TECHNOLOGY - ENTERTAINMENT - TRAVEL
Since 1997
January 2020 | Vol. 24 | Issue 1 | BD2 / SR20 YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE
JACK PAROW LIVE
In concert and in his own words
NEW YEAR NEW YOU
HAPPENINGS
ANNUAL FINE ART EXPO AUTUMN FAIR ALADDIN DANCE SHOW
Fitness trends Post-holiday workouts Vegan eating
WTM
Fashion trends Beauty tips Healthy food
PEOPLE
Artist Victor Ekpuk Taekwondo star Dipshikha Baruah
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Arts
Culture
Clubs
Sports
Interviews
Lifestyle
Dining
Nightlife
Digital Edition
#DiscoverYourPlanet @ seiko_prospex
The man who lived 31 days under water Fabien Cousteau, Ocean Explorer
“We have explored less than 5% of our ocean world,” Fabien tells us. “As we push further, longer and deeper, we can learn a lot more.” For the adventurous, discovery has no boundaries.
APOLLO HEART INSTITUTE Brings
36 YEARS
Of experience
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55 MILLION
Lives touched
To
BAHRAIN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL 17812000 www.bsh.com.bh
THE TEAM Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton
Bahrain This Month JANUARY 2020
Editorial Director Liz O’Reilly Contributors Behnaz Sanjana, Dick Potter, Pria Masson Tanwar, Ouiam Charkani El Hassani, Kristian Harrison, Razan Al Arabi, Abhinav Malhotra, Banin Shahine Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian Layout and Graphics Hatem Monem, Kailas Wadka Photography Editor Muna Yousef Staff Photographers Subeesh Kumar N S, Ranjith Mohan Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa Corporate Affairs Director Bassem A. Al Khabbaz Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar Distributor Al Hilal Group (Hilal Direct Services) Media Sales ANURADHA MANHAS anuradha@redhousemarketing.com SARAH AMIN sara.amin@redhousemarketing.com
The only Lifestyle Magazine distributed with the GDN
DIGITAL & CONTENT MARKETING TEAM Digital Strategy Director Lini Reghunath Content Editor Liz O’Reilly Digital Marketing & Social Media Executive Michelle D’Souza Art & Animation Director Hatem Monem Videography Danny Sokov Printing Press Dar Akhbar Al Khaleej W.L.L., Bahrain Published monthly by
RED HOUSE MARKETING P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 813-777, Fax: (+973) 17 813-700 Email: info@redhousemarketing.com www.bahrainthismonth.com © Copyright Reserved 2005-2020 The concept, content, style and design of this publication remain the exclusive property of Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. and must not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, Red House Marketing cannot accept legal responsibility for any error or omission. Views expressed in this magazine by journalists and writers are not necessarily those of the publishers of Bahrain This Month. Licensed by the Ministry of Information Publication Code: TA001 ISBN 1 899 348 09 3
•
1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Bahrain: BD24
Welcome to the first edition of 2020. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a very Happy New Year. As always, January is a little quiet as we all wind down from the holiday season. But you’ll see in our Happenings pages that there is still plenty to do, if you know where to look. From tribute acts at both ends of the month, a half marathon and a gala night to much-anticipated annual events such as the Fine Arts Exhibition, a kids’ dance show and the Autumn Fair, there really is no excuse for sitting indoors – unless of course you want to, in which case check out our movie, TV and music pages. One event I’m particularly looking forward to this month is the visit of South African rapper Jack Parow, who is bringing his unique style of Afrikaans rap to the rugby club. You’ll find an exclusive chat with him in our interview pages and he sounds like a real fun guy. Our other interviewees this month are also people who stand out in their own fields - Dipshikha Baruah, who teaches on the island and has become the first Indian expat in the Kingdom to become an international Taekwondo referee, and renowned artist Victor Ekpuk, creator of the latest Diplomatic Area landmark. This month’s main feature addresses the old issue that many of us face as the New Year dawns; trying to adopt a healthier and fitter lifestyle. We’ve looked at some of the fitness trends coming our way in 2020 and, I must say, I like the sound of EMS – less time in the gym with the same results, where do I sign up? I’m also rather partial to a bit of meditation (though my wife might call it snoozing), so I shall happily take the opportunity to exercise my Zen! Another resolution might be to join in with the Veganuary trend; we have thoughts on why ditching the meat is good for you and options on where you can find great vegan food – you never know, you might decide to carry it on throughout the year. As you know, Woman This Month has now joined forces with BTM and our female-friendly pages include our regular selections of fashion, beauty, well-being and more to help keep you on trend in 2020. Finally, make sure you check out our Commerce pages to find out about all the new services we’re now offering.
COVER Cover Picture:
Jack Parow George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman
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January 2020 5
OUR TIMINGS FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE
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Hand crafted, real broth, divinely made.
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Adliya: +973 17 540188 Riffa: +973 17 760780 www.stirfrycrazy.com
CONTENTS ISSUE 269
JANUARY
15
20
Happenings
15 16 18 20
18
22 BYSTANDER
29
31
33 www.bahrainthismonth.com
Our photographers have had a busy, busy month. From the celebration of Thai National Day to vehicle and store launches, charity events and, of course, lots and lots of tree ligtings and other festive happenings. Did they snap you on their travels. Make sure to visit our Gallery at www.bahrainthismonth.com to see more pictures.
16 Meet the Dinosaurs
Check out the Dino Park Display at Prince Khalifa Park.
Turn Back The Clock
A fun evening of The Eighties Experience at The Dilmun Club.
Cool Running
Test your mettle at the Seef Mall Half Marathon.
Kids’ Stuff
Visit the 6th Bahrain Schools & Childcare Expo 2020 for all things children.
Cultural Cuisine
Food is Culture, a creative experimental project, takes place at the Bahrain National Museum.
Visit bahrainthismonth.com for a comprehensive list of events.
Interviews
29
A Real Cool Dude
30
Success on The Face of It
31
Fighting Fabulous
South African rapper Jack Parow on what makes him tick.
Victor Ekpuk, creator of Bahrain’s newest landmark sculpture, tells the story behind the work. International Taekwondo referee, Dipshikha Baruah, chats about all things strength and grit.
Feature
33
New Year New You
A look at how to achieve your best health in 2020
January 2020 7
TREAT YOURSELF, SHOP AT SAAR MALL, OVER THE NEW YEAR
87
96
98
WOMAN THIS MONTH CONTENTS
Fashion
80 82 84 85
Trends:
Singin’ The Blues
Styling: Fitness Wear 10 To Try News:
Goss from around the industry
Interview
87 89
Growing The Legacy: Esmahan Bokhowa.
Paying It Forward: Huma Ahmed
Beauty
90 91 92
Styling:Lush Lashes Tips: Bare Faced Chic
93
News: Latest industry happenings
Lifetyle
95 96 97 98 100 101 102
Healthy Start
Razan Al Arabi’s tasty dish to kickstart your wellness ambitions.
Well-being: Eat Smart Well-being News: Information on the latest developments.
Home:Tropical Paradise Opinion: Ouiam
Charkani El Hassani
In Her Shoes: Sari Mabire
www.bahrainthismonth.com bahrainthismonth
41 42 43
My Life In Cars
Dick Potter shares his passion for motors.
New Acquaintance
Dick Potter gives his verdict on Mahindra’s XUV500.
Motoring Bites
BTM brings you the latest news from the motoring world.
Commerce
46 48 49
Business Bites Opinion: Pria Mason Tanwar BTM NEW SERVICES
Dining
51 52
Comfort and Joy
Liz O’Reilly tried out Bambudha, the new offering from Chef David, of David’s Stir Fry Crazy.
Table Hopping
Technology
62 64 65 66
Gadgets:
The newest gizmos in town
Games:
The hottest games of the month
Websites:
The coolest sites on the web
Apps:
Essential apps to try
Entertainment
69 70 71
Hollywood faves: Latest film releases
New on TV: Shows to download Music: Top new tunes
AD Index and QR Codes
Lifestyle
Essentials: new products
www.bahrainthismonth.com
CONTENTS
80
ISSUE 269
JANUARY
41
Motoring
bhthismonth
73 74 76
What’s Green: Eco-friendly products
Out and About: Food Trucks Travel: Bhutan January 2020 9
bystander
Thailand National Day 2019
On the anniversary of the National Day of Thailand, HE Thanis Na Songkhla, Thai Ambassador, held a reception at Crowne Plaza Bahrain.
10 January 2020
www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery
bystander
Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan Bahrain Debut
The King of The Night, Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan, has arrived in Bahrain where Euro Motors, the sole dealer for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Bahrain, organised an exceptional experience to showcase the entire Black Badge family for the first time in the Kingdom.
Italian Food Week Inauguration
Italian Ambassador, HE Ambassador Domenico Bellato, and Lulu Hypermarket Director, Juzer Rupawala, inaugurated the start of Italian Food Week at Lulu Hypermarket, Saar.
www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery
January 2020 11
bystander
To view more images, scan the QR code
Hawaj Group held a celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay in Al Hawaj Celebration Alhonour of the Bahrain National Football Team, the winners of the 24th Gulf Cup.
Oman National Day Celebration On the occassion of the 49th National Day of the Sultanate of Oman, Saar Mall hosted a celebration in cooperation with the Omani Embassy. The event was attended by Dr Mohammed bin Ali bin Abdullah Al Balushi, Deputy Head of Mission, and other diplomats and embassy staff.
Mall management held a day of festivities to National Day Celebrations Saar celebrate Bahrain National Day at its venue. 12 January 2020
To view more images, scan the QR code
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bystander
The first step toward achieving a beautiful and healthy smile.
The First Bahrain International Trophy Horse Race Day Bahrain’s first international horse race was
held at Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club.
services • Dental check-ups • Dental cleaning • Invisalign
• Orthodontics • Tooth fillings
• Dental Emergencies
• Root-canal treatments • Cosmetic Dentistry • Teeth Whitening • Dental Implants
• Gum Treatments • Restorative Dentistry
• Laser Treatments
22nd AMH Island Classic Charity Golf Tournament The honouring ceremony for the winning golfers of
• Pedondontic Treatments
the 22nd AMH Island Classic Charity Golf Tournament was held at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa.
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January 2020 13
E R O M O D NLINE! O med r o f n i mers
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happenings
JANUARY 2020 HAPPENINGS READ ON UNTIL JANUARY 4
NEW YEAR REVIVAL AL AYAM CULTURAL FAIR
BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTRE
The big annual book fair is back for its 26th edition featuring publications from leading houses both local and international, as well as a range of cultural activities. The event aims to promote the importance of reading and books for both education and enjoyment, even in an increasingly digital age. Call 17 617-734 or 17 725-111.
MEET THE DINOSAURS UNTIL MARCH 30
DINO PARK DISPLAY
Head down to Prince Khalifa Park for a prehistoric adventure in the shape of a group of animatronic dinosaurs who will pique the interest of kids of all ages. There’re opportunities for education as well as lots of entertainment including fairground rides and inflatable play stations alongside the park’s regular fun options. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, there are also plenty of food stalls. The expo is open from 4pm to midnight at the weekends and till 10pm during the week. Entry is BD1 for those aged three and up. Call 34 666-318.
UNTIL JANUARY 4
REVIVE FESTIVAL
WATER GARDEN CITY
Revive festival is brought to you by Surreal Fiction Entertainment under the patronage of HE Sheikh Hisham bin AbdulRahman Al Khalifa, Governor of the Capital Governorate. The 10-day event aims to provide a festive, familyfriendly and youthoriented atmosphere as well as a platform for local businesses to expose their brand in the most effective and supportive way possible. The event will offer a wide variety of activities and entertainment for people of all ages and interests while maintaining an eco-friendly ethos. Entry is BD2 for adults, BD1 for children under 12 and under threes go free. Call 33 892-697, 33 414-188 or 36 886-280.
FRESH AND LOCAL PRINCE KHALIFA PARK
SATURDAYS
FARMERS’ MARKET
BUDAIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN
Bahrain Farmers’ Market is back. Pick up fresh local produce each Saturday from 8am-2pm and look out for foodie treats and activities for the kids too. Do your bit to support local small businesses at the same time as grabbing your weekly fruit and veggies fresh from the farm. The market is due to run every Saturday until March 18 and entry is free. Call 39 444-231.
THE SOUND OF… UNTIL FEBRUARY 15
RASHID DIAB EXHIBITION
BAHRAIN NATIONAL MUSEUM
Sudanese artist, Dr Rashid Diab, carries the obsession of an artist and the questions of a curious mind, both of which are only satisfied by colour, form and shadow. His secrets and his identity rely in colours, and he is very realistic as far as he is abstract and emotional and flowing like the river Nile, which is his main inspiration. In this retrospective, we discover his artistic identity, which has been founded on the principle of converting and transforming one of the cultural or social elements into a subject matter, then turning this subject into a vision through imagination and beauty. Call 17 298-777. www.bahrainthismonth.com/events
January 2020 15
happenings
TURN BACK THE CLOCK JANUARY 2
When? Until March 16 Event? Dive Into The Jurassic Venue: Bahrain National Museum
An exhibition bringing together immersive CGI films with original fossils and replica casts from the Natural History Museum’s unique marine fossil collections to bring the ancient seas to life. Daily 10am-8pm (closed Tuesdays).
www.culture.gov.bh
THE EIGHTIES EXPERIENCE
THE DILMUN CLUB
DANCE ON SCREEN JANUARY 7
MOVIE NIGHT
LA FONTAINE CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS
Call 17 115-046.
When? Thursdays Event? Boys Night Out Venue? Harvesters Pub and Terrace, Crowne Plaza Bahrain
Bring your lady friends every Thursday from 5pm-6pm for a free salsa class while enjoying tapas and sangria specials.
Call 17 531-122 or 39 920-163.
16 January 2020
ROOFTOP YOGA
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BAHRAIN BAY
Lie back on your mat and look up at an amazing sky full of stars as you relax into some healthy yoga poses and stretches. Meditate and find emotional and spiritual balance under the Arabian night sky as you take part in Yoga Under the Stars from 7pm-8pm. The price is BD6 for spa members and in-house guests and BD9 for visitors. Call 17 115-045.
Signature cocktails and bites at BD4 is the perfect offer to try while enjoying the best view from the 50th floor. Runs weekdays 6pm-8pm and 4.30pm-8pm on Friday and Saturday.
When? Thursdays Event? Salsa and Sangria Venue? Harvesters Pub and Terrace, Crowne Plaza Bahrain
THE DILMUN CLUB
Glam out to the sounds of T Rex and rock all over the world with Status Quo as the two tribute acts put on a fab show to welcome the new year at the latest Dilly brunch. Expect all the classics such as Get It On, 20th Century Boy, Whatever You Want and Rockin’ All Over The World as these international tribute performers put a pop into brunch. The event is from noon and tickets cost BD25.200 inclusive. Call 17 690-926 or 17 692-986. JANUARY 7
When? Daily Event? The Blue Hour Venue? Blue Moon Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay
Call 17 531-122 or 39 920-163.
TRIBUTE BRUNCH
STARRY SKIES
Call 17 567-171.
End the week in the company of friends every Thursday when you and the boys get to enjoy a complimentary selected beverage for every beverage purchased. Offer runs from 5pm-10pm.
JANUARY 3
Step back in time to the decade that style forgot with a tribute to all things 80s. From Duran Duran to Wham and lots more, dig out the leg warmers and neons and get ready for a great fun evening of 80s’ music that will have the dance floor jumping (and possibly more than a little dad dancing to boot). The show comes from one third of UK act, The Eighties Experience, who promise a great time wherever they go. The fun starts at 8pm and entry costs BD2 with member sign in. Call Call 17 690926 or 17 692-986.
When? Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays Event? Sound and Light Show Venue: Bahrain Fort (Qal’at Al Bahrain)
An interactive and moving audio visual experience which takes the audience through a guided journey from the present into the past, and back. English version 6pm, Arabic version 7pm. Tickets, priced BD3, can be bought on-site.
GET IT ON
UNDER THE MOONLIGHT
JANUARY 10
The first event of the year at La Fontaine will be a big-screen showing of The Dream. The one-act ballet, is an interpretation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream featuring mismatched lovers and a mischievous sprite. It was choreographed by Frederick Ashton back in 1964 and still continues to impress audiences with the New York Observer describing it as: “So fluent, so charged, so natural…you know you’re in the hands of a master.” Tickets are DD10+, but the value of the ticket can be used in the restaurant on the same evening. The performance starts at 8pm and the restaurant is open from 7pm.. Call Call 17 230-123.
FULL MOON FOUR SEASONS YOGA HOTEL BAHRAIN BAY
Head down to the gorgeous white-sand beach at the Four Seasons to greet the full moon. Take the pace down, reconnect, reflect and relax with a yoga session under the bright night sky. The session runs from 7.30pm-8.30pm and costs BD6 for spa members and in-house guests and BD9 for visitors. Call 17 115-045. www.bahrainthismonth.com/events
d e d n e t Ex ! s r u o H y p p a H 5:00 PM UNTIL 01:45 AM EXCEPT THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS *TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY
happenings When? Thursdays Event? Ladies Club Venue? Elements Pool and Lounge, InterContinental Regency
Enjoy a ‘one-night stand’ pop-up club every Thursday where DJ Jackson will sample the latest London clubbing vibes. Ladies get three drinks on the house. Promotion runs from 9pm-1am.
COOL RUNNING JANUARY 10
WHEELS ON FIRE
SEEF HALF MARATHON
CAR PARK SEEF MALL
JANUARY 14
BAHRAIN DRAG BAHRAIN RACING CHAMPIONSHIP INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT (ROUND 3)
Call 17 227-777.
When? January 3 Event? Terrace Party Venue? ART Rotana
DJ, Asian nibbles and drinks on the terrace from 4pm-midnight. Entry is free for ladies with one complimentary cocktail. Men pay BD10, which includes two drinks.
Call 16 000-111.
When? January 8 Event? Second Circle Poetry Venue? Mannai Sea Plaza
Join established poets and those interested in pursuing the form for discussion and tips from 7.30pm.
Call 39 574-795.
When? January 13 Event? Bahrain Writers’ Circle Monthly Meeting Venue? ERA Tower, Seef
Likeminded people get together to discuss their writing pursuits offering criticism, tips and encouragement.
Call 39 574-795.
When? Thursdays from January 16 Even? Mixology Hour Venue? Blue Moon Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay
Taste test three of mixologist Emmanuel’s tantilising cocktails or mocktails. Pick your favourite and learn the tricks of the trade whilst Emmanuel prepares the drink in a fully interactive session. Price BD12. Sessions run 6pm-7pm.
Take part in the Seef Mall Half Marathon and enjoy a spectacular view of the city in a rare opportunity where the road is closed for traffic. Organisers, Bahrain Road Runners, aim to bring participants together as a community by offering a supportive, energetic and empowering environment for people pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle. The race starts at 7am and finish cut-off time is 10.30am. There are cash prizes for the top three male and female runners as well as trophies for all age group winners. Call 32 227-303.
PICTURE THIS JANUARY 15-FEBRUARY 15
46TH BAHRAIN ANNUAL FINE ARTS EXHIBITION
The 46th Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition is the first, biggest and longest-running platform for Bahraini artists to showcase and exhibit the outcome of their creative minds. Since its inception in 1972, the exhibition has evolved into an important yearly gathering of artists, all eager to display Call 17 115-046. their talents and works. Every year, the exhibition acts as an innovative forum for debate in which the When? January 17 Event? Theros Beyond Death Pre- different artistic monologues have an exclusive release opportunity to communicate, converse and Venue? Howayte Hobby Store compete. From abstract to surrealism, from Card fans rejoice. This is the very first chance to play with cards from modernist representations to more traditional cultural expressions, this exhibition represents a new set which focusses on the Underworld of Theros. an opportunity to highlight different schools of Call 17 670-863. thought, artists’ perceptions and ideological backgrounds. When? January 19 and 20 Held annually under the patronage of HRH the Event? Sofitel Wedding Fair Prime Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al 2020 Venue? Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Khalifa, the Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition Thalassa Sea & Spa has hosted more than 2,600 artists over the The hotel launches its first years, showing more than 5,500 works of art. Wedding Fair offering a chance to Those who were once young and enthusiastic art meet the industry’s top six students hoping to take part in the exhibition wedding planners, top-notch 18 January 2020
The sound of screeching tyres, the smell of burning rubber, and the sight of fine-tuned racing beasts pass as they vie for the title of an ultimate drag racing champion. All this plus much more makes up the Bahrain Drag Racing Championship, which is the biggest in the Gulf and which attracts competitors from across the region and beyond. Drag racers push their vehicles to the maximum, mostly for pride and partly for the honour to come away with a “Wally” – a distinct trophy presented only to champions in NHRAsanctioned events around the world. With the roar of the cars and bikes, combined with the cheers of huge crowds and the raw magnetism of the sport, the championship attracts a wide number of contestants and spectators alike, making each round amongst the most popular attractions on the annual BIC calendar. Call 17 450-000.
