OMAN’S LARGEST CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 46,760 COPIES
VOL 10 ISSUE 70 / MAY 11, 2017
PG16
THIS WEEK IN OMAN
BUMP AND BOUNCE
ERASE THE YEARS INSTANTLY
FOOD GATEWAY TO JAPAN
Go for Quad Biking on the rugged sand dunes of Oman and make it a truly exhilarating experience. It’s time to go off-road. PAGE 10
With the right make-up tricks, turning back the clock can be really simple. Follow the tips and look radiant and youthful. PAGE 12
If you want to take a peep into the world of Japanese cuisine visit The Oak at Cave Complex for some real authentic taste. 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 Chief Executive Editor Scott Armstrong scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com 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
salim@timesofoman.com
Digital Editor gautam@timesofoman.com Gautam Bhargav Viswanathan 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 Chief Sales Officer Richard Pakenham
richard@timesofoman.com
Production Manager Shafi Shaik On The Cover Photography by Salim Al Afifi Design by Geri B. Sonny For general inquiries or comments: HiWeekend@timesofoman.com
Muscat Media Group AN ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED COMPANY Post Box: 770, Postal Code: 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman EDITORIAL 24726600/24726666 Ext 235/160 felicia@timesofoman.com
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HI WEEKLY
THE WEEKEND LINEUP
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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
THURSDAY 6.30pm Taste the Flavours of Oman Oman’s beloved chef, Salim Al Kalbani whips up a special dinner menu. Amidst a beautiful m ambience enjoy the evening with your partner. eve OMR 54 per couple Al Loomie Al Bustan Palace +968 9097 6666
10.00pm Join the DJs Four of Oman’s favourite DJ’s will come together to give you an unforgettable night of music, dance, and drinks. Couples entry free before midnight. On The Rocks +968 9798 3333
Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend
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FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1.00pm Feast on Filipino Delights
5.00pm Say Om
Are you a fan of Filipino food or haven’t yet had a taste of it? Either way, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the lunch buffet with free ice skating and karaoke for OMR 6. Bite Me, Fun Zone +968 9321 9430
Celebrate the third International Yoga Day with Yoga Therapy 4 All by practising healthy postures and breathing techniques to help cure illnesses such as diabetes, BP, and more. Bank Muscat HQ, Seeb +968 8993 50278
7.30am Ride in Style
9.30am Calligraphy and Food
If you have a bike and are looking for a gang you can ride with, head to Copper Restaurant for a fun weekend ride with great company and some refreshing coffee. Copper Restaurant +968 2456 4292
Learn the beautiful art of calligraphy while enjoying a delicious breakfast meal. OMR 25 inclusive of calligraphy kit, and food. Kargeen, Madinat Sultan Qaboos +968 9222 2727
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THERE’S PLENTY OF NEWS THAT MADE WAVES ON SOCIAL MEDIA THIS WEEK. HERE’S WHAT PEOPLE WERE TUNING IN TO, FINDS SHRUTHI NAIR
GO TO TIMESOFOMAN.COM/HIWEEKLY FOR VIDEOS AND MORE
TR EN DI NG
THIS WEEK
TOP TRENDING VIDEOS: What will human beings look like in 1,000 years? Clearly everyone is curious to know, which is why this has been one of the most viral videos of the week timesofoman.com/hiweekend.
