Hi Weekly - October 16, 2015

OMAN’S LARGEST CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 54,000 COPIES

VOL 9 ISSUE 26 / OCTOBER 16, 2015

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BY THE SEA MUSCAT’S SUNSET MATCHES PAGE 20

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THIS WEEK IN OMAN

FRESH JUICE COCKTAILS

FRIENDS ON FOURS

There is nothing more refreshing than fresh juice.

Head to Golden Berry for a perfect blend.

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Have a furry friend? Want to get one? Learn all about pet ownership in Oman.

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NAIL ART Turn your nails into tiny canvases with incredible custom designs that go way beyond French manicures.

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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 scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com Chief Executive Editor Scott Armstrong

hubert@timesofoman.com

Executive Features Editor Felicia Campbell

felicia@timesofoman.com

Editors Hubert Vaz, Swati Dasgupta

swati@timesofoman.com Chief Sub-Editors Mohammed Shafeeqe, Ashish Dubash ashishdubash@timesofoman.com Special Correspondent shafeeq@timesofoman.com Salim Joseph salim@timesofoman.com Reporters T. A. Ameerudheen faisal@timesofoman.com Faisal Mohammed Naim ameerudheen@timesofoman.com

Online Editor Mahran Shaukat Ali mahran@timesofoman.com

shruthi@timesofoman.com

Multimedia Editorial Assistant Shruthi Nair 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 Photography MMG Photographers

aziz@timesofoman.com Head Of Advertising & Marketing Aziz K. Baker Production Manager Shafi Shaik Circulation Manager Vinod Panicker vinodpanicker@timesofoman.com On The Cover Illustration and Design by Geri Batara Sonny

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VOLUME 9 ISSUE 26 OCTOBER 16, 2015

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THE WEEKEND LINEUP Catch the hottest events that are happening this week in our calendar.

Photography: Supplied

15 16 17 THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Enjoy Thriller and Horror Movies

Visit The Great Vegas Circus

Set the pace for a thrilling weekend by watching thriller-action and horror movies at City Cinema outlets. The line-up includes, Momentum (Olga Kurylenko, Morgan Freeman) and Crimson Freem Peak ((Charlie Hunnam, JJessica Chastain).

CityCinema Box Office: +968 2460 7360; citycinemaoman.net cityc

For real entertainment for the full family, visit The Great Vegas Circus which have pitched tent at Marahland, at Al Qurum.

Two shows daily (5:00pm and 8:00pm) include stunts and trapeze acts, high wire daredevilry, illusion acts and a spectacular performance by five white lions.

Marahland, Al Qurum Contact: +968 9720 6242; eventoh-em.com

7:00pm Join the Omani Women’s Day Celebration The Royal Opera House Muscat will be staging a colourful programme featuring local and international artistes dedicated to Omani Women. The highlight of the evening will be a guest appearance by Egyptian singer-composer Hani Shaker.

Royal Opera House Box Office: +968 2440 3332 rohmuscat.org.om

7:00pm Attend a Divine Musical Night

Check out Designer Jewellery for Diwali

The Mar Thoma Church Choir in Oman presents a Divine Musical Night titled ‘Ellaa Naavum Paduvin’ at the Mar Thoma Church at Ruwi. Those who love hymns in Malayalam will find this an uplifting experience.

Mar Thoma Church Contact: +968 2470 2437; marthomachurchoman.org

For some good buys for Diwali, dash to Mrunal’s Boutique, at Al Qurum, which will be showcasing the Nawabi and American Diamond Collection by Aruna Patreeker, whose jewellery is popular from London to Sri Lanka, on October 17 and 18.

Mrunal’s Boutique Contact: +968 2456 7599; mrunalsboutique.com

Crims Peak director Crimson Guille Guillermo del Toro

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Are you planning on getting out of town this weekend to witness any of these events?

Share with us on Facebook.com/hiweekly or tweet us @ hioman or tag us in your instagram photos #HiWeekend

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KHALEEJI HAPPENINGS Broadcasting the best events in the GCC (Oct 15, 16, 17)

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FIVE TO TRY

Dhow Racing

Camel Racing

Horse Racing

Falconry

TRADITIONAL OMANI SPORTS TO TRY

Sailing vessels with masts called dhow are used to conduct races. Oman’s seaside location facilitates this water-bound amusement to be hosted in the Sultanate.

The ship of the desert, camel is an integral part of Oman’s culture and tradition considering the fact that Oman is a desert. Here, camels compete at speeds of 64kmph on tracks that are specially built for this kind of race.