BAHRAIN NATIONAL MUSEUM & BAHRAIN NATIONAL THEATRE
are now the pioneers of the Bahraini Art Movement. This exhibition now stands witness to the evolution of the Bahraini art scene throughout the years and forms a reference documenting art in Bahrain’s history. Opening hours are 10am-8pm, closed Tuesdays. www.culture.gov.bh
www.bahrainthismonth.com/events
bystander
Ritz-Carlton’s Silver Jubilee
The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain marked 25 years of exceptional memories in a celebration held at the Al Noor Ballroom.
www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery
To view more images, scan the QR code
January 2020 19
happenings photographers and lighting and set-up professionals. There’ll also be exclusive haute couture bridal fashion shows, world-class live entertainment and much more including special offers for summer weddings.
KIDS’ STUFF BAHRAIN JANUARY SCHOOLS & 16-18 CHILDCARE EXPO
Call 17 636-363.
FAIR DEALS BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION & CONVENTION CENTRE
JANUARY 23-31
AUTUMN FAIR
BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTRE
When? January 20 Event? Bahrain Creative Writers’ Workshop Venue? Café Chantilly, Saar Run by Bahrain Writers’ Circle, this offers budding writers help on getting started and there are progression tips for those already putting pen to paper.
Call 39 574-795.
Bahrain’s biggest shopping event returns for its 30th year with a tasty new twist. Held under the patronage of the Bahrain Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, this nine-day retail The Refiners Trio and resident DJ Elena will provide the perfect paradise features over 650 stalls from 19 countries, musical accompaniment to your thousands of potential bargains and a brand-new Street evening, laidback jazz with a sea Food Market to refresh hungry visitors. view at WU. Entry for ladies is A huge variety of goods will go on sale at this 15,400sq/m free and includes one drink. Men The 6th Bahrain Schools & Childcare Expo 2020, is the largest extravaganza, including speciality foods, fashion, beauty, pay BD10 and receive two educational and childcare event in the Kingdom, where you home décor, technology, toys, textiles and much more. selected beverages. will find schools, nurseries, companies who supply play The outdoor Street Food Market will offer shoppers a selection Call 16 000-111. equipment and much more, all under one roof. of culinary delights from some of Bahrain’s finest traders. When? January 30-February 1 There will also be lots of entertainment to keep little ones happy, Entry costs BD1 and under 12s go free. Opening hours are Event? Darkroom Workshop while parents get down to the serious business of education. noon–10 pm on January 23, 10am-2pm and 4pm-10pm on Venue? Beit Al Salmaniya The three-day event will be held in Halls 2A and B and has the January 24, noon-10 pm on January 25, 10am-2pm and Course for photographers covering support of the Education & Training Quality Authority (BQA). It 4pm-10pm on January 26, 27, 28 and 29 and 10am-10pm the basic aspects of black-andon January 30 and 31. On January 27 and 28 from is expected to attract around 12,000 visitors and admission is white techniques from film 10am-2pm entry will be open to ladies only. processing to printing, enlarging free for all. and toning. Call 17 550-033. Call Call 17 300-183. Call 34 012-800.
When? January 24 Event? Jazz Night Venue? ART Rotana
GIRL POWER JANUARY 23
ALADDIN’S MAGICAL RIDE WCCI ANNUAL GALA DINNER
INTERCONTINENTAL REGENCY BAHRAIN
With the festive season over, this is a great opportunity to get back into party mode, for a good cause Tickets now on sale for the WCCI (Women’s Crisis Care International) Annual Gala, which, this year, has a Latin Carnival theme. The black-tie event will feature traditional Latin music, dance and art along with special guests, a luxury auction and grand raffle. All proceeds support WCCI and women’s empowerment programmes in Bahrain. Tickets, priced BD40, are available through the WCCI instagram @womenscci, or by calling the WCCI office. Call 17 651-421. 20 January 2020
JANUARY 24
BAHRAIN BALLET CENTRE ANNUAL SHOW
THE CULTURAL HALL
Set in the Arabian sands of time, Bahrain Ballet Centre will present its latest dance adaptation Aladdin’s Magical Ride with title sponsor Zayani Motors. Around 150 students will set the prestigious Cultural Hall stage alight on January 24, mapping the adventurous journey of Aladdin, a pauper turned prince, and his Princess Jasmine, with beautifully choreographed dances based on ballet, tap, modern, hip-hop and contemporary. Audiences will be taken on a magic carpet ride with Aladdin and Jasmine, witnessing dances from around the world. Catch Genie in all his glory, Jaffar in his greedy endeavour for power and all the monkeying around by Aladdin’s trusted sidekick, Abu. Tickets, priced BD10 and BD7, available online at bahrainthismonth.com. Call 17 693-232 or 33 719-180. www.bahrainthismonth.com/events
bystander
Opening Ceremony of ICITEE 2019
Under the patronage of HE Dr Majid bin Ali Al Nuaimi, Minister of Education, the Applied Science University and London South Bank University held the opening ceremony of the International Conference on Innovation, Technology, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship 2019.
24x7Cruise NCL Roadshow
An exclusive evening with NCL providing the opportunity to learn more about the Norwegian Cruise Line and its 2020 itineraries was held at ART Rotana Hotel & Resort.
www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery
January 2020 21
happenings
CULTURAL CUISINE JANUARY 26-30
FOOD IS CULTURE 5
BAHRAIN NATIONAL MUSEUM
Food is Culture is a creative experimental project that aims to bridge together the mediums of art and food. Running in parallel with the Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition, this experiment sheds light on creative processes that take place when two individuals (from different creative disciplines) collaborate. Every year five artists and five chefs get together and work to produce a creative product; be it a painting, installation, video, cake, drink, all or something completely different. The result of their two months’ work, which is documented in a short film and a publication, will be presented during the course of the week, where they share and display their collective creations from 7pm-9pm. Call 17 298-777.
RUNWAY READY JANUARY 30
UNIQUE ARABIA II FASHION SHOW
The next ‘Unique Arabia’ Fashion Show promises to be a night to remember with some of the top designers from Bahrain and across the region showcasing their creations. As well as the region’s top models, there’ll be entertainment from DJ Cheetoz , a dance
WINTER FUN JANUARY 30FEBRUARY 1
GALLERY 21
performance and more to enjoy. Pre-sale tickets are BD10. On the door it’s BD10 for ladies and BD15 for men, including one drink. Call 17 711-600.
WINTER CRAFT FAIR AND FAMILY CARNIVAL
RIVERS SAAR
Make the most of the cooler weather with a trip to the island’s newest winter fair. Look out for lots of craft stalls selling everything from art to jewellery, flowers, chocolates and antiques. There’ll also be corporate and academic booths and offerings from home businesses. Visit the carnival rides, check out live music and fitness demonstrations and chow down at the truck corner. Entry is BD1 and spaces are still available for vendors. Call 36 413-640.
CHILLED TUNES JANUARY 30 AND 31
LIVE AND LOUD COLD PLAY TRIBUTE
SHERLOCK HOLMES
Swap the post-Christmas blues for a spot of Yellow and set your Clocks for an evening of vintage tunes and up-to-date hits from an international Cold Play tribute act. Entry is just BD10 with a drink included and make sure you get there early as there are no table bookings – it’s first come, first served (FCFS). Can’t make the evening show; the band will be back for brunch on January 31 which costs BD30 and is also FCFS. Call 17 713-000. 22 January 2020
JANUARY 30
JACK PAROW LIVE
BAHRAIN RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
Bahrain, are you ready for this? Clockwork Events is bringing South African rapper, Jack Parow, to the Rugby Club for a one-night performance which will launch a series of South African events in the coming months. Parow, who raps in Afrikaans, first hit the big time 10 years with his debut single Cooler as Ekke. Since then he has released four studio albums and toured around the world. In 2016 Parow and his friend Hardus van Deventer shot a nine-episode TV series titled Dis Hoe Ons Rol. Filming took place as two legs over 30 days, during which Parow performed in each of South Africa’s nine provinces at least once. Whether you know the artist or even speak Afrikaans, his music has been said to appeal across generations and languages and this event is a great chance to support international live music in Bahrain. Tickets are BD12 for non-club members and BD10 for members. Call 17 695-809. www.bahrainthismonth.com/events
bystander
Bahrain British Business Forum held its annual Christmas lunch BBBF Annual Christmas Lunch The meeting at the The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa.
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January 2020 23
bystander
Bahrain Specialist Hospital Apollo Heart Center Opening A ribbon-cutting was held to inaugurate Bahrain
Specialist Hospital’s Apollo Heart Center in Juffair, under the patronage of HE Lt General Doctor Shaikh Mohamed Bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health.
70th Anniversary of The Making of The Indian Constitution The Indian Embassy held an event to mark the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India.
24 January 2020
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bystander
Latest Release of Who’s Who Publication The latest release of Who’s Who publication by Sunny Kulathakal was held at The Gulf Hotel Bahrain.
To view more images, scan the QR code
BTM JULY 19 - brunch vertical.pdf 15/12/2019 19:40:32
BIS Business Networking Dinner
Bahrain India Society held a business networking dinner featuring the guest speaker, the CEO of Labour Market Regulatory Authority, Ausamah bin Abdullah Al Absi.
FRIDAY PARTY BRUNCH C
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CM
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CMY
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WITH PARTY DJ & LIVE MUSIC
DJ TIN
TIN
LARGE INTERNATIONAL BUFFET & SELECTED BEVERAGES - 12.30PM TILL 4.00PM -
4TH FLOOR, PREMIER HOTEL, JUFFAIR wembley@atirampremierhotel.com (+973) 33640009
January 2020 25
bystander
BIHR Graduation Ceremony 2019 Bahrain Institute of Hospitality and Retail held a ceremony for graduates of its Swiss Diploma in
International Hotel and Tourism Management, Australian Retailers Certificate and Culinary Skills Programme, at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa.
Annual Appreciation Party The Crowne Plaza Bahrain held its annual appreciation party. To view more images, scan the QR code
26 January 2020
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bystander
BSPCA 40th Anniversary
The Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals held its 40th anniversary celebrations at The Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention and Spa.
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January 2020 27
EVENT SPONSORS
interview
A REAL COOL DUDE Jack Parow is coming to town, so Liz O’Reilly quizzed the South African rapper to find out what makes him tick. Jack Parow
Jack Parow
Why did you take the name Jack Parow? Is there a story behind it? I had a few different names before Jack Parow and then one night I came home from a party and Pirates of the Caribbean was on and I said “Who’s Jack Sparrow the pirate of the Caribbean, I’m Jack Parow the pirate of the caravan park.” First it was a joke and then it became my name. I was also born in a place called Parow which is a bit of a trailer park kind of place...or as we call it in South Africa, Zef. You wanted to be a rapper from an early age. What inspired that desire? When I was really young my mum bought me a mixed CD for my birthday. It was 1994 and Snoop Dogg had just released Doggystyle and What’s My Name was on the CD. When I heard it, I knew that rap was the only music I wanted to listen to. I started doing it just for fun, rapping along to tracks; but then, eventually, I started writing my own stuff and finally started doing it full-time. You began rapping in English then changed to Afrikaans, what prompted the switch? I never felt that I was really being myself when I was making music in English. Then one day I just decided, today is the day, I’m going to start writing in my own language, maybe that will help. And it did, I couldn’t stop writing and from that day on, I only wrote in Afrikaans. www.bahrainthismonth.com
For those who might not be familiar with your work, what kind of themes do you cover and will non-Afrikaans speakers be able to understand/appreciate your act? It’s just a fun party vibe. It’s about having a good time. I am lucky enough to play all over the world and even places like Hong Kong and Russia, where a lot of people at my shows barely even speak English, they keep coming back show after show because at the end of the day its more about a vibe. If you feel the music and the energy is there, it doesn’t matter what language you speak. Your first release, Cooler As Ekke (cooler than me), made number one – did you have any idea it was going to be so successful? Never, I was just in this fancy club and was getting so annoyed with everyone thinking they were so cool and better than everyone just because their watch is more expensive or their shirt or their shoes or whatever. I literally walked out ticked off and wrote it in my car under a street light in front of the bar. Then I decided later to record it and it just blew up. Seems like a lot of people felt the same. Haha. Did life change for you pretty quickly after that? Yes, it did, I must say, I went from never even being on a plane to flying to Europe on a Friday,
then the States, then Mexico et cetera. It was just such a crazy whirlwind at the start. Now, I’m a bit more used to it and also a bit pickier about touring and where I go, so I don’t burn out. What is it about your music that people relate to? I think it’s just because I’m honest and true, in my music, to how I feel and who I am and people feel that and I think they relate to that. You’ve since toured all over the world. What made you decide to play such a concert in Bahrain? Firstly, I’ve never been to Bahrain and I really want to see it, so, I’m super excited about that. And then, secondly, I love making music, I love seeing the world and I love making new friends and meeting new people, so I can’t wait to come party! Where has been your favourite place to play, so far? That’s a difficult question. Every place has its own vibe, so I can’t really say. I obviously love playing South Africa because it’s my home country, but then, Netherlands is also great because the crowds are crazy and London as well. I’ve played some shows in the Middle East too and those have been amazing, we partied till the sun was up...see! Once I start! Haha. January 2020 29
interview
SUCCESS ON THE FACE OF IT Victor Ekpuk, creator of Bahrain’s newest landmark sculpture, The Face, tells Liz O’Reilly the story behind the work.
At 5.2m tall, The Face, standing front and centre at the revamped HQ of Bank ABC in the Diplomatic Area, is an imposing figure. Bright red and made of metal, it is open to interpretation with each viewer seeing something different in the construction. So, how does the work of a Washingtonbased, Nigerian-American come to be representing Bahrain’s ancient culture in front of an important financial centre. Victor explains: “The bank’s CEO, Dr Khaled Kawan, was at an exhibition of another artist in New York. Some of my work was in the same space, he saw it and asked for me to be added to the list of artists submitting ideas for this project.” That was in July and, less than six months later, after much hard work, the finished article, a product of Victor’s imagination, was unveiled. “The brief was very general – it was to be six to eight metres tall [slightly reduced for technical reasons], made of stone or metal and culturally relevant,” says the artist. Victor is known worldwide having come to prominence through his paintings and drawings which are often tied in with traditional symbols and designs (types of ancient writing) he 30 January 2020
I use my work to interpret situations wherever I find myself – the idea of writing/ drawing just flows through me.” describes as forms of communication, saying: “I use my work to interpret situations wherever I find myself – the idea of writing/drawing just flows through me.” For The Face, he took an in-depth look at local culture, heritage and traditions. “Once I started to conceptualise, I had to research the culture and the people and I realised there are layers of tradition here that build the culture,” says Victor. “What was also interesting was the Dilmun culture and the writing systems because I am interested in ways of writing to express myself. “I asked myself ‘how do I put this all in and capture the essence of these people who have come from all these traditions?’ I looked to the hijab and the ghutrah; if you look at the work it’s about lines wrapping around the face. I chose
the colour because I saw that red was a very important colour for Bahrain.” And it’s quite an achievement for an artist, who, despite being an accomplished painter, only produced his first commissioned sculpture earlier in 2019. In fact, Victor studied fine art and started out in advertising and drawing newspaper cartoons. His first commissioned work was a portrait, undertaken to make extra money while at college, and he has never looked back – though sometimes he is surprised by his own success. He explains: “I was very excited for the unveiling; every time I look at the piece, I’m quite impressed that I did it. You never think about success going into a project but then I stand back and look at it and think ‘Who did that?’ I can honestly say, I am surprised every time.” www.bahrainthismonth.com
interview
Bahrain-based expat, Dipshikha Baruah, is the first woman from the Indian state of Assam to become an international referee in Taekwondo. She chats with Behnaz Sanjana about all things strength and grit.
FIGHTING FABULOUS
P
osing for the photoshoot for this writeup, Dipshikha enthusiastically asks if we want some of her in Taekwondo action. Her passion for this martial art spills over from her smiling eyes. “The Sports Authority of India selected me to be trained in Taekwondo while I was in school in Assam, in India,” she says. “I began learning it in 2007.” The physical education teacher, at the Indian School Bahrain, has professionally trained in Taekwondo for 12 years and holds a 3rd Dan black belt (the third grade within the prestigious black belt level). Her road has been long and arduous, with hours of training for state, national and international championships. But the blood, sweat and tears have paid off. Representing the Bahrain Martial Arts Federation, Dipshikha qualified as an international referee in the recently held 114th International Referee seminar held in China, organised under the aegis of World Taekwondo, South Korea. This global qualification makes her the first ever woman from Assam, and the first female Indian expat in Bahrain, to have achieved this feat. “Now my previous hard work seems like nothing; I have many more miles to go,” she says. Dipshikha shares an inside story: “The whole experience has taught me the meaning of the word ‘fail’, because I was unsuccessful at the previous seminar, held in Australia. I was in tears, but my husband reminded me that I would truly value success only if it followed failure. He pushed me to learn from my mistakes, improvise, adapt and overcome. And this made me try again like a true fighter! “Never in my wildest dreams had I thought of coming this far; becoming an international www.bahrainthismonth.com
Dipshikha has been awarded ‘Best Fighter’ twice at the district level in her native Guwahati, and has won nine gold medals at the state level, besides being a national referee in India. referee of the sport I love. I am blessed with such a supportive family, which includes my in-laws,” says the second child of four sisters. “I believe that talking to my father just before a match makes me win. And I’m so lucky to have a husband who has always encouraged me to follow my dream. He drives me to every practice and waits for me patiently for hours,” she giggles. Donning her dabok (the taekwondo uniform), transports Dipshikha to a different world. “I really enjoy the fight. This sport has given me discipline, courage, self-defence and enthusiasm, and taught me to be true to my soul. It has made me the person I am today; it’s my life.” She is happy to see that these days, young girls are taking sports seriously. “The benefits are lifelong, physically and mentally. Initially, the girls in the school were reluctant to participate. But now, our girls’ team wins medals in interschool sporting competitions. Martial arts teaches children discipline, self-respect, respect for seniors, a never-give up attitude and, importantly, self-defence. “My Taekwondo uniform and daily practice is everything to me. Even after I have my own children, I will continue practising this martial art.” January 2020 31
bystander
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Entertainment Plus presented a musical play, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, all the way from the UK and adapted and directed by David Wood, based on the book by Judith Kerr.
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Doctor Dolittle The play Doctor Dolittle was presented by Entertainment Plus as part of a 2019 international tour.
to bring culturally enriching, educational live theatre entertainment around the Gulf, Entertainment Kids Theatre Performance InPlusa bid brought the Three Billy Goats Gruff to Bahrain in collaboration with S4K International. 32 January 2020
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new year, new you
NEW YEAR, NEW YOU.
Many of us say it every year, this will be the year that we… whether it’s get fit, get strong, get back to the gym after a break, overhaul our diets; you’ll find info to help you achieve your goals over the coming pages. From expert workout tips and news on new fitness trends to reasons to take up the Veganuary challenge and places to find great plant-based foods, it’s all here. Happy and healthy New Year!
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January 2020 33
new year, new you
FITNESS TRENDS A look at the new fitness trends at the turn of the decade, as well as those that are firmly here to stay.
2020
Behnaz Sanjana
A MODIFIED FAVOURITE
For those who shudder at the thought of merciless, high-intensity training, here’s bringing you HILIT – High Intensity Low Impact Training. This workout is easier on your joints, but still packed with fat-burning, heart-pumping moves that achieve quick results. Although this workout style isn’t very new, it has recently gained popularity. It’s meant especially for those who are already living a high-stress lifestyle, so as not to further elevate their cortisol levels with intense training sessions. Classes typically last 50 minutes, and include resistance bands, water rowing, barre, animal-inspired moves and core-strengthening activities. No running, jumping and heavy weights here, to spare the body injury and excessive fatigue.
