T Weekly for August 16, 2018 by Muscat Media Group

VOL 11 ISSUE 35 / AUGUST 16, 2018

ROARING WITH TALENT OMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ACE PHOTOGRAPHERS

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 35 AUGUST 16, 2018 Founder: Essa bin Mohamed Al Zedjali Chairman: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali CEO: Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali

Celebrating the men behind the lens IT WAS JUST few years ago when vacations meant carrying a bulky camera, along with other travel essentials. No one would ever leave their homes without it. After all, holidays have always been about relaxation, rejuvenation, making memories and also capturing precious moments. And while the importance of photographs has not lessened by any means, smartphone cameras have gradually taken over DSLRs, as they’re convenient and loved by those who want to travel light. But there are some whose passion for photography is so immense that they do not mind the hassle of carrying huge cameras or their accessories; as for them, capturing that one perfect shot is what matters the most. They neither care about the difficulties nor the long hours in anticipation of the perfect shot. Meet some of the ace photographers based in Oman whose photography has surpassed mere clicking of pictures or making memories; their creative pursuits have woven beautiful tales through some remarkable photography. These visual storytellers in our cover story this week narrate a story with their photographs, from wildlife and nature, to culture and heritage, each conveying a unique message. And as the holiday mood sets in, once again, it’s time to hit the road. Set aside 6-7 hours of your day and drive all the way to Musandam and spend your holidays amidst the breathtaking locales. While you have an option of going by ferry or by air, which might be easier and time saving, if you want to add some adventure to your holiday plan — hit the road. Don’t forget to have all your travel documents ready for the trip. So, what are you waiting for? Norway of the Middle East beckons all, and for more information, turn to Page 16. And once the holidays are over, remember to ditch your holiday outﬁts when you get back to work. Even if you are permitted to wear casuals, choose the ones that are neat, properly tailored, and smart. Our fashion columnist has more tips for you. Till then, happy holidays! —Swati Dasgupta

Editor: Charles Lavery Features Editor: Swati Dasgupta Research Editor: Ashish Dubash Associate Editor: Shruthi Nair Copy Editor: Gautam Bhargav Viswanathan Online Editor: Christopher Isaac

Graphics Editor: Antonio Farach Design Editor: Sahir K.M. Lead Designer: Gregory Fernandez Designer: Geri B. Sonny, Jerrard Cedro Production Manager: Shafi Shaik Photography: MMG Photographers On The Cover: Design by Gregory Fernandez Cover Picture Courtesy: Althaf Abdul For general enquiries or comments: swati@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 214 swati@timesofoman.com ADVERTISEMENT 24726600/24726666 Ext 432 ajayraj@timesofoman.com

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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK 16

MONDAY 6.30pm Startup Meet People with an existing up-andrunning business or people starting up a new business can gather and learn from each other in startup meets.

SUNDAY 6.00am Beach Run Begin your week by going for a long jog by the beach in Oman. Doesn’t matter, where you stay. A beach can’t be too far away anyway.

THURSDAY 01.00pm Weekend Getaway Wash the week’s stress by starting your weekend at one of the resorts in Oman. Enjoy the peace and tranquility; far away from the daily hustle-bustle. This might be the perfect start to your holidays.

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

10.00am Health is Wealth

12.00pm Brunch and Munch

Go for a full body health check-up with your whole family or attend important health related sessions happening across town.

Grab a few friends and head to a super chill restaurant for a weekend brunch with a few hours of food, fun, and chatter.

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TUESDAY 9.00am Get Artsy Attend a stencil making, canvas painting, or calligraphy workshop and flaunt your creative skills on paper.

Sacred Games (TV Series) Genre: Thriller Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddique, Radhika Apte Sartaj Singh, a Mumbai police officer, receives an anonymous phone call from a gangster who threatens to blow up the entire city. Amid the corrupt standards of Indian law enforcement begins a battle between a ‘nobody’ cop and ruthless gangster who perceives (sometimes) himself to be a God.

WEDNESDAY 9.00am A Mwasalat Ride Try taking the Mwasalat bus and experience the ride if you haven’t before.

(Genre

Okja (Film) Genre: Drama, Adventure, Action Cast: Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal, An Seo Hyun

Boyhood (Film) Genre: Drama Cast: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke

A gentle giant and the girl who raised her are caught in the crossﬁre between animal activism, corporate greed and scientiﬁc ethics.

Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, it is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason who literally grows up on screen before our eyes.

