Signature - English - March 2010

MARCH 2010

The Atlantis Palm Dubai:

A Nautical Fantasy!

BALINESE MASSAGES & THE BOUSHER BEACHFRONT At The Chedi Muscat

PLUS: Up Front Grooming Collectible

THE JEWEL OF MUSCAT RETRACING THE MARITIME SILK ROUTE

Modern Interpretations of Traditional Attire

By Hatem Alakeel

Sole distributor in Oman PO Box: 889 Muscat, PC 100, Sultanate of Oman Tel: 24712240, e-mail: info@ohimarine.com

inside Event The Tour of Oman: the Sultanate’s answer to the Tour de France...

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34 Feature

If there is anything better than golf itself, it is playing it on a signature Greg Norman Golf Course...

42 Fashion

Meet young Saudi designer Hatem Alakeel who has set out to change the way the world views the traditional white ‘thobe’...

48 Feature

Oman’s pride and joy, the Jewel of Muscat, has set sail on a voyage to retrace steps of history....

56 Feature

Flash your card power with two premium plastics from BankMuscat.

inside

Food Court Enjoy some straightforward and exceptionally well cooked fare at the RBG at Park Inn.

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58 Places

Retrospective

Luxurious, brash, and overconfidently opulent, the Atlantis Palm Dubai is a destination in itself!

A glimpse at the versatility and talent that is Mallika Sarabhai and her best performances...

Up Front

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Cars

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Collectible

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Travel

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Golf

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Technology

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Report – SIHH 2010

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Preview

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People - Jimmy Choo

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Grooming

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Places – Chedi Muscat

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Index

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Feature – Chopard

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The Last Word

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Qurum City Centre and Bareeq al Shatti. Opening Soon: At Muscat Grant Mall & Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK MARCH 2010

The Atlantis Palm Dubai:

A Nautical Fantasy!

BALINESE MASSAGES & THE BOUSHER BEACHFRONT

THE JEWEL OF MUSCAT RETRACING THE MARITIME SILK ROUTE

Modern Interpretations of Traditional Attire

By Hatem Alakeel

At The Chedi Muscat

PLUS: Up Front Grooming Collectible

COVER IMAGE Courtesy: The Chedi Muscat CONCEPT & CREATION PRIYA NAIR CONTENT DEEPA RAJAN GHALIB ABDULLAH AL FORI FATMA AL ARAIMI MOHAMMED FAHMI RAJAB EXPERTS Travel - Bruce Stewart, Anne Colby Fashion - Natasha Lunn, Nadia Fouzi Technology - Paul Viles Watches, Pens & Jewellery - Brian. T Finance & Investments - K. L Prasad Art & Culture - Frederique. B ART Art Directors SANDESH S. RANGNEKAR MINAAL G. PEDNEKAR Designer - ALIYA AL WAHAIBI PRODUCTION HEAD GOVINDRAJ RAMESH ADVERTISING & MARKETING Group Advertising Manager - MIMI DEB Sr Media Executive - FAREEDA S AL BALUSHI CORPORATE Chief Executive - SANDEEP SEHGAL Executive Vice President - ALPANA ROY Vice President - RAVI RAMAN DISTRIBUTED WITH OER by United Media Services LLC Signature is an OER presentation published monthly and released in the first week of every month. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The publisher does not accept responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person or organisation acting or refraining as a result of material in this publication. Signature accepts no responsibility for advertising content.

A Game Called Golf!

They say the man who takes up golf to get his mind off his work soon takes up work to get his mind off golf! It’s not easy keeping away from the greens, is it? The season is off to such a great start already and so much more action is on the way...

Sure there’s more to life than golf, but who’s interested in finding out what it is! So what do you do when all you want to do is be on the greens but other worldly commitments hold you back? What can you say to those who don’t get it? Here are a few excuses some folks have tried: # Golf teaches me patience, and I need a lesson. # I got lost going to work and ended up at the golf course. # I can get some lawn care tips from the ground maintenance crew. # History dictates the more I play, the better I get. # I bought those new golf contact lenses, guaranteed to cut 5 strokes. # I got kicked out of G.A. (Golfers Anonymous). # I have to see if my new sunglasses help me read the greens better # I have to test this new allergy medicine on the course. # My golf partner has abandonment issues.

You can spot true, die-hard golfers anywhere. They quit the game forever... at least twice a month.

They’re the ones who’re truly skilled and everyone else is just plain lucky. They can spend many happy hours pondering over why it’s more difficult to hit a ball over water than sand. They go out with three friends, play eighteen holes, and return with three enemies.

Just kidding! Couldn’t help but take a swing... We hope you go out there and enjoy the game just as much. There are so many awesome options right here, right now! And always remember, for some strange reason hazards attract, fairways repel!

Happy golfing; we’ll see you next month...

EVENT

Correspondence should be addressed to

Signature

United Media Services LLC, PO Box 3305, Ruwi, PC 112, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, Mobile +968 99849242 Fax +968 24707939

THET SPOORUR OF DE TRYSI COUN

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BY NED NORMANGOLF KS EG DESIG R GR EEN LINMUSCAT, GOLFE E GR E WAVE, -FACING..

SE. SEA TH 18-HOL EVER COUR SE AT ARD COUR ’S FIRST TAND AN IS OM PGA-S

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e-mail: signature@umsoman.com/ reachsignature@gmail.com An

Presentation Copyright © 2010 United Press & Publishing LLC

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FEATURE

Golf Links Designed by legenda ry golfer Greg Norman, the Links Golf Course 18-hole Green Muscat, is Oman’sat The Wave, first ever seafacing PGA-sta ndard course. ..

magazine log on to www.oeronline.com

S

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ituated on 6km of natural beach and just 10 minutes away

from the airport, The Wave, Muscat, is nothing less than a mesmerising pearl on the Sultanate’s shoreline. As a premier project offering freehold status to all purchasers, The Wave combines more than 4,000 beautiful properties, a 300-yacht berth marina,

three premier hotels and new retail, leisure and dining opportunities at a bewitching seafront address.

The varied and dynamic landscape of The Wave also lends itself perfectly to the development of a signature 18-hole Green Links Golf Course, especially designed by legendary golfer Greg Norman.

Extending over 800,000 sqm, the course is Oman’s first ever

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UPFRONT

The latest and out-of-the-ordinary…

A Matter of Humanity ‘The House of Giving’ Dar Al Atta’a, a non-profit voluntary organisation, recently hosted a charity dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hotel to raise funds to build homes for under-privileged families in Oman. The event saw guests donating generously to collect Rials 204,000 for the noble cause.

His Excellency Maqbool Ali Sultan, the Minister of Commerce and Industry and His Excellency Mohammed Al Zubair, the Advisor to His Majesty the Sultan for Economic Planning Affairs and Chairman of Zubair Corporation were among the dignitaries who were present at the dinner. Dar Al Atta’a has been assisting Oman’s under-privileged families since 2002.

The Power of Pearls

The Parure Pearly White Collection from Guerlain celebrates the pearly whiteness of a dream complexion. The Parure Pearly White is a soft, powdery foundation that brightens the complexion and lends it a beautiful matt finish, combined with a concentrate of white light to sculpt the face and lighten areas of shadow. The Meteorites Pearly White is a smoothing, skin-perfecting gel, sparkling with the crystal-clear whiteness of opalescent pearls. The Meteorites Pearly White Brightening Face Powder is a monochrome collection of powder pearls in three divine shades of white: matt, pink and blue. Available at Capital Store.

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SEIKO SHOWROOM: E-Mart, Al Raid House, Ground Floor, Qurum Shopping Area, Muscat. Tel.: 24571376

UPFRONT

Sumptuous Hospitality Set on the idyllic shores of the Arabian Sea on the white sandy beaches of Mirbat Cove and at the foot of Jebel Samhan, is the newly opened Salalah Marriott Resort. From the finest accommodation to food and leisure facilities, the 237-room hotel offers travellers a haven of luxury and comfort. You can choose from rooms with scenic beach or mountain views or live in chalets offering studios and one- and two-bedroom configurations. Dining and entertainment options include a casual all-day restaurant, a seafood restaurant, an Arabic Café, the Dhofar Piano Lounge, an English pub, and a spa.

Unlimited Music

Nokia recently launched its ‘Comes With Music’ service, a new portal for those who enjoy music. When you buy the Nokia X6 ‘Comes With Music’ device, you get 12 months of unlimited access to millions of tracks from Ovi Music. That means you get four million tracks, for free and for keeps, even after the year is complete.

Capable of playing up to 35 hours of music, the Nokia X6 is a powerful entertainment device, combining 16GB of on-board memory with a slick 3.2” finger touch interface and a 16:9 widescreen optimised for photos, videos and browsing.

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For enquiries contact: 24613256 / 99103522 Please visit us at Al Ghubra Showroom

UPFRONT

Rugged & Reliable

Say hello to the Toughbook. Launched by Oman Marketing & Services Company -- Panasonic System Solutions Division in Oman recently, this versatile range of business and fully rugged mobile laptops gives a whole new definition to the term ‘tough’. Take the Toughbook Business Mobile model CF-F8 and the ultra portable CF-W8, for instance. The series can survive a 76cm fall on its bottom surface, courtesy the four high-tech shock-absorbing pads that protect the hard drive from external shock and vibration. In addition, the CF-F8 emerges unscathed from a 30cm drop, from any given angle. All Toughbook 8 series models also come with a spill-resistant keyboard and touchpad.

Flowers of Spring

Experience the essence of wild cherry trees in L’Occitane’s new limited-edition collection. The collection includes a woody fruity Eau De Toilette that offers a new interpretation to the scent of wild cherry blossoms that mingle with notes of bittersweet berries, before settling into a soft woody base. Also available are a Perfume Refill and other body-care products, such as the Cherry Blossom Soap and Cherry Blossom Petal Soft Body Cream, which complement this wildly tempting collection.

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MatchPoint From the house of Graham-London comes a unique chronograph that has been specially designed for the RBS 6 Nations’ Rugby Tournament, for which it is the official timekeeper and sponsor. The Stylish Chronofighter Oversize Referee, worn by the match referees to adjudicate every match, is highlighted by a titanium light-weight case; partly coated by a soft touch rubber, a bezel and the start and stop lever on the left side. The ‘explosive’ instrument also features a colourful seconds’ counter at 3 o’clock referring to the six squads. The limited edition of 250 pieces, available exclusively at Gallery Argan outlets, can be found in black dial and white dial versions.

A Car for all Seasons The BMW Gran Turismo, which was recently launched in Oman by Al Jenaibi International Automobiles, combines the characteristic features of a prestigious sedan, the functionality and space of an SAV (sport activity vehicle) and the elements of a traditional grand touring car making it a car for all seasons! The exterior of the car, typical of a BMW, is an elegantly stretched silhouette with a coupé-like roofline, as well as four doors with frameless windows. Other features include the upright BMW kidney grille, large air intakes and dual round headlights. The aesthetically done-up interiors are enhanced with the use of the finest materials. It is available with eight-speed automatic transmission and two engine variants — the in-line six cylinder 535i and the V8 550i — both with twin-turbo technology.

UPFRONT

The Scent of Arabia One of the oldest perfumes and cosmetics brands in the world, Maison Dorin launched the ‘Un Air d’Arabie’ range with the scents of oud, musk, amber and Rose of Taif at the Capital Store in Oman recently. The fragrances are almost as rich as the history of Maison Dorin, which in 1780 had the rare honour of becoming the official purveyor to the Royal Courte of Versailles for powders and cosmetics. When you buy a bottle of ‘Un Air d’Arabie’ you are not just buying a perfume, you are taking home a piece of royal history.

