Bahrain This Month - November 2018

TRAVEL - AL FRESCO DINING - MOTORING

Since 1997

November 2018 ~ Vol. 22 ~ Issue 11 YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE

GERMANY IN BAHRAIN

HAPPENINGS Bahrain Marathon Relay Bahrain International Airshow Poppy Ball

A Special Supplement

NERVO LIVE!

Sister Act

GOLDEN GATE

New Development Launched

JEWELLERY AND WATCHES FEATURE

INTERVIEWS

The Best Offerings in Town

HE KEMAL DEMIRCILER Turkish Ambassador Arts

Culture

Clubs

Sports

Interviews

Lifestyle

Dining

Nightlife

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Issue 255

Contents November 2018 34

COVER STORY Superstar Sisters

The hottest duo in electronic dance music, NERVO, perform live at Coral Bay Resort.

HAPPENINGS

Bahrain This Month previews events happening around town during the month of November 2018:

28

17

Frighteningly Fun Events

Spooktacular Halloween fun lingers for a few more nights this month.

18

Aquatic Adventures!

The third season of the Bahrain Sea Festival continues.

20

Pets Appeal!

The Dogfather’s annual fundraising garden party.

22 Diva

Hunt

Stretch those vocal chords for the 14th year of JJ’s Karaoke Idol.

24 Caribbean

Sounds

Kevin Lyttle will perform live at Eleven Club.

26 An

18

26

Annual Tribute

The Poppy Ball returns to the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel.

28-29 Look

to the Skies

Gear up for the Bahrain International Airshow at the Sakhir Airbase.

30 Pitch

It Right

The 7th MENA Angel Investors Summit celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week.

32 Rugby

Talk

An evening with international player Brian O’Driscoll.

Visit www.bahrainthismonth.com for a comprehensive list of daily events.

30

40

39

INTERVIEWS Visitors Welcome

HE Kemal Demirciler on encouraging Bahrainis to his country.

40

The Financial Falcon

Fahad Al-Omran speaks about Narmo Capital’s unique place in the region’s finance world.

42

The Refurbished Retreat

Kosta Kourotsidis chats about the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa’s new makeover.

46

50 Bystander This issue’s Bystander pages are jampacked with major embassy events including the Saudi Arabian, Chinese, Korean and Indonesian National Days.

Our snappers were also seen at other happenings around the island, such as Oktoberfest celebrations, launches, birthday parties and various other soirées. Check to see if you made the cut!

www.bahrainthismonth.com

44

Putting HR in the Spotlight

MA Sridhar of Roshcomm tells BTM about new developments at this year’s big event.

46

One-of-a-Kind Development

Ishaq Al Kooheji, Manoj Ajmera and Nayan Shah on the new development – Golden Gate.

48

A Significant Milestone

50

From Virtual to Reality

New director, Saïd Nourine, talks about his plans for Alliance Française Bahrain.

McLaren’s new F1 driver Lando Norris on his big break and e-sports.

51

Meet The Mainframe

17-year-old Alex Panagis shares his passion for all things tech and his revamped blog.

November 2018 5

TAKE PRESTIGE TO A REMARKABLE HEIGHT. LIVE IN THE HEART OF BAHRAIN BAY.

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13 66 33 00

A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN

Issue 255

Contents November 2018 FEATURE 55-66

Germany in Bahrain

A special supplement celebrating bilateral relations between Germany and Bahrain.

68

68-77

Jewellery & Watches Review 2018

Coinciding with Jewellery Arabia, this special feature showcases top jewellery and watch brands on the island.

78

Motoring

My Life in Cars

Dick Potter shares his passion for motors.

80-81 Motoring

Bites

BTM brings you the latest news from the motoring world.

FEATURE Al Fresco Allure

82-83

BTM highlights the best al fresco dining options across the island.

84

55

80

Dining

Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice!

Miam introduces intriguing new dishes.

86

Timeless Tradition

Try Furn’s succulent turkey this Thanksgiving.

88

A Taste of Italy

94

Truly Fantastic!

New menu options at Cucina Italiana.

Discover Ramee Grand’s new Indian restaurant.

96

Start the Day Right

Talabat simplifying your morning breakfast.

100

Triple Michelin-Starred Whammy!

The Gulf Hotel welcomes a trio of Michelin-starred chefs.

101

Hidden Gems in Bahrain 102-103 Table Hopping

Dining gossip from around the island.