LESS IS MORE
Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) is a new trend that has gripped the fitness industry, and is getting rave reviews to boot. This sport originates from physiotherapy, where exercisers are given low-frequency electrical impulses while they carry out an intense, whole-body workout. The electrical stimulation awakens the muscles that are normally ignored by conventional exercise methods. Sessions last just 20 minutes but have the effects of a longer workout and only need to be done once a week. While carrying out a mix of dynamic and static movements, electrical impulses are transferred to the body via electrodes, controlled by an EMS device. EMS is said to decrease body fat, tighten
the skin, fight cellulite and can help recover from or prevent back problems.
OLD IS GOLD
Strength Training is not new jargon in the fitness world, but has made a come-back as a trend in recent times. The term refers to any exercise which involves movement of weight (including body weight) to push the muscles to rebuild stronger than before. The secret is progressive overload, which will encourage the muscles to constantly adapt and rebuild themselves, by exerting slightly more pressure than the previous workout. Health coaches and personal trainers are urging gym bunnies to ditch the boredom of cardio and embrace this method to zap fat, build muscle, tone up and become stronger than ever, besides giving the body a host of other health benefits.
ROW YOUR BOAT
Move over spinning; rowing machines (also called ergometers) are getting more attention than before, for their ability to offer a low34 January 2020
impact exercise that can be done by almost anyone. It can be one of the most effective pieces of cardio equipment at the gym. Each stroke on the machine gives a complete body workout, engaging 85 per cent of your muscles, across nine major muscle groups; 30 minutes of rowing revs up the body, spikes heart rate and burns up to 300 kcal. Also check out Dragon Boating, for a fun, outdoor alternative.
BOX AWAY
Kick Boxing is a cardio workout that can get addictive, increasing your strength, coordination and confidence in the process. This umbrella term actually encompasses the art of kick-boxing from various Asian regions – Muay Thai, from Thailand, is most popular. There’s also Yaw Yan from the Philippines, Lethwei from Myanmar and Pradal Serey from Cambodia. However, all these are simply a practice, not a tournament, aimed at stirring up your exercise routine, boosting energy and reducing stress.
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new year, new you
WEAR YOUR TECH
Wearable gadgets and smart clothing are gaining traction in 2020, with more people taking their health more seriously. The market has a plethora of updated and improved smart watches and fitness trackers, that allow enthusiasts to gain access to their fitness metrics easily, at the touch of a finger. It’s also a great way to manage chronic diseases, improve exercise efficiency, and have a better quality of life. Smart clothing has also made waves in lifestyle. Nadi X yoga pants are vibrating leggings whose sensors keep you informed on proper alignment during poses, and Under Armour’s Athlete Recovery clothing absorbs heat from the body and reflects it back onto the wearer’s skin as energy that is said to encourage better muscle recovery and enhance relaxation.
THE GAME-CHANGERS
If motivation is your excuse for not getting onto the fitness bandwagon, turn to your smart phone. A great fitness app is your one-stop shop – set realistic goals, be reminded to do your bit for your body every day, monitor your diet, get guided workout schedules and track your progress. Find an app that you can personalise exercise routines on, suited to your needs and goals, and that also allows you to connect with friends and family with the same goals. Need a more in-person exercise experience? Sign up for live workout sessions
to interact with workout communities without needing to leave the house.
A FIRM FOUNDATION
Integrated health coaches are recognising that people don’t pay enough attention to their core foundation before they attempt to undertake ‘getting fit’. Experienced trainers are now urging us to become more aware of the importance of first building a foundation with low-impact workouts that protect the joints and prevent injury, before resorting to fancier options as a quick-fix, or to burn the most calories possible. They say that building a strong core is key to reaping the benefits from more concentrated exercises in the future.
GIVE UP THE NUMBERS
Holistic health coaches are urging us to stop the number crunching – calories, inches, kilograms, steps, and what not. With increasing awareness about all-round health and wellbeing, the focus has turned to how you feel – rather than if you have made the numbers – and more on one’s overall state of health, instead of six-pack abs. Fitness is a revamped idea that comprises the mind and body, looking beyond counting calories, to consider essentials like quality sleep, blood pressure and sugar intake, stress levels and self-care.
THE ZEN FACTOR
Gone are the days when meditation was only meant for the yoga mat. More and more instructors are incorporating this practice after mainstream workouts, thanks to all the evidence pointing to its benefits. As we get busier and busier with life, it’s essential to decompress and ‘get in touch’ with the self; meditation is a chance to do just that. So, a short bout of high intensity exercise followed by 15 minutes of mindfulness can bring on increased inner peace, compassion, gratitude and joy – just what we need more of in 2020. www.bahrainthismonth.com
January 2020 35
new year, new you
POST-HOLIDAY
FAT SHEDDING With the holidays coming to an end, getting into shape and adopting a healthy workout routine is at the front of most people’s minds. Abhinav Malhotra, Master Trainer from Fitness First Middle East, shares his advice on getting back into the gym and shedding those post-holiday kilos. Warm-Up
It might be tempting to just dive headfirst into exercise; however, it is very important to take at least five minutes to warm-up before starting. A good warm-up session helps to prepare your body for activity by getting the heart rate up and releasing tension in muscles. Begin with eight reps of both inward and outward hip and arm circles followed by some form of cardio such as two minutes with a skipping rope. For an intense warm up, consider a session on a slightly inclined treadmill, swapping between walking and sprinting every 30 seconds.
Burpees
Now, you should move on to exercises that challenge you the most. Burpees are a great fat burner for full-body training. You should aim to complete at least three sets of 25 reps or do as many as you can until you begin to ‘feel the burn’. You can mix it up with some other variations of the exercise like burpee pull ups,
burpee knee ups or even burpee box jumps.
Squats
As a compound exercise, which includes more than one muscle at a time, squats help to burn a lot of calories both during and after the workout session. Aim for a high volume for conditioning the muscles and fat-burning effect – perform three sets of 10-15 reps using a barbell or kettle bell to introduce more resistance into the workout.
Walking Lunges
Walking lunges are another brilliant calorie burner as they also target all the major muscles in your lower body, whilst simultaneously improving your balance and core strength. Again, for conditioning and calorie burn, three sets of 20 -30 reps each should do the trick.
Mountain Climbers
Mountain climbers are a great way to improve hip joint mobility, core stability and rev up the heart rate, burning calories. Ideally, you should try to complete at least three sets of 15-20 reps on each side. You can also try to swap between walking lunges and mountain climbers for three sets.
Push Ups
A great upper body workout focusing on the 36 January 2020
horizontal pushing movement. They target the pectoral muscle, front shoulder and triceps muscles primarily while also engaging the core. Around 10-15 push-ups per set is a good starting point. If you cannot do a floor push up, you can perform push-ups on a bench or a high box as a regression.
How to perform
You can perform two to three sets of each exercise with rest intervals as per your fitness levels. If you are an intermediate or advanced trainee, then you can also choose to perform these in a ‘circuit training’ manner – three circuits as quickly as possible of back to back exercises with little or no rest.
Stretch It Out
Just like warming up, a post workout stretching sequence is just as important after all that intense exercise. Give your body a treat by going through static stretching exercises, targeting your legs, chest, back, arms, calves and hamstrings. Stretching relieves the tension in the muscles, relieves some of the pain and promotes blood flow for muscle recuperation. Remember to practise slow breathing while stretching for relaxation by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. www.bahrainthismonth.com
new year, new you
THE ITS OF F E N E g B n i t Ea
n a g e V
With many people considering reducing their meat intake, the worldwide phenomenon that is Veganuary provides the perfect opportunity to re-think our daily diet and switch from animal produce to a more plant-based lifestyle. There are lots of reasons people decide to go vegan, such as environmental concern and animal welfare, but eating this kind of diet also has some major health perks too. According to Fitness First Middle East Nutrition Manager, Banin Shahine, it is richer in certain nutrients. Studies have shown that a vegan diet provides the body with more fibre, antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds. These nutrients help the digestive system, protect the body from chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and diabetes and help cleanse the liver.
Here, Banin shares her six health benefits of going vegan: to help increase your energy levels. A VEGAN DIET WILL HELP YOU • Bananas are one of the best foods for EAT MORE WHOLE FOODS Eliminating meat and dairy can help increase your whole food intake and will also encourage you to get more creative in the kitchen. When you lead a vegan lifestyle, naturally you will be consuming a lot more colour and variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, that provide the body with the vitamins and minerals you need for optimal health.
YOU MAY FEEL A SPRING IN YOUR STEP
Processed foods and sugars can make you feel lethargic and lower your energy levels. Eating whole foods rich in healthy fats, vitamins and minerals will significantly boost your energy levels and lower your stress levels. Here are a few delicious plant-based foods
energy. They are an excellent source of carbohydrates and are full of potassium and vitamin B6. • Brown rice is extremely nutritious. It is less processed than white rice and retains more nutritional value in the form of fibre, vitamins and minerals. • Apples are rich in antioxidants, natural sugars and fibre and provide a slow and sustained energy release. • Edamame beans are relatively low in calories, but these satisfying pick-me-up snacks are full of proteins, carbs and fibre. Edamame beans also have huge amounts of vitamins and minerals that help increase energy. • Leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli, lettuce and watercress are all excellent sources of vitamin B and have an important part to play in energy production to fight fatigue.
YOU’LL SLASH YOUR SATURATED FAT INTAKE
Saturated fat is primarily found in animal products like meat and cheese and it is a key factor in increasing cholesterol which contributes to many heart diseases. Adopting a vegan
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diet will automatically decrease your saturated fat intake.
FEWER MIGRAINES
Migraines are commonly linked to diet, and food can often be the trigger. Try and stay away from chocolate and cheese and opt for plant-based foods, especially organic products as the produce is much purer and less likely to trigger a migraine attack.
REDUCE THE RISK OF KIDNEY FAILURE
A meat diet isn’t always best for the body, especially in high consumption. Recent studies have shown that by following a vegan diet you can reduce the risk of kidneys not functioning properly. Plant proteins are healthier for your organs and help encourage production levels within the liver and kidney. You can find some great vegan recipes from Banin at www.bahrainthismonth.com January 2020 37
new year, new you
Very Vegan
Folia - Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay Vegans can have a five-star meal without feeling left out, thanks to the iconic hotel’s plant-based menu, Folia. The charming culinary selection offers a range of wholesome, plantbased starters, entrées and desserts from the kitchen of Matthew Kenney, founder of more than 30 renowned vegan eateries worldwide. The concept proves that healthy food options can be delicious, besides being wholesome and ethically sourced. Folia’s options are attractive even to those who are not yet ready to give up their carnivore status, as they will be enthralled with the dishes that transform vegetables, fruits, nuts, herbs and spices into unforgettable feasts. Beyond Meat – Nomad Eatery Now you can have your meat and eat it too. Nomad has been a staple on Bahrain’s gourmet list for a while and now attracts the patronage of hard-core vegans as well, with the introduction of the well-known plantbased brand, Beyond Meat. Tickle your taste buds with ‘meat’ built from plants, to be able to relish the traditional dishes you have always loved, but in a healthier
Want to be a clean, green, lean machine this year? Or just thinking of jumping on the Veganuary trend? Behnaz Sanjana digs out some of the best vegan dining options around the island. and more environmentally-responsible way. Beyond Meat contains more protein than beef, with less fat and no GMOs, soy or gluten. Islanders can enjoy the delicious succulence of the Beyond Burger — the patties of which are made with water, pea protein isolate, expellerpressed canola oil, refined coconut oil, rice protein and other natural flavours, including apple extract and beet juice extract (for colour) — as well as the Beyond Sausage. Raw Candy Located in Seef’s Almoayyed Tower, Raw Candy offers vegan artisan chocolates, cakes, cookies, ice cream, sandwiches, nut butters and pastries, amongst other refined sugar-free goodies that will make your mouth water at first glance. The outlet’s cinnamon rolls, banana
loaf, and other sinfully tasty treats, like coconut cookie dough and chia powder brownies are much loved by the vegan community. All products are freshlyprepared in Bahrain using ingredients that 38 January 2020
are organic and free from artificial preservatives. At Raw Candy, it’s perfectly OK to have cookies for breakfast! And, good news folks, there are expansion plans on the horizon. Anais Café Located at Hala Plaza, Zinj, this cosy eatery offers nutritious and high-quality vegan food. The fresh, minimally cooked meals are simple and nutritious, yet sophisticated in taste and presentation. Guests frequent the café for a quick coffee, brimming with the health benefits of homemade almond milk and Ceylonese cinnamon, or thirst-quenching smoothies, all prepared without refined sugar and lactose. A variety of breakfast staples, healthy starters, salads, entrées, sandwiches and wraps, many of which are also gluten-free, are available. Round off your meal with decadent desserts, all of which are wholesome and healthy for you. The café retails original Romanian jams and preserves, as well as genuine organic honey and Yerba Mate tea. Chef and The Whale This outlet on Budaiya Highway adopts sustainable business practices and a fair range of vegan dishes. The ‘garden’ section of the menu includes a carrot and cumin falafel, Tempura Banana Blossom Bao and Roasted Pumpkin Taco. All food is made from scratch and prepared fresh each day, so guests are assured of a memorable experience. www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Malaysian Cuisine Week Opening
The opening of Malaysian Cuisine Week 2019, by Malaysian Ambassador, HE Agus Salim bin Yusof, was held at ART Rotana Hotel & Resort.
Haruspex Press Conference
A press conference was held at Capital Club Bahrain to introduce, under the patronage of the Italian Ambassador, HE Domenico Bellato, Haruspex, an award-winning Italian cyber-security company which has selected Bahrain as its headquarters for its Middle East and GCC operations.
WU Malaysian Cooking Class WU Asian Restaurant & Lounge held a cooking class in Malaysian cuisine.
The First Health Vision 2030 Forum
Under the patronage of the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health, HE Lt General Doctor Shaikh Mohamed bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa, Bahrain Specialist Hospital and Apollo Hospitals held the First Health Vision 2030 Forum under the theme of cardiovascular sciences at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa.
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January 2020 39
bystander
Big Night Out
The British Club hosted a night with Scotland’s rock/ceilidh band, Bahookie, with rock and pop hits from The Kicks.
JJ’s Karaoke Finals JJ’s Irish Restaurant held its 15th Annual Karaoke Idol finals at its venue.
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Club of Salmaniya held a lunch meeting at the Golden Tulip Hotel with Dr Dhafer Alumran, honorary member, Bahrain SME’s society, Rotary Meeting Rotary advisor, Arab Projects Committee, and former assistant under secretary for GCC affairs and Western Countries, as in-house speaker.
Pesto Competition The Italian Embassy held a Pesto Competition at LuLu Hypermarket Saar.
40 January 2020
To view more images, scan the QR code
www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery
MOTORING THIS MONTH
Mahindra test drive, p42
MY LIFE IN CARS
McLaren launch, p43
Dick Potter exhibits a little car envy on his latest visit to chum Trent.
B
undled up in my warmest coat, bobble hat, scarf and gloves duly on, my face was a picture of glee and anticipation as I clambered aboard the stately 1977 Bentley T2. I was half expecting to see Elton John sat in the back seat, sadly, there was no Rocket Man. Much as I’d like to claim ownership of this elegant lady, that honour lies with my friend Trent. Faithful followers, you will remember Trent as the driver – as opposed to polisher – of the Ferrari 348 I wrote about after a brief sojourn last Christmas. Well, it was time for another visit, whilst in chilly Blighty last week, hence the copious layers of aforementioned attire. The Bentley – acquired by Trent since my last visit – was, at the time, in 1977, groundbreaking in motor technology. It has an interior every bit as imposing as the outside. Front seats that resemble armchairs (mine was a tad reclined; on attempting to upright it, a mirthful “I wouldn’t” from Trent ensured I kept my hands off any controls for the drive!), a walnut dashboard, map reading light and lamb’s wool floor mats, for starters; not to mention a giant boot! The back seats three passengers but with two, seating is infinitely more capacious. All four doors have inbuilt silver ashtrays and cigarette lighters – Woodbines not included regrettably. The back doors sport walnut vanity mirrors with toggle light switches – handy for that all-important lippie touch-up prior to alighting at the neighbour’s pile in the countryside www.bahrainthismonth.com
undoubtedly. The back seat pockets have portable foot rests for placement on the lamb’s wool carpet – no, we weren’t quite sure why you might need them either. Comfortably settled in, off we glided in the ‘Waftmobile’ (her affectionate moniker). Our destination? A spot of luncheon in a country pub in the Cotswolds, where else dear boy? The V8 engines rumbled smoothly and the Bentley’s 4,000kg bulk cruised along in a reassuringly solid manner. Suffice to say, she’s a bit of a head turner and she did garner quite a few second takes as we charged along both motorway and country lanes. This grand lady does like a tipple however, an eyewatering bundle of money exchanged hands at the filling station; the petrol gauge moved almost imperceptibly – Trent assured me it does actually work. On arrival at our destination, we were amused at the very “British” array of vehicles, namely, a Range Rover, Mini-Cooper and Jaguar – none of those foreign fancies – already in the car park. They almost visibly bowed in deference as this majestic lady swept into her spot. All in all, this car is truly redolent of times past, it was my first time in such a regal lady (no offense to the Missus!) hopefully it wasn’t my last. The Bentley T2 was a truly lovely bonus indeed to a super visit with our friends. I’m already looking forward to the next visit, the anticipation of which vehicle awaits me not withstanding… a Bugatti perhaps Trent?
Chery launch, p44
View more info online
January 2020 41
motoringtestdrive
A NEW ACQUAINTANCE
Dick Potter gives his verdict on a brand he’s not encountered before.
M
ahindra is a car manufacturer that is quite possibly unknown to many, outside of the Indian community. It certainly was to me until I had the offer of testdriving it recently. A part of Mahindra Group, Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) Limited is an Indian-based automobile company with headquarters in Mumbai. Eight years ago, the brand acquired the Korean automotive company Ssangyong and has also partnered with Ford in India; the first jointly developed products from this alliance are expected in 2020. The company has, I discovered to my surprise, a global presence and its manufactured vehicles include SUVs, pick-ups, electric vehicles, buses, trucks and two-wheelers, to name but a few. A very impressive list indeed.
42 January 2020
The vehicle I took for a spin was the XUV500 2018 model, the new version and dubbed the “plush new XUV500” – the original model was 2015. This 2018 version has had cosmetic uplifting on interior, exterior and under the hood. On the bodywork, there are noticeable and bold improvements to the grill, namely the addition of chrome surrounds and inserts, which I feel lend a raised premium factor to the vehicle. The side profile is similar to the previous model, but alloy wheels and yet more chrome bump up the oomph factor also. The rear view is boosted in appearance with wicked tail lamps and a muscular tail gate. The facelift carries over into the interior; essentially more plush fabrics and a faux leather dashboard surround. Highlights of the
interior for me were the invitingly large seats upholstered in quilted leather. Easy to understand then why the XUV500 is one of the more popular Mahindras in India, along with the Scorpio and Bolero models. It has certainly earned its place in the SUV category, with its respectable rivals including the Tata Hexa, Jeep Compass and the Hyundai Tucson. Driving it was indeed easy and comfortable. With a six-speed transmission and the renowned 2.2-litre mHawk four-cylinder engine which has been boosted from 140 to 155bhp. A torque of 360Nm@1750-2800r/min and the addition of a new electric variable turbo charger have further helped increase its performance. Driving controls offer both automatic and manual options and the XUV500’s body size gives you a secure feeling on the road. The interior has the potential to sit seven, if the foldout seats in the trunk are utilised. I was also particularly impressed with the large-screen infotainment system, the features of which are comparable to more widely known manufacturers of SUVs currently in the market. If I was to be picky – just doing my job you understand – it would be the quality of the interior plastics, for example the centre console and gear stick. Mahindra could bring this point up at the next board meeting perhaps?! At a starting price of BD7,200, you get an awful lot of SUV for your dinars. The dealer in Bahrain for Mahindra is Mohamed Jalal and Sons, who secured the dealership following many years of negotiation. www.bahrainthismonth.com
motoring news
SPORTIEST MODEL YET
P
orsche has completed the Macan series with a distinctly sporty model. The new Macan GTS boasts a powerful engine, performance-oriented chassis, characteristic design and enhanced equipment. The 2.9-litre V6 biturbo engine delivers 380hp (280kW) – an increase of 20hp (15kW) compared with the predecessor model. Combined with the newly adapted PDK dualclutch transmission and the optional Sport Chrono package, the Macan GTS can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds, three tenths faster than before. It has a top speed of 261km/h. Among other things, the new member of Porsche’s compact SUV family has earned the abbreviation GTS, which stands for ‘Gran Turismo Sport’, due to its outstanding driving dynamics. The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) damping control system has been specially tuned. The chassis has also been lowered by 15mm for greater lateral dynamics. Adaptive air suspension is available with the chassis lowering by a further 10mm.