Just Cruising

It was a double celebration — Costa Deliziosa became the first vessel to call at the brand new Cruise Terminal of Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, recently. Costa Deliziosa together with her sister ship Costa Luminosa, which also visited the port recently, is Costa Cruises’ most exclusive and innovative ships in the fleet. Costa Deliziosa’s many features combine to create an experience of ‘pure pleasure’ that promises to last forever. The Costa’s 5 ‘C’ Wonders include a 4D cinema, a professional Golf Simulator and the Grand Prix driving simulator, a PlayStation World, and a roller-skating track. And, these are just some of the things aboard this luxury liner. Book your journey aboard the Costa Deliziosa through Khimji’s House of Travel.

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Enjoy savings of up to 50% on your stay.

Select from a choice of exciting destinations across the globe and take an early break in 2010 with OUA holidays. Save up to 50% on your stay and discover great experiences at incredible prices while you travel to some of the world’s most exciting destinations.

Call our holidays planners on (+968) 24559977, email holidays@ouat.co.om or visit your nearest OUA outlet today.

holidays * Terms and Condition Apply

UPFRONT

To Be the BEST

Here’s one more feather in the cap for Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa! The Condé Nast Traveller has ranked it among the best hotels around the globe, in the British edition of its prestigious Gold List for 2010. Travel experts and editors of the sought-after publication based their decision on six criteria; service, location, food, rooms, leisure facilities, ambience and design. The Resort was the only property honoured in the Sultanate and was a new entry in this category for 2010. And, the icing on the cake is that the magazine calls CHI, The Spa — which features 12 private villas, a ‘rasul’ and ‘hammam’ — Shangri-La’s X-factor.

Stylish, Powerful, Elegant From the House of Raymond Weil comes the latest addition to its Nabucco collection: The Nabucco Va, Pensiero. Named after the famous Verdi chorus, the timepiece exudes the same power and nobility as the great Italian composer’s opera. With its sober 46mm-diameter case and round bezel with tachometric scale set into the titanium, it is exceptionally resilient and water-resistant. The timepiece’s elegant design is underscored by a saddle-stitched crocodylus niloticus leather strap with double push-piece security.

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RAYMOND WEIL BOUTIQUE Sabco Commercial Centre Al Qurum - 1st Floor Muscat - Oman Tel: 24567638, 92802128

Collectible

Play Ball!

Foosball your thing? Take it up a notch with Cavicchi Billardi’s exclusive tables.

D

id you know table football (Foosball/table soccer) has a world championship? Yes it does! That’s how popular the game is. And seriously, who wouldn’t want to own a soccer table? It’s such a load of fun! But here’s where you take it up a notch and play in style! All within the confines of your own comfort zone with this exclusive soccer table brought to you by Italy-based Cavicchi Biliardi.

Incidentally, Cavicchi Biliardi, established in 1938 by Ugo Cavicchi, is one of the most sought after billiard tables manufacturing companies. Apart from professional billiard tables, the Cavicchi Biliardi Design Centre also has the ‘Linea Casa’ (House Line) for private rooms, all with extremely refined designs, from antique to modern styles.

The Opera Calcetto soccer table is part of this ensemble and makes for a great Cavicchi signature statement to own.

And here’s why: Cavicchi takes a normal foosball table and turns it into the ultimate soccer table that spells luxury all the way!

The aesthetically appealing structure of the soccer table is made of plywood, while Cavicchi offers any customisation and lacquering to suit your style. The adjustable bases, shape saber, completely made of cast iron, can also be lacquered or polished. Available in three lines — Crystal Playfield, Shiny Black Floor and Silver Playlines — these elegant and trendy soccer tables come in many chrome details, along with an original scoreboard with pearl beads.

For those who may be looking for something more exclusive than that, there’s the Opera Klimt produced as a ‘unique piece’. Elegant and trendy, this one is handmade and painted with Gustav Klimt’s technique and is customisable on request.

Gives a whole new meaning to good old Foosball, doesn’t it?!

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GOLF

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he final countdown to the most anticipated corporate event, which is also ‘the’ networking event of the year, in Oman, has begun. OER CEO Golf will be played on Oman’s premier green golfing venue — the 18-hole Par 72 PGA-standard championship golf course at the Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club on March 11. The event is presented by Nawras Business Solutions, in association with National Bank of Oman, in time with Rolex from Khimji’s Watches, and partnered by BMW. The day-long event is designed to provide much nail-biting action for all CEO golfers. The

main competition is an 18-hole affair on a golf course that has been delicately crafted around natural Omani mountain ranges to produce the first course of its kind in the Middle East.

Nawras Business Solutions will again be the corporate captain at OER CEO Golf 2010. And that’s not all; the support has this year been signed up for three years up to the ninth edition of OER CEO Golf. Speaking about Nawras’ decision to commit to presenting OER CEO Golf, Nawras CEO, Ross Cormack said, “We are delighted to be sponsoring this event for

the second year running and excited that this year it will be taking place on the first green golf course in Oman. This is particularly apt as Nawras is no stranger to introducing many communication ‘firsts’ for customers. Our long term commitment will see Nawras Business Solutions presenting OER CEO Golf with pleasingly different networking opportunities in this informal environment for the next three years.”

About the day’s programme, Cormack said, “Last year’s event was described as a tremendous success and without being able to give

too much away at this stage, I can certainly say that we are looking forward to raising the bar even further this year. Each OER CEO Golf day is getting bigger and better and Nawras Business Solutions will be helping to ensure that the 2010 event will be a talking point for a long time to come.”

Speaking about the three-year agreement, Sandeep Sehgal, CEO of United Media Services LLC says: “The partnership reiterates Nawras’ commitment to the event and brings value to it. Over the years OER CEO Golf has grown into a media asset that gives partners an opportunity to interact and

Get Your Spikes On... ...polish your tees and perfect your swing. The sixth edition of OER CEO Golf is finally here!

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engage with an elite target audience. The inherent strength of this property along with a preferred partner like Nawras ensures that OER CEO Golf will grow from strength-to-strength in the coming years.”

In addition to Nawras, OER CEO Golf is being partnered

by National Bank of Oman (NBO). David Power, NBO’s General Manager, Chief of Retail Banking said: “NBO is well known in the banking industry for launching many firsts. We are indeed honoured to be sponsoring the prestigious OER CEO Golf Tournament.

The decision ensures that professional golf will continue

to grow in the Sultanate as we look forward to a long lasting relationship with OER and their many initiatives.” Humayun Kabir, NBO’s General Manager, Chief of Business Banking said: “NBO continues to remain committed to supporting all major sporting and community related events in the Sultanate.

We are proud to be ‘Associate Presenter’ of the prestigious ‘OER CEO Golf Tournament’.

The tournament provides us an ideal opportunity to mingle informally with our valued customers and high profile members of Oman’s business community.”

Rolex from Khimji’s Watches continues to partner the event this year too. Says Anil Khimji, Director, Khimji Ramdas, “Rolex is associated with premium golf events globally; and it was quite natural for Khimji’s Watches to have tied up with OER CEO GOLF from its very inception. Rolex stands for perfection and class and these values resonate well with all those who would be participating in this event.

Khimji’s Watches, the final word in luxury watches and accessories in Oman today, is happy to be associated again with this much anticipated and high profile event of the year.

It’s a win-win situation for us as event partners; but for the most promising golfer-to-be this could be the most exciting win of all; when he takes home a Rolex. I wish this programme grand success.”

The other partners of the event Signature is luxury partner for this event

are Times of Oman and Al Shabiba, the publicity partners; Hi!, Faces and Al Youm Al Sabe, the media sponsors.

The category partners include Cybex (Fitness), OUA (Beverage), Infoline (Call centre), Axa Insurance (Insurance), Al Sawadi Beach Resort (Hospitality), Oman Printers & Stationers Co (Printing), Signature (Luxury partner) Muscat Hills (Venue), Samsung from SARCO and Capital Store (Prize partners), Al Turki, Matharoo & Company and Green Olive (Decor partners) and Agreeko (Energy Partner).

Apart from the 18-hole main event on the greens, there’s also an exciting Water Golf event planned for golfers, golfers-to-be and their spouses.

At the Serenity Lake-Muscat Hills, players will study the positions of a floating green, and aim to get their golf ball onto it. Got it? Great! Missed?

Try retrieving your golf ball from the lake bed... Yes, there’s much fun even for golfers-to-be this year and the event presents an exciting opportunity to be on the greens for a whole day, with no hefty charges to be paid! Other highlights of the day’s programme include a golf clinic for golfers-to-be over a four-hole round, conducted by golf professionals.

New, exciting and fun-filled activities have been planned all through the day, ending with the grand finale at the awards dinner — an evening that’ll be loaded with enthralling performances and mesmerising

music. “This is the opportunity for real top-flight brands to be associated with a high-profile event in Oman. It’s become the most anticipated upmarket event of the year in Oman, and every year, we try to make it bigger, and even more exciting.

Throughout the day, and well into the night, it is going to be the best anyone has seen here in a long time!” says Alpana Roy, Executive Vice President, United Media Services.

So keep the rhythm and tempo in your backswing and downswing smooth and steady, and remember your swing is your signature.

See you on the greens…

(For further information, contact Kush on 99253729)

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Event

The Sport of Our Countryside

A true test of determination and grit, the Tour of Oman, Sultanate’s answer to the Tour de France, was a nail-biting race to the finish...

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Event

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hen he announced the first-ever Tour de France in 1903, L’Auto editor and prominent cyclist Henri Desgrange wrote: “With the wide and powerful gesture that Emile Zola lends to his ploughman in La Terre, L’Auto, a journal of ideas and action, is about to send out over France those tough and uncomplicated sowers of strength, the great professional roadsters. From Paris to the blue waves of the Mediterranean, from Marseille to Bordeaux, passing along the roseate and dreaming roads sleeping under the sun, across

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During the course of six days (February 14-19), 128 riders from 16 Tour de France teams covered a distance of 687km across the terrain of the Sultanate’s famed mountain ranges that included the country’s highest peak Jebel Akhdar, making the race more than a test of abilities and stamina for the professional roadsters of today. the calm of the fields of the Vendée, following the Loire, which flows on still and silent, our men are going to race madly, unflaggingly.”

That was the beginning of a sporting event that has today found a new challenge in the unique geographical terrain of Sultanate of Oman. The Tour of Oman 2010, organised for the first time in the Sultanate by the Muscat Municipality, is the nation’s answer to the Tour de France that is owned by Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO). The ASO, incidentally, also handled the logistics of the Tour of Oman.

Fabian Cancellara (Team Saxo Bank) was the overall winner of the race, despite reaching second place behind a ‘flying’ Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky) in the 18.6km time trial from Al Jissah to Muttrah Corniche. Hagen lost one minute and five seconds on stage four but pulled most of that back and moved up to second overall, just 28 seconds down on Cancellara. “This morning I didn’t actually feel that good but then when the race started, and I could see the riders in front of me, I found some extra power.

It’s good to win,” Hagen was quoted as saying after the race on the final day (February 19). Hagen also won two young riders’ competitions.

Australian Cameron Meyer (Team Garmin-Transitions) also showed his immense talent, reaching third in the time trial and so finishing third overall.

Gatis Smukulis (Team AG2RLa Mondiale) won the Most Aggressive Rider prize, while HTC-Columbia won the Team prize by being nine seconds ahead of Cancellara’s Team Saxo Bank.

For Cancellara, the race “was a tough one”, but racing in Oman was an experience that he will cherish forever. “It’s great to win but most of all it’s been a fascinating trip. The Omani people are special.

We get hung up about so many things, but they know how to enjoy life. It was nice to be in real contact with the people and see them along the roadside cheering for us. No other sport allows such close contact like that and it made racing here pretty special,” he said amidst the stupendous fanfare of the closing ceremony.

Indeed, the six-day tour was a celebration; the celebration of victory; the jubilation of a new venture that strengthened Oman’s position on the world map; the triumph of goodwill that saw Oman’s villages and townships coming out in full support to cheer the cyclists on their journey.

But, what sums it best is H.E. Dr Rajha Bint Abdulamir Bin Ali’s speech at the closing ceremony of the Tour of Oman. “Football is the sport of our stadiums, we have sailing off our beaches and now Tour of Oman has shown how cycling is the sport of our countryside. Throughout the last six days we have showcased the beauty of the Sultanate to the world and it is through events like this that we can realise the potential of our country as a tourist destination.”

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REPORT

Good Times The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2010 was a tribute to Fine Watchmaking and above all a sign of all good things to come. A Signature report...

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f ever there has been a platform that puts ‘Fine Watchmaking’ on a pedestal, it is the prestigious Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), which this year celebrated its twentieth edition. And, what an editon it was! Ninteen exhibiting brands saw a phenomenal turn out that marked signs of a remarkable recovery in economically-bad times.

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Organised by the Foundation de la Haute Horlogerie in January, the SIHH saw watchmaking firms such as Greubel Forsey and Richard Mille join the ranks of SIHH exhibitors that included Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, Panerai and Jaeger-LeCoultre, to name a few.

were perhaps indicative of the times that the market has been witnessing. Each showed an amount of understated refinement and a return to fundamental values, although the touch of extravagance that sets them apart was still evident in the applied arts and grandes complications on show.

It would be easy to say that the models exhibited at the event held in Geneva

Jaeger-LeCoultre came to the SIHH this year with its brand new Master Compressor

Extreme LAB 2, a ‘laboratory’ watch that reinterprets the chronograph’s codes and a new Duomètre with a lunar calendar and lightning seconds, while Audemars Piguet came with a Royal Oak Offshore Diver. Virtually every brand had engaged in a bit of soul-searching to deliver collections that were reflections of an era gone by.

Vacheron Constantin offered the Historique Ultra-Fine

The SIHH saw watchmaking firms such as Greubel Forsey and Richard Mille join the ranks of exhibitors that included Vacheron Constantin & Audemars Piguet.

1955, the Historique UltraFine 1968, the Patrimony Traditionnelle and the Patrimony Contemporaine with retrograde day and date.

Piaget celebrated the 50th anniversary of its 12P extrathin calibre, launched in 1960, with the Altiplano 43mm with

small seconds at 5 o’clock.

IWC showed a hand-wound Portugaise while Girard Perregaux presented its 1966 Petite Seconde. Cartier’s latest, the Calibre with small seconds at 6 o’clock and date aperture defined the brand’s distinctive style. Then there was the Mare

Nostrum 52mm from Panerai that stays true to the watches made in 1943 for Italian navy divers.

Mérite that combined a oneminute tourbillon, split-seconds chronograph and fusee-andchain transmission.

There were the few who flaunted the mastery of grandes complications producing models such as the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph with silicon escapement, Vacheron Constantin’s Patrimony Traditionnelle Calibre 2755 that skilfully brought together a tourbillon, a perpetual calendar and a minuterepeater. Not to be outdone, Audemars Piguet’s Millenary Carbon One combined tourbillon and chronograph.

Roger Dubuis came with the Excalibur Double Tourbillon, as did IWC with the Portugaise Tourbillon Mystère Retrograde, and A. Lange & Söhne’s second Tourbograph Pour le

The SIHH also previewed a number of innovative creations, such as the Rotonde de Cartier Astrotourbillon, the Double Tourbillon Technique from Greubel Forsey, the Pont des Amoureux by Van Cleef & Arpels with its poetic retrograde display, and the Piaget Polo Tourbillon Relatif.

Indeed, while 2009 will go down in time as a year marked by global economic crisis, that did not spare Fine Watchmaking, 2010 is likely to be a completely different vintage and the increase in attendance recorded at the SIHH is a very clear sign that the good times are here to stay.

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PEOPLE

There’s no business like the shoe business, especially if you are a man named Jimmy Choo.

Deepa Rajan met him on his visit to the Sultanate...

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In His Shoes!

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here are no introductions needed.

He is Jimmy Choo — the man who sweeps people off their feet, literally, by creating footwear that is simply beyond the ordinary. People have been known to insure them!

Born into a shoe-designing family, his hunger to learn more about the art brought him to London in the 1980s. He studied shoemaking at the Cordwainers College, which has since then become a part of the London College of Fashion. Rest, as the cliché goes, is history. Today, Choo is the Ambassador for Footwear Education at the London College of Fashion and also a spokesperson for the British Council helping them in their promotion of British education across the world.

It is not just his shoes... there is a certain je ne sais quoi about the soft-spoken man that will take you completely by surprise.

His humility hits your ignorant presumptions about his celebrity status like a hard-soled heel on your face. Humbled yourself, you begin to discover that Dato Jimmy Choo OBE is not about achieving ‘couture’ status or success. For a celebrity shoe designer, who has designed for the late Lady Diana among other names, Choo is as downto-earth as they come.

He shares with you his business card as the Tourism

Ambassador of Malaysia (the country he was born and brought up in) and offers you all the help in case you wish to visit his beautiful country. He even offers to host you at his place while you are in London.

He is quick to notice that the pair of shoes you are wearing are an ill-fit and offers to make one for you before proceeding to discuss the principles of Feng Shui, Hinduism, his newlyopened Chinese restaurant (not part of JCC), and his one passion: Jimmy Choo Couture.

Signature spoke with Jimmy Choo a.k.a Dr Shoe (by his own admission!) amidst ‘A Wedding Fair’ that showcased bridal fashion by Caroline Castigliano and Jimmy Choo Couture. The event was hosted by ShangriLa Hotels and Resorts and sponsored by Oman Air. Here are the excerpts from the interview...

There seems to be a distinct difference between the brand philosophy of Jimmy Choo Couture and Jimmy Choo....

“Yes, I launched the Jimmy Choo ready-to-wear line in 1986, thanks to my late business partner Tom Yeardye who promised to change my life and make me a millionaire. It brought me a lot of money, but it did not compensate for the time I lost with my family and otherwise. After I sold my stake in the ready-to-wear line and began JCC, I am doing what I

love doing the most: Creating hand-made footwear for my individual clients. I also get to travel and spend more time with my wife and children.”

But, do you think Jimmy Choo ready-to-wear becoming so mass-oriented will affect the Jimmy Choo name?

“The Jimmy Choo ready-towear line is doing well and is available everywhere. That only means that more and more people know Jimmy Choo.

Today I have people asking me to pose for a photograph with them so that they can impress their girlfriends or wives. It is making me popular. So, yes there has been an effect and it has been only positive. I am thankful to them.”

Given that personalised luxury is a growing trend, what sort of a sales strategy are you looking at for Jimmy Choo Couture?

“The late Lady Diana trusted me as her shoe-maker for seven years. That counts for something when it comes to owning your own custom-made pair of shoes.

I feel that it is very important that one is passionate about what one does and that is the reason why I began JCC in the first place. Maybe, more shops will come later, but for now I am happy making bespoke shoes for my treasured clients at my couture house (Connaught Street, off Hyde Park, London).

I take on apprentices under my wing and train them in the art

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PEOPLE

of shoe-making. After all, it is a tradition and must be passed on from generation to generation.

I also want to open a design school and develop a technique that will help people design their own shoes.”

When it comes to this part of the world...how much of your collection is specifically tuned to this market? How do you plan to make JCC be different here than, say in London? Do you think there is a difference between the JCC women here and elsewhere in the world?

“Women in the Middle East seem to like bling (stonestudded patterns and gold work)

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on their shoes, so my present collection (for the wedding fair) has showcased that. Having said that, I feel that there are different types of women. Some like to follow trends and some like to set them. Some women like simple shoes, some like glamour. It takes all to make this world.”

In today’s times, the focus seems to be more on brandishing luxury. Is it hard advocating the old school philosophy of making shoes that actually fit and last. After all, utility is usually the first casualty of fashion...

“The customer who walks

into my studio is looking for exclusivity and also for comfort.

It’s an art form being able to achieve that balance. My team and I work hard at making sure we get the art right. We work with the customer and give her what she wants. We want to feel your love for your shoes and we want to show you how much we love making them for you. For each pair, every angle and arch of the customer’s feet are meticulously measured and every aspect right from the colour of the shoe to the pattern is a product of our interaction with the client. It is a labour of love and therefore, every pair of shoe we make is beautiful, fits

and lasts. Today, if you own a Jimmy Choo Couture shoe, it is forever.”

Who is the ideal JCC woman who embodies the philosophy?

The muse...the woman with perfect feet...

“For me, Beyonce embodies the JCC philosophy perfectly. She is gorgeous, she is confident and carries herself well. She is comfortable wearing her heels and walks with poise. But most importantly, she is humble, friendly with everyone, which I feel is a very important quality to possess. According to me, she is the woman with the perfect feet.”

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Feature

34

Golf Links Designed by legendary golfer Greg Norman, the 18-hole Green Links Golf Course at The Wave, Muscat, is Oman’s first ever sea-facing PGA-standard course...

S

ituated on 6km of natural beach and just 10 minutes away from the airport, The Wave, Muscat, is nothing less than a mesmerising pearl on the Sultanate’s shoreline. As a premier project offering freehold status to all purchasers, The Wave combines more than 4,000 beautiful properties, a 300-yacht berth marina,

three premier hotels and new retail, leisure and dining opportunities at a bewitching seafront address.

The varied and dynamic landscape of The Wave also lends itself perfectly to the development of a signature 18-hole Green Links Golf Course, especially designed by legendary golfer Greg Norman.

Extending over 800,000 sqm, the course is Oman’s first ever

35

Feature

sea-facing PGA-standard course. With each hole overlooking the sea and the signature holes having water on three aspects, the Greg Norman golf course promises to take the game of golf to a whole new level of high.

Signature spoke to Iain Liversage — Project Manager Greg Norman Golf Course — to get some inside info on the progress of this signature project...

Tell us something about the Greg Norman Links golf course design and the progress to date.

“The golf course at The Wave, Muscat, has been designed by the world renowned, Greg Norman Golf Course Design and will be the first Links golf course in the Sultanate.

Based on US PGA standards, and at a length of 7000 yards, the course will offer golfers of all levels an opportunity to enjoy a unique golfing experience. The golf course has been crafted to capture the essence of the surrounding environment and enhance it to produce a challenging course of varying hole lengths and configurations. To date, more than 750,000m3 of earth has been moved and the 18hole standard course along with a dedicated academy, driving range and floodlit par 3 practice facility is expected to fully open in 2011 with the initial 9-hole golf facility scheduled for the end of 2010.

‘In January 2010, Southern Golf Oman, expert international golf

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consultants, was appointed as the Golf Course Construction Contractor, to ensure timely completion of the construction of the facility.”

Every design company has a ‘Design Philosophy’, what is the Greg Norman Links golf course design philosophy?

“The Greg Norman ‘design philosophy’ aims at creating a unique design character for each project through in-depth perceptions of the terrain and surrounding elements. The philosophy focuses on aesthetics and playability, resulting in courses that would create a memorable golfing experience and blend seamlessly with its surroundings as if it’s a natural component of the landscape. It was important to ensure that the design was environmentally friendly and sustainable with a minimalist and least disturbance approach, granting golf enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy the sea view and the added amenities at The Wave, Muscat. We made certain that the course preserved an ‘Omani’ character through the desert landscapes of the Middle East, incorporating native plants and dune grasses so that players can feel connected with the course, and with the spectacular scenery of the Arabian Gulf to the North and the Hajar mountains to the South.”