This has been one of the favourite Omani recreation activities since ancient times. Horse races are held annually, such as The Royal Horse Racing, organised by the Royal Stables and the winners of these races are highly honoured.

This is an interesting sport where the well trained and tamed falcons hunt for its masters. This sport is particularly popular among the wealthier sector of the society.

hiweekend@timesofoman.com

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Thursday, October 15 Dubai Comedy Festival (Dubai) Meet top comedians from around the world at the Dubai Comedy Festival to be held for ten days at a specially created venue at Skydive Dubai. Two comic giants from the US, Dave Chapelle and Trevor Noah, besides comic magician Mac King will be performing among many comedians from the Arab world.

Skydive Dubai Contact: +971 4366 2289; info@dubaicomedyfest.ae

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Thursday, October 15 7:30pm Dandiya Beats 2015 (Bahrain) Join the night-long ‘Garba’ and ‘Dandiya’ revelry hosted by the Indian Women’s Association at the Conference Centre, Crowne Plaza Hotel, the proceeds of which go towards a local charity.

Crowne Plaza Hotel Tickets: +973 3922 7567; ilabahrain.org

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Friday, October 16-17 Art Fair Exhibition (Dubai) Visit the two-day Art Fair at The Address, Dubai Mall, which will host over 30 international galleries and independent artists.

A VIP preview will be held the previous evening, for special invitees, while entry is free on Oct 16-17.

Dubai Mall Contact: +971 4 331 4858; artfairdubai.com

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Friday, October 16 6:00pm Qatar Drift Championship (Qatar) If you love the thrill of motorsport, get set for some smoky action at the Qatar Racing Club where the best drifters from the Middle East will compete for the Drift King Crown in Round-1 of the Qatar Drift Championship from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.

Free entry.

Qatar Racing Club Contact: +974 4028 6000; qrc.qa

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Saturday, October 17 IGN Convention (Abu Dhabi) Visit the IGN Convention for gaming enthusiasts and meet some stunning pop culture celebrities like Game of Thrones star Jack Gleeson, voice over artists Adam Harrington (voice of Bigby Wolf in the video game Wolf Among Us) and Dave Fennoy (voice of Lee Everett in The Walking Dead video game).

Du Forum, Abu Dhabi Tickets: ticketmaster.ae; ignconvention.com/ad

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Photography: Supplied

Bull Fighting Bull fighting is extremely popular in Oman with competitions happening everywhere, especially in the interiors, rather frequently. This sport has been gaining popularity and the price of the bulls may range from OMR500 to 2000.

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MUS C AT S TAY C AT IONS (NAKHAL AND SAWADI)

FORTS, BEACH AND PALM TREES FRIDAY 09.00 Wake up, take your coffee, and pack your lunch box. Now you are ready to start the adventure. Drive one hour from Muscat and reach the first destination of the day: Nakhal.

10.00 Visit the breathtaking fort of Nakhal. You will be amazed by the view from the top with wide orchards of palm trees at the bottom.

11.30 Continue your trip by driving through the palm trees of Nakhal. After a short 20-minutes drive you will reach its hot spring, also known as Ain A’thowarah. These waters are well-known for their medicinal qualities, and also for the little fish in the shoals which will eat the dead skin of your feet. Go for this natural pedicure.

13.00 After a short walk and swim in the hot spring, spread your mat under the shadow of a tree and enjoy your well-deserved picnic lunch.

15.00 It’s time to move. Drive one hour to reach Al Sawadi Beach Resort for your night stay. Check-in and head to the swimming pool. Relax for the rest of the afternoon. Contact: +968 26 795545

Finding it hard to decide what to do this weekend? Do you want to chill at a resort, visit a beach or see some historical monuments? Why not have them all? While Nakhal Fort offers you a cultural enclave surrounded by palm trees, not too far is the coastal village of Sawadi, a perfect sandy beach spot.

And all this just an hour’s drive from Muscat.

Story Olga Aymerich hiweekend@timesofoman.com

What are your staycation plans for this long holiday weekend?

Tell us on Facebook.com/hiweekly or tweet us @ hioman or tag us in your instagram photos #HiWeekend

SATURDAY 09.00 Enjoy a nice continental breakfast next to the swimming pool before you check-out.

11.00 Go till the end of Sawadi beach road. You will reach an amazingly beautiful sand beach with little fishing boats. Bargain a good price and take a ride with the fishermen in their boats till one of the little islands nearby. Agree with the fisherman to pick you up after a couple of hours and enjoy your private beach.

