Faces 93

Issue 93, October 2014

It’s a MAN’S world Chef Toque Health Threats Toys for MEN

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Issue 93, October 2014

Family Attitude Class Entertainment Success

Founder / Essa Bin Mohammed Al Zedjali Chairman & Editor-in-Chief / Mohammed Issa Al Zedjali Chief Executive Officer / Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali Business Director / Sophia Raman Editorial Consultant / Suzy Fontes Art Director / Pushpender K. Sharma Head of Advertising & Marketing / Aziz K. Baker Advertising / Avril D’souza Operations / M.V.V. Sagar

Published By / Muscat Press & Publishing House (SAOC) PB 770, PC 112, Ruwi, Oman Tel: +968 24 811953 . Fax: +968 24 813153 Printed At / Ruwi Modern Printers LLC Tel: +968 24798157 / 24794167

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Editor’s Note I

t’s a man’s world…

Before you draw cudgels to prove us wrong or attempt to demonstrate gender equality, hear us out. Our reference is to the large tribe of male chefs who top the popularity chart around the world. In our cover story this month, we pay tribute to men who have dared to don the apron in this part of the world, where, until recently, cooking was seen as a woman’s responsibility.

Whether that paradigm has altered or not, men, even Omani men, are no more shy of entering kitchen, as you will read in our cover story pages.

Men rule this issue of FACES… From fashion trends and snapshots of face and skin care products to the new toys and do-it-yourself projects, we celebrate men, as we highlight the health woes and fitness requirements. Check out the quiz in our travel pages and assess if you are an adventure traveller and find out ways to manage stress on the spot.

Enjoy!

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Contents In This Issue FACES Features FA 16 Cover Story

Check out what’s cooking in the kitchens of top hotels and exclusive restaurants here, as the new breed of Omani chefs proudly don their toques

22 In Conversation Frans Kohler, Partner and Manager of Oman Bicycle Shop, talks about his passion for all things bike and his uncontainable love for fishing

24 In The Spotlight Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED), to be launched at the UN headquarters in New York in November, will feature Oman’s perspective through a panel of experts, headed by Sharifa Al Barami

FACES Foodie 26 Feast on

Italian food is not just about pastas and pizzas, as demonstrated by Trattoria, Muscat’s new Italian restaurant

29 Healthy Bites Find out how you can keep away from myths and eat as natural as possible to keep Type 2 Diabetes at bay

FACES Health 30 Health Check

Focus on health threats that afflict men at different phases of life owing to hereditary y and lifestyle y practices p

FACES Style

38 In The Luxe

Enter the world of men’s fashion accessories, which is replete with all things bling and chic

42 Look Good A quick checklist of some exclusive men’s products to get set on the grooming track

44 Style File Checks, florals, slim pants, patterned knits, blacks and whites and all things stylish for men

FACES Elements 34 Man Date

Find out how you can get six-pack ab with some tried and tested diet dos and exercise regimen

36 Relatively Speaking Some easy relaxation techniques to reduce stress, on the spot

52 At Home Get into a declutter mode to welcome the new season

FACES Special FACE 54 For MEN

Enter th the predictable yet magical world of o men…

FACES Travel 48 Just Travel

Travel quiz to assess your travel personality and discover what destinations are best suited for you

50 Explore Oman White sandy beaches, turquoise waters and a palpable sense of serenity add to the magic of Masirah Island

FACES Razzmatazz 10 Star Light

With the paparazzi capturing her every move and whim, Jennifer Aniston has managed to reign long as a pop princess

12 Razzle Dazzle Latest celebrity gossip from the world of Hollywood

14 Tittle Tattle Heard through the grapevine...

FACES Digest

64 Movies & Books Reviews of upcoming movies and books

67 Gadget Notes Roundup of new gadgets in the market

Chopard at Amal Jamali w Fashion Show Kaya care for acne prone skin

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et clear, acne-free skin with Kaya Acne Range from Kaya Skin Clinic. The new range, including Kaya Acne Purifying Cleanser, Toner and Nourisher, offers radical benefits and promises outstanding results when used systemically; it is guaranteed to reduce acne, dark spots and make the skin look bright instantly. Kaya Acne Purifying Cleanser is a mild cleanser designed for oily and acne prone skin with a magic formula that keeps the skin soft without drying it off. Kaya Acne Purifying Toner gently tones skin and exfoliates, thus releasing the pores. Kaya Acne Purifying Nourisher is a non-greasy formula, which easily gets absorbed into the skin.

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x q u i s i t e collections of Chopard, from the house of Khimji’s Watches, stole the fashion show by Omani fashion designer Amal Jamali at the Royal Opera House. Amongst the glitterati from the world of fashion and glamour, international models walked the ramp wearing stunning Chopard range, which is available at Khimji’s Watches. The event featured various Chopard collections, such as Happy Diamonds, Happy Sports, Happy Spirit, Imperiale and La Strada.

Pizza Hut’s spiciest pizza

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izza Hut has literally turned up the heat with its scorching new Cheesy Jalapeño Stuffed Crust pizza. This is the spiciest pizza ever launched

by Pizza Hut in Oman, and packs fiery jalapeño sliced peppers (green or red) inside a golden cheesy crust, sprinkled with spicy nacho seasoning. The pizza centre has a chilli sauce base, with yummy toppings of the diner’s choice and more jalapeños sprinkled on top. The Cheesy Jalapeño Stuffed Crust Pizza is available in large and medium sizes, and contains jalapeño peppers both inside its cheesy crust and as a topping. The heat of the peppers is complemented and enhanced by the warm goodness of melted cheese in the plump golden crust, making it an experience not to be missed.

New water activities at Salalah Beach

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uests at Muriya’s Salalah Beach Hotel can an now enjoy a variety of water-based activities. ties. he Located on the marina promenade, the ‘Around the Ocean’ initiative from Muriya,, in partnership with Salalah based Small and Medium Enterprise will offer fishing, snorkelling and dolphin watching excursions, ps around in addition to boat trips the made destination’s man-made BQ lagoons and a unique ‘BBQ Donut’ that serves guestss fl ti restaurant t t table. t bl With continuous ti as a floating increase in the number of visitors to Salalah during Khareef 2014, Muriya is continuing to add new facilities at its Salalah Beach destination to create a vibrant community featuring a growing array of accommodation e and hospitality options, restaurants, cafés, retail outlets and leisure facilities.

Montblanc’s John J F. Kennedy Limited Edition nnedy Lim mited E dition New brunch h concept at Beach Pavilion

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riday brunch at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, just got better with the debut of a new brunch concept at the signature, Beach Pavilion.

Inspired by its tranquil seaside setting, this new laid-back brunch incorporates the freshest Omani ingredients to create a tantalising menu that includes both savoury and sweet favourites. At the new brunch, gourmands can spend quality time with friends and loved ones while enjoying a delectable spread of seafood, antipasti, breakfast favourites, cheese and Omani bouillabaisse. Hot selections will highlight regional favourites such as Wagyu beef over grits while a hot cooking station features slow roasted prime rib.

Dessert fans can also look forward to a wide variety of mouth-watering pastries and treats, including homemade ice cream.

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ay tribute to international legends with Montblanc Great Characters Edition, which commemorates individuals who have broken i new ground in the fields of culture, politics, science or the arts, a n d t h e i m p a c t of the o legacy they have left behind.

The soon le to be launched John F. Kennedy Edition pays tribute to K the many facets of JFK. The writing instrument’s clip with its wr distinctive 1960s’ style is decorated with the President’s initials ‘JFK’. The d w inspirational motto central to his presidential ntia campaign ‘A Time For Greatness’ is engraved on the cap ring, while the iconic ‘JFK’ is placed on the clip.

The Montblanc Great Character John F. Kennedy Special Edition is available in Montblanc boutiques worldwide from December 2014, and the John F. Kennedy Limited Edition 1917 from January 2015.

evian + KENZO

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onnoisseurs of limited edition items can look forward to the new ‘evian + KENZO Limited Edition 2015’, which is a tribute to the ‘Naturally playful / Naturally Kenzo’ spirit.

This year evian® and French fashion house KENZO have partnered to create a pure bottle, driven by a playful yet distinctly mysterious spirit. Kenzo’s Creative Directors, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon have united with evian® to convey their graphic, intimate vision for a unique, one-of-a-kind bottle.

Offering a magnifying glass effect when full, the bottle’s purple fragmented pattern is penetrated by a sole lime zig-zag, giving the holder a distorted and skewed view of its ultra-pure contents. The evian + KENZO bottle will be available in two sizes: 75 cl and 33 cl, and this year takes the Limited Edition to a PET range. It will be available in the Middle East in selected restaurants and retailers from November 2014.

A taste of Vietnam

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avour a fare of Vietnam at The Chedi Muscat; it will host a Vietnamese culinary event from November 2 to 8 at its fine dining venue, The Restaurant. With a special à la carte menu served exclusively for dinner, guests can enjoy classic Vietnamese preparations such as banana flower salad with smoked duck, steamed sea bass with lotus seeds, braised short ribs in slow cooked clay pot and much more. The culinary treat will be held in The Restaurant as its outstanding chefs delight with their cooking skills in the venue’s four show kitchens; guests can dine in an elegant chandelier lit indoor dining area with live piano music, late into the evening, or under the stars on the spacious outdoor terrace in a candle lit setting.

Jennifer Aniston: FRIENDS et al With the paparazzi capturing her every move and whim, Jennifer Aniston has managed to reign long as a pop princess

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here is a youthful exuberance and a look of unrestrained laughter about her that has made her a darling of Hollywood chick-flicks and romantic comedies.

She still retains her cherubic ‘Rachel’ character, as she approaches life and her career with a spontaneity that is reflective of her appreciation of little things around her. That she has maintained a sense of calm and graceful appreciation of her life and work, despite the constant media frenzy revolving around her personal and professional life, speaks volumes for Jennifer Aniston.

Ever since ‘Friends’ turned her into one of the most popular female celebrities and her character Rachel a household name, she has constantly had to deal with the media’s obsession with her life and work. She has, time and again, complained that she can’t go anywhere without reading about her upcoming break-up or marriage or impending pregnancy and adoption. Her relationship with her ex-husband Brad Pitt has remained the prime fodder for gossip mills for years.

But she is not one to be fazed by all the attacks on her personal life, even when the rumours have revolved around the purported

trouble between her and her fiancé, Justin Theroux. In a recent interview, she said: “I’m definitely an optimist. I like to be positive. There’s always an answer to everything and you can always figure things out and find your way through good and bad times.”

And what the media hounds have to say will not stop her from giving good times to her fans. Like her upcoming flick, ‘Horrible Bosses 2’… The sequel to the darkly comic 2011 film, will have her assaying the role of Dr. Julia Harris, the sex-crazed dentist, which she has admitted was one of ‘the most outrageously insane’ characters she has ever played.

But she has proven that she is not all about romantic comedies. Her recently released ‘Cake’ has had critics raving about her portrayal of a woman suffering from addiction, rage issues and suicidal depression. She received a standing ovation when the film was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Daughter of John Aniston, the ‘Days of Our Lives’ soap opera star John Aniston, whose Greek family immigrated to New York when he was ten, Jennifer is also known for being an expert real estate speculator. Her personal fortune is estimated at over $200 million!

Her mantra for success is simple: “I don’t let myself get bogged down in negativity or have arguments with people. I want to keep evolving and moving forward in life. I like to spend my time with friends and have great conversations.

And it may sound trivial, but one of things that truly makes me happiest is just watching a beautiful sunset.”

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Chris, Chris, Chris…

Aniston, Cox and Kudrow to reunite?

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ood news for fans of ‘Friends’…

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow of ‘Friends’ fame are reportedly set to reunite in a new sitcom. The former co-stars came up with the idea when they appeared together on Jimmy Kimmel last month.

According to a source close to the stars, Courteney wants to direct a pilot staring herself, Jen and Lisa as middleaged women who have kids by artificial means. The source further confirmed that the stars are excited at the prospect of working together again.

Trouble, seemingly, is Chris Brown’s middle ddle name. This o – hold your time around he has taken to Twitter to breath - express his outlook on the recent Ebola ow... outbreak! He tweeted thus: ‘I don’t know... m of But I think this Ebola epidemic is a form population control.’ It has, obviously, not nd gone down well with several people and n even charities. Jane Moyo, a spokeswoman for British charity Action Aid, commenting d on Brown’s ‘thoughtless’ tweets, urged nst him to make a donation to the fight against Ebola as a form of compensation. “It was ace. unfortunate that he said it in the first place. own What would be fantastic is if Chris Brown bola could donate to a charity working on Ebola ame,” and encourage his followers to do the same,” she advised.

Maya Diab’s M mashup w with Jason Derulo ‘Talk to Me’, Maya Diab’s mashup with Jason Derulo, was to have been a hot event, but things heated up even before the release… Maya got into a heated argument with the song’s composer. The Lebanese singer was in the studio filming the sultry song that was aired on MBC4’s ‘Coke Studio’, when she and composer-distributor Hadi Sharahah got into a serious tiff. Sources present during the conflict said that the reason behind the drama was that Maya wanted to lower her tone while singing, but Hadi wanted the opposite. They just could not agree with each other’s views.

Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden den

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October 2014

f rumours have any truth in them, wedding dding bells will shortly ring for Cameron Diaz and ne her beau Benji Maddenn. People Magazine recently featured a picture of a radiant Diazz showing off a new impressive ring on her finger, and fans want to believe it is an engagement ring. She was photographed with her girl pal Gwyneth Paltrow at a lunch, while the ring was captured. Whether the couple have gotten engaged or not, fans believe the couple have taken their relationship to the next level.

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Yara and Wael Kfoury’s duet … Their Yara and Wael Kfoury are finally set to make a dream come true… est album long-awaited duet is all set for release. The Lebanese singer’s latest will see her returning to her roots and singing in Lebanese dialect.. She assured anon. She recently her fans that she has never forgotten about her home country, Lebanon. released a single called ‘Ayech bi Ouyouni’ (Living in my eyes) with a music video directed by Jad Choueiry. This song was written by and composed by Tarek Abou Jaoude.

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“I’ve had really awful experiences with men in the studio. Made me very uncomfortable. I didn’t feel like I was being cherished for my vocal talents but was seen more as someone to take advantage of”

“I’ve sort of hit the jackpot with being able to work with Jennifer When I knew Lawrence. W she was going to play this was fully character, I wa lly aware it was going to t be comic.”

- Lady Gaga reveals that she has had awful experiences with men in music and wants young singers to know about the darker side of the industry.

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- Bradley Cooper has revealed aled getting to work with Jennifer Lawrence La ce for the third time is like ‘hitting the th jackpot’. kpot’. The pair have reunited to play husband band and wife George and Serena Sere Pemberton mberton in Serena.

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“This is a good place to explain to people that I’ve had glaucoma for the last 20 years.

I have good treatments and I am going to be fine.

- U2 frontman Bono reveals he always wears sunglasses because of glaucoma.

“When you are a single mum, the only positive thing is that your children are all for you.”

- Jennifer Lopez, who split from Marc Anthony, father of her six-year-old twins Max and Emme, in 2011, admits that single parenthood is hard.

“I’ve been approached again about another film but I’m somebody who definitely likes to focus on one thing so it doesn’t get diluted.

My pet hate is when an album and a film suffers because everyone is trying to do too much at once. So maybe next year or the year after, if the right role comes along.”

- Jessie J has revealed she has turned d down cause movie offers from Hollywood, because she puts her music first..

“Even though I live and breathe my job, I still want someone to want me.

That’s how every girl feels. It’s like, Will I ever love someone as much as I loved that person”

- Rita Ora has said she just wants to find love again after her difficult split from Calvin Harris.

- Snoop Dogg has posted a video on his social media accounts saying sorry and calling a truce with Iggy Azalea for insulting her - and she has accepted, calling an end to their online feud

“I wouldn’t say (marriage) is just a title.

There’s more to it than that”

--Brad Pitt, who married his long-time partner, Angelina Jolie, in August, speaks about what his big day meant to him.

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“It’s officially over. No more bad talk. I apologise. I apologise, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again”

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The New Breed

of Toque Bearers There’s definitely something cooking in the kitchens of top hotels and exclusive restaurants here, as the new breed of Omani chefs proudly don their toques to perpetuate the popular thought ‘world’s best chefs are men’

Haroun Al Balushi

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Thomas Keller, Alain Ducasse, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Mario Batali, Daniel Boulud, Dan Barber, Tom Colicchio, Ferran Adrià, Joël Robuchon, David Chang, Grant Achatz, John Besh, Fergus Henderson, René Redzepi, Pierre Gagnaire, Jonathan Benno…

The above is a list of world’s most influential chefs who figure in an online food site. What is common between them is the ‘unsurprising’ fact that all of them are men. While women have traditionally accepted kitchen as their domain, restaurants around the world have relied on the culinary skills of men to run their kitchens. This scenario, of course, has not created any gender tussle, nor has it kept women away from the global culinary zone, but it has perpetuated the foregone conclusion that world’s best chefs are men.

Whether this paradigm applies to Oman or not, that local men have taken to cooking is well established by the growing number of young male Omanis enrolling for chef courses at the training institutes in the capital.

On the other end of this paradigm is the ‘foodie’ fad, with almost every second person on the social media circuit becoming a selfproclaimed gourmand. With terms like truffles, caviar, ratatouille, barquette, croutons, foie gras, ganache, gazpacho, mascarpone, panna cotta, pilaf, teriyaki, tortelloni, wasabi, and a host of others, becoming a part of everyday vocabulary, the culinary world is on par with fashion when it comes to new trends and fads.

Blame it on the upsurge in television programmes dedicated to cooking and eating or the social media indulgence for all things food and the growing popularity of foodie tags, cooking has crossed all domains. The old saying that the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, has taken a complete u-turn with men doing their bit in the kitchen to break the gender barrier. Even in countries like Oman, where cooking is often seen as a woman’s domain, men have begun venturing into the kitchen, albeit with trepidation, as they do not want to face embarrassment from a society that still believes cooking and household chores are a woman’s responsibilities.

But that the youth are willing to test the waters of the seemingly limitless world of cooking, is a positive sign. Many - even those who have never ever ventured into the kitchens at home - have taken up the spatula, so to say, to create culinary masterpieces. Some like Haroun Al Balushi have gone on to become chef instructors, taking cooking one notch higher in the otherwise traditional Omani society.

A reluctant cook, Haroun’s initiation into the world of cuisines is best described as an accident, as he recalls that he couldn’t even boil an egg before the cooking bug bit him. It was a chance suggestion from his brother – who studied at National Hospitality Institute (NHI) – that got him thinking of cooking.(

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Engineer turned chef Malik Al Jahdhami, Head Chef of Al Siraj Hospitality Management Services, who is all set to operate a fine dining Omani restaurant in the vibrant Muttrah region, believes all men are born equal but only the awesome ones become chefs…

It is all about passion for cooking, says Malik Al Jahdhami, as he quotes a line from an article he’d read: ‘All men are born equal but only the awesome ones become chefs!’

His passion was triggered in his early teens. He was only 13-years old when he first started dabbling in cooking; it began with marinating meat for barbecue at picnics with friends. “I always liked to impress my friends,” he recalls.

He was not exposed to the gender biases as far as household chores were concerned and wasn’t deterred from entering the kitchen. Although, on hindsight, he does agree that Omani culture relies on women to handle home cooking and cleaning, he is quick to acknowledge that the same is not applicable in the modern world. “These days men want to impress their wives with their culinary skills. I think men are realising the joys of cooking,” he muses, as he points out that his friends, some from financial and engineering backgrounds, also call him to get cooking tips.

Personally for him, his tutelage began under his mother, albeit discreetly, as the only inclination he showed towards cooking was through observations and a litany of little posers - ‘What is this?’ ‘How is it done…’ and, expectedly, the cooking passion in him got stoked.

Nevertheless, it was engineering he chose immediately after schooling. He joined the Sohar University and took up Mechanical Engineering. “But I didn’t see myself as an engineer,” he recalls. And as fate would have it, he pressed the brakes on a ‘promising’ engineering career only two years after beginning the course. He went to Pune in India for a hotel management course and finished it with chef management training in Goa. He returned back with plans to start his own restaurant, but lack of funds meant putting the plan on a backburner. He joined Grand Hyatt, Muscat as Demi chef de partie and worked there for two years before moving on to Oman Air catering as Chef de partie. He soon got promoted as Sous chef and later as the acting Head Chef. It was during this time that Al Siraj Hospitality approached him with an idea to open an exclusive Omani diner - an upscale Omani restaurant.