What are the Greg Norman trademarks that golfers can look for in this golf design?

“Greg Norman is recognised throughout the world for creating courses that protect and enhance the environment of the golf course and its surroundings. This eco-friendly approach harnesses The Wave, Muscat’s, key guiding principles and environmental management plans to ensure that all measures are taken to protect and preserve the environment,

without compromising on the fundamentals of responsible tourism and sustainable development. Many of Greg Norman’s projects have been awarded the coveted ‘Audubon Society Award for Environmental Stewardship’.

“Golfers can expect to experience rolling fairways and testing bunkers along with ridged greens, these are elements that have helped create great Greg Norman courses around the world.”

What are the facilities that will be offered on this course?

“Located in the new heart of Muscat, the 18-hole PGA Links golf course will also feature a floodlit 9-hole academy course, a driving range and short game practice facility, an academy building offering tuition, a pro shop and a restaurant along with an extensive clubhouse catering to all the needs of golfers across all levels.

In addition, golfers will have access to and can enjoy the other facilities at The Wave, Muscat, such as five star hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and the sea berth at Al Marsa Village.”

What unique challenges and opportunities does the Sultanate of Oman offer a project like the Greg Norman links golf course?

“Oman is rich in culture and inherent beauty, the development of a well designed golf course such as ours will only add to its existing charm and will present several opportunities. The strategic location of the golf course, in the heart of Muscat, will position the sport of golf as a leisure and tourist attraction on a regional and international front. The development of this facility and academy with

the recent formation of the Oman Golf Association will encourage young Omanis to excel in this sport, with hopes of harnessing the talent to form a team of national champions.

However, ensuring that the golf course facilities caters to and is accessible to all target groups, particularly Omanis where this is a relatively new sport, can be a foreseen challenge, which can only be overcome with careful planning and a dedicated commitment from The Wave, Muscat, which is creating a number of local and international attractions through a multitude of

facilities and activities that appeal to all.”

What changes do you see on the relatively emerging Omani golfing scene once this course comes into existence?

“The course will offer a wide range of facilities, which will support the advancement of golf as a sport, and assist in building the skills of current and new golfers. We are confident that it will play a significant role in making Oman a sporting hub for golf in the Middle East and an international arena for Golf tourists.”

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PLACES

A

rchitecture, tmosphere, romas...

In her search for the best the world has to offer, Bregje Van Baaren drops by The Chedi Muscat, right here on the stunning Bousher Beachfront‌

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W

ho says one has to travel abroad in order to reload and relax body and mind by temporarily escaping from daily duties? Located right here in Al Ghubrah, The Chedi Muscat offers a treat for anyone in search of some leisure and luxury. Though situated a bit tagged away, the hotel is a comfort zone where one feels immediately more relaxed right at the entrance itself, thanks to the symmetry, architecture and aromas in the air.

If one plans to stay for the night, you will be immediately directed to one of the comfortable couches in the lobby and served a refreshing drink with mint leaves and a wet towel. You might also be able to eavesdrop on a conversation held between the charming, elderly French couple next to you who still bravely think that it will be warm in the desert this time of the year.

According to York Brandes, General Manager at The Chedi Muscat, the secret to the hotel’s unique character is, “The striking architecture and symmetry within the resort — a result of a perfect blend of Omani architecture mixed with an Asian Zen style — reflecting an understated elegance.”

Brandes also explains the reasons why one will find many couples — from the just married to the retired — in the hotel “The transformation to

the most romantic atmosphere starts during sunset when all the lighting effects come into play slowly — from the candles to the open fires and the subtle shine at the bottom of each palm tree with water features trickling away all instilling tranquillity, charm and romance.”

Until the end of this month, all Omani residents can stay for a weekend (though the offer is valid from Thursday until Saturday) at The Chedi Muscat, based on a package that includes accommodation for two nights including breakfast at The Restaurant. But even if one does not overnight at the hotel, there are many attractive facilities that attract you there which include an outdoor pool, a tennis court, a Spa and a Gym, as well as two restaurants.

If you do decide to take the package, you might as well pamper yourself and upgrade to the Chedi Club Suites that leads onto the sand and sea.

The suite consists of a king-size bed, a separate sitting room — basically a Zen-style Majlis — with red velvet sofa benches, an iPod with music from the Buddha Bar coming out of the surround system, a terrace with a Freudian-style arm chair that encourages you to reflect as you breathe in the fresh, cool sea breeze. But the best feature of this room is perhaps the terrazzo sunk-in bathtub in which you can relax and simply let the water splash on you from different directions

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PLACES

while soaping up with Bulgari products. Complimentary benefits are full breakfast in the room, laundry services, free Wi-Fi connection and beverages in the Library.

York Brandes underlines the attractiveness of his hotel to local residents, “The Spa is open to the public and so are our various restaurants. During the summer months, many local residents take up the offer to spend a weekend away at The Chedi Muscat without having to fly or drive anywhere far.”

In the Spa, which uses only organic products, they seem to serve the needs of all kinds customers, even the wellknown ones. As for example, the King and Queen of Jordan have enjoyed The Chedi Jade Massages while the famous Italian designer duo Dolce and Gabbana treated themselves to several types of massages. The Royal couple and the designers had their famous toes polished as well.

The Chedi Jade Massage involves two therapists per person who work in synchronised movements using a variety of techniques including Shiatsu, Balinese, Thai, Swedish and Lomi-Lomi (Hawaiian massage). Other options are the Ayurvedic Abhyanga Massage (based on an ancient ritual with warmed therapeutic oils), Arabian Sea Wave Massage, Thai Style Foot Reflexology and the Ancient Balinese Massage.

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It appears that the ancient Balinese massage is the most popular one as it is carried out by Balinese therapists; i.e., someone who really knows what she is doing. In fact, many details in the interiors come from Bali as well; like the seashells embedded in the little wooden tables you will find throughout the hotel.

The Chedi Muscat also has two restaurants; one simply called The Restaurant and the other one equally simply called The Beach Restaurant!

At the latter one can see many a local resident enjoying ‘The Brunch’ along the seashore on Fridays. The Beach Restaurant also offers à la carte, all internationally renowned and local royal dishes from the sea; from French Fine de Claire oysters, Iranian caviar including Royal Beluga to a Pan-fried Omani rouget fillet with smoked tomato risotto and lobster crème.

‘The Restaurant is très chic and adjacent to the lobby.

The pianist playing softly certainly knows his classics, while he also plays songs like ‘Memory’ from the popular Broadway musical ‘Cats’. A real eye-catcher is a selection of colourful pastries displayed in a case; it’s almost like you are selecting a ring at Cartier instead of a Chocolat Bavarois!

They also bake their own bread and the aroma lends the whole atmosphere an almost Italian feel. All food is prepared in open kitchens, which shows you clearly how important

hygiene and freshness is to them.

Guests at ‘The Restaurant’ are often a mixture of tourists and locals. Some are people who have put aside their handbags and books they have being reading the whole day lying by the pool, on one of the tables with imbedded seashells from

Bali. If the weather allows, you can also opt for a table on the terrace, again characterised by a highly romantic and tranquil atmosphere.

As a guest you will be served fresh bread that you can dip in your olive oil and basilica while you can opt for drinks like the ‘Chedi-detox’ that consists

of Raspberry juice with mint leaves, slices of ginger and lemon crushed together with ice. As a starter you could think of a platter of sushi or sashimi freshly served on crushed ice. For the main course you could choose à la carte from a choice of worldwide dishes, such as, the Arabic Seafood Grill (Omani lobster, tuna loin, prawn, local hammour fillet), the Asian Pha Nang Ped Lin Je (stir-fried roasted duck, lychee, crisp eggplant, pha nang curry) or an Italian Cannelloni (pumpkin, ricotta and basil, fresh tomato sauce).

For dessert, a friendly lady can recommend a cheese platter that comes with a variety of options, all served with salted home-made crispy bread and pears. Cheeses in the menu are ‘Fourme d’Ambert’ (uncooked, un-pressed soft French cheese with veins of blue mould) and Pont l’Eveque Aoc (another

French uncooked, un-pressed, soft cheese with a washed rind, made from cow’s milk).

For those who like it sweet, there are a variety of options to choose from. Try the Apple and Raisin Tarte Tatin (vanilla anglaise, chocolate and vanilla ice cream) or the Coffee and Chocolate Mousse, the Raspberry Inspiration (raspberry cheesecake, raspberry parfait and raspberry ice cream) and the Coconut Mousse (guava and orange sorbet and berry foam). Last but not least, they also serve interesting herbal teas with names like Chamomile Breeze and Ginger Calm served from a teapot from China.

The hotel brings together the best from all parts of the world right here in Muscat. The next time you’re looking for some world-class R&R look no further than the Bousher Beachfront...

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FASHION

Timeless Elegance & Effortless Versatility S Hatem Alakeel is a trend in himself! Eman Akbar Rafay traces the journey of this young Saudi designer to fame and beyond.

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ometimes, all it takes is the ingenuity of one person to change the way the world views a certain thing.

Take for example the little black dress that owes its place in the sartorial dictionary to legendary designer Coco

Chanel or the ordinary pumps, which were never the same after Christian Louboutin lent them the red soles.

Today, a young Saudi designer has set out to do exactly that; to change the way the world views the traditional white

‘thobe’. Simply put, Hatem Alakeel is giving tradition a makeover.

For Alakeel, who studied Marketing and Communications in the US, becoming a fashion designer was something that was destined. He says, “I used to model while I was at school and the idea of a designer being able to execute his fantasy into reality always captured me.” Moreover, he adds, “I want people to see that clothes do not have to Western to be termed high fashion.

Elegance and style can be

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FASHION

applied to all cultures. I am not here to dictate to people what they should wear. I am here to help them express themselves.”

For Alakeel, the ‘thobe’ is a representation of the Arabic identity and paying homage to that are his modern interpretations of the traditional attire. Alakeel launched his first line of menswear at the Dubai Fashion Week in March 2008.

He chose to name his line

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‘TOBY by Hatem Alakeel’, which translates to ‘Tobe’, part of a common Arabic expression ‘al basmin thoby’ that means ‘I wear my own style’.

According to Alakeel, “We live in a culture that does not encourage individuality, but I believe that men should have a right to express themselves through their attire.”

He adds: “TOBY is a representation of who I am.

In fact, all my designs are a

reflection of me. I am my own brand.” Alakeel states that he is both Saudi and European in mind-set. “I grew up in Europe and the United States of America, but I still have my Middle Eastern roots intact.”

Today ‘TOBY by Hatem Alakeel’ has grown popular as a brand as to easily stake claim to being a modern brand ambassador for the Arabic dress culture. In fact, it was this popularity and the

overwhelming response of loyal Toby customers that saw the launch of the Toby Home wear line. The Toby Homewear range, which includes trendy T-shirts and sports pants, has been designed to be multifunctional and can be worn outside the home to the gymnasium and the beach.

Of course, it is not just the men who have to thank Alakeel for giving them a platform to express themselves. Not

satisfied with the new trend he created in menswear, Alakeel also created his first women’s line ‘Hatem by Hatem Alakeel’, which debuted to rave reviews at the Dubai Fashion Week 2009. And, guess who created an exclusive line of shoes for Alakeel’s new collection. Yes, it was none other than Christian Louboutin. Talk about one trendsetter meeting another! We are sure this was just the teaser to the fame that is bound to follow the Hatem Alakeel name.