13.30 Jump on the boat back to mainland and drive back till Sawadi Roundabout. Stop at the Modern Arab Restaurant for a nice Chicken Mandi and Yemeni tea.

Photography: Shutterstrock

15.00 Continue to Muscat and reach early enough to prepare yourself for the next day — working day again.

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SAFARI VIBES TEXT SHRUTHI NAIR

BIG BOLD & BEAUTIFUL BAG from Parfois, Qurum City Centre (Avenues Mall and Muscat City Centre), +968 2455 8183, parfois.com, OMR 15.900

PHOTOGRAPHY ALI JANI

PRETTY LITTLE PELT PENDANT from Promod, Qurum City Centre, +968 2447 0701, promod.co.uk, OMR 9.900

MYSTIQUE DISTRESSED BANGLES from Parfois, Qurum City Centre (Avenues Mall and Muscat City Centre), +968 2455 8183, parfois.com, OMR 5.900

RUSTIC HUNTER BELT from Promod, Qurum City Centre, +968 2447 0701, promod.co.uk, OMR 4

Adventurously chic, rawly rugged, and fashionably bold is what safari fashion is all about. This wild style continues to inspire urban trends and designs, especially for women. The subtle animal print, rustic copper, and leather, modern tribal chokers, distressed brass bangles, and bold primary colours give a refreshing twist to their practical style.

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Photography: Ali Jani

TRIBAL INSPIRED CLASSY CHOKER from Promod, Qurum City Centre, +968 2447 0701, promod.co.uk, OMR 9.900

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GLITTER AND SPARKLE WITH

NAIL

ART

Beautiful and well kept nails have always been an important part of women’s beauty. While manicured nails have been in fashion for quite some time now, the trend of having brightly coloured nails with funky designs on it are fast catching up. Women are now abandoning the plain nail paints and are trying out different types of nail arts. Be it floral designs, sequin work or the latest 3D nail art, it’s time to flaunt your fingers STORY SHRUTHI NAIR PHOTOGRAPHY NADA EL SAYED

Get your nail art done at the LILY SPA Al Hail Al Shimaliyah, Muscat, Oman +968 9537 1605 Instagram @lily_spa

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omen, for ages, have been coming up with innovative ways to enhance their look, paying close attention to intricate details of not only their face but also their hair, skin, and nails.

Nails are an accessory in itself that we naturally don. Until recently, nails were only painted in traditional shades that came to be represented as a symbol of class, elegance and femininity. However, of late, women across the globe have been experimenting with creative colours, designs, patterns, and themes on their nails that express their individuality, character, and also their vibrant moods.

Like most other nations, Oman too hasn’t been spared by the nail art wave that has had its strong impact.

Here, people incorporate different patterns and designs on their nails depending on the situation, occasion and location. Al Shaima Al Alawi, owner of Lily Spa, shows the three categories of nail art done on five different places or circumstances.

3D: Accessories such as beads, crystals, and stones are glued to the nails to give the design a three dimensional effect. This is extremely popular in the Middle-East as there are a wide range of accessories available in the market that are elegant, funky, quirky, and beautiful that could help them define the look on their fingers which in turn may be a reflection of their current tenor.

Stamp: Stamps are used for nailimprinting that lets you put designs by punching detailed and complicated ready-made designs from a palette onto the nails. This method is easy and effective and can be done within seconds to achieve interesting designs with utmost precision.

Painting: Various nail art tools, pens and brushes are used to manually draw and paint on the nails. The artistic and creative users of these implements generally tend to use nail extensions to create a larger canvas.

Colours For daily use, people go for simple colour combinations like black and white and have plain tribal/aztec patterns drawn and painted on their nails as it is easy to do and looks uncomplicated, too.

Brides in Oman, usually tend to use nude and white with a tinge of pink on their nails on their special day. A white Arabic pattern on a nude or beige base can be stamped with an addition of a simple yet elegant accessory to complete the classy look.

For the beach a more “chilled-out” pattern is used while the colours applied are pastel aquatic ones like shades of blue and green. This can be accompanied by a quirky-looking accessory like a fish or a wave pattern.

For a traditional ceremony or gathering, Omani women tend to dress heavily from head to toe including their nails. Bold, deep colours like gold and red are predominantly used and every centimetre of the nail is covered with paint, designs, and accessories.

Usually golden beads are used to highlight the nail art.