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his secondary education, with not so impressive marks, he realised he had no scope to fulfil his dream of becoming a fireman like his father. But fate had other things planned for him and after six months of searching for jobs or other educational opportunities, he took up his brother’s suggestion and joined NHI. Not willingly though… “I said ‘cooking food…no… I cant even cook eggs, what I will do with cooking’,” he muses.

But that ‘no’ soon turned to ‘yes’ and he joined NHI’s chef course, instantly falling in love with all things cooking.

Soon after the course he found a placement in Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa as a Commis Chef. The idea of working in a top kitchen with all the shouting going on

around him proved to be a big high and he knew he’d arrived.

During the two-year stint there he also underwent a training programme in Malaysia; he was transferred to the Shangri La property in Penang Island, where he dabbled in Omani cuisine and mastered culinary expertise.

He followed that up by joining Grand Hyatt Hotel, Muscat and worked there as a Demi-Chef de Partie for a year and a half, before taking up the post of a wok chef at the Noodle House. It was his desire to become a wok chef that drew him to Noodle House, where he worked for two years.

It was during his stint at Noodle House that he got an offer from NHI to join them as a trainer. It was a familiar zone and he was keen to take up the post of a technician to assist the chef. He soon rose in ranks and became a chef instructor, teaching the growing number of Omani students that joined the institute to learn to become chefs.

The number of Omani male students, particularly, has risen over the years and these students, he reiterates, are not wary of helping the family in the kitchen and demonstrating their culinary skills at home.

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“This has been my dream and I said ‘yes, I will take it’,” he states. He liked the concept of a fine dining Omani restaurant and got down to work out the nittygritty’s, resulting in the formal opening shortly. It is all set to begin operaions in the rich heritage area of Muttrah - opposite the fish market. With Muttrah retaining its traditional facades, having established itself as the first line of tourism in the capital, this restaurant, catering exclusively Omani food, is bound to enhance the appeal of the area.

“Guests can expect French plating of Omani food,” states Malik, pointing out that it would be a novelty, considering that Omani food is usually about bulk quantities, in big plates. He wants to introduce the concept of French plating and take Omani cuisine to a fine dining level. “I take pride in cooking Omani food and I want to show people how Omani food can be plated… This is my main objective with this restaurant. You can go to a normal restaurant and have harees, but it is always in bulk…” he explains, adding that he intends to work on making the dishes visually delightful, with micro herbs, et al.

This dedication to cooking and presentation comes from passion, he admits, lamenting the lack of such zeal among many a chef coming out of the training schools, even here in Oman. While the number of Omani chefs has grown over the years, recognition has not been forthcoming, he notes. As an example, he points out that nearly 60 percent of the chefs were Omanis while he was working for Oman Air catering, but none had ever found exposure. “Some have been working there for more than 30 years… But where were they?” he asks.

Regionally speaking, yes, there is a change in favour of chefs, he agrees, hoping that it spreads to Oman as well. As the Vice President of Oman Chefs Guild he says he was overwhelmed to meet a legion of Omani chefs. “I was like, ‘why are you hiding… you should come up and say I am a chef’,” he states. Towards this end, the Oman Chefs Guild hopes to provide Omani chefs a platform to come out and celebrate their passion.

The challenge, according to him, is to instil a passion and deter chefs from taking up jobs only as a source of income, while, simultaneously, inculcating a sense of awe in the art of presentation. He admits that some people are ashamed of the tag of a cook.

He recalls the time when he moved from engineering to cooking and one of his cousins teased, saying, ‘what are you gonna be…a tabbakh (tabbakh in Arabic is a cook)?’ People, generally, do not see a difference between a chef and a cook, he laments. “Cook is someone who cooks things and chef is someone who creates things,” Malik stresses, pointing out that his cousin’s exclamation ‘you are a chef!’ following his studies, proved the significance of being a chef.

According to him, the very fact that men feature in the list of top chefs around the world proves their growing calibre. He attributes this success to the tendency among most men to show off their skills. His argument is that, “Because cooking is traditionally such a woman thing since ages, men, when they learn cooking and master it, like to show off. It is a male thing. They like to show off…”

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Men and cooking

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“Generally speaking, yes, Omani men do not like to cook.

Previously, they wouldn’t even have entertained d the thought of cooking or becoming a chef, as they used ed to think it is below their dignity to do a woman’ss job. Things are different now, there are many Omani ni men working as chefs,” explains Haroun, pointing g out the instant feedback from the guests as a high for any chef.

Although he admits that there is still a yearning for or jobs in the government sector, his advice to the young trainees is to find a placement in a restaurant that allows growth. Personally for him, it was his communication skills and the ease with which he grasped English language and learnt to interact with guests and students, that helped him chart the popularity scale and grow in his career.

He has been at it for the past five years now and has no intention of slowing down.

It may be magic, he quips, adding that the mantra for good cooking is to love your food. According to him, most top chefs are men because men are thinking cooks; while for women it is an automatic task. Over the years, Haroun has mastered international cuisine, but his expertise lies in Omani food. “I can also do Asian food, from soups to noodles,” he adds.

His dream now is to open an Omani restaurant along with his chef wife. He wants to fill the void in restaurants offering breakfasts and reach out to genuine foodies.

Rise of the ‘Gastrosexual’

Tables have turned on the clichéd ‘way to a man’s heart…’ as increasing number of men are taking up cooking to impress friends and partners

Aishelaqtta Agenda A FEW HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LATEST BUZZ AROUND TOWN, WHICH WERE FEATURED IN THE BLOG Hey Oman! How was your Eid holiday?

I don’t know about you but I could always do with more holiday breaks and, as usual, I have tried to keep you updated with blog posts, and Instagram updates about various things happening in town.

Well let’s see what was on during the month… Muscat City Center was abuzz with Ozooma Omania, which displayed around 10 locally run restaurants and cafes, each being handled by the entrepreneurs who established the business.

The array of food was tremendous!

Recently, there was the Red Bull Car Park Drift Qualifier conducted at the Oman Automobile Association, which saw Ali Al Balushi as the winner going to on to compete in Dubai. The competition itself took place on a special track, designed by Lebanese Rally Champion and Red Bull athlete Abdo Feghali, which brought out the best drifting techniques.

For this month, keep your calendars open for the upcoming Oman Cancer Association Walkathon - raising awareness for cancer. Join in the ‘Walk for the Cure’ and help cancer patients from all over Oman; it will be held on the 28th of October at the Qurum Park from 4pm onwards, with lots of entertainment for kids after the walk.

Another family filled event for the end of this month is the NBO Oman Golf Classic, which will be on at The Public Village and open to the public from 30th October to the 2nd of Nov 2014, 8am to 6pm, at The Wave, Muscat.

As usual, there is no reason you should be bored in Muscat, as there is no excuse not to be up-to-date with all local events and more happenings. For details of the mentioned events above, visit the blog, or stay updated via the Instagram account @aishelaqtta.

You never know what else would be there for you to enjoy.

Get out and have some fun. There will surely be a lot of others doing the same thing!

Visit: D. Al-Riyami’s blog at: http: //aishelaqtta.blogspot.com/ Instagram: @aishelaqtta, E-mail: aishelaqtta@gmail.com

October 2014

‘Gastrosexuality’ is a neologism derived from gastronomy and sexuality. It describes a new generation of men who consider cooking more a hobby than a household chore and use their kitchen prowess to impress friends and prospective partners.

According to a research, men’s ability to cook has now become a key factor in attracting women, along with salary, status, personality and appearance.

In the report ‘Emergence of the Gastrosexual’, researchers cite the popularity of superstar chefs Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver as a factor in making cooking a macho pursuit.

Another study by the Future Foundation has determined that this change in male attitudes towards cooking is real and present in society.

For the gastrosexual, cooking isn’t only about what they’re going to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it’s an expression of passion for food, The study found that gastrosexuals are characterised as males aged 25-44, upwardly mobile, aware and passionate about global cuisines, and cook to show their culinary skills. The gastrosexual group represents the growing idea that cooking is more than just what we eat. Passion and creativity come together in the kitchen to change the way we look at food, our understanding of gender and, ultimately, the relationships with each other.

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in CONVERSATION Oc O October cto tobe ber 20 2 2014 014 14

22

Frans Kohler’s

Wheels of Adventure Frans Kohler, Partner and Manager of Oman Bicycle Shop, talks about his passion for all things bike and his uncontainable tainable love for fishing The conversation, inevitably, veers towards wards bikes, as Frans Kohler of Oman Bicycle Shop accommodates uss around a wooden table in at can best be described his MIG (Made in Germany) outlet that as a biking haven. Packed with bikes of all genres and for all es, the Shop, which ages, alongside gears and accessories, hind Rehab Hotel) recently relocated to Al Ghubra (behind tion, is a biking from its previous Al Khuwair 33 location, es to cater to den, replete with facilities and services ng with his every biker. Frans runs the Shop along partner Lucky.

A biker with adventure in his veins, Frans has ours from savoured Oman’s rich natural splendours close quarters. When he first came to Oman, on lopment of a posting for Shell at Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), in August 2000, it was on a two-year o make the most of contract and his first thought was to nd I said, that is 100 weekends…” every weekend. “I was single then and he muses, as he notes that he did not want to waste any weekend. “I id. We have done things you couldn’t had to explore the country…and I did. even dream of,” he adds, listing Majlis Al Jinn as the highpoint of his irst did the cave dive in 2001, and has adventure trips in the country. He first since taken about 85 people to this second biggest cave in the world. “We set up a training session to make people confident with the equipment tes. Frans and his friends have also and the idea of cave diving,” he states. ma Plateau, which is over 200mts done the Funnel Cave on the Selma deep and is a whole cave system.. Trekking is also a part of his adventure profile. volved in initiating the Trans A regular biker, Frans has been involved Hajar Oman along with Suleiman Al Alawi, Lake Arapakis and elves the founding fathers David Beniston, who called themselves e run by Oman Sail. They of the annual event; it will now be me with 28 participants, started it in 2011 for the first time most of who came from Dubai. Consequent events saw asing, with registrations the number of participants increasing,

The terrain here, however, is demanding, he points out, not only for the rider but also for the bicycle.

“From the start, I was always helping people out. At that time we only had access to the shops in Hamriya and they didn’t stock much. So we started getting things online…and it was almost automatic that we went into opening a shop,” he recalls.

Fortunately, a friend who already had a shop called MIG, invited Frans to share container space alongside the tools and spare parts he was bringing in for German cars…and well, bikes happened. He purchased bikes from Germany and opened a small showroom in Al Khuwair 33 in 2008.

The formal opening, in 2009 (by the German Ambassador), was followed by a special event to generate money for tandems to provide cycling experience for the blind.

According to Frans, the community of bikers in the country is growing and there is now a sizable number of keen amateurs. “The Government is also putting in efforts to promote healthy living... Cycling is a very healthy exercise, when compared to running, which puts a lot of pressure on ankles and knees. Cycling, on the other hand, is about more linear movement with much les stress. Even when the weather is hot you can move on a bicycle. Cycling is picking up as a sport and also as a lifestyle,” he notes.

in CONVERSATION

from Oman, Dubai and South Africa.

Further, it received recognition and support from the Government of Oman with serious prize money for the winners. wi Althou Although bikes define Frans’ profes professional life in Oman today, it was his IT job at Shell that brought him first tto the country. Five years into his postin posting here, things changed, as Shell starte started talking about reorganising IT wo worldwide and he was offered an early retirement. “That was a novelty; it wo wouldn’t be possible now. So I had to think th – for about a minute,” he quip quips, adding, “I decided to accept that offer.”

Thin Things worked in his favour, as he’d mar married a German lady, who lived and worked in Oman. He’d met her in Om Oman and they’d got married in 2003 at tthe Dutch Embassy. This meant he cou could stay back in Oman, and the first thi thing he did was buy a boat and start fis fishing.

It was during this time that friends, wh who knew about his mechanical en engineering (ME) background (he’d st studied ME in The Netherlands before sh shifting to Computer Science), began so soliciting his help to fix their bikes. “I h have been biking my whole life and I was very handy with tools. It was a always like - ‘can you fix my bike, can y you look at this…do you have time…’

S So, after about three years of quiet life o of fishing, I realised there is a need for good quality bike shop,” he explains.

Up Close & Personal with The home I grew up in...

S-Hertogenbosch in Southern Netherlands. I always read that the happiest children live in Holland and I must have been one of them.

When I was a child I wanted to...

Have my own bicycle shop!

What I see when I look in the mirror...

I still feel like a child inside and so, when I look in the mirror, I think ‘who is that old man…’

My favourite weekend spot in Oman…

Is the sea…as long as there is an opportunity to fish.

It’s not fashionable but I like...

The outdoors, the quietness and

being away from people. I realise it’s not fashionable when I meet so many people who say they are glad to occasionally escape to Dubai and how much they miss the city…

If I have time to myself...

I will be doing nothing… The good thing about doing nothing is you can always pick up from where you left off. I am lazy by nature and I am willing to spend a lot of time and effort to make it easy for myself. I am lazy in a positive way.

You may not know it but I’m very good at…

Doing nothing.

You may not know it but I’m no good at...

Delegating work.

My success mantra is...

If you want to have something done properly, you have to do it yourself.

My house is...

My castle; it is where I can be myself, where I can do what I want to.

Five things I like about Oman…

The sea, the sun, the desert, the mountains and the people.

My greatest regret...

I have no regrets!

I will not leave my house without…

Having said ‘goodbye’ to my wife.

In 10 years’ time, I hope to be...

I hope to be healthy, alive and in Oman

October 2014

Frans Kohler

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in the SPOTLIGHT Octto Oc October ob be er 20 2 2014 014 14

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Women’s Empowerment & Entrepreneurship

I

n the wake of Omani Women’s Day on October 17 and the ongoing discussion on the importance of increased maternity leave and economic empowerment of women, there is news of Oman’s global participation on Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED).

To be launched on November 19 at the United Nations headquarters in NewYork during Global Entrepreneurship Week and in partnership with the US State Department and 153 countries and their ambassadors worldwide, WED will ‘Empower, Support and Celebrate Women Entrepreneurs Worldwide’. Its objective is to implement several key initiatives designed to support women worldwide and help them with their businesses all year long.

Oman will be represented at WED, via a panel of experts, who will be a part of the live streaming that is on the agenda of the discourse. Sharifa Albarami, Entrepreneurship Development Consultant, Startup Accelerator Specialist and Coach and Member of Education Council, is scheduled to lead the panelists, comprising experts from different backgrounds. “We are working on bringing influential women together at one round table to discuss the challenges and opportunities that Omani women have and assess the similarities that

we share with other women across the world. There will be live streaming of the discussion from different countries, making it a highly proactive experience,” she explains.

Co-Founder and CEO of AlJazeera Technical Solutions & Training and Executive Partner at AlJazeera Global Services & Investments (AGSI), Sharifa Albarami has established her credentials as an entrepreneur dedicated to help women as well as interested locals from different walks of life. She believes women who are empowered economically are equipped to seek all other knowledge.

“When women have their own income, they learn to control their revenue and understand their rights. You don’t even have to educate them about their legal status.

The pivotal point is to economically enable women by giving them the tools…giving them the wings, I would say,” she quips, opining that ones educational background shouldn’t become a barrier to explore other avenues. “You should feel free enough to move around and create something,” she adds.

Having given up a career in the medical field, she maintains that it wasn’t easy to make the decision to resign and do her own thing. “But I don’t regret it,” she adds, emphasising that it is important to assess whether

Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED), to be launched at the UN headquarters in New York during Global Entrepreneurship Week in November, will feature Oman’s perspective through a panel of experts, headed by Sharifa Al Barami, Country Ambassador for the UN Women Entrepreneurship Day Initiative

Working Mother

While the concept of working mother comes across as an oxymoron, the paradigm changes when it is used in reference to businesswomen or entrepreneurs who call the shots.

“Because I own my business I decide my working hours. Some days I work 12 hours, while on others I may put in

Footnote

Disappointment stems from over expectations, opines Sharifa, who believes in the importance of embracing life as it is. She says: “I think half the problem with disappointment is really how much our expectations are. If you manage your expectations, you manage

in the SPOTLIGHT

only two or three hours, depending on what my priorities are,” she maintains, drawing attention to the fact that her priority has always been family, regardless of her businesswoman status and everything that comes with it.

According to her, if your family is happy and you are happy with your performance as a mother (wife, daughter, sister), you can excel in everything else. On the other hand, if you are doing very well in your business/career, but do not have the priorities in place, it affects your growth. A kind of balance has to be stuck in prioritising what matters, she opines.

Fortunately, she and her husband are partners in their company and that has stood them in good stead.

“He takes care of the different services we offer and I take care of the management consultancy.

Although in the beginning it was like the clash of Titans, sometimes, it is easier to work with a partner, who is your life partner because both are used to compromises,” muses Sharifa, who strongly believes in the concept of compromising in business. “You can’t have two captains - some days he will have to be the captain and other days me…” That’s her business mantra.

your life. I don’t think there is anything impossible. But I do believe there are boundaries and you need to know your boundaries and the environment you are in and learn to adapt. The most important thing is understanding why we are all here - why are we doing all this; is it the money; is it happiness...?

And if we all go deep down and assess, we all just want to be happy; but we just don’t know what it is… The reality of it is that it is just about maintaining the balance. If you reach that balance of being content with whatever you have, that’s where happiness lies. Whatever is on the table should be good enough…”

October 2014

a fear of change or the comfort factor in the present situation is hindering one from embracing a change.

“I have come to believe that the more you push your comfort zone, the more you grow. I have always embraced change, whatever it is, because, I believe, even if you fail, you learn something - even from mishaps,” she maintains.

She credits her motherhood for the positive changes that she has incorporated into her life. It was following the birth of her son Ahmed, now five, that she decided to resign and focus on strengthening the bond with her child. An advocate of extended maternity leave, she believes the community can develop as a whole when the new mother is supported to stay longer with her child. She also puts across persuasive arguments in favour of women working from home to create a conducive atmosphere for the newborn babies.

“Why can’t women work from home, even if she has a full time job, in the government or the private sector?” she questions, pointing out that she took a whole year off when her son was born.

“I went the whole nine yards, so to say.

These are the things you cannot bring back,” she says reflectively.

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feast ON TRATTORIA Italian food is not ot just about pastas and pizzas, as, as demonstrated

by Trattoria, Muscat’s new Italian restaurant nt

October 2014

I

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t may seem like the back of beyond in terms of its actual location, but once you are tucked into your seat, the laidback ambience and the element of being in a cocoon, away from the zooming traffic and the blaring horns, will lull your senses into thinking you are on a leisure holiday.

A short walk from the busy parking area leads you, dramatically, to this quiet courtyard with neat walkway overlooking a large residential complex, and, tucked inconspicuously is Trattoria, the new Italian café and restaurant. The fact that it occupies significant space in the prime Al Ghubra destination – Al Asalah Towers - makes it easily accessible; but it is the seemingly hidden facade, away from the scrutiny of passersby, that adds to its magic.

The restaurant itself is divided into two zones to delineate the café from the restaurant, with low sofas highlighting the seating in the café section, alongside a counter packed with cakes and coffees. The restaurant zone is designed to depict an outdoorsy feel with quaint iron grills, which are placed inside the glass wall to add to the décor within. A pictorial collage of Italian edifices, alongside the entry wall, does infuse a sense of trattoria into the structure.

(According to wikipedia, trattoria is an Italian-style eating establishment, less formal than a ristorante - an Italian restaurant - but more formal than an osteria - simple restaurant).

We make our way to the impressive complex and are at once taken in by the relaxed feel within the restaurant and the expansive seating, with the Chinese restaurant ‘Mamasan’, alongside, adding to the feel of a large eatery.

It is lunchtime when we enter the restaurant, which is naturally lit by the abundance of sunlight s t re a m i n g in.