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FASHION

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The Toby Man 2010 ‘TOBY by Hatem Alakeel 2010 collection is yet another ode to the essence of the classic ‘thobe’. Each piece can be mixed and matched in various ways giving the Toby Man the luxury of timeless elegance and effortless versatility.

According to Alakeel, “I always encourage people to add their personal touches to experiment and to mix and match.

The Toby Man is a leader in his dress sense and most definitely not a fashion victim. He knows what he wants in terms of quality, refinement and contemporary elegance, and shall never compromise on these traits, which he has come to expect and appreciate from ‘Toby by Hatem Alakeel’ and this is what makes him a treasured customer who keeps coming back for more.”

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FEATURE

A Gift from Oman Inspired by the wreck of a 9th-century trade vessel, the Jewel of Muscat set sail recently to strengthen ties between Oman and Singapore...

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R

econstructing history is not an easy task, especially when it means having to create the replica of a 9thcentury trade vessel. But, a historical and cultural initiative taken jointly by the governments of Oman and Singapore has made this possible.

The Jewel of Muscat takes its inspiration from the Belitung Wreck that was discovered in 1998 in Indonesian waters. The ship was said to be carrying more than 60,000 pieces of Chinese ceramics, silver and gold artefacts, spices and other commodities, now known as the Tang Treasure.

The Jewel’s first plank was laid on Qantab beach in Muscat, on the October 21, 2008 and it was launched into the sea on October 18, 2009; a construction time that is a testament to the skilled labour involved in constructing her and the support given by Oman’s

Government. The Jewel was built in a specially constructed ship yard at a beach in Qantab.

Displaying the characteristics of vessels built in the western Indian Ocean at that time, the Jewel’s reconstruction represents a major feat of maritime engineering.

The hull has been sewn together with coconut fibre.

Built without nails to seal the hull, each timber was fit perfectly. The wood is protected by a layer of goat fat mixed with lime, and the sails will be square and made from palm leaves.

The planking on the ship is made from Afzelia Africana timber from Ghana.

The 18m (60ft) long ship recently set sail from Oman to Singapore, which is presumed to have been a key port of call of the Belitung ship, in its journey westwards, before it ended up as a wreck. It will travel along the same route as those described by Arab geographers, using the

same knowledge as Arab seamen.

The crew, led by its captain Saleh Al Jabri, on the ship will use 9th-century navigation techniques, plotting the course for the 18-metre ship with a ‘kamal’ (a small block of wood connected to a piece of string that can calculate latitude), and the stars and the sun. Observation of the sky and sea colour, marine and bird life, and wind direction will also be used as aids to navigation.

Modern instruments will only be used to check the navigation techniques.

The sail boat will first touch base at Kochi in South India, then stop at Sri Lanka and Malaysia before reaching Singapore

by June 2010. A gift from the Sultanate of Oman to the people of Singapore, the Jewel of Muscat is a rare treasure that symbolises Oman’s heritage and reflects the valuable balance between the past and the present.

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FEATURE

1000 Miglia GT XL Chrono Speed Black 50

Mechanical Marvels The Chopard Classic Racing collection is a must for connoisseurs of fine mechanical engineering and here’s why…

Passion. Performance.

Precision. That is what Chopard’s Classic Racing collection is all about. At the heart of these speed machines, featuring extra-large cases with screw-down crowns and protective guard houses, lies the largest mechanical movement on the market, chronometer-certified by the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute).

Signature presents a few highly-powered ‘engines’ that are inspired by the adrenaline-pumping world of motorsports…

MM GTXL GMT Rose Gold

1000 Miglia GT XL Chrono Speed Black The timepiece combines sporting sophistication and aesthetic elegance to offer immediate appeal to connoisseurs of fine mechanical engineering. The warmth of 18-carat rose gold on the bezel, pushers and crown makes a striking contrast with the sporting dynamics of the 44 mm-diameter case in DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) blackened steel. Teamed with a black dial and the prominent natural black rubber strap with its 1960s Dunlop Racing tyretread motif, these effects confer an incredible sense of rugged reliability on the exceptional

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FEATURE

mechanical marvel. This horological ‘speed machine’ is reserved only for a privileged 500.

1000 Miglia GT XL Chrono Split Second Master the art of stopping time...twice with the GT XL Chrono Split Second. The entirely redesigned dial recreates an environment featuring split-seconds and pointer-type date functions in this exceptional chronograph.

Its self-winding movement is housed within a 44 mmdiameter case in rose gold and is accentuated by the tachometric scale engraved around the bezel. Endowed with a 42-hour power reserve, the new 1000 Miglia GT XL Chrono Split Second is set on an alligator leather strap equipped with a safety folding clasp, and is issued in a limited edition of 500 pieces.

1000 Miglia GT XL Titanium

MM GTXL Power Control

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1000 Miglia GT XL Chrono Titanium Carved from a block of titanium, generously shaped and resolutely dynamic, this timepiece is yet another delight for those who love fine sporting mechanisms. Its impressive lightness is complemented by the splendid view of its ‘engine’ that admirers can look at through its sapphire crystal case-back. The charcoalgrey horizontal-guilloché dial featuring three counters is swept over by a central seconds hand and rimmed by a tachometric scale, making it possibly the sportiest model in the entire line. Water-resistant

to 100 metres, it is issued in a limited edition of 1000.

Mille Miglia GT XL GMT Imposing and endowed with an original second time zone indication at the centre of the dial, this watch combines cutting-edge mechanical engineering and sophisticated aesthetics. This model flaunts its sporting and dynamic nature with features such as the oversized 12 and 6 numerals and the superluminova hour-markers as well as the hour and minute hands. Water-resistant to 100 metres, its generous 44mm case houses a mechanical self-winding movement chronometer certified by the COSC and comes in two versions — steel or 18K rose gold, with an option of a tyretread rubber or Barenia leather strap pairing.

in steel or rose gold case with options for straps in handsewn brown or black alligator leather, Barenia leather or black natural rubber (1960s Dunlop Racing tyre-tread motif) with a polished steel or rose gold folding clasp.

Mille Miglia GT XL Power Control Perfect for the true classic driver, the timepiece, as is name suggests, is all about exuding power. The oversized ‘12’ numeral is counterbalanced by the semi-circular power reserve display at 6 o’clock. The power reserve percentage indicator, which is exactly like a petrol gauge, features a red zone below 20 per cent. At the heart of it, lies the largest mechanical movement on the market, chronometercertified by the COSC. It is available

1000 Miglia GT XL Chrono Split Second

Master the art of stopping time...twice with the GT XL Chrono Split Second.

For further details contact Khimji’s Watches, Shatti Al Qurum 53

CARS

Hybrid Luxury W

idely considered a groundbreaking vehicle in the high-luxe hybrid world, the LS600hL is the world’s first vehicle to feature a full hybrid V8 powertrain, which can run on either the electric power through motors or the petrol engine or even on both, unlike the other ‘Mild’ hybrids.

The second-generation LS600hL, recently launched in Oman by the Saud Bahwan Group, is driven by a 5.0 litre, V8 engine, mated to a high-

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Stylish, progressive, innovative and sleek, the LS600hL from Lexus is the world’s first ‘full hybrid’ vehicle, says Malcolm X. Crasta.

output electric-drive motor.

The Lexus Hybrid Drive system builds upon technology developed in the RX 400h and GS 450 (both of which were not sold here in Oman) to combine an all-new, five-litre, V8 petrol engine with large, high-output electric motors and a newly designed large-capacity battery pack. This advanced combination provides the LS 600h with a peak combined output rating of 438hp.

Accelerating from 0-100 kmph in 6.3 seconds, and effortlessly

smooth, the LS hybrid is breathtakingly powerful. Even when driving at speed, the power available to the driver is still impressive. In order to achieve this, the electric motor supplements the petrol engine to give a seamless surge of acceleration.

Consuming fuel and with the emissions equivalent to a ‘best-in-V8-class’ car, the power of the LS hybrid is more akin to a 12-cylinder car. It is also projected to carry a Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle

(SULEV) rating — which means the vehicle will have nearly 70 per cent fewer smog-forming emissions than the ‘cleanest’ of its competitors. In fact when starting up or driving at low speeds, there are no emissions at all as the car is powered solely by the electric motor.

Also, in addition to conserving fuel, enhancements in fuel economy contribute to reducing emissions of the greenhouse gas CO2. Engine systems like VVT-iE and D-4S that enhance combustion efficiency, powertrain innovations such as the hybrid system, and an aerodynamic body that helps to reduce air resistance, come together to give the LS600hL exceptional fuel economy.

And if that wasn’t enough, the LS600hL features an EV (Electric Vehicle)-Drive Mode which is designed to enhance quietness while driving in residential areas late at night, and to reduce emissions in indoor car parks and garages. This mode limits starting of the engine to enable the car to be driven using only electric motor power.

On the highway, the LS600hL delivers a precise, smooth and rewarding driving experience. Elegantly poised, yet brilliantly responsive, exceptional dynamic control helps you negotiate even the most demanding situations safely. The new multi-link air suspension, a rigid yet lightweight chassis and classleading aerodynamics are all key, as is variable gear ratio

steering. Also, fitted as standard on the LS600hL, the permanent all-wheel drive transfers the increased power and torque with impeccable smoothness and precision.

As the flagship of the Lexus model range, the LS600hL builds on the inherent luxury of the LS itself and is packed with the best technology that the brand has on offer, including a continuously variable transmission for a silky smooth drive.

The LS600hL is available only in the long-wheelbase version, and it has been specially trimmed with touches such as a hand-sewn leather dash and wood inserts on the grab handles.

The LS600hL symbolises Lexus’ uncompromising commitment to delivering environmentally responsible solutions by ensuring exciting performance and ultra low-emissions. The vehicle also comes with a long list of luxury and safety features including an advanced All Wheel Drive system and full air suspension — as would be expected of a car that will go head-to-head against the competing ultra luxury models.

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FEATURE

Hold All The Cards Welcome to the world of ‘big league’ plastic with BankMuscat’s Visa Infinite and Platinum card services...

Y

ou are out window shopping and an Avro RJ70 luxury jet catches your fancy or you find yourself at Tiffany & Co. or Cartier and you see a brooch or a pear shape diamond pendant you simply must have. What do you do? The answer’s simple; hand out your BankMuscat Visa Infinite card and let it buy it for you. The card is indeed so infinite in its power that it allows its holder, i.e. you, the luxury of acquiring almost everything you set your eyes on. Welcome to the world of ‘big league’ plastic!

The super premium credit card is earmarked for a limited number of high-net worth individuals and is issued on an invitation basis only. The card, introduced for the first time in Oman and in a class of its own, offers incredible spending power and is quite simply

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put an ‘Alibaba’s portal’ to a world of privileges — a world in which you enjoy personal service like none other.

According to Tariq Atiq, Head–Card Business and Acquiring Services, “All BankMuscat products and services have evolved over the years in line with specific customer requirements, fulfilling their financial dreams and aspirations. To meet and exceed expectations of its premier clientele, BankMuscat offers several privileges and benefits to Visa Infinite cardholders that reflect their status of being in a class of their own.”

The exclusive privileges available to all Visa Infinite cardholders include free limousine service to and from Muscat International Airport, besides free access to the Zahara Plaza Premium Lounge where you can also invite a guest on complimentary

basis. Infinite cardholders also receive invitations to exclusive premieres of the latest movie releases from time to time.

You can enjoy the benefits of an extended warranty when you shop with the card.

Besides the manufacturer’s original warranty, goods are entitled for an added one year warranty (up to a maximum of three years combined).

