Hi weekly 8 12 2016 by Muscat Media Group

OMAN’S LARGEST CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 46,760 COPIES

VOL 10 ISSUE 48 / DECEMBER 8, 2016

OFF THE BEATEN PATH IN MASIRAH PAGE 20

THIS WEEK IN OMAN

GET THE KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

SAVOUR A NEW FLAVOUR

The winter holiday season is a great time to get the whole family in the kitchen for some creative culinary fun. PAGE 12

Maya Restaurant is turning out some of the most creative South Asian nibbles and sophisticated drinks in town. PAGE 14

HAVE A NIGHT OUT A memorable evening out needs to have four things: Fantastic food, great ambiance, super music, and the right company. Laval has the first three covered (friends are byo). PAGE 16

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 48 DECEMBER 8, 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 Research/Copy Editor Ashish Dubash shruthi@timesofoman.com

ashishdubash@timesofoman.com

Associate Editors Salim Hamood Al Afifi Shruthi Nair Digital Editor Gautam Bhargav Viswanathan

salim@timesofoman.com gautam@timesofoman.com

Chief Creative Officer Adonis Durado 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 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 Geri B. Sonny Photography by Mehdi Taghavi For general inquiries or comments: HiWeekend@timesofoman.com

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THE WEEKEND LINEUP

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 48 DECEMBER 8, 2016

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

THURSDAY 7:00pm Kick-off Christmas Season It’s that time of the year again when you can wear your favourite Christmas jumper without feeling out of place. Local holiday festivities are kicking off at the Hyatt Safari Rooftop with a traditional Christmas dinner buffet. OMR35 per person. Grand Hyatt +968 2464 1234 muscat.grand.hyatt.com

FRIDAY 8:00am Have a Fitness Friday Horizon Fitness is hosting a pre-marathon workout session this Friday that is open to all and free of cost. The workout begins at 9am, but if you arrive between 8am and 9am, you will score a free T-shirt. Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex +968 2439 0427

2:30pm Watch ‘em Drift 10:00am Go to the Vroom Show The Oman International Motorshow opens this weekend, showcasing the latest car models, auto parts, and accessories at the Convention Centre. Go in the morning or after 4.30pm from December 7-10.

Attend the ﬁnals of the much talked-about Red Bull Car Park Drift and watch the drivers compete for the title of ‘Ultimate King of Drift’. Port Sultan Qaboos, Muttrah redbull.com

Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre +968 9259 7610 motorshow-oman.com

Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 48 DECEMBER 8, 2016

SATURDAY 10:00am Woof Woof Treat John and Tanya of Wadi Wranglers will be introducing various breeds of dogs, including wadi dogs, up for adoption. Participants will receive funny gifts and freshly baked cakes. Al Qurum Veterinary Clinic +968 2412 1171

10:00am Good News, Geeks Great news for comic book, TV and video game fans: The IGN Convention is landing in Oman this weekend with all kinds of events, tournaments, cosplay, and special guests including Hodor from Game of Thrones. Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre +968 2434 6200 ignconvention.com/oman

6:00pm Take in a Show The Muscat Singers and Muscat Brass will be performing their Night of Winter Sounds at TAISM. Tickets OMR3. Bosch Centre for Performing Arts, TAISM +968 9571 6557 PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 48 DECEMBER 8, 2016

STAR WARS:REBELS WITH GAUTAM BHARGAV VISWANATHAN

FIVE TO TRY LUXURY CROSSOVERS TO TEST DRIVE BMW X4 Is BMW X6 a bit out of your budget? How about its baby sister, the X4? Since BMW entered the sporty SUV market, the German brand has been among the best with rides that rock stunning looks, powerful engines, and classic BMW interiors. Al Jenaibi International Automobiles +968 2456 7108

PORSCHE MACAN TURBO The Porsche Macan is super fast, super elegant, and super sporty, and when it comes to a sophisticated interior design, Porsche leads the way on so many levels. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a hardcore car fan and have seen the Fast and Furious movies, then treat yourself with a test drive of the Macan Turbo. Porsche Centre Oman. Al Ghubra +968 2449 2544

LAND ROVER EVOQUE CONVERTIBLE A convertible SUV? This compact luxury SUV is a totally headturner with its ability to go topless. With the classic Land Rover off-road capabilities, it is ideal for going dune bashing (with the top on) and then cruising in town and by the beach for an absolutely enjoyable, breezy experience. Mohsin Haider Darwish, Azaiba +968 2452 3200

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PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

t’s only human to want to know more about a subject you’re interested in, and Star Wars fans will surely want to know how Emperor Palpatine’s transformation of the Galactic Republic into the Empire affected the trillions of people across the galaxy. Star Wars: Rebels is set 14 years after the events of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, and plots the course of events that led to the formation of the Rebel Alliance as they grow in strength and attempt to take on the Empire from the shadows. Taking plenty of leaves from the notebook that saw its predecessor The Clone Wars become such a success among lovers of the Star Wars franchise, Rebels puts us in the hot seat of a fledgling group of fighters on the run from the Empire, who are scouring the galaxy looking to exterminate every last Jedi. Unbeknown to them, though, this group of fighters contains Kainan Jarrus, one of the last Jedi in existence, and his young apprentice Ezra Bridger, the hero of the story, who is looking to join the Rebel Alliance. There’s just one problem: They can’t seem to find them. Until, that is, they are rescued by the Rebels, with the Empire hot on their heels.