The café section

feast ON We sipped on fruit juices and mocktails, as we waited for our elaborate mains. The ‘Aragosta Thermidor’, served in a lobster shell is as elaborate as you can get. The dish is a combination of lobster meat, tomato, salsa, olives, capsicum and mushroom with spaghetti served with salsa rossi sauce. And with the chef going artistic on the plate, it was a visually appetising dish.

Next we savoured the ‘Filetto di Cernia Alla Caprese’, which is a dish of hamour fillet cooked with fresh tomato, garlic and basil leaf served with rossi sauce and lemon. The fish fillet is grilled to perfection and served on a bed of minced vegetables – scrumptious! All our votes went in favour of this delicious dish.

We also tried the ‘Petito Di Pollo Alla Boscaiola’, in which pieces of chicken breast is cooked with onion, olives, capsicum

and mushroom in saffron sauce.

Opt for this only if you aren’t a seafood lover, as Trattoria’s seafood items are comparatively tastier and flavoursome.

Vegetarians have a fair share of pure veggie delights here. We tucked into ‘Rigatoni Alla Siciliana’ - a dish of short pasta with mushrooms and eggplants in tomato sauce; and ‘Spaghetti Aglioalio’ – spaghetti with olive oil, garlic and parsley.

We finished off the lunch with cheesecake and Trattoria’s special chocolate cake.

Perfect complement for a languorous lunch!

October 20 2014 14 4

seems deserted, but the restaurant seats are occupied by a few foodies. We settle in at one end of the restaurant and get set to savour some of the nicest Italian delicacies in this part of the world. We were not disappointed - restaurant manager Nazeer Abdul indulged all our requests and Chef Mathai Kutty, ensured that every dish that came to our table was a masterpiece, literally, with edible colours adorning the platters.

Our Italian rendezvous began with ‘Cocktail di Gamberi’, a shrimps cocktail topped with special cocktail sauce. If you are a seafood lover and enjoy all dishes that have prawns packed in them, this appetiser will surely get you set for the meal to follow. Another prawn appetiser we gave in to was ‘Gamberi Fritti Con Salsa – picante di pomodoro’ – a dish of deep fried prawns, served in spicy tomato sauce.

Photographs: Pushpender Sharma

27

let’s COOK

Italian Fare Get into an Italian mood as Trattoria shares some of their popular recipes

Rigatoni Siciliana

(one portion)

Ingredients z Tube shaped rigatoni pasta: 120gms z Olive Oil: 2tbsp (plus a little extra) z Italian peeled and blended tomatoes: 100ml z Eggplant: 1 large (cleaned, peeled and cut into small cubes) z Onion: 10gms (chopped) z Garlic: 10gms (minced) z Parmigiano-Reggiano (parmesan cheese): 1tbsp (or to taste) z Basil: Fresh, chopped z Salt and pepper: to taste Method 1. In a non stick pan, add the two tablespoons of olive oil, onions and garlic and cook over medium heat for aboutt two minutes or until the onions start to cook and develop some colour.

2. Add the peeled and blended tomatoes es and season with salt and pepper; cook for about 10 minutes or until the e sauce thickens.

3. Add the oven-roasted eggplant and cook ook for two more minutes.

This is the point where you add the pasta asta to the salted boiling water and cook for 11 minutes.

4. Drain the pasta and remove the sauce e from the heat. Adjust the seasoning andadd the pasta to the sauce uce along with the Parmesan cheese and basil. Toss untill the pasta is coated in the sauce.

5. Serve hot.

CHEESE CAKE Ingredients (serves 10) z z z z z z

Digestive biscuits: 100gms (crushed) Walnuts: 10gms (cracked) Cream Cheese (Philadelphia): 60 grams Butter: 2tbsp White sugar: 1tbsp Gelatine: 1gm

Method

October 2014

1. In a bowl, mix the crushed biscuits with melted butter.

28

2. Place the mixture in cake mould board to form base and place in refrigerator until ready for use.

3. In another bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar, gelatine and cracked walnuts.

4. Spread it over the biscuit base.

5. Top with the crushed biscuit mixture.

6. Freeze for an hour, covered with foil.

7. Place in refrigerator 30 minutes before serving.

Cocktail Di Gamberi (one portion) Ingredients z Mayonnaise: 30ml z Tomato ketchup: 2tbsp z z z z

Worcestershire sauce: 1tsp Large shrimp: 100gms (steamed/cooked) Large orange: 1 (sliced in thin wedges) Large lemon: 1 (sliced in thin wedges)

Method 1. Mix the mayonnaise, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. Reserve and refrigerate half the sauce.

2. Mix the remaining sauce with the shrimp, folding in carefully.

3. Cover the shrimp and marinate in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

4. Cut the lettuce into thin shreds and serve marinated prawns on the top.

5. Garnish with lemon and orange wedges.

You have more control over your health than you think, maintains Anu Bahl, Dietician and Clinical Nutritionist

healthy BITES

p

akeu W Call

‘Goodbye life! I have diabetes.

Recently diagnosed of Type 2 diabetes and feeling low…’

If you have been thinking on the above lines, say goodbye to unhealthy living and welcome a new healthy life. Take it as a wakeup call and pledge to get your life back on track. It’s not too late to make a positive change, even if you have already developed diabetes. The bottom line is that you have more control over your health than you think. Keep away from myths and eat as natural as possible. Adopt the following and start living.

People who are at a risk owing to hereditary factors, overweight or lifestyle disease, should follow them too.

Exercise can help you lose weight (your risk is higher if you tend to carry your weight around your abdomen; studies show that waist size is a better predictor of diabetes risk than BMI); lower your blood sugar; and boost your sensitivity to insulin, which helps keep your blood sugar within a normal range.

Choose

high-fibre

carbs:

Carbohydrates have a big impact on your blood sugar level, as they convert readily into sugar on digestion, more so than fats and proteins. But that doesn’t mean you have to avoid them, as they are the main source of energy; choose them smartly. Consume whole grain breads, pasta and brown rice, as they

release glucose slowly. It’s best to limit highly refined carbohydrates like white bread, pasta, and rice, as well as soda, candy, and snack foods as they shoot up glucose levels.

Be smart about sweet cravings: Having diabetes

doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a small serving of your favourite dessert now and then. The key is moderation. Replace it with some carbs in your meal, instead of having it with the meal.

Eat foods high in fibre:

Include vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, nuts and sweets, as it will lower your risk of heart disease and promote weight loss by helping you feel full.

Choose fats wisely: Diabetics are at a risk of heart disease so limit saturated fats like red meat, whole fat milk products. Instead, prefer low fat milk products.

Include unsaturated fats like olive, canola oil, flaxseeds, salmon, etc.

Eat at regular intervals and maintain a food diary: Keep

a check on your carbs - learn to count them. Don’t fast or skip a meal; it will make your sugar levels unstable.

Learn to enjoy what you are eating and chew properly :

Avoid television while eating.

Take diabetes in your stride and follow these tips to lead a normal, healthy and fruitful life.

October 2014

Get more physical activity:

29

Health CHECK

If you belong to the large tribe of men who dismiss health issues with a ‘I am fine’ retort, read on…

Health Threats

While some men crave attention even at the first sign of fever, majority of them are known to deny they are sick despite a doctor’s confirmation. Many see discussions pertaining to health as signs of male weakness, which, according to experts, is the main reason why many a health ailment goes undetected until it is too late.

Whether women press the panic button at the first sign of trouble or are more attuned to their health issues or not, the crux of the matter is that men do need to pay more attention to their health, as they are, generally, known to fall prey to a variety of ailments owing to the lifestyles they maintain. Out of the 15 main causes of death world wide, men top the list in all. Even with advancements in the medical field and the bridging of gender gap, men, on average, still die five years earlier than their female counterparts.

Studies have shown that men, regularly, make unhealthy or risky choices, are more likely to smoke and indulge in substance abuse, and either delay or put off regular checkups and medical care.

Besides, there are certain health conditions like prostate cancer and low testosterone that only affect men. But major health risks like colon cancer or heart disease can be prevented and treated with early diagnosis, which demand screening tests.

October 2014

Major health threats and ways to avoid

30 30

Studies have shown that men go to the doctor less often than women and are more likely to consult a doctor only if they have a serious condition. ‘But even if you are feeling on top of the world, a rescheduling of life in general can help you stay that way’, urge medical experts, who list the following as top health threats to men.

What you need to do…

z Get your cholesterol checked, beginning at age 25 and every five years. z Control your blood pressure and cholesterol, if they’re high. z Quit smoking. z Increase your physical activity level to 30 minutes a day. z Eat more fruits and vegetables and less saturated or trans fats.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is known to spread early, often even before the symptoms crop up or the same is detected on an X-ray. The dangerous aspect is that lung cancer is advanced even before it is found, making it all the more difficult to cure. Statistics show that less than half of men are alive a year later.

What you need to do…

z 90 percent of all lung cancers are caused by tobacco smoke, so, obviously, quitting smoking - at any age – is the

Prostate Cancer

This is the most common cancer in men, other than skin cancer.

However, many prostate cancers are slow growing and unlikely to spread.

Screening for prostate cancer requires a digital rectal exam and a blood test for prostate specific antigen (PSA).

What you need to do…

z While the importance of getting screened for prostate cancer cannot be denied, the best solution, according to experts, is to see your doctor regularly and talk about your overall risk.

Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer Foundation has found that men over 50 are at highest risk for developing skin cancer — more than twice the rate as women, owing to increased sun exposure and fewer visits to the doctor.

What you need to do…

z Wearing long sleeves and pants, hats with wide brims, sunglasses, and sunscreen when outdoors, for either fun or work, is the main precaution to take.

Liver Disease

Liver disease includes conditions such as cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, autoimmune or genetic liver diseases, bile duct or liver cancer, and even alcoholic liver disease.

What you need to do…

z The chances of developing liver disease is increased by alcohol and tobacco, and that places the responsibility on you to change your habits and make positive changes in your lifestyle.

Depression and Suicide

It is common to believe that women are prone to depression and mood swings owing to their hormonal changes. That is a fallacy, explain doctors, who have found men’s tendency to hide depressed feelings as the main culprit behind the notion.

Researchers have also found that men with depression are more likely to develop heart disease. Men, they say, cover up their feelings of sadness with anger or aggression. Besides, although women attempt suicide more often, men are more successful at it.

Health CHECK

‘Man’s worst enemy’, is how one doctor succinctly explained the meaning behind atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Heart disease is the first leading cause of death among men and women, followed closely by strokes. What exactly happens in cardiovascular disease is that cholesterol plaques gradually block the arteries in the heart and brain. And if a plaque becomes unstable, a blood clot forms, blocking the artery and causing a heart attack or stroke. For reasons that are still unclear, men’s arteries develop atherosclerosis earlier than women’s, which means men have to work harder to reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke.

answer to reduce the risk. Find out, with the help of your doctor, what tools you can adopt to quit the habit.

What you need to do…

z Medications and therapy help overcome depression. But the onus is on you to reach out to your doctor or someone close to you to seek immediate help. z Exercise, set realistic goals, surround yourself with loved ones, seek professional help and postpone important decisions to get over the depressed feeling.

Diabetes

Described as the silent disease, it raises the blood sugar levels. Excess glucose acts like a slow poison on blood vessels and nerves, leading to heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations.

What you need to do…

z Lifestyle change is critical.

Exercise, combined with a healthy diet, can prevent type 2 diabetes. z Moderate weight loss is a must if you are overweight. Include 30 minutes a day of physical activity into your schedule to reduce the chance t.. of diabetes by more than 50 percent.

October 2014

Cardiovascular Disease

31

Health TIDINGS

Bone Marrow Disease Drug For Baldness Baldness may be cured with bone marrow disease drug in alopecia areata patients (Alopecia areata is a disease whereby the immune system attacks hair follicles - the parts of the skin from which hair grows; majority of people with this disease experience baldness). Researchers have discovered that a drug already approved ent of a rare bone marrow by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment hese patients. disease - ruxolitinib - could restore hair growth in these

Power Of Music Music, apparently, can make you feel powerful. If you have been putting on your earphones and blasting music while doing random everyday activities, you would have sensed that it does give you a push to go on. A study has now found that this is because music can give us a sense of power, particularly if it has high levels of bass. Songs rated as most powerful, by the study,, included ‘We Will Rock You’’

by Queen and ‘Get Ready for This’ by 2 Unlimited, while the least powerful songs included ‘Because We Can’

by Fatboy Slim and ‘Who Let the Dogs Out’ by Baha Men. Results of the experiments revealed that the songs rated most powerful unconsciously encouraged a sense of power among participants.

October 2014

Bestt Ways B W To Brush Your Teeth?

32

Whether there is any effective way to brush your teeth or not, there is no knowing it as there is no consensus among dental associations and toothbrush/paste companies on the most effective method to brush teeth. Researchers found a wide range of recommendations on brushing technique but their findings highlight the need for better research on proper brushing. The study found that the most commonly recommended method is to gently jiggle the toothbrush back and forth in small motions in order to loosen food particles, plaque and bacteria.

However, there is no proof that this is any better than basic scrubbing, the researchers said.

Losing Weight And Happiness A D Do you think losing weight w will make you happier? There iis no clarity on it s a y re ough researchers, although ph alth physical health ly is significantly imp ht improved by weight loss The effects off loss. losin losing weight on mental health are less clear, they note. The study found that people who lost 5 percent or more of their original weight over 4 years showed significantly improved physical health. However, these people were more likely to report low mood than participants who stayed within their o initial weight. “We do not want to se discourage anyone from trying to lose ical weight, which has tremendous physical pect benefits, but people should not expect pects weight loss to instantly improve all aspects of life,” say researchers.

Soon your smartphone will know your state of mind…

Scientists have developed an app that automatically reveals students’ mental health, academic performance and behavioral trend. The app – StudentLife - which compares students’ happiness, stress, depression and loneliness to their academic performance, also may be used in the general population to monitor mental health, trigger intervention and improve productivity in workplace employees. StudentLife app is able to continuously make mental health assessment 24/7, opening the way for a new form of assessment and this is a very important and exciting breakthrough.

Colour Red Affects Our Brains

Health TIDINGS

Mental health assessment App

Mental well being with fruits & vegetables

Colour red is said to affect our brains in four specific ways. New research has found that it could impact your daily life in the following ways: It can make you seem more attractive—or like a threat It may bring out the athlete in you It may help you eat less It may give you an edge at work So, it could follow that wearing red at work makes you look powerful, in control, aggressive—that is, worthy of keeping around, and maybe promoting.

The more portions ortions of etables fruits and vegetables you take in a day, are the better your chancess of improving mental well-being, along ysical with your physical es a health, states new study. The hich study, which 000 involved 14,000 participants, at found that nt 33.5 percent t of respondents with high mental well-being ate five or more portions of fruits and vegetables a day, compared with only 6.8 percent who ate less than one portion. While low mental well-being is strongly linked to mental illness and mental health problems, high mental well-being is said to be more than the absence of symptoms or illness - it is a state in which people feel good and function well.

A research has found that women tend to routinely use eye make-up products beyond their expiry day. It revealed that 70 percent of British women use over a year o l d mascara, while the use-by date is just four months. Further, it found that one-in-five don’t even realise there is a recommended use-by date on make-up products. Out-of-date eye shadow, eyeliner and mascara, which is a dark, wet product, can be breeding grounds for bacteria and, as one applies them so close to the surface of the eye, they may cause painful infections. To avoid infections, ophthalmologists advise good make-up hygiene habits like sharpening eye pencils between applications, washing brushes regularly and throwing out old make-up.

October 2014

Majority of women use expired eye make-up

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man DATE

Six-pack Anyone?

With every male celebrity flaunting a six-pack, it is high time you got on the fitness bandwagon to sculpt your body and unravel the six-pack ab

I

f fitness experts are to be believed, everyone has a sixpack…albeit hidden under the flab in many a men. Find out how you can draw that six-pack ab out with some tried and tested diet dos and exercise regimen.

Proteins for breakfast: Studies have shown that people who got 35 grams of protein at breakfast were less hungry throughout the day. While getting six-packs isn’t about counting calories, reducing it will help rid the fat on the abs. To keep your calorie and fat levels in check, opt for Greek yogurt and egg whites.

Stop processed foods: Regularly eating processed and fast foods is going to produce an unhealthy body lacking in nutrients, which is not really ideal for a trim waistline. Instead, look for nutrient-dense, low-calorie fruits and vegetables, like broccoli.

Water magic: It is no secret that people who drink more water lose more weight and even keep it off for long. It will also boost the metabolism and help you cut down on the sugary sodas and processed juices.

Opt for healthy fats: Dietary fat that comes from monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats such as olive oils, fish oils, a mix of nuts, natural peanut butter and avocado is good and it will keep you satisfied for longer period. Keep the fat intake between 20-30 percent to get results fast.

Snack time: Ensure that you are never hungry by eating three standard meals and three snacks, without going overboard.

Eat foods that are high in fibre, protein and nutrition and your metabolism will always be up. Have starchy carbs like oatmeal, rye or sprouted bread and a piece of fruit for breakfast; sweet or regular potato, brown rice and quinoa for lunch; and vegetables for dinner – avoid starchy carbs and root vegetables.

Diet dos

Octo Oc October t ber 20 2014 1 14

Eat browns: What you eat and even what you do not eat, has a say on your abs. It is important to note that not all carbohydrates are evil. Avoid white carbs while including whole grains, which are rich in fibre like brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat and oats.

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Exercise regimen

More is not always better: One of the main reasons for not reaching your target goal, despite continuous exercises, is the failure to maintain the repetitions per set while doing crunches.

Keep the reps per set fairly low - around 10 to 12 - and increase the resistance when you find it too easy. This means adding weight when doing crunches or using a cable machine and not increasing the number of repetitions.

man DATE between the commercial breaks while watching television. Cycle between reverse crunches, oblique crunches and regular crunches for sets of 12 to 20 repetitions. While at office, if it is convenient, drop to the floor every hour and cycle through these three exercises.

Work your abs in traffic: If getting stuck in the traffic congestion has become a part of your daily routine, make the most of it to train your abs.

All that you need to do is work on ab contractions while idling in the traffic or even driving. Simply flex your abs as hard as possible while crunching down and exhaling.

Hold for a count of five, then relax and repeat until you get

to where you’re going. You can also work your deep transverse abdominis by pulling your belly button in toward your spine, and holding for a count of 10. Repeat this up to 10 times Learn to muti-task: Instead of walking on a good abs workout, learn to multitask. Check up the tri-sets method, which presents an equally challenging spin on the abs, calves and forearms workout and the cardio/ abs HIIT (high-intensity interval training) routine; it is guaranteed to work, according to fitness gurus.

Rethink abs training: Focus on abs training, which will contribute to your overall body composition. Experts believe that having a strong set of abdominals absolutely makes you stronger on all of your bigger lifts like squats, benches, and overhead presses.

Octo Oc October tobe to er 2 2014 014 14

Focus on technique rather than speed: Complete three circuits of six exercises - overhead bench squats, prone knee to opposite elbow, prone knee to outside same elbow, pushups, Swiss ball hamstring curls and split lunge/overhead press - four times a week for four weeks. On two of your non-workout days, complete 45 minutes of uphill treadmill walking; rest on Friday. Your total workout each day should last 45 minutes. Fill in any spare time you may have after completing the circuits with some uphill treadmill walking to complete a 45-minute slot.

Train abs, calves and forearms together: Although big-boy lifts are the priority for most men at the gym, fitness experts recommend scheduling one session a week for abs, calves and forearms.

Work the abs at home: Yes, you can train your abs anywhere – even in

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Relatively SPEAKING

Stressed?

Do not know how to relax?

You are not alone…

F

or many stressed folks amongst us, it is not about finding time to relax as much as it is about learning how to. We are simply not able to switch off from our everyday tasks and just relax. Often, relaxation is limited to an hour or so of television viewing before hitting the bed.

If the above relates to your relaxation woes, check out some easy relaxation techniques to reduce stress, on the spot.

Meditate

Meditation here does not refer to any yogic stance; it is all about repetitive actions that help keep your attention calmly in the present moment. It could be something as mundane as walking or knitting. The idea is to bring your mind back to the repetition of the activity when you catch yourself thinking about your job, your relationship or your responsibilities. Try it for just 5 to 10 minutes a day and watch stress levels drop.

Octo Oc October tobe ber 20 2 2014 014

Dreamscape

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Our mind tends to be on a chatter mode, making it difficult to go into a meditative stance.