When shopping with a Visa Infinite card, products also get coverage against accidental damage. This includes internet purchases and items which have been ordered online to send as gifts. The coverage is valid for 90 days from the purchase date indicated on the store receipt.

Apart from this, you can also enjoy an exclusive concierge service, that is, your 24 hour personal assistant, arranging dinner reservations, chauffeurs and taxis, theatre tickets, gifts and everything else you

need to enhance your leisure and business trips. And by taking note of your personal tastes and preferences, the service also offers the perfect recommendation at the perfect moment. Truly, with this credit card the possibilities are infinite, to say the least!

Apart from Visa Infinite, BankMuscat also offers the Platinum credit card, classified for achievers, and is specially designed for a select group of customers whose lifestyle demands more purchasing power. The MasterCard Platinum cardholders comprise a group of elite individuals who enjoy selected privileges and benefits across Oman and around the world.

Along with the convenience of being recognised at 20 million establishments globally and having access to any ATM carrying the MasterCard logo, all cardholders are entitled to a wide range of exclusive privileges that include

include BankMuscat Rewards programme, free access to the Zahara Plaza Premium Lounge at Muscat International Airport along with one guest on a complimentary basis and double Basma points for purchases made through the BankMuscat Platinum card.

And for those tense moments, when a card is stolen or lost, there is a global emergency service to get an emergency card replacement or arrange for an emergency cash advance.

Be it the Visa Infinite or the Platinum Cards, BankMuscat sure knows the nuances that go into the art of living the high life and pampering its valued customers. As Tariq Atiq puts it, “With the widest reach in serving customers through a network of 125 branches in the Sultanate, BankMuscat meets the expectations of high net worth customers, ensuring the best of banking convenience at their very doorstep.”

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PLACES

Atlantis, The Palm - Royal Towers

the rise and rise of

atlantis In a glitzy desert metropolis, this towering ode to water asks ‘Recession?

What recession?’

By Jola Chudy.

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et’s be honest; The Atlantis Palm in Dubai is never going to win any awards from the good taste brigade, but in a country where subtle understatement and architectural reticence are practically dirty words, who cares? If you hanker after a classically tasteful aesthetic, you really shouldn’t

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PLACES

Grand Lobby be here in the first place. But if you’re willing to suspend all disbelief and embrace a dizzying, nautical fantasy of monumental proportions, you’ve arrived at the right destination. This towering bauble of giddy excess, with its salmon pink edifice pierced by a gravity-defying central arch, is what Dubai does best. Luxurious, brash, and over-confidently opulent, the Atlantis Palm Dubai stands defiantly at the top of the Dubai Palm Jumeirah, daring you not to be entranced by its unapologetically Disneyesque stature and psychedelic, ocean-themed interior.

Seen from the shore, the giant silhouette looks almost dreamlike, a pink mirage, but this $US 1.5 billion project is anything but.

Seafire Entrance

The hotel welcomed its first guests in September 2008 before the recession-led end of Dubai’s love affair with its own infallibility, by throwing a multimillion dollar firework-fuelled event that took celebrity-fuelled exclusivity to levels previously unheard of in a city that prides itself on throwing jaw-dropping parties. Guests at the world’s most expensive launch party ever included Robert De Niro, Sir Richard Branson, Janet Jackson and Lindsay Lohan.

Kylie Minogue was reportedly paid US$1.5 million to perform at the party and the event spawned breathless headlines around the world.

Created by South African master hotelier Sol Kerzner, the Atlantis is the identical twin of another Kerzner resort in the

Bridge Suite Master Bedroom Bahamas and comes complete with dolphins, a water park, jawdropping super-suites and a centrepiece aquarium that teems with more than 60,000 marine animals.

The 1,539-room property stands at the top of another example of Dubai’s architectural ambition, the Palm Jumeirah. Drive along its trunk, and you’ll pass luxury apartment blocks and catch glimpses of the exclusive villas that — contrary to naysayers’ predictions — have thus far failed to crumble into the sea. As you arrive in the Royal Towers Grand Lobby, you will be assaulted by a visual spectacle of water, light and sound: muted, shy and restrained have no place here.

Stone crustaceans adorn carved, ornate archways lead off into sweeping, marble-clad corridors, and colourful artwork adorns the walls.

A roster of internationally renowned architects, designers and landscapers was drafted in to create this unique project, including Jeffery Beers, David Rockwell, and interior designers Wilson and Associates. The resort features a ten-metre sculpture of more than 3,000 pieces of multicoloured blown glass by world-renowned artists Dale Chihuly and nautical murals depicting the ancient city of Atlantis, hand-painted in Spain by Spanish artist Albino Gonzalez.

The exterior is certainly not afraid to make a statement and the rooms are equally emphatic in their appearance. Since your wallet is of a similar size to that of Shahrukh Khan’s, who stayed

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PLACES

Poseidon Suite there on the hotel’s opening night, you’ll be able to afford the Atlantis’ superlative signature lodgings. The Bridge Suite spans the giant archway of the hotel and boasts panoramic views across the Arabian Gulf. Guests can call upon a 24-hour service from their own personal butler, who will doubtless be happy to help set up dinner at the stunning centrepiece gold-leaf table, which seats 16 in plush leather armchairs.

Meanwhile, the Neptune and Poseidon Suites feature magical bedroom and bathroom views directly into the underwater chambers that teem with marine life.

Lindsay Lohan and Charlize Theron have stayed in these

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suites which stretch over three magnificent floors.

For gourmands eager to discover whether Dubai’s reputation for high-octane culinary excess and gastronomic innovation is justified, the answer at Atlantis is a resounding ‘yes’! There are more than 17 dining options, including a trio of Michelinstarred outlets (Giorgio Locatelli, Michel Rostang and Santi Santamaria) plus the award-winning Nobu from Japanese Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa (yes, the black cod here is the best you’ll taste in Dubai, with a price tag to match). The Seafire steakhouse also serves up Wagyu steaks.

This king of beef may not be used to being outshone on a

menu, but how about this? The Atlantis Palm Dubai has its own brand of cattle. Yes, that’s right. The cattle are reared in Australia, before presumably being flown first class to be served up medium rare at the Dubai resort.

For children (and the young at heart, after all who doesn’t like a water park) Aquaventure Waterpark is something else entirely. The water playground comprises more than 18 million litres of water and an array of adrenaline-raising water slides, tunnels and pools including two rides that catapult riders through a Perspex tunnel filled with sharks. There is opportunity to swim with dolphins and wander through a maze of underground tunnels

around the giant underwater Atlantis aquarium, filled with manta rays, sharks and fish of all shapes and sizes.

Then there’s the shopping; you’ll obviously be too tired after all the culinary excesses to countenance leaving the hotel, so why not walk off the dietary immoderation by indulging yourself or someone special with something small and sparkly from Cartier or Tiffany’s, just two of the jewellery designers who have beautifully-presented outlets here. The hotel offers attractive deals and packages, so presumably you’ll have enough left over for a diamond or two...

(For current room rates and special offers, see www. atlantisthepalm.com)

Presidential Suite Bedroom

Ronda Locatelli

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TRAVEL

A Cleansing of the Senses!

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Re-discover tranquillity, health and the art of holistic living at the idyllic Six Senses Destination Spa, A Wellness Retreat- Phuket.

eing the first member of a new Six Senses brand, the Six Senses Destination Spa Phuket is the ideal answer to your concerns of wellbeing. From the moment you step on a white luxury motorboat, which is the only mode of transportation to this hideaway located on a tiny Thai island off the coast of Phuket, you know you are in

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for a life enriching experience.

Once at the spa, you can either choose to take an ecofriendly, silent, electric buggy to your pool villa or you can walk and stop to smell the fragrance of wellness in the form of plants and trees that line the walkways of this tranquil retreat. Each of the 61 villas has its own plunge pool..

Every villa gets one butler,

some have more than one.

Each villa also offers private steam showers and an outdoor bathroom area, as well as an outside garden area with a rain shower.

Six of the pool villas are clustered into The Enclave, which also features an exclusive large pool and dining pavilion. The prestigious ‘Retreat on the Hill’

features three bedrooms and a private spa with wet and dry treatment rooms, a yoga pavilion and gym. It is located at the top of the peninsula, with sweeping views of the Phang Nga Bay. Once you are in your organiclinen yoga suit, provided by the Spa of course, you can head to the spa, which taps into the four traditions of

The spa offers a novel and internationally inspired Spa Cuisine, which uses ingredients from their ecologically grown gardens.

Indonesia, India, China and of course, Thailand. The focus is on relaxing and helping you achieve balance of the mind, along with ample pampering for the body. The price per night includes two treatments each day, ranging from surface beauty to inner glamour (Call it a cleansing of the senses!).

Based on a Destination Spa concept, it offers the complete package in the form of a spa, holistic fitness and integrative health; enriching people’s lives by means of developing a balance of wellbeing that integrates all the senses. The wellness concept is taken to the next level with the Wellness Wheel, which ensures that guests balance and have faith that they are taking their physical, stress management,

educational, nutritional, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing forward.

For those looking for a complete transformation, try the Life Passages wellness programmes that inspire you to realise your fullest potential. Life Passages offer you time away from everyday life and create a break for reassessment, re-evaluation and regeneration, working toward therapy for your whole system. Each passage is an opportunity to heal the wounds from the past, go deeper into the meaning of your life, find renewed strength, open-up to intimacy and realise your fullest potential. Aside from the Spa, there are pools and meditation pavilions aplenty.

So focused is the resort on wellness that even food attains higher levels of gastronomy here. The spa offers a novel and internationally inspired Spa Cuisine, which uses ingredients from their ecologically grown gardens.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the al fresco ‘Ton Sai’ restaurant. Guests have a choice between the Fishetarian Spa and Raw Foods Cuisine.

For a Raw Foods dining experience, try the ‘Dining at the Point’ restaurant located at the tip of the island with a breathtaking view on Phang Nga Bay. Raw Foods preparation, also known as ‘Living Cuisine’ avoids the use of animal products. It is high in nutrients and minerals as a maximum cooking temperature of 42 degrees Centigrade (116

degrees Fahrenheit) is strictly observed.

The resort also offers cooking classes at the ‘Cuisine Cave’ for some wellness-inspired meals that can be cooked even when at home. Their weekly event calendar includes pizza baking, island barbecues and special dishes, making sure that the dining experience is a memorable one.

You can also take a gardening class, or venture out to see other islands; take the catamaran out; go fishing or rock climbing, or simply explore the resort’s sandy tracks on bicycles. But most of all, you soak in all the peace and reviving energy this cocoon of wellness has to offer.

For further details contact OUA Travels on +968 2455997 65

TECHNOLOGY

Tablet Wars

The Apple iPad and those looking to take it on!

The Apple iPad

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he most eagerly awaited tech toy yet this year was the iPad from Apple. And does it live up to the hype? Given how much noise preceded its launch that would have been difficult,

even perhaps beyond human capabilities.

Let’s first get the specs out of the way: The iPad measures 7.47 inches wide by 9.56 inches tall by 0.5 inch thick, and weighs less than 1.5 pounds. It’s almost like carrying a magazine! Now, let’s get to the juicier parts... The screen, glass-covered, olephobic

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and LED lit, is quite something especially because of what the matte aluminium backside does to its overall appeal. If you’ve ever felt one of the latest unibody MacBooks, you will know how sensational it can get.

As for performance, the iPad

rocks but only so long as you are very clear in your head that this is a scaled-up version of the iPhone and not a MacBook that has been put through an inhuman diet programme. So anyone who buys the iPad thinking s/he is getting a MacBook cheap is bound to be terribly disappointed. As a bridge

between your smart phone and home computer, which is what a tablet is meant to be, this is a good enough product.

