Hi Weekly - March 25, 2016

OMAN’S LARGEST CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 54,000 COPIES

VOL 10 ISSUE 13 / MARCH 25, 2016

9TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD HI CELEBRATES 9 GREAT YEARS IN OMAN WITH A SPECIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY THROUGH THE SULTANATE

PAGE 18

Audited by

THIS WEEK IN OMAN

MUSCAT KIDS GET CREATIVE WITH HI

NINE CLASSIC DESTINATIONS

FOODIE HAUNTS OF THE CAPITAL

Over a hundred children from all over the city got creative with the Hi logo for our anniversary competition. See the top three inside. PAGE 16

Oman is a treasure trove of natural wonders and spectacular tourist destinations.

We celebrate nine iconic places to visit this weekend. PAGE 8

Some of the restaurants in the city are older than the shopping malls and apartment towers, and these nine gems are just as great decades later. PAGE 12

04

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 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 Research/Copy Editor Ashish Dubash

swati@timesofoman.com ashishdubash@timesofoman.com

Senior Editors T. A. Ameerudheen Faisal Mohammed Naim Mohammed Shafeeqe

ameerudheen@timesofoman.com

faisal@timesofoman.com

Associate Editor Salim Hamood Al Afifi

shafeeq@timesofoman.com

Multimedia Editorial Assistants Shruthi Nair, Asmaa Al Balushi shruthi@timesofoman.com

salim@timesofoman.com

asmaa@timesofoman.com Chief Creative Officer Adonis Durado Associate Art Director Waleed Rabin Graphic Editor Antonio Farach Design Editor Sahir K.M. Lead Designer Ali Jani Designers Antonio Ismael Sandiego Geri Batara Sonny Gregory Fernandez Director of Digital Television Joe Morrison Photography MMG Photographers

richard@timesofoman.com

Chief Sales Officer Richard Pakenham

aziz@timesofoman.com

Head Of Advertising & Marketing Aziz K. Baker Production Manager Shafi Shaik On The Cover Design by Ali Jani Photography Shabin E. For general inquiries or comments: HiWeekend@timesofoman.com

Muscat Media Group AN ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED COMPANY Post Box: 770, Postal Code: 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman EDITORIAL 24726600/24726666 Ext 235/160 felicia@timesofoman.com

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

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

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

Tell us what you’re doing this weekend: Tweet us @HiWeekly_Oman; tag us in your weekend instagram photos @hiweekly_oman; or share with us on FB/hiweekly

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

HI WEEKLY

05

THE WEEKEND LINEUP Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend

24 25 26 THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

5.00pm Go to the Mall

4.30pm Support Project Palestine

5.50am Take a Hike

Head to Al Araimi complex between 5pm and 10pm on the 24th or 25th for fashion shows, live cooking demos, magic shows, Omani traditional dance performances, as well free gifts, prizes, and sales throughout the mall.

Al Araimi Complex +968 2456 6557 facebook.com/ alaraimicomplex

12.00pm Party Mumbai-Style

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Make your way to the Cave in Darsait to get your desi groove on with karaoke, the musical game “antakshari,” and eastmeets-west beats from the resident DJ. Maya The Cave Complex, Darsait +968 9066 1238

If a musical weekend is what you’re looking for, attend this performance by the Palestine Youth Orchestra, comprised of talented young Palestinian musicians from across the world.

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

7.30pm Enjoy a Taste of Thailand Today is the last day to have a meal prepared by the talented Chef Suppattra who will be preparing superb Thai delicacies as the guest chef at Marjan Restaurant.

Marjan Restaurant Grand Hyatt +968 2464 1234 muscat.dining@hyatt.com

The Adventure Oman crew has an energetic Saturday morning hike planned. Trekkers will gather at the Qantab roadside parking lot at 5:50am. Be sure to wear good quality hiking shoes and bring a pair of gloves, a sun shade or hat, walking stick, bagpack, and plenty of water.

Qantab +9687 9931 8651 facebook.com/groups/ AdventureOman

06

HI WEEKLY

Have you been to any of these events?