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WHEN PICTURES TELL STORIES STORY SALIM AL AFIFI

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The visual arts have affected our culture in many ways, and one of the main ﬁelds responsible for this is photography. As we gear up to commemorate World Photography Day on August 19, here in Oman, we meet some of the most talented photographers who are adding a different dimension to their work through their creativity, talent, and extraordinary ﬂair.

e were recently incredibly inspired by a handful of photographers, who are giving back to their communities in ways that go far beyond the occasional volunteer day or pro bono assignment. They share the beauty that Oman has to offer with the world; they become the eyes that offer a glimpse into the country and its traditions. From wildlife photographers who have a passion for capturing animals and the adventurous spirit, to dedicated shutterbugs who live to photograph precious moments of Omani culture and those who enjoy taking portraits of the elderly, Oman has them all. As the craft requires

an ample amount of time, talent, and passion, we’d like to share with you the works of ﬁve photographers whose devotion and generosity to the world of photography are truly remarkable —artistes who are all set to make a difference in Oman. What do these photos have in common, you ask? They are a visual celebration of revered, and timehonoured Omani culture that brings about joyful festivities, historic craftsmanship, and fervent cavalrymen who live to entertain crowds with their skills. These photographs were captured by the ever-so-talented Oman-based photographers who love to celebrate and showcase the beautiful Omani traditions and the natural beauty the Sultanate offers.

‘IT IS DIFFICULT TO TAKE IMAGES OF BIRDS IN FLIGHT. THIS PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN AT DHARIZ BEACH IN SALALAH. THE GIRL WAS CHASING THE SEAGULLS AND WHEN THEY ALL FLEW TOGETHER SHE GOT SCARED AND RAN BACK TO HER FATHER.’ — ALTHAF ABDUL

WILDLIFE BECKONS

attended a photography event on the birds of Oman in Al Ansab and I was inexplicably happy,” said Althaf, a lover of wildlife and birdlife photography. Watching the pictures of birds taken by his friends inspired him to update his gear and start shooting birds. “I stepped into wildlife photography in 2016 with the help of a group called BAF – Photomuse in Kerala, India,” said Althaf, adding, “I had a chance to visit Jim Corbett National Park in India last year and it was a memorable trip full of tigers and herds of elephants.” While he started with landscape photography as it had a lot of scope in Oman due to the mountains and long stretches

of deserts, he soon realised that his passion lay in capturing wildlife. Later on, he joined a photography club called FSO Muscat and had the opportunity to meet many other like-minded creative photographers with unique interests. Together, they planned events every weekend to meet and enrich each other with the knowledge of still photography. During his free time, he goes online and observes the photographs taken by eminent photographers around the world, which inspire him to capture the moments that shape his desire to become a photographer. “What I like about photography is that we capture a moment that’s gone forever and is impossible to reproduce,” he explained.

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CAPTURING WISDOM ‘I LOVE THIS PICTURE AS IT PORTRAYS THE SIMPLE LIFE OF AN OLD MAN IN HIS WORKING SPACE. HE SEEMS TO BE CONTEMPLATING ABOUT THE LITTLE THINGS OF LIFE.’ — KHALIL AL OBAIDANI

‘I FIND INSPIRATION IN TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE. IN THESE PICTURES I HAVE TRIED TO CAPTURE THEIR SIMPLICITY AND SPONTANEITY THAT THEY SHOW WHILE INTERACTING WITH EACH OTHER.’

halil is a renowned photographer from Nizwa, and works as a government employee at the Ministry of Health. His photography is nothing short of an inspiring trip exploring our revered culture. “I dove into the art of photography through a simple relationship with my Nokia cellphone. I used to pick up anything and take pictures of trips, occasions, and family gatherings,” he said, adding, “I was photographing and collecting pictures, which made me fall in love with photography.” In 2010, Khalil purchased his ﬁrst professional camera, and since then, he’s been

constantly evolving and growing to stay atop the game. It seemed that it was a great opportunity to transition into the professionals’ club. “As a photographer, you must keep pace with the developments of this industry, from cameras to equipment.” Culture encompasses all aspects — clothing, nature of life, habits, traditions or occupations and characters — and to convey the culture of the people and discover the world around them, this made me love portraying the lives of people and their cultures. One of his biggest inspirations is photographing the elderly. He has been fascinated by the lives and times of senior citizens who

have tales to tell. “I ﬁnd inspiration in taking photos of the elderly, the souq, people’s lives and Omani traditions, as they contain a lot of beauty and simplicity that make for wonderful pictures,” he said. Through his career, many achievements have been bestowed upon him by the Ministry of Health. He won the ﬁrst place at a blood donation competition, and third place at a youth creation competition. “My work has been accepted internationally and locally, which makes me a proud Omani photographer,” he said. His future plans include going global and setting up his own exhibition.

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NATURE IN ITS FINEST FORM ‘HAVE TAKEN MORE THAN THREE HOURS WITH LITTLE TO NO MOVEMENT TO CAPTURE A PHOTO. THIS PATIENCE IS REWARDING IN THE LONG RUN.’ — MOHAMMED AL BARAMI

f you enjoy photographs of the Khareef season in Salalah, scenic landscapes, and stunning, sharp photos of wildlife, then you’d be inspired by Mohammed Al Barami’s portfolio, a Dhofari native whose passion for this craft is beautifully reﬂected through his stunning photos. The talented photographer discovered his passion for the lens when he had just ﬁnished school, and was looking for a way to kill time before attending university. Though Mohammed has studied geology, his true passion was photography, a craft that came naturally to him. He is a self-taught photographer who’s been immortalising the outdoors for about a decade, and his passion for wildlife and nature saw him naturally gravitate towards the natural beauty of Salalah and its surrounding areas. “I studied geology at Kuwait University, but my hobby has always been pursuing nature and wildlife in Dhofar, and through my photography, I want to prove just how beautiful nature and the environment are in Dhofar,” he said. “You know, Salalah is a naturally beautiful city and inspires