And the question that the iPad will seek an answer to in the marketplace is whether there is in fact a gap between the two anymore what with smart phones getting smarter by the day and mobile computers becoming smaller, cheaper and lighter all the

time. The iPad’s future hangs by the answer to that question (as does that of the tablet as a category). Any disappointment will be largely owing to wrong and unrealistic expectations.

Finally, a tablet PC essentially is not a PC! So, why do we think the iPad is product worth investing in? Lift the hood for an answer: a 1GHz

A4 Apple processor, a 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 2.1, and a 10-hr battery life.

Storage is up to 64GB in the iPad’s most expensive (US$ 699) version.

The iPad also comes packed with bumped up versions of the whole load of applications that have made the iPhone such a cult gadget — e-mail, photos, notes, an iPod, calendar, contacts, maps, YouTube, and the Safari Web browser... it’s all there. On the flipside it doesn’t allow multitasking.

Apps such as contacts and calendar offer a split-pane view but what we really liked was the photo app. Instead of a static list of photo albums, this one displays collections as miniature stacks of images that you can unfold, browse, and manipulate with a stunning fluidity. So can we say that the iPad is as good as a tablet can get?

Can we name another tablet PC that can beat it on power or performance, or even form factor... rumour has it that Adam by Notion Ink is fast catching up but once an Apple fan, always an Apple fan, warts and all!

The Adam tablet PC The brain child of India-based Notion Ink has generated a buzz ever since an early prototype was first demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show, and the final product minus the customised user-interface was showcased at the recent Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Adam weighs 600-650 gm with the height of 158 mm, width of 239 mm and depth of 13 mm. It is the first device in the world to integrate two breakthrough powersaving components — nVidia’s Tegra 2 chip and a PixelQi screen. Together, they help it achieve twice the battery life and performance of the iPad. It has Dual Core Cortex A-9 and ULP GPU with a USB port, HDMI, SIM card slot, MicroSD slot, docking port and a DC connector. It even has a 3.2

Lenovo IdeaPad Hybrid U1: The industry’s first hybrid notebook, this convertible touch-screen tablet notebook with 11.6” HD LED screen based on Lenovo’s customized Skylight OS in tablet mode offers multitasking and 3G multi-touch slate tablet for mobile Internet, with a 1.3 MP camera, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon ARM processor, docking port, Wi-Fi, 3G and Bluetooth enabled, expected launch June 2010, rumoured to be priced at US$ 1000.

JooJoo: It will have a 12.1” LCD, a Webkit-based browser with Silverlight and Flash support, 1.6 GHz atom with nVIDIA Ion processor, multi-touch with USB port, built-in speakers, WiFi and Bluetooth, camera for video conferencing with five hours battery life expected to be priced at US $ 500.

MP Swivel camera. For music, it offers two loudspeakers, a microphone jack, a built in microphone and a 3.5 mm audio jack.

It runs on a three cell standard battery with a universal charger. It has a backside trackpad with an on board keyboard. For communication, it has WLAN, WWAN and a GSM (TBD). It comes in 16 GB and 32 GB and has touch panel with multi-touch, fingerprint resistant and scratch resistant surface with matt finish or anti glare coat.

Adam boasts of a 10.1 inch TFT LCD module with LED backlight and has a WSVGA resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels.

There’s a 3 axis accelerometer, a GPS and ambient light sensing. The battery life allows you 140 hours of audio playback and 14 hours of HD video playback. The

Dell Mini 5: 5” LCD expected to run on the latest version of Android, offering multitasking and multi-touch, 5 MP camera, Qualcomm 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, Wi-Fi, 3G and Bluetooth enabled, rumoured to be priced at US$ 1000.

Archos 7 Android: 7” LCD, Android platform, expected to come with an ARM CortexTMA8 processor, 600Mhz, with WiFi, Bluetooth, expected price US$ 250.

processors are very efficient and optimised to provide the best work experience. This tablet plays full HD videos (1080 p) and has an A2DP Bluetooth. The company is working on an application store platform of its own, where users can find a wide variety of content. Currently Adam is running on Android 2.1 as a custom User Interface. Though they have not got their customised User Interface in place yet, they are working on one. The projected price range is US$ 327-800 depending on the variations available and retail sales are expected Q3 onwards.

headphone jack. A microSD card slot is the only storage on the device.

Coming Soon...

HP Slate: 10-inch LCD running on Windows 7, with multitasking and multi-touch, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth. HP has been careful not to reveal any other software specifications.

OpenTablet 7: 7” screen LED-backlit TFT LCD with multi-touch support and Intel’s Moorestown Atom processor, engineered specifically around the needs of smartphones and tablets. You get Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 support, along with a built-in speaker, microphone, cellular connectivity, and a

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FOOD COURT

designed to be fast, fun and easy, aligned with the Park Inn ethos.

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he first RBG came into existence in 2008 at the Park Inn Cardiff City Centre, UK. Since, then the upbeat RBG with its bright bold logo, stylish menus and signage all designed with splashes of scarlet, has been a signature of Park Inn hotels all across the world. The concept, which was developed specifically for the Park Inn, builds on the brand’s colourful approach to hospitality and the menu and service is

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The RBG Grill in Muscat is no different. The spacious restaurant, done up in red (the R in RBG stands for Red) and cool grey, comfortably seats 70 guests indoors, with additional seating for 20 on the adjoining terrace in cooler climes.

The USP of the place lies in the fact that it offers more than your traditional fare. The menu is a versatile all-day offering of straightforward food that’s exceptionally well sourced, cooked and served in a way that makes the ordinary, extraordinary!

There are no appetisers on the menu and everything from

soup and salads, to pastas is clubbed neatly under the ‘This & That’ section of the restaurant’s ‘red book’ (read menu) of treats. Dig into the Grilled Tiger Prawns (a signature dish) glazed in garlic butter and served with lemon or tuck into some Grilled Chicken Salad topped with a wholesome dose of apples, stilton and walnuts (Note: If you do plan to have this salad, do not order anything else for it is a meal in itself!) or Blackened Salmon Salad with coriander, lime and avocado.

For vegetarians, there is the Tomato and Roast Pepper Soup garnished with toasted pumpkin seeds or the absolutely delectable Roasted Red Peppers with olives and capers, doused with olive oil.

For pasta lovers, there is the Pasta Primavera that comes tossed in spicy vegetable sauce and parmesan cheese or the classic Macaroni with meatballs, garlic and tomato sauce. For those with an appetite for some spicy Indian cuisine there is the Madras Vegetable Curry...

Among the most unique and essential elements of each RBG show kitchen is a state-of-the-art charcoal grill.

The signature dishes include the rib eye steak, free range chicken, organic salmon and also the Fresh Catch of the Day. As you relish a prime cut of RBG Sirloin Steak, either in Chimichurri, Aromatic Butter, or Horseradish Sauce, you can be rest assured that you will be hooked to the ‘thrill of the

Licensed to Grill

Enjoy some straightforward fare that’s exceptionally well cooked and served in a way that makes the ordinary, extraordinary at the RBG Grill, Park Inn Muscat, says Deepa Rajan.

grill’ permanently! Now, what menu is complete without local favourites such as traditional Grilled Arabic Kebabs and of course the legendary Chicken Tikkas served with some yummy mint sauce!

RBG also serves up some of the most mouth-watering gourmet burgers in town that include the Classic, Cajun and Lamb.

Unfortunately, for vegetarians the Portaabello Mushroom Burger is the only choice.

There are also a variety of side dishes, such as Maris Piper Fat Chips and mashed potatoes, to choose from. Thirst quenchers come in the form of beverages and shakes and smoothies (the mango-yogurt smoothie is a must-try), plus desserts including a fresh fruit salad, a fruit crumble and ice creams.

All you need to do is sit back and enjoy your meal surrounded by contemporary, vibrant and colourful décor, with sometimes soothing background music or sometimes amid the chaos of a football match being screened on the restaurant’s large TV screen.

Either way, RBG makes sure that you are well-fed and well-looked after. After all, RBG is a reflection of the Park Inn motto that infuses a riot of colours and excellent service to make sure that you ‘Sleep Well and Live Well’. In fact, we’d go one step further and add that it makes sure you ‘Eat Well’ too!

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Signature Promotions

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Full Steam Ahead Only when we pursue our dreams, do we feel empowered. The success of Sidab Sea Tours is one such tale of steady pursuit.

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hmed Maashri believes in the power of dreams.

It is no wonder then, that today he is the General Manager of Sidab Sea Tours, which began in 1998 with a small boat that could carry up to 20 passengers. Today with five boats, two of which are fishing boats, Ahmed is proud of the fact that he took the risk of quitting his secure job at the Al Bustan Palace InterContinental hotel and starting his own company.

“I worked with Al Bustan for four years (beginning 1994).

I enjoyed the job, but I was itching to do something on my own. I wanted to be my own boss and that is how the dream of owning my own sea tour company was born.” Everyone has dreams, but only when we pursue our dreams, we feel empowered. Hence, Ahmed quit his secure job and began working towards his.

Today, Sidab Sea Tours is a well-known company and provides its services to all major hotels in the city. Be it dolphin watching, snorkelling or traditional hand line fishing, the company does it all. Over the years, says Ahmed, his company has built a relationship of trust and support with all its clients. “I

believe in providing the best services to all our guests. Right from my crew to the boats and engines we use to power them, I make sure everything is perfect.” The crew at Sidab Sea Tours is an experienced lot. “Having grown up at sea (All of them, including Ahmed, come from fishermen families), the crew, right from the skipper to the cleaner, everyone knows the waters like the back of their hand,” Ahmed adds.

“Honda engines offer solid, powerful performance, day in and day out and that is what is vital to my business running smoothly,” says Ahmed “And even if once in a while they develop a snag, I do not have to worry much because service is always within reach and prompt. What could take two days, the service centre here achieves in half a day to one day, depending on the problem.”

According to him, only the best will do for the people who choose the best tour company.

“Safety is a primary concern for us,” he says and adds that he personally carries out inspections before undertaking any trip. Perhaps, that is also the reason why all his boats are powered with Honda’s fourstroke engines. Ahmed says, “I have used other engines before, mostly two-stroke, but my experience with Honda has been the best. “The engines are more fuel-efficient than typical two-stroke ones and this reduces my costs. Moreover, the technology the engines are designed on it improves their durability and gives them longer life.” And that’s not all.

Ahmed says he is doing his bit for the environment as well by using Honda engines, which do not release oil directly into the water and have ultra-low emissions.

Efficient service is something that Ahmed also practices and hence he says that he could not have found a better power source for his boats than Honda. Not to mention, that Honda itself is a company that runs on the ‘Power of Dreams’.

Ahmed plans to equip all his boats with Honda engines in the future. But, his biggest dream now is to own a traditional dhow that is a floating testimony to the Sultanate’s rich maritime tradition. Someday, Ahmed hopes that he will be able to take visitors aboard his own vessel that will act as an additional ambassador for the traditional values of seafaring, Omani hospitality and above all the effort of achieving your goal powered by your dreams.

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Preview

The Sound of

‘Japanasia’ Experience the sound of unique music with the Japanese music group ‘Ryu’s Beat with Kano & Saga’.

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magine the rhythm of Japanese drums, the melody of Japanese bamboo flutes accompanied by the strains of the Mongolian Horse-head Fiddle... Sounds like music to the ears, does it not? Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Ryu’s Beat with Kano & Saga — the trio that makes this possible.

(a well-known Japanese drum player), accompanied

by Yasukazu Kano (a flute player) and Haruhiko Saga (a Mongolian fiddle player).

Together, they have taken Japanese music to new frontiers by fusing traditional Japanese music with modern sounds from Asia and the world.

This Japanese music group is led by Ryutaro Kaneko

Ryutaro Kaneko was a member of the famous Taiko

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(drums) group Kodo based in Sado Island located in the Nigata Prefecture, Japan. As part of the well-known group, he performed in 32 countries across the world. He also composed and arranged songs, directed music and produced shows. While still with Kodo, Ryutaro was collaborating with artists from different genres such as jazz, rock and world music to produce compositions

that were broke the mould of the traditional Japanese drums. In 2001, he founded his own unit, Aguri, and has worked with EPO (voice) and Haruhiko Saga (also a throat-singer besides being an accomplished Mongolian fiddle player). Apart from innovating the Japanese drum ensemble by using various kinds of Japanese percussion instruments, Ryutaro is also credited with designing

the ‘cappa’ (Japanese small cymbals) that he succeeded in establishing as a common musical instrument. He also conducts workshops that are internationally acclaimed and are known to be more than just a lesson on how to play the drums. They also teach participants how to find harmonious balance between the body and mind.

Yasukazu Kano, who plays the Shinobue (Japanese bamboo flute), started playing the drums at age 13. As a Taiko drummer and bamboo flute player for Kodo, Kano has performed in over a thousand venues worldwide including the Carnegie Hall, the Berlin Philharmonic Hall and the Theatre de la Ville in Paris.

Kano draws his musical inspiration from the beautiful Sado Island, where he lives.

His melodies are simple, expressive and harmoniously blend the traditional and the modern, incorporating Japanese scales and rhythms, jazz improvisations, African rhythms and classical music.

And last, but not the least is Haruhiko Saga, a Japanese throat-singer (the technique involves producing two different sounds simultaneously). He is also a well-known Morin Huur (Mongolian horse-head fiddle) player and has been designated to be the successor to his teacher Y. Nergui, a famous nomadic Morin Huur player from the Gobi Desert.

As part of the throatsinging duo Tarbagan (with M.Todoriki) he won the prize in the guest division and was placed second overall at UNESCO’s throat-singing contest held in Tuva (a federal subject of Russia) in 1998.

Haruhiko, who has done many recordings with Kodo,

EPO, and Yumi Matsutoya, is also known to combine Mongolian traditional music with other modern and traditional genres of music to create new sounds.

Together, they make a talented trio that merges the beats of tradition with the winds of

modern music to create the unique sound of Japanasia that resonates across the world and they will soon be here in Oman, courtesy the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, who will be hosting an event titled ‘Beat & Wind from Japanasia’. Be prepared to be blown away!

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Retrospective

The Freedom of Expression Mallika Sarabhai’s versatility as a performer makes her a reflection of many faces discovers Sharanya Retnakumar.

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a acclaimed artist juggling several roles, that of a performer, writer and publisher and dancer, Mallika Sarabhai always tries to do things differently.

In her quest to do so she brings together a variety of mediums to express an idea and challenge her audiences’ imagination, blending together dance and theatre in an effort to make one sit up, think and question the bridges in society, the social order, relevance of women and so much more.

The performer in her does not restrict itself to what is familiar and comforting, in other words her experiences in and of India; it warmly embraces influences from around the world and takes note of the many differences across continents.

Eclectic Beginnings Along with an eclectic, multi-racial cast from a dozen countries, Mallika played ‘Draupadi’, a character both fiery yet docile from the epic Peter Brooks’ adaptation of ‘The Mahabharata’; A role that got her rave reviews. The original play, nine-hours-long, toured the world for a good four years.

When shortened to six hours for the television, the screenplay and the international casting heralded negative criticism.

But it was all not flak; the production was complimented for its story and superb casting by many a literary guru who spoke at length of the settings, kept simple with no special

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effects giving the atmosphere an intimate feel. The cast was given the freedom to express, depending on cultural backgrounds and thus making it possible to identify better to the characters in day to day life.

Awakening of a woman Mallika intense desire to rewrite the ancient notions of a patriarchal society and that of a subservient woman, led to the creation of ‘Shakti-The Power of Woman’. Staged first in London, the inspiration rooting down to the concept of the ‘supreme female deity’ of the Hindu religion, this production too celebrates what Mallika believes the most — the need to raise awareness, to bring about social change and to question age old notions of social order.

The stunning response this production received when it toured Britain, Holland and London led to a followup play, one that was more questioning and bordered on the humorous. Like her many other pieces this too spoke of oppressed and downtrodden women, but with one striking difference. These women refuse to be crowed down.

‘Sita’s Daughters’ is a solo act where she tries to echo the small voices of many an unheard woman violated in so many ways. The production toured all over India, in slums and settlements and has been performed over 500 times.

Co-written by Mallika and John Martin, it infuses classical and

contemporary dance, storytelling, humour and mime.

Lending a voice India remains at the core of her thoughts with many of her plays reflecting the struggles that the country has had to face and still goes through. Mallika’s adaptation of Harsh Mandar’s book ‘Unheard Voices’ became ‘Unsuni’. The production had the honour of being performed at the World Youth Peace Summit.

Performed as a series of monologues, the play tries to examine the harsh realities which are the truth of the Indian heartland. It delves into the many problems faced by the common man, the heart-wrenching portrayals of the abandoned children; the dilemma faced by the tribal’s forced to give up their land. Politics, humanity and honour: all linked together to make one sit up and take note of harsh realities often cloaked by hypocritical facades. The underlying idea behind it being equality for all, the play became so powerful a medium that it went on to being a project in itself.

And these are just a few of her works...

She was in Oman last month, and her show ‘India: Then, Now, Forever’, played to a packed Oman Auditorium at the Al Bustan Palace Intercontinental Hotel. A review of the show follows...

The Plurality of India Mallika Sarabhai’s ‘India: ‘Then, Now, Forever’ was a treat for the senses and the intellect says Deepa Rajan...

The performing arts have been in existence long before the man learnt to voice his feelings and more so in a country like India that is so diverse in its culture.

Mallika’s ‘India: Then, Now, Forever’ celebrated the multiculturalism and plurality that is India by combining classical, folk, tribal and contemporary dance performances, replete with foot-tapping, and soulstirring music and colourful costumes to match.

Mallika’s sonorous voice guided us through a journey that conjured up a myriad images of the ‘Rathwas’ — a tribe of Gujarat; and the graceful ‘Bharatanatyam’ and ‘Kuchipudi’ — the ancient dances of India. She enthralled the audience with the ‘Thali’ dance of the ‘Bhils’ and made the colours of Rajasthan and Gujarat come alive with the ‘Ghoomar’ and the ‘Raas’ respectively. There

were also the ‘Chhau’ from the East and ‘Laiharoba’ from the North-East that become active portals to India’s cultural diversity.

The last-but-one performance was a short piece titled ‘Kaun?’ (which means ‘who’ in Hindi) that pushed the audience to question the rights and wrongs of existentialism as a way of living. Donning soothing white costumes, the dancers with masks led

by Mallika commanded every minute of your time.

Just when you thought you have seen it all, came the finale: A riot of hues that mirrored modern India and the celebration of the world’s oldest and ever mutating art form: Dance, Dance and some more Dance!

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INDEX

Books you must read, music you must tune in to and movies you must see…

Books • • •

• • • • • • •

House Rules — Jodi Picoult Every Day in Tuscany: Seasons of an Italian Life — Frances Mayes The Genius in All of Us: Why Everything You’ve Been Told About Genetics, Talent, and IQ Is Wrong — David Shenk The Silent Sea — Clive Cussler Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Backlash — Aaron Allston Think Twice — Lisa Scottoline Deception — Jonathan Kellerman Solar — Ian McEwan Beatrice and Virgil — Yann Martel Oprah: A Biography — Kitty Kelley

Movies • • • • • • • •

• •

Ponyo [DVD] Where the Wild Things Are [DVD] 2012 [DVD] The Princess and the Frog [Single Disc Widescreen-DVD] Coco Before Chanel [DVD] The African Queen [Blu-ray] The Twilight Saga: New Moon [Blu-ray] Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy [Theatrical Editions-Blu-ray] The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day [Blu-ray] The Men Who Stare At Goats [Blu-ray]

Music • • • • • •

• • • •

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Get Off On the Pain — Gary Allan [Special Edition-CD] Valleys of Neptune — Jimi Hendrix [CD] Plastic Beach — Gorillaz [Deluxe Edition - CD/DVD] Here I Am — Marvin Sapp [CD] Alice in Wonderland [Soundtrack] — Danny Elfman [CD] Bach: The Organ Works — Johann Sebastian Bach and Simon Preston [CD] SuperFunk, Vol. 1 — Various Artists [Vinyl] 69 Love Songs — The Magnetic Fields [Box set-Vinyl] Ocean Songs — Dirty Three [Limited Edition-Vinyl] Singles Collection ‘61-65 — Dick Dale [Vinyl]

t Muscat City Center 1I t Jawaharat Al Shati 1I t Madinat Qaboos 1I

t Fortune Commercial Center 1I t Borders Book Shop 1I t Qurum City Center 1I t Beach Road Corniche 1I

THE LAST WORD

‫كم من املهم بالن�سبة‬ ‫لنا �أن ندرك ونحتفي‬ . ‫ب�أبطالنا وبطالتنا‬ . ‫مايا �أجنلون‬ How important it is for us to recognise and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!

Maya Angelou

‫كنت دوم ًا �أ�ؤمن باجلودة ومل يجر�ؤ �أحد على �أن‬ . ‫يقول يل ب�أنه غري قادر على فعل �شئ لأين فتاة‬ . ‫�أين هاثواي‬ I’ve always been a big believer in equality. No one has ever been able to tell me I couldn’t do something because I was a girl.

Anne Hathaway

‫�سوف تكون كل الأمور على ما يرام‬ ‫عندما تتويل �أمر�أة من�صب كبري دون �أن‬ . ‫ي�صاحب هذا احلدث �ضجة كبرية‬ ‫�سوزان �ساراندون‬ It will be great when it’s not such a big deal when a woman gets a good job.

Susan Sarandon

‫ال ميكن ملبادرات تعليم‬ ‫ومتكني املر�أة يف كافة‬ ‫�أنحاء العامل �أن تف�شل‬ ‫يف حتقيق مزيد من الود‬ ‫والوئام وال�سالم جلميع‬ . ‫الب�رش‬ . ‫�أجن �سان كو كي‬ The education and empowerment of women throughout the world cannot fail to result in a more caring, tolerant, just and peaceful life for all.

Aung San Suu Kyi

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. ‫ال جتلد نف�سك ف�أنت كل ما و�صلت �إليه‬ ‫جاني�س جوبلن‬ Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.

Janis Joplin

‫املر�أة الفاتنة ال تقلد باقي الن�ساء بل تبقى‬ . ‫دوم ًا متميزة‬ ‫لوريتا يوجن‬

‫ال ميكن لأحد �أن يجعلك ت�شعر‬ . ‫بالإهانة �إال �إذا �سمحت له بذلك‬ ‫اليانور روزفلت‬ Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission.

Eleanor Roosevelt

A charming woman doesn’t follow the crowd. She is herself.

Loretta Young

‫عندما يزدهر و�ضع املر�أة ف�إن ذلك‬ ‫يعود بالنفع على املجتمع ككل وي�ؤدي‬ . ‫�إىل حياة �أف�ضل للأجيال القادمة‬ ‫كويف �أنان‬ When women thrive, all of society benefits, and succeeding generations are given a better start in life.

Kofi Annan

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