MASERATI LEVANTE The most anticipated luxury SUV is ﬁnally here in Oman, the 2017 Maserati Levante. The ride is a joy to even look at, offering its elegant, sporty exterior beauty, backed zesty power, and a lot of woody and leathered-up options adorning the interior. Take it for a spin and experience true Italian performance. Al Fardan Motors, Azaiba +968 2452 3014

A leading member of the Alliance is Ahsoka Tano, the former protégé of Anakin Skywalker. Her master makes an appearance too, albeit in a far more sinister form. Rebels documents the first time Darth Vader’s powers are put to the test, and even though they are yet to be fully unleashed by the Empire, his powers are still extremely fearsome to behold. Although Rebels does try to inject some slapstick humour into its gritty storyline, the grimness of the situation is largely offset by the excellent animation, once again provided by Star Wars creator George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic setup. While some might consider it to be a tad more serious than its predecessor, few animated shows have done as much justice to capturing the moments and emotions on the small screen as Rebels has. And it’s in the details that Rebels provides so much suspense and drama, interspersed with some thrilling action and daredevil flying. At its very core, the show is about the underdog fighting against the big guys. We all love stories like that, don’t we? The ones that see the little guy standing up to the playground bully and getting in a few punches of his own. Rebels may be an excellently packaged, slick piece of entertainment, but there are plenty of lessons the show imparts. Less tangible qualities, such as perseverance, determination, and a desire to never give up are all strongly emphasised through the characters on screen, who are always there for their teammates when the going gets tough. Star Wars: Rebels may have taken place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, but it is a brilliantly conceived show that makes us feel right at home as we connect with one of the best science-fiction franchises on Earth. —gautam@timesofoman.com

The Short and Skinny Name: Star Wars: Rebels Genre: Sci-fi/Anime/Action Producer: Lucasfilm Animation What’s it About: Soon after the rise of the Galactic Empire, a brave band of rebels decide to take a stand against injustice and search the galaxy for a cause greater than their own. Network: Disney XD (find it on iTunes, Youtube, Amazon Prime) Starring: Freddy Prinze Jr., Taylor Gray, Tiya Sircar, Steven Blum, Vanessa Marshall IMDB Rating: 8.0/10

JAGUAR F-PACE Jaguar has always been known as a sexy car, from its styling to its exterior beauty, and now they introduced their ﬁrst ever SUV that’s stylishly iconic with its taillight, powerful engine, roomy interior and cabin, and most importantly fast, too. Mohsin Haider Darwish, Azaiba +968 2452 3200

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 48 DECEMBER 8, 2016

TO D

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STORY FELICIA CAMPBELL

undreds of years ago, long wooden poles were used to aid performers in their acrobatic dance acts in both China and in India, and in the 1920s, European circus acts employed them as part of their entertaining routines. In America, in the late 1960s, these performances moved indoors where female dancers used ďŹ xed steel or brass poles for their routines to entertain a primarily male audience. The sport took a seedy turn over the following decades, but by the 1990s instructors had started teaching the acrobatic dance as a recreational sport, and by the early 2000s, the classes had become wildly popular as the fun activity was found to be a sensational way to tone and strengthen the body. Many women also found the feminine moves to be a great boost to their self-esteem and conďŹ dence. Nowadays, celebrities from Madonna to Korean pop groups have incorporated pole routines into their performances, semi-professional international competitions take place around

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 48 DECEMBER 8, 2016 TRY POLE FITNESS IN OMAN Rock & Rhythm Nusa’s Private Studio, Bousher +968 9857 7728 (whatsapp) Introduction to pole (three classes), OMR12 Pay-per-class, OMR5 Unlimited monthly, OMR40 Unlimited 3 months, OMR120 Unlimited 6 months, OMR180 Current Schedule Wednesday, 5:30-6:00pm Intro to Pole Series Monday, 5pm-6pm Beginner/ Intermediate Thursday 6pm-7pm Beginner/ Intermediate Pole Fit Muscat facebook.com/poleﬁtmuscat Pay-per-class, OMR7 At Wijdan Fitness Studio Al Khoud +968 9787 9997, 9766 3377 @Wijdan.om Current Schedule Monday, 7pm-8pm Beginner Pole Class Tuesday, 7pm-8pm Introduction Class Wednesday, 7pm-8pm Beginner Pole Class At Innerchi Centre Qurum, +968 9617 3181 @innerchi_centre Current Schedule: Sunday, 8pm-9pm Introduction Class Thursday, 8pm-9pm Beginner Class

the world, and the International Pole Sport Federation is campaigning to have pole dancing added to the Olympic Games as an official sport. The ﬁtness craze has been popular in Dubai for years, with pole studios scattered all over the city, but it took a bit longer to catch-on here in Oman. Thanks to pioneer instructors like Muscat-native, Nusaiba Al Maskari, the trend is now taking the Sultanate by storm. While men have started taking up the sport in other countries, in Oman, pole ﬁtness is a ladiesonly affair with classes offered at ladies’ gyms in Al Khoud and Qurum, as well as in a small group training setting at Nusa’s private studio in Bousher. The classes begin with some stretching, a few pushups and sit-ups and some light joggingin-place to warm up the body. Then it’s time to approach the pole. During beginner classes, the instructor goes over safety and teaches a few basic moves, like walking around the pole, “sitting” on the pole, climbing, and spins, all of which are far more challenging than they sound.

The time flies as participants spin, sometimes awkwardly, and laugh. It is an encouraging, non-competitive environment, and at the end of the session, be sure your arms and core will be burning. Bruises and some chaffing are normal battle wounds for beginning spinners, as it takes time to get the technique down. And skin-to-pole contact is a must to prevent slipping and sliding, so shorts and a tank-top are the recommended attire. The more advanced classes cover things like the famed “inversion” for which the athlete turns herself upside-down on the pole. After taking the mandatory introductory class or classes, pole sessions are available on a drop-in basis, so you can pay for classes as you go rather than signing up for a membership. Pole is a great way to break-up a tired workout routine, start getting fit for the first time, or just spend an evening doing something entirely different with the girls. Toned arms and sassy post-class swagger come standard. — felicia@timesofoman.com

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 48 DECEMBER 8, 2016

MUSCAT PARENT

B R I N G

O U T T H E L I T T L E

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 48 DECEMBER 8, 2016

STORY SWATI DASGUPTA

one are the days when children would just peep into the kitchen and simply ask, what’s cooking mom? With so many TV shows focusing on children’s culinary skills, many kids are now eager to take over the kitchen themselves. And why not? The natural curiosity of childhood is a great way to introduce this life skill, one which I believe everyone should have enough knowledge of to be able to put together a meal for themselves. From learning to measure and mix to knowing the right proportions to making a shopping list, getting kids in the kitchen from a young age not only helps kids learn a multitude of cooking techniques, it also arms them with a strong foundation of cooking, shopping, and nutritional basics. Beyond cooking for survival sake, research has proven that cooking helps children develop right from infancy, when the simple sound of the blender can stimulate their brains, to doing simple tasks like pouring and mixing as a toddler, which helps them develop ﬁne motor skills. Once children are able to master the basics, they can take it up a notch as they learn chopping techniques, baking, and eventually, how to cook an entire meal without assistance. It’s never too late or too early to begin, according to Jenny Chandler, author of the cookbook Cool Kids Cook. “Encourage kids to hang out in the kitchen as you cook and hand them jobs like shaping falafel, mashing avocados, or podding peas,” she suggests. She believes that children should be involved from the planning and shopping stage of cooking, and even allowed to make some choices.

BOOK A COOKING CLASS The Crafty Kitchen Madinat Sultan Qaboos +968 2469 6660 thecraftykitchen.com

“Practice is important and children must be allowed to do so till they gain confidence,” she advised, adding that parents should encourage their children to experiment with new flavours, but keep in mind that the most important thing is that the entire experience should be fun, without too much stress on perfecting the dishes or cleaning up the mess, as this can sap creativity. Cooking can help with academic development too, from reinforcing simple math concepts like doubling-up an ingredient or halving a recipe, which requires addition, multiplication, and division, to developing comprehension skills by reading recipes and following the instructions step by step. A host of cooking classes are offered at The Crafty Kitchen for both adults and children throughout the year and the ones for children are all introductory and fun, while the ones for adults range from discovering the kitchen to exploring different cuisines from around the globe to specialised classes focusing on specific techniques. “The Crafty Kitchen has designed these classes so children can learn all the ‘ins-andouts’ of a professional kitchen whilst having fun. Soon enough, they’ll be master chefs themselves,” said Chef Ali, a culinary instructor at Crafty Kitchen. Winter break is just round the corner and so is Christmas, which makes it the perfect time to enrol kids in confidence-boosting cooking classes. The Crafty Kitchen is offering a range of Christmas cooking classes for children, including courses on making edible gifts, short breads, fruit cakes, and cup cakes with Christmas themes. While courses are normally segregated into various groups according to age, for the holiday season, they are also offering family classes covering Gingerbread Houses, mince pies, gingerbread biscuits, and sugared hazelnuts. Getting kids in the kitchen is great for developing the life-long, joyful skill of making a meal, wonderful for their cognitive development, and, best of all, it is a great way to create new traditions as you spend quality family time together around the stove. —swati@timesofoman.com

CHILDREN’S COOKING CLASSES Sweet Christmas Delights OMR15 per person December 22, from 4pm- 6pm Family Gingerbread House Workshop OMR26 for two December 13, from 4pm-7pm, and December 23, from 9am-12pm (These are family classes but children can attend them alone too. One can also enrol in any of the private classes that are run periodically.)

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DINING UPDATE

MAYA’S MAGIC STORY HI EDITORIAL TEAM • PHOTOGRAPHY SALIM AL AFIFI

Wellness Editor’s Pick: Raw Mango and Basil Salad Raw mango salad is a delicious meal accompaniment. The tart, fresh ﬂavours not only balance the richness of the other dishes, they also cleanse the palate between courses. Loaded with tangy, pickled raw mango, crisp lettuce, and sweet pomegranate seeds, this is a wonderfully refreshing accompaniment to the meal. OMR 2

Dining Editor’s Pick: Crispy Hung Curd Kebabs For starters we enjoyed a plethora of options, but the crispy hung curd kebabs stole my heart. Crispy on the outside, the centre was soft, melt-in-the-mouth hung curd mixed with light spices and ﬁnely chopped coriander — a fabulous, modern take on paneer, a traditional Indian classic. OMR 2

Nightlife Editor’s Pick: Smoked Hay Tamarind Potato Here’s a riddle for you: What is the most delicious thing in Oman served in a smoking cocktail glass? I’ll tell you, it’s the Smoked Hay Tamarind Potato, a martini glass served with burning hay puffing away from the centre of a pile of delicious tandoori-style baby potatoes smothered in tamarind sauce and chilli. Wowsa. OMR 2

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We returned to Maya, the colourful, modern Indian restaurant at The Cave Complex for our editors’ lunch this week. There, we discovered new favourites along with menu classics, which were as entertaining to look at as they were delicious to eat. Our lunch reminded us of why this distinctive restaurant remains one of our go-to spots for a lively night-out. Below ﬁnd a few menu items that you won’t want to miss.— hiweekend@timesofoman.com

BOOK YOUR CULINARY MAGIC SHOW MAYA RESTAURANT The Cave Complex, Darsait +968 9469 5055 mayarestobar.com @MayaLoungeOman Hours: Thursday-Friday, 12pm-4pm, 7pm-2am Saturday-Wednesday, 12-4pm, 7pm-midnight

Entertainment Editor’s Pick: The Amazing Beverages The Lantern The name of this new-age Indian restaurant infuses whispers of mysticism and wonder, and its serving style only goes to heighten the effect. Cradled inside the bracket of a lantern, which in and of itself evokes memories of a bygone era, is a drink that lightens the mood of the drinker almost immediately. A refreshingly zesty combination of cherryinfused orange juice and tangy marmalade dances on the palate, drawing away the day’s fatigue, bearing promises of many more scrumptious experiences to come. OMR 3

Fashion Editor’s Pick: Firanghi Dal Makhani Being a dal fan, savouring Maya’s Firanghi Dal Makhani was an absolute joy, as it is, without a doubt, the best version of the dish I’ve had in town. The creamy, buttery lentil-based curry is cooked overnight on a tandoor, then ﬁnished off with a dash of Maya’s secret spices. I enjoyed my makhani without any protein on the side; just me, my dal, and some guilt-inducing, but oh-so-worth-it crispy, butter-spread naan—yum. OMR 3

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Executive Editor’s Pick: Butter Chicken Dilli Wala This creamy dish always reminds me of the classic western comfort food, tomato soup. Maybe that’s because I’m usually far more interested in the richly-spiced gravy than the chicken blanketed underneath. Maya’s self-described, Old Delhi style chicken cooked in makhni gravy, has a particularly luscious sauce, which I was just as happy to sop-up with butter naan as I was eating it atop the smoky tandoori chicken that came bathed in it. OMR 4

Maya Manga The restaurant may be new-age Indian, but in the Maya Manga, the mixologists have opened a tantalising door into the subcontinent’s culinary past. Initially introduced by the Portuguese upon arrival on India’s western shores, this delicious blend of raw mango, sweet lime, roasted cumin, and salt perfectly bridges India’s cultural heritage and culinary legacy. Maya’s version is a beverage that goes a long way in stoking the appetite for an evening of indulgence—a a perfect aperitif. OMR 3

Family Editor’s Pick: Chemmeen Semiya The playfully crunchy prawn rolls called Chemmeen Semiya, come skewered and ready to dunk in a spicy-sweetsour chili sauce. The golden vermicelli coating adds extra crispiness to the ﬂavourful prawn mince, which has been fried to utter perfection. OMR 5

Dining Editor’s Pick: Sweet Finishes Avocado Kulfi, Paan Kulfi, and Passion Fruit Phirni We were presented with a trio of sumptuous desserts to end our feast: Creamy avocado kulfi, flavour-packed paan kulfi, and a delicate, rich passion fruit infused phirni, the combination of which ensured we ended our delicious culinary journey on a very happy note. OMR 2.5 each

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MEET ME IN THE “VALLEY” STORY SHRUTHI NAIR PHOTOGRAPHY SALIM AL AFIFI

NIGHT PHOTOGRAPH: BADER AL LAWATI, COURTESY OF LAVAL

ne busy Friday night, my colleagues and I found ourselves in celebration mode and desperately in need of a really cool place to blow-off some steam after a particularly stressful week at work. But where? We began brainstorming. Ideas ﬂew like snowballs until someone mentioned the massive billboard that sits on the Expressway, unavoidably visible to anyone driving towards Ghala. It simply says “Laval” with an arrow pointing to the left. I’d heard great reviews about the place, and after a bit more discussion, we decided it was well worth checking out for ourselves. I got a bit turned around after exiting in Ghala, but eventually found a small service road and followed it towards the trippy glow of lights at the distance. As I got closer, I realised that the lights were emanating from a small building surrounded by the green of a golf course. From the crest of the hill, it looked like a chateau tucked away in it’s own valley. This must be the place, I thought. Before I was close enough to see the sign for the Golf Club, I could hear the bass of the music, which had us all moving our shoulders to the tune before we even stepped out of the car. Outside it was so nice and chilly that I didn’t want to go in, but my colleagues were excited to explore the restaurant and far too hungry to loiter in the parking lot, so I marched inside directly. The outside of the Golf Club space doesn’t do justice to what lies in wait at the actual restaurant inside. The posh and elegant restaurant lounge is set in the back of the space, large wooden

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Laval Restaurant Lounge Ghala Golf Club +968 2450 5112 lavalrestaurant.com (Reservations recommended) Hours Saturday-Wednesday 2pm to 1am Thursday-Friday 12pm to 2am doors opening up to a modern, minimalist space. At the entrance, we were warmly greeted by two attendants who led me into the space, while sending the shorts-clad member of our group back out to the car to change into something more appropriate. They were pretty serious about maintaining class. Upon entering the restaurant, I saw an ultra-cool bar setup where the manager, Richard, was flair-tending with such style that I found it impossible to take my eyes off him. The crowd cheered as he showedoff fancy drink flips and tricks. At that moment, I knew we had picked the right place. As lively and stylish as the interior of the restaurant was, I was delighted to see the softly lit outdoor seating arrangement. The downstairs dining area was full, but at the top of the stairs, I found a rooftop lounge and a table facing the dance floor where a DJ had set up his booth and had started playing some upbeat tunes to set the mood. That dark, cool evening, the place was bustling — youngsters in a big, riotous group, couples enjoying not-so-quiet, but still very romantic dinners, and a few small families having dinner and swaying to the music. Below us, the outdoor dining area overlooked the beautifully illuminated green golf course and the surrounding mountains. I felt that I was sitting in a secluded valley, not just off the Expressway. From where I sat, all I could see was distant mountains, a stretch of green, and a little pond where I saw a huge crane sleeping. I was later told that this feeling was the inspiration behind the name, which means “valley” in Greek. The rest of our group soon arrived, and my silent valley ponderings were replaced by loud, hilarious conversations as we shouted over and laughed over the thumping music.

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Our food arrived and we attacked it like we hadn’t eaten anything for months, inhaling more than chewing. We ordered another round and, as the night ripened, the music grew louder, the dance floor grew fuller, and we all headed to the floor to share awkward moments of what probably shouldn’t pass as dance between rounds of food and drink. We ate, we drank, we danced and the energy and the vibe of the place just kept getting better. We decided to call it a night around 1:30am — the stress that had accumulated over the past few weeks of work had been effectively busted. I knew that I had to come back to this haven, and soon. The following Thursday afternoon, I was invited to a tasting at Laval. I didn’t feel that I’d properly tasted the culinary offerings on my first visit, as I’d been so hungry I could have been eating cardboard and still enjoyed it. So I was excited to sample the menu in the light of day, with a slightly less ravenous appetite. The vibe at one in the afternoon was so different than the evening ambiance, that at first I thought I was in the wrong place. The space that had oozed energy and effervescence in the evening had transformed into a leisurely, super-chill restaurant by-day. The greenery of the golf course was vivid and I saw the crane I’d thought I’d hallucinated on the last visit. He was drinking water out of the heart-shaped pool. The mountains stood tall around this Ghala “valley”. Seated upstairs under a shade, I imagined coming back with my girlfriends for a lazy Friday afternoon of gossip and breathtaking views. Snapping back to the task at hand, I turned my attention to the dish that had been placed in front of me. The Crab Mille-feuille, a beautifully layered dish of crab salad, avocado, goat cheese, and grapefruit is by far one of the most refreshing dishes I’ve ever tasted. I could have it first thing in the morning to kickstart my day or as a light supper. Basically, anytime at all. Heavier, but just as pleasant a surprise was the roasted pistachiocrusted lamb chops served with artichokes and mashed potatoes with a super-juicy fig sauce. The artichoke hearts were cut into heart shapes, cute right? The grilled zucchini with sun dried tomato salad was a great side dish and the Napolitano sauce took it to the next level. By the time I had finished the zucchini, I had already started holding my tummy and wishing I had worn something looser. Then, the seafood platter arrived. Hey, you can never say no to food that looks that amazing. I dug-in to the lobster, shrimp, stuffed calamari, fish fillet, and octopus, all perfectly cooked, and addictively flavourful. I ate many delicious things that afternoon, but it was the Chicken Involtini that totally stole my heart. That’s because it combined the two most irresistible things in the world to me in one dish: Cheese and chicken. As I bit into the crispy, shallow-fried chicken, Ementhal cheese oozed out, and I was smitten. It seems that Laval really has it all. The food is creative, gourmet, and as beautiful to look at as it is to eat. In the daytime it is the sort of place you want to lazily pass the hours, and at night it is a spot where you can have a romantic meal, relax under the stars, share stories and laughter with friends, dance to the sounds of world-class DJs, and party, in whatever style you please, until the early morning hours. Laval is the answer to that ever-recurring question of what we should do tonight. —shruthi@timesofoman.com

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STORY FELICIA CAMPBELL â&#x20AC;¢ PHOTOGRAPHY MEHDI TAGHAVI

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ocated 500km south of Muscat, and accessible only by ferry, many are detoured from exploring the wild island of Masirah, but for those willing to make the land and sea journey, a world of tranquillity and natural wonders awaits. I’ve long been intrigued by the 95km long, roughly 14km wide island off the coast of the southern-most part of Sharqiyah. Inhabited by a mere 9,000 locals, and a few thousand expatriate workers, it is known for three things: Kite-surfing, an airforce base, and bird-watching. These things in-and-of-themselves might not sound like much of a draw for a place that requires a five-hour car journey followed by an hour-long ferry ride to reach. It certainly wasn’t enough to lure me down over my first few years in Oman. But stories of abandoned stretches of uninhabited beach, spectacular sea views, rugged terrain, and an edge-of-the-world-like isolation peaked