OWNERSHIP ALTERNATIVE
A
new way of driving has been introduced in the shape of Invygo – the first appbased car subscription company in the MENA region. It offers an alternative to owning, renting or leasing a car without the hassle or commitment, all from an app. Initially launched in the UAE, the company has recently raised USD1 million to expand to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and other GCC countries. Customers can choose a car, upload their licence, and sign their documents all from within the app and have the car delivered for free to their home within hours. With no down payment, long-term commitment or hidden fees involved, customers pay monthly to drive the car and can even request servicing or return their car with the tap of a button whenever they need. Just browse, cick and drive. More information can be found on www.invygo.com www.bahrainthismonth.com
Combined with the standard 20-inch RS Spyder Design wheels and the generously sized cast iron brakes (360 x 36mm at the front, 330 x 22mm at the rear), the new Macan GTS impresses with the agility and responsiveness of a true sports car. As an option, deceleration can be further improved by means of the Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB) with tungsten carbide coating or the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB). The new Macan GTS also emphasises its exceptional sporty status visually. The standard Sport Design package, with new front and rear trim and striking side skirts, lends the car a characteristic appearance.
ROADWORTHY RACER
M
cLaren has announced the 620R, the first car in its class to offer true motorsport credentials in a fully road-legal package. The limited-edition coupé – just 350 will be built – evolves the competition specification of the McLaren 570S GT4 to deliver a race-car experience on either track or road. A high level of commonality with a 570S GT4 race car has been integral to the development of the 620R from the outset. They have the same, single-piece carbon fibre Monocell II chassis providing the foundations for the strength and light weight of the car, with a targeted lightest dry weight of 1,282kg. The 620R has the same M838TE 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine used in the GT4 car, but with a significant difference in power output; freedom from racing regulations has allowed the engine ECU and turbocharger management to be reconfigured to achieve 620PS (610bhp), making this the most powerful Sports Series car yet. The engine also develops torque of 620Nm (457lb/ft) and, even with lap times more important than sheer top speed, the combined outputs help to deliver benchmark performance figures of 0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds and 0-200km/h in 8.1 seconds. Maximum speed is 322km/h (200mph). Production of the 620R will be limited to just 350 customer orders, all handbuilt at the McLaren Production Centre in Woking, Surrey. Production will begin this month.
January 2020 43
motoring news
THE EXTRA MILE
E
uro Motors Jaguar Land Rover has gone the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction with the recent launch of Service@Home, a pioneering programme in which the service comes to you, rather than the other way round. With a simple and standard procedure in place to make bookings and payments, the company has made servicing its customers’ vehicles as easy as possible for the owners. From the first call up until the completion of the check-up, customers will interact with and be tended to by trained specialists who will do everything needed to make the entire experience seamless. Customers can opt for either an oil and oil filter service or an oil, pollen and air filter option. The charges for the available services are nominally priced and vary based on the model of the vehicle. Additionally, owners are offered a complimentary electronic vehicle health check and outstanding warranty actions that can take up to 30 minutes.
M
otorcity, the exclusive distributor of Chery vehicles in the Kingdom, has unveiled the all-new Tiggo 8, a seven-seater SUV. The Tiggo 8 carries on the Tiggo family signature designs such as H.D.S water-flow body line, tiger-crouching front and tiger-eye lamps, while bearing the distinct international character and touch of the lead designer Kevin Rice, former BMW designer. Positioned as a family SUV, the new Tiggo has a super-long wheelbase of 2,710mm, with a flexible layout of five plus two seats, a unique second row of seats sliding back and forth, and a spacious 1,930-litre boot that caters to the high demand for family-use vehicles in the Bahrain market. The Tiggo 8 comes with luxurious interior decoration such as wood, piano board, chrome and leather seats. Other attractive features include the 2.0litre turbo and nine-speed CVT 25 platinum power combination, remote start system, 10.25-inch HD touch screen, 360° around view monitor, electric tailgate sensor, Bosch 9.3 ESP and a 0.92sq/m super-large panoramic sunroof. It has also received a five-star safety rating from the China New Car Assessment Programme (C-NCAP).
NEW LAUNCH
SHOW TIME
T
he highly anticipated all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator – the most off-road capable midsize truck ever – was set to make its Middle East debut, as we went to press, at the legendary Liwa Festival, taking place in Abu Dhabi until January 10. To celebrate its arrival in Middle East showrooms in February 2020, a limited run of just 300 Jeep Gladiator Launch Edition models will be made available to customers in the Middle East. Along with a Launch Edition Badge, the Gladiator will have unique features and design elements including 17-inch Mid Gloss Black aluminium wheels, 33-inch BFgoodrich M/Tires, a wrapped instrument panel mid-bolster painted in Monaco silver and black leather seats with red accent stitching. Standard features include LED head and taillights, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system, keyless entry, 44 January 2020
Forward Facing TrailCam camera, Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection, ParkSense rear park assist system, Advanced Brake Assist, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, Trail Rail Cargo Management System, spray-in bedliner and Trailer Tow. Gladiator Rubicon models are capable of towing 7,000 lbs. Gladiator Rubicon models are equipped with signature red tow hooks, Rock-Trac 4x4 system, featuring a two-speed transfer case with a 4:1 lowrange gear ratio, front and rear heavy-duty Dana 44 axles, Tru-Lok electric front- and rear-axle lockers, segment-exclusive electronic sway bar disconnect, cab and bed rock rails, as well as Jeep’s upgraded 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 engine, rated at 285hp and 260lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. www.bahrainthismonth.com
Your local search engine for restaurants and hotels in Bahrain Restaurants
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business bites
CORPORATE REBRANDING VIVA Bahrain has changed its corporate identity to STC Bahrain, referring back to its parent Saudi Telecom Company. Speaking at the rebrand event, Eng Nezar Banabeela, CEO of STC Bahrain, stressed that the move will further contribute to achieving the company’s vision to lead the digital transformation in Bahrain, by focusing on growth in new unconventional paths and providing digital solutions that enrich the lives of its customers, as well as providing innovative services and products that enable the business sector to operate more effectively and economically. Since its launch, as VIVA, in 2010, STC Bahrain is credited with revolutionising Bahrain’s telecom landscape with investments worth BD700 million in infrastructure and resources thereby contributing to the Kingdom’s ICT development and growth. Concluding the announcement on brand transformation, Eng Nezar Banabeela said: “We are excited about the new future ahead of us and the opportunities that it has to offer. Together with STC group, we are committed to bringing greater dimension and richness to Bahrain’s social and economic development as we continue to advance Bahrain’s digital future.”
A NEW CUPPA
Costa Coffee, the iconic UK-based coffee shop company, and Al Zayani Investments Group, have announced a new franchise partnership. The newly established Al Zayani Investments F&B arm – Al Zayani Foods SPC, has been granted exclusive development rights to Costa Coffee in the Kingdom. The first store under the new partnership, which opened at the beginning of the month in Bahrain City Centre, will reflect local tastes and preferences, including homegrown specialities and twists on old classics, backed by talented baristas, great service and an ambience of comfort. Al Zayani Foods will be building new Costa Coffee stores across Bahrain which reflect these joint values and commitment to great tasting coffee.
BEST BANK Bahrain-based GFH Financial Group (GFH) was named Best Islamic Investment Bank at the Performance Awards 2019 which were part of the 26th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC) held under the patronage of HRH the Prime Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. The honours, which are based on objective data sourced from nominated institutions, are the flagship awards for WIBC and are granted to the top financial institutions based on their aggregate performance scores against multiple measures on a global and regional level. Each financial institution receives an aggregate score based on financial stability, financial performance and governance and social responsibility. Award recipients are those that secure the top aggregate score at the global and regional level. Those that make it in the top 10 at the global level and top five at the regional level are nominated.
OPEN FOR BUSINESS Esol Education’s American School of Bahrain (ASB) has commenced enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year, offering children in the Kingdom a top-tier international education within its state-of-the-art facility. With an expansive 60,000sq/m campus catering to 1,200 students, ASB will be home to one of the most advanced learning environments in Bahrain. Located in Wadi Al Buhair, near the Bahrain National Stadium, the premium K-12 American preparatory school is set to open its doors in September 2020 with a challenging standards-based US curriculum, leading to the option of an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in Grades 11 and 12. 46 January 2020
ASB is a joint venture between Esol Education and Elm Education Fund, a Bahrain-based education platform, established by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company. www.bahrainthismonth.com
business bites
MANAMA NAMED CAPITAL OF ARAB TOURISM
Bahrain’s main city was named ‘Capital of Arab Tourism’ for 2020 during the 22nd session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism. The council, which consists of eight Arab countries, previously elected Bahrain as a member of its Executive Office for a period of two years between 2018 and 2019. During the session, the Kingdom was re-elected as a member of the Executive Office for the next period (2020-2021) and was appointed as the Vice President of the 23rd Session of the council which will be held in Saudi Arabia next year. Commenting on the occasion, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and Chairman of BTEA (Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority), HE Zayed Al Zayani, expressed the Kingdom’s pride at being named the ‘Capital of Arab Tourism’ for 2020. He also affirmed BTEA’s commitment to further developing this vital sector and bolstering bilateral and Arab ties in the field. “BTEA’s strategy focusses on developing unique tourism products through hosting a series of events and activities that target all segments of society including families from the GCC and other Arab countries, further contributing to the development of the tourism sector,” he added.
CUSTOMISED ORTHOPAEDIC CARE
NEW SKILLS PARTNERSHIP The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF), one of the premiere providers of quality training and education in the region, has announced a new partnership with the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. The move aims to identify collaborative training opportunities and joint initiatives that will focus on upskilling young Bahrainis to prepare them for the job market. www.bahrainthismonth.com
Royal Bahrain Hospital has welcomed Dr Stefan Dragulescu to its team of medical experts. A German board-certified surgeon with more than 20 years of experience in the field of orthopaedics, Dr Stefan is a member of the Professional Association of Orthopaedic and Traumatology Specialists, the Society of Arthroscopy and Joint Surgery and the German Association of Chirotherapy and Osteopathy. He is also certified in emergency medical treatment. Dr Stefan provides comprehensive orthopaedic solutions and treatments which include knee and hip replacement, traumatology, foot and ankle surgery, arthroscopic surgery of the knee and shoulder, sports injuries, chiropractic and conservative treatment of spine diseases. His specialist procedure is the implementation of custom-made knee and hip replacements to suit the patients’ needs. To book your appointment with Dr Stefan, call 17 246-800, whatsapp 32 181-810 or book online on www.royalbahrainhospital.com. You can also download the Royal Bahrain Hospital mobile application, available for download on the App Store on iOS devices and Google Play on Android devices, to book appointments, review doctor profiles and stay up to date with the monthly health packages. January 2020 47
commerce
Looking Forward E
very time we open a new calendar at January 1, there is renewed hope for betterment of every aspect of our lives. Financial stability, health and well-being – these are aspects almost every individual aspires to with every turn of the page. However, these are difficult concepts. They are broadly governed by what we do as individuals and what the economy does. So, this new year, let’s look at both aspects in cohesion and find one small thing that can help make things easier. Let’s begin with the aspect closest to us – ourselves. I presume here that everyone wants, to some extent, to earn more, save better, have better health, educate our children and perhaps have better quality leisure time. To improve the health of your finances and your body, the first step is to analyse or review, then to carve out unnecessary expenses (or food) to some extent and perhaps budget or plan better. But this can all be quite constraining and overwhelming, so perhaps begin by simply tracking – track your expenses and your health better, and in detail, and let rationality and necessity guide what you do with the information. For the other aspects of aspirational improvement, we need the support of the 48 January 2020
system at large. And again, 2020 seems to be a fantastic place to begin. The economy of Bahrain is diversifying. New school partners, like the Inspired Group, are now here; established brands like EtonHouse from Singapore are available; and a lot of local preschools have opened recently. Even new special needs centres, such as Athena, ensure a more inclusive form of education. High calibre hospitals and medical facilities are expanding as is the ecosystem that supports these facilities through health technology. Hospitality is clearly an area of focus with several brands entering and expanding in the country. The focus on Bahrain as an island destination for weddings or events is likely to expand the leisure activities. We now have Dive Bahrain, we have trampoline parks, we have an international theatre. New facilities for our children to use, new music centres, gymnastics centres, play areas – look around you, they are everywhere. And when entrepreneurship is on the rise like this, it’s because at an individual level, people are hopeful. And this aggregation creates the reality of success. Every individual and every economy goes through points of crises and points of inflexion for betterment. Bahrain has been
Financial expert Pria Masson Tanwar offers a dose of New Year cheer. through change over recent years with exits and rising prices and a cleaning up of sorts. It is now poised for a clear strategic direction forward and when the economy grows, so do the individuals. So, at the start of 2020, let’s take a deep breath and keep some perspective. Realise that, while it sometimes seems much is falling apart, you need to look around and see what is right. Your finances may not be as bad as you fear. Track and check. Your health may be fixable. Your time could be better managed with small tweaks and, overall, you may be able to have a better quality of life by simply shifting your focus. I am not talking about being naïve to the problems – in fact I’m saying increase awareness of the bad… and the good. You could find the silver linings to give you the hopeful strength for an amazing 2020.
Pria is an Advisor with JEO Management Consultants (http://www.jeomanagement.com). You can follow Pria at her Instagram handle money_cues or know more about her professional experience at http://www.i2d-consulting.com www.bahrainthismonth.com
commerce
ENSURING YOUR EVENT’S SUCCESS SPREADING THE WORD
Bahrain This Month now makes it easier for any event in and around Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Region to attract increased interest and attendance at competitive rates by not only spreading awareness but also converting interest into business though its recently developed online payment gateway, which can be found at www.bahrainthismonth.com, the Kingdom’s leading events and lifestyle portal. With average page views of 58,176, www.bahrainthismonth.com is a very popular website amongst locals and expatriate residents as well as individuals internationally who want to know what’s happening in Bahrain. Visitors logon to check pictures from our Gallery, consisting of hundreds of different events taking place each month, as well as interesting online content covering Lifestyle, Dining, Motoring, Technology and Entertainment. Event, seminar and concert organisers, hotels, restaurants as well as spas and salons now have a vehicle through which to promote their core services comprehensively, cost effectively and extensively. If you choose to exclusively sell tickets online with us, we ensure, through online ad services, that your event information has the right visibility and reach, in a simple, hassle-free way.
40,000, supported by a 5,000 strong email and a 2,500-strong WhatsApp database, the total audience of the 360° media platform now exceeds 270,000 (including many social media channels). Since Bahrain This Month magazine is delivered to all Gulf Daily News subscribers on a monthly basis and the magazine has established itself as the most popular entertainment and leisure guide in Bahrain (through print, online and social media channels), it is no wonder that BTM is even more relevant to the local market today than it was as the first stand-alone monthly magazine on the island back in 1997. BE SEEN ON BAHRAIN’S MOST VIEWED AND POPULAR EVENTS PORTAL Our event landing pages are the most popular destination for visitors to our portal. You can include any upcoming events on our comprehensive Events Calendar on our website free of cost. All you have to do is register on www.bahrainthismonth.com/ events once by pressing the “Add Event” button and then sign in any time thereafter.
Make the most of Bahrain This Month’s nifty new services to reach out to audiences across the region making your events a roaring success.
documentaries in London before returning to Bahrain. He now takes over SOS Marketing’s digital film division to take visual advertising and marketing services to the next level of expertise; adding a unique flavour of creativity and experience to Bahrain’s burgeoning online media scene. From exclusive event coverage, to innovative promotional clips; from full-on documentaries to creative short films and even music videos, SOS Marketing’s 360° multi-media platform is at your disposal to help facilitate a total marketing campaign aimed at proliferating your brand, product or service to unprecedented levels of acceptance and success. Scan the QR Code to watch the show reel. Call 32 101-213.
Similarly, after the event takes place, once registered, you can add the images onto the photo-gallery section at www. bahrainthismonth.com/gallery VISUAL MEDIA SOS Marketing, the digital media arm of Red House Marketing, BTM’s parent company, has widened its scope of activities to include digital film production and editing, headed by Danny Sokov, a Russian-born filmmaker, who was raised and educated in Bahrain, with a decade of experience in the visual media industry.
Analytics prove that Bahrain This Month is the most widely accessed events portal in the Kingdom with over three times the engagement of its closest competitor. Together with a magazine print run of 9,000 copies per month and a monthly print readership of approximately www.bahrainthismonth.com
On completing his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Kent, UK – specialising in screenwriting and editing, Danny worked under the mentorship of BAFTA-nominated directors Kristiene Clarke and Clio Barnard. His standout work earned him apprenticeships on the sets of acclaimed films and TV shows, such as the BAFTA-nominated The Selfish Giant, where he developed his skills under the tutelage of some of the UK’s top film and TV editors. Danny developed, filmed, edited and distributed a variety of art and history January 2020 49
bystander
City & Guilds Seminar City & Guilds held an Employability Skills and Cambridge English Assessment programmes seminar.
A Night of Classics The Philippines Embassy held a Night of Classics with a Harana serenade at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa.
Reopening of Centrepoint Centrepoint Store, Riffa held its reopening ceremony under the patronage of Shaikh Hasan bin Rashid Al Khalifa.
50 January 2020
To view more images, scan the QR code
www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery
G N I DIN onth this m
COMFORT AND JOY
NO TIME TO WASTE!, p52
Liz O’Reilly tried out Bambudha, the new offering from Chef David, of David’s Stir Fry Crazy.
W
hen one of the island’s favourite chefs launches a new venue and you’re lucky enough to be his guest for a tasting, you know you’re in for a treat. Bambudha by David and Anne is tucked into a new mini-mall, with its own parking, just opposite American Alley in Juffair. It’s not a massive venue with just a handful of tables and an open kitchen downstairs and more seating on the first floor. David explained: “We wanted to do something completely different, so we’re not pushing fine dining here, this is more casual comfort food, the kind of street food you would find throughout Asia.” And comfort food it truly is. There are three menus: the à la carte, where you will find some of your David’s favourites; One Bowl Wonders, a selection of meat and fish dishes over rice, which are often served with a soup on the side; and The World of Noodles which features dishes that are either soup-based or wok fried. We started with the classic Vietnamese Braised Beef Noodle Soup which was oh so super tasty with the broth made from beef bones and filled with pieces of aromatic braised meat. Next came Malay Prawn Curry Laksa. Described by David as “a little spicy”, I found this absolutely perfect. The broth is, indeed, spicy but a hint of coconut milk takes the edge off, allowing you to really appreciate the intricate flavour of the seamlessly blended Malaysian spices. The chunky prawns are served with “fluffy fried tofu” – crispy on the outside and, yes, fluffy inside – bean sprouts and baby bok choy, which adds a tender peppery taste to the mix. Phoenix and Dragon Over Noodles Pancake followed – yes, I really should have asked about the name. However, I was too busy digging into the pan-fried egg noodles which were deliciously crispy on the outside with a soft, yielding interior. They were accompanied by seasoned sautéed chicken, so tender as to melt in the mouth, and lightly spiced shrimps and veggies. This would make a www.bahrainthismonth.com
A SPLENDID SOIRÉE, p54
perfect dish for someone who wants all the flavour of Asian food without over spiciness. I loved the Laksa but, I have to confess, my favourite dish of the day was the Hong Kong-inspired Black Pepper Beef and Potatoes. Oh my gosh, everything from the sticky sweet tang of the signature pepper sauce – almost molasses-like in both consistency and flavour – to the sprinkling of sesame seeds, was clearly designed as a treat for the taste buds. And, though the one-bowl dish comes with rice, I was more than happy with the stir-fried sweet potatoes and red and green peppers, all coated in that delicious sauce. Hong Kong Roast Duck Noodle Soup came next, featuring yet more incredibly flavourful broth, brimming with herbs and spices, poured over freshly-made noodles (they’re all handmade in-house) and topped with traditional roast duck. You’ll notice this duck is not pink as David prefers to keep additives to a minimum. The resulting taste, in my view, is all the better for it. Our final dish was Dan Dan Mein – spicy Sichuan noodles blanched and topped with ground meat, pickles and herbs and layered with a rich creamy paste of sesame and chilli oil. The menu says this is Anne’s favourite, and, since she’s been in the business for years, that’s a good recommendation. The noodles certainly didn’t disappoint with the sesame giving a smooth nutty flavour to a hot and spicy feast. So, did David manage to provide the comfort food he’d promised. You bet he did. And everything is really reasonably priced too, perfect for a weekday lunch or an evening out with friends.