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YO U M I S S E D I T
EMMA WINS HEARTS Emma Watson’s acceptance speech on winning the MTV award for best actor praising genderless awards has once again made us all fall in love with her. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
RACIST CUSTOMER Racist rant against a shopper in Trader Joe’s. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
TRENDING MUSIC NICKI MINAJ NEW VIDEO The female rapper released a new video for her single “Regret in your Tears” on her Vevo channel. The video is without a doubt one of her best, with stunning visuals and a lot of drama. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
NET NEUTRALITY John Oliver repeats his segment on Net Neutrality to urge all Internet users to take a stand against corporation trying to control the web. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
#popularhashtag TRENDING MOVIE MTV MOVIE AWARDS 2017 One of the most exciting movie awards took place last week, with A-listers from film and music industry showcasing their best game and give fans a high dose of entertainment. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
TRENDING FASHION POOJA COVERS VOGUE ARABIA Beautiful model with Indian origins Pooja Mor lands a Vogue Arabia cover for their May issue. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
#GameOfThronesTVShows #BetterCallSaul #TwoGhosts
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LIST ere h t , h rus e n i l ena r d on a g e n t i a k nes i m u B i t d l d u d a san Qu the t d n e e a g h g ng t r the rug t to i n t i a e. c c w x n e u e e i v o e r r If y ce o ng expe mo n g u n i o h b i is not ump and exhilarat B ly sand. ke it a tru a and m
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STORY SHRUTHI NAIR
M
ountains, deserts, or beaches? Which one is your favourite? That’s the most common question that I have been repeatedly asked since I moved to Oman. And my answer to that for a while now has been sand. Since I am geographically challenged, I tend to get lost very often. On one such day while trying to figure out my way to Al Khuwair I stumbled upon a range of dunes on my left, which had accommodated a lot of people, four-wheel drives, and quad bikes of different sizes. I didn’t really have the time to step out then, but I made a mental note to come back here during the weekend with a few friends. Last weekend, I went back to the place at around 4.30pm, and parked my car on the side just to admire these majestically huge dunes and enjoy the view basking under the golden hour sun. As soon as I stepped out of the car, I could hear a loud vroom with the phat phat from the silencer of something that looked like a buggy just zoom past me on the road. When I looked ahead I saw dozens of such vehicles parked and dozens more on the huge dunes, riding at different speeds and altitudes. There were some even attempting to go to the highest peak of the dune which was easily as high as a small mountain. If you are an adrenaline junkie looking for something to do in Muscat, then this truly is a gem of a discovery as it was for me. I could see many hopping onto the bikes and adjusting their postures to look majestic. There were many children going for the smaller bikes and just riding on the sand near the road under the careful supervision of their parents. And their were some on the huge bikes, who looked like professional riders, who’d just casually take one of the bigger, more powerful bikes and hit the dune like it was just another uphill road. The bikes were differentiated based on the power of the engines starting from 50CC going up to 1800CC. There were men wearing hazard jackets who’d give instruction about how to accelerate, brake, and the fancier options of switching drive modes to the riders. The best thing about quad biking is the fact that it is so easy that you get a hang of it almost immediately while feeling the adrenaline rush. Also, you don’t need a trainer or instructor piggy-backing on you, thus making the whole experience liberating. If you haven’t done it yet, then you need to rush today because there is simply no reason not to. It is in the heart of the city, it gives you the thrill, and most importantly it is safe and easy. —shruthi@timesofoman.com
BAUSHER DUNES Everyday 6am to 6pm Cost: Ranges from OMR 6 per hour to OMR 170 per hour depending on the bike +968 9722 2669
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BEAUTY
Hi Beauty Editor, 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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TIPS AND TRICKS TO LOOK YOUNGER STORY ANTARA BOSE
LINE BOTH EYELIDS, NOT JUST THE BOTTOM If you’ve done this in school, we can let it pass. But continuing the practice into adult years — we’ll have to stop you right there. And we aren’t listening to ‘I was lazy’ or ‘Oh, it takes time’. It isn’t a five kilometre run and it isn’t like braiding Rapunzel’s locks. A thin line over the upper eyelid is all that it takes. Severely lining only the lower eyelid (especially with black liner) makes your eyes look droopy, smaller, and drags down your entire face. Without making the line too thick, heavy or dramatic, line your upper eyelid with a dark brown liner. If you are comfortable tight-lining your eyelid (and are confident you won’t blind yourself in the process), remember that it’s a great trick to really open the eyes and make you look younger. For your lower waterline, opt for softer, lighter, and more neutral shades like beige, pink, gold, light brown, and even white if you think you can pull it off. It works wonders to make your