To silence that chatter, create a peaceful visualisation, or what is known as ‘dreamscape’; keep it as realistic as possible to experience relaxation. All that you need to do is simply

visualise anything that keeps your thoughts away from current stress. It could range from your favourite vacation spot to something tangible, like the feel of your cosy sweater. The idea is to replace stress with an image that evokes a sense of calm.

Deep breathing

If you have noticed, feelings of stress evoke tense, shallow breathing, while calm thoughts encourage relaxed breathing. A simple change in the way of breathing could, then, turn tension into relaxation. To begin, let out a big sigh and drop your chest; follow this by exhaling through gently pursed lips. While inhaling, feel your entire belly, sides and lower back expand; while exhaling, sigh again as you drop your chest, and feel your belly, back and sides contract.

Repeat 10 times.

Observe

Approach life like a child, is the advice from Claire Michaels Wheeler, author of ‘10 Simple Solutions to Stress’. Focus on one activity at a time and stay in the present moment to experience relaxation. Learn to enjoy the shape and colours of flowers or hear a bird’s call if you are outdoors and check out the details of clothes or items on display if you are in a mall. For as long as you can keep your mind focused on something in the present, stress will take a back seat.

Hot tea

While green tea is known to foster health and beauty, it is the chamomile tea that is a traditional favourite for calming the mind and reducing stress. According to some researchers, even black tea may be a stress-fighter.

In a study, participants who drank regular black tea displayed lower levels of cortisol, and reported feeling calmer during six weeks of stressful situations, in comparison to those who drank a placebo with the same amount of caffeine.

Love…

Interestingly, relaxation response is just a cuddle away. Psychologists

believe that you could feel relaxed simply by cuddling your pet, giving an unexpected hug to a friend or family member, snuggling with your spouse, or talking to a friend about the good things. They believe that social interaction helps our brain think better‌encouraging us to see new solutions to situations that once seemed impossible.

Self-massage

Stress somehow induces tension in the muscles and it is but natural to seek massage to ease that ache. While it is not possible to get professional help every time, you could try selfmassage any time, anywhere. Just place both hands on your shoulders and neck and squeeze with your fingers and palms.

Now rub the spot vigorously, keeping shoulders relaxed. Wrap one hand around the other forearm and squeeze the muscles with thumb and fingers; move up and down from your elbow to fingertips and back again. Repeat with other arm.

Time-out

If stress is driving you towards a nasty temper, find a quiet place to sit or lie down and put the stressful situation on hold.

Take a few deep breaths and concentrate on releasing tension and calming your heartbeat.

Healthy diet

Eating well can make you less susceptible to feelings of anxiety. Avoid the excessive refined sugar; carbohydrates, such as pasta also convert easily to sugar. These can cause ups and downs in the blood sugar and lead to agitation. Excessive caffeine can also make you jumpy and irritable. Instead, eat fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains that are free of refined sugar, such as apples, grapes, carrots, broccoli, brown rice or whole grain breads. Eat plenty of low-calorie protein, such as chicken, fish, whole grains, legumes, dark leafy vegetables or low-fat dairy. Take multivitamins - Vitamin B and Vitamin D are especially good for relaxation.

Exercise

Daily exercise has been scientifically proven to significantly reduce stress. Aim for at least thirty minutes per day of moderate activity. You could go for a walk, hit the treadmill or take the stairs instead of the elevator. Try regular exercises.

Musical balm

Whether you are a music lover or not, there is something about music that is known to calm and soothe us. Find a relaxing song that is aligned with your heartbeat. Research has shown that listening to 30 minutes of classical music can produce calming effects, equivalent to taking 10 mg of Valium.

Sleep‌

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There is no denying that sleep ep is a very important part of relaxation; it restores and refreshes your body in ways that cannot happen when you are awake. Remember, most of us p need six to eight hour sleep cycle, even if we are able to thrive on four hours of sleep a night.

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in the LUXE

Men

&

Diamonds

Belts and wallets, bracelets and finger-rings, sun glasses and shoes… The world of men’s fashion accessories is replete with all things bling and chic to put some of the most exclusive women’s fashion items to shame.

Air Force 1 by Nike

If you thought diamonds are a girl’s best friend, you better have another think coming. Air Force 1 by Nike is a diamond-studded affair for men who have a strong penchant for all things diamond. Nike has included 11-carat diamonds in this model and has also made the brand logo from pure gold.

Price: $50,000

Tom Ford

This is possibly the most expensive pair of shoes for men and is only created on demand. Made by Tom Ford, this pair, ordered by Nick Cannon, includes 7,000 full-cut round diamonds in each shoe, each based on aw whit white gold plate. Price: $2,000 0,00 $2,000,000

Bling shave Cuffed and linked

These hand-crafted crafted cufflinks from Atelier Yozu, who is known uxury personal gifts, for creating luxury are perfect for men who wear formal egular basis. Made from clothing on a regular a single bar of ivory of a mammoth, these cufflinks are crafted with 18 carat yellow gold, white gold or platinum ecial guilloche enameling based on the customer’s choice. Special can be done on request.

Price: $9195

October 2014

Adding panache with cufflinks

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If pampering is enha enhanced with uber-rich products, then the Zaffiro sha shaving razor takes the cake. It does look like any normal razor, but its body is made from Iridiu Iridium, a substance 10 times rarer than Platinum an and known to be found mainly in meteorites and used in spacecraft engines for the durability durability. The shaving blades have been made from S Sapphire, which could possibly last a person’s perso lifetime without a change.

The width of each blade is known to be 5000 time times smaller than the width of a human hair! ha Price: $ 1 100,000

Jacob & Co loyalists would know that they never cease to impress, even with something as inconspicuous as cufflinks. Featured in the centre of the cufflinks is a 10.5-carat yellow cut diamond framed by an additional 5-carat baguette cut diamonds.

These cufflinks are designed to refine a look.

They are meant to make a statement!

Price: $4.2 million

Experience ‘star’ appeal with a pair of cool sunglasses from the Swiss luxury House Chopard. Created by De Rigo Vision, these glares have 51 fully cut River diamonds, with their weight coming to 4 carats. 60 grams of gold of 24 carats have been used to create this awe-inspiring piece. The brand’s famous C logo is seen on the arm of the glasses.

Price: $408496

in the LUXE

Haute couture sunglasses

Diamonds on the belt

This Gucci Diamond Belt is probably the most expensive, with the price tag exceeding two hundred thousand dollars. The diamond and platinum belt was featured on a website named Republica, which Gucci created in collaboration with designer Stuart Hughes and Goldstiker. The buckle of the belt uses 250 grams of platinum and 30 carat worth of diamonds, to create the logo of Gucci.

Price: $256,970

Hat that

Would you pay a hundred thousand dollars for a hat if it had exclusive woven into it? Well, the Montecristi Panama Hat is exclusive by all counts. This one-off head gear was created out of Tequila Straw, a rare fabric woven only in select areas of Ecuador. Commissioned by Brent Black, this rare headgear was more of a tribute to the fine art of weaving, mastered by the Montecristi weavers who created the special fabric. Price: $100,000

Golden foot…

It may not really seem apt for a casual event or even a formal one; but what the heck, if you like all things gold, Nike gold high dunks would make a perfect fit. Being completely dipped in gold, this exquisite model is perfect for investors and those passionate about the Nike brand.

Price: $5,400

Called Henk Suitcase - created by Dutch designer Henk Van De Meeve – it is all about style and panache. The lightweight suitcase has a solid carbon fibre body, similar to the one used for Formula One cars racing cars. It is deceptively compact, with 500 individual parts including 22 moving parts. Italian burl, Madagascar Ebony, horse hair, Magnesium, Aluminum and Titanium have all gone into creating this briefcase.

Price: $22,093

October 2014

Bag it in style

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Advertorial

Fashionable Walls Fashion has a wide colour palette; it is inspiring and can easily turn heads

October 2014

I

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nspired by some of the most exquisite and timeless favourites, Berger Paints created the Royale Play Textile collection. A selection of six ultra chic finishes using a variety of tools, not only look appealing but feel different too.

Denim, known for its versatility, has been used in every possible form by people of all ages. A must in every wardrobe through the years, it is the perfect choice for a casual vibe and is now an attractive option for the walls as well.

Jute makes a perfect offbeat style statement that is classy and rare.

It lends a raw appeal to anything including bags, curtains, furnishing and even walls. A jute lace to a lampshade will complement and bring out the texture of the wall.

It is luxurious, plush and makes a perfect casing for anything that one cherishes – Leather is classy and timeless and lends a warm sophistication to the walls. Add wooden furniture and brass curios to recreate a classic charm.

Crushed Silk is regal, modern and ultra-chic – all at once. It has an aweinspiring quality that is reflected in the walls as well lending an inimitable grandeur to any room. Offset it with an ornate silver frame to create a striking effect.

Yarn can be used to create myriad patterns. Imprinted on any wall, the endless and intricate weave of the material is mesmerising to say the least. As this is sure to be the focal point of any guest, keep the accessories simple.

take a SPIN

From straw hats to flip flops, Koragrass is the quintessence of relaxation.

Soothing and calming, it creates a distance from the daily hustle and bustle. Lay it on the wall and create your own zone of tranquillity. Offset it with wooden artefacts.

All of these ‘creations’ are waterbased special effect paints with a matt finish that imparts an unmatched elegance and style to any room. They are abrasion resistant, translucent, odourless, non-toxic, non-flammable as well as health and environment friendly. But most important, each pattern stands out as an extension of a person’s individuality and imparts that extra edge that you always wanted for your home.

Colours of Oman

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Do you have an image that reflects your impression of Oman?

Post it on Berger Paints facebook page www.facebook.com/bergerpaintsoman and three participants who send the most attractive picture will stand a chance to win ipod Nano and ipod Shuffle prizes.

The Berger team will pick an attractive colour from the picture and match it to a Berger Paints shade, illustrating the vast palette of colours that the brand has in its repertoire. The competition will be valid only from 2 – 18 November.

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look GOOD

Grooming must-haves for MEN While makeup remains the prerogative of women, despite the emergence of metrosexual man, a host of skincare and general hair and body products well complement the male grooming requirements. Below is a quick checklist of some attractive products to get set on the grooming track.

Body Balm

To be introduced sometime me this month by Aseop, the Australian ralian company known for skin,, hair solute and body product, the Resolute able for Hydrating Body Balm is suitable most skin types; more so if you have parched and stressed skin. It is a rich nctive, emollient balm with a distinctive, spicy aroma derived from a blend of essential oils, including crushed percorns coriander seeds, black peppercorns ble at and patchouli. It is available lected Aesop signature stores, selected rs and department store counters stockists.

Roll on…

October 2014

Want to reduce dark circles a puffiness around your eyes? and H Here’s something that will prevent w wrinkles and sun damage… Apply the antioxidant-packed Nivea M Energy Eye Roller Gel Q10 Men r roll-on serum morning and night an revitalise the tired skin around and Face Bomb! your eyes. The cooling effect of You would have probably convenient ball applicator will heard of mud baths…but are you refresh your skin. keen on experiencing the power off

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n? mudpacks in rejuvenating your skin? re Face Bomb by Portland General Store al could be your answer. It is all natural al rhassoul mud, a form of anti-bacterial clay that’s packed with minerals.

According to the description, the manufacturer hand-blends each jarr d with sandalwood oil, hydrosol of wild geranium and Damascus rose, pluss finely ground walnut shells to help with exfoliation.

Peppercorns and body wash

Spice yourself with Molton Brown Black Peppercorn Body Wash, which is a perfect blend of coriander (top note), black peppercorns (middle note) and aromatic vetiver (a perennial grass). Previously known as ‘Re-Charge Black Pepper Body Wash’, it is warm, aromatic and spicy with Madagascan black peppercorn oil. It is a treat for sure.

LIFESTYLE MANTRA

Perfect trim demands ds a well-designed facial hair air kit.

The Philips BT9280 Laser Guided Trimmer, which uses a laser ect sharp guidance system to project ace, helps lines of light across your face, you pre-align your style before trimming the edges. It also features a our chosen zoom wheel that locks in your al-sided length setting and a dual-sided er. reversible trimme trimmer.

Lime Shave Li

If the ttangy aroma of lime energise energises you, give the Lime Shave Cream a try. Geo. F. Trump Extract Of Limes Trumper Shave Cream promises a luxuriou luxurious shave. It is creamy and c creates the perfect cushio cushion between skin and razo razor; what is more, it smells divine.

Sunscreen

Get insured against premature re ageing with a perfect sunscreen, en, as majority of wrinkles are caused by sun damage and ’s the ageing effects of the sun’s UVA rays. Of course, there iss l’s no dearth of choice, but Kiehl’s n, Facial Fuel SPF15 Sunscreen, y a lightweight and non-greasy se product, is also said to energise hile tired and dull-looking skin while ree e protecting it from stress and free radical damage.

Full body grooming oming g

Facial hair is one thing and body hair another…

While body hair stereotyped macho men in the not so recent past, today body hair is seen to contradict the very concept of a metrosexual man.

In fact, a recent survey found that 69 percent of British men trim their body hair. Whether this fad was kick started by Philips Bodygroom Series 5000 Body Groomer or not, the gadget has been found to be very handy for all those men who want to project a metrosexual look. This version comes with a handy back shaving attachment so you can reach the parts other trimmers cannot.

MEN AND FOOD

By Sophia Raman DOES THE OLD ADAGE, ‘THE WAY TO A MAN’S HEART IS THROUGH HIS STOMACH’, STILL APPLY, AS WE SEE MORE AND MORE MEN DONNING APRONS TO TRY OUT THEIR CULINARY SKILLS IN THE KITCHEN?

A

ccording to a research, conducted a couple of years ago, 70 percent of men were more interested in visiting men’s food sites than general food sites, for a variety of reasons. Surprisingly, one of the main reasons was because men enjoy preparing meals more than women. Apparently, 82 percent men enjoy cooking, in comparison to 75 percent women.

While this figure is indicative of a definite change in that trite old dictum, what may not come as a surprise is a confirmation from the research that more men enjoy eating than women - 91 percent men; 88 percent women. Another interesting twist to this statistics is the finding that majority of men prefer to eat food cooked by other men - 53 percent!

Whether the study applies to men in this part of the world or not, the research does portend a slow death to that old adage. Men, seemingly, are more interested in eating then seeking love angles in the culinary skills of the fairer sex. While kitchen remain, the domain of women in many a household in the region, that men have ventured in and have made their presence felt with experiments of the food kind, does create a positive buzz.

The study does reaffirm that men love eating, but it also demonstrates that that food is not necessarily a medium to encourage love…

October 2014

Guided trimming

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style FILE

Welcome Winter In Style Checks, florals, slim pants, patterned knits, blacks and whites and all things stylish…check out the trends to watch out for this season

Check suits

Check suits, camouflage and baseball aseball jackets are on ve been on the trend a comeback mission. These have ue to hold the roost. If counter for a while and continue e, it is time to get it you have one in your wardrobe, ironed and move it up front.

Double-breasted blazers ers

If you thought you’d seen the last ast of the doubleve another think breasted blazers, you better have coming… The trend is back, but not in the baggy cut that was the fad in the 80’s. Make round the waist sure you get them fitted well around to look trendy.

Slim slacks

October 2014

Another fashion trend that has as made its way back this season is the very stylish urprisingly, slim pants. Designers have, surprisingly, ose trousers pressed the brakes on the loose e for several that have roosted the style zone years. For this season it is the sixties ped around stovepipe slacks; they are cropped er, bulkier the ankle and worn with bigger, layers on top.

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Printed pants pant may seem out of this world if you are not into experimenting in the line of fashio fashion, especially since they have been a part of women’s fashion for few years. But if you are open to making style statements that fit the trend, get one of those prin printed pants that are well tailored and do not look like pajamas. Keep things to a minimal and you should be able to carry it off.

style FILE

Printed pants p

Black & White

Give your coloured fare a break this winter, as the fashion trend looks poised to embrace muted and neutral colours. Most designers have opted for the classic white and black combo. You could add a grey item or jeans to break up the look; liven up all-black outfits with white trims and monochrome patterns.

Winter Florals

October 2014

Floral prints, which were once the domain of ladies fashion, have easily crossed into menswear. Big tropical motifs, paisley or more sombre palettes are all in the fashion trend counter for this season.

Make a style statement with flowers; experience the style power of the explosion of flowers to make it through the winter months. Opt for subdued tones or find a winter floral with a base colour that matches your style and comfort level. Black or navy would work easily.

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style FILE

Colour-blocked shirts Colour-bloc

On the more sober s end of the floral circuit is the colour-blocked shirt, which is easy to wear and ha has a very casual and preppy look. Whether horizontal, vertical or diagonal, treat your c colour-blocked patterns like your classic black t-shirt and wear them with your favour favourite pants, shorts or jeans.

Patterned Knits Patterne

Knits are a all set to make a comeback, with patterned knits and Fair Isle prints (a traditional knitting technique) providing an exciting departure from bland and boring sweaters. Y You could pair it with a blazer or collared shirt to make it look more chic.

Turtlenecks Turtlen

retro-c This retro-classic, it appears, is here to stay. Do not fret that it will make you appear too feminine, fo for it is all about how you wear it. What you pair or layer it with will add to the overall app appearance - you could pair a tailored, lightweight turtleneck with a blazer or jac bomber jacket to up your style quotient, or layer a thick-knit turtleneck with a blazer.

Sweatpants Sweatpa

Sweatpants a are expected to be popular all through this season. Keep your look sporty and polished with sneakers or boots and a fitted-shirt.You could top the look with either blaze or jacket. a casual blazer

Go Green

October 2014

Green is in trend for this season. It is easy to wear and offers loads of options to mix and match. An easy w way to try this trend is by mixing one standout item in the colour, into your wardrobe.

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Orange is, apparently, the new black of the season. The bold colour is all out to enhance the style factor of men’s fashion. If you belong to the large tribe of men who shun bold colours but are keen on giving the trend a try, pair up amber chinos with a light grey blazer.

style FILE

Orange…

Quilted Jackets

Down-filled, quilted jackets may not seem apt for the pleasant winter weather in this part of the world, but if you have travel planned to one of those cold countries, you may want to pick one up and stay in style this winter. You could pair it with slim-fitting jeans and sneakers.

Flannel

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There is something quaint about flannel that ensures it never goes out of fashion. It’s a versatile material and will look good whether you are opting for shirt, outerwear or accessories.

The more flannel the better this fall…

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Just TRAVEL

Are you an adventure traveller?

Find out if you are an adventure traveller who loves trekking and scuba diving or a relaxed traveller who enjoys hanging out on the beach…or even a cultural traveller Take the quiz below and assess your travel personality. Discover what destinations are best suited for you, as you plan your next vacation itinerary.

On weekends you are usually…

a. Trekking/camping or playing paint ball with friends b. Unwinding in a bubble bath or in front of the telly c. In one of the upscale nightclub or a five-star restaurant d. Visiting a local art gallery or tapas restaurant

Your idea of a vacation is one that is… a. Active with lots of excitement b. Relaxing and low key c. Luxurious and in a private locale d. Filled with exploration, art and food

Ideally, you would select a hotel that has …

a. b. c. d.

A rock climbing wall and water slide A large pool with swim-up snack and beverage counter An exclusive rooftop patio and butler A unique architectural marvel with local dining options

The first thing that you would do when you arrive at your hotel…

a. b. c. d.

Map out a route from the hotel for your morning jog Check out the hotel pool and book a spa treatment for the evening Call for room service and request turndown service Go out for a walk with the intention of taking some photos of the neighbourhood

Oc October cto tobe berr 2 be 20 2014 014

If you were to get lost on your walking tour, you would...

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a. Think of it as an adventure, as you try and find a map b. Simply keep walking; you are sure you will find your way back to your hotel c. Call hotel cab service to come pick you up d. Stop and enjoy a meal in the area that you have wandered into

a. b. c. d.

Wild and exotic items - chicken feet, bugs, frogs…

Street cart items Anything from a Michelin-starred restaurant Local specialties – depending on where you are

You usually pack your luggage in…

a. b. c. d.

A backpack filled with only important essentials A carry-bag filled with swimsuits and loungewear A Louis Vuitton suitcase filled with shoes and jewellery A vintage bag that belonged to your parents

Just TRAVEL

Your ideal local meal would feature…

According to your travel buddies, you are…

a. b. c. d.