THIRSTY KEBAB, p55
LOCAL DELIGHTS, p57
View more info online
January 2020 51
tablehopping
AUTHENTICALLY ORTHODOX
G N I PP
O H E g n L i B n i D TA y r a
Janu
Relish the traditions of Orthodox Christmas in a summery island setting on January 7 at Bahrain Bay Kitchen, located at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. A lavish lunch spread of kutya, roasts and pies is complemented by fresh seafood and live cooking stations for BD25, inclusive of soft beverages, or BD35, inclusive of selected beverages. Quench your thirst with handcrafted drinks throughout the afternoon, from 1pm-4.30pm. Call 17 115-500.
NOT TO BE MISSED Saraya, Fiamma and Rivaaj restaurants at the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa will stage the Grand Festiv’ALL Friday Brunch on January 31 from 12.30pm-4pm to commemorate the new lifestyle loyalty programme, ALL – Accor Live Limitless. With the finest international gastronomy with top class live entertainment and much more, expect an event full of surprises and scrumptious fare, for BD35, inclusive of soft beverages, or BD40, inclusive of selected beverages. Existing and newly-enrolled members will get fantastic discounts. Call 38 885-789.
NO TIME TO WASTE! Ready the Wasabi is an Express Lunch available at Ruka, located at Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa in Seef. Take your seat and savour a fresh three-course menu, priced at BD8, inclusive of water and Sencha tea, at the restaurant overlooking the Arabian Gulf, from 12.30pm-3.30pm, daily, except Fridays. Enjoy a variety of light and luscious dishes to keep you going through the second half of the business day. Call 17 111-999.
HIGH TEA JOY January is the month of afternoon tea at the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain. Pamper yourself with teatime goodies without breaking your New Year’s resolutions throughout the month, whilst listening to the smooth piano melodies by the resident performer. Afternoon high tea is served daily at the newly relaunched Gallery lobby from 3pm-7pm, daily, priced at BD16, for two guests. Call 17 460-017.
52 January 2020
www.bahrainthismonth.com
tablehopping
WELL GRILLED Baharat Restaurant at LĂŠ Meridien City Centre Bahrain stages Wednesday Barbecue Night. This stylish yet rustic experience showcases barbecued ribs and Wagyu prime rib steak. The buffet is priced at BD22, including soft drinks and water, or BD28, including selected free-flow beverages. The grills are fired up from 7pm-11pm. Call 17 171-441.
YOU CAN COOK! Learn the tips and secrets of excelling at Asian cooking from a specialised Asian cuisine chef on January 4, from 11am-1.30pm at WU restaurant, at ART Rotana, Amwaj. The class will be followed by a delicious complimentary lunch and beverages for all participants. The afternoon is priced at BD20 per person, inclusive of the class, lunch and beverages. Call 16 000-111.
DINE LIKE ROYALTY Partake in the Nawabi Food Festival at Spices restaurant at the Crowne Plaza Bahrain. Take your palate on a journey of flavour and spice through the Nawab’s regions of India when Chef Pramod will be preparing a range of dishes unique to the City of Kings. The festival is on every day throughout January, from noon to 11pm. Call 16 000-111.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
January 2020 53
tablehopping
A LATE-NIGHT AFFAIR For all the night owls out there, who think brunch is still too early, join in every Friday for Late Liquid Brunch at Havana Club, at the Jumeirah Royal Saray Bahrain. Enjoy an unlimited selection of delicious canapĂŠs and selected beverages while the Cuban band sets the mood for the evening. The memorable meal is priced at BD30 per person, and is hosted every Friday, from 8pm onwards. Call 77 707-070.
A SPLENDID SOIRÉE Fiamma Restaurant at the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa invites you to celebrate a Russian Christmas Eve Gala Dinner on January 7, from 7pm-10.30pm. Gather your loved ones and savour a grand festive feast prepared with love by the culinary team to satisfy all your cravings on this joyous occasion for BD30, inclusive of food only, or BD40, inclusive of selected beverages. Call 38 885-789.
Dino Park Inauguration Bahrain Dino Park opened its doors to the public at the Prince Khalifa Park in Hidd.
54 January 2020
www.bahrainthismonth.com
tablehopping
GOURMET EXTRAVAGANCE Treat yourself to an unforgettable culinary experience with over 130 kinds of desserts, unlimited beverages and an extravagant selection of international dishes and live cooking stations at Bahrain’s Sweetest Brunch, at Lé Meridien City Centre Bahrain’s Baharat Restaurant. The lavish meal costs BD28, including soft drinks and water, or BD36, including selected free-flow beverages. The buffet is laid out every Friday, from 12.30pm-4pm. Entertainer vouchers are accepted. Call 17 171-441.
A SWISS TREAT Prepare for a warm, Swiss gourmet feast from January 25-31at Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain. Sample the varied delights of classic Gruyere and Vacherin cheese melted in white grape from the options in the à la carte menu. Or, treat your taste buds to Swiss Fondue for BD15 per portion, available in single and double pots, at Silk’s restaurant from 7pm onwards. Call 17 460-017.
2020 JANUARY
ORIENTAL OCCASION On January 24, Bahrain Bay Kitchen at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay will have a special Friday brunch to welcome the Chinese New Year, including live dim sum stands, a Peking duck station, prosperity tossed salad and Singapore chilli crab. The buffet will run from 1pm-4pm, and costs BD30, inclusive of soft beverages, or BD43, inclusive of selected beverages. Call 17 115-500.
AS YOU LIKE IT If you’re looking for a huge slice of deliciousness or a just a tasty little treat to satisfy your sweet tooth, head down to Furn Bakery at The Westin City Centre Bahrain, for cake of your choice, your weight, your slice, your delight! Five flavours are available from Thursday to Saturday, between 3pm and 11pm, and one flavour is available from Sunday to Wednesday, from 3pm-11pm. Call 17 171-441.
THIRSTY KEBAB Combine a chilled brew with your favourite kebabs from India’s Nawabi cuisine, and watch your taste buds come alive with the combination of the elusive spices and the bubbly brew. Enjoy the elegant atmosphere coupled with live Indian entertainment only at your favourite venue, Tanatan Indian Speciality Restaurant, at Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa, every day from 7pm-1.30am. Guests can order their choice of kebab platter and add BD1 to get two hops. Call 17 111-999. www.bahrainthismonth.com
When? January 7 Event? Orthodox Christmas Upgraded Lunch. Venue? Silk’s Restaurant, Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain A fabulous upgraded Christmas buffet served in perfect surroundings for BD25, including unlimited selected grape, sparkling and brews. E Call 17 460-017. When? January 10 Event? Russian Christmas Brunch Venue? Saraya, Fiamma and Rivaaj restaurants, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa Celebrate the Russian Christmas for BD35, inclusive of soft beverages, or BD40, inclusive of selected beverages. E Call 38 885-789. When? January 24-31 Event? Café del Mar Venue? Tapas, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa Treat yourself to a delicious meal from live cooking stations and let the good vibes roll for BD15, inclusive of a live station food coupon and two selected beverages coupon. E Call 38 885-789. When? January 25-February 4 Event? Chinese New Year Venue? WU Restaurant & Lounge, ART Rotana Have a delectable experience with a five-course set menu prepared using authentic Chinese ingredients to construct signature dishes fit for the occasion. E Call 16 000-111. When? Every Tuesday Event? Infinite Sushi Venue? Teatro, Downtown Rotana Turn Tuesday evenings into an infinite experience with authentic Japanese delicacies and family favourites for BD18, with soft drinks, or BD30, with selected drinks package. E Call 13 119-999. When? Every Tuesday Event? Gentlemen’s Tuesday Venue? Legendz Steakhouse, InterContinental Regency Bahrain A 30-per-cent discount for all steakordering gentlemen, from 7pm –11pm. E Call 17 227-777. January 2020 55
tablehopping When? Every Wednesday Event? So Sushi (Unlimited Sushi) Venue? Ruka, Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa Savour unlimited sushi and maki rolls all evening, beginning with a bowl of miso soup and edamame for BD11. E Call 17 111-999. When? Every Friday Event? Butchers Board Friday Brunch Venue? Flavours on 2 at Downtown Rotana Enjoy succulent cuts of beef, lamb and chicken, in addition to the contemporary Friday buffet spread of sushi, salads and international dishes for BD22, including soft drinks, or BD33, including unlimited selected beverages. E Call 13 119-999. When? Every Friday Event? Mexican Party Brunch Venue? La Mosaique Restaurant, Crowne Plaza Bahrain Indulge in authentic delicacies from the Mexican food station and enjoy Mexican beverages, for BD31, with unlimited selected beverages E Call 17 531-122 / 39 242-391. When? Every day except Fridays Event? We Lunching! Venue? Lemon Tree, Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa Join in for a quick business lunch of an appealing international buffet for BD5. Group discounts available. E Call 17 111-999.
AFTERNOON BREAK
A DELICIOUS DEAL Indulge in Mercure Grand Hotel Seef’s Al-Sofra Friday Brunch buffet and enjoy the ever-popular Buy 1 Get 1 Free offer for an exceptional culinary experience in the heart of Seef, all through January. Savour an assortment of Mediterranean dishes, along with locally-inspired favourites at Neyran restaurant from 12.30pm-4pm to satisfy all those cravings. Go brunching from only BD12++ including soft beverages. Call 17 584-400.
When? Every day in January Event? Early Bird Venue? Flavours on 2, Downtown Rotana Enjoy a delicious lunch from Saturday to Thursday for only BD7 with an international buffet when you dine between 12.30pm -1.30pm. E Call 13 119-999. When? Every day in January Event? A Taste of Season Venue? Brasserie Royale, Jumeirah Royal Saray Bahrain Relish delicious Bahraini prawns from a special à la carte menu including crispy coconut prawns, handmade pasta with prawns or prawn biriyani. E Call 77 707-070.
56 January 2020
Jumeirah Royal Saray Bahrain’s Brasserie Royale hosts a Mediterranean Business Lunch from Sunday to Thursday, between noon and 3pm. Whether in a meeting or on a relaxing lunch break, delight in tasty Mediterranean fare amidst the busy Seef district. The venue at this classy hotel offers a three-course menu, with delicious options to choose from, priced at BD15 per person. Call 77 707-070.
ONE FOR THE ENGLISHMEN NEW ADDITIONS Haus Restaurant and Lounge, Adliya’s homegrown fuss-free dining experience, has rolled out a new sushi menu that provides Bahrain’s sushi lovers with a modern and globally-inspired selection of the finest Japanese dishes. The menu features more than 15 new dishes including firm favourites such as thin sliced sashimi, hand rolled maki and classic nigiri that utilise premium quality ingredients. The restaurant’s friendly staff are on hand to provide expert recommendations based on individual guest tastes. Call 17 663-232.
Missing the taste of your hometown chippy? British Hub is Bahrain’s newest British outlet located on Janabiya Highway. The venue provides a fantastic range of authentic fish and chips (using cod and haddock) along with many of your favourite chip shop treats. The menu also includes burgers, wraps, broasted chicken, pasta and kids’ meals. The newly opened outlet operates daily from noon to midnight. Call 36 424-642 / 36 424-641.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
tablehopping
ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS BBQ Join in with your family on January 7, for an evening filled with excitement as you enjoy an Orthodox Christmas family buffet by Elements pool and Selections, at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain, with a live barbecue and other ethnic food stations. The meal is priced at BD19, with soft beverages, or BD29, with selected beverages, and will be served from 7pm-10.30pm. Call 17 227-777.
LOCAL DELIGHTS Noor Lounge, the refined yet casual lobby lounge at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain, is the ideal venue for an informal business meeting or a relaxing break. Guests can enjoy various delicacies, ranging from beverages to delectable pastries. The outlet offers a special Bahraini breakfast platter by Chef Samara, served with Karak tea, every day from 8am-noon. A sharing platter with tea costs BD9.500. Call 17 227-777.
TOP SECRET Since Maki first opened, they always had a small selection of traditional Japanese hot pots, called Nabemono, available in the winter season. Only known to a small number of people, the Japanese fine-dining outlet is now sharing this secret menu with you. Patrons can try the famous Sukiyaki, the Nabeyaki Udon, or the Yosenabe. Vegan or vegetarian Nabemono is available as well, full of colourful vegetables, tofu, and thick udon. Enjoy these Nabemono in cast iron pots that are specifically made for not sharing – unlike most other Japanese tapas style dishes at Maki. Call 17 522-733.
A DAILY DOSE There’s going to be a new branch of everyone’s favourite Dose Café, one of the largest coffee chains in Kuwait, at the Mall of Dilmunia. The signing ceremony was held at the mall’s premises, and was attended by key officials of both parties. Covering an area of 110sq/m beside the Bahrain Aquarium on the ground floor, Dose Café will provide a distinguished selection of coffee drinks and a variety of snacks to customers. Located in the heart of Dilmunia Island in the north-eastern coast of the Island of Muharraq, Mall of Dilmunia is currently in its final stages of development.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
A DELIGHTFUL CELEBRATION On January 25, celebrate Chinese New Year with specially crafted Chinese snack platters while enjoying music from a live band at The Harvesters Pub & Terrace, Crowne Plaza Bahrain. Enjoy this East Meets West buffet from 5pm-2am. Call 17 531-122 / 39 920-163.
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Jumeirah Tree Lighting Ceremony Jumeirah Royal Saray Bahrain held a tree lighting ceremony and the opening of its Winter Wonderland.
Mövenpick Tree Lighting Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain held a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at its Gallery lobby lounge, with gifts and seasonal snacks.
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Crowne Plaza’s Tree Lighting Ceremony Crowne Plaza Bahrain held a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at its lobby with mulled drinks and carols. 58 January 2020
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bystander
The K Hotel Tree Lighting
The K Hotel held a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at its lobby.
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Ramada Christmas Tree Lighting Ramada by Wyndham Bahrain held a Christmas tree lighting ceremony with seasonal songs and snacks.
To view more images, scan the QR code
To view more images, scan the QR code
The Ritz Tree Lighting
The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain held a Christmas tree lighting event showing off its beautiful displays. www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery
January 2020 59
bystander
Christmas Market Bliss A Christmas market was held at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa.
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Christmas Tree Lighting The Grove Hotel & Conference Centre held a Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
Pre-Christmas Drinks
Manfred Erber held a pre-christmas mulled grape evening, at his residence.
60 January 2020
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Sofitel’s Magnifique Christmas Tree Lighting
Ramee Grand Tree Lighting Ceremony Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa held a Christmas tree lighting ceremony with carols and Santa visit.
Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa held a Christmas tree lighting ceremony with an outdoor food court and carols.
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Golden Tulip’s Corporate Bookers Night Party Golden Tulip Hotel Bahrain held a corporate bookers night party at its poolside.
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January 2020 61
gadgets
GADGETS
BTM brings you the latest gadgets to push your technological buttons.
MOTIV RING
FITNESS AND MOTIVATION WRAPPED AROUND YOUR FINGER
The Motiv Ring effortlessly tracks your activity, heart rate and sleep. It measures everything from active minutes, steps and calories burned all the way to sleep duration. The Motiv Ring is the most stylish way to keep in touch with your fitness self. Available from www.mymotiv.com
GENICAN
EVEN MAKING YOUR TRASH SMART
Throwing things in the rubbish and making shopping lists to replenish them, have always been things none of us like to do. With GeniCan, you can scan an item’s barcode as you discard it in order to automatically add it to your shopping list. If an item doesn’t have a barcode, then GeniCan will simply ask you what to add to the list. Available from www.genican.com
MI BAND 2
TIME TO STEP UP NOKE
SMART LOCK
The Noke Smart Lock redefines the traditional lock technology that has existed for over 100 years. Make sure you never again have to spend time looking for the right key or fumbling for the combination of numbers with the padlock of the 21st century. Available from www.noke.com 62 January 2020
As a lifestyle magazine, fitness has a place very close to our hearts. The Mi Band 2 is yet another fitness tracker that goes on your wrist. It lets you track and check the time, your steps and heart rate all on the go (without an app). The fitness tracker also alerts you when you’ve been sitting too long in order to remind you to move around a little bit, which is something all of us could use from time to time. Available from www.mi.com/en/miband2
www.bahrainthismonth.com
gadgets
NANODOTS
These incredibly powerful magnetic constructors are precisely crafted for the formation of complex structures, originally developed for the purpose of education in geometry, chemistry, maths and magnetism. They allow for endless creative fun and can lift 1,000 times their own weight. Available from www.red5.co.uk
HONOR 8
EYES TO THE WORLD
The Honor 8 smartphone, also known as a smartphone that won’t hurt your pocket, comes in at a more budget price than some of the other options on the market. It features Google’s Android operating system and includes fingerprint technology, a dual-camera and fast charging. Available from www.hihonor.com
FROZEN DRINKS AND SLUSHIE MAKER
This vintage design gives you all the tools you need to create incredible ice-cold drinks at home. This device is super quick and easy to set up; simply plug in, switch on and add your favourite ingredients to get chilly creations in less than 15 minutes. Perfect for fruit smoothies and slushy cordials for kids or iced coffees and delicious cocktails for the grown-ups. Available from www.amazon.com
AMAZON ECHO
YOUR NEW PERSONAL ASSISTANT.
SEGA ARCADE CLASSIC WIRELESS
This gadget lets all your childhood gaming fantasies become a reality as you can recreate the glory days of the magnificent SEGA Mega Drive (with a wireless upgrade)! The ultimate retro games console features 80 classic SEGA games built-in, including Mortal Kombat, Sonic and Golden Axe. With two wireless controllers, it is ready to plug in and play. Available from www.red5.co.uk www.bahrainthismonth.com
The time when robots and artificial intelligence come for our jobs has come. Meet Amazon Echo, a digital personal assistant with Amazon’s Alexa AI built in to help you schedule appointments and search the web with just your voice. It’s always ready, connected and fast. Available from www.amazon.com/echo
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games
GAMES
POKÉMON SWORD AND SHIELD WHAT IS IT?
Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield chronicle the journey of a young Pokémon trainer, with these games taking place in the Galar region – based on Great Britain – with the objective being to dethrone the Pokémon League Champion, Leon, in a tournament the various gym leaders also take part in. Sword and Shield introduce 81 new Pokémon alongside 13 regional variants of pre-existing Pokémon. Several new features have been added such as Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing, which increase the size of certain Pokémon and the latter changes their forms.
GAMEPLAY
Sword and Shield are extremely familiar and comfortable thanks to a pretty traditional setup: you pick one of three starter Pokémon and then head off across the Galar region to capture and train more, defeat eight unique and exciting gym challenges, and become a Pokémon master over the course of about 40 hours. As always, the deep turn-based combat benefits from the crazy variety of these elemental Pokémon, from their vastly different and shamelessly bizarre appearances to the huge selection of moves they learn and the stats they inherently have.
GRAPHICS
Though the routes aren’t quite large or expansive enough to get lost in, its United Kingdom inspiration is evident from the architecture of the buildings and bridges and even the geoglyphs etched into the hillsides. While exploring, you can see towns and other points of interest far in the distance and sometimes there are buildings and spectacles speckled into the backdrop just to make the world feel more fleshed out.
SHENMUE III
Shenmue III sees the eagerly anticipated continuation of the epic story-driven saga. Take control of Ryo Hazuki, a teenage martial artist, determined to unravel the mystery behind his father’s murder and to exact revenge on the killer. Explore a vibrant, colourful open world, meet intriguing characters and endeavour on a cinematic adventure which will take you further into enemy territory and deeper into the mystery of the Phoenix Mirror.
64 January 2020
VERDICT:
Another fun entry in the longstanding series.
RATING:
TERMINATOR: RESISTANCE
Experience the events leading up to the decisive final battle for the fate of mankind in the war against the machines. Terminator: Resistance, is a first-person shooter set during the ‘Future War’ scenario that was only glimpsed at in the iconic films. Run and gun or sneak and hack through Skynet’s defences, level up your skills and explore a postapocalyptic world for scraps to trade and craft.