eyes look youthful. It is alright to use these colours with a slight shimmer, even if you are using it on both the inner eyelids, as it helps to bring light to that area. AVOID SHARP LINES Unless the style icon you are looking to idolise is Cruella de Vil, avoid drawing sharp lines. Apart from making you look older, there is definitely something plain mean about the look. If it is the eyeliner, smudge it up a little, especially towards the end. When it comes to eyebrows, make it look more natural by filling it in softly instead of literally drawing out a perfect brow. The same rule applies for the lips. Follow the natural line and avoid using your liner too harshly to create more than what is really there. You get the picture. CURL YOUR LASHES Lashes that point straight are not visible and those that point downwards (the worst) make you look older. Eyelashes flatten with age and we need to keep it going upwards, defying gravity. Trust us, lash curlers are not dangerous; and following it up with some lash-pumping mascara is the simplest way to combat signs of ageing. But let’s keep some guidelines in mind to get
this right. Always curl your lashes before applying mascara. Applying mascara to bottom lashes on most occasions, makes the eyes look tired, so we’d suggest you skip it to be safer. Instead of volume mascara, go for lash-lengthening mascara. And there, you have the perfectly curled lashes and more than a couple of years off your face – as simple as that. SPORT NATURAL LIPSTICKS IN GLOSSIER SHADES Those browns, maroons and shades of wine are lovely, we agree, but darker lipsticks make lips look smaller, less plump and dull. No, it doesn’t mean you have to toss them out. If you want to wear darker colours, make sure they aren’t in a matte finish. Layer on some lip gloss to add that dash of lustre (and let us assure you, you can never be too old for some gloss). To make lips more youthful, we need to mimic the pinkish undertone and the luscious surface. Opt for shades in pink, peach or even nudes with long-lasting hydration. A shade in between your natural lip colour and a berry works the best. Don’t overdo the lip gloss though; else it’ll look like slobber and there is only so far we want to go to look childlike.
BLUSH AT THE RIGHT PLACE Contrary to traditional practices, blush is not supposed to be applied only on the apples of your cheek. It looks clown-like and clearly not flattering. Young skin has a rosy glow to it and a little blush gives the face an instant face lift. So don’t skip this essential if you want to dust some years off. Sweep it over your cheekbone in an upward motion to give the illusion of a slimmer structure and blend it in to avoid it looking like a streak. Choose brighter shades that look like a natural blush rather than those dusky ones. MOISTURISE ALL THE WAY Before expecting any makeup to do its job, it is essential that we have our skin moisturised to take on the load. Skin tends to get drier with age and putting makeup on dry skin can be a disaster, even making you look older than you are. Without forgetting your lips, slather on some light-weight moisturiser. Apply it soon after washing your face and give your skin some time to soak it in.
SKIMPY EYEBROWS With age, skimpy doesn’t go well. That being said, eyebrows can really transform how you look. Don’t over-pluck your eyebrows to a thin line to start with, as it anyway tends to get sparse over the years. Hold your pencil at a 45 degree angle (this works to sketch softer lines) and simply fill in. Thicker, fuller and gorgeous eyebrows – just like the old days.
USING FOUNDATION WHEN AND WHERE REQUIRED As much as we like to go natural, going bare-faced when there are signs of ageing you’d want to hide, isn’t a good idea. But it is a tricky deal as using excessive or wrong foundations can pile on a good number of years instead of counteracting it. It is essential to know which shade and finish work best. Use foundation sparingly to just give an even tone. Avoid mattes, velvets or long-stays and instead go for lightweight formulas and sheer liquid foundations with light-diffusing pigments or luminescent particles.
CONCEAL THE CONCEALER Which means you can’t make it obvious that you are wearing one. The area under the eye is the most delicate and often the place where we need concealers the most. Using a thick concealer might cover dark circles but will creep into fine lines and highlight any wrinkles. Avoid this mishap by using light-weight concealers that come as highlighter pens with illuminating particles. The illuminating particles will reflect light and brighten these darker areas.
USING MINIMAL POWDER Yes, we said that alright. We understand it’s a habit, but pressed powder settles into wrinkles bringing it to everyone’s notice. And we don’t want that, do we? Dust some translucent powder with a powder brush instead of pressing it in. If you have oily skin, focus only on the T-Zone. That way you can remain shine free while the rest of the face can still retain its natural luminescence without the powder clogging the pores. —HiWeekend@timesofoman.com
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CULINARY WONDERS FROM JAPAN DINING
If you are in a mood to experience some authentic Japanese cuisine, a visit to The Oak in The Cave Complex is the perfect place to have all the avours and fragrances of Japan. From the comforting and hearty miso soup and the deep fried calamari rings served with a bowl of soy-based dipping sauce to the popular sushis, tempura, and teppanyaki, the charms of Japanese food lies in enjoying the avours of each and every ingredient in a dish.