For parties, you can use bright, attractive colours or a dark colour on nude and play with the designs and accessories. You can accessorise according to the theme of the party, for instance, if it is a gentleman theme party you can simply stick a little plastic moustache on the nail or if it is a ladies only party, you can get a black beautiful girly design stamped on a nude base and stick a big lipstick nail accessory onto it. shruthi@timesofoman.com

TOTALLY TRADITIONAL If you want to go traditional, go gaudy.

Glittery golden base stamped on with pillar box red nail paint and embellished with tiny golden and red beads.

Have you tried to be creative with your nails?

Share with us your personal nail art pictures on Facebook.com/hiweekly or tweet us @ hioman or tag us in your instagram photos #HiWeekend

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BOLD AND BEACHY When at the beach, festoon funky. Deep blue nail polish stamped on light sea blue base with a crazy beachy print. Garnish the look with a little coral nail accessory.

BRIDAL BLING On your special day, wear winsome. White Arabic design stamped on a faint nude base accompanied by a simple yet elegantly blingy bow.

EVERYDAY ELEGANCE Everyday, keep it simple. Standard black and white colour combination with an easy tribal design plainly painted.

PRETTY PARTY If you have an awesome party to attend, wear weird. Black bold print on a nude base highlighted with glittery golden nail paint. To complete the look glue a cool accessory that goes with the theme of the party.

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BREW LIKE A BARISTA

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PHOTOGRAPHY ALI JANI

If you are a real coffee lover you know there’s nothing more rejuvenating than waking up to a hot cup of coffee.

Connoisseurs of espresso, cappuccino, and western-style drip coffee, also know that for that perfect cuppa, having the right gear is almost as important as getting the right bean. Check out our at-home barista picks. hiweekend@timesofoman.com 1

Top-of-the-line Espresso Maker This fully automatic espresso machine is worth the high price if you want to brew, froth, and steam like a pro at home. Al Alami, Avenues Mall +968 9984 9970 OMR 246

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French Press Coffee purists have long loved this simple coffee brewing system. It’s perfect for making a strong brew on a budget.

Spend the money you save on high-quality coffee.

Home Centre, +968 2208 6000, homecentrestores.com OMR 2.900

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Modern Coffee Thermos Omani’s have the right idea when it comes to keeping kahwa hot and on hand to enjoy throughout the day. Grab a modern thermos with proper vacuum insulation to keep your drip coffee ready-to-serve for up to 12 hours. Home Centre, +968 2208 6000, homecentrestores.com OMR 3.500

4 Photography: Ali Jani

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Milk Steamer Perfectly foamy milk is perhaps the biggest draw of the coffee house, and this milk frother allows you to make your own with settings for cappuccino, latte, and hot chocolate. Al Alami, Avenues Mall +968 998 4997 OMR 42.900

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Would you be dining in or dining out this week?

Share with us your innovatively mouthwatering dishes and their recipe on Facebook.com/hiweekly or tweet us @ hioman or tag us in your instagram photos #HiWeekend

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DINE IN DINE OUT STRAWBERRY MANGO TWIST A blend of strawberry and mango is a gorgeous combination and a delight for juice lovers.

You can use both fresh or frozen fruits while making this juice. And if you wish to enhance the taste add orange juice to it.

LAYERED BLEND Make layered drinks with juices and other beverages. Remember to have less-sugary liquids on top, and you have plenty of options like cranberry juice, grape juice, lemonade and more.

Top it with sliced fruit pieces and chocolate wafer sticks.

PASSION PERFECT Mix it with pineapple, mango, pomegranate, and orange or have it plain, there is nothing as refreshing as a fresh glass of passion fruit juice in any of these combinations.

STORY FELICIA CAMPBELL PHOTOGRAPHY ALI JANI

FRESH JUICE COCKTAILS There is nothing more refreshing than a glass of fresh squeezed juice. And the best part of juicing is one can make some amazing combinations. All you need to do is to ďŹ gure out the right combination and give the regular fruit juices a twist. Muscat has some exclusive juice corners which offers freshly made juices. The Golden Berry, located in Bausher, behind Millennium hypermarket is one such place which has all the best combinations that you can ask for. Remember to ask for no sugar option if you do not like sugar-laden juices.

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Be it b you ca toppin nuts, p wafer

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LEMON MINT QUENCHER Lemon mint juice is ideally a summer beverage and in Oman with the long summer months, this juice is ideal for all the year round. Add crushed ice or ice cubes for that extra chill.