any photographer to improve himself by shooting the many stunning views you can enjoy.” Mohammed’s favourite aspect of photography is the documentation of the wild and natural life, and the pursuit of the different species of birds as they periodically migrate from urban to rural areas. With an eye for detail and the instinct to capture nature in its ﬁnest form, Mohammed has learned much from his time as a photographer. “The important thing I have learned from this hobby is patience,” he explained. “Sometimes, I have spent more than three hours with little to no movement to capture a photo. It might seem very difficult, but this patience rewards you for your dedication and hard work.” “Sometimes, I have stayed away from home for many days, especially during my vacations, just to capture the perfect photo,” he said, adding that “it might be a lot of hard work, but my parents and friends recognise that and really admire my photos”. With a very impressive collection of work now on hand, Mohammed has plans to publish a book of his best photos in the future.

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FRAMED BY A LIFETIME ‘THE LOCAL CULTURE OF OMAN ATTRACTED ME TO THE WORLD OF PHOTOGRAPHY, ESPECIALLY THEIR TRADITIONAL EVENTS AND LOCAL SOUQS. THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN IN NIZWA SOUQ ON A QUIET DAY.’ — DR MUKHTAR ALI

ukhtar is another photographer whose cultural photographs speak volumes. The Pakistani photographer resides in Nizwa with his family, and is a doctor working at Firq Health Centre in the city. After coming to Oman, he was mesmerised by the culture and its people, and ended up ﬁnding his true passion. He began practising the profession with his mobile phone, which later forced him to learn the craft more professionally. “I am a self-taught photographer. I developed my skills using online resources and photography magazines,” said Mukhtar. His work is heavily inﬂuenced and inspired by Oman. To him, the country’s rich culture is an endless pool of inspiration, especially the Al Dakhiliyah region, where he lives. “The local culture has attracted me to the world of photog-

‘THIS IS THE DOORWAY AND THE STEPS OF MISFAH HOUSE IN AL ABRIYEEN. THE BEAUTY OF THE STONES AND THE OLD CONSTRUCTION HAD CAUGHT MY ATTENTION.’

raphy, especially traditional events and local traditional souqs,” he said. Mukhtar draws inspiration from people and their adherence to history and culture, such as that of Oman. “One of my photographs achieved the top 20 slot in the Nikon 100 portraits competition held in Dubai, and I have won a few awards locally online,” he said proudly, referring to his achievements. He added that he ﬁnds it difficult to manage his time and practice photography because of his busy work schedule and family commitments, but yet tries to stay true to the art. Some of Mukhtar’s future plans include publishing a coffee table photobook comprising photos of Omani culture and the people. Also, he has a keen desire to start infant photography as a part-time profession, as it’s an area where he seems to have a growing interest.

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‘THE BEAUTY OF ARABIAN CAMELS HAS ALWAYS MESMERISED ME. THIS CAMEL RACE PICTURE WAS TAKEN IN AL QABIL.’

CONNECTING CULTURES

‘THIS PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN DURING EID WHEN A GROUP OF MEN WERE PERFORMING AL RAZFA, A TRADITIONAL DANCE OF OMAN.’ — MAVURI RAMESH

avuri, an Oman-based photographer from India, has always loved celebrating other cultures, and given that cultural photography has been a passion for years, being in Oman allowed him to capture the richness of the Sultanate’s culture and heritage. From something as simple as face portraits or street scenes to the ones that require the perfect sense of timing, for Mavuri, the art of taking pictures is about capturing the world around more realistically. He started his photography journey in Oman in 2011, when he went to Bidiyah in Al Sharqiyah on a trip. There, he witnessed Oman’s culture and heritage from close quarters and was completely inspired by it. He soon decided to learn photography, as he wanted to capture those timeless scenes on his camera. He also joined one of Muscat’s leading photography groups, FSO Muscat, and began polishing his skills. “There, I

started learning photography techniques and all the tips and tricks on how to stand out from a crowd,” said Mavuri, while remembering his initial days of learning all the behind-the-lens tricks. He honed his skills by mastering the technicalities of photography and also joined a team of photographers from Bidiyah and Jalan Bani Bu Ali, where he captured the beauty of Arabian camels and horses. The talented photographer also visited various other parts of Oman to capture the best shot. Some of the places he visited include Sur, where he got to know all about the ﬁshermen and their industry. He also enjoyed shooting bullﬁghts in Mussanah and Barka. Today, Mavuri has become the go-to photographer for cultural events in and around Bidiyah, as well as other parts of the country. His most memorable moment was when his photo was selected by the National Geographic magazine, Daily Dozen. He has also been awarded by the Ministry of Tourism for best photography.