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STORY HI EDITORS PHOTOS SALIM AL AFIFI
SOUP Miso Soup This is a traditional Japanese soup made with miso paste, enoki mushroom, tofu, and scallion. Flavourful, light, and nutritious, people in Japan usually start their meal sipping a bowl of hot miso soup. OMR 4.5 MAIN COURSE The Oak Chicken Cashewnut Sliced chicken tossed with oyster, Thai chilli paste, and cashewnuts is an absolute cracker of a dish as the soft crunch of cashews pairs perfectly well with the tender chicken pieces tossed well in the sauces. OMR 10.9 Teppanyaki Prawns You can never go wrong with prawns, especially in a Japanese restaurant. This time we had some iron-grilled prawns, perfectly cooked in Asian sauce. The dish was an absolute treat. Smoky flavours, sweet-sour tangs, and springy prawns, it was, without a doubt, a meal to remember. Big, fat thumbs up for this goodness. Enjoy it with Teppanyaki fried rice. OMR 9.9
The Oak, Cave Complex, Darsait Heights Open from 11:30am-4pm and 6pm-midnight Call: +968 9933 6078 theoakmuscat@gmail.com
STARTERS Crispy Calamari You must have had this dish several times before in different restaurants but the one served at The Oak is succulent to the core. Squid cut in thin rings and coated with a very light batter and deep fried, the secret to crispy calamari lies in the coating. Crunchy and fresh with flavours this is served with Japanese spicy mayo. OMR 6.2 Shrimp Tempura Tempura is a Japanese dish of seafood or vegetables that have been battered and deep fried. We tried the most popular shrimp tempura. Served with spicy mayo it is a real melt in the mouth. OMR 6.9
SUSHI ROLLS Crispy Spicy Avocado Roll You need to master the art of using chopsticks before sinking your teeth into a sushi roll. Also it is essential to know the right amount of wasabi and sauces that is needed to go with the sushi. Don’t go overboard and leave your tongue burnt or just too numb to function. The crispy sushis were perfect and we dipped it neatly in the sesame sauce before putting it in our mouths. We had the crispy spicy avocado where the crispy outer layer bites into the soft rice and smooth avocado and when mixed with the juicy sauce tastes out of the world. OMR 7.500 Red Dragon Don’t go by the name Red Dragon. It wouldn’t blow fire from your mouth. Stuffed with shrimp tempura, sliced eel, and avocado, this sushi is rich in flavours, fresh, and healthy too. OMR 11.900 —HiWeekend@timesofoman.com
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BOUTIQUE MUSCAT A Homegrown Retail Empire STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY SALIM AL AFIFI • STYLING ALE ZADJALE
Like most successful entrepreneurship stories, Boutique Muscat started from scratch, and now it’s here to stay in the game for good. I’ve always been fascinated by talented, business driven individuals who do the impossible to make their dreams a fruitful reality. This week I had the pleasure to meet two lovely sisters, Hazar and Hanadi Al Zadjali, who dived into the retail industry full of sparkling passion and bits of skills only to become one of the largest Omani brands in town.
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BOUTIQUE MUSCAT was the first concept store to open in this glorious land back in 2008, the time when owning a boutique was not in everyone’s agenda. The sisters felt that fashion had to be introduced to Muscat in a different way, a way that would offer buyers varied choices outside the big brand names. As they decided to work their way up to fill this fashion gap that Muscat had then, as well as to support local talent, Hazar and Hanadi decided to take a trip to land of glamour and elegance, retail business that is, and introduce brand new concepts to town with items sporting top-notch quality and creative touches that were not to be found anywhere else in the city. “We wanted to support upcoming designers who were serious about their craft,” explained Hazar. Eight years later, the concept remains, a home for multi-brands that merge style with elegance in an eco-system of its own. While Hazar is a passionate businesswoman who pushes boundaries when it comes to running a venture, her younger sister Hanadi is a marketing specialist who leaves no stone unturned when it comes to advertising and promoting the brand. Together they journeyed hand-in-hand and skyrocketed to new heights.