LEMON KIWI SIP Puree peeled kiwi fruit in a blender and

REATIVE SPECIAL banana, beetroot, apple or carrot,

an give a special touch to all by exotic ngs of your choice. Pieces of cashew pomegranate seeds and chocolate sticks make it out of the ordinary.

POMEGRANATE PUNCH Pomegranate juice has myriad health benefits but its an all-time favourite for being the perfect thirst quencher. Mix with it juice from a variety of fruits, including grapes, oranges, and watermelon.

JUICE ON THE GO If you do not have enough time to have a proper breakfast then why not juice it up?

Sounds interesting, isn’t it.

Here's how to do it.

INGREDIENTS •1/2 banana •1 handful of fresh blueberries 1 handful of fresh blueberries •50g muesli •2 oranges (peeled, with pith left on) •150g natural organic yoghurt if you're a juicy vegan, then simply use soya yoghurt •150g soya milk •1 teaspoon honey •A small handful of ice

PREPARATION Juice the oranges and then pour into the blender along with all the other ingredients. Blend and enjoy. You can use any berries you like but the combination of strawberries and raspberries works particularly well. This smoothie is bursting with goodness and will certainly keep you filled up until lunch time. —Recipe from the book 'Keeping it Simple' by Jason Vale, The Juice Master

Photography: Ali Jani

strain the mixture. Add sugar and lemon juice and stir. Serve it chilled.

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ASK AN OMANI

OMANI BURQA THE FACIAL MASK Many of you might have heard about burqa, the scarf that covers hair and face of women. But Omani burqa is a different thing. It is the facial mask worn by women, particularly from the Bedouin tribe.

TEXT T.A. AMEERUDHEEN PHOTOGRAPHY O.K. MOHAMMED ALI

NADIA AL SHAMSI OMANI JEWELLERY DESIGNER

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STYLE AND COLOUR OF BURQA The style and colour of burqa vary from region to region.

In Buraimi and Musandam, women wear thin, gold coloured face masks. Women in Sharqiyah and Sharqiyah Sands use the same colour, but the masks are made of thicker material. Another marked difference is that the burqa is not flat like the northern style, but forms a kind of beak in the middle. In Al Wusta region, women prefer burqas made of thick fabric.

BURQA – THE CURRENT TREND These days, Omani burqa is not just worn by Bedouin girls.

Women in the cities wear it during special occasions like engagements and weddings. It has also developed into a fashion item.

Photography: O. K. Mohammed Ali

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urqa is the veil worn by women in Oman.

It covers the lower part of the face — from mouth to chin — and partially covers the forehead.

“The size and shape of the Burqa, the facial mask, differs from region to region and it comes in different colours, such as yellow, red, green, purple and black. It is predominantly made of fabric known as Sheil,” explains Nadia Al Shamsi, Oman’s well-known jewellery designer, who learnt the art of making burqa from her mother.

“Girls begin to use burqa at the age of 14 or once they get engaged. It is part of the Omani tradition, which is dying slowly as women replaced burqa with other face make-up. But I still believe the mask enhances the beauty of women,” she asserts. Nadia produces masks in different colours in order to enhance its fashion appeal. “Being an artist, I would like to convince women that burqa is as fashionable as any other modern outfit. It helps preserve the Omani identity,” she adds.

Like any other traditional Omani attire or jewellery, regional variations can be found in the design, size and colour of the masks. “People use different masks in Al Dhahirah, Buraimi, Batinah, Sharqiyah, and Dhofar regions,” she says.

According to Nadia, burqa makers began to use Sheil fabric very recently. “Earlier, they used white fabric and dye it for specific colours. Burqa makers began to opt for Sheil as it is available in different colours.”

With more women engaging in manufacturing burqa, its availability has increased all over the Sultanate. “Burqa is available in all souqs across the Sultanate. Earlier the cost used to be OMR1. Now, burqas cost OMR2.500 to OMR5 and the pricing depends on the design.”

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T H E M E ET UP

The Qurum Beach transforms each afternoon into a vast arena pulsing with bonhomie and banter as amateur footballers from all walks of life gather for pickup games.

STORY T.A. AMEERUDHEEN PHOTOGRAPHY ISMAIL AL FARSI

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“OMAN IS A FOOTBALL CRAZY COUNTRY AND THAT IS WHY HUNDREDS OF PLAYERS DESCEND HERE IN THE AFTERNOONS. THEY PREFER QURUM AS IT IS ONE OF THE BEST BEACHES IN MUSCAT.”