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Eid Al Adha is celebrated all over the world and we soak up in the festivity by cooking some of the popular Eid special dishes of Oman, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

OMANI SHUWA RICE Oman’s traditional dish Shuwa , that is meat marinated in a thick blend of spices and oil and cooked underground, can also be made at home. Ingredients • 1 leg of lamb, from (1.5kg to 2.5kg) • 10 cloves garlic, crushed • 2 teaspoons ground pepper • 1½ teaspoons ground cumin • 2 teaspoons ground coriander seeds • 1½ teaspoons turmeric powder • 1 teaspoon ground cloves • 25-30 dry red chillies powdered (adjust the spice level according to your needs) • 4 tablespoons cooking oil • 3 tablespoons vinegar • Juice of 1 lemon For Rice • 2-3 cups Basmati rice • 5 to 6 cups of water to cook the rice • 1½ teaspoons cumin seeds • 1 teaspoon pepper corns • 3-4 cardamom pods • 3-4 cloves • 3 inch cinnamon • 2 star anise • 3-4 bay leaves • Salt to taste • Yellow food colour (2 drops) Preparation Adjust the amount of dry red chilli according to your spice level. Thoroughly combine all the ingredients, except lamb leg. Rub the spices on the lamb leg. Wrap the meat using dry banana leaves or palm leaves. Marinate in refrigerator overnight. Place the marinated meat wrapped up in the banana leaf in a roasting pan and cover, then roast in a 190C degree pre-heated oven for 3 to 4 hours or until the leg is well cooked, basting from pan juices every 30 minutes and turning over once or twice. Uncover and roast at 200C degree for 20 minutes, turning over once. Cook till the meat is ready and just about to fall off the bone. For Rice Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan, add in the whole spices one by one. Sauté for nearly 30 seconds. Add in the water. When water starts to boil, add the soaked rice. Cook till the rice has almost done, do not over cook it. Add the food colouring and serve shuwa with rice.

RECIPES BY ONEZA TABISH

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GOSHT ZAIKEDAAR

CHAPLI KEBABS

ORANGE JORDA SEMAI

A gem from the kitchen of the Mughals, Gosht Zaikedaar is a simple yet delicious lamb curry that will make your Eid more ﬂavourful.

Beef pattice that are shallow fried to create chargrilled style kebabs are chapli kebabs, a delight from Pakistan.

Jorda semai is a popular Bangladeshi dessert made during festivals. It is made from semai or vermicilli and is ﬂavoured with cinnamon and cardamom. The use of orange gives it a pleasant twist.

Ingredients • 6 teaspoons coriander seeds • 3 teaspoons cumin seeds • 7 tablespoons ghee/oil • 4 cloves • 2 inch cinnamon • 5 black cardamoms • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion • 2 tomatoes • 10 garlic cloves, finely chopped • 3 tablespoons yoghurt • 1/2kg mutton/lamb • Salt to taste • 1 teaspoon red chilli powder (Deghi/ Kashmiri) • Long and thin strips of ginger • Few coriander leaves Preparation Dry roast coriander and cumin and grind them finely. Heat oil in a pan, put in cloves, cinnamon, and cardamoms until aromatic. Now add in chopped onion and sauté until brown. Add chopped tomatoes, garlic, yoghurt, meat, salt, red chilli powder and sauté until the water of the meat is absorbed. Add 4 cups of water and long strips of ginger and cook on low flame until meat is tender and a little dry. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with pulao or rotis.

Ingredients • 500g minced beef, all water squeezed out completely • 1 egg, lightly beaten • 1 finely chopped onion • 1 teaspoon cumin powder • 1 teaspoon coriander powder • 2 green chillies, chopped • 1/2 teaspoon red chilli flakes • 1/4 teaspoon garlic paste • 1/4 teaspoon ginger paste • 2 medium tomatoes, seeds removed then chopped • Salt to taste • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder • 2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves • 2-3 tablespoons rice flour or breadcrumbs Preparation Mix all of the above ingredients together and refrigerate the mixture for half an hour. Heat a small non-stick frying pan with 2-3 inches of oil, shape the pattice flat and round.

Ingredients • 1/2 cup mix dry fruits and nuts (raisin, pistachios, cashew) • 2 cardamom pods • 1 inch cinnamon stick • 150g vermicelli /semai • 2/3 cup ghee • 2/3 cup sugar • 1 tablespoon orange rind • 1/3 cup orange segments (peeled) Preparation Soak all nuts and raisins for 15 minutes. Drain the water and remove the skin of nuts and chop ﬁnely. Boil 2 ½ cups water with cardamom and cinnamon. Boil till the water is reduced to half. Break semai into 2 inch pieces. Heat the ghee and fry semai for 1-2 minutes in another pan.

Fry them on high heat ﬁrst then lower the heat to medium low and continue cooking the kebabs until the colour is dark.

Stir fry vermicelli/semai till golden brown. Add nuts and raisins and sauté for 1 minute. Add the spiced water and cook till water dries up.

Turn them over carefully and cook the other side. Remove and drain on kitchen towels. Drizzle some lemon juice on them before serving. Garnish with onions and tomatoes.