What do you think of them? Tag us on Instagram @hiweekly_oman and tell us about it on facebook.com/hiweekly

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

FIVE CREATIVE TO TRY CLASSES OMANI SOCIETY FOR FINE ARTS

MY BOOK AND ME

Develop your artistic vision by joining the Omani Society for Fine Art’s daily classes in creative and fine art like drawing, painting, and Arabic calligraphy. Located near Masa Mall, next to the Ramada Hotel in Shatti Al Qurum. Classes are free and appropriate for all ages. +968 2469 2090 osfa.gov.om

Kids can release their creative spirits at My Book and Me where they can enjoy singing, acting, cooking, and craftmaking classes. The centre offers different packages for different age groups, from pre-nursery to teenage. The centre is located in Al Athaiba near the Sultan Centre supermarket.

The prices range from OMR10 to OMR80, depending on the course. +968 9411 1166 mybooknme.om

MUSCART Designed for children age 6-9, MuscArt’s history and contemporary art class teaches students about different art styles before turning participants loose to create their own paintings. The centre is located in Ghubra Plaza on 18th November Street. The 2-hour class costs OMR30. +968 2449 3912 muscart.net

OMANI WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

GIFTED ARTS AND CRAFTS Enjoy individual classes on pencil sketches, drawing on bottles, wall painting, paper quilling, and other DIY crafts.

They also offer guidance for student art school projects.

The studio is located in Ghala, South Athaiba. Classes are offered for both kids and adults for OMR15 for 8 sessions. +968 9171 1060

Fashion design enthusiasts can join the Omani Women’s Association’s tailoring class to learn how to make beautiful costumes for children.

The centre is located in Shatti Al Qurum. Classes run twice a week and cost OMR35 for a three month course. This programme is only open for women. +968 2460 2800

GET RIPPED Following @crossfit will definitely get you motivated as they share some of the best tips for beginners and advanced athletes in crossfitting. The before-andafter photos they post are especially inspiring.

Instagram: @crossfit

DANCE LIKE A POPSTAR Nicole Winhoffer, Madonna’s trainer, posts high-energy dance routines and they are incredibly entertaining (Her acrobatic poses — just wow.) Follow along for a heart pumping workout.

Instagram: @nicolewinhoffer

HIT THE STREET A one-stop-shop for street workouts and techniques, shots of @robinnyc getting active on the streets on New York City are impressive and motivational. Her fashion is aces too.

She literally works out in style.

Instagram: @robinnyc

LOCAL CROSSFIT Follow Oman’s CrossFit community at CrossFit Tempo. They post motivational photos and clips of the team in action.

Watching might even inspire you to join them in-person in Al Khoudh.

Instagram: @crossfit_tempo

CARDIO BASICS Plan your daily dose of cardio with our personal favourite, @tipsforcardio. It is mostly video clips of exercises that will slim you down in no time, which means your fitness routine is already planned and at your fingertips.

Instagram: @tipsforcardio

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

HI SOCIAL INSTAGRAM FITNESS TO FOLLOW

HI WEEKLY

08

Where are you escaping to this weekend?

Show us on Instagram @hiweekly_oman and tell us about it on facebook.com/hiweekly

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

the stunning ambiance. There are lots of viewpoints along the way, and if you are lucky, you might be able to catch a glimpse of a humpback whale breaching in the rough Arabian Sea. Just before Hasik, near Jebel Samhan Nature Reserve, is a stunningly beautiful sweep of coastline.

The rocks along the way change in form and composition at almost every bend.

STORY MOHAMMED SHAFEEQE ILLUSTRATION LUCILLE UMALI SUR & RAS AL HADD

Despite the adornments of modern life, crowded souqs continue to resound with the clamour of shoppers bargaining over frankincense, jewellery, local produce, and food; venerable forts and crumbling watchtowers still stand guard over the towns they once protected; goats wander past huddles of ochre-coloured houses in the Sultanate of Oman. The great country we call home offers a world of experiences in one relatively small package with magical deserts, rugged mountains, pristine beaches, water sports and great diving locations, historic forts, green valleys, ancient bazaars, and old-school Arabian hospitality. But, sometimes those of us who live here take these things for granted. If you’re new in town, or have simply forgotten that what a world-class destination we live in, a trip to one of these nine well-loved places is sure to re-kindle your passions.