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WHAT TO DO ON MASIRAH • Kite Surﬁng Kiteboarding Oman +968 9632 3524 kiteboarding-oman.com • Nature Photography Masirah Island Resort (ask for Derrel) +968 2550 4274 • Snorkelling Bring your own equipment or rent from Masirah Island Resort (ask the locals about safe places to snorkel) • Boating, Whale-Watching, and Fishing Arrange through Masirah Island Resort or with individual boat owners at the port • Off-roading and On-Your-Own Exploring Just get in your 4x4 and drive. There are plenty of great places to see what your beast is capable of. (But be sure to respect the turtle sanctuaries marked by signboard)

WHERE TO STAY ON MASIRAH You can camp if you like, but after a long drive, it is nice to be able to just check-in and relax at the Masirah Island Resort. MASIRAH ISLAND RESORT +968 2550 4274 masiraislandresort.com reservations@masiraislandresort.com Room rates start at OMR75 per night

HOW TO GET TO MASIRAH Drive Drive from Muscat to Shannah Port, either via Route 32 through Sinaw which takes 4.5-5 hours, or via the coastal route through Sur and Al Ashkharah, which takes 5.5-6 hours.

my curiosity. To go explore a place such as this, with rocky inclines, sandy beaches, and many unknown factors, I wanted a vehicle that I felt conﬁdent could handle anything we threw at it. I also wanted comfort, as we were about to embark on a 1,000km trip over a single weekend. After my great experience with the Ford Explorer, which comfortably got me and my family around Oman during another whirlwind adventure, I felt conﬁdent in the driving comfort of the Ford family of vehicles. I’d heard about the off-road prowess of the F150 series, but had yet to experience it for myself. So we arranged to take the 2016 F150 Lariat on our expedition. The F150 is absolute designed and built for hardcore conditions, whether rock climbing, for which it has greater torque with the 3.5L V6 Ecoboost than the previous V8 conventional engines, to safety features like a neutral tow mode, which allows a driver to completely deactivate the automatic transmission in situations in which the truck needs to be pulled out, thereby protecting the transmission from damage. It also

has an anti-overheating technology, which cuts the airconditioning and reduces the number of active cylinders in the case of a hot engine or transmission so the driver can safely make it to a service station, even if he or she is out in the middle of nowhere, without any damage to the inner-workings of the truck. We thankfully didn’t need to make use of those two particular features. Our trip began at 3:00am on Friday morning. The ferry only runs from the port at Shannah to Masirah at 9am, 12pm, 3pm, and 5pm on the weekends, and we wanted to get an early start to maximise our exploration time. We headed out before the break of dawn, and as we drove through the city, we sat above all the cars and SUVs around us, thanks to the towering height of the vehicle, and the LED lights illuminated the darkest of roads once we got out of Muscat. The great visibility, heated seats and steering wheel, and great sound system made cruising around super comfortable, and as we drove into the darkness of the interior, it felt like we were making an escape.

Ferry Take the NFC Shannah-Masirah ferry from Shannah port. The journey takes one hour and costs OMR10 per car plus OMR3 per passenger one-way. The tickets can (and should) be purchased ahead of time here in Muscat. NFC tickets can be purchased at the port, but there is no guarantee that seats, or car space, will be available. There are also privately-owned, older ferries at the port that can be booked on the spot for about half the cost, but be prepared for a longer journey (about 1.5 hours) and longer queues. For NFC ferries, be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure so you have time to pick up your boarding passes from the port office and get your car loaded onboard. NFC nfc.om +968 2449 5453 Ferry Schedule (Thursday-Friday-Saturday) Shannah-Masirah and Masirah to Shannah 9am-10am 12pm-1pm 3pm-4pm 5pm-6pm

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WHAT TO DRIVE TO MASIRAH ISLAND FORD F150 LARIAT This vehicle has the comfort of a luxury sedan with more muscle than almost any other vehicle on the road. While the size might seem intimidating at first (it does tower over the rest), once inside, you’ll soon forget about everything else. The second row seats are more spacious than the second seating in most sedans and includes comforts like heated seats and climate control. If you don’t have any passengers, the seats fold flat against the back wall of the truck, providing a huge bonus of in-cab storage for your luggage, leaving the bed empty for your camping or BBQ gear. This is a shockingly nimble, fun truck to drive, and be sure that it can handle literally any terrain, while offering a comfortable highway drive as well. Highlights • Engine: 3.5L V6 EcoBoost, twin turbo 385 HP @ 5000 rpm, 464 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm • Transmission: Automatic 6-speed with tow/haul mode • 4X4 Electronic-shift-on-the-fly (ESOF) • Neutral Towing capability (so you don’t spoil your automatic transition when pulled) • AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control (RSC) • Aluminium body (military grade, super-strong body that is rust-resistant and lighter than steel) • 20” Chrome wheels • Chrome angular step bars • Foldable Pick-up box extender • Twin panel Moonroof • Heated steering wheel with power tilt and telescope • Leather, heated, cooled 10-way power seats • Remote start and remote tailgate release system • Auto high beam and rain sensing wipers (the former came in really handy on the back roads of Sharqiyah) • Awesome sound system • Great-looking LED lights • 360-degree cameras • More cup-holders and around-seat storage than you’ll known what to do with (our mini-cooler fit INSIDE the centre console. Totally awesome.) • Great ground clearance that absolutely dominated every terrain we took it on without so much as a whimper • Great gas mileage (we went about 500km on less than one tank of petrol) Starting Price: OMR15,400 (Vehicle also available in the XLT Trim) Oman Dealer: Arabian Car Marketing Company Ford Showroom, Wattayah +968 2457 9719