Add sugar, orange rind and orange segments. Cook till sugar leaves a glaze and mix well. Let it cool down and spread semai with the help of a fork on a serving plate.

Oneza Tabish is a food blogger, consultant, and columnist based in Oman. She is also the owner of Oman’s popular Facebook group ‘What’s Cooking Oman.’

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WITH THE EID HOLIDAYS AROUND THE CORNER, MANY OF US HAVE ALREADY BEGUN PLANNING OUR TRIPS ACROSS OMAN

he Khareef season is sure to beckon many of us south to the Dhofar Governorate; others might plan a ﬁshing trip to Duqm, camp near the peaks of Jabal Akhdar, or take a trip into the yesteryears and visit the forts of Nizwa and Bahla. For those looking for alternatives that are out of the ordinary, though, look north — towards Musandam. Many of us have heard of Oman’s northern governorate, but few have actually been there. Musandam is located north of the United Arab Emirates territories of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, some 500 kilometres from the Omani mainland. Oman Air has daily ﬂights to the regional capital of Khasab, and the National Ferries Company operates fast ferries from the mainland to Khasab and the town of Dibba. However, there’s nothing quite like road tripping to Musandam. The governorate is of extreme strategic importance to Oman and the region as a whole. It ensures Oman controls the Strait of Hormuz alongside Iran, giving the Sultanate a very important position in this part of the world. But that wasn’t the reason my best friend and I went there. We went there for a far more important reason. We wanted to see Musandam.

We set off early in the morning, rising bright and early to begin our six-hour journey to the north. Although you’re good to go in a car, a four-wheel drive is recommended: Musandam is primarily mountainous terrain, and is best negotiated in a 4x4. The thing about a road trip is that it’s not just the destination that matters, it’s also the journey getting there. Over piping hot toast and some freshly brewed karak tea, my friend and I plotted the road we’d need to take to get north. We’d need to drive towards the Khatmat Malaha border crossing, before entering the UAE and out the other side. Preparation was key here. The day before, both of us had reﬁlled our phones with plenty of cash so that we wouldn’t run out of credit while accessing Google Maps on the way (the bestie lives in the UAE so he’d take over navigation once we crossed the border). However, cell phone coverage, especially in remote areas, can be spotty at times, and I had printed off physical maps of how we’d need to get to Dibba, should internet coverage fail. As we sat by the ocean, chomping down on our breakfast like it was the ﬁrst meal of the day, with the cool sea breeze fanning us underneath the gently warming sun, it was the sort of moment you wanted to put into a tiny capsule and keep forever. But we had to move on – greater pleasures, after all, awaited us. As we picked up speed on the Sultan Qaboos Highway

DESTINATION MUSANDAM ROAD TRIPPING ACROSS OMAN

and roared towards Seeb, my friend was stunned to see the new airport, a new expanse of glass and steel, now become an integral part of Oman – he’d been away from the Sultanate for quite some time, and was amazed to see how much the country had grown since he’d left. After stopping off to pick up supplies (sugarcane juice is a great refresher to beat the afternoon sun), we trundled on towards the Batinah governorate and into Sohar. What we saw on the way, though, was simply so gorgeous we had to turn back for another look: Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Sohar is so stunning, it is deﬁnitely worth a visit, or ﬁve. The rays of the late afternoon sun bounced off the deep blue stained glass windows of the masjid, lending the marble a radiant glow that reminds you that despite all of the technological advances today, there is little that can replicate the wonders of nature. It did take us time to tear our eyes away from this architectural marvel, but we were soon reminded of our next stop – lunch. Over the clink of cutlery (not ours, we ate with our hands), my friend and I tucked into sumptuous pizzas and took stock of what lay ahead. As we headed north once again, we made good time and passed town after quickly growing town in Oman’s northern expanse, complete with crops teeming with a fresh harvest ready to be picked, and industrial estates driving

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forward the economy. Before long, we began seeing signs for the Governorate of Musandam, which pointed us towards the border crossing. Yes, Omani police officers are friendly, but the friendliest of them have to be at the Khatmat Malaha border crossing. We were ushered through quickly, with the warmest of smiles that only intensiﬁed when we told them we were headed to Musandam. The Emirati cops, though, took a bit longer. Their immigration process took us a good hour as we queued up alongside the rest of those seeking entry into Fujairah. It helped, though, that the cop at the border was friendly, and as we entered the UAE, the maps we’d printed off held us in good stead. En route to Musandam, as the sun began to sink into the lofty spine of the Hajar Mountains, our Omani pride ﬂared up once again, as we saw signs to a place we had only heard of, but never been to: Madha. Halfway between Musandam and the rest of the mainland lies this Omani exclave, a patch of Omani soil surrounded by the UAE. It was only natural here for us to contemplate the history of the Sultanate, but not for too long. When driving, it’s important, after all, to keep your eyes on the road. As our journey progressed ever northward and we ascended into the mountain passes of the UAE, we came across the name of a village emblazoned on water bottles.