Distance from Muscat: 242km (Ras Al Hadd) Average drive time: 2.41 hours

A

short drive from the Wahiba Sands, and a jump over Wadi Bani Khalid, is Sur, the old port town famous for its beautiful harbour and waterfront, and the last surviving dhow yard in the Sultanate. Just south of the coastal city, hundreds of sea turtles can be spotted hauling themselves up out of the ocean to lay their eggs on the remote Sharqiyah beaches. The Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve offers tours to the public and is fairly well policed. Cars must enter and park by 8.30pm. A quiet walk to the beach and several hours of sitting provides visitors with a view of mother turtles laying their eggs. The Ras Al Hadd Turtle resort provides more private viewing available only to hotel guests.

Why Go: Sea turtles and dhows How to get there: Drive two hours south to Sur, then another 45 minutes to Ras Al Jinz Accomodation Options: Stay in Sur or on the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve (+968 9655 0606)

Why Go: Incredible views, zigzag road, and cool weather How to get there: Drive to Duqm and then down towards Mirbat along the coast via Sadah for a 13 hour trip. Or, flights to Salalah leave daily, and you can drive this route while vacationing in Dhofar.

Accomodation Options: There are a wide range of hotel options in Salalah, from luxury resorts like the Rotana, to budget options, and guest houses.

DAYMANIYAT ISLANDS Distance from Muscat: 86km (Al Sawadi Beach) Average Travel Time: Al Sawadi beach is an hour north, near Barka, and the islands are a 30-60 minute by boat

T

MUSANDAM Distance from Muscat: 500km Average travel time: 6 hours by road, 5 hours by ferry, 45 minutes by flight

L

ocated north of Oman on a peninsula between the UAE and the Arabian Sea, Musandam is ringed by mountain range rising directly from sea level to 2,000 metres. Dubbed as the ‘Norway of the Middle East’ because of inlets similar to Norway’s fjords, Musandam is utterly spectacular. Explore with a dhow trip to Khawr Ash Shamm’s placid waters to see marine life, secluded beaches, and isolated outposts, like Telegraph Island, where a station boosted the British telegraph messages along the Arabian Gulf cable line for the London—Karachi telegraph cable in the 19th

century. Visit a cliffside village in Kumzar, Jebel Harim, and the Acacia forest.

Why Go: Fjords, cliffside villages, and remote beaches How to get there: Travel to Khasab, the largest city.

Drive for six hours up the Batinah coast.

(You will have to enter and exit the UAE, so check about visa requirements before travelling.) Fly from Muscat on a daily, 45-minute Oman Air flight. (No visas required.)Ferry service operated by the National Ferries Company (nfc.om) makes the five-hour journey from Muscat four times a week. (No visas required.)

Accomodation Options: Luxury properties include the famous Six Senses Zighy Bay (sixsenses.com) and midrange options are available in town.

SADAH-HASIK COASTAL ROAD Distance from Salalah: 131km (Sadah) Average drive time: 1.40 hours Distance Muscat to Salalah via Sadah Average drive time: 12.5 hours

A

round 130km north of Salalah on the coastal line is the scenic harbour village Sadah. Driving to the Sadah Coast is a fantastic experience.

The landscapes are amazing and unique.

The village of Sadah itself sits by the sea, surrounded by mountains made of black rock ‘invaded’ by sand from the beach.

Travel further on the winding coastal road towards Hasik and you will witness one of the most panoramic and dramatic mountain drives in Oman. The best time to drive this road is Khareef season as the haze, drizzle, and wind add drama to

he nine, tiny, uninhabited islands that lie about 17km off the Batinah coast, are abundant with wildlife as they offer a safe stop off point for migratory birds, home to sea eagles and the graceful osprey. The beaches and cliffs come alive in the summer months with nesting birds and turtles returning to lay their eggs on the white sand beaches, but much of Daymaniyat’s beauty lies beneath the water.

Snorkelling in these clear, pristine waters, one can see a vast expanse of coral reef with schools of fishes encircling the corals.

Magnificent coral gardens and marine life in resplendent colours make the islands among the best dive sites in Oman with walls, drop-offs, submerged reefs, swimthroughs, and caves. The Daymaniyats are a protected nature reserve, so access is restricted. You’re not allowed to land on the islands from the beginning of May until the end of October and the rest of the year you’ll need a permit, which can be arranged by tour operators in Muscat.

Why Go: Diving, snorkelling, and birdwatching How to get there: Drive north towards Barka to Al Sawadi Beach. From there, you will need to take a 30-60 minute boat ride to the islands.

Permits are required to enter the island.