A risk-taker who is up for anything A traveller who goes with the flow and is low key Someone who appreciates the finer things in life Someone who loves art, photography and new experiences

Your flight home has been delayed by a day and you want to...

a. b. c. d.

Rush out for some extra wind surfing or scuba diving Return back to the beach to catch a few extra rays Call your private jet to take you home Make way to a museum that you didn’t get a chance to see

After you return home from your trip, you…

Start planning for your next trip Keep remembering the trip and talking about it to friends Organise your photos and post them on Facebook Make notes of all the cultural novelties you experienced to share with your like-minded friends

Your Score Mostly A: If you have ticked mostly A, you are, without doubt, an adventure traveller! Your ideal vacation would be marked with adrenaline-pumping activities like scuba diving or zip lining. You like to indulge in activities that are energising and take you out in the nature. You want to experience as much excitement as possible in some of the world’s most far-away destinations. Your ideal destinations would include Machu Picchu, the Australian Outback and Whistler.

Mostly B: If you picked mostly B, you fall in the relaxed traveller category. You work hard and relax harder. You are not one to sweat the small stuff while you are on vacation. You ideally prefer the beachside, say at a Caribbean resort; you enjoy indulging in spa treatments and catching up on your sleep in a hammock under a palm tree. You are happy to travel on budget and are okay about staying at hostels or resorts for budget travellers. Your ideal destinations include Mexico, the Greek isles and Caribbean cruises.

Mostly C: You are a luxury traveller if you picked mostly Cs. You enjoy the finer things in life. Although you prefer to lodge in one of those plush five-star hotels, you wouldn’t mind going on a luxury, five-star African safari. You always fly first-class and are not willing to compromise on luxury when choosing a hotel or even a destination.

Your ideal destinations include Dubai, St. Barth’s and French Polynesia.

Mostly D: If you picked mostly Ds, culture is what attracts you the most.

You love exploring a new city and discovering the art, architecture and even the local food. You are up for trying new, local dishes when abroad and could be found taking pictures of local architecture. You love visiting local museums and appreciate art and culture of every place that you visit. Your ideal destinations include Paris, Rome and New York City.

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a. b. c. d.

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explore OMAN

Masirah Island White sandy beaches, turquoise waters and a palpable sense of serenity add to the magic of Masirah Island

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450 kilometres does sound daunting, especially if you are a reluctant driver or aren’t the camping-out sort, but if you are poring through this article, we assume you are neither and are up for an adventurous tryst with a famous island. For Masirah Island has all the makings of a ‘must-visit’ destination, with its natural trappings of rolling mountains, clear waters, rocky plains and the soft sandy shores that beg you to pitch your tent and experience nature in all its bounty.

Although a 4-wheel drive is recommended, as the Island has its share of sabkha (phonetic translation of the Arabic word for a salt flat), it is not a must; the road from Muscat to Shannah Harbour, the point where you board the ferry, is asphalted and even the Island itself has a neat network of black-top roads. But if you plan to go off-road while at the Island, do the trip on a 4-wheel, and gear up to camp out under the blanket of twinkling stars.

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An overnight stopover is highly recommended and even practical considering the long distance from the capital, unless your intention of visiting Masirah Island is to cross it off your bucket list of places to visit. Of course a day trip would be possible if you start before the break of dawn and make it to the Island on the ferry; have a visual fill of the vistas in front of you, and get back to the port to catch a ferry before they close shop for the day – which is usually around 3pm.

Getting there

Masirah Island is about 450 kilometres away from Muscat, and the only way to get there is by road, up to Shanna Harbour, and thereafter by a ferry to the Island. From Seeb Roundabout take the Nizwa/Salalah road and drive for about 115 kilometres towards Izki. After exiting Izki, follow the Sinaw road until you reach the Sinaw Roundabout. Keep driving until you come to the Mahout Roundabout and

find the Masirah signpost. Soon you will reach Shannah Harbour, where you can board a ferry with your car for RO10, if it is a 4-wheel, or RO8, if it is a saloon car.

A note of caution while on the road though: keep a watch out for camels that casually walk along the plains in search of fresh pastures. Drive slowly if you find one of them close to the road; they are known to amble across.

It is also important to ensure that you have enough fuel for the long trip.

Avoid unpleasant surprises by filling up whenever you find a station. There is a 24-hour Shell petrol station near Sinaw roundabout.

Although there are several ferries plying on the route to the Island, there are no regulated timings and you might have to wait for the ferry to get filled up before the journey begins. While the wait depends on where your car is placed, the actual journey could last anywhere between one and a half to two hours, as low tide prolongs the trip.

explore OMAN Masirah Island, located off the East Coast of Oman, is 95-kms long north - south and between 12- and 14-kms wide, with an area of approximately 649sqkms. It is 19-kms off the east side of Barr Al Hikman. The Island is generally hilly on the east side; it is separated from the Island coast by a narrow sandy plain. There is a steep plateau in the middle of the range on the northeast side of the Island; on the west side of the Island there are low hills separated from the east range by extensive sandy plains.

Ras-Hilf, the main village of the region, is towards the northern part of the Island and is equipped with small supermarkets, pharmacy and other stores.

Camping vs. Hotel

Whether you want to camp out or stay comfy in a hotel, there are enough choices to suit your needs. Book ahead, if you are planning the visit during one of those long Eid holidays.

But if you fancy camping, it is all about finding the ideal spot for a night out in the lap of nature.

Hotels are available at reasonable rates, with the kite camp at Kiteboarding-Oman offering one of the most flexible packages, alongside options of camping within their zone and using their facilities at nominal rates.

Attractions

The Island is a haven for beachcombers, with attractive shells and polished stones littering the shorelines. The fine white coral sand is a perfect attraction for picnickers

and beach lovers, which never fails to throw up some of the fascinating sky views of the sunset. Sleeping in the open could prove to be magical if it is a clear sky and you are presented with a celestial drama of twinkling stars and the subdued moon.

The adventurous can, of course, try kite or wind surfing or other water sports, depending on the weather conditions. Fishing is also popular here.

The east of the island is an important breeding area for sea turtles, presenting unique opportunities to observe rare species of turtles. Several Birds also have their nesting areas, especially on Barr Al Hikman. Visitors are requested to maintain caution... this caution should also spread to maintaining the environment in its pristine condition.

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More about Masirah

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at HOME

Bring On TheWinter

Months

Get into a declutter mode to welcome the new season, suggests Kristine Bonnici

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he changing of the season seems to bring with it an instinctive need for clearing out and getting organised. Perhaps, it is the fact that our children start school in autumn; but come October, we all seem to feel the urge to take out the old and bring in the new. In spring, we usually bring out our ‘marigolds’ for a touch of spring-cleaning; in autumn, we feel the need to reduce our clutter and prepare the house for winter.

Make an inventory of things

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Before you begin to reorganise, it makes sense to review what you actually own. Most of us share our lives with a great deal of unwanted things, possessions which once deserved room in our house, but which no longer serve a useful purpose, articles accumulated over the years that have established squatters’ rights in the hall or in our spare room.

Be ruthless. Evaluate your belongings honestly and

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objectively, discarding what you no longer need, use or enjoy. Get rid of those things that used to look good but are now showing irreparable signs of wear and tear. There are plenty of outlets for anything that still has some usable life left in it – second hand shops, charity shops, car boot sales, jumble sales, animal shelters and school fairs are good forms of recycling anything from old clothes and furniture to clothes and books.

Remember the old adage – have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. Clutter is a waste of

at HOME Rearrange furniture

Once you have discarded as much as you can, sit back and enjoy the space you have created. Look at the layout of your furniture. Move pieces around to create cosy areas of conversation.

Change the position of small tables and place a few attractive accessories on the floor rather than in their usual position on tables and shelves. On a more practical note, make sure that children have enough space for their schoolbooks and a quiet area to study and do their homework.

Soft furnishings

Think about what touches you can add in order to create a cosy, welcoming atmosphere inside your home. Look at your soft furnishings. Simple ideas like changing the curtain tiebacks and adding a few trimmings might give a warmer look to existing curtains. Choose deep tones of the same colour scheme you have used in your furnishings and drape a woollen throw over the sofa.

Candle touch

Light fragrant candles and oil lamps and place them around the house.

Add candles to the hall and also in sheltered places outside the front door to celebrate the start of the winter season. Look at ways in which you can create interesting plays of light and shadow to add warmth to forgotten corners in the room. Conceal a candle inside a pierced terracotta ornament or behind a piece of wooden fretwork.

A small bulb can also be used at floor level to light up an interesting piece of furniture. Always make sure that candles are not left unattended and that the materials used are not combustible. Place candles in flame proof containers, away from draughts and soft furnishings.

These soft touches will add an element of colour and warmth to the home room and will prepare you both practically and psychologically for the winter months ahead

Kristine Bonnici

Senior Interior Designer at StudioBasel design@kristinebonnici.com www.kristinebonnici.com Mobile: +356 7700 0077 https://www.facebook.com/kristinebonnicidesign

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precious space and a guarantee that essentials will be overlooked, lost and even uselessly duplicated.

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Man ARE SPECIAL

It’s A Man’s World

Enter the predictable yet magical world of men…

Craft ideas for the handyman…............55 October 2014

Easy to create do-it-yourself craft ideas

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Men and Toys...........................................56 There is, apparently, no age bar for toys

Advertorial...............................................58 Watches from Gallery Argan

Man ARE SPECIAL

Man Made Love to dabble in do-it-yourself projects?

Get your toolkit out and get into a craft mode to create some easy projects with things lying at home or in your neighbourhood garage/store.

Create a rustic wooden crate planter to add that touch of greenery in your living room or balcony. Reuse the mundane wooden crate, which is otherwise used to pack and transport items; transform it into a chic indoor accessory item. You can easily fill it with some indoor plants or any type of greenery that you desire and add an element of novelty to your home décor.Check blytheponytail parades.typepad for more details

Mini paper trucks

This is an easy-to-make paper cruiser to add a flair to your office space add some unique touches to your home. Easy to assemble, these quirky paper cruisers come as miniature versions of Land Cruisers, Jeeps and Ford trucks.

Available as printable PDF models, it can be a perfect arts and crafts project if you are looking to add some personality to your work environment.

Check papercruiser & thrillist for more details.

Trunk seat

‘Auto’ es sculptures

Use car parts to create exciting art pieces... Turn auto rims into sculptures and create treasure out of your trash. Pick the parts depending on the type of creature you want to create.

Check zuzafun for more details.

Origami box lights

Add an element of festivity to your home with these origami lights. Use sheets of origami paper to make as many blow-up boxes as you want and then slip them on to individual bulbs on a long string of lights. The boxes slide on easily and stay put. Once the lights are plugged in, the thin origami paper acts as little paper lanterns that exude a lively glow.

Check asubtlerevelry for more details.

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Called Steampunk Tree Trunk Seating, it is a chair and table combo that is handcrafted from a tree trunk. The functional chair has a flat base and a curved, sanded area to sit on. You can turn it into a raised chair by attaching four steel chair legs, which can be driven deep into the wood to make sure the chair is secure. The accompanying coffee table is simply a tree trunk with a plank of flat wood attached into a slot in the side.

Check designboom for more details.

Wooden planters

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Man ARE SPECIAL

Toy Stories for Men The ‘boys will be boys’ refrain is not agebound as demonstrated by the availability of exciting toys exclusively for men

Check out the coolest new toys for men…

Flick Football

14 years ago Fiki launched a mock paper football game and since then it has introduced several versions, including tabletop versions for the NHL, NBA and PGA and a host of college teams. It has now come up with the standard triangular football, but adorned with classroomstyle blue lined paper. (fikisports.com)

Airship models

Models of legendary airships that adorn the desks of corporate bigwigs, is easily available from Toys and Models, which make a variety of lifelike, highly de detailed desktop models. You could buy anything fr from commercial airliners to WWII fighters to Delta ro rockets; look out for the more compelling new models th the series of retro moonshot-era rockets - Mercury, Gemini and Sa Saturn. (toysandmodels.com)

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Monopoly M

H Here’s a board game that will help you make a stylish statement. The Monopoly Pl Platinum Edition has a new look to complement your contemporary lifestyle. It co comes with a moulded game board in 2-toned metallic, along with coordinating game pieces such as metallic tokens, platinum-coloured title deeds, card ga ca carousel, etc.

Sphero 2B S

October 2014

If you remember, the original Sphero was a plastic ball that magically rolled ar around wherever you directed it via smartphone app. The new 2B is the hot rod ve version, a two-wheeled spitfire that rockets up to 10 mph and turns on a dime. (g (gosphero.com)

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Man ARE SPECIAL

Rubik Time

Rubik's Slide Signature Edition Electronic Handheld Game is a new ta on the iconic Rubik's Cube. The next take generation of Rubik's, with more than 10,000 genera brain-boggli brain-boggling puzzles, is a challenge for anyone.

Simply slide the li lights into place by twisting and turning the Slide in any directi direction. Lights as well as voice and sound effects offer electronic fun to the classic game. (amazon.com)

Toby Rich SmartPlane

Ogo Sport Aero Zipp

Ogo, the Brookly Brooklyn-based company, which specialises in new or re-imagined out outdoor games like Copter Darts, has introduced Aero odd Zipp. It is an oddball but fun game; it comes with a handled launcher with a plastic golf ball like ball that you can chuck a couple hundred someon else, even your pet dog. (ogosport.com) feet away to someone

Magnetic robot Mag

Modular Robotics MOSS is a smart and cool modular magnetic robot kit, which consists of b blocks with dedicated functions that click together to instant become a functioning device. There are a range instantly of block typ types – one for battery power, another for movement, t l one ffor audio, di etc., all of which work with each other, so you one ffor control, can assemble them in essentially infinite ways. (modrobotics.com)

Awkward Family Photos Board Game

The name does add a mystery element to this game, which is based on a popular website. It combines classic and never-seen-before Awkward Family Photos with probing, openended questions for a memorable game and creative discussion. All that you do is simply flip over an Awkward Family Photos featuring uncomfortable moments from weddings, vacations, and holidays and let the fun begin.

It comes with a 20-sided die and a double-sided, oversized board game. (amazon.com)

360 degrees…

Vivitar DVR 874 is a toy of another kind… It shoots videos in 360 degrees from multiple cameras, simultaneously, letting you edit the footage using different angles and views instead of hot with other cameras. just one POV shot n It takes on the reigning r u g g e d camera champ GoPro with the line of shock, weather and water proof nd housings and com) mounts. (vivitar.com)

October 2014

Go on, play with the SmartPlane, a styrofoam version with amazingly light, battery powered propeller and working tail rudder, all controlled with a slick iPhone app for up to 15 minutes of flight per charge. (smartplane.net)

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Advertorial

Luxury Watches At

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Gallery Argan

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allery Argan, Oman’s exclusive boutique for luxury products with unparalleled collections of precious stones jewellery and Swiss watch brands presents uber chic collection of watches.

Gallery Argan boutique is now located at the Opera Galleria Mall, Ritz-Carlton Bustan Palace Hotel, Barreq al-Shatii complex and show cases at Grand Hyatt - Muscat Hotel.

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October 2014

Advertorial

Omantel’s Ozone winner Bank Nizwa’s Ladies Banking Service

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nder the patronage of Sayyida Sana bint Hamad Al Busaidi, Advisor to the Minister of Education, Bank Nizwa officially launched its dedicated Islamic Banking services for women at a special event held in celebration of the Omani Women’s Day. The unique new Ladies Banking experience is designed to meet the professional and personal needs of today’s modern woman offering an extensive array of value-added privileges and benefits. The all-female evening was attended by key community figures, customers, business owners as well as Bank employees.

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O

mantel has announced Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Saqqaf, Ozone customer, as the lucky winner of the paid trip for two to attend El Clasico match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, which took place on to 25th October 2 in Madrid, Spain.

Omantel S launched a la virtual football fan fans competition ‘Ozone Football Challenge (OFC)’ during Salalah Festival, especially for Ozone customers, where around 250 customers joined the competition. The competition allowed customers the opportunity to showcase their competitive skills through the electronic virtual football game. The top 32 players competed for the grand prize to attend the match between Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain.

MRM tourism drive in Al Batinah

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illennium Resort Mussanah (MRM) welcomed 21 tour and travel operators with a view to strengthening Al Batinah’s tourism industry. The Resort offered 100 adults and 31 children the opportunity to experience it’s world-class leisure facilities, including health and wellbeing treatments at the Zayna Spa and Health and Fitness Centre, as well as fine dining at the Al Mydan restaurant. The day continued with a mini golf and volleyball tournament, before departing from the resort’s 54-berth marina for a Dhow Cruise along the stunning Mussanah shoreline.

Ali Al Balushi wins Red Bull Car Park Drift

October 2014

he Red Bull Car Park Drift Oman Qualifier crowned Ali Al Balushi as the new champion, at the Oman Automobile Association. The Omani ‘King of Drift’ from the pro category will represent the Sultanate in the Regional finals hosted in Dubai. Runner up Arif Al Balushi will also head to the Regional Finals leading up to the announcement of the new Regional King of Drift. Only 15 of the country’s best elite drivers were selected to compete in the fifth season of the Red Bull Car Park Drift. The competition itself took place on a special track, designed by Lebanese Rally Champion and Red Bull athlete Abdo Feghali, to bring out the best drifting techniques.

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NBO’s ‘Future Branch Manager’ initiative

he National Bank of Oman’s Academy of Excellence, the training and development arm of the Bank, has launched an innovative programme, ‘Future Branch Manager’, to educate and inspire the next generation of prospective branch managers.

The scheme consists of five instructive modules run over a twoyear period. Each specific module, which enlightens participants on the challenges and opportunities of running a National Bank of Oman branch, will be followed by on-the-job training at the Bank’s branches, as well as its Head Office. The ‘Future Branch Manager’ is specifically focused on developing the abundance of talent found within its Omani national employees. The NBO’s Academy of Excellence, the training and development arm of the Bank, has launched an innovative programme, ‘Future Branch Manager’, to educate and inspire the next generation of prospective branch managers. The scheme consists of five instructive modules run over a two-year period. Each specific module, which enlightens participants on the challenges and opportunities of running a National Bank of Oman branch, will be followed by on-the-job training at the Bank’s branches, as well as its Head Office. The ‘Future Branch Manager’ is specifically focused on developing the abundance of talent found within its Omani national employees.

U

Nawras rebrands to Ooredoo

sers of Nawras service can look forward to an exciting new phase as the service provider embarks on an exciting journey from Nawras to Ooredoo This rebrand to Ooredoo, meaning ‘I Want’, in Arabic, emphasises the Company’s core commitment to customers and proud Omani heritage and values. These are: Caring – ‘we’ll always look to be supportive, trusted, responsible and respectful’; Connecting – ‘we look to engage, be collaborative and involved in the community’; and Challenging – ‘we’re progressive, always looking to improve and make a difference’.

Ooredoo’s strong bond with the community and ongoing commitment to support the people of Oman will not change. Customers will continue to benefit from the Company’s efforts to make Oman one of the most connected countries in the world and also to support human growth, the development of local businesses and education, in line with His Majesty’s Vision 2020.

Oman Air’s free Health Assessment Campaign for staff

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man Air staff in Muscat received free medical assessments, as part of the Airline’s drive to improve health awareness throughout the company. The assessment was organised by the Medical Welfare section of Oman Air’s Human Resources department and delivered by Apollo Sugar. It included consultations with diabetes specialist, blood sugar and blood pressure checks, physical check-ups - including measurement of height, weight and BMI (body mass index) - and an awareness and education programme about the ‘Complications of Diabetes and how to delay the Complications’. The Apollo Clinic is covered by National Life and General Insurance, which means Oman Air employees and their dependents can use the clinic’s facilities if they need health care provision.

I

n recognition of its efforts towards contribution to the community through its ongoing corporate social responsibility initiatives, Muscat Grand Mall has received the prestigious Silver award in the ‘Cause Related Marketing’ category for their ‘Close to you’ campaign at the 2014 RECon MENA - one of the region’s most anticipated retail industry events. MGM also received an honourable mention from the International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC) Foundation for their entries into the category.

First hip replacement surgery at Lifeline

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ifeline Hospital Sohar has conducted their first hip replacement surgery. Dr. Shirish M. Narsapur and Dr. Narayan Gowda, Consultant Orthopaedic Arthoscopy and Arthoplasty surgeons conducted the operation at Lifeline Hospital. According to them, hip surgery can be the best option for relieving pain and/ or restoring hip function; it offers opportunities for improved ved recovery and quality of life fe to patients. The Orthopedicss department is the busiestt stream at Lifeline Hospitall Sohar, and the doctors and d staff believe this surgery will further increase the flow of patients atients seeking attention for orthopedic related health problems. Lifeline Hospital LLC is a unit of VPS Healthcare, Abu Dhabi. VPS Healthcare currently includes 9 operational hospitals across the region and in the Indian subcontinent.

October 2014

MGM wins Silver at 2014 ICSC MENA Awards

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Arijit Singh has Muscat singing to his tunes at Omantel Hayyak Nights

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Oc O October cto tobe ber 20 2 2014 01 14 4

ollywood sensation Arijit Singh regaled to a sold out audience with a scintillating performance at the Omantel Hayyak Nights - ‘Arijit Singh Live in Concert – Tum Hi Ho’ - at the Qurum Amphitheatre, earlier this month. The versatile singer belted out hit after hit, which kept the audience enthralled and asking for more. The evening unfolded and ended with his soulful rendition of Tum Hi Ho. Some of the other songs that he sang were Samjhawan, Har Kisi Ko, Aaj Phir Tumpe, Kabhi Jo Badal Barse, Suno Na Sangemarmar, Raabta, Kabira, Ilah... Accompanied by his talented troupe, Arijit’s mesmerizing voice held the audience captive for more than two hours at the musical extravaganza.

The evening was organised by ROAR Entertainment, which has long established its credentials as the country’s leading Event Management Company.

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Maserati Quattroporte with 330 hp launched in Oman

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aserati has announced the launch of a new entry-level engine for its flagship luxury sedan, the Maserati Quattroporte. The 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 with 330 hp will be available from this month as an addition to the existing portfolio of the 530 hp V8 Maserati Quattroporte GTS and the 410 hp V6 Quattroporte S. With 330 hp at 5000 rpm, the V6 of the Quattroporte delivers a powerful drive with a torque of 500 Nm between 1750 rpm and 4500 rpm. It delivers 90 percent of its 500 Nm of torque from 1600 rpm. The Maserati Quattroporte is produced in Grugliasco, Italy and comes with a three-year service and maintenance package start kage as a standard. Prices star arrt fr a ffrom om OMR 37,900.

‘Go Green’ offer on Mitsubishi Mirage

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eneral Automotive Company, the official distributors of Mitsubishi tsubishi Vehicles in Oman, is giving customers an exclusive opportunity to purchase the eco-friendly Mirage with a great range of 6 year unlimited unlimite t d mileage warranty, w benefits including a 6-year free insurance, free service packages and more; 6 Launc before it ends on Novemberr 6.

Launched in March this year, alongside the Attrage, the stylish M Mirage boasts outstanding ‘Green’ credentials, thanks to iits class leading fuel economy and a low environmental ffootprint with very low carbon emissions. It also offers e exceptional value for money; but more importantly, o sy to drive vehicle, that is ideal for offers a fun and easy ffirst time buyers.

BMW and MINI Festive offers

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l Jenaibi International Automobiles, the official BMW Group importer in n Oman, has launched an exclusive limited time offer on the purchase of select BMW and MINI vehicles until 31st October. When purchasing a e new vehicle BMW customers can avail a complimentary insurance plan for the first year and still enjoy 0 percent interest when signing up for a two year finance programme by paying a 50 percent down payment. MINI customers however, will only be able to select either free insurance or the 0 percent interest finance scheme. Customers will also receive a complimentary Apple iPad Air 4G Wi-Fi, 16GB with the purchase of new BMW and MINI vehicles. This offer is valid for on a range of models including the BMW 6 and 7 Series as well as the MINI Cooper, MINI Cabrio, MINI Countryman, MINI Paceman, MINI Coupe and MINI Roadster.

Advanced driving experience from Audi Oman

October 2014

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s government entities ramp up road safety campaigns, Audi Oman joins ns the battle against traffic-related accidents. An Audi Advanced R8 driving ing experience training was recently offered to their staff, for which they were specially pecially flown in to the Dubai Autodrome. The Audi driving experience focuses on building solid fundamentals of driving from seating position to braking technique.

Drivers are able to perform a variety of exercises, such as emergency braking and collision avoidance in safety, in order to improve their skills and reactions in emergency situations. By practicing their skills in a controlled environment, drivers are better prepared to face the uncertainties of public roads.

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Chill Out

Movies Mo

Movie Review

Director

Francis Lawrence

Cast

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RE

ND I N G

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CHART TOPPERS

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Jennifer Lawrence Josh Hutcherson Liam Hemsworth Jena Malone Philip Seymour Hoffman Woody Harrelson

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1. All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor 2. Shake It Off - Taylor Swift 3. Black Widow-Iggy Azalea & Rita Ora 4. Habits - Tove Lo 5. Bang Bang -Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj

October 2014

6. Don’t Tell ‘Em - Jeremih & YG

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7. Animals - Maroon 5 8. Anaconda - Nicki Minaj 9. Stay With Me - Sam Smith 10. Hot Boy - Bobby Shmurda

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 This is the first of the two-part sequel to 2013 film ‘Catching Fire’ The worldwide phenomenon of The Hunger Games continues to set the world on fire with ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1’, which finds Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in District 13 after she literally shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin (Julianne Moore) and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and a nation moved by her courage. Katniss has survived the Hunger Games twice, but even though she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. President Snow makes it clear that no one is safe either - not Katniss’s family, not her friends and not the people of District 12.

‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1’ is directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Danny Strong and Peter Craig and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force, in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel on which the film is based is the third in a trilogy written

by Suzanne Collins.

Book

s Gadget Riddle Web World Horoscope Trivia Books Gadget

Upcoming Releases Dumb And Dumber To

Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Kathleen Turner, Brady Bluhm, Rob Riggle, Rachel Melvin

This upcoming buddy comedy film, co-written and directed dire di rectted d by

by Bobb B obb bby y F a and Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly, is a sequel to the 1994 film ‘Dumb and Dumber’. It is 20 years since the dimwits, Harry Dunne and Lloyd Christmas, set out on their first adventure, and now they are heading out in search of one of their long lost children in the hope of gaining a new kidney.

The Penguins of Madagascarr Producer: Lara Breay, Director: Simon J. Smit

Discover the secrets of the most entertaining and d mysterious birds in the global espionage game: Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private now must join forces with the chic spy organization, the North Wind, led by Agent Classified, voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, to stop the villainous Dr. Octavius Brine, voiced by John Malkovich, from taking over the world.

Theory of Everything

Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Harry Lloyd, Maxine Peake

The movie follows Eddie Redmayne as theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, world-famous as the author of ‘A Brief History of Time’, opposite Felicity Jones. It explores the excitement of the 1960s for Stephen as he studies at Cambridge University.

At the dawn of a brilliant life’s work, he falls passionately in love with arts student Jane Wilde.

Their relationship leads him through personal and scientific challenges and breakthroughs. And as his world opens up he opens up the entire world to new ways of seeing.

Book Review Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-control

Author: Walter Mischel A child is presented with a marshmallow and given a choice: Eat this one now, or wait and enjoy two later. What will she do? And what are the implications for her behavior later in life?

In ‘The Marshmallow Test’, Mischel explains how self-control can be mastered and applied to challenges in everyday life - from weight control to quitting smoking, overcoming heartbreak, making major decisions, and planning for retirement.

What I Know For Sure

Gutenberg’s Apprentice

Author: Alix Christie Youthful, ambitious Peter Schoeffer is on the verge of professional success as a scribe in Paris when his foster father, wealthy merchant and bookseller Johann Fust, summons him home to meet ‘a most amazing man’. Johann Gutenberg, a driven and caustic inventor, has devised a revolutionary method of bookmaking: a machine he calls a printing press. Fust is financing Gutenberg’s workshop and he orders Peter, his adopted son, to become Gutenberg’s apprentice. Resentful at having to abandon a prestigious career as a scribe, Peter begins his education in the ‘darkest art’.

October 2014

Author: Oprah Winfrey After film critic Gene Siskel asked her, ‘What do you know for sure?’ Oprah Winfrey began writing the ‘What I Know For Sure’ column in ‘O, The Oprah Magazine’. That question, Oprah said, offered her a way to take ‘stock of her life’ as she penned one column a month over the last fourteen years. These thoughtful gems have been revised, updated, and collected in ‘What I Know For Sure’, a cloth-bound book with a ribbon marker, packed with insight and revelation from Oprah Winfrey.

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Chill Out Web World

Beyond Facebook Check out the popular online sites and apps that kids have moved on to after Facebook

If you have been monitoring your children’s online time you would have probably noticed that their addiction to Facebook is waning. So what is occupying their time now? According to online gurus, the days of a one-stop shop for all social-networking needs are over. That means teens today are hooked on to a host of apps and tools that let them write, share, video-chat, and even shop for the latest trends.

We present some popular social media tools that your kid might be using now: Twitter, the microblogging site, is popular with teens who like using it to share quick tidbits about their lives with friends, besides keeping a tab on breaking news or celebrity gossip.

Instagram is a platform that lets users click, edit, and share photos as well as short videos. It lets users apply fun filters and effects to your photos, making t h e m look high-quality and artistic and teens would want to garner most ‘likes’ to establish their popularity. However, the

October 2014

Riddle Time

66

1 2 3 4 5

What has four wheels and flies? s?

What do you call a nosy pepper? r?

What did the water say to the boat?

What do you get from a pampered ered cow?

How do you organise a space party?

Movies Mo

terms of service specify that users should be at least 13 years old.

WhatsApp let’s users send text messages, audio messages, videos, and photos to one or many people.

There is no message limit and is ideal for teens who love texting. Although it is for users 16 and above, younger teens seem to be using the app and the unlimited texting option might prove to be a big distraction.

Snapchat is a messaging app that lets users put a time limit on the pictures and videos they send before they disappear. The app’s fleeting image helps teens to share fun and light moments without the risk of having them go public, but the danger lies in the fact that Snapchats don’t really go away and one needs to be careful while sharing pictures that are inappropriate.

Tumblr is a mix between a blog and Twitter. It’s a streaming scrapbook of text, photos, and/or videos and audio clips. Many teens have tumblrs for sharing photos, videos, musings, and general things they find. However, caution needs to be followed, as porn is easy to find here.

Google+, Google’s social network, is now open to teens; it has attempted to improve on HYPERLINK “https://www. commonsensemedia.org/website-reviews/facebook” Facebook’s friend concept using ‘circles’ that give users more control about what they share with whom. It may yet not be popular with kids but as parents it may have several positive features to make it convenient for schoolwork.

Wanelo (Want, Need, Love) combines shopping, fashion blogging, and social networking all in one. It’s very popular among teens, allowing them to discover, share, and buy products they like. Users can purchase almost anything they see on Wanelo by clicking through to products’ original sites and this is where as a parent you might need to press pause button.

(More to follow…)

Riddle Time Answers (September 2014 issue)

1

Why did the teacher write on the window?

Answer: To make the lesson very clear!

2 3 4 5

What did the carrot say to the rabbit?

Answer: Do you want to grab a bite?

What do you get when you plant a frog?

Answer: A cr-oak tree.

What do whales eat?

Answer: Fish and ships.

What did the banana do when the monkey chased it?

Answer: The banana split!

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s Gadget Riddle Web World Horoscope Trivia Books Gadget

Gadget Notes

Espresso anyone?

Body Analyzer Scale

If losing weight and keeping it off is a battle that you keep failing, you could give Vitasigns Digital Body Analyzer Scale a try. This scale is capable of discerning your body fat just from having contact with your feet. The scale is paired with a free app, which allows you to track your weight loss and body fat. If you are comfortable enough to do so, you can share your progress online with friends and family.

Coffee lovers have an all new option with the ROK Espresso Machine, which makes a perfectly tailored shot with delightful froth. Ideal if you enjoy espresso, but are not a fan of ready to drink ones available in your local coffee joint. This Machine will give your morning drink to your exact specifications. All that you need to do to make your own drink is warm the metal filter, put in enough grounds for one or two shots, lock the filter in place over top of either a warmed cup for espresso or frothed milk for a cappuccino, and then pour boiling water on the top. Lift the side arms, put them partially down to let the water seep into the grounds, and then lift up and press them all y p the way down to extract your espresso.

Portable TV Speaker Voice Clarifying TV Speaker has gone portable, ble, coming to the aid of all those who are hard of hearing g but have a penchant for late night television viewing. As its name suggests, the Portable Voice Clarifying TV Speaker is a wireless speaker that sports voice-enhancing technology, which will be able to boost the sound of television dialogue. The high-fidelity stereo speaker amplifies human speech frequencies that are above background noise, allowing the spoken words to be easier to comprehend. In addition, there is a charging base which doubles up as a radio transmitter, enabling it to be connected to the audio-out ports of a TV, cable box, or compatible music system, and this portable speaker is also able to be placed anywhere within 100.

Rabbid Blaster

T

om, who was working for an organisation that delivered lunches to elderly shut-ins, used to take his four-year-old daughter on his afternoon rounds, who was always intrigued by the various necessary appliances, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs.

One day Tom found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass and

was ready for the inevitable barrage of questions.

But she merely turned and whispered, “The tooth fairy will never believe this!”

A

man goes to the hospital and says to the doctor: “It hurts when I press here” (pressing his side) “And when I press here” (pressing the other side)

“And here” (his leg) “And here, here and here” (his other leg, and both arms).

So the doctor examined him all over and finally said...

“You’ve got a broken finger!”

A

‘For Sale’ ad in the classified section: Complete set of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 45 volumes.

Excellent condition $1,000 or best offer.

No longer needed, got married last month.

Wife knows everything.

October 2014

FUN

Want to be extra annoying? Rabbids Super Plunger Sound Blaster Series 2 is just what you would want. As long as there is enough battery power within, you will be able to fire off crazy Rabbid sounds with this sound effects blaster. There are three modes to choose from – Bwaaah, Fart and Prank. The Bwaaah Mode will trigger regular sound effects, while Fart Mode is exactly what the name say. In Prank Mode, you will hold the trigger down for 5 seconds, before you place the Rabbids Super Plunger Sound Blaster in a strategic location.

20 seconds later, the Blaster will then begin to play random Rabbids sounds.

67

Chill Out FUTURESCOPE

Virgo

This month you will learn how important it is to listen to others, and how important it can be to form new relations and maintain connections in your life. Connections, not just limited to your professional life, will be of utmost importance for you during November.

Once you have started forming and making new connections you will soon realise how many things are interconnected.

New concepts and ideas are there for a reason, you may not have thought of them but that does not mean they are not valuable. Perhaps you should consider some new ideas and concepts in all areas of your life. A good start for you to do this would be to arrange a spontaneous trip. A visit to somewhere else might just refresh you, and cause a change of mind site.

Libra

Taurus

Gemini

Slow down a little, as it is not good for your health to rush around like this. Stress can cause all sorts of physical problems, and you don’t want your life to be interrupted by bad health. All of this hyper activity can cause problems especially at work. When you are at work try to leave all your other ideas and busy plans at the door, and focus on work.

Cancer

November 2014 will be an interesting month for you. If you are employed, your boss at work will try to push you into going on some training courses. Before you agree to anything make sure the courses will actually benefit your career or current work situation.

Your boss may have his or hers personal agenda, and might just be fulfilling some sort of quota. If it is not for you, just say no and explain why. This will be both appreciated and understood by your boss, and may have some surprising results.

October 2014

Leo

68

Despite many warnings you have failed to pay a lot of attention to your family. You love to work and further your career but do try to make time for your family. At work you are always a larger than life character but sometimes when you come home, you have managed to exhaust yourself and frankly do not have energy for family commitments. This really needs to change. If you are a business owner, your business could be performing very well.

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November 2014

Aries

During 2014 you managed to achieve more than other years so it is about time you gave yourself a pat on the back. Perhaps it is even about time you indulge yourself a little. This could mean a short trip or perhaps you should book yourself into a spa for a day of treats. During November and December you try to make health a priority in your life, even though this might mean avoiding some social activities.

Movies Mo

Emma Stone

November 6, 1988 Emily Jean ‘Emma’ Stone is an American actress and model.

She made her feature film debut in ‘Superbad’ (2007). She starred in Zombieland and Easy A, for which she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. She appeared on stage for the first time at the Valley Youth Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona when she was eleven.

She has co-starred in ‘The House Bunny’ (2008), ‘Zombieland’ (2009), and ‘Paper Man’ (2009). She began dating ‘Andrew Garfield’ in 2011 after starring opposite him in The Amazing Spider-Man.

Scorpio

(23 October – 21 November) Your horoscope for November addresses quite a few aspects of your life, importantly health. It is nothing serious, but it is fair to say that you have been burning the candle at both ends and it might be better to slow down a bit. Focus more on a better diet, and a somewhat less hectic keep fit programme. You just need to give yourself a break to replenish energy reserves. Although you have a good healthy bank balance you should focus on keeping it in the bank. If you are into business, you might find November too quite for your liking but things will bounce back. If you are working for someone else you might that things are a bit quite as well. But don’t jump ship; it is just a phase, which you are going through.

Your financial situation maybe a bit delicate during November, and to be honest you have been doing your fair bit of supporting the ailing economy. Now you need a change of direction, and frugality is the order of the month. It might be a good idea to re-balance your finances, and look at which areas could do with a cash boost.

Sagittarius

You are in a bit of an adventurous mood, and you feel that you would like to spread your wings a little bit.

Your home environment feels stale and your feet our itching to go somewhere. Take a break with a friend or just go off exploring if you are on your own. Even if you are a family orientated Sagittarius you could perhaps find some get away time. Travelling could do you good as well.

Capricorn

You are really a very sociable person but sometimes you can come across as too pushy. Don’t push your friends around, or you might end up losing them all.

You are also very competitive and this month your competitive nature will get the better of you if you are not careful. Your health is just okay; you really do need to look after your health better and listen to advice from others. You should go for a check up to get a better idea on what is causing a problem.

Aquarius

November will be a month of improvement and that includes almost everything from health to finances.

Your recent home improvement project cost you quite a bit of money, and this is the area you need to focus on now. Finances are not your strong side so you may want to get somebody else involved, and let them take over.

Pisces

You will have to do your fair share of problem solving during November, but none of the problems have been caused by you. Use your unique almost psychic ability to solve, and perhaps even anticipate these problems. Your health is normally quite robust but it can easily be affected by friends’ poor health.

Infections can easily lead to complications; so it is better if you try to stay away from your ailing friends.

s Gadget Riddle Web World Horoscope Trivia Books Gadget

Weird News Springdale Cemetery in central Illinois is embarking on an unusual marketing campaign that includes a 5K race and actors dressing as people buried there.

The cemetery hopes to encourage more people to buy lots. Ten events will be hosted this month in an effort to diversify the appeal of the sprawling East Bluff property. Actors from the Prairie Folklore Theater kicked off the initiative by portraying people who have been buried in the cemetery since it opened in 1857.

Lobster stash An overwhelming stink has led the cops to a massive illegal lobster stash. Cops in South Africa got tipped off to a foul odour and they arrived to find a pickup truck with a tarp covering its bed, and an ‘overwhelming stench’ of fish coming from it. When they searched it, they uncovered 3,725 illegal spiny saltwater lobster tails in the back, amounting to about $6,400. South African law prohibits the farming and possession of the crustaceans, due to their environmental impact.

Sushi-eating otters National Sea Life Center in Birmingham’s keeper and former chef Rob Gaster has been using his cooking talents to 10-year-old otter-sisters, named Mango and Apricot. He became inventive with the otter’s food by disguising fruits and veggies in handmade sushi. The otters willingly ate the vitamin-rich food wrapped in raw fish like pangasius (their favourite). The otters’ diet is varied, however, and Gaster only gives them sushi on special occasions to ensure the treat does not lose its novelty.

iPhone’s ‘Hairgate’

Following the online uproar over whether the shiny new iPhone 6 bends when carried around in pockets, Apple has been hit by a new complaint - that the handset traps users’ hair or beards when they make calls. While it is difficult to gauge whether there is any real issue, Twitter users have made #hairgate a rising social media trend, leading major news outlets to pounce on the story.

‘The seam on my iPhone 6 where the aluminium meets the glass is definitely catching my hair and pulling it out,’ one user tweeted.

Evolution of necktie

Well, the necktie is purely a decorative accessory; it does nothing to keep one warm or dry and yet almost everyman has donned one at some time or the other.

Here’s a brief evolution of the necktie According to sartorialists the necktie originated in the 17th century, during the 30-year war in France.

King Louis XIII hired Croatian mercenaries who wore a piece of cloth around their neck as part of their uniform. He gave this clothing piece the name ‘La Cravate’, a name for necktie in French to this day.

The tie as we know it today did not emerge until the 1920s but since then has undergone many changes.

The second decade of the 20th century saw a decline in formal cravats.

In 1920s a New York tie-maker, Jessie Langsdorf, invented a new way of cutting the fabric when constructing a tie, which allowed the tie to spring back into its original shape after each wearing.

When WWII ended in 1945 a feeling of liberation became evident in design and fashion; colours on ties became bold, patterns stood out.

The 50s are most famous for the emergence of the skinny tie – a style designed to compliment the more form fitting and tailored clothes of the time.

The 1960s went to the other extreme – creating some of the widest neckties ever. Ties as wide as 6 inches - Kipper Ties - were not uncommon.

1980s saw the re-emergence of the skinny tie, which was often made from leather.

By 1990 neckties became a bit more uniform in width (3.75-4 inches).

Today, ties are available in many widths, cuts, fabrics, and patterns.

October 2014

Cemetery wants more clients

69

Airlines

SEARCHING

Emergency

1 SEARCHING

Airlines

Airlines Emergency Cinema

October 2014

Beauty

70

Flight information ....................... 24519456 Aeroflot ....................................... 24704455 Ahlan Lounge ............................. 24519088 Air Arabia ................................... 24700828 Air France ................................... 24562153 Air India...................................... 24762111 Air Maldives ............................... 24566046 Air New Zealand ......................... 24700326 Bangladesh Airlines.................... 24701128 British Airways............................ 24568777 Cathay Pacific ............................. 24789818 Continental Airlines.................... 24816565 Egypt Air .................................... 24794113 Emirates Airlines ........................ 24404444 Ethiopia Airlines ......................... 24660314 Gulf Air .......................24703222, 80072424 Iran Aseman ............................... 24660313 Japan Airlines ............................. 24704455 Jet Airways ..................24787248/24787246 Kenya Airways ............................ 24660317 KLM Royal Dutch Airlines ........... 24566737 Kuwait Airways ........................... 24701262 Lufthansa..................................... 24796692 Malaysian Airlines ...................... 24560796 Middle East Airlines ................... 24796680 Oman Air .................................... 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines................... .................................................... 24792471 Qatar Airways ............................ 24771900 Qantas ........................................ 24559941 Royal Jordanian ........................... 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines ................ 24789485 Shaheen Air International ........... 24817021 Singapore Airlines ...................... 24791233 Sri Lankan Airlines ..................... 24784545 Swiss International Air Lines ...... 24796692 Syrian Airlines ............................ 24797567 Thai Airways ............................... 24705934 Turkish Airways ................ 24703033/ 2778

Emergency Hospitals

Al Nahdha Hospital ..................... 24837800 Khoula Hospital........................... 24560455 Muscat Private Hospital .............. 24583600 Royal Hospital ............................. 24599000 Al Raffah Hospital .................. 98294371/70 KIMS Oman Hospital ................... 24760100

Electricity

Muscat / Muttrah ........................ 24714300 Ruwi ............................................ 24701821 Salalah ........................................ 23219188

Water

General Enquiries ..............................1442 Muttrah ...................................... 24795775 Salalah ....................................... 23290222

Cinema

City Cinema Ruwi ................. 2456 7664/68 City Cinema Al Shatti ........... 2456 7664/68 City Cinema MGM................ 2456 7664/68 City Cinema Sohar ............... 2456 7664/68 Star Cinema ................................ 24791641 Markaz Al Bahja .......................... 24540855

Cinema Beauty Health Clubs Hotel & Hotel Apartments Retail Sports Travel & Tour Operators Eat Out

Beauty Al Lilac Beauty Center ................ 24483994 Al Nahda Resort and Spa, Barka ................

26883710 Ayana Spa ................................... 24693435 Beauty Centre ............................. 24697585 Beauty Today .............................. 24568991 Chi Spa, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa ....................................... 24776666 Daksha’s Salon ............................ 24562596 Emirates Medical Center............ 24604540 Essence Spa................................ 24603225 Europe Beauty Centre & Health .................

Club, CBD ................................... 24797813 Europe Beauty Centre & Spa ....................

Wadi Kabir.................................. 24815805 Grand Spa................................... 24695766 Grand Spa (Bareeq Al Shatti)..................... .................................................. 95588880 Hana’s Slimming & Skincare ....... 24697270 Holistic Skin & Hair Care ............ 24601134 Hollywood Beauty Centre ........... 24568292 Kaya Skin Clinic ................ 24601700/4300 Kottakal Arya Vaidya Sala ........... 24701555 Manal Beautician ........................ 24479655 Muscat Beauty Salon ................... 24562541 Muscat Slimming Centre ............ 24565687 Nadia Beauty Salon ..................... 24689777 Nails Spa ..................................... 24699440 Raz Hair and Beauty Salon .......... 24692219 Saharz Beauty Centre ................................ ................................24695151 / 24696161 Signature .................................... 24490282 Sri Sri Ayurveda Clinic .............................. ..................................24480874, 92800793 The Chedi, The Spa .................... 24524400 Tips & Toes Nails Spa.................. 24603969 The Spa Bar for Men ................... 24698681 Touch & Glow Beauty.................. 24791979 VLCC .......................................... 24695157 Perry's Saloon ............................. 24538539

Airlines Emergency Cinema Beauty Health Clubs Hotel & Hotel Apartments Retail Sports Travel & Tour Operators Eat Out

Oman on your ÀQJHUWLSV

Health Clubs

Muscat Region

Al Bustan Palace Hotel ................ 24799666 Al Bahjah Hotel ........................... 24424400 Al-Khuwayr Hotel Apts ............... 24478171 Al Madina Holiday Inn ................ 24596400 Al Fanar Hotel ............................. 24712385 Al Falaj Hotel .............................. 24702311 Azaiba Hotel Apartments........................... ................................24490979 / 99424470 Beach Hotel ................................ 24696601 Bowshar Hotel............................. 24491105 Coral Hotel Muscat ..................... 24692121 Crowne Plaza Muscat.................. 24660660 Golden Tulip Seeb...................... 24510300 Grand Hyatt Muscat .................... 24641234 Haffa House Hotel ....................... 24707207 Holiday Inn Muscat ..................... 24487123 InterContinental Muscat ............. 24680000 Best Western Hotel ..................... 24692121 Majan Continental Hotel ............. 24592900 Marina Hotel ............................... 24711711 Mina Hotel .................................. 24711828 Muttrah Hotel .............................. 24798401 Nuzha Hotel Apts ........................ 24789199 Oman Dive Center...................... 24824240 Park Inn ...................................... 24507888 Qurm Beach House Hotel ........... 24564070 Radisson Blu Hotel Muscat.......... 24487777 Ramada Qurm Beach .................. 24603555 Ramee Guestline Hotel ............... 24564443 Ramee Dream Resort .................. 24453399 Ruwi Hotel .................................. 24704244 Safeer Hotel Suites...................... 24691200 Qurum Beach Resort Hotel ......... 24605945 Shangri La’s Barr Al JissahResort and Spa .....................24776666, 800708102 The Chedi Muscat....................... 24524400

Al Dhakliya

Nizwa Hotel................................. 25431616 Al Jabal Al Akhdar Hotel............. 25410500 Adam Motel ................................ 25434975 Al Diyar Hotel ............................. 25412402 Bader Aslam Motel ..................... 25435007 Bahla Hotel ................................. 25420211 Matan Motel ................................ 99062641 Majan Guest House..................... 25431910 Tanoof Guest House.................... 25411601

Al Batinah

Al Nahda Resort & Spa .............................. ............................... 26883710/ 992RELAX Al Sawadi Beach Resort .............. 26795545 Sohar Beach Hotel ...................... 26841111 Al Wadi Hotel .............................. 26840058 Al Suwaiq Hotel .......................... 26862241 Green Oasis Motel ...................... 26846442 Ghurnata Hotel Apartments........ 26844539

Al Sharqiya

Al Ashkara .................................. 25566266 Al Qabil Resthouse ..................... 25581243 Al Raha Tourism Camp ............... 99343851 Al Sharqiya Gardens................... 99332264 Al Sharqiya Sands Hotel ............. 99205112 Al Wasil Camp ............................ 99332264 Desert Safaris ............................. 25593232 Golden Sands Camp................... 99445092 Ibra Hotel.................................... 25571873 Mahoot Hotel .............................. 25504401 Marsa Sur Hotel Apartments....... 25540784 Masirah Motel ............................. 25504401 Ras Al Hadd Beach Hotel ........... 25542031

Musandam

Millennium Resort ...................... 26871555 Khasab Hotel .............................. 26730267 Qada Hotel ................................. 26731664 Isra Hotel Apartments................. 26730562

Al Wusta

Ghaftain Rest House ................... 99485881 Ghaba Rest House ...................... 99358639 Haima Motel ............................... 23436061 Qatbit Motel................................ 99085686

Dhofar

Hilton Hotel Salalah .................... 23211234 Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah ...... 23235333 Haffa House Hotel Salalah........... 23295444 Al Hanna Hotel............................ 23290274 Al Jabal Hotel .............................. 23210611 Al Mazyuna Hotel........................ 23293340 Al Nassr Hotel ............................. 23294815 Al Saada Tourism Complex ........ 23225250 Bamasir Hotel ............................. 23293340 Darbat Hotel ............................... 23295877 Dhofar Tourist Hotel.................... 23282300 Redan Hotel ................................ 23292255 Salalah Beach Hotel Apts ............ 23235999 Salalah Hotel ............................... 23295332 Samahram Hotel Apts ................. 23295444 Thumrit Tourist Hotel .................. 23279371

Al Dhahira

Al Buraimi Hotel.......................... 25652010 Abha Hotel.................................. 25654700 Al Aeilat Hotel Apts .................... 25654330 Al Baraka Oasis Hotel Apts ......... 25650955 Al Dhahira Hotel ......................... 25650492 Al Masah Hotel ........................... 25653007 Al Raha Hotel Apts ...................... 24701898 Al Sharq House Hotel Apts ......... 24702399 Hamasa Hotel.............................. 25651200 Ibri Oasis Hotel........................... 25489955 Nafahat Al Burami Hotel Flats ..... 25654777

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Hotel & Hotel Apartments

2

Health Clubs Hotel & Hotel Apartments October 2014

Your Fitness Quotient....

Al Falaj Health Club ........................24702311 Al Majan Hotel ................................24592900 Al Qurum Resort .............................24605945 Adam’s Fitness Center ....................24684989 Balance Health & Fitness ...............24564132 Bodylines, Al Sawadi ......................26795545 Body Speak ......................................24765578 Crowne Plaza...................................24660660 Fitbody Gym....................................24601970 Fontana Club Radisson Blu ...........24487777 487777 Future Health Club .........................24600030 600030 Grand Hyatt Club Olympus ...........24641234 641234 Golden Tulip ....................................24510300 510300 Hammer Gym .................................24483399 483399 Horizon Fitness Center ..................24571337 571337 InterContinental Muscat ...............24680000 680000 Muscat Holiday Inn ........................24487123 487123 Samaa Health Club .........................24694892 694892 Qurum Beach Resort Hotel ...........24605945 605945 Crowne Plaza Salalah .....................23235333 235333 Hilton Salalah ..................................23211234 211234 Sohar Beach Resort.........................26841111 841111 Sky Club, Park Inn ..........................24507888 507888

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Sports Basketball

Oman Basketball Association .... 24796780

Boating

Retail

SEARCHING

3

Retail

October 2014

Sports

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Al Araimi Complex ..................... 24566180 Al Khamis Plaza .......................... 24562791 Al Harthy Complex ..................... 24564481 Al Wadi Commercial Centre ...................... .................................................. 24564782 Alasfoor Plaza ............................. 24564686 Capital Commercial Complex (CCC) ...... .................................................. 24567338 Jawaharat A’Shatti Complex ....... 24692113 Khimji Megastore........................ 24708075 Markaz Al Bahja .......................... 24540222 Sabco Center .............................. 24562761

Capital are Yacht club ................. 24737712 Desert Thunder........................... 95555153 Grand Hyatt Boat House ............. 24641234 Gulf Leisure ................................ 99819005 Marina Bander Al Rowdha .......... 24737288 Ocean Boats Diving and Sea Tours ............ .................................................. 92645889 Rawabi Desert Adventures ......... 95201107

Bowling

Al Masa Bowling ......................... 24693991 Oman Bowling Centre ................ 24480747 Seeb Novotel .............................. 24510300

Classes

Al Falaj Hotel (Martial Arts, Tennis, ...........

Swimming).................................. 24702311 Grand Hyatt Muscat (Aerobics, Ballet, Salsa, Yoga for women) ............... 24641234 InterContinental Muscat (Fitness workouts, Aqua Aerobics, Spin, Pilates+) ... 24680000

Cricket

Oman Cricket Club .................... 24703142

Cycling

Muscat Cycling ........................... 98453580

Diving & Snorkeling

Al Khuwair ..................96473101, 24601569 Fahad Plaza, Ruwi ....................... 96725845 Muscat City Centre .................................... ..................................96473113, 24558063 Sohar .......................................... 95119656 Salalah ........................................ 23289260

Al Sawadi Beach Resort .............. 26795545 Blu Zone Watersports.................. 24737293 Desert Adventures ...................... 95201107 Desert Thunder........................... 95555153 Dimaniyat Diving ........................ 24795545 Global Scuba .............................. 99317518 Gulf Leisure ................................ 24693561 Musandam Extra Divers.............. 99877957 Muscat Divers ............................. 99355671 Muscat Diving and Adventure Cente......... .................................................. 24485663 Ocean Boats Diving and Sea Tours ........... .................................................. 92645889 Oman Dive Center...................... 24824240 Sub Aqua Dive Centre Salalah .... 92471073

Muscat City Centre

Golf

Centrepoint

Muscat City Centre (Mall) .......... 24558888 Bata (Footwear) ........................... 24558855 Emax (Electronics) ..................... 24558062 Home Centre .............................. 24558063 Max (Fashion) ........................ 24558981/82 Origem (Fashion)........................ 92648542 Oysho (Fashion).......................... 24558865 Rado (Watches) ........... 9776492, 92247101 Salsa (Fashion) ............................ 24558631 Sunglass Hut ............................... 24558869 Zara (Fashion) ............................. 24558887 Zara Home .................................. 24558869

Muscat Grand Mall

Muscat Grand Mall ..................... 22000000

Almouj Golf Club........................ 22005990 Ghala Valley Golf Club ............... 24591248 Muscat Hills Golf Club ................ 24510065

Hiking

Desert Thunder........................... 95555153 Muscat Diving and Adventure Center .......

24485663 Rawabi Desert Adventures ......... 95201107

Horse Riding

Al Sawadi Beach Resort .............. 26795545 Al Sawahil Horse Riding ............. 95177557 Desert Thunder........................... 95555153 Qurum Equestrian School........... 99832199

Ice Sports

Ice Skating Centre ...................... 24489492

Jet Skiing

Al Sawadi Beach Resort .............. 26795545

Kayaking

Al Sawadi Beach Resort .............. 26795545 Muscat Diving and Adventure Center ...... .................................................. 24485663 Rob Gardner ............................... 99239658 Oman Dive Center...................... 24824240

Motor Sports

Bikers Oman ............................... 99556430 Harley Davidson Owners Group ............... .................................................. 99310853 Oman Automobile Association ................. .................................................. 24510239

Rock Climbing

Muscat Diving and Adventure Center ........................................ 24485663 Rob Gardner ............................... 99239658

Rugby

Muscat Rugby Club .................... 24604890

Running

Muscat Road Runners ................. 24692903

Sailing

Castaways Sailing Club ............. 24594613 Desert Thunder........................... 95555153

Sport Fishing

Desert Thunder........................... 95555153 Grand Hyatt Boathouse ............... 24641234 Gulf Leisure ................................ 99819006 Muscat Diving and Adventure Center ...... .................................................. 24485663 Oman Dive Center...................... 24824240 Marina Bandar Al Rowdha .......... 24737288 Rawabi Desert Adventures ......... 95201107 Water World Marine ................... 24737438

Squash

Al Falaj Hotel .............................. 24702311 Al Sawadi .................................... 26795545 Crowne Plaza Muscat.................. 24660660 Grand Hyatt Muscat .................... 24641234

Tennis

Oman Tennis Association ........... 24751902

Khasab Travel and Tours............................

26730464 Kurban Tours & Travel ................ 24699886 Mark Tours .................................. 24782727 Marmul Travel and Tours ............ 24482868 Majan Travel ............................... 24785728 Mezoon Travel ............................ 24796680 Midland Tourism......................... 24566524 Moon Travels ............................. 24793551 Nahar Tourism Oasis .................. 99387654 National Travels & Tourism (NTT) ..............

24660376 Nomad Tours .............................. 95495240 Nomadic Adventures and Tours.................

99336273 NTT Tours............................... 24660378/70 OTTB ........................................... 24789845 Oasis Tours .................24499922, 99440441 Oman Geo Tours......................... 24600914 Oman Discovery ......................... 24706424 Oman National Transport ........... 24490046 Oman World Tourism .................. 99252680 Orient Holidays .......................... 24478902 OUA Travel ................................. 24559900 Premier Tours ............................. 99222620 Rawabi Desert Adventures ......... 95201107 Remal Al Sharqiya Tourism......... 24544525 Rusayl Travel .............................. 24510012 Salalah City Services .................. 23299663 Salalah Tourism........................... 23292289 Sama Al Wasil Tourism Village...................

99604004 Shanfari Travel and Tours ........... 27602710 Sumahram Falcon ....................... 95774166 Sun and Sand Tours .................... 99373928 Sunny Day Tours, Travel & Adventure ........

24490055 Steps Travel and Tourism............ 24488891 Tour Oman .................................. 24799966 United Tours ............................... 24787448 Zahara Tours ............................... 24400844

4 SEARCHING

ABC Tourism ............................. 244582663 Adonis Oman Travel & Tours 24693371 Advantage Travel & Tours ........... 95220095 Airborne Travels......................... 24479295 Al Azure Tours .......................... 244565745 Amazing Arabia ..........24701454/99310005 Al Ahlam Tours ......................... 244892612 Al Areesh Wahiba Camp ............ 99317107 Al Daleel Tours ........................... 23296503 Al Ghadeer ................................. 99325441 Al Ghubayra ............................... 24812874 Al Haditha ................................... 24603587 Al Hashar Tourism & Travels ....... 24836100 Al Hasn Araimi Travel ................. 24799966 Al Maskry Tourism & Travels ...... 24595241 Al Naheem .................................. 24478192 Al Noor ....................................... 99318822 Al-Qandeel Travel & Tourism ..... 24643877 Al Raha Tourism Camp ............... 99343851 Al Sawson ................................... 24485637 Arabian Sands Tour Services ...... 24785027 Arabian Sea Safaris..................... 24693223 Arabian Trails ............................. 24475437 Arise Travel and Tour ................. 24605825 AST Tours ....................24571311, 23298085 Bahwan Travel Agencies............. 24797405 Choice Holidays ......................24660364/7 Desert Discovery ........................ 24493232 Desert Thunder........................... 95555153 Eihab Travels .............................. 24683900 Elite Travel & Tourism................. 24485020 Empty Quarter Tours .................. 99387654 Ena Tourism ................................ 23298500 Global Tours ............................... 24484156 Golden Oryx Tours ..................... 24489853 Gulf Leisure ................................ 24693561 Gulf Ventures .............................. 24559985 Kanoo Travel ............................... 24700249

Travel & Tour Operators

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SEARCHING

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October 2014

A list of restaurant and eateries, to match your tastes

74

Arabian Al Deyar ...........................................24603553 Next to Shatti Plaza

Kababji ............................................24488846 Al Khuwair

Al Khanjar ........................................24795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort

Kargeen Café AL Harthy Complex ........................24560531 Centrepoint .................................... 24694048 MQ Complex ...................................24692269

Al Istanbuli ......................................24480900 Next to Rawasco, Al Khuwair Al Reef Al Lebnani ..........................24485775 Al Khuwair, Opp Safeer Bld Al Tanoor .........................................24776540 Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa Al Zafran ..........................................26841111 Sohar Beach Hotel Arab World Al Ghubrah ......................................24491734 Ruwi High St. ...................................24798119 Automatic Al Khuwair .......................................24487200 Azaiba...............................................24499981 Bareeq Al Shatti...............................24605735 Qurum..............................................24561500 Seeb ..................................................24424343 Beirut Restaurant ............................24568411 Near Qurum Roundabout Bin Ateeq Al Khuwair .......................................24478225 CBD ..................................................24702727 Camilia Restaurant and Cafe.........24706663 CBD Irani House ......................................24698098 Al Khoud ..........................................24545741 Azaiba ..............................................24491921 Jabal Lebnan....................................24698098 Al Noor Plaza, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos Al Jood Restaurant .........................24472630 Al Khuwair

Samar .............................................992RELAX Al Nahda Resort & Spa Samat (Iranian food) MQ.....................................................99 889394 Qurum................................................24605515 Shahrazad ........................................24776565 Al Husn Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa Shiraz................................................24660660 Crowne Plaza Hotel Tarboosh Opp Sabco Centre...........................24565673 Al Ghubrah ......................................24498553 The Arabian Courtyard .................24524400 The Chedi Muscat The Khanjar Omani Cuisine ..........24795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort Turkish House .................................24488071 Al Khuwair Ubhar ...............................................24565689 Bareeq Al Shatti Wadi Hadramout Restaurant Al Khuwair ......................................24475282

Al Ahli Cafe ................................ 24424400 Al Bahjah Hotel Al Falaj Coffee Shop ................... 24702311 Al Falaj Hotel Al Fursan ................................... 24603555 Ramada Beach Hotel Al Maha ...................................... 24487123 Muscat Holiday Inn Al Makan Café Muscat City Centre ..................... 24545311 Shatti Al Qurum .......................... 24404200 Al Mas......................................... 24491105 Bowsher Hotel Deluxe Atrium Tea Lounge ..................... 24764000 Al Bustan Palace Barista ......................................... 24571531 Sabco Centre Cafe Barbera .............................. 24603505 Near Shatti Cinema, Shatti Al Qurum Café Capuccino .......................... 24564443 Ramee Guestline Hotel Café Ceramique ......................... 24566617 Al Araimi Complex, Qurum

Caribou Coffee........................... 24694473 Bareeq Al Shatti

Mood Café Madinat Plaza ............................. 92125639 Markaz Al Bahja .......................... 24538752

Casa de Cafe .............................. 24499565 Midan Hotel Suites

Patisserie .................................... 24479344 Risail Complex, Seeb

Colombian Aroma Cafe .............. 24693131 Bareeq Al Shatti

Petit Café .................................... 24603555 Ramada Beach Hotel

Coffee Republic........................ 244703739 Qurum City Centre

Pink Berry................................... 24558113 Muscat City Centre

Costa Coffee Seeb Intnl Airport ....................... 24519734 MQ .............................................. 24692858 Muscat City Center..................... 24535895 Oasis by the Sea ......................... 24605574 Alasfoor Plaza ............................. 24571236 Lulu Bowsher .............................. 24503861 Bareeq Al Shatti .......................... 24692699 MBD ............................................ 24793169

Pooldeck ..................................... 24680000 InterContinental Muscat

Chado Tea Lounge..................... 24500773 Oasis By The Sea D’Arcy’s Kitchen Jawaharat A Shatti ....................... 24600234 MQ .............................................. 24699119 Glacier Café Markaz Al Bahja ......................... 24540200 Zakher Mall ................................ 24540391

Café de Lotus.............................. 24560439 Al Khamis Plaza

Gloria Jean's Coffees .................. 24662940 Fun Zone, Qurum, MGM........................................... 22009295

Café G Patisserie ........................ 99531999 Madinat as Sultan Qaboos

Golden Bean Café ..................... 96969645 Al Araimi Complex, Qurum

Café Samaharam......................... 24707207 Haffa House Hotel

Grind Floor ................................. 24487777 Radisson Blu

Café Torque ................................ 24500773 Azaiba

Le Mermaid Café ........................ 24602327 Near Grand Hyatt Muscat

Café Unique................................ 96684686 Ruwi

Majlis al Shams ........................... 24680000 InterContinental Muscat Mokha Cafe ................................ 24641234 Grand Hyatt Muscat

Richoux cafe .............................. 22005165 Opera Galleria Ground Floor Rumours Cafe ............................. 24692121 Coral Hotel Muscat Second Cup CCC, Qurm ................................. 24566616 Shatti Al-Qurum .......................... 24699951 Bareeq Al Shatti .......................... 24697776 Sirj Tea Lounge ........................... 24641234 Grand Hyatt Muscat Shalashil Café ............................ 24498008 Star Hotel Apartments, Ghubra Starbucks Ernst and Young bldg ................. 24567644 Jawaharat A’Shatti ....................... 24601457 Muscat City Centre ..................... 24558861 MQ .............................................. 24699367 Borders, Muscat City Centre....... 24558636 Qurum City Centre ..................... 24470588 Surf Cafe ..................................... 24776666 Al Waha Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa Sidewalk Cafe and Deli .............. 24563058 CCC, Qurm

6 SEARCHING

Cafe’s

A list of restaurant and eateries, to match your tastes October 2014

Café Vergnano 1882.................... 24692370 Madinat as Sultan Qaboos

Mokha Cafe ................................ 24776666 Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

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Far Eastern Bamboo Kitchen ......................... 96969645 Al Araimi Complex, Qurum China Mood ................................ 24764000 Al Bustan Palace InterContinental - Muscat China Town ................................. 24567974 CCC, Qurm, MBD Chinese Durbar .......................... 24486688 Al Khuwair Chinese Garden ......................... 24489414 Al Khuwair, Near Ice Skating Rink

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Chinese Palace ........................... 99563368 Al Wadi Commercial Centre Pal Meera.................................... 24692368 Shatti Al Qurum

Golden Oryx .............................. 24702266 Rex Road

A list of restaurant and eateries, to match your tastes

Silk Route Chinese & Thai........... 24696967 Al Noor Plaza, Madinat As Sultan Qaboos

October 2014

SEARCHING

Golden Dragon ........................... 24697374 Madinat As Sultan Qaboos

76

Jade Garden................................ 24605945 Al Qurm Resort

Fast Food Chicking Markaz Al Bahja .......................... 24540200 Muscat City Centre ..................... 24489575 Cold Stone Creamery ................................

24470614, 95202436 Qurum City Centre Coral Express ............................. 24540200 Markaz Al Bahja Dairy Queen Jawaharat A’Shatti ....................... 24693031 Lulu, Ghubrah ............................. 24504504 Seeb Intnl Airport ....................... 24519468 DQ Grill & Chill .......................... 24693031 Jawaharat A’Shatti

Lai Thai ....................................... 98025189 Al Khuwair

Domino’s Pizza ............................ 24479111 Al Khuwair

Magic Wok Muscat City Centre ..................... 24537118 Qurum City Centre ..................... 24470596 Mamasan .................................... 24210452

Dunkin’ Donuts Ghala .......................................... 96177967 MQ .............................................. 96177967 Shatti Cinema ............................. 96177967

Marjan Rest. and Pool Bar ........... 24641234 Grand Hyatt Muscat

Gourmet Burger Kitchen............. 24558065 Muscat City Centre

Meji’s Aroy Thai .......................... 99839595 Shatti Al Qurum Narjeel ........................................ 24560606 Asas Oman Hotel Apartments Palayok ....................................... 24797290 Ruwi High Street, opp. OC Centre Al Khuwair Shang Thai ................................. 24483083 Al Khuwair slip road

Royal China ............................... 24571339 Shatti Al Qurum Hot Pot & Grills ........................... 24404291 Bareeq Al Shatti Thai Basil .................................... 24499565 Midan Hotel Suites, Ghubrah The Noodle House ...................... 24558377 Muscat City Centre Tokyo Taro .................................. 24702311 Al Falaj Hotel Wasabi Sushi............................... 24699490 Bareeq Al Shatti

Il Gelato Di Bruno ....................... 95275987 Oasis By the Sea Hardees ...................................... 24477774 Al Khuwair, Wattyah, Al Khoud, City Centre One number for all the four stores Hot and Crispy ........................... 24699524 Al Masa Mall, Sarooj Just Falafel................................... 22009922 Muscat Grand Mall KFC ............................................. 24477777 One number for all the 21 stores Ruwi, Qurum, Al Khuwair, MCC, QCC, Lulu Ghubra and Darsait, Near Airport, Azaiba Roundabout

McDonald’s Al Khuwair .................................. 24482046 As Sarooj..................................24691033/4 Muscat City Center..................... 24545773 Book Roundabout ....................... 24421119 Qurm Behind CCC ..................... 24565798 Papa John’s Pizza Lulu, Ghubrah ............................. 24501111 MQ .............................................. 24697220 Qurum ........................................ 24571100 Muscat Intl Airport...................... 24519468 Ruwi ............................................ 24793153 Al Khoudh ................................... 24546516 Penguin Ghubrah ..................................... 24493963 Seeb............................................ 24422004 Sultan Qaboos University ........... 24413144 Pizza Inn Ruwi ............................................ 24784555 Al Araimi Compex, Qurum ......... 24566661 Pizza Muscat Al Khuwair .................................. 24483393 Al Harthy Complex ..................... 24565618 MBD ............................................ 24817715 Pizza Hut ..................................... 24822500 Wadi Kabir, MBD, Rex Road, Qurum, CCC, QCC, MSQ, Al Khuwair, Ghala, Bowsher, Ghoubra, Airport, Al Khoud, Mawallah, Mabella, Barka Subway Oman Oil, Qurum Jabal .............. 24666704 Al Khuwair .................................. 24593963 Al Masa Mall ............................... 24604664 CCC............................................ 24560327 MQ .............................................. 24694774 Muscat City Centre ..................... 24558080 Wally’s Markaz Al Bahja .......................... 24540200 Al Masa Mall ............................... 24543154 Al Khuwair .................................. 24502929

Indian

Lazeez ........................................992RELAX Al Nahda Resort & Spa

Aaryans ..................................... 24702311 Al Falaj Hotel

It’s Mirchi ................................... 24564443 Ramee Guestline Hotel

Ananthapuri .............................. 24706226 Opp. Muscat Municipality, Darsait

Mumtaz Mahal ............................ 24605907 Qurum

Annapoorna ............................... 24810396 MBD

Mughlai Zaika ............................. 24568200 Wattayah

Biryani House ............................. 24488478 Al Khuwayr

Omar Al Khayyam Restaurant ....................

Ruwi ..........................24703035/ 24707082 Al Khoudh ..................24535001/ 24539718

Curry House ............................... 24564033 Wattayah Mullapanthal ............................... 95267540 Ruwi Chowpatty .................................. 24488829 Al Khuwair Daawat ........................................ 24787980 Ruwi Divine ......................................... 24705070 Ruwi Dosteen Restaurant ..................... 24622850 Seeb Happy Village ............................. 24564995 Qurum Horizon Restaurant ..................... 24798252 Ruwi Hot Pot Restaurant...................... 24700691 Near Khimji’s Mart, Darsait Kamat Al Khuwair .................................. 24479243 Ruwi ............................................ 24783300

Passage To India ......................... 24568480 Behind Hatat House Princess ...................................... 24482213 Al Khuwair Punjabi Dhaba ............................ 24787755 Darsait Puranmal...................24707172 / 24706969 CBD

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Sagar .......................................... 24794114 Ruwi Saravanaa Bhavan ................ 24704502 / 07 Near Ruwi Roundabout Spicy Village..............................................

Al Khuwair .................................. 24475518 Rusayl ........................................ 24510120 Nizwa ......................................... 25431694 Sohar ......................................... 24843238 Sur ............................................. 25544594 Customer Care ............... 800spicy (77429) Sayujya Restaurant...................... 24816909 MBD

Italian

Swagath Veg Restaurant.............. 24707676 Ruwi

Capri Court ................................ 24776666 Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

The Indus Restaurant .................. 22022888 Opera Gallaria - Shatti Al Qurum

Come Prima................................ 24660660 Crowne Plaza Hotel Muscat

Keranadu .................................... 24564443 Ramee Guestline Hotel

Taj Samarkhand Restaurant ........ 24582040 Muscat Oasis Residence, Bowsher

Khana Khazana............................ 24813466 Ruwi

Tawa Magic ................................ 24703300 CBD

Mediterranean Grill.................... 24680000 InterContinental Muscat

Khyber ........................................ 24781901 CBD

The Great Kabab Factory............ 24478373 Al Khuwair

Koliwada .................................... 99421778 MBD

The Taj ........................................ 26795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort

O Sole Mio .................................. 24487777 Radisson Blu - Muscat Trattoria ...................................... 24210451

Kumkum...................................... 24714114 Muttrah

Woodlands.................................. 24700192 MBD, Ruwi

Pane Caldo ................................. 24698697 Jawaharat A’Shatti Complex Pizza Express .............................. 24696169 Oasis By The Sea, Shatti Al-Qurum Tuscany....................................... 24641234 Grand Hyatt Muscat

SEARCHING

Copper Chimney........................ 24780207 CBD

A list of restaurant and eateries, to match your tastes October 2014

The Bollywood ............................ 24565653 Qurm, Behind CCC

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International Al Bandar Lounge ....................... 24776666 Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

SEARCHING

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October 2014

A list of restaurant and eateries, to match your tastes

78

iFoods ......................................... 24121114 18 November St, near Sultan Centre, Azaiba Japengo....................................... 92892868 Qurum

Al Aktham ................................... 24489292 Al Khuwair, behind OIB

Jean’s Grill .................................. 24567666 Sultan Center

A’Rifaak ...................................... 92558842 Al Khoud, Main Street

Jungle ......................................... 24561600 Qurum Rose Garden

AlExandria.................................. 24561611 Qurum, next to Sabco Center

Khaboura Cafe............................ 24592900 Majan Hotel

Al Khiran Terrace Restaurant .....................

Al Bustan Palace ......................... 24764000

Khalab .......................................992RELAX Al Nahda Resort & Spa

Sundowner’s Beach Bar............... 26795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort

Al Waha Lounge ......................... 24776666 Al Waha Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

La Brassiere ............................... 2471 3707 Muttrah

TGIF ............................................ 24488899 Al Khuwair, City Seasons Hotel

La Mer ........................................ 95038487 Shatti Al Qurum

The Beach Restaurant ................. 24524400 The Chedi Muscat

Left Bank ..................................... 24693699 Below Mumtaz Mahal restaurant, Qurum

The Chedi Pool Cabana.............. 24524400 The Chedi Muscat

Le Jardin...................................... 24510300 Golden Tulip Seeb

The Crepe Cafe .......................... 24558530 Muscat City Centre

Beach Pavilion Restaurant and Bar Al Bustan Palace ......................... 24764000

Love At First Bite ......................... 24601737 Shatti Al Qurum

The Serai Pool Cabana ............... 24524400 The Chedi Muscat

B+F Roadside Diner................... 24698836 Bareeq Al Shatti

Musandam Café.......................... 24680000 InterContinental Muscat

The Restaurant ............................ 24524400 The Chedi Muscat

Blue Marlin ................................. 24737940 Marina bander Al Rowdha

Musandam Restaurant ................ 26730267 Khasab Hotel

The Coffee Shop ......................... 24704244 Ruwi Hotel

BreadTalk.................................... 24603033 Bareeq Al Shatti

Nando’s ....................................... .... 24561818 Opp CCC Muscat City Centre

Tinello......................................... 24502570 The Treasurebox Hotel

Assira Pool Bar............................ 24776666 Al Waha Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa Bait Al Bahar ............................... 24776666 Al Waha Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

Bread and Co.............................. 24698379 Oasis By The Sea, Shatti Al-Qurum Buffet Restaurant ......................... 24697967 Bareeq Al Shatti Chilli’s Muscat City Center .................... 24558815 Qurum City Center .................... 24470700 Circles ........................................ 24776666 Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa Class Room ................................. 24813141 National Hospitality Institute, Wadi Kabir Coral Reef Cafe .......................... 26795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort Coffee Shop ................................ 24702311 Al Falaj Hotel Four Seasons ............................... 24707207 Haffa House Hotel Golden Spoon Al Khuwair .................................. 24482263 Seeb Souq................................... 24424204 Hamburger Nation ...................... 24558077 Muscat City Centre

Neptune Bar................................ .... 24795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort Nouras Al Shatti .......................... .... 24603555 Ramada Beach Hotel Odyssey ...................................... .... 24824240 Oman Dive Centre, Bandar Jissa sa Olivos.......................................... .... 24487777 Radisson Blu Retro ........................................... .... 24571339 Shatti AL Qurum RBG Grill .................................... .... 24507888 Park Inn Muscat Samba ......................................... .... 24776666 Al Waha Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr rr Al Jissah Resort and Spa Slider Station .............................. .... 24698990 Oasis By The Sea, Shatti Al Qurum rum Stomach ...................................... .... 24692486 Jawaharat A’Shatti Complex Sultanah ...................................... .... 24776666 Al Husn Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr rr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

Trader Vic’s................................. 24680000 InterContinental Muscat Tropicana.................................... 24660660 Crowne Plaza Hotel Muscat

Long Bar and Xyro ...................... 24776666 Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Nirvana ......................24781901/ 97015530 CBD

Mediterranean

O'Malleys .................................... 24487777 Radisson Blu

Bellapais .................................... 24521100 Risail Complex

Periwinkle’s Pub ......................... 26795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort

Mediterranean Grill ................. 246803000 InterContinental Muscat

Piano Lounge .............................. 26776666 Al Bander Hotel, Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah

Pubs & Lounge Al Ghazal .................................... 24680000 InterContinental Muscat Al Jizzi Lounge ............................ 26841111 Sohar Beach Hotel Al Marrah Pub ............................ 24424404 Al Bahjah Hotel Barrio Fiesta ............................... 24592900 Majan Hotel Churchill’s Pub............................ 24487123 Muscat Holiday Inn

Mexican Pavo Real .................................... 24602603 MQ Senor Pico................................... 24680000 InterContinental Muscat

Sports Bar ................................... 24487123 Muscat Holiday Inn The Hut ....................................... 26795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort The Lazy Lizard ........................... 24487777 Radisson Blu

Club Safari.................................. 24602327 Grand Hyatt Muscat Copacabana ............................... 24641234 Grand Hyatt Muscat

Steak & Grill

Feeney’s Irish Pub....................... 99262821 Al Qurum Resort

Grill House ................................. 24603660 Grand Hyatt

Habana Cafe ............................... 24602327 Grand Hyatt Muscat

Just Grilled.................................. 24601290 Oasis By The Sea, Shatti Al Qurum

John Barry Bar............................. 24641234 Grand Hyatt

Kobe’s Sizzlers .........24563220 / 24564092 GBM Building, Qurum

Layalina Bar ................................ 24487123 Muscat Holiday Inn

The Safari Rooftop Grill .............24641234, .................................................. 24641114 Grand Hyatt Muscat

Pub......................................... 24702311 Le Pub..............

Al Falaj Hotel

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The Wahiba ................................. 26795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort

Club Bar ..................................... 24704244 Ruwi Hotel

Duke’s Bar ................................... 24660660 Crowne Plaza

Is your enterprise missing in our lists?

Sama Terazza ............................. 24507888 Park Inn Muscat

SEARCHING

Tomato ........................................ 24680000 InterContinental Muscat

Rock Bottom Cafe’ ...................... 24564443 Ramee Guestline Hotel

A list of restaurant and eateries, to match your tastes

Please mail u us the details editor@faces editor@facesoman.com or call us on: + 9968 24563382/24563385 Entry!

For a Quick E

October 2014

Tapas & Sablah ........................... 24776666 Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

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