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BOUTIQUE MUSCAT THE WALK, AL MOUJ, NORTH AL HAIL +968 9569 2280
In 2008, Hazar graduated from Carleton University in Canada with a degree in psychology. After coming back to the country, she took her internship at Ibn Sina Hospital. At that time there was nothing in terms of entertainment in Sohar and so Hazar would finish her work at 4pm and head home to stare at the four walls. Days of boredom spiked an idea for the young entrepreneur. She thought, “why not start an online shop?” With vivid images of fashionable items that she had seen abroad, and knowing about the limited options in this part of town, the whole idea started to make sense. She got herself a domain for just eight rials and called it ‘Boutique Muscat’, and that’s how it all started. Surprisingly, she had no plans of walking down the road of retail or fashion. Instead she wanted to start a coffee shop. But the fortune was awaiting her in the retail industry. Hanadi graduated from a university in Malaysia with a degree in marketing. As she witnessed the excitement that her sister had on starting the boutique, she immediately felt that it was only right to be a part of it, and with her sharp marketing skills, she knew she’d be right at home. Hanadi is still an employee at a local bank, yet she manages to handle all marketing
aspects of the boutique effortlessly. Soon after they got the domain, they started exploring their favourite brands around the globe and stocked items in small quantities. The struggle was real, as they delivered each and every item to the customers. The name started to grow and items started to quickly sell out. It was then the sisters came to a decision of opening a physical store. They did not have most of the necessary skills to run an actual business but the passion was unbeatable and soon they dived into the lake of SMEs in town before owning a boutique became the new trend. They opened the shop in Madinat Sultan Qaboos in a cornered house, stayed there for three years before moving to Jawharat Al Shatti for another three years, and finally settled at Al Mouj, in a Manhattan-style street-
front boutique that looks super. Boutique Muscat slid into the retail scene with an aim to add a bit of sparkle the way women dress and to give fashion lovers a place they can call home. Today, it’s a home not only to fashion, but it has a hugely successful home collection that ranges from imperial-themed to more quirky and whimsical goods. The store has a beauty corner and a kids section. Inside the boutique you can find brands from the UAE, Qatar, and the United States, to name a few. The brand also does events such as fashion shows and shopping trades. Their first fashion show was organised at an old garage. In 2013, in Jawharat Al Shatti, their second event Peeloh took place, with guests from around the Gulf such as the ever-popular Ascia (instagram.com/ascia_akf ). It was a major networking event with locals and those from the region. In 2015, they participated in Mohammed bin Rashid awards, and got to semifinals, competing against huge business forces. This only shows how determined these sisters are, and they mean business. Boutique Muscat has became a platform rather than a store, where they offer services such as branding and business strategies too. — salim@timesofoman.com
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Indian Community Festival -2017, organised by Indian Social Club Oman, Kerala Wing, held at Amerat Park, showcased more than 250 artists from India and Oman. – Photos Purushothaman K.
IN FOCUS DO YOU WANT TO BE IN FOCUS? SHARE YOUR PICTURES WITH US ON FACEBOOK.COM/HIWEEKLY
Hindi Wing of the Indian Social Club conducted their annual programme Delicio Antakshari at the Embassy of India auditorium.
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Jingles Nursery Wadi Kabir held their Annual Sports Day and Colour and Craft Exhibition. Saud Hamad Saif Al Habsi was the chief guest for sports day and Zareen Atiq for Colour and Crafts Exhibition.
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Bank Muscat announced 15 new beneďŹ ciary sports teams for the Green Sports programme in 2017.
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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 | Easy
5
7 9
4
6
6
5
1
9 1
8
7 2
3
4 9
3 9
8
2
8
5 2
7
3
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5
Level | Moderate
7 2
5 3
3 7
8
9 6
1
2
4
1
9
8 7 2
2 9
4
4 4
6
1
8
3 6
2 7
9 3
Level | Difficult
4
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2 8
7
5
3
2
6 5
7 6
9
6
1 6
7 4
2
9
3 8 4
6 3
1
8
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PLAY AND WIN SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION OF OUR SODOKU POST ON FACEBOOK.COM/ HIWEEKLY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN VOUCHERS FROM PIZZA MUSCAT. SOLUTIONS & WINNERS POSTED EVERY SUNDAY.