PHOENIX POINT
Phoenix Point is a turn-based tactics and 4X grand-strategy game that puts you in command of a global battle against a terrifying alien menace able to mutate and evolve to adapt to your choices and actions. Phoenix Point gives players a huge variety of challenges on its procedural battlefield, as well as endless surprises in the strategic game. Research and develop new technologies and techniques, plan operations, build alliances to unite the planet or destroy your rivals. www.bahrainthismonth.com
websites
websites
Tribute to Paul Bagshaw
SITE: www.apartmenttherapy.com RATING: VERDICT: A highly useful tool for DIY fans.
Dilmun Club Bahrain hosted St Christopher’s Community Big Band in tribute to its former music teacher Paul Bagshaw.
WHAT IS IT?
If you’re even a little bit of a fan of home decor or DIY projects, this is a website you might find yourself spending hours and hours on. There’s a ton of awesome visual and written content on here digging into every aspect of home renovation.
THE GOOD
There is a plethora of interesting sections on the site, such as the ‘before and after’ series, the ‘small spaces’ tab and the tours of people’s actual apartments and homes. Plus, the site has a whole lot of helpful articles giving tips on everything from how to redo your stairs to ideas for using that awkward space above your fridge. There’s no shortage of useful and fun information here, making it prime for endless browsing.
THE BAD
One aspect missing from the site is a budget scale or links to where you can buy the items/colours you want. It’s disappointing to see a dining set or design fixture you want, only to check the price elsewhere and see that it’s way out of your range.
www.ocearch. org/#SharkTracker
Tracking sharks as they swim around the ocean may not be the most conventional way to waste time on the internet... but it might be the coolest. The Shark Tracker tool by Marine Research Group OCEARCH lets you track tagged sharks – who all have names – as they travel all over the world. You can even zoom in on a specific location to see which sharks are hanging out there and where they’ve been swimming and travelling for the past year.
Celebrating the Life of Paul Bagshaw St Christopher’s School held an event to celebrate the life of former music teacher Paul Bagshaw.
www.xkcd.com
If you’re into nerdy humour even the slightest bit, there’s a lot to love about xkcd. Each post features a short, stickfigure comic strip lampooning everything from technology and science to mathematics and relationships. The guy behind it is Randall Munroe, who worked on robots at NASA’s Langley Research Centre in Virginia before starting this blog.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
January 2020 65
apps
APPS REVIEW BTM BRINGS YOU THE LOW-DOWN ON THE LATEST AND GREATEST APPS ON THE MARKET.
APP: RUNPEE RATING: VERDICT: A hilarious app for those with a dodgy bladder.
WHAT IS IT?
The RunPee app exists to improve your moviegoing experience. The database is updated weekly, whenever wide-release films open in cinemas, to tell you the best times to run and pee without missing the best scenes. The app provides a synopsis for what you’ve missed, so you will know exactly what went on while you were gone.
THE GOOD
It’s safe to say that this is the only app of its kind in the world. It has 1,300 movies in its database and more are added every week with new releases. The built-in timer will alert you, by discreet vibration, when a Peetime is coming so you don’t have to worry about bothering the people around you in the cinema.
THE BAD
The only negative is that your bathroom breaks are pre-determined, so if you don’t need to go but your ‘slot’ during the movie comes, you might decide to stay in your seat but then end up needing to go soon after.
APP: SKIPLAGGED There are plenty of travel apps out there that’ll help you plan your itinerary, book your flights, find you a hotel, etc. But where Skiplagged is different is that it searches a little-known area of bookings called ‘Hidden City’ flights. Essentially, these are flights that can be booked more inexpensively than normal because they occur as layovers to other destinations. It’s a complicated process, but basically, Skiplagged sifts through all the possible combinations in order to get users the cheapest flights possible. 66 January 2020
APP: SLEEPBOT Whether you’re aware of it or not, you’re probably not getting the quality of sleep you deserve. This sleep-cycle tracker and smart alarm by the team at SleepBot utilises motion and sound tracking software to provide an in-depth analysis of your sleep cycle – average sleep time, sleep debt, long-term trends, etc – and compiles detailed reports to help you get the rest you need. www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander OTHER EVENTS
To view more images, scan the QR code
Al Hawaj Hosted the ‘Race for Al Hawaj Cups’ at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club.
A farmers market was inaugurated at the Oasis Mall Muharraq, under the patronage of Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, secretary general, National Initiative for Agricultural Development, and Shaikh Hasan bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Al Rashid Group Chairman.
Manama Theatre Club presented Beauty & the Beast, a pantomime by Philip Meeks.
Under the Patronage of HE Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa, president of the Bahrain International Federation of Business and Professional Women, and in celebration of Bahraini Women’s Day, artist Jehan Saleh announced the official opening of Jehan Saleh Printmaking Studio and the exhibition “Lines of Light” by Bahrain Women Printmakers.
InterContinental Regency Bahrain held a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony with carols and treats.
Niche Garden and Memo Paris held a meet and greet session with John Molloy, co-founder of Memo Paris.
The award ceremony of the annual Inter-Hotel Charity Basketball Tournament was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain. The proceeds went in support of the Hope Institute.
www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery
To view more images, scan the QR code
To view more images, scan the QR code
The Italian Embassy held an Accademia Chigiana concert at the Bahrain National Museum.
Bahrain International Circuit hosted a four-day festival coinciding with the Kingdom’s National Day anniversary. The festival also coincided with the FIA World Endurance Championship which sported eight hours of racing.
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bystander OTHER EVENTS
Ireland’s Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen, visited the Al Osra Supermarket.
An event was held at Bahrain International Circuit to experience a series of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles on the Grand Prix circuit and Land Rover experience off-road track.
The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities held a preview of its ‘Dive Into the Jurassic’ exhibition for members of the press.
Indian comic Kunal Kamra performed at InterContinental Regency Bahrain, as part of his international tour ‘Fresher Thoughts.’
To view more images, scan the QR code
The latest Diner Amical of the Bahrain Chapter of The Chaine des Rotisseurs was held at the Royal Thai restaurant, The Gulf Hotel Bahrain, Convention & Spa with over 40 members and guests enjoying an amazing Thai-themed menu.
The Bahrain Rugby Football Club hosted a memorable evening with international rugby legend George Gregan.
Cafe Sego held its opening ceremony under the patronage of HE Jerome Cauchard, French Ambassador, and Segolene Cretaux, Co-owner and Director of Cafe Sego.
68 January 2020
The Saudi Journalists Association and Bahrain Journalists Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding in an event held at the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa.
Bank ABC celebrated the installation of a new landmark sculpture “The Face” with its creator, the world renowned artist Victor Ekpuk.
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30 young Bahraini students graduated from the English Access Micro Scholarship Programme. US Ambassador, HE Justin Siberell, honoured the students who successfully completed the two-year programme.
www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery
S E I V MO
film releases
Genre: Action, Family, Comedy, Adventure Release Date: January 10 My Spy features hardened CIA operative JJ (Dave Bautista), who has been demoted and finds himself at the mercy of a precocious nine-year-old girl, Sophie (Chloe Coleman), who works out that he is watching her family. In return for her silence, Sophie convinces JJ to teach her the fine art of spying. The somewhat jaded agent finds he’s no match for the kid’s charm and smarts.
My Spy
Genre: Comedy, Drama Release Date: January 10 After building a hugely successful company, two best friends (Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne) find themselves at odds when they receive a big buyout offer. The differences that had previously made their partnership so successful now set them against each other, threatening their business and personal relationships. Salma Hayek plays the manipulative would-be buyer who sneakily fans the flames of dissent.
Bad Boys for Life Genre: Action, Comedy Release Date: January 17 Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are back as part of a highly specialised Miami Police department in the final installment of the Bad Boys trilogy. As detectives Lowrey and Burnett, they reunite once again when a Romanian mob boss exacts revenge on the duo just as they are about to officially retire. www.bahrainthismonth.com
Underwater
Like a Boss
Dolittle
Genre: Action, Drama, Horror Release Date: January 10 A crew carrying out aquatic research in a subterranean laboratory seven miles below the ocean’s surface are forced to scramble for safety after an earthquake devastates their work station. But they soon face an even greater challenge as deep-sea monsters move in for the kill.
Genre: Family, Comedy, Fantasy Release Date: January 17 Still mourning the loss of his wife, seven years earlier, the eccentric medic and vet, Dr John Dolittle (Robert Downey Jr), hides himself away in his manor house in Victorian England, with only his collection of exotic pets for company. But, when the young Queen Victoria falls gravely ill, he is forced to undertake an epic adventure to a mythical island in search of a cure. His wit and courage return as he encounters old enemies and new creatures.
The Gentlemen Genre: Action, Crime Release Date: January 24 The latest offering, in a somewhat familiar vein, from Guy Ritchie sees a British-based drug lord attempting to sell off his lucrative but obviously illegal and dangerous empire to a dynasty of Oklahoma billionaires. The move triggers an array of plots and schemes from those who want his fortune.
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tv releases
FANCY SOME CHILL-TIME AT HOME? Check out the latest TV series to hit your screens.
The Marvelous Mrs Maisel (Season 3)
The show returns for its third and biggest season so far. Midge (Rachel Brosnahan) and Susie (Alex Borstein) embark on a tour that will change their lives and offer a lesson or two about show business, while Joel (Michael Zegen) attempts to juggle solo parenting at home and Midge’s parents also learn a few new things about themselves.
The Expanse (Season 4)
James Holden (Steven Strait) and his crew now head deeper into the cosmos than they’ve ever travelled before on a mission to investigate a far-flung planet and the refugees that have claimed it as their own. What they encounter there adds a new dynamic to everything humanity knows about the universe.
LOL: Last One Laughing
Ten comics are put in a room for a no-holds-barred battle of wits, jokes and improvisational and physical comedy. The goal is to be the last person laughing in the room, and the person who keeps a straight face the longest wins the grand prize.
The Crown (Season 3)
The Crown traces the life of Queen Elizabeth II from her wedding in 1947 through to the present day. Season 3 covers the time period between 1964 and 1977, beginning with Harold Wilson’s election as Prime Minister and ending with the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II (Olivia Colman). Events depicted include the unmasking of the Queen’s art adviser, Sir Anthony Blunt, as a Soviet spy, Harold Wilson and Edward Heath’s respective times as Prime Minister, the Apollo 11 moon landing, the death and state funeral of Winston Churchill and more. 70 January 2020
The Witcher
The highly anticipated video game and fantasy series from author Andrzej Sapkowski is making its big Netflix debut. In the epic, Henry Cavill stars as said Witcher, a monster hunter named Geralt, who embarks on a journey with a princess and sorceress. It might just be the streamer’s answer to people looking for a Game of Thrones replacement.
Marriage Story
The Noah Baumbach-directed drama sees Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson star as a couple going through an amicable divorce that turns into a brutal, emotional custody battle for their young, impressionable son.
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music
Pitbull - Libertad 548
Pitbull drives his skittering, bass-bumping groove on his latest record, with Libertad 548 free of musical filler. Pitbull’s in full control delivering an album of killer songs that balance levity and substance, beautifully chosen samples, expert writing and a smoking collection of beats from a wide array of inspired sources. This is arguably Pitbull’s strongest recording yet.
Liam Payne - LP1
The Who – Who Verdict:
A nostalgic release to celebrate an icon.
What’s the story?
It’s not billed that way but, given The Who’s productivity since their initial split in 1982, it’s difficult not to view 2019’s Who as the band’s final album. It’s only their second album in 37 years, and if it takes them another 13 years to complete a third – that’s the length of time separating Who from 2006’s Endless Wire – both Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey will be well into their eighties, a seemingly unlikely age for new work by rockers.
Worth a listen?
Keith Moon and John Entwistle are long gone, Daltrey’s voice has been sanded away to a gravelly rumble, and Townshend found himself rejuvenated by playing with bassist Pino Palladino and drummer Zak Starkey. A different rhythm section, along with the aftermath of ageing does mean Who feels polished and precise, but if the group has swapped kinetic energy for professionalism, they’re not exactly settled. There are a few new wrinkles, such as the smooth, soulful I’ll Be Back, the album’s most romantic moment. It’s one that’s needed. Elsewhere, Townshend attempts to find his place in a world in turmoil, coming to the realisation that he’s fine with the passing of time, but that doesn’t prevent him from throwing barbs. Daltrey responds in kind, treating the songs with care and respect. Age has diminished his range but increased his sensitivity, a combination that benefits Who, since he handles vulnerable moments with sensitivity.
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First Zayn, then Harry and Niall, and finally – nearly four years after the split of UK boy band One Direction – former member Liam Payne unveiled his official fulllength debut. Whereas his 1D brethren managed to carve out distinct personalities with their solo albums, Payne tackles hip-hop and electronic genres but struggles to distinguish himself from the crop of similar-sounding contemporaries. Without a clear direction, the sleek pop confections on LP1 sound more like a streaming playlist set to shuffle.
XXXTentacion
- Bad Vibes Forever Bad Vibes Forever was originally planned as the deceased rapper’s debut album, but was pushed back and still taking shape at the time of his death. Finally arriving as a 25-track, nearly hour-long postmortem release, Bad Vibes Forever is more a feature-heavy grab bag in tribute to the late rapper than a cohesive creative statement. The lengthy album offers plenty of acoustic guitar-based songs and moments of dancehall and cloudy experimental production amid more conventional radio-ready tracks. This versatility was one of the hallmarks of the late rapper’s sound but, without him around to guide the vision of the project, Bad Vibes Forever quickly loses cohesion and is less a testament to how XXXTentacion helped shape the wave of rap during his brief career and more a bottom-of-the-barrel-scraping of partially cooked ideas he left behind. January 2020 71
BAHRAIN THIS MONTH GOES MULTI-PLATFORM Read Bahrain This Month in any format convenient to you • Print • Online • Digital • Social media to keep you abreast of everything that’s happening in and about town.
You can now read Bahrain This Month from its Instagram account. Click on the bio-link and it takes you to a curated page where you can tap the images and read the articles. Simple, convenient and easy!!
Go Published monthly by:
Red House Marketing P. O. Box: 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain telephone: (17) 813-777 fax: (17) 813-700 email: editor@womanthismonth.com
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Digital Edition
WHAT’S
green GREEN CLEAN Blueland’s Clean Up Kit comes with three, 20-ounce ‘forever bottles,’ along with three, light-as-air, water-soluble, cleaning tablets in formulas for glass, surface and bathroom cleaning. Each tablet contains a blend of naturallyderived and synthetic ingredients that are certified environmentally safe. Just fill up the bottles with water, pop one tablet in to dissolve and get cleaning! The solutions are reported to be very effective and great smelling to boot. Best of all, no part of the kit ends up in a landfill. www.bestproducts.com
what's green
BTM takes a look at the latest easy-touse, planet-friendly products.
SCRUB GUILTFREE The Goodbye Detergent All Purpose Spaghetti Scrub is much less wasteful than having to throw away a cheap polyurethane kitchen sponge every week. It's comprised of pulverized peach pits and100per-cent cotton backing, giving its noodle-like strands a coarse but not too rough texture. Natural peach pit abrasives found in the scrubs reduce or eliminate the need for soap. And it can be tossed in the dishwasher top rack or in the microwave for 10 seconds to disinfect. Recommended for general cleaning of dishes, cookware, wood, plastic, glass, metal, and high-quality nonstick pans, these durable scrubs are especially great on cast iron. www.amazon.com
USEFUL WASTE It’s time to divert your plant-based kitchen scraps into Cooler Kitchen’s Compost Bin, instead of the trash can, for a great eco-friendly change to make at home. With a capacity of 1.3 gallons, this is an easy way to go ecofriendly. Composting can help provide nutrients to garden soil as the scraps organically break down, as opposed to giving off methane gas that's produced when wasted food goes into a landfill. www.amazon.com
YOURS TOOTHFULLY ECO HAIR CARE The world’s best-loved handmade beauty company, Lush, makes great shampoo bars, so you don’t need to pile up the plastic waste. These sudsy roundels are small but powerful and come in 12 different types — to wash away buildup, add volume or create the perfect foundation for beach waves, and more. Each bar lasts for up to 80 washes and they all have distinctly pleasing, all-natural fragrances. Available at Lush outlets
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No more empty toothpaste tubes in the bin. Unpaste Zero Waste Toothpaste Tablets are minty little cakes (available in two-month supplies), that are meant to be chewed first, and then moistened with water from your toothbrush. They contain no superfluous dyes or preservatives, and they don't foam, but the clean feeling tends to last longer than a traditional toothpaste. And Unpaste's packaging is all recyclable and compostable, with no plastic hidden anywhere! www.wellearthgoods.com
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outandabout
Crepe Station
When the sweet tooth comes a-calling, succumb to the delights at this small, but happy-looking food truck serving mini waffles and pancakes. If it’s fruit that floats your boat, opt for the Strawberry and Chocolate cup, or the various flavours of Mojito, including those made with Red Bull. @crepestation.bh
Mr Kunafa
With a distinct local flair, this one-wheeled wagon in Janabiya urges you to ditch your diet, and for good reason. The cheese- or cream-filled Kunafa can be topped with a choice of sweet flavours – Nutella, Lotus, caramel, pistachio, Kinder chocolate, or, if you like to have the best of many worlds, choose a mix of toppings. Down your sweet delight with a Zaffran drink. @mr.kunafa_bh
=
ahrain = Burger Boutique B llets,
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anika Café Located near Seef’s pe trol station, this retrostyle caravan, lit up wi neon green and yello th w, is a magnet for the hungry stomach. Alo a wide variety of meat ngside patties fitted within so ft buns smeared with homemade sauces, the re are pancakes (and their miniatures) and waffles available. Th e Ferrero Rocher panc ake sounds just abou paired with one of the t right coffees on the menu on a breezy evening. @organikacafet
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back to a scho Caffeinated harks ffee. Besides the grown-ups their co rve e se to ted ua ad gr d Cortado, there ar o, flat white, latte an well as s, ew br ld espresso, cappuccin Co . and Pablo’s Drink iality coffee shop specials like Rosetta le. The mobile spec ab ail av e ar lks mi customised t nu as coolers that can be d an e ffe co of s retails bottle And, yes, they serve dered in advance. or d an tes tas ur to yo tea as well. @caffeinated.bh
Sliders
This name is probably the most prominent of all food trucks, a wood-panelled shack on wheels drawing in the hungry at Janabiya, Tubli and Zallaq, amongst other spots. The name says the most about what is served here, and you get a wooden board displaying a roll call of sliders to choose from. There’s also a falafel version for the herbivores, and sauces to suit your taste buds. @sliders_bah 74 January 2020
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outandabout
Boreal
Boreal, stationed in Seef, is a riot of colour to look at. While the exterior gives off a gypsy, bohemian vibe, the inside is busy prepping some great grub for hungry passersby. The food truck takes great pride in a delicious vine leaves preparation, and the chicken pasta, noodle salad and burger are also hot favourites. And if you’re craving the comfort of rice, a hearty biryani is available too. Satisfy your sweet tooth with the Boreal Rose Cake or the saffron cake. @boreal.bh
Fresh Press
StrEAT
g a range of This is a mobile juice bar on Saar’s Avenue 35, servin natural way. , some fresh squeezes to quench your thirst in a whole a, among banan and do avoca have Besides regular juices, (they also of lemon, mix a – r fighte flu like ctions conco are ble others), also availa Light Red, Go Blue, Go pineapple and mint, and interesting blends like bowls thie smoo and cups t Yogur go. Delight, Berries Bliss, and Flamin you something with fresh fruit, granola, nuts, seeds and honey give on. h healthy to munc
your re you can sink Bay, here is whe rtilla bread cones. n ai hr Ba at d Locate eats in to e’s double ers, subs and m teeth into burg althy treats, ther he r fo g in ok lo e Hug and ar ce ho ttu w For those ole in the Le am ac gu ed d an se Truck – fries, fri beef patty, chee go for the Fire e, nc re ffe di a eese. for fries with chicken and ch h .b at @stre
Caravan The Little Black first few on the island,
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Gourmet Way
Touted to be the largest mobile restaurant, this one also comes with all the whistles and bells. Diners can choose to sit inside the double-decker bus, or outside, on the green carpet laid out with tables and chairs. Gourmet Way serves beautifully presented mains, salads and sides. The variety of burgers, chicken steaks and sliders can be rounded off with brownie and ice cream or Nutella crepes. @gourmetway.bh
The
Cookie Cart This looks straight out of the pages of a children’s book – signage atop a tru red ck that is meant to look like a closeup bitten-into cookie. of a Operational from M onday to Saturday 4pm, in Janabiya, it’s after a perfect pitstop for cookies and coffee. Besides the unique gamut of sweet, ch ewy discs of ultimate comfort, (Red Velve t Crinkles, or White Chocolate Macadem anyone?) they have ia, Nutella- or Kinder-f illed cupcookies, an CookieWich. Now d the that warrants a sa mpling! The Chemist
Here’s an ochre-hued, Breaking Bad-themed food truck for a quick bite of homemade burgers and rolls, tikkas, kebabs and a glass of Mojito Amoolita, amongst other coolers. The best seller though, is the Al Jasmi Beef Tikka, while names like Bueid Kabab and Hello Thursday intrigue the appetite. @thechemistbh www.bahrainthismonth.com
January 2020 75
travel Clockwise from left: Paro Tsechu; Traditional chilli, cheese and chicken; Stupa with Buddha eyes at Drolma Zhingkham Lhakhang in Thimphu; Tiger’s Nest Monastery; Archery at Timphu; Red panda at Sakteng.
76 January 2020
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travel
BHUTAN Happy Travels
W
ell-being is not just about hitting the treadmill. We can all agree it’s a matter both mental and physical. So, it’s no surprise that in a month when we’re all about being our best selves, we’re featuring a country which not only has a Minister for Happiness but also coined the phrase “gross national happiness” and has the phrase enshrined in its constitution. Bhutan is at the top of many 2020 travel lists and it’s not hard to see why. This tiny, landlocked Himalayan kingdom has a strong “high value, low impact” tourism policy which helps to make the destination exclusive while preserving its attractiveness. And it’s the world’s only carbon negative country, which makes it even more of a draw. While you’re there you must experience an archery competition – you really must as they are absolutely everywhere, it’s the national sport and very hard to miss. Virtually every village has its own archery field where colourfully dressed men shoot their arrows as silk-clad women sing and dance to cheer them on. There are also various national competitions, which are quite something to witness. Another ‘must see’ is the Tiger’s Nest or Taktsang Lhakhang Monastery. Though it involves a very steep trek up a rocky path, it’s truly worth the effort and is one of the most enduring and recognisable images of Bhutan. Also make sure to check out one of the many impressive stupas (Buddhist monuments). The country is, it would seem, obsessed with yetis. An awful lot of people will happily tell you they have seen one and there’s even a national park, Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, dedicated to the preservation of the creatures. It’s definitely worth a visit since the ‘yetis’ share their home with other fabulous beasts such as snow leopards, tigers and red pandas. The Tsechu Festival is a moveable feast celebrated at different times in different regions. It’s a social and trading event where people get together. The highlight is the Cham dance which sees monks in scary masks and fancy costumes going through the age-old steps. Paro Tshechu, held in spring in Paro, is said to be one of the best. While you’re there, prepare to sample some really good comfort food – remember this is a pretty cold climate, so really warming dishes are the norm. Look out particularly for Jasha Maroo or Maru, a spicy chicken stew or curry you’ll find both on the streets and in cafés and restaurants. Also, make sure to try butter tea, it’s an acquired taste but, hey, you’re there for adventure!
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January 2020 77
bystander
Jill & Joe’s Houseparty Jill and Joe held a Christmas get-together with close friends and relatives at their residence.
Malique’s Birthday Bash
MALIQUE, the dapper perfumier with an IQ of 350 (according to him) celebrated the addition of another year to his life amongst friends, Romans, countrymen and celebrities.
BAPCO 8 Hours of Bahrain 78 January 2020
The 2019 FIA World Endurance Championship - BAPCO 8 Hours of Bahrain was held at Bahrain International Circuit. www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery
Bahrain Edition
BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | LOCAL ISSUES
December 2019 | Issue 201 | BD2 / SR20
FASHION
New Blues Gymspiration – great workout wear
FOOD A HEALTHY START TO THE YEAR
BEAUTY BARE-FACED CHIC LASHES 101
PEOPLE
WELL-BEING Demystifying Intermittent Fasting
Esmahan Bokhowa – the woman behind Saar Mall Huma Ahmed – inspirational author
www.womanthismonth.com
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FASHION | trend
Singin’ The Blues Pantone has announced its colour of the year 2020 as 194052 Classic Blue and it’s one we can’t get enough of.
Lanvin
Osman
Chloe went for neutral accessories on this daytime look; for evening, all you need is diamonds darling! Emulate Lanvin and pick one statement piece, this cape will see you from day to evening, let it do the talking for your whole ensemble. Add a bright pop of colour, such as the gorgeous pink bow pumps seen at Osman. Or use Classic Blue as a background to statement graffiti, like Philipp Plein.
Philipp Plein
Chloe
To give you a shopping head start, we’ve taken a sneak peak at some of the true-blue offerings in the coming SpringSummer and Resort collections.
Chloe
Described by Time as: “The indigo hue brings to mind both the constant and the classic; the sky at dusk, an impeccably tailored suit, serene waters, or a bowl of perfectly ripe blueberries,” we can see Classic Blue becoming a wardrobe staple.
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FASHION | styling
s u t o i l F and Fabu
It’s that time when we all, or at least most of us, vow to be fitter and healthier in the coming months. But, if you’re anything like us, those great intentions don’t always translate into actions. Whether your New Year’s resolution involves hitting the gym, pounding the pavements or getting down on the mat, if you need a little help to see it through, there’s nothing like some new workout wear to get you out of the door. We’ve come up with some resolve in the form of the latest fitness offerings and, even better, you don’t even have to leave home. Just order online and get set for a fit and fabulous 2020. Under Armour Breathe Lux Bra @ Namshi
Fila Cristabel fur cropped high-neck sweatshirt @ Namshi P.E. Nation sports bra @ theoutnet Puma Sophia Webster AOP Tshirt @ Namshi
Paco Rabanne sports bra @ theoutnet
Puma Trend AOP hoodie @ Namshi
Fila Disruptor II IRI @ Namshi
Adidas By Stella McCartney Ultraboost @ Namshi
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Reebok Classics Leather @ Namshi
January 2020
P.E. Nation leggings @ theoutnet
Reebok Gigi Hadid sweatpants @ Namshi
Puma Shantell Martin Leggings @ Namshi
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SO SUSHI All you can EAT BD. 11 NET ONLY 5:00 PM UNTIL 11:30 PM EVERY WEDNESDAY *TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY
FASHION |essentials
10 Things to Try This Month
1
Shoes Over Pants Fan or not, the shoe-over-trouser trend hit the mainstream in the middle of last year and looks like it’s here for a while.
4 Square-Toed Heels Aside from all the extra room your toes will be thanking you for, you’ll also feel on-point with the latest shape.
7
2
3
Bucket Bags – no spade needed.
Combat Boots with Floral Dresses Go grunge-girlie, pair your floral frock with a pair of chunky, combat-style boots.
Behnaz Sanjana scours the virtual aisles for the best trends to try this month.
6
5
High Gloss 2020 is looking at your pout slicked in translucent shine. Be sure to moisturise beforehand for a flawless kisser.
Animal-print Nail Designs Channel your inner cat and slay as you get Spring-ready! Go Dotty Pack away the plaids and stripes, for now, at least, polka dots are back.
8 10
On The Fringe A major comeback of boho-chic is expected to grip fashionistas.
Marigold Magic Embrace springtime with this sunny colour and watch heads turn.
9
Coloured Faux Leather
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news
French House Revival
Fashion brand Sonia Rykiel, which was wound up by court order seven months ago, is to be reborn at the hands of brothers Eric and Michael Dayan – two of the four founders of e-commerce giant Showroomprive, one of the biggest online retailers in Europe. Described as “an icon of youthful revolt against the stuffy fashion establishment,” Sonia Rykiel established her eponymous house in 1968 with a boutique on Paris’ Left Bank. Known as the ‘Queen of Knits’ she popularised the wearing of head-to-toe black and her Poor Boy sweater became a wardrobe staple for another icon, Audrey Hepburn. However, she died three years ago and the
Borrow Don’t Buy
Death of a Rebel
The fashion world said farewell to French fashion designer Emanuel Ungaro who died in late December. The son of Italian immigrants, Ungaro trained under Spanish designer Cristobal Balenciaga. He founded his own house in the 1960s and was known for his daring use of bright, clashing colours and beautiful but unexpected draping. Ungaro was at the height of its popularity in the 1980s and 90s, producing both couture and read-to-wear designs. Come 2005, the founder sold the brand to a Silicon Valley businessman following which there were staffing issues and the appointment, at one stage, of actress Lindsay Lohan as artistic director of which Ungaro was highly critical.
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With concerns about fashion’s carbon footprint making buyers wary of the fast fashion that has flooded the shelves in recent years, the clothing rental market has come out fighting. Now, conscious Scandi brand H&M is seeking a slice of the pie in what is becoming an increasingly popular and competitive market. The company is trialling a rental programme at its newly refurbished Sergels Torg store, in Stockholm’s central square, which will be open to loyalty members offering select items, such as party wear and bridal gowns. The rental trend is not one that has hit Gulf
Royal Style
Great news if you’re a fan of the late rock icon, Prince. To coincide with the deluxe reissue of his brilliant double album, 1999, a special, limitededition fashion collaboration with his own designers, Toronto-based brand Call & Response, has been commissioned by the star’s estate. Lori Marcuz and Cathy Robinson, the design duo behind the label, created pieces for Prince from 2011 until his death in 2016. They’ve now come up with a line of handcrafted custom jackets, vests and hand-dyed tunics inspired by the clothing they used to make for Prince himself. Everything in the collection will be limited in number and custom made for each buyer.
house had made significant losses prior to its closure. The announcement of its rebirth came after a court authorised the sale of the brand’s assets to the Dayan brothers who said, in a statement, that this would be a “new adventure”.
shores as yet, but with big names such as Banana Republic, Urban Outfitters, American Eagle and, now, H&M offering fashion you don’t have to commit to, it can only be a matter of time.
Amina for Fenty
The hot shoe designer of the moment, who just happens to have Middle Easter heritage, is Amina Muaddi. The Jordanian-Romanian’s pieces have a distinctly party feel with bright colours teamed with holographic designs and, often, her signature geometric heel. Hollywood’s A-listers are reportedly going crazy for her designs and none more so that uber party girl, Rihanna, who likes them so much, she has frequently been spotted wearing them and has drafted Amina in to help with designs for the Fenty collection. January 2020
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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY
Ladies’ Coffee Morning
US Ambassador’s wife, Arnavaz Siberell, hosted a ladies’ coffee morning, at her residence.
Womania Winterfest
Womania Winterfest, an event celebrating womanhood, was inaugurated by businesswoman, women’s rights campaigner, philanthropist and environmentalist, Mona Almoayyed. Lacing the inaugural programme was a one-off parade by women representing various nationalities, professions and vocations of Bahrain.
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PEOPLE | interview
A passion for entrepreneurship, strong ethics and remarkable foresight laid the foundation for the Bokhowa Group four decades ago, and Managing Director, Esmahan Bokhowa, makes these very virtues the building blocks for continued success. BEHNAZ SANJANA
T
he eldest child, Esmahan remembers accompanying her father, Hassan Bokhowa, the group’s founder, to construction sites. “Dad was always a playful parent; he would often surprise us with the latest technological gadgets as gifts. Spending time with him was such fun that we wanted to accompany him all the time,” she says. “Visiting our construction sites with him strengthened my passion, commitment, discipline and dedication to my work and life. The foreman and labourers had great relations with us. Sometimes I would ask them to show me how to do things, and they enjoyed teaching us.” Being familiar with the family business from early on, Esmahan could quickly choose her career path. “It became easy for me to know that I wanted to study accounting, after which I did my Masters in business administration, specialising in management,” she says. Studying and working simultaneously made her a keen learner. Starting out as a summer intern at the tender age of 14, Esmahan took her job very seriously. www.womanthismonth.com
GROWING THE LEGACY “I refused to leave for home till late in the night, to complete my work,” she remembers. “I enjoyed it more when it was pay day – back then there was neither an automated system to calculate the salary, nor bank transfers; processes were complicated, yet fun.”
The studious teenager transitioned into a genteel lady overseeing the management of Saar Mall, one of the company’s business ventures. “The story behind Saar Mall is an interesting one,” she says. “When we built our house in Saar, there were no commercial markets and residents would have to go far for their everyday necessities. My father recognised that the area needed a mall with service-oriented outlets, where people could carry out banking transactions, buy groceries, pay utility bills and spend leisure time in restaurants. So, Saar Mall is one of the Bokhowa Group’s personal projects.” What sets the mall apart from other retail hubs is an extensive calendar of community events that are enjoyed by locals and expats alike. The positive response it has received has made the company devise expansion
plans. Esmahan says: “To meet the growing demand from new retail concepts, we are looking at building an extra floor and to make more use of the outdoor areas surrounding the mall.” While it is her drive and passion for retail innovation that have brought her success, Esmahan gives equal weightage to a healthy work-life balance. “My family is a priority and I am lucky to be able to see them both at work and home,” she says. “On the personal front, I aim to spend more time travelling with my husband, try more of the amazing restaurants that we have in Bahrain, and exercise more to stay healthy.” The young entrepreneur is a role model for many, and believes that young girls need to be encouraged to believe in themselves, so they can follow their dreams without fear of failure. “I would like to say to the aspiring entrepreneurs of Bahrain: If you don't research enough, then you can't grow a business. That's a golden rule. It’s important to identify a target market and think global, but act local.” January 2020
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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY
Synthesis Fashion Show
In conjunction with the 45th anniversary of Malaysia-Bahrain Diplomatic Relations and under the patronage of HE Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, the Malaysian Embassy and the Royal University for Women held a Synthesis Fashion Show at Crowne Plaza Bahrain.
Paralympic Signing Ceremony
The Bahrain Paralympic Committee and West Asian Paralympic Federation will host the West Asian Para Games 2021– the signing ceremony to announce the event was held at the Crowne Plaza.
Bahrain Paralympics Sporting Event The Bahrain Paralympic Committee hosted an event that focused on building awareness of the Paralympic movement in Bahrain.
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PEOPLE | interview
PAYING IT FORWARD Inspirational speaker and transformational coach, Huma Ahmed, speaks to Behnaz Sanjana about her personal paradigm shift and her book, which has been recently internationally recognised.
I
n 2015, a distraught Huma boarded a flight to the USA, to be with her ailing mother. “It was an extremely difficult time, as I had been her primary caregiver in Bahrain,” she says. “I was very attached to her, and the idea of losing her shattered me.” During the journey, she awoke to an epiphany that changed her take on life. She says: “I realised that being only human, there are things beyond my control. It broke me down in front of God, and, out of that real place, I humbly and sincerely let go of my ego that expected a perfect life. It was a turning point, an intense time when I accepted whatever the future held – my mother’s wellness, or her departure from this world.” Although the pain of her loss was immense, Huma felt blessed to be able to spend quality time with her mother in her last days. “Complete acceptance of the situation enabled me to not linger in grief and sorrow,” she says. “Everything in my life was really easy after that.” The Call to Write Huma remembers: “When my mother’s friends met with me, I could feel that some of them were still in pain over losing a loved one. I wanted to reach out to them and show them the path to healing, but didn’t know how.” Around the same time, she started jotting down the emotions and outcomes she experienced in the last days with her mother and after she passed. “On revisiting my scribbles after some weeks, I realised that these were my life’s lessons, worthy of sharing with others to help them through trying times.” www.womanthismonth.com
Feeling it her moral duty to pass on her healing from a tragic loss to others, she embarked on writing and self-publishing 37 Lessons on How to Gain from Loss: A Believer’s Journey from Trial to Triumph. The book hit the shelves at the beginning of 2019 and was a finalist, in the self-help and motivational category, at the 2019 Best Book Awards, sponsored by American Book Fest. Huma’s work was up against contenders from mainstream publishers, making this recognition a meaningful one. Message of the Book “The main message is: You are born free, so be free – of grief, suffering, anger and negative emotions! Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional,” she says. “Accepting our experiences makes us grow and evolve. Holding onto misery is comforting, but
getting out of our self-imposed prison takes great effort. That is the simple truth.” Huma’s writing is far from being heavy and serious. Her lessons are practical ones for everyone, particularly relevant for caregivers of the sick, such as how to deal with stress, trusting in the Almighty and forgiveness. Huma believes that had she not risen from her personal agony, she would not have written a book, spoken of her experiences, and helped others heal. She says: “It turns out my mother is not a loss; she is more present in my life than ever before, by way of talking and writing about her. I turned my loss into a gain, by recognising God’s blessings and following His way into the light.” The book is available on Amazon and Kindle, as well as at Neo Books & Coffee. January 2020
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BEAUTY | tips
ndows to the soul The eyes are said to be the wi lashes are the alland, if that’s the case, then . If you happen to be important window dressing dant, dark lashes, blessed with naturally abun t jealous at all). If, well, good for you (we’re no s could do with a however, like us, your lashe latest options on helping hand, read on for the the market.
s e h s a L h s u L EXTENSIONS
Individual false hairs are attached to your own lashes for a long-lasting effect. The extensions can last anything from three to six weeks and they really open up the eyes. Remember, they will be there every day, so, go for a subtle effect, which can give a naturally anti-ageing look. We were happy with the ones at Vanity salon at Mercado Mall but salons across the island offer this service. For an ultra-luxe option, try Russian extensions which are much finer than the regular ones allowing for many more lashes to be attached to each eye giving a super-thick, longer lasting effect.
FALSIES
Unbeatable for a big night out and requiring minimal effort, especially if you ask the nice ladies at the salon to apply them, false lashes go back decades and have never fallen out of favour. But, they can be a bit fiddly if you’re not used to them. We’re keen to try the latest innovation – a magnetic strip which attaches to a magnetic liner applied to the top lid. Could this be the end of glue disasters? We hope so.
LVL
LVL stands for length-volume-lift and this is a brilliant treatment if you have good lashes but are very fair. The therapist semi-permanently straightens the lashes at the root, which makes the ends curl up. They’re then tinted. Say hello to several mascara-free weeks. There are various salons in Bahrain offering this treatment, we tried Dessange and were suitable impressed.
MASCARA
Some would say this is the old-fashioned option but, with new formulas being created daily and the others requiring a certain level of commitment that we’re not all capable of, mascara is still the most popular option for eye-defining lashes. We particularly like Rimmel’s Scandalyeyes Reloaded which promises the look of false lashes and is one of the few options which still has a proper brush. Too Faced is also a great cruelty-free brand. Our favourite has a name we can’t print!
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SERUMS
What are they and do they work? They’re daily application liquids that stimulate hair growth at the follicle level resulting in noticeably thicker lashes. And, yes, some of them do work. We particularly like Lush Lash Eyelash & Eyebrow Serum, available online at wildmintcosmetics.com which is crueltyfree and vegan. Rapidlash also comes highly recommended. It’s not tested on animals and is available from ws.loveletter.iherb.com
www.womanthismonth.com
BEAUTY | styling
BARE-FACED
BEAUTY
Behnaz Sanjana
Everyday activities and errands, or spending a day at the beach (or coffee with the girls) surely doesn’t warrant caking and baking the face with makeup. And let’s face it, don’t we need our daily beauty routine to be quick and low maintenance, yet leave us looking effortlessly put-together and with a spring in our step? Leave the heavy foundation, contouring, highlighting and falsies out – makeup to look not-made-up is an art by itself.
Ace Your Base
Irrespective of the weather, and your skin type, it needs moisturising. A good moisturiser doubles up to hydrate and prep the skin to receive coverage. So, you can reserve the primer only for fancier outings. Winter days in Bahrain can get warm and sunny (sometimes humid), so what you want is a light base, just to blur out any imperfections. Hello BB / CC creams! A blemish balm provides a sheerer coverage than a complexion corrector, but both provide sun protection (that’s one step less in the ritual) and can even-out skin tone well. If you already have a favourite sunscreen and a flawless face, a tinted moisturiser (which has the least coverage, comparatively) will suffice.
Brow Wow
Flaunting a killer pair of brows wins half the au naturel battle. There are a variety of pencils and shades to choose from to fill in
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sparse brows, and a little practice will go a long way. It helps to use a tinted brow gel to add dimension to your efforts of making the hairs look naturally denser, as opposed to black or brown blocks drawn on. Plus, it helps keeps them in place through the day.
Eye on the Prize
We’re guessing you have no inclination to do a detailed eye look before a trip to the paediatrician’s or the pet shop. A good eye pencil is your product of choice then. Even if you don’t sweep the upper lids with any eyeshadow or eyeliner, lining the lower lids with a brown gel pencil (black looks too severe for daytime) brings out your eyes and brightens the look overall. And although its not necessary, mascara always heightens the mystery of the eyes. But be sure to choose a natural-finish, waterproof one, especially if you’re at the gym, pool, beach or are holiday hiking. I want to look like the Joker by mid-
day, said no one ever.
Lip Love
If you want to rock a scarlet lippie standing in line at the cashier, we applaud you, but the idea is for your look to say ‘I woke up like this!’ A nude will do it for you, but exercise caution on the tone of your barely-there shade. A cooler than necessary colour will make you look washed out. Yes, just tinted lip balm is good thinking too!
Awww, Blush!
Give your cheeks a subtle flush, like you’ve just stepped in from the cold, or completed an hour’s workout, with a cheek stain and only on the apples of your face. Smile to bring them out, and dust a rose or salmon shade lightly with your finger for a hint of warmth on your face. You could use your lipstick as blush as well for a harmonious, no-makeup look.
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BEAUTY | new products
CHARLOTTE DARLING PALETTE
Charlotte Tilbury delights fans by finally sharing the secret to her seductive, sultry signature eye look, with the introduction of the Charlotte Darling Palette. Inspired by her own look, this is a colour-curated archive of Charlotte’s favourite glowing, ibiza-inspired shades to create molten bronzed eyes. For years, Charlotte has been inundated with messages from her fans asking her for the secret behind her favourite, sunset-inspired look and so she decided to re-create her own secret, magic palette and share it with the world.
ROUGE À LÈVRES MAT
Gucci’s new matte lippie is a lip colour with a clear, gelling soft wax base that works in harmony with the pigments to create an intense vivid tone with a matte finish – all in one stroke. The colour is bright and rich, and the feel is smooth, soft and velvety. Rouge à Lèvres Mat has a silk-like texture that delivers comfort, without drying out lips or the colour smudging. The uniform colour intensity and glamorous matte finish give an effortless application.
This month it's all about faces, from eyes to lips and brilliant skin savers.
SNAP SHADOWS MIX & MATCH EYESHADOW PALETTE
The latest offering from singer Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty range is there for you to play and have fun with. Snap Shadows Mix & Match Eyeshadow Palettes come in eight colour stories and are the first mini palettes of their kind that actually snap together. Use them solo, or pair two faves for limitless eye looks in a snap! Plus, Fenty Beauty is bringing you four new tools for effortless definition, blending, and smudging. Each mini six-pan palette serves up a unique colour story, from smoky to pastel to the perfect lowkey neutrals for your skin tone. Packed with rich, smooth, blendable colour in a rainbow of matte, shimmer, and glitter finishes, each shade was specifically chosen by Rihanna to deliver just the colours you’ll actually want to use.
ORCHIDÉE IMPÉRIALE NIGHT RITUAL
PEACE OUT WRINKLES
New in at Sephora, this is a dissolving microneedling patch infused with age fighting retinol, peptides and vitamin C to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Recommended for all skin types, from normal and dry to combination and oily, it claims to fight the signs of ageing including lines, loss of firmness and elasticity, dullness and uneven texture. It includes retinol, vitamin C and peptides and each patch contains 450 self-dissolving hyaluronic acid microneedles that create tiny pathways for age-fighting ingredients.
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To recreate all the benefits of a ‘seven-hours night’ on the skin, Guerlain has developed the Orchidée Impériale Night Ritual, comprising the Sleeping Serum and the L-Roller massage tool. While sleep is, obviously, important for the skin, lying static for long periods is not helpful. When insufficient oxygenation hits during the night, skin cells begin to lose vital energy, leaving the skin aggravated and puffy, increasing the visible signs of ageing. Enriched with Night Cell Respiration technology, Guerlain’s Orchidée Impériale Sleeping Serum is designed to diffuse its ingredients directly into the skin to help relaunch cellular regeneration and combat nighttime hypoxia. By regulating cellular respiration, it helps cells maximise energy production, to accelerate regeneration and reduce the visible signs of ageing. www.womanthismonth.com
news
Kesha’s Line Is Here Global Standing
Regional brand Huda Beauty has taken the top spot as the global Hottest Beauty Brand according to respected comparison platform, Cosmetify. The site, which produces a quarterly list, uses five factors in its determination of the rankings: increase in consumer interest as shown on Google Trends; overall brand searches each month; number of Instagram hashtags and followers; and the brand’s 'engagement rate' on the social platform. Not bad for a brand started just six years ago by a makeup artist who’s still in her mid-30s!
Halal Looks
Cruelty-Free Breakthrough
International beauty brand Avon Products, Inc. has announced that it will no longer conduct regulatory-required cosmetic animal testing in every country, including China. Instead, it will work with its suppliers to ensure that no ingredients are tested on animals. A company statement said: “Avon will focus on working with suppliers on their animal testing policies for ingredients used in Avon’s products. Meanwhile Avon will continue to work with its partners to push for regulatory change and greater acceptance of alternatives to animal testing.” The move comes as countries across the world are turning away from cosmetic animal testing. In October 2018, UK-based brand The Body Shop delivered an antianimal testing petition with 8.3 million signatures to the UN. And in 2019, China, which has long required tests on postmarket cosmetics, announced an end to the practice. It also approved two non-animal testing methods. www.womanthismonth.com
Interest in Halal cosmetics is on the rise in the region as Muslim women become increasingly aware of what they are putting on their skin and are more conscious of the ingredients commonly used in beauty products. The use of animal derivatives, alcohol and other ingredients that are forbidden or that might obstruct the validity of Wudhu/ ablution mean that women are actively searching for beauty solutions that are better aligned with their religious beliefs. Halalbeauty.ae is the latest online store that specialises in selling Halal products, for hair, face, lips and nails, from a number of brands, including Tuesday in Love and Mine Vital, to Dubai, the GCC and around the world. The store mainly targets Muslim women who are on the hunt for Halal certified products that cater to their religious and cultural requirements. Halalbeauty.ae also offers chemical-free, vegan, cruelty- and child labour-free brands – all conveniently available under one roof.
After much online teasing, the new beauty line from singer Kesha has finally debuted with not so much a nod as a big loud shout-out to the star’s own personal style - animal-friendly and super colourful. Kesha Rose is produced in collaboration with Los Angeles-based cruelty-free cosmetics brand HipDot and so far we’ve seen a 12-pan eyeshadow palette, two dual-ended liquid eyeliner pens, a lipstick and a lip gloss. So, what to expect? The star told billboard.com: “People know that I'm obsessed with rainbow, glitter, and all things extraterrestrial, psychedelic and bizarre, and I wanted to capture that in the makeup that I created, but still make it wearable.”
K-Pop Goes French
Singer Suelgi, of the latest K-Pop sensation, Red Velvet, has signed up with French beauty specialist L’Occitane as its latest brand ambassador. She will be promoting L'Occitane X OMY's City Palette campaign for its shea butter hand cream. The product features limited edition packaging designed to highlight the role of nature that’s quickly disappearing within cities. It will be available in stores from January 9.
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LIFESTYLE | food
AVO PRAWN AND CRAB CANAPÉS Ingredients:
A Healthy Start Give your new year wellness ambitions a kick-start with this simple but tasty and filling dish. Food and wellness writer and pescatarian recipe developer, Razan Al Arabi, is certified in cuisine techniques by Le Cordon Bleu (London) and in nutrition for everyday living by London’s College of Naturopathic Medicine. She’s passionate about health and wellbeing and marries her love of great, nutritious food with teaching yoga to both adults and kids. With that kind of combination, you can be guaranteed that the products of her busy kitchen will be both flavourful and healthful. We love this either for a lunch or as a pass around when entertaining.
200g prawns 4 ripe avocados 1 cup (200g) bread crumbs 2 eggs 4 garlic cloves 2 lemons 1 tsp sea salt 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 6 crab sticks (shredded) 3 tbsp chilli mayonnaise 1 tbsp honey 2 tbsp olive oil.
Method: Marinate 200g of prawns in the juice of lemons and crushed garlic cloves. Season with sea salt and ground black pepper. Let it sit for an hour in the fridge. Mix two uncooked eggs in a bowl. Place the 200g of bread crumbs in another bowl. Dip each marinated prawn in the egg mixture first and then the bread crumbs. When all the prawns have been coated place them in an oven dish with olive oil and cook at 180˚C for 20 minutes. The above is a healthy and flavourful meal on its own, but now it’s time for the crab. Shred the crab sticks and coat with chilli mayonnaise and honey (skip the sauce if you want to be healthier). Cut and peel the avocados into quarters (remove seed). Slice each quarter on the diagonal, then twist inwards in the shape of a circle to form the base of your canapé. Style each avocado ‘flower’ with a teaspoon of crab mix and one lemon and garlic breaded prawn. It’s a great Idea for entertaining at home. For private yoga and reiki bookings with Razan, email foodiefindss@gmail.com
www.womanthismonth.com
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LIFESTYLE | well-being
EAT SMART Intermittent Fasting is being lauded as your road to golden health. This simple ritual, rooted in antiquity, can actually allow you to feast better, discovers Behnaz Sanjana.
a pattern of eating, not to be confused with the term ‘dieting’. Renowned health coaches have long sung its praises as a way to recover from lifestyle diseases, and maintain robust health. Based on the idea that you are not only what you eat, but how and when you eat it, it is quickly being adopted by the health-conscious.
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ince time immemorial, fasting has been deemed a way to cure and prevent illness by ancient cultures worldwide. Noted Greek physician and father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, endorsed it in the fifth century BC, believing that abstinence from food allows the body to heal itself naturally from certain illnesses. Notice how the body naturally loses its appetite when you are under the weather? Animals, who are so much more in sync with their circadian rhythms, also abstain from food when they feel unwell. Medical and nutritive sciences also recognise the benefits of intermittent fasting, which is
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To explain the fundamental behind it, Luke Coutinho, holistic lifestyle coach practising in the field of integrative medicine, says the body undergoes two phases every day: the building phase, when cells are receptive to nutrition; and the elimination phase, wherein the body detoxifies, cleanses, repairs, rebuilds and rejuvenates itself. When we feed the body in the elimination phase, it results in weight gain, acidity and a weakened immunity. If we allow the body undisturbed elimination, it functions just as it was originally designed to. It’s all about listening to the body – so, if you are not hungry in the mornings, it means your body is still in the elimination phase. When hunger comes along, it signals the start of the building phase. This is supported by the theory that many evidence-based resources, such as Harvard Health, cite – when we are not snacking, our insulin levels go down, thereby allowing the stored fat in our cells to be used as energy. Result – a leaner, fitter body. How To Go About It Intermittent Fasting encourages eating during only specified hours of the day, and fasting for
the rest of them. There are various theories revolving around how to fast – like the 16/8 method: eating only during eight hours of the day; the Eat-Stop-Eat method: a complete 24-hour fast twice a week; and the 5:2 diet; wherein only 500-600 calorie are consumed on two non-consecutive days of the week, with a full calorie intake for the rest of the days. The 16/8 method is deemed easiest. Beginners are encouraged to start off with just 10 hours of fasting, moving on to 12-14 hours a day, which may be just right for someone who is relatively fit and doesn’t need to shed too much toxicity. So, if your last meal of the day is by 7pm, your breakfast the next day can be at 9am, with no restriction on water intake. The key is to listen to the body’s reaction to fasting and make tweaks along the way. Benefits: Reducing: - weight. - blood sugar and insulin resistance, protecting against Type 2 Diabetes. - inflammation. - LDL cholesterol and blood triglycerides for a healthier heart. Promoting: - growth of new brain cells. - cellular repair. - gene expression; changes in the function of genes related to longevity and protection against disease. www.womanthismonth.com
LIFESTYLE | well-being
FOR OR AGAINST?
TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT?
A UK study found that one should eat after a morning workout, as opposed to before. Although the eat-after group didn't lose more weight than the eat-before group during the six weeks of the study, it did have "profound and positive" effects on the health of the group that fasted, researchers said. Skipping the meal before exercise made the men's
muscles more responsive to insulin, which controls high blood sugars, thus reducing the risk for diabetes and heart disease. The group who exercised before breakfast increased their ability to respond to insulin, despite both groups losing a similar amount of weight and both gaining a similar amount of fitness. www.cnn.com
BENEFICIAL INVENTION
Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have introduced a new laser ultrasound technique that leverages an eye- and skin-safe laser system to remotely image the inside of a person without direct contact with the body. When trained on a patient's skin, one laser remotely generates sound waves that bounce through the body. A second remotely detects the reflected waves, which researchers then translate into an image similar to conventional ultrasound. This invention could prove useful in the case of patients who don't tolerate the ultrasound probe well, such as babies, burn victims or other patients with sensitive skin. www.sciencedaily.com
BE WELL INFORMED
Experts are warning that people eating a vegan diet need to make sure they get enough B12 - because the risk of deficiency is “not a myth". They were speaking ahead of 'Veganuary', when increasing numbers turn to veganism each January. The diet makes some nutrients harder to get enough of - including B12. Adults need around 1.5 micrograms of B12 a day, found in meat, fish, eggs and dairy products, but not in fruits, vegetables or grains. B12 deficiency, which can lead to nerve damage, tends to take three or four years to cause symptoms. The Vegan Society says that vegans must obtain vitamin B12 from fortified foods or supplementation. www.bbc.com www.womanthismonth.com
The pharmaceutical company Novartis is planning to introduce a lottery system to give away the world’s most expensive drug for free, but patient advocates are concerned that picking 'lucky' people isn’t the best way to do things. The drug, Zolgensma, is a USD2.1 million treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disorder that leads to children losing control of their muscles. The lottery system — which has been called a managed access programme — would establish a bi-weekly draw for babies under the age of two who live in countries where Zolgensma is not approved. Those who are not chosen will simply stay in the programme until they are no longer medically eligible. www.independant.co.uk
MEAT THE CULPRIT
Processed meats have been classified as Group 1 carcinogens, known to cause cancer in humans. A new review finds that the strength of this evidence varies according to whether the meat contains nitrites. Researchers from the Institute of Global Food Security, at Queen's University Belfast, reviewed recent studies on links between processed meat consumption and cancers of the colon, rectum and bowel. They found that only around half the studies concluded that there was evidence of a link with colorectal cancer. However, that proportion jumped to nearly 65-per-cent when they limited their analysis to studies in humans that only involved testing the effects of processed meats containing nitrites. The findings clearly show that not all processed meats carry the same level of risk. www.medicalnewstoday.com
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LIFESTYLE | home
l a c i p Tro aradise P It may be cold outside, but there’s no reason you can’t transform your home into a warm and inviting haven, rife with the scents and accents of sunny, tropical lands. This January, we turn the spotlight on home products inspired by lush greenery, swaying palm trees, the seashore, driftwood, cane and rattan with bursts of bright colour and, of course, tropical fruits and flowers. Are you sipping on Piña Colada already?
Home Centre
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www.womanthismonth.com
LIFESTYLE | home Straight From Rio Picture frame THE One
Frond Art Centre table Smania
In the Jungle Printed cushion THE One
Serve in Style Artisanal tray Colgrave Holmes Creations
Floral Reminder Vase and faux flowers
Green Bloom Candle holder Home Box
Home Box
Into the Blue Chair Home Centre
Monochrome Foliage Side tables Angelo Cappellini
Birds of a Feather Stool THE One
Be Transported Chandelier Klove
Riot of Colour Rug Illulian
Flamingo Moves Bed linen
With the Theme Serving set namshi.com
namshi.com
www.womanthismonth.com
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LIFESTYLE | opinion
BOYS DON’T CRY… OR SHOULD THEY? Ouiam Charkani El Hassani on letting boys express their emotions.
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on’t cry! You’re a man! Men should be tough! Pull yourself together! How many times have we heard these ugly sentences? How many times have we been judged for having a crying little boy? How many times have family members told our boys to “toughen up”? As the mother of a young boy myself, I have heard so many times that my boy is too sensitive, too sweet, I even heard that he was too empathetic! Just because he is a BOY! If he were a girl, things would be way different. While I take those nasty comments as compliments, some other people might not. People wonder why boys are more aggressive, more combative and more violent than girls. Some think it’s just the work of nature. But there’s more to it than that. Indeed, there’s a scientific reason for it. Boys and girls respond to stress differently, especially in the early years. When younger females (and also during puberty) get upset, the thing that lights up in their brain is the words centre. They easily and very quickly come up with words, explaining how they feel or saying words to express themselves. While for boys, they instantly go to their limbic brain, which is the emotional centre, where the amygdala lights up. Then they use their
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body to release that energy. For boys, the ability to identify what they are feeling, then express it, is definitely more difficult and a longer to process than for girls. For example, young boys experience hunger differently than girls. For boys, hunger can be a big trigger to their nervous system. They can be very upset and impatient, if they are hungry and mummy is taking a little too long to bring that snack. They may want to kick and shout, as a sign of how urgent the situation is, to them. Whereas with girls, things are different. When we tell our boys to not cry, we shut down their capability to express vulnerable feelings, making the situation more difficult for them. That comes at a cost later. What boys learn when we tell them not to cry is actually more “don’t trust yourself”, “don’t trust your feelings”, “you shouldn’t be comfortable in your skin”. We are, in fact, invalidating a normal human experience, we are denying them the permission to let go of the energy bubbling up inside of them, leaving them no other choice than to kick, push, scream and be mad. So not only are they sad now, but they have suddenly also become wrong, mad, and they now know that they’re not supposed to share their feelings with
anyone, not even the people closest to them, the ones they look up to, their parents. Sometimes it is good for our boys to deal with sadness. It is a great way to explain to them that sadness is an ache in the heart, just like any other physical pain. It hurts, and sometimes it goes away on its own. Sometimes we need to stomp our feet, sometimes we need to run and some other times we need to cry and shed tears, and that is absolutely OK. Whether it is losing a football game, having a big fall or losing a pet, being able to go through these episodes early on in life, helps the boys later on in so many ways. It increases their emotional intelligence, as well as their empathy towards others. It also makes connection, with friends and spouses, easier and more natural. Vulnerability is the core of any deep relationship, but when boys are taught not to show that side of them, it becomes harder and harder to make deep connections as they grow older. Giving your boy a shoulder to cry on, instead of telling them to man up, enables them to feel safe and to become calmer and more compassionate in the future. Chanelmama www.womanthismonth.com
last word
In Her Shoes Sari Mabire, Executive Director YOIKU PR, lets us into her world. What three things do you not leave the house without?
What’s your favourite ice cream flavour?
My mobile, sunglasses and music
Rum and raisin.
Early bird or night owl? Early bird because I have to... otherwise night owl.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
Skydiving – but it's also the most exhilarating thing that I've done!
Sari
All-time favourite song or artist?
This is a difficult one... I have such a varied taste in music, but if I had to name one it would be Prince.
What skill would you like to learn? I'd like to learn how to mix like a DJ.
Do you have a secret talent?
Not sure if it's a talent but I can spin the poi. www.womanthismonth.com
What’s your motto for life?
Knowing your own ignorance is the first step to enlightenment. (Patrick Rothfuss)
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Still in Bahrain but summers in Finland. January 2020
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BAHRAIN THIS MONTH, your guide to a great way of life, is available at the following selected outlets: ● 24-Seven Minimart, all outlets
● Muntaza Supermarket, all outlets
● 24 Hours Market, all outlets
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● Al Hilal Bookshops, all outlets
News Stands
● Al Jazira Supermarket, all outlets ● Alosra Supermarket, all outlets ● Amwaj Islands Market, Amwaj ● Aseel Supermarket, all outlets ● Babasons Market, all outlets ● Lulu Hypermarket, all outlets ● Mega Mart, all outlets
Ramee Grand
Sofitel Bahrain
● Metro Markets, all outlets ● Midway Supermarket, all outlets
All Gulf Daily News home subscribers receive a complimentary copy of BTM. You can also subscribe directly by visiting www.bahrainthismonth.com For subscription enquiries and back issues of BTM, call 17 813-777.
Photos Copies of most pictures depicted in this publication (and some which aren’t) are available from Red House Marketing, 17 813-777 or email: bystander@redhousemarketing.com. 102 January 2020
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