Showcase

104-111 Marketplace: Latest products and services.

112 Business Bites

82

84

115

LIFESTYLE

What’s New: Must-have products

Downtime

116-117 Gadgets: The newest gizmos in town 118 Music: Top tunes

119 Computer Games: The hot games of the month 120 Websites: The coolest sites on the web 121 Apps: Essential apps 122-123 Movies: New releases 124-125 An

Travel

African Adventure

Regulars

115

128 Tarotscope 129 AD Index 130 WIN WIN

119

Connect with Bahrain This Month:

123 www.bahrainthismonth.com

115

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

www.facebook.com/bahrainthismonth www.twitter.com/BHThisMonth www.instagram/bahrainthismonth www.YouTube.com/bahrainthismonth

November 2018 7

THE TEAM Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton Editorial Director Liz O’Reilly Editor Apple Sharma Contributors Behnaz Sanjana, Dick Potter, Bill Grieve, Suzanne Nicholas, Shoba Subrahmanyam Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian Layout and Graphics Romeo San Miguel, Hatem Monem Photography Editor Mona Abdul Jabbar Staff Photographers Subeesh Kumar N S, Ranjith Mohan Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa, Roanna Fernandes Corporate Affairs Director Bassem A. Al Khabbaz Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar Distributor Al Hilal Group (Hilal Direct Services)

Bahrain This Month November 2018 Welcome to the November issue. As the cooler weather arrives, it brings with it plenty of events across the island. There are multiple continuing spooky Halloween and Dia de los Muertos celebrations. The latest edition of the Sea Festival is ongoing at Bahrain Bay and, for local culture, food and music, check out the series of happenings brought to you through Five Pm at Bab. November also means the return of Bahrain International Air Show, along with the Women In Aviation Conference, hosted by our sister publication Woman This Month. Our superstar sister act cover stars NERVO, who’ve had numerous huge hits, will be gracing the stage at Coral Bay. And there’s another superstar inbound in the shape of British and Irish Lions and Irish international rugby player, Brian O’Driscoll. All this and more awaits you in our Happenings section, which is updated online throughout the month at www.bahrainthismonth.com We have a special supplement this month looking at the relationship between Germany and Bahrain with the first interview with the new ambassador HE Kai Thamo Boeckmann, travel tips and German news.

A second ambassador, HE Kemal Demirciler of Turkey, graces our interview pages, along with new McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris. We also caught up with the man behind Narmo Capital, Fahad Al-Omran, and techie wunderkind Alex Panagis.

November, as always, means it’s time for ‘all that glitters’ in the shape of Jewellery Arabia. And, as always, we have a round-up of some of the island’s favourite jewellery and watch brands in our second big feature.

Making the most of the weather to head into the great outdoors is the theme of this month’s eating out feature, which covers the island’s multitude of al fresco dining options – just thinking about those live cooking stations wafting deliciousness on the cool breeze is making me hungry.

Our travel section features a guest contributor this month as former island resident Shoba Subrahmanyam tells us of her journey through Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia.

And, of course, our Lifestyle section has the regular round-up of new movies, music, apps, games and more.

From going out to staying in, dining and travel; this month’s, issue really is your guide to a great way of life.

The only Lifestyle Magazine distributed with the GDN

Media Sales MARISE DOS SANTOS marise@redhousemarketing.com DIGITAL & CONTENT MARKETING TEAM Digital Strategy Director Lini Reghunath Digital Marketing Manager Indira Viswanathan Content Editors Adnan Sipra, Shama Uchil Video Producer Dario Godic Art & Animation Director Hatem Monem 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 2005-2018 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 Gulf and international subscriptions available on request.

COVER Cover Picture:

NERVO Live!

TRAVEL - AL FRESCO DINING - MOTORING

Since 1997

November 2018 ~ Vol. 22 ~ Issue 11 YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE

GERMANY IN BAHRAIN

HAPPENINGS Bahrain Marathon Relay Bahrain International Airshow Poppy Ball

A Special Supplement

NERVO LIVE!

Sister Act

GOLDEN GATE

New Development Launched

JEWELLERY AND WATCHES FEATURE

INTERVIEWS

The Best Offerings in Town

HE KEMAL DEMIRCILER Turkish Ambassador Arts

www.bahrainthismonth.com

George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman

Culture

Clubs

Sports

Interviews

Lifestyle

Dining

Scan this QR Code to subscribe to the digital edition of the magazine.

