THIS WEEK IN OMAN
ARE YOU NYE-READY?
IT’S ALL AN ILLUSION
MEAT ME AT LAVAL
Why fear when we are here. Here are 10 fashionable attires you can choose from this New Year’s Eve. PAGE 8
Experience the fascinating, amusing, and bewildering Museum of Illusions. PAGE 10
Begin the New Year with some mouth-watering meaty meals and awaken the carnivore in you. PAGE 12
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Give us a shout with questions, comments, compliments, complaints, or just to say “Hi” Founder Essa bin Mohamed Al Zedjali Chairman Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali CEO Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali Editor Charles Lavery
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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 Treat Your Tastebuds Head to Häagen-Daz this weekend and celebrate your moments with warm Belgian chocolate fondue, 32 mini-scoops of ice-cream, a side of chocolate brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and seasonal fruits to take your indulgence to the max. Haagen-Dazs, Oman Avenues Mall +968 2450 9333
SUNDAY 8pm East Meets West Make your last party of the year truly memorable with your family at this themed party at the family pool. OMR 24.99 net person onwards. Millennium Resort Mussanah +968 2687 1555
9pm The Great Big Bollywood Bash Ring in the New Year with true Bollywood glamour, entertainment and colour. Enjoy live entertainment from Bollywood Celebrity DJ, flying in from India to spin the best international hits and Bollywood Dhamaka. OMR 10 including 3 drinks. Sheraton Oman +968 2237 7777
29 30 FRIDAY
SATURDAY
7.00pm Laugh It Out
8.00pm Dance to Afro Beats
Laugh and eat your heart out this weekend. Enjoy a night filled with great food, entertainment, and stand up comedy along with a raffle draw that will give you an opportunity to win exciting prizes. Pinoy Chix Restaurant +968 9913 7123
Get groovy and dance to Africa’s vibrant music before New Year’s Eve at Rumba Lattina’s African Night with DJ Sharobaro, DJ Swahili, and DJ Tooqi. Entry is OMR 5. Rumba Lattina, The Cave, Darsait +968 9695 3709
7.30pm Bollywood Night
8pm Streets of Rio
Enjoy an evening of Bollywood foot-stomping music with DJ’s Zuby & Jassy and brilliant ‘Fire - Shows’. Entry OMR 15 and 2 drinks. Al Nahda Resort Barka +968 9280 0146
Travel to the streets of Rio and ring in the New Year in Carnival-style! Samba Dancers, Brazilian Beats, Live Percussions. It’s a night full of music, dance, and fun! Get the chance to win weekend stays, trip to Dubai, and dining vouchers from The First Group. OMR 60 InterContinental Muscat +968 9137 3243
7pm The Grand Countdown Be part of an evening of exceptional entertainment, glitter, glam and non-stop music. Celebrate New Year’s Eve with your family and friends with highly energetic and world’s top entertainers who will take you to 2018 in a grand style. OMR 15. Sama Terrazza, Park Inn +968 9709 8681
Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend
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
THE INTERVIEW: You wouldn’t want to miss this Jimmy Fallon and Cardi B interview. It went viral for a reason! timesofoman.com/hiweekend
TRENDING THIS WEEK NORTH TO SOUTH: A North Korean soldier crosses the border to South Korea in a daring escape caught on camera. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
FLOODING SITUATION: A massive tropical storm causes people to evacuate immediately in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
TOP TRENDING VIDEOS: This is one of those clips that will definitely brighten up your day. Take a look at how this baby Gorilla loves to be tickled. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
TRENDING MUSIC
EMINEM MAKES HISTORY The rap mastermind made history by having his 8th studio album debuting at number one in America, consecutively.
TRENDING MOVIE
THE BELLAS ARE BACK One of the funniest musicals ever made has returned with a third flick, and it promises a great dose of laughter.
#popularhashtag
TRENDING FASHION
KIMYE’S CHRISTMAS CARD Power couple Kanye West and Kim Kardashian released a beautiful family Christmas card featuring their fashionable babies
#BoxingDay #DoctorWho #MerryChristmas
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FA S HION
NEW YEAR’S EVE WARDROBE IDEAS
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So, you’re fretting over what to wear for New Year’s Eve, are you? So did we! And then we drew up this fabulous list of 10 fashionable attires you can flaunt. (Note: We’ve kept in mind what’s trending in 2018.) STORY ANTARA BOSE
Vegan velvet jumpsuit We’ve got a valid justification for each part. Vegan because they are ethical, more durable and just as fashionable as their silk-blend counterparts; velvet because it’s the perfect comfortable fabric of the season and celebs all across are flaunting their velvets in a variety of winter apparel; and jumpsuits because they have made it to the fashion list of 2018. Following a more tomboyish trend for jumpsuits for the next year, if your idea of New Year’s Eve is more laid back than on the dance floor, this one is for you. Go for a lighter colour instead of the black or deep blues. Over-the-knee statement boots with your LBD In love with your new little black dress but don’t know how to make it look different? Forget belts, the smartest way to jazz up your look according to A-list celebs is to simply strut out in over-the-knee statement boots. Well-embellished, glittering boots are a season’s favourite. They even work excellently to keep the cold out. Phew! For once we don’t have to compromise on comfort for the sake of fashion. Gold or silver chainmail dress If you are wearing one of these, you can be certain of getting a second glance every time. Since a chainmail dress is all glitz and glamour, keep the accessories subtle. Figure-hugging chainmail dresses are evergreen, alluring, and if you don’t mind ‘shining bright like a diamond’, it’s perfect for a night out at the club. Strappy lavender long dress Quite self-explanatory, isn’t it? If you’re wondering ‘why lavender and not maroon’, it’s because lavender is the chosen colour of 2018. If you were a fan of millennial pink from 2017 (assuming you did actually get the shade right), the soft lavender should be a welcome change for this year. It’s subtle, dreamy and feminine. Pair this otherwise minimalistic strappy dress with a pair of crystal earrings, high heels, and your best smile. Layered tassels Feel like twirling around a little more on New Year’s Eve? The perfect dress for you is a layered tasseled dress that will totally enhance your every move (and make you look utterly glamorous, as well). If you like some detailing, get one with a little beadwork or other embellishments around the neckline. Chunky shoulder-grazing earrings with an off-shoulder top Gigantic earrings are set to be a fashion must-have for the next
year and what better time to bring out the most flamboyant version of these accessories than New Year’s Eve itself. Skip the necklace for this look and go for a dress or top with statement sleeves but one that will leave your shoulders bare for your exquisite earrings. If you feel a pair is too heavy to carry, by all means, wear just one and go for something simpler in the other ear. Yes, mismatched earrings are on par with the chunky trend. Sequined frock 2018 is destined to be quite dazzling with all the inclination to the shimmer and shine. If you love to follow trends, start with a sequined frock for your New Year’s Eve. Wear a pretty frock if you intend on a lot of dancing or go for a floor-sweeping gown if your event requires you to simply sit pretty. Sparkly silver top and white trousers Yes, we are beyond the ‘no whites in winters’ cliché. Whites for winters are just as soothing as they are for summers. Throw in a little sparkle and you’ve got yourself a pretty attire to show off on New Year’s Eve. The combo is especially favourable for those who don’t fancy the idea of short dresses on a winter night. Makes perfect sense. Fringed jackets Forget boring jackets that hide your lovely dress, the new fringed jackets are an item to showcase in itself. It works quite the opposite. Wear your regular top beneath and throw on a fancy fringed jacket on top. You can have the fringes just at the back or all along your sleeves for some added oomph. It’ll keep you warm while ensuring that you’re in trend too. Peek-a-boo polka dotted dress For the bold fashionistas, we bring the best of the two major fashion trends of 2018 - the evergreen polka dots coupled with the sheer fabric. Polka dots have replaced stripes according to the 2018 forecast. Layer a basic dress under a sheer cover in polka dots for a perfectly chic look. Wear it long or short according to your comfort or occasion. —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 and travel 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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TO DO L IST
Back in the days when social media sites were a thing of the future and hotmail and MSN were the only things in town, I remember receiving numerous emails on various topics including moral stories, poetry, news, but the one thing that I’d always ďŹ nd myself hooked to irrespective of who sent it or how good or bad it was, were posts on optical illusion. It had fascinated me as a 13-year-old and it continues to fascinate me as a 23-year-old.
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STORY SHRUTHI NAIR • PHOTOGRAPHY SHABIN E.
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n illusion typically described as the distortion of senses, recreationally, could range from optical illusions that can be seen on a piece of paper to larger real-life sensory simulations that can really bend your brain. Geometrical illusions are said to be caused due to a phenomenon called lateral inhibition. This means neuron in this part of the brain responds to lines and oriented in different directions and when one neuron is turned on it turns off the activity of its neighbour. This theory may not stand true for all the illusions we have and thus the ultimate cause of the illusion that most of us experience remains a mystery. And since mystery is always intriguing, the news of the Museum of Illusions coming to Oman excited me. It is a whole new world of blue and white nestled in a corner of Muscat Grand Mall. Once you enter the gate, you get engulfed into a parallel universe where things don’t make much sense and everything around you will seem magical. Surprisingly, the day I decided to go to the Museum of Illusions was a weekday and yet it was pretty busy with people of all age groups getting amused by what they were experiencing. The first room I entered was the Ames Room, where I got to be a dwarf and a giant just by walking across the room. The trapezoidal room works on the trip of perspective, where the person standing in one corner of the room appears to be a giant and the one standing in another corner appears to be a dwarf on the mirror that’s kept in the room. In fact, if the same person walks back and forth the corners, he will appear to grow and shrink. The tilted room is another strange room I entered where the ceilings, floors and walls are tilted. As a result, when you walk through the room you feel all wobbly and distorted as though you’ve been intoxicated. This room basically messes up your balance and confuses the visual signals sent to your brain. Hence, If you close your eyes and try standing you won’t feel disoriented. However, the Vortex, which was my favourite room, takes disorientation to a whole new level. This harmless room looks like a trippy dark room with a simple bridge that helps you go from point A to point B. But the 30 second walk between the 2 walks will make you question your ability to just walk. Its walls are like a circular chamber that rotates constantly with club-like lights. However, once you start walking on the bridge you will feel as though it is the bridge that you are standing on that is rotating and you will try hard to maintain your balance and stand straight. It’ll look really funny to someone who is watching you from outside but dare them to do the walk. You’ll feel like you’ve just been on a twirling roller coaster ride. There are a number of other attractions in this small space that will mess up your mind and force you to understand why this is happening. The infinity room and the kaleidoscope play with mirrors make you go ‘woah’ at the power of the ordinary object in your house that you use everyday. There are a number of geometric and photography illusions adorning every part of the wall of the Museum of Illusions. There is not one space that you can look at which won’t make you ask ‘how?’ or ‘why?’. You will also find holograms and stereograms, like the ones you occasionally come across on Facebook but to experience it on paper is totally worth it. There are also a number of brain teasers and puzzles, which could take you hours to solve and if you have a competitive streak in you might just end spending a lot of time on them. Experience the bewilderment of uncertainly and mystery in the Museum of Illusions. —shruthi@timesofoman.com
Adult: OMR 4.900 Children (5-15 years): OMR 3.500 Family ticket: OMR 13.000 Saturday till Wednesday 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Thursday & Friday 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
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DINING
New Year’s Eve Dining Special: Meat and Greet at Laval STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY SALEM AFIFI
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t’s sort of typical to think of dancing and partying when we hear these words: New Year’s Eve. But there are a bunch of us who you’d probably find sitting at a party, by the table nearest to the buffet with a massive plate full of soon-to-be-devoured delicious, chef specialties. Yes, I like my NYE blasting with loud music but also accompanied with food that will add sparkles to my party experience. This year I am taking you to Laval Restaurant and Lounge, where a lavish French-inspired buffet with all your favourite meat cuts and a lot more will be served. Buckle up, it’s going to be a meaty ride. I have an unconditional love for meaty escapades, and at Laval is where I go to get my absolute favourite fix. This time around, I had the pleasure of meeting sous chef Gerald Vibal who promised to dish up juicy flavours as we countdown to midnight. I sat at the rooftop terrace overlooking the Ghala Golf course in full anticipation mode, waiting to have a sample bite from their upcoming buffet. The place will be serving a variety of dishes with fish and chicken (which are tasty as well) but I had a carnivorous craving that needed attention. Luckily, Gerald cooked up a storm at Laval’s kitchen and prepared a number of plates full of his succulent creations. As he began describing the dishes, my stomach growls surfaced; overloaded with excitement. I kick-started the feasting session with grilled and then baked eggplant rolls, filled with creamy feta cheese, and glazed with
pomegranate reduction and a hint of olive oil. The dish was impeccable, the soft, rich-in-flavour, slightly sweet flesh of the eggplant mixed with the creamy taste of feta is to die for. After savouring the starter, my proteins started flying off the kitchen and into my table. I was surrounded with a blend of fire-kissed, braised, and smoked aromas. The first plate came in with a tender, eight-hours-braised New Zealand lamb shank, laid on creamy Polenta and delicious lamb jus. The dish was superb. You can have it with your rice if you need to have some carbs with it, but to truly experience the juiciness of this dish, have it by itself - Just perfect. For the second dish, I dived into fork-tender cheeks of Australian grain-fed beef, braised for eight hours, and served with beef jus, mash potatoes, and corn succotash. This was an absolute joy to savour. I had one bite after another, giving my taste buds a fleshy treat to remember. The dish was super tender and full of juices. Not to be missed. By the time the third dish came out, my stomach was begging for mercy, but I had my sleeves rolled up and ready for more meat. You cannot walk into Laval and leave without trying their steaks. I tried their Rib Eye, which was marinated in garlic; fresh thyme; crushed peppercorns; and olive oil, finished with Maldon Smoked Sea Salt. The steak was cooked and served just the way I like it, moist and perfectly rare. Now, the star of the show was the smoked US Beef Ribs, marinated with an in-house barbecue rub for twenty four hours, and slowly smoked with hickory chips for another six-
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teen hours. I think you’d figure that this was the pinnacle of my meaty escapade at Laval. The smoky, slightly crispy exterior added a tonne of character to this glorious dish. A must-try for barbecue lovers. As I struggled to finish my succulent rib, a cocoa-filled dessert was placed on the table. It was ‘Death by Chocolate’, a dessert made of layers of various chocolates, coated with chocolate ganache, and served with chocolate fondue. This is a dreamcome-true treat for all chocoholics, and a nice way to end my tasting session. Overall, I truly had an amazing time at Laval, and as usual, their food is excellent, quality-wise and quantity, too. For New Year’s Eve, you are promised to have a wonderful evening with a buffet spread and a DJ to keep you and your loved ones entertained throughout the night as the clock hits midnight. Why not welcome 2018 with good vibes, great music, and a full stomach? Be there and thank me later. — salim@timesofoman.com Welcome 2018 at Laval with Winter Glitz extravaganza, which includes Gala Dinner at 7pm (OMR70 per guest), and a rooftop party at 9pm (OMR45 per guest). Dress code: Formal. Laval Restaurant and Lounge Ghala, Bousher +968 2450 5112
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SIX SENSES ZIGHY BAY OMANI HOSPITALITY PAR EXCELLENCE
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Musandam. It’s a name like no other I’ve heard of. Until very recently, it wasn’t a place I’d been to either. I’ve been in Oman for 27 years, but had never had an opportunity to travel to this exotic sounding region. To me, the name ‘Musandam’ conjures up memories of a land that is mysterious yet proud, ancient yet noble. STORY GAUTAM VISWANATHAN • PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED
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hen I did get the chance to go there, though, it wasn’t one I was going to pass up in a hurry, not, at the very least, when Oman’s most prestigious resort asks you to drop by. Because just like Musandam, Six Senses Zighy Bay is also a world like no other. Located on the far reaches of the town of Dibba, which is split, by the way, between three governments – Oman, Sharjah and Fujairah – Six Senses Zighy Bay named after the secluded village it is situated next to, over the daunting mountains of Musandam, on the other side of a wadi. Getting there may have been tedious, but I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, it was so, so worth it. Six Senses Zighy Bay have earned their place as the best resort in the Sultanate of Oman because of the superb hospitality they are now known for, and are surely the gold standard in luxury tourism. The Journey It’d taken quite a while for me to assemble this most memorable of journeys together, but as the old adage goes, nothing that’s
ever worth doing is ever easy. Nurhayati Mohamad – SSZB’s super-friendly and awesomely lovely manager of communications – had developed an excellent working relationship with me since I had returned to Muscat from my two years in Dubai, and having heard so much – all of it good, I promise you – I couldn’t help but go all aflutter when invited to check out this awesome property. My bestie (who after this point will be named bestie) and I piled all of our stuff into our four-wheel drive – lent to us that morning by the good folks at Sixt Rent-a-Car, part of the Travel Point tourism network in Oman – and we set off on this epic 400 kilometre journey, with the sun at our backs and hope (and our GPS system) pointing the way forward. As evening turned to night, we’d had to navigate the dangerous hair-pin bends and precipices of the mountain path into Zighy Bay, negotiating it at no more than 20kph, with no guardrail and only the occasional light to guide our way, but as we trundled into the welcoming gates of the resort, there was a certain intangible, excitable rush we felt at what we’d accomplished, and what lay ahead.
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SIXT RENT A CAR While it was indeed a memorable journey to Musandam and Six Senses Zighy Bay, it would not have been possible without the aid of the good folks at Sixt Rent a Car, part of the Travel Point umbrella of tour operations, which offer excellent tourism services to residents and tourists who are looking to explore the Sultanate. Sixt Rent a Car operate a wide variety of vehicles, ranging from stately saloon cars and sedans for those who are looking for a luxury trip, to more rugged and hardy 4x4s, which are capable of completing even the most arduous of journeys. They are also known for their excellent customer service: not only where they very prompt when it came to providing us with Toyota Prado for our journey to Musandam, they were also very quick to act when our vehicle unfortunately developed a minor hitch on the way back to Muscat. In a matter of minutes, they’d gotten in touch with the Toyota Service Centre in Oman-controlled Dibba, and also organised a transport truck for us, from the UAE side of the town. Sixt also sent us a replacement vehicle, which wasn’t necessary in the end, because we were able to fix the 4x4 quite easily in the end, but that shows the extent to which Sixt do things the right way. To hire a vehicle from Sixt Rent a Car, call +968 2451 0224 or email them at sixtottb@omantel.net.om SIX SENSES ZIGHY BAY Located in Oman’s northern Governorate of Musandam, Six Senses Zighy Bay is an exclusive luxury resort nestled among Dibba’s wilderness, flanked by craggy mountain peaks on one side and the sparkling, clear blue sea on the other. All of Zighy Bay’s villas come equipped with private pools, and visitors have a choice of booking villas that either face the beach, the spa, or the resort’s vast pool. Rate for one night: Approx. $1,155 to 1,800 (OMR 450 to 600) Getting there: Six Senses Zighy Bay is located after the Omani town of Dibba in Musandam. Road journeys from Muscat to Dibba will take you through the UAE and require proper travel documents. SSZB also operate car services from Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Resort Amenities: The resort is home to three restaurants, a bar, a spa, the GCC’s only saltwater pool, and a vast swimming pool for guest use, in addition to several other entertainment options, and free Wi-Fi. Contact: To enquire about reservations, call +968 2673 5555 or email reservations-zighy@sixsenses.com
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The Experience Our guide, Julius, and his colleagues, excellent hosts that they are, quickly ushered us deeper into the twinkling fairy lights that gave the resort a gentle glow, and deposited us at our twostorey villa. The resort is meant to reflect the rich culture and tradition of the Sultanate of Oman, which has been an icon of Arabian trade and commerce and civilisation for millennia, and Six Senses Zighy Bay has reflected that to brilliant detail. Styled in the form of an Omani village, complete with mountaintop fortresses and its own organic farms and apiaries, what we were about to experience in Zighy Bay would surpass any other holiday I’ve been on. The outside of our villas may have been quaint and rustic, but its gorgeously crafted interiors were anything but: spotlessly linen sheets covered beseechingly soft bed, its small mound of cloud-like pillows only further tempting me to abandon all pretence of propriety and jump headfirst into an otherworldly land of bliss. The question, though, would soon be not when to jump, but where: Beckoning me from beyond the expansive wood-andglass windows of the villa was our very own private pool, its water shimmering and dancing in the playful moonlight. And if that wasn’t enough, a hand-hewn sandstone-crafted bathtub, which could comfortably seat me (and a bit more) complete with Jacuzzi nozzles awaited me in the far recesses of the room. How could I choose between that, and the rustic, yet modern, outdoor shower unit?
That, however, would have to wait. A more basic necessity would have to be fulfilled. Six Senses Zighy Bay, though, don’t do basic, even when it came to the sumptuous dinner we eagerly headed towards. Themed nights are all the rage at SSZB, and we were glad to show up on Arabian night. The sheer scale of what was to follow cannot be sufficiently described in words, but I will try my best. A good third of the Spice Market restaurant had been reserved for just salads. To adequately sum up the fare on offer, I’d require to use a globe and a set of pins, because salads from every nation had been beautifully and bounteously presented to all of Zighy Bay’s diners, and if it wasn’t presented, the courteous chef Ramcharan and his colleague Nina ensured that it would be: bestie wanted a Caesar salad, and it took but a few minutes for his lovingly whipped-up request to be deftly placed, with an accompanying shanklish cheese wrap. We couldn’t fill up on salads, though: that meant there’d be no room for their super-succulent main course, a variety of meats so tender and juicy you couldn’t help but scarf them down, curious stares from fellow onlookers be damned, only pausing to practically inhale the flavourful rice and pasta on offer. Bestie and I were stuffed, but you know what they say: there’s always room for dessert, and with such an eclectic offering of sweet delicacies, how could I say no to English apple crumble, Arabian Umm Ali, Fudgy brownies and creamy custard, and the most wonderful of baked confections?
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As we meandered back to our room, I couldn’t help but feeling that I had forgotten something. And then, in wondrous elation, it hit me. I’d left my troubles behind, on the other side of the mountains of Musandam, and as the clock struck midnight and I lazily paddled my way around our private pool, I couldn’t help but feel that this was a feeling of such wonderful bliss that I just didn’t want to let go of. After a most sound sleep, as I lay soaking in my Jacuzzi the next morning, I contemplated what needed to be done first: would it be the GCC’s only saltwater pool we’d check out, or the stunning spa that offered the most relaxing of massages? Bestie went one way, I went the other, as we took in the gorgeous greenery and natural beauty that made Zighy Bay a place you never wanted to leave. ‘Natural’ sums up everything Zighy Bay do: the resort has been designed not to exist alongside nature, but in tandem with it: all of the materials are sourced locally, the water you drink is made from their sustainable plant, and nothing is wasted. Broken glass is not thrown away, but melted down and re-made into something more wondrous. It is an ethos that highlight the Six Senses brand’s commitment to sustainable tourism in more ways than one. After a leisurely lunch of the finest Angus beef burger, replete with fries and a tantalisingly tasty cocktail, I was ready for one of my most treasured holiday traditions: the afternoon nap. I remember going to bed in the afternoon, but it took several gentle taps from bestie to wake me up, as he very kindly told me I’d slept well into the evening. After a good hour (or three) spent in Zighy Bay’s vast rock-cut swimming pool, we’d developed a rather healthy appetite for dinner, which today featured some of the most exotic seafood fare I’d ever seen. You wouldn’t think we’d be capable of a repeat dining performance, but bestie and I surprised ourselves once again. How could we not, when the awesome staff at the Spice Market kept effortlessly whipping up custom-made dishes for us to taste? The Hospitality Having decided to skip breakfast the previous day – one can never have too much of a good thing after all – bestie and I decided to go all out and dig in to a sumptuous smorgasbord before making our long journey back to Muscat. Over fresh fruit, Nutella and honey crepes, fresh-made shakshuka and some carrot cake oatmeal which only scratched the surface of the breakfast buffet, bestie and I made plans to depart this hidden paradise. Little did we know, though, that fate had other plans in store for us. As we began the climb up the mountain, our 4WD seemed to meet with a hitch, and we were unable to go forward. To get service technicians to such a remote place would take time, and that is when Zighy Bay showed us the true value of hospitality. Not only did they go out of their way to fetch technicians and a service lorry from the UAE side of Dibba, they also unhesitatingly put us up for yet another night, at no charge. While Nurhayati and Julius made sure we wanted for nothing in attempt to reduce our very obvious anxiety, resort management also made several trips across the mountain to ensure we’d be able to travel at the earliest. While this was happening, the good folks at Sixt Rent a Car also sent us a replacement vehicle which would reach us the next day, should we require it. We did stay the night – enjoying a magnificent Indian thali that evening – and as I headed back to the Omani mainland, I couldn’t help but feel that I had been taught a lesson in treating people not just the proper way, but the right way, an ethos that certainly sums up the honourable, memorable, hospitable way in which Six Senses Zighy Bay treats everyone. An experience that will stay with me for a long, long time. — gautam@timesofoman.com
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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 2 DECEMBER 28, 2017
THE GREATEST SHOWMAN “The Greatest Showman” is a bold and original musical that celebrates the birth of show business and the sense of wonder we feel when dreams come to life. Inspired by the ambition and imagination of P.T. Barnum, “The Greatest Showman” tells the story of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a mesmerising spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. “The Greatest Showman” is directed by exciting new filmmaker, Michael Gracey, with songs by Academy Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land) and starring Academy Award nominee Hugh Jackman. Cast: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya Running At: Vox Oman, City Cinemas
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 2 DECEMBER 28, 2017
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OTHER RELEASES THIS WEEK
HOSTILES Cast: Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, Ben Foster, Wes Studi, Adam Beach, Jesse Plemons, Rory Cochrane, and Q’orianka Kilcher
JACKALS Cast: Deborah Kara Unger, Chelsea Ricketts, Stephen Dorff, Johnathon Schaech, Alyssa Julya Smith, and Nick Roux
Hostiles is a 2017 period western film written and directed by Scott Cooper, based on an original story by Donald E. Stewart, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of the 1982 film Missing. The film takes place in 1892, and follows an army captain who is tasked with escorting a dying Cheyenne war chief and his family back to their tribal lands.
After the Powells hire a cult deprogrammer to take back their teenage son from a murderous cult, they find themselves under siege when the cultists surround their cabin, demanding the boy back.
BLEEDING STEEL Cast: Jackie Chan, Show Lo, Nana Ou Yang, Callan Mulvey, and Tess Haubrich
CROOKED HOUSE Cast: Christina Hendricks, Gillian Anderson, Glenn Close, and Honor Kneafsey
IP MAN 3 Cast: Donnie Yen, Lynn Hung, Jin Zhang, Mike Tyson, and Patrick Tam
Thirteen years ago, Lindong, an UNSS agent, was involved in a Witness Protection Mission, leaving his dying daughter behind. 13 years later, Lindong has gone abroad, living a quiet life. But the publication of the new sci-fi novel shatters his peaceful existence.
In Agatha Christie’s most twisted tale, a spy-turnedprivate-detective is lured by his former lover to catch her grandfather’s murderer before Scotland Yard exposes dark family secrets.
When a band of brutal gangsters led by a crooked property developer make a play to take over a local school, Master Ip is forced to take a stand.
PITCH PERFECT 3 Cast: Anna Kendrick, Ruby Rose, and Brittany Snow Following their win at the world championship, the now separated Bellas reunite for one last singing competition at an overseas USO tour, but face a group who uses both instruments and voices.
COMING SOON INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY Cast: Kirk Acevedo, Spencer Locke, and Josh Stewart
AWAR QALB Cast: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali and Neven Madi, and Marwa Rateb
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HI WEEKLY
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 2 DECEMBER 28, 2017
Under the auspices of HH Sayidda Afraa bint Talal Al Said, Dar Al Atta’a announced the winners of the 6th edition of its Big Give Competition that targets local university and college students.
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Darsait Church organised Christmas celebrations on Christmas Eve. – Photos by Purushothaman K.
Indian Embassy celebrates Christmas with Indian Christian community in Muscat.
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 2 DECEMBER 28, 2017
HI WEEKLY
JMT Events and Soul of Muscat in association with Oman Cancer Association organised a grand mega event ‘Together We Can’. – Photos by Purushothaman K.
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Grand opening of 4-bedroom private pool luxury apartments at Grand Millennium Al Ghubra.
Christmas dinner hosted by Pakistani community in Oman was held at Tulip Inn Hotel in Ruwi.
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HI WEEKLY
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 2 DECEMBER 28, 2017
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
8 3
5
8
3
9 4
6
8
1
5
3
6
1
2
8 4
6
1
6
8
4
6
5
8
4 5
1
7
2
9
4
3 3
5
9
6
7
9
1
7
7
3
8 4
2
8
5
1
5 3
1
9
Medium
7 9
8
7 8 4
6 3 2
Easy
6
7
THIS WEEK’S SOLUTIONS
9 6
8
2
3
3
9
2 2
6 9
7 Difficult
7
6 4
Level | Difficult
5
4
7
7
5
1
1
8
6
7
8
3
4
8
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 78 J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 7
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