perfectly alright to bring out all the gold and silver palettes. Hey, they are abundant on the Christmas trees and it’d be wrong to not take inspiration from such a festive décor. For this really bold and glitzy look, coat your eyelids in a solid gold shade. Extend it up to the arches of the brow if you want it to really stand out. With all the drama on the eyes, keep the rest of the face simple, especially the lips. All you’ll need is a glossy, clear, sheen-enriched lip balm, and that’s it. PURELY EXAGGERATED CAT EYES This is for those who like to go by the philosophy, ‘let your eyes do all the talking’. This season tends to get busy and sometimes there just isn’t enough time to bring out all the palettes, we totally understand. So for those days when the minutes are scarce but you still want to look your dashing self, extra thick cat eyes can really do the trick. Just thicken (significantly) the lines of your regular cat eye look and pull it a little longer than usual. Don’t forget the mascara. —HiWeekend@timesofoman.com
Antara Bose is a model turned fashion and beauty consultant. A popular blogger, anchor, and voice over artist, she maintains a deep connection with the local fashion industry and is passionate about discovering and celebrating aspiring talent as well as promoting animal rights. For fashion updates with a side of humour and sarcasm follow Antara on instagram @antarabose and on Facebook (Antara Bose)
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A GUIDE TO CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN OMAN STORY SALEM AFIFI • PHOTOS SUPPLIED
If there is one thing that binds all religious and cultural celebrations, it is undoubtedly good food! It comes naturally to us human beings to eat for the good times. These occasions work their magic in bringing people together to meet and converse in a harmonious environment, and here in Oman the feasts are spread out across the country, each one of them providing a selection of memorable dishes to enjoy. Christmas is now a cultural phenomenon followed by people from all walks of life, background, and religion, so I put together a simple guide full of brunches, dinners, and staycations for you to enjoy with your loved ones.
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BRUNCHES Holiday brunches should top your list of things to do during the holidays. Who doesn’t like a long, leisurely, lazy lunch in casual clothing, sipping on your favourite drinks all day long, savour the best dishes one could have, all placed before you to be indulged in a wintery, Yuletide vibe. This year, we bring a selection of some of our favourite spots that include beachfront settings, mountaintops, and even luxurious diners. You will surely find something that suits you and your family.
Celebrate in Style If you fancy a brunch amid breezy grounds and serene atmospheres, Al Mouj Golf has you covered. Head here for a delicious brunch, served with bubbly drinks and a hint of style. When: December 25 Cost: OMR25 Al Mouj Golf, Al Mouj, Al Azaiba +968 2200 5990
Join a House Party Kick it off with a house party at Alila Al Jabal Al Akhdar, where the Yuletide spirit is best celebrated. Afternoon tea will be served, sweet and savoury delights will be offered, and a traditional Christmas Day lunch that’s followed by an appearance from Santa himself will take place. When: December 24-27 Cost: Contact Alila for details on packages. Alila Jabal Akhdar, Ad Dakhiliyah +968 2534 4200 ---------------Marina Brunch Enjoy a succulent brunch at Al Sabla in Jabal Sifah with spectacular views of the Marina. The Christmas themed buffet will be served with holiday staples including roasted turkey and bubbly drinks. When: December 25 Cost: OMR25++ for adults Sifawy Boutique Hotel, Jebel Sifah
Brunch, Up In The Air Nothing beats a brunching session amid the clouds. Al Maisan restaurant at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar offers a global taste full of international favourites, served with views of the canyon and its surroundings. When: December 25 Cost: OMR18 Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Ad Dakhiliyah +968 2521 8000 ---------------Christmas Classics Treat yourself to an extensive spread chock full of Christmas staples and international flavours. Have children? Worry not: bouncing castle, magic shows, and a special visit from Santa will keep them entertained. When: December 25 Cost: OMR28++ for adults, OMR14++ for children. Musandam Cafe and Terrace Restaurant, InterContinental Muscat, Qurum +968 2468 0000
---------------Jingle Bells Brunch Experience the spirit of the holidays at Grand Hyatt’s Mokha Cafe, where they serve a mix of traditional Christmas recipes and international treats, as well as live cooking station, live entertainment, and plenty of activities for the little ones. When: December 25 Cost: OMR42 for adults, OMR19 for children Grand Hyatt Muscat, Qurum +968 2464 1234 ---------------Savour the Luxe The Chedi offers one of the most delicious buffets and dining experiences you wouldn’t want to miss. This year is all about a taste from different corners of the world, all served at the main restaurant. When: December 25 Cost: OMR46++ The Chedi, Al Azaiba, Bousher +968 2452 4400
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DINNERS It’s always been a holiday tradition to sit down and have a feast with your family and loved ones. Here in Oman, we don’t miss out on the fun at all. Whether you’re a fan of Christmas staples like roast turkey and potatoes, or into more comfort dishes like steak and salmon, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our selection of best places to dive into a food coma, on both Christmas Eve and Day.
A Feast at Caramel One of the best places in town is serving a unique version of the festivity, with a four-course menu for the holidays that’s set to entertain your taste buds. The feast begins December 17. When: December 17-25 Cost: OMR25 Caramel, Opera Galleria, Qurum +968 2206 6668 ---------------Christmas in India Fancy a taste from the land of spices? Well, don’t miss out on this scrumptious non-vegetarian set menu where Indian delicacies and specials will be served. Get your friends and family and reserve a table at The Indus at the Royal Opera House Muscat. Have it South American For a flavourful celebration with a smoky taste of steaks from South America, head to Asado at Sheraton and immerse yourself in a meaty escapade. Enjoy a six-course gourmet supper, accompanied by live music and Christmas carols. When: December 24 Cost: OMR29 Sheraton Oman, Ruwi, Muscat +968 2237 7777 ---------------Dine by the Ocean How about a refreshing dinner with the family? Yes, dip your toes in white sands while enjoying Salalah’s beautiful and breezy weather, as you indulge in chef’s exotic specials at Sakalan at Anantara Salalah. From puddings by the pool, to the resort’s choir band, there will be no dull moments here. When: December 24 Cost: OMR25++ for adults, 12++ for children Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, Salalah +968 2322 8222 ---------------Roast Turkeys and More Christmas is never complete without a succulent dish of roast turkey. At The Bank Beach Club, they serve it with duck fat potatoes, honey roasted carrots, mixed Asian mushroom nut roast, and buttered Brussel sprouts. A must-try. When: December 25 Cost: OMR16 for two courses, OMR19.5 for three courses. The Bank Beach Club, Jebel Sifah. +968 9361 8537
When: December 17-25 Cost: OMR25 The Indus, Opera Galleria, Qurum +968 2202 2888
A Feast at Caramel One of the best places in town is serving unique vibes of the festivity, with a special menu for the holidays that’s set to entertain your taste buds. The feast begins December 17. You wouldn’t want to miss it. When: December 17-25 Cost: Contact Caramel for prices Caramel, Opera Galleria, Qurum +968 2206 6668 ---------------A Lavish Dinner Fancy a lavish buffet? Head over to Ginger restaurant in Seeb for a wonderful dining experience full of Christmas specials and international favourites When: December 25 Cost: OMR35++ for adults, OMR9++ for children Sundus Rotana, Airport Heights +968 2451 1800 ---------------Beachfront Dinner Nothing beats a dinner by the beach, and at Muscat Hills Resort, the Christmas extravaganza is here to leave an impression. The dinner includes a set menu with a glass of bubbly. When: December 24 Cost: OMR25++ for adults, OMR12 for children Muscat Hills Resort, Al Jissah, Muscat +968 2485 3000 Festive Seafood For seafood lovers, Bait Al Bahar is serving fresh-out-the-water specialties in a five-course set menu with tantalising dishes and calm ocean views to remember. When: December 24-25 Cost: OMR35++ for adults, OMR15++ for children, OMR15 add-on beverages package. Bait Al Bahar, Shangri-La, Barr Al Jissah Resort. +968 2477 6565
------------------------------Taste Italy Take a trip to Italy at Rossini restaurant, where authentic Italian cuisine is sure to tingle your tastebuds. Their four-course menu is filled with delicious bites such as roast chicken, beef tenderlion steak, and salmon, in addition to flavourful rice and pasta dishes. When: December 24 Cost: OMR14 (excluding drinks) Rossini restaurant, The Cave, Darsait. +968 2465 1066 ---------------Steaks for the Holidays Have yourself a treat at the Steakhouse restaurant, where they’ll be serving a three-course menu full of fire-kissed steaks and a whole load of delicious dishes. When: December 24 Cost: OMR20 Crowne Plaza, Sohar +968 2685 0850
Go to Sohar Enjoy a festive buffet at the beautiful and cozy Sallan Restaurant and Terrace, where they’ll serve lip-smacking dishes with a beachy view. When: December 25 Cost: OMR12 for adults, OMR6 for children, Sohar Beach Hotel, Sallan Road, Sohar +968 2684 1111 ---------------Middle Eastern Glory Enjoy an Arabic buffet at Shangri-La’s Al Tanoor restaurant, where you’ll be surrounded by beautiful, warm-coloured interiors and a breezy outdoors. The place is known for dishing up mouthwatering delights. Not to be missed. When: December 24 Cost: OMR29++ for adults, OMR15++ for children, OMR15 add-on beverages package. Al Tanoor, Shangri-La, Barr Al Jissah Resort +968 2477 6565 ---------------Christmas at Courtyard Have a lavish feast full of scrumptious classics and favourites at the Courtyard Lounge. As you revel in the buffet dinner, sit back and enjoy Christmas choirs that promise to elevate your holiday spirits to the next level. When: December 24 Cost: OMR21 Sheraton Oman, Ruwi, Muscat +968 2237 7777
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HOTELS AND RESORTS If you want to fill your tummy with dee-lish food, enjoy a most blissful sleep and wake up to a nice breakfast that’s followed by an all-day brunch, then Oman’s hotels and resorts are your best bet. It’s the ultimate package for the holidays, and this Christmas we brought you three of the best places for a good night sleep and a whole load of fun.
Stay At The Top Spend your Christmas exploring the beauteous Alila Jabal Akhdar, where you’ll get to enjoy a three-night stay at the five-star boutique hotel with uber-cool perks including 60-minute spa treatment, Christmas Eve dinner, children activities at Play Alila, and a house party, among other things. When: December 23 - January 1 Cost: Contact Alila for details on packages. Alila Jabal Akhdar, Ad Dakhiliyah +968 2534 4200
Christmas Cheer Galore Sheraton is bringing the house down with a great offer that serves nothing short of a Christmas extravaganza. Head here for a spectacular brunch at Pool, Asado, and Courtyard restaurants with traditional classics that bring family and friends together in a memorable atmosphere. You also get to spend the night at one of the most iconic hotels in town. When: December 25 Cost: OMR80++ for two Sheraton Oman, Ruwi, Muscat +968 2237 7777
Escape to Grand Hormuz Enjoy an overnight stay at the beautiful Grand Hormuz, where comfortably lavish rooms, swimming pool, gourmet meals, and a luxurious spa await. Treat yourself and thank us later. When: December 15-30 Cost: OMR50++ inclusive of bed and breakfast Grand Hormuz Hotel, Airport Heights, Muscat +968 2435 0500
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FATHER FIGURES In the Alcon Entertainment comedy “Father Figures,” Owen Wilson and Ed Helms star as fraternal twins Kyle and Peter who accidentally discover they’ve been living with a lie all through their lives. The kindly man in the photo on their mantle isn’t their father after all, but an invention their mother concocted to conceal the truth: That she actually doesn’t know who their real father is. See, it was the seventies, and things were crazy, and…well, you know. Armed with only a handful of clues, the brothers resolve to find the mystery man in what results in a wild road trip of discovery and revelations — about their mother, themselves and each other. Cast: Owen Wilson, J.K. Simmons, Christopher Walken, Glenn Close and Ving Rhames Running At: Vox Oman, City Cinemas, Al Bahja Cinema
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OTHER RELEASES THIS WEEK
TIGER ZINDA HAI Cast: Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif A sequel to the record breaking blockbuster Ek Tha Tiger, Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, Tiger Zinda Hai which is a spy drama brings back the blockbuster pair of Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ is set in Iraq for its most crucial chapter, which focuses on the real-life hostage case of 46 Indian nurses. Yash Raj Films and twofour54 left no stones unturned as they recreated Iraq in Abu Dhabi by building a 20,000 sq. metre set on the backlot in Khalifa Industrial Zone (KIZAD) as well as filming on location.
MCA Cast: Nani, Sai Pallavi, Bhumika Chawla, and Naresh MCA is an upcoming 2017 Telugu film. It is directed by Venu Sree Raam and will be produced by Dil Raju under his banner Sri Venkateswara Creations. It features Nani and Sai Pallavi in the lead roles. The music is composed by Devi Sri Prasad.
VELAIKKARAN Cast: Sivakarthikeyan, Nayanthara, Fahadh Faasil, Prakash Raj, RJ Balaji, Sathish, Sneha, Robo Shankar, and Vijay Vasanth Velaikkaran is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by Mohan Raja. Featuring an ensemble cast including Sivakarthikeyan and Fahadh Faasil in the lead roles.
FERDINAND Voiceovers: John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez, and Daveed Diggs Ferdinand tells the story of a giant bull with a big heart. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure. Set in Spain, Ferdinand proves you can’t judge a bull by its cover.
JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas, and Bobby Cannavale In the brand new adventure Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, the tables are turned as four teenagers in detention are sucked into the world of Jumanji. When they discover an old video game console with a game they’ve never heard of, they are immediately thrust into the game’s jungle setting, into the bodies of their avatars. What they discover is that you don’t just play Jumanji, Jumanji plays you. They’ll have to go on the most dangerous adventure of their lives, or they’ll be stuck in the game forever.
SAKKA PODU PODU RAJA Cast: Santhanam, Vaibhavi Shandilya, and Vivek Sakka Podu Podu Raja is a soon-to-air Tamil comedy film directed by Sethuraman and produced by VTV Ganesh. The film features Santhanam, Vaibhavi Shandilya, and Vivek in leading roles.
COMING SOON THE GREATEST SHOWMAN Cast: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya
THE DISASTER ARTIST Cast: Zoey Deutch, Alison Brie, and James Franco
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Asfandyar XI and Strikers emerged as the men’s and women’s champions respectively at the FRiENDi Mobile Winter Cup cricket tournament organised by the Jazz Boys Cricket Club at Al Ghubra Power Plant Ground.
Muscat Unique Diamond Entertainment and Theatre Group Muscat orgainsed ‘Asthamikatha Sooryan’, a thought-provoking and socially significant musical drama at Al Falaj Hotel. – Photos by Purushothaman K.
IN FOCUS DO YOU WANT TO BE IN FOCUS? SHARE YOUR PICTURES WITH US ON FACEBOOK.COM/HIWEEKLY
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Carol singing held at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church Ruwi. — Photos by Purushothaman K.
IN FOCUS DO YOU WANT TO BE IN FOCUS? SHARE YOUR PICTURES WITH US ON FACEBOOK.COM/HIWEEKLY
Indian Social Club Malayalam Wing celebrated Women’s Day at the Indian Social Club hall. — Photos by Purushothaman K.
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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 | Moderate
Level | Easy
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Easy
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6
5
2 1
6
1 2
5 7
6
5 7
9
8
3
8
9 7
9
8
6
2
2
THIS WEEK’S SOLUTIONS
Level | Difficult
3
6 1
9
2
1
7
8
9
7
4
3
4
1 6
3
7
4
5
7
4
Difficult
3 4
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 78 J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 7
HI WEEKLY
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