Photography: Ismail Al Farsi

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DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS? Before you join a pickup match, you might feel the need to get your football technique up to snuff at one of these recreational Muscat sports schools.

ARSENAL SOCCER SCHOOL OMAN Qurum, Muscat +968 2448 3344, +968 2448 8565 arsenalsoccerschooloman.com Arsenal Soccer Schools have been operating since 1985 around the UK and have expanded internationally. The courses are based on the same principles used at the training ground, developing young player technical skills and passion for the game to ensure they become the best players they possibly can. The coaching sessions take place at Muscat Club and the coaches offer boys and girls, of all ages and abilities, the opportunity to ‘Play the Arsenal Way’.

SAMBA FUTSAL CENTRE Bausher, Muscat +968 9558 0468 sambafutsalcentre.com The Samba Futsal Centre was started with an aim to train children on the nuances of five-a-side football, which is very popular all over the world.

The training session happens at the football turf near the Muscat Private Hospital in Bausher.

Children as young as four years old train at the facility. Interested may contact Paulo, Founder & GM of Samba Futsal Centre.

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he light begins to wane and a carnival-like, festive atmosphere builds on Qurum Beach in Muscat as hundreds of barefoot men gather to do battle on the vast stretches of sand.

Those looking for a quiet picnic area should be aware that during the week, the calm serene of this beach transforms into a cacophony of excitement, with more than 20 pitches complete with makeshift goalposts will sprout before 4pm. Some teams are formed on-the-spot with available players, while other groups troop in together to play. Doctors, engineers, pilots, students, and retirees, bring their own footballs and refreshments to share after slugging it out on the field. All are drawn to this simple arena of sea and sand where, for a few short hours, all that matters is the game.

“Oman is a football crazy country and that is why hundreds of players descend here in the afternoons. They prefer Qurum as it is one of the best beaches in Muscat. Besides, it is easy to access the beach. Refreshments are avail-

able in nearby shops. I have seen players from as far as Seeb travel all the way to Qurum just because they love the surroundings,” says one such player, Mohammed Saif, a retired government employee.

“I don’t have any other avenues to keep myself engaged, but I don’t want to be lazy and that is why I keep playing football here with these youngsters. Age doesn’t matter on the field. I can still keep pace with them.”

“It feels great to play on the beaches, especially during winter. The weather is perfect and the ambience is great. The intensity of the matches increases when you see others in action. We do not have enough playing facilities in Muscat and that’s why we depend on Qurum,” says Ahmed Al Jahwari, a student in a city college.

“I hope the officials will allow us to continue to play at the beaches. Sports do many good things to the society. It helps youngsters keep away from drugs and other unlawful activities.

So the best thing to do is to earmark separate areas for families and players,” says resident player Samir Al Abri.

“IT FEELS GREAT TO PLAY ON THE BEACHES. THE INTENSITY OF THE MATCHES INCREASES WHEN YOU SEE OTHERS IN ACTION.”

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FRIENDS ON FOURS Keeping pets in Oman is not just fun but also a responsibility. Whether you purchase a pet or adopt one, you need to select the right pet to suit your pocket as well as your residence. Go for fish or birds if you have less time on hand, bring home a puppy or a kitten if you need companionship, or lodge a snake at home if you want to display your daring.

STORY HUBERT VAZ

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o you want to keep a pet? And you have no clue where to start from and where it will all lead you to? Well, keeping a pet in Oman is no big deal (unlike what most people will tell you) if you do things right. But, you need to get yourself the right pet, provide the right care, and most importantly, give it lots and lots of love.

If you love animals, when you visit a pet shop in Muscat you will be overwhelmed by the desire to own a pet, especially if you have little kids with you. You also cannot escape hearing some sorry tales around town, about ill-treatment towards pets, that will disturb you. But whether you buy a pet from a shop or adopt one from a shelter, you sure could do your bit by providing it with all the love and care that you can afford.

When you decide to buy a pet, there is much to choose from, including dogs, cats, birds, fish, turtles, rabbits, hamsters, mice, chameleons, even snakes. You must first decide on your budget which includes cost of the pet, initial investment for an enclosure or aquarium, and recurring expenses for food and upkeep.