MUSANDAM WHERE: Musandam is Oman’s northernmost and smallest governorate, with its capital, Khasab, a good 529km from the national capital of Muscat. It contains four governorates: Khasab, Dibba, Bukha and the exclave of Madha. GETTING THERE: Musandam can be accessed via air (Oman Air ﬂies to Khasab every day of the week), with ferry and road access also available. A valid visa or travel documents are required for those who need them, since the land route will take you through the UAE. PLACES TO SEE: Khasab Castle is a must for those who are heading north, as is a traditional Dhow cruise. The area is well known for snorkelling and diving, and is often frequented by water sports enthusiasts. The towns of Dibba and Bukha are also well worth a visit. PREPARING FOR THE JOURNEY: Make sure you know your route before leaving. Do have enough money in your phone to access Google Maps, and keep a physical printout with you, as an alternative. Also make sure your car is fuelled up and give it a proper service check. There will be swathes of land where there is little access to the outside world. Fuel stations will be found outside most towns, and if you are in the UAE, gas station attendants will accept both Omani rials and Arab Emirates Dirhams.

Located high up in the mountains, the freshwater springs of Masafi give the famed water bottle brand its name, and it has gained some repute as an agricultural hamlet in the surrounding region. If you are travelling through the town, do pick up a bag of fresh produce: Masafi grows delicious fruits, including oranges, lemons, bananas, and watermelons, enough to slake the hunger and thirst of even the most seasoned traveller. Our thirst to see Omani soil and our hunger to reach Musandam, though, would soon be at the end. If arriving at the Dibba border crossing, with the mountains on one side and the sea on the other, wasn’t a clear enough indication, the sign in front of us was. “Welcome to the Sultanate of Oman, Musandam Governorate, wilayat Dibba”, said the traditional blue and white directional sign, proudly displaying the Khanjar and crossed swords that are the national standard of the country. It was nearly 6pm as we crossed back into Omani soil, but the completion of our epic journey, and that we had made it into Musandam, filled us with a fierce pride that little else in this world can match. And that, really, is the essence of a road trip. It wasn’t solely about the destination, it wasn’t just about the journey. It was about all that, and everything in between, and that is something that will live long in the memory. – gautam@timesofoman.com

Jeans: Jeans if worn right are perfectly acceptable, common, and most importantly, hassle-free. But we’ll emphasise on ‘worn right’ again; which means you can rule out low-waist jeans that look like they are hanging on for dear life. Ripped jeans are a no-no too. Though people do wear washed out jeans, the ideal pair would be a solid dark blue or black.

Sparkles: It’s a workplace, not your favourite nightclub. Leave the bling out of your office. If you really want to look vibrant, wear pretty ﬂorals in bright colours, not a sequined, embellished dress studded with polished mirrors. It’s distracting, and not in a pleasant way.

Text T-shirts: If it says things like ‘I love my workplace’ you’ll probably get a nod from the boss. But let’s not walk around the office with a T-shirt illustrating your disturbingly dark humour. Deﬁnitely not acceptable!

STORY ANTARA BOSE

WHAT’S ACCEPTABLE AND WHAT’S NOT

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CASUAL WORK ATTIRE:

Clothes you need to keep tugging at: Basically anything that makes you uncomfortable. It could be a skirt that is too short, a shirt that is too tight or even a top so loose that you need to keep pulling it together. You’ll be living in that outﬁt the entire day and people are bound to notice the dress and your discomfort in it.

Of course, you can’t be wearing bright biker shorts, rapper-style vests, or your gym clothes to work. But considering the rise of the informal work attires at different offices, how casual is ‘casual’? While we are still battling to arrive at some sort of consensus on leggings (the battle of the generations continue), here is a list of what’s acceptable, what’s not, and what can be made acceptable. Honestly, we really hope you weren’t actually wearing the ones we’re crossing off.

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Animal prints: We know it’s not fur or skin and there is no cruelty in just a print. But do you really want people in the office to call you the ‘cheetah girl’? If you are considering your leopard-printed pants, we suggest you keep it only for your wild adventures (no pun intended).

Sneakers and backpack: You aren’t a college kid anymore so drop these two items for the workplace. You can ﬁnd a pair of ballet ﬂats if you’re looking for comfortable shoes and a tote bag that’s more ladylike.

Crocs or flip-flops: No matter how fashionable a pair you buy, you cannot wear crocs or flip-flops to work. They are meant for lazy afternoons, poolside barbecues or beach-days, not for office.

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, wellness and health industry. For fashion updates follow Antara on instagram @ antarabose and on Facebook: Antara Bose.