Accomodation Options: This is a great day-trip from Muscat, otherwise you can make a weekend out of it and stay at Al Sawadi Beach Resort & Spa (+968 2679 5545, alsawadibeach.om)

10

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

WAHIBA SANDS Distance from Muscat: 250km Average drive time: 4 hours

S SALALAH Distance from Muscat - 1,030km Average drive time: 12 hours by road, 1 hour by flight

T

his is Oman with a distinct, tropical twist: endless white-sand beaches line the coast, while coconut and banana palms replace the ubiquitous date trees of the north and neat little pastelpainted houses stand in for the fortified mudbrick mansions found elsewhere in the country. The arid mountains encircling Salalah turn green during the annual khareef (monsoon) season that run from July through early September, during which time you will find flowing rivers, waterfalls, lush pastures, and cooler weather here on the frankincense coast. In Jebel Qara is the tomb of the Prophet Ayoub (PBUH), known as Job of the Old Testament. In Khawr Rhori lie the ruins of the palace reputed to be that of the Queen of Sheba. And in the surrounding countryside grow the Boswellia sacra better known for the sap it produces:

Frankincense. Numerous attractions dot the hinterland of Salalah, including the rugged Jebel Samhan and Jebel Al Qamar dotted with wadis, gorges, sinkholes, blowholes, and other geological curiosities. Year-round, Salalah’s coconut-fringed beaches and plantations of bananas and papayas offer a flavour of Zanzibar in the heart of the Arabian desert.

Why Go: Tropical side of Oman, historic sites, and natural wonders How to get there: Drive to Duqm and then down towards Mirbat along the coast via Sadah for a 13 hour trip or take the more direct route through Wusta for a 9 hour trip. There are multiple flights to Salalah each day on Oman Air, they take 1 hour 45 minutes.

Accomodation Options: There are a wide range of hotel options in Salalah, from luxury resorts like the Rotana, to budget options, and guest houses.

AL HAJAR MOUNTAINS Distance from Muscat: 246km (to Jebel Shams) Average Drive Time: 2 hours to Nizwa, another hour to make it up the mountain.

A four wheel drive vehicle is required to ascend the mountain.

leep out amid the vast dunes of the Wahiba Sands under a sky full of stars and you’ll quickly see why it’s one of the best-loved Omani destinations for locals and visitors. The desert night is a phenomenon. The temperature drops and the moon paints the ribbed dunes in silver. In winter’s light, these sand dunes are gorgeous in ways bordering on magical, endlessly fascinating and, best of all, empty. Hundreds of square kilometres of shifting sand dunes rippled by the wind’s erratic calligraphy are home to only camels, and the desert’s intriguing inhabitants, the nomadic Bedouins.

For a perspective on this place, it’s worth checking out Google Earth – it’s the massive yellow-striped bit just below Ibra.

Dune-bashing is a favourite pastime of the guides and offers them the perfect opportunity to exhibit some reckless, but skilled driving on the dunes. Many highend tour operators offer desert safaris and nights at Bedouin-style camps.

Why Go: Outdoor adventure, hiking, historic sites, and mountain views How to get there: Drive towards Nizwa, then turn south to reach Bidiyah. The entrance to the vast sands begin where the township ends.

Accomodation Options: Camp on your own if you are experienced, otherwise, take advantage of the expertise of guides (Guide Oman, Rebecca +968 9803 8820 or Abdul Rahman +968 9228 5813) or stay at one of the many hotelstyle camps.

T

he Al Hajar range is a dramatic jumble of peaks and wadis that look amazingly wild and undiscovered.

With ranges nearly 3,000 metres above sea level, it is a popular destination for active holidays. The leading attractions are the spectacular massifs of Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams, the highest summit in Oman at 3,010 metres. Here you will find one of Oman’s greatest natural wonders, the Wadi Nakhr Gorge, known as the “Grand Canyon of the Middle East”.

You can haggle with the local rug weavers, trek to cliff dwellings along the canyon rim, and visit the remains of towns once occupied by Persian settlers. Rock climbers can test their mettle on the stony crags of Jebel Misht while antiquarians can visit the mysterious Beehive Tombs of Bat. Jebel Akhdar, another hill station, is one of the most verdant geography outside of Salalah and the Batinah Coast, and in its towns of Wadi Bani Habib, Saiq, and Al Ayn, local farmers raise grapes, pomegranates, apricots, and walnuts on cliff terraces.

Why Go: Outdoor adventure, hiking, historic sites, mountain views How to get there: Drive two hours to Nizwa, then continue an hour up the mountain.

Accomodation Options: Most visitors like to camp in these mountains, but there are modest hotels available in Jebel Akhdar and in Nizwa, and the luxurious Alila hotel (alilahotels. com) is perched on one of Jebel Akhdar’s plateaus.

MUTTRAH

T

heMuttrah Souq, located in Muscat, is a disorienting labyrinth of tiny alleyways piled high with a bewildering array of exotic merchandise and is one of the oldest marketplaces in the Arab world. The Muttrah corniche on which it sits, stretches for about three kilometres along the harbour with pristine gardens

and fountains along this stretch. With chocolate coloured rugged mountains diving into the sea and a 16th century Portuguese Fort as a backdrop against white-washed, low-lying buildings, it is the most scenic area of urban Oman, offering the strongest sense of Muscat’s sometimes elusive appeal, with its beguiling atmosphere of ancientness, quite different from the somewhat faceless modern suburbs to the west. There are a number of nice restaurants and cafes along the corniche, making it a great place to spend a lazy afternoon. The souq is closed from around noon to 4.30pm, and it is best to visit in the early evening.

Why Go: Old-timey feel, market adventures, coffee or dinner with a view How to get there: The corniche stretches from Riyam Park to the Fish Roundabout, between Darsait and Sidab.

Accomodation Options: No need, you’re already home.

NIZWA-BAHLA-AL HAMRA Distance from Muscat: 200km (Al Hamra) Average drive time: 2 hours

A

n hour or two south-west of Muscat lies Nizwa, home to the enormous 17th century Nizwa Fort, the most visited monument in Oman. The area is home to a number of the country’s finest forts, including those at Bahla and Jabrin.

One of Oman’s most historic towns, Nizwa is a picture-perfect huddle of souqs and sand-coloured buildings, the main market is a bustling souq where many of Nizwa’s 700,000 residents still shop for food, spices and the city’s famous handcrafted silver jewellery. A little farther west you’ll find Bahla Fort, a Unesco World Heritage Site dating back to the 13th century.

In Al Hamra, check out the 400-year-old mud houses that are still standing and occupied to this day. Hidden neatly in a crevasse on the mountainside lies Misfat Al Abriyeen, a garden paradise of humble farmers and herders. And along the nearby wadi at Hasat bin Sult Rock, ancient petro glyphs estimated to be over 3,000 years old, lie in wait.

Why Go: Historic sites, and mountain views How to get there: Drive north towards Seeb and take the road to Nizwa.

Accomodation Options: Nizwa is a two hour drive, and a do-able day trip. There are basic hotels in Nizwa, Misfah and Hail Al Shas, or you can camp in the Hajar Mountains.

-shafeeq@timesofoman.com

12

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

H E R I TAG E R E S TA U R A N T S STORY ASMAA AL BALUSHI • PHOTOGRAPHY SHABIN E

A city’s history and culture can be intertwined with many things, not least of which are the eateries. While the influx of new restaurants are welcomed for bringing in novelty, the places we grew up with hold a special place in our hearts. Some have grown in leaps and bounds from small shops to proper restaurants, while others are still operating out of the same ramshackle space they always have, with the interiors that have seen generations upon generations pass through. We crave the tastes and smells of these haunts as much for their nostalgia as for their flavour. For our ninth anniversary, we walked through the old corridors of Muscat and visited the oldest restaurants in Muscat; places that have stood the test of time, served us for decades, and are still bustling with people. This is our ode to nine iconic restaurants that exude the unique essence of Muscat, feeding our hearts as they feed our bellies. — asmaa@timesofoman.com Continue to Page 14 >>

14

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

Arab World

Omar Al Khayyam

Softy Ice Cream

Location: Al Ghubra

Location: Ruwi

Location: Ruwi

Started In: The first branch in Ruwi opened in 1972 and then in Al Ghubra in 1987.

Started In: 1973

Started In: 1975

Looking back: Omar Al Khyyam, the splendid multi-cuisine restaurant threw open its doors to the residents of Oman in 1973, with a single outlet in the heart of the city, Ruwi. Sarfaraz Ahmed Gabol’s mother and his uncle established the restaurant. His uncle named it on the famous poet Omar Al Khyyam.

Looking back: Softy Ice Cream shop is the first outlet in Oman that was founded by a Canadian businessman. It was later taken over by His Highness Sayyid Barghash bin Ghalib Al Said.

Looking back: Serving different delicacies of Arabic countries this restaurant has retained its tastes and flavours.

Specialty: Chicken tikka, beef, and fish methi are some of the popular starters people visit this place for.

Cost: OMR1.800 approx Contact: + 968 2449 1734

Specialty: It specialises in Mughal’s special delicacies such as Mutton Mughlai, lamb cooked with yoghurt and an array of spices; the creamy rich chicken nawabi simmered in a fragrant sauce with onion, garlic, ginger, and cashew. These royal dishes have wooed the customers since decades.

Specialty: It serves ice creams in many flavours but the most favourite is banana split with ice cream. The other favourites are vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry softy ice creams.

Cost: 200 baisa - OMR2.000 approx Contact: +968 2470 4591

Cost: OMR1.000 - OMR5.000 approx Contact +968 2470 3035

Al Haikal Restaurant

Bin Ateeq Location: Salalah, Al Khuwair, and Nizwa

Location: Ruwi near Badr Al Sama Hospital Started In: November 18, 1987 Looking back: Initially it was a manual bakery selling Pakistani tandoori naan. After a few years the founder of the bakery, Haji Shabeer, decided to open a restaurant serving varieties of foods from Peshawar region. That’s how the 24 hours open Al Haikal was born.

Specialty : It serves the most popular Peshawari foods such as chapli kabab and chicken tikka.

Cost: OMR3.000 approx Contact: +968 2470 8447

Started In: It first opened in Salalah on April 1, 1985, and the second branch in Al Khuwair was opened on September 19,1998.

Looking back: Bin Ateeq was started by Mohammed bin Said bin Ateeq, the first Omani to enter restaurant business in Oman.

Specialty: If you are looking for an authentic Omani dining experience Bin Ateeq is the place to be. Try kabsa,a traditional Arabian rice dish with chicken; and harees, a savoury wheaty dish; while sitting on haseer, the traditional floor mat. As the aroma of bakhoor wafts in the air, also try mandi, a slow cooked and roasted tender chunks of lamb.

Cost: OMR1.000 - OMR10.000 approx Contact: +968 2447 8225

The culinary map of Muscat would be incomplete without these heritage eateries, each of which showcase the diverse food culture of the capital city

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

The Golden Oryx

Mumtaz Mahal

Location: Ruwi

Location: Qurum

Started In: March 4, 1982

Started In: February 23, 1984

Looking back: The Golden Oryx is one of the oldest Chinese restaurant in Muscat. It was the first restaurant which got an appreciation certificate for good service and cleanliness from Muscat Municipality.

Looking back: Perched on a hill top offering one of the finest views of Muscat, Mumtaz Mahal has been the first choice for lovers of Indian food. Mumtaz Mahal also won 14 awards as the best restaurant in Oman.

Specialty: Be it the crispy succulent duck served with tender pancakes and hoisin sauce, the cornflour coated golden fried prawns, or their signature dish, the Hongkong chicken; diced chicken in light soya sauce, red chilli and cashew nuts, Golden Oryx have retained the taste and their impeccable service over the years.

Specialty: A must visit for Hyderabadi lamb curry which has a creamy texture and laced with many spices, and dum pukht chicken biryani, that is basmati rice cooked with layers of marinated chicken or meat in a heavy bottomed vessel.

Cost: OMR1.200 - OMR9.500 approx Contact: +968 2460 5907

Cost: OMR3.000 - OMR 10.800 approx Contact +968 2470 2266

Venus Restaurant

Alexandria

Location: Al Khuwair

Location: Qurum

Started In: The first branch was started in Ruwi in 1975. The restaurant shifted to Al Khuwair in 1989.

Started In: June 1, 1992

Looking back: This restaurant was known to serve quality Indian food when there were hardly any restaurants in Oman serving Indian cuisine.

Specialty: While Venus specialises in Indian cuisine, people visit this place for the south Indian breakfast of dosa, a fermented crepe made from rice batter and black lentils; idlis, a savoury rice cake; and vadas, dal fritters; along with south Indian filter coffee.

Cost: 500 baisa - OMR5.400 approx Contact +968 2448 1881

Looking back: Alexandria has fond memories people coming to this place for cuisines from different parts of the world and mostly frequented by the Omanis.

Specialty: Chicken, fish, and beef makhani along with Alexandria special fried rice is their most popular dish.

Cost: 200 baisa - OMR2.600 approx Contact: + 968 2456 1611

HI WEEKLY

15

16

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

Prasanna Kumar Age: 9 Wadi Kabir

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

Bhuvan Shankar Age: 12 Al Ghubra

Sahanaa Suresh Age: 6 Wadi Kabir

We love our supremely talented young readers, so in celebration of our 9th anniversary we called on them to give the Hi logo a new look in a painting competition for children from five to 15-years old. We were blown away by the flood of incredibly creative, artistic entries we received and it was no easy task selecting the three winners featured here. Congratulations to Prasanna, Bhuvan, and Sahanaa, and a hearty thank you to all of our participants.

Go “Like” our page and see the rest of the entries at facebook.com/HiWeekly

HI WEEKLY

17

18

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

IMPRINTS OF THE PAST STORY SHRUTHI NAIR | PHOTOGRAPHY SHABIN E

Majan, Mazoon, and Uman — these were the names of the oldest independent state of the Arab world, which is now known as the Sultanate of Oman. The nation has been known for its pioneering maritime role since antiquity, hence these names have a lot to do with commercial seafaring. For instance, the name Majan is associated with the culture of shipbuilding and copper smelting, while Mazoon refers to a place with abundant water resources.

Although the Sultanate has seen various developments and attained tremendous epitomes over the years, one thing that distinguishes the Omanis from the rest of the world is their deep sense of belonging to their land, which is reflected in their culture, mannerisms, and infrastructure. As we celebrate Hi’s 9th anniversary we take a look back at Oman’s glorious past by means of a series of then and now pictures, not to emphasise on how far we have come or how much we have prospered over the years, but to re-instil that sense of belonging and pride that comes with embracing the past and its undeniable place in our present. -shruthi@timesofoman.com

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

HI WEEKLY

Old Muscat, at the far eastern end of the capital city, had rugged roads and people walking with their load on donkeys. Though it now has well developed roads for cars and motorbikes, you’ll still see the occasional donkey on the roadside.

19

20

HI WEEKLY

Near the most important port of Oman, Port Sultan Qaboos, is the Muttrah Corniche, an ancient ďŹ sherman’s hub. The beautifully designed corniche that replaced the beach is now the biggest, tourist destination in the capital.

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

HI WEEKLY

21

22

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

You might not have noticed the big white palace tucked behind the Al Alam Palace in Old Muscat. It predominantly hosts guests, and though it is built in traditional style, it is a new addition to the royal area, constructed after the colourful Al Alam Palace and was ďŹ nished in 1972.

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

HI WEEKLY

Al Jalali Fort sits on the rocks to the left of the Al Alam Palace. Though it was built by the Portuguese, it was named after the Persian leader Jalal Shah, and is an ancient monument of pride.

23

24

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

HI WEEKLY

The Muttrah Riyam Park road, which was home to nothing but barren sand is now a popular trekking trail for the hikers in Muscat.

25

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY Fill empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column, and area.

Level | Very Easy

Level | Easy

9

8

1

9 2

7 5

4

7

3

3

9

5 4

2

5

7

4

8 6

6

9

4

2

1

2 1

7

1

5 5

Level | Moderate

3

4

8

1

3

Level | Difficult

4

3

5

5 6

3

2

5

9

6

8

4

4

1 8

8

1

8

3

6 2

7 9

7 6

8

7

3

9

1

9

4

5

1

3 9

7 1

9

9

3

6

3 7

5

8

4

1 4

8 7

2 4

7

1 6

9

6

1 2

2

1

2

5

3

5

2

1

6

6

8

9

4 3

2 4

4

9

5 7

6

7 5

2

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

27

28

HI WEEKLY

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

Paul Mitchell XG Colors Workshop Paul Mitchell XG Colors Workshop with International Educator/Platform Artist Toby Price at City Seasons Hotel - Al Ain Ballroom.

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

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 13 MARCH 25, 2016

Conference International conference on ‘Inclusive Education A Necessity’ organised by the Apex Centre for Special Education under the aegis of the Board of Directors, Indian Schools in Oman at Indian School Muscat.

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

HI WEEKLY

29