Be warned, there are almost no petrol stations open in the interior regions before 6:30 or 7:00am. The Ecoboost engine allowed us to make the entire round trip in just under a tank each way, so we weren’t terribly worried, but by sunrise, we were ready to top-up (and use a bathroom). After finding a petrol station an hour south of Sinaw, the sunlight was beginning to break over the horizon. The road was thick with fog, our windows streaked with moisture, and as we turned seaward along the border of Wusta, the flurry of sand and morning mist was softly illuminated by the delicate light, giving the surrounding area an other-worldly glow. The sun eventually won its war, burning away the fog to reveal a sharp line of royal blue dotted with the silhouettes of dhows in the distance. Signposts marked the way to the port, so I stopped concentrating on the GPS. Then, along our final approach, we saw something odd. The flat desert seemed to be covered in a light frosting of snow. Men hunched over

picks were pulling the white substance into pyramid-shaped piles, stacks of full plastic bags nearby. They were harvesting sea salt, something I’d never before had the pleasure of seeing. The morning drive took around four and a half hours, but it felt much faster. This was in part thanks to the way the changing light gave a new face to the landscape as we drove, as well as to the comfort of the vehicle we were travelling in, which had all the amenities of a luxury vehicle, from heated and cooled multi-adjustable seats (and pedals, and steering wheel) to a fantastic entertainment system, climate control, driver assistance technology, and a massive sunroof. We had pre-booked our passenger tickets and vehicle ticket in Muscat, so we took our receipt to the National Ferries Company office, which was just to the left of the entrance to the port. They handed us boarding passes and sent us down the pier to the awaiting ship.

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MASIRAH JOURNEY TRAVEL TIPS • Book your ferry ahead of time in Muscat to avoid queues. • Leave early and take the ﬁrst ferry to avoid crowd and traffic (watching the sunrise as you drive is an added bonus). • Take a 4x4 so you can really explore the far reaches of the island. • Bring a jacket. It gets cold on the island at night. • Pack a cooler. Though there are shops on the island, but the offerings are limited and you’ll have a much better selection of food and beverage if you purchase in Muscat. • If you want to change-things-up on the way home, take the longer coastal drive back to Muscat and stop in Sur for lunch or dinner. • Ask the residents (especially the staff at the Masirah Island Resort) about what to discover on the island. The people who have made this place their home have plenty of great suggestions on where to go and what to do. • Keep it clean. This island has a major problem with garbage, as some locals and visitors discard their waste on the beaches and outdoors. Any visitor to this beautiful, natural place has a responsibility to leave the island better off than he or she found it by cleaning up after the areas in which you picnic.

After manoeuvring the truck onto the ferry, we went upstairs to the airplane-like seats. After embarking, the sundeck was opened and we went to the roof to enjoy the warm sun and cool ocean breeze. The trip lasted less than an hour and we arrived fully pumped to go check out the tiny island. From the port, we made a left, heading through the “downtown area”, a collection of small shops, a petrol pump, and small villas and ﬂats. We passed the water treatment plant, which we later learned is a great place to spot migratory birds, like European ducks and bright pink ﬂamingos. As we neared the entrance to the military base, we spotted a gravel path that veered right, running along the barbed wire fence of the air base. We left the asphalt and started down the dirt road. To our left and right were rolling hills marked with tyre tracks, a seemingly endless stretch of off-road playgrounds. We continued down the path, keeping to the left in an attempt to reach the sea. A few bumpy turns later, and the turquoise green of the ocean came into view.