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 35 AUGUST 16, 2018

CRAZY RICH ASIANS Cast: Constance Wu, Michelle Yeoh, Henry

Golding, Awkwafina “Crazy Rich Asians” is a contemporary romantic comedy based on the acclaimed worldwide bestseller by Kevin Kwan. The story follows New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) as she accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. Excited about visiting Asia for the first time but nervous about meeting Nick’s family, Rachel is unprepared to learn that Nick has neglected to mention a few key details about his life. Not only is he the scion of one of the country’s wealthiest families, but also one of its most soughtafter bachelors. Being on Nick’s arm puts a target on Rachel’s back, with jealous socialites and, worse, Nick’s own disapproving mother (Michelle Yeoh) taking aim. It soon becomes clear that the only thing crazier than love is family, in this funny and romantic story sure to ring true for audiences everywhere. Running At: Vox Cinemas, City Cinemas, Al Bahja Cinema

KAYAMKULAM KOCHUNNI

THE EQUALIZER 2

Cast: Mohan Lal, Nivin Pauly

Cast: Ashton Sanders, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal

Dreaded by the rich and corrupt and revered by the poor and downtrodden, Kayamkulam Kochunni was a Robin Hood of sorts. The ﬁlm chronicles the life and times of the legendary 19th century highwayman, and how he rose from his humble beginnings to become a timeless folk hero.

O T H E R

R E L E A S E S

Robert McCall learns that one of his longtime friends, Susan, has been murdered. McCall decides to return to his old ways and seek out and ﬁnd and punish the perpetrators.

T H I S

W E E K

NOW SHOWING

GOLD Cast: Akshay Kumar, Kunal Kapoor, Mouni Roy Set in 1948, the historic story of India’s ﬁrst Olympic medal post their independence.

SATYAMEVA JAYATE Cast: John Abraham, Aisha Sharma, Manoj Bajpayee A vigilante on a mission to take down corrupt and degenerate cops.

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 35 AUGUST 16, 2018

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

4 6

1 3

Times News Service

Level | Moderate

8 8

8 9 2

Level | Difficult

4 9

1 4 5

Difficult

6 3 5 1 2 9 8 4 7

3 2 8 9 5 1 6 7 4

1 7 6 2 4 3 9 8 5

5 4 9 6 7 8 3 2 1

2 6 1 5 8 4 7 3 9

9 5 3 7 1 2 4 6 8

7 8 4 3 9 6 1 5 2

Medium

Easy

5 1 8 2 3 4 7 6 9

2 7 3 9 1 6 5 8 4

4 9 6 8 7 5 1 3 2

9 8 7 6 5 3 2 4 1

1 2 5 4 9 8 6 7 3

3 6 4 1 2 7 9 5 8

8 5 9 3 6 2 4 1 7

6 4 1 7 8 9 3 2 5

7 3 2 5 4 1 8 9 6

9 8 7 3 2 4 5 6 1

3 2 4 5 1 6 8 7 9

6 5 1 9 8 7 3 4 2

7 3 8 1 9 2 6 5 4

1 6 2 4 7 5 9 8 3

4 9 5 8 6 3 2 1 7

8 4 3 2 5 1 7 9 6

5 1 6 7 3 9 4 2 8

2 7 9 6 4 8 1 3 5

THIS WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

car breaks down, you will die, if you run out of water, you will die, if you run out of fuel, BOTSWANA. It’s not the first name that you will die.” All in all a fun event, then. comes to mind when you’re planning your But the three cars aren’t quite next holiday. But maybe it should be. equipped to handle the mushy, oozy surThe landlocked African country – loface of the Makgadikgadi, which features cated just north of South Africa, west of rather squishy ground underneath its Namibia and northeast of Zimbabwe and thin covering of hardened earth on top. Zambia – is a haven for wildlife lovers, At night, all of them begin removing anyand is teeming with exotic species rarely thing that is non-essential. Well, nearly found outside the Dark Continent. all of them: Hammond has formed an But that’s not my opinion – it’s the view emotional attachment with his car (he’s of three of the most well-travelled people named it Oliver) and is reluctant to hurt in the world. his little ride. In 2007, Jeremy Clarkson, James May Clarkson and May on the other hand, and Richard Hammond’s latest special ep- are ruthless with their vehicles, as they isode saw them travel to Botswana, with rip up the additional seats, lose the the aim of racing across the hubcaps, dickies and even nation and braving all of its the glass in the windows. dangers, in three secondTHE SHORT AND SKINNY The next morning, as they hand cars that they had prepare to set off, they’re bought in Africa for less Name: Top Gear: Botswana Special greeted by the Vice PresiProduced by: BBC than £1,500 apiece (that’s dent of Botswana and his Genre: Motorsport about $2,000, or roughly group of friends. After What it’s about: Top Gear hosts OMR750. Now where in descending from his microJeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond Oman are you going to get a light to meet them (apparand James May travel to Botswana car for that price?) ently that’s normal), he and must travel across the nation in Although it’s more than says the three of them will second-hand cars, facing every dan10 years old, this Top Gear be the first to attempt to ger the country can throw at them. episode featuring favourcross the Makgadikgadi in Will their ageing vehicles make it ites Clarkson, Hammond cars, the smile on his face across the desert nation? and May is priceless, and is disappearing as he wishes Runtime: 66 minutes still watched by people all them luck. Where to watch: YouTube, Amazon, around the world. If they think that’s the Netflix, DirecTV, Autostrada The episode begins with end of their travails, they’re IMDB Rating: 9.1/10 the trio rolling up in their wrong. The Okavango delta chosen vehicles. May – ever is one of the world’s largest the sensible one – purwildlife reserves, and as chases a Mercedes from James May puts it, “in the the 1980s, a car that is still much loved Okavango, you will face lions, leopards, in Africa. Clarkson, the more aggressive, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, hippos, hot-headed of the three, pays tribute to rhinos, crocodiles, adders, and scorpions.” the history of rally racing by opting for And er, honey badgers. Don’t forget the a Lancia Beta Coupe, and Hammond honey badgers. invests in a 1963 Opel Kadett. Top Gear’s trip to Botswana is one of On reaching the border with Zimbabwe their best so far, in equal parts madcap (where the BBC aren’t allowed to film), crazy, deeply educational and downright the trio have been told they will need to entertaining. The chemistry between make a perilous thousand-mile journey Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richfrom the eastern border with Zimbabwe, ard Hammond is almost second to none. to its western border with Namibia. This line, spoken by Richard Hammond There’s no sedate trek through Gaborone to the camera, sums it up best — “because here: Clarkson, May and Hammond will I had nothing to do, I decided to irritate face the crushing, almost soul-destroying, Jeremy.” punishing conditions of the MakgadikOn the basis of that alone, this special is gadi, one of the world’s largest salt pans. definitely worth a watch. Clarkson himself says it best: “If your – gautam@timesofoman.com