If you’re hard on cash but heavy on compassion, go for adoption as it would be more easy on your wallet. -hubert@timesofoman.com

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FISH AND TURTLES

KITTENS AND PUPPIES

Fish and turtles are low budget choices with minimal expense on upkeep. Small turtles can be kept in a simple plastic tub or an acrylic box but if you choose to keep fish, you can either make do with a simple mini aquarium, or be as extravagant as you want to by customising an aquarium to suit your living area. You would also need to instal lighting and oxygen-pumps as per the size of your aquarium. But if you are considering keeping sea-water fish, remember, it is an elaborate affair that calls for installation of special purification and circulation equipment besides installing bigger aquariums to facilitate these.

Popular fresh water varieties like Goldfish, Tetra, Moly, Angel Fish, mini Sharks and other small, spotted and striped fish cost between OMR2-6 for a pair (depending on size and type), the sea water fish (which come in a variety of fluorescent hues and fabulous designs) cost anything from OMR4-20 for a pair.

Though sea-water fish appear the most attractive, it is better to let that option go by, unless you have a huge budget. The tiny green turtles cost about OMR2-3 each.

If you want a pet you can talk to, cuddle up and care for, then you must choose between cats and dogs. It is good to bring home a puppy or kitten when they are just a few months old as you can train them early to get acquainted with the rules of your home.

A staffer at Animal World said, “Cats (Turkish Angoras – OMR150 onwards, Persian Kittens – OMR250 onwards) are a good choice for those who do not have time for training or cleaning up the premise because they keep themselves clean and do not need any toilet training. You also have the option of bringing home an agile Bengal Cat (available at Creatures) which can grow up to look like a cheetah, but costing a whopping OMR950.

The puppies available in Oman are mostly Beagles, Boxers, Pugs, Bulldogs, Siberian Huskies, Japanese Shih Tzus, Pomeranians, and a few locally-bred cross-breeds. Bigger dogs like Alsatians, Labradors, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, need to be ordered. Smaller breeds cost between OMR450-600 while the bigger breeds cost above OMR700-800, depending on age.

Managing Director of Canadian Jebel K9, Alfa Vold, disclosed that they provide training services for pet dogs of all breeds (besides boarding and grooming facilities.Training includes socialisation of pets besides teaching them obedience, toilet training, guarding and sports.

About walking pets, Alfa disclosed that there were no major restrictions in Oman but the best time to walk pets is early mornings or late evenings, especially during summer, provided they are under a leash and the owner is prepared to clean up any mess on the street.

RABBITS, HAMSTERS, SNAKES Other pets available in Oman are rabbits, hamsters, white mice, and snakes, but these pets need to be kept in special cages or enclosures outdoors because you would not like your premise to be filled with unpleasant odour. One also has to check that the environment is suitable to them and provide timely medication to ensure their good health.

“Rabbits cost around OMR9, Hamsters OMR7, White Mice OMR3, all of which can be kept in cages, depending on their number and size,” a staffer at a popular pet shop at Al Qurum disclosed. If one wants to boast of keeping a more deadly pet that would make most shiver at their sight, there are a variety of snakes available in some shops. These include milk snake, green carpet snake, baby African Pythons, baby Golden American Pythons, available for prices ranging above OMR120-200, he disclosed.

TIPS FOR IMPORT/EXPORT OF PETS •Those intending to bring in their pets from other countries need to be in possession of an agricultural form (in original) which is available at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Animal Health Department (+968 2469 6300) for OMR5.

Those coming in for the first time must request someone in Oman to meet them at the airport with this important paper without which the pet cannot move out of the airport.

•Also, one needs to ensure that the pet (dog or cat) is at least four months old and has been given a Rabies Vaccination one month prior to arrival (not more than 6 months before), besides other vaccines shots like Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Leptospirosis, the stickers of which must be affixed to the vaccination card.

•The VET at the airport provides passports for the pet for OMR20 and one has to provide five passport size photos of the pet. For convenience, it would be helpful to carry details

BUDGIES, PARROTS, MACAWS Birds are also good pets with least hassles. All you need is a suitable cage and regular supplies of grain. You can begin with a pair of love-birds, finches, budgies, parakeets, parrots, cockatiels, or doves. Budgies are quite attractive and available in different colours including shades of white, beige, blue, green, yellow as well as a combination of hues, and available for OMR5-10 while parrots cost above OMR20. If you want to keep bigger birds like colourful talking Macaws (costing over OMR100), you need to have a bigger dedicated space for them either indoors or outdoors.

that describe the pet, its height, weight, breed, birth date, name, and home address on a small laminated card that can be hung around the pet’s neck.(for details: info@ muscatvets.com) •A few expatriates who have gone through this process caution that one must also check with the concerned airline for transporting pets as some airlines do not transport pets during summer months in cargo since it is not cool enough for pets. Or it might be a better idea to take a night flight.