The beaches along the east coast are home to giant sea turtles and signboards warn against disturbing them, though the tyre tracks told us that many ignore these signs. For fear of injuring a turtle or any other wildlife, we stuck to the well-worn path that took us through drifts of golden sand, passed rows and rows of small fishing boats, and kilometre after kilometre of azure sea. Though you would most certainly get stuck on this track in a regular vehicle, for our monster truck, it was about as smooth as driving on the highway. We continued on, both on the solitary paved road that makes a loop along the entire coast of the island, and off-road to explore rocky ledges overlooking crashing waves, deep sand stretches between the jagged mountains and the sea, and basically, detouring to check-out any path that looked interesting. In the F150, it was almost too easy, the truck climbing effortlessly (and without a single instance of shooting gravel) up steep, rocky inclines, and absolutely ploughed through both soft and hard-pack sand. We stopped on the beach to have a soda and enjoy the view. We stopped along a rocky outcropping just off the side of the highway where we discovered an army of crabs darting in and out of the rocks. We pulled off the side of the road to follow a goat path to a hidden rock beach where we watched the tide come in and ate a picnic lunch. No matter where we went, it was just me, my husband, and our F150. Not another soul in sight. On the main roads, we passed less than ten other vehicles during our two-hour drive around the island, and we found only two groups picnicking on any of the beaches. It was surreal. It felt like we were the last two people on earth. As we began making our way up the western coast of the island, we realised that we had been driving for over 12 hours and it was time to go find our hotel. The island has only a few humble options for accommodation (aside from camping), the nicest of which, by far, is the Masirah Island Resort. While it is not a five-star, gold-leafed resort, the property offers beach-facing rooms, two executive suites (they have a sitting area, bedroom, and two bathrooms), as well as four family-sized villas. The views from every room are stunning, from the reds and purples of the sun rising over the ocean and distant mountains, to the stretch of white sand and pale blue that accompany the rhythmic crashing of the waves both day and night. The restaurant offers an international selection of Arabic, Western, and Asian dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A very good thing, unless you pack your own provisions, as the island doesn’t have much in the way of restaurants. And the staff are some of the friendliest and most accommodating I have come across in Oman. They may not have everything on the menu available at all times. As they explained with a laugh, it is an island afterall, but they will accommodate you in any way they can, from special off-the-menu orders to sightseeing advice. One of the long-time staff members, Derrel Pinto, is a semi-professional wildlife photographer who, in his off-time, takes other photographers and nature-lovers around the island to find rare birds, turtles, and even whales to photograph. He also knows all the best (and safest) places to snorkel, and the gear is available to rent on-site. They also know the people who run the kite surfing school, and can help you arrange a class. Herein we discovered the catch-22 of this remote island escape — on holidays the tranquillity is disturbed by the hordes of people who descend on the place, creating haphazard queues at the ferry ports and overrunning the usually quiet beaches, but on a short weekend, you will be left with so much more you will have wished you’d done. Oh how we wished we had time for a half-day kite surfing lesson, a whale-watching excursion, some snorkelling adventures, a remote beach barbecue, or just one-more hair-raising off-road challenge. Masirah is an island worth experiencing, whether for a surreal pre-dawn day and overnight weekend trip or an adventure-packed week. It might have taken me several years to make my first trip to Masirah, but it most certainly won’t be my last. — felicia@timesofoman.com

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 48 DECEMBER 8, 2016

Bharatanatyam Arangetram of the disciples of Sangeetha Praveen performed at Muscat Temple Hall. Photos by Purushothaman K.

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Markaz Al Bahja Shopping Centre held fun-filled National Day celebrations with creative ideas for kids.

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 48 DECEMBER 8, 2016

Pakistan School Buraimi celebrated the 46th National Day.

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Jazz Boys Cricket Club organised the FRiENDi Mobile Winter Cup cricket tournament in Ghubra.

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 48 DECEMBER 8, 2016

Ras Al Hamra Recreation Centre Table Tennis Committee hosted it’s 9th annual Singles & Doubles Table Tennis Tournament at the club.

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Theatre of Muscat recently organised a drama titled ‘Mudiyanaya Puthran’ at Al Falaj Hall. Photos by Purushothaman K.

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Carillion Allawi celebrated the 46th National Day at their headquarters. Simon Buttery, CEO Mena presided over the function and also inaugurated the Souq Khairi, a charity souq.

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Dima Complex celebrated the 46th National Day, in their complex with some cultural activities for children and families.

Dar Al Attaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;a empowers Fenjan Hospitality employees at the cost of OMR1,000

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 48 DECEMBER 8, 2016

Lulu Hypermarkets across Oman celebrated the 46th National Day with several activities.

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Dar Al Atta’a was awarded as the Leading Charity Organisation in GCC for humanitarian work. The association was selected among the winners of the humanitarian work of the Gulf Cooperation Council at the fifth session, which was held in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Mariam Issa Al Zadjali the Chairperson of Dar Al Atta’a Association has received the award of the Leading Charity Organisation in the GCC for humanitarian work in accordance with the criteria for the award as the role played in humanitarian business. Humanitarian Award of the Gulf Cooperation Council came from the initiative of the Training and Development Centre as the first specialised award in the GCC region, the official humanitarian work and its reflect the charitable and humanitarian efforts for the people of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which is the finest examples in the teachings of humanitarian and giving where the award is intended to honour the leader in government projects cooperation Council (GCC) and to highlight the goodness in the Gulf and its role in the construction of human societies Mariam Al Zadjali said after receiving the award, we are very pleased with this award and appreciate the efforts made by the evaluation committee in the award, which we consider to be an incentive for us to put in more effort and contribution in humanitarian noble work. The award reﬂects the efforts made by the association in charity work with the help of the needy, I dedicate this prize to the association’s board members, members, volunteers, donors, corporate. This award for Dar Al Atta’a Association which is a non-proﬁt volunteer-based charity that was formed in 2002 and formally registered as a charity in the Ministry of Social Development in 2006. She added that the association has since established a number of different programmes as a family welfare programme, education care programme, the empowerment programme, disaster relief and other humanitarian programmes associated with activities such as providing ration in the holy month of Ramadan preference, Eids and other occasions.

Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club held a Pink Charity Day and a Captains Golf Day.

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 48 DECEMBER 8, 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 | Easy

3 8

7 6 6

7 6

9 5

1 5

1 6

Level | Moderate

5 9

6 4 2

Level | Difficult

4 1

3 8 6

7 5

9 4

2 2

6 7

PLAY AND WIN

1 9

SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS ON FACEBOOK.COM/ HIWEEKLY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN VOUCHERS FROM PIZZA MUSCAT. THE WINNERS AND THE SOLUTIONS TO THE WEEKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PUZZLE WILL BE POSTED EVERY SUNDAY

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