2 9

TIMES DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

TOP GEAR’S BOTSWANA SPECIAL

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 35 AUGUST 16, 2018

Omantel honours best dealers in Dhofar T

he leading telecommunication services provider in the Sultanate, Omantel, has held its annual dealers gathering in Dhofar. With over 180 accredited dealers of indirect sales attending, the dealers with outstanding performance were honoured for their efforts. Omantel also discussed strategies of enhancing the customer experience. Mohammed Mohsin Abdullatif, General Manager of Sales at Omantel’s Consumer Business Unit, said: “We are proud to celebrate our relationship with the dealers in Dhofar, as they play a major role in delivering our innovative products and services. To encourage the dealers to perform even better we have honoured 40 of our best performing dealers.” He added: “Our 3.0 digital transformation strategy puts strong emphasis on exceeding customer expectations and by strengthening our relationship with our indirect sales agents, we aim to deliver more value added products and services. In the gathering, the agents discussed the challenges they face and ways of addressing these challenges. Mohammed Abdulatif concluded:’’ Holding such gatherings helps to strengthen relations with our dealers. It also helps to enhance the services provided to the customers and this motivates us and all the dealers to do our best. Investing in the future of the nation, Omantel connects even the most remote communities of the Sultanate to each other and the rest of the world. Omantel is the Sultanate’s ﬁrst and leading integrated telecommunications services provider, enabling the digital society to ﬂourish, allowing new ways of doing business and delivering a world of information, news and entertainment.

Meethaq launches Easy Payment Plan for credit card holders

eethaq, the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, in line with the bank’s vision ‘To serve you better, everyday’ and commitment to offering attractive value proposition for customers, has launched an easy payment plan (EPP) to facilitate affordable purchases of products and services using Meethaq credit cards. The EPP scheme allows Meethaq customers to avail a wide range of goods and services through credit cards and conveniently repay over a period of 12 months. All Meethaq credit cardholders are eligible for this offer at participating merchant outlets. Sulaiman Al Harthy, Deputy Chief Executive Officer – Islamic Banking, said: “Meethaq is delighted to launch the EPP that enhances value and enables customers using Meethaq credit cards to avail a wide range of products and services. Meethaq credit cards, which spell convenience and security, are a preferred mode of payment in Oman. The EPP scheme reiterates Meethaq

commitment to promoting secure card payment in Oman.” The scheme is available for purchases of OMR150 and above. Each time a purchase is made through EPP, the available limit in the credit card account will be reduced by an amount equal in value to the purchase. However, with every monthly payment, the available balance will increase by that amount. The bank will collect payment as per standing instructions given by customers. The campaign is aimed at motivating a change in consumer behaviour towards secure and convenient card payment. The EPP allows customers to avail goods and services and pay conveniently over a period of 12 months. Customers are not required to provide any additional documents and the scheme ensures affordability for high end products and services. Meethaq offers three types of credit cards — Standard, Titanium and Hafawa Priority banking card. All cards offer a

host of unmatched Shari’a compliant services and rewards. The cards are based on the concept of Ujrah and no interest-based fee is charged on the card. Meethaq cards provide convenience and flexibility for customers in their day-to-day transactions at shopping malls, restaurants or holidays abroad. Packed with an array of features and benefits, the Chip and PIN cards are designed to make everyday purchases and payments secure and convenient. Offering greater flexibility and convenience, the cards provide access to the bank’s largest network of branches, ATMs and CDMs across Oman. Meethaq has adopted the best practices in Islamic banking and finance worldwide to combine a robust model which protects customers and complements the Islamic banking industry. Every Meethaq product goes through the process of Shari’a compliance certification by the Shari’a Supervisory Board and is created in line with the guidelines of the Central Bank of Oman.