•If you choose to export your pet while returning to your home country from Oman, you would not need the agricultural document. But, you would have to visit the Customs Vet office at the airport (closer to the arrivals end) to fill up a form that costs OMR25 (paid only by card) and is valid for seven days.

•Contact :+968 2456 2263 for guidance on import and export of pets worldwide.

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PET SUPPLY SHOPS You can purchase your pets from a range of outlets in Muscat that provide documents tracing the pedigree of imported pets (cats and dogs), besides locally bred international breeds. They also have regular facilities for pet grooming which costs around OMR20 for a complete package (fur trimming, shower, cleaning of ears and clipping of nails), besides selling pet accessories, branded food, grooming kits, toys, cribs, kennels and even garments and boots. You cannot bargain over the price of a pet, though some would offer free showers and complimentary grooming on purchase.

Popular pet shops in Muscat Creatures Kingdom, Fun Zone, Al Qurum +968 9546 4607 Creatures Trading, Sabco Centre, Al Qurum +968 2456 3721 Canadian Jebel K9 For professional dog training as well as pet boarding kennels and grooming services.

Contact: +968 9941 9595

PET CLINICS ADOPT A PET If you would like to adopt a pet (cat or dog), there are a few facebook pages or websites created for this purpose wherein numerous residents of Oman have put up details of puppies and kittens (of good breeds) for adoption. Most of these pets have been abandoned by their owners who simply left them near the airport or at strategic points in the capital where they would be noticed and possibly picked up by animal lovers. There are others who are on their way out of Oman and want to entrust their pets to people who would love and care for them.

The websites calls on individuals seeking to keep pets to adopt these animals (rather than patronising pet shops) since they are not stray but those longing for love after being abandoned by their owners. Some of these pets are undergoing treatment or recuperating at pet clinics in the city.

Nada Al Moosa, founder of Omani Paws, says “I started Omani Paws two years ago to rescue pets which were being abandoned by people in Oman. I noticed that there was much cruelty meted out to pets by their owners who left them behind when leaving the country and I started providing them shelter. We need more people to think seriously about adopting such animals with full responsibility towards them.”

She further informed that last year around 98 pets (dogs and cats) had been rescued while, this year, 60 pets have already been rescued. “Some of these pets have been lodged at foster homes but we need people to adopt these pets to provide them a new home,” she said informing that they conduct interviews with those who seek to adopt pets to find out their real intent, future plans, and whether they are willing to take responsibility of the pet whenever they leave Oman, before providing them with a suitable pet.

Contact: Omani Paws on +968 9920 4787; Visit: adoptapetinoman.wordpress.com

Most of the pet shops are associated with local veterinarian clinics that provide the mandatory vaccinations as well as treatment for sick or injured pets, besides surgical assistance, digital X-rays, and procedures for spaying and neutering of pets. The clinics also dispense oral antibiotics and other vitamin tonics for a variety of pets.

Dr Roda, a veterinarian at Nawras Veterinary Clinic, informed that the two most common ailments among pet dogs and cats in Oman are ear mites and fungal infections is due to lack of exposure to sunlight. It is, therefore, good to take pets outdoors to expose them to fresh air and sunlight, she asserted.

Varsha Karnik, incharge of adoptions at Al Qurum Veterinary Clinic, informs that the clinic also deals in rescue of pets, which included treatment as well as finding foster homes for them till they get adopted. Varsha informs that those who seek to adopt pets need to pay a nominal fee as well as treatment expenses which is much less than the cost of pets in pet shops. “If you need to adopt a kitten, you can come to us, but if you need to adopt a puppy you can approach Omani Paws with which we work very closely.

Veterinary Clinics in Muscat Al Nawras Veterinary Clinic, Al Qurum Contact: +968 2456 2170 Capital Veterinary Centre, Al Qurum Contact: +968 9586 0232 Sama Veterinary Clinic, Al Ghubra Contact: +968 2449 0537; Emergency: +968 9777 4446 Al Qurum Veterinary Clinic Contact: +968 2456 2263

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Teacher’s Day celebrations held at Indian School Al Seeb.

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LC Waikiki Store grand launch (Apparel Group) at Avenues Mall, Muscat.

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Kajri fest Kajri Mahotsav organised by Indian Social Club Bhojpuri Wing at Passage to India.

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Teacher’s Day held at Pakistan School Muscat.

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