Nightlife

November 2018 9

bystander

Saudi National Day

HE Dr Abdulla bin Abdulmalik Al Shaikh, Saudi Ambassador, hosted the Saudi National Day celebrations at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain.

To view more images, scan the QR code

Ambassadors and top officials at the event

Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Abdulla & Ebrahim

HE Simon Martin & Paul

Mohammed Abdulla Tamimi & Fahad

HE Abdulla bin Rashid Al Mudailwi & HE CĂŠcile Longe

Hafez, Riyad Hamza, Mustafa Sayed & Salman Al Dosari

Tree & Broderick

Hazel, Gunes & Ozge

10 November 2018

Sarah, Aileen & Marwa

Ali & Saif

Ahmed & Mohammed

HE Alfred Simms-Protz (former German Ambassador), Perwin & HE Kemal Demirciler

Hamad & Mohammed

Salah & Yousif Fakhro

Mohammed, Abdul Hamid, Dr Mohammed Khonji & Yahya

Hussain, Dr Abdulla Al Hawaj & Mansoor

Paul & Trevor

www.bahrainthismonth.com

From SEIKO WATCH CORPORATION alba-watches.com

141, Government Avenue, P.O.Box 237, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, Tel: (973) 17225513

bystander

Chinese National Day

HE Anwaer, Chinese Ambassador,and wife, Mahpirat, hosted a reception to celebrate the 69th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China at the The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa.

To view more images, scan the QR code

The cake-cutting ceremony

HE Anwaer & Mahpirat

HE CĂŠcile Longe

Martin, Babette & Dorian

HE Kadri Al Sayeh

HE Dr A S U Mendis, Gopika & HE Hideki Ito

Mamta & HE Alok Kumar Sinha

Wesley, Abby, Faiza & Deena

Jawahari, Dr Bahar & Shaima

Isabella & Nancy

12 November 2018

Johan, Wani, Myrra & HE Agus Salim Haji Yusof

HE Justin Siberell & HE Rami Saleh Al Warikat Al Adwan

Chang & Simon

Luise & Jean Phillipe

HE Alok Kumar Sinha & HE Koo Hyunmo

Lu, Ni & Ziu

Hanan & Fatema

Samah & Saja

Muna, Maryam & Eman

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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bystander

Korean National Day

HE Koo Hyunmo, Korean Ambassador, and wife Jina, hosted a reception to celebrate the National Day of the Republic of Korea at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel Residence & Spa. The cake-cutting ceremony

Shaikh Khalid, Mohammed Salahuddin, Shaikh Mohammed, Dr Hamza & Fouad

HE Domenico Bellato, Shaikh Abdulla & HE Anwaer

HE Agus Salim Haji Yusof & Wani

Mary, HE Koo Hyunmo & HE Dr Milad Nammour

Kishor & Poonam

Cheon & Jina

Samira, Mamta, Anne & George

HE Dr A S U Mendis, Dr Cherian & Ellie

HE Taha Mohammed A Qadir

Hadyah, Shaikh Abdulla, HE Simon Martin & Sophie

Waleed Al Rayes, Sadiq Dawani & Jawahari

HE Dhafer Alumran

Ahmed Bin Hindi, Abdulla Bin Hindi, HE Thanis Na Songkhla & Khalifa Rumehi

14 November 2018

Navin & HE Kemal Demirciler

HE Hideki Ito, HE Alok Kumar Sinha & HE Nur Syahrir Rahardjo

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

Indonesian Independence Day

HE Nur Syahrir Rahardjo, Indonesian Ambassador, and wife Retnani, hosted the celebration of the 73rd anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia at The Crowne Plaza Hotel.

The cake-cutting ceremony

Waleed Kanoo, HE Justin Siberell & Sameer Nass

Waleed Al Rayes & HE Hideki Ito

Namrin, Addi & Usman

HE Simon Martin, Sophie & Juzer

HE Nur Syahrir Rahardjo & Mansoor

16 November 2018

Retnani & Mamta

HE Dr Milad Nammour & Mary

Jawahari & HE Vagif Garaev

Jina

Todd & Amy

HE Alok Kumar Sinha & Raj Damani

Dr Hala & Asha Shetty

HE Agus Salim Haji Yusof & Nasser Al Arayedh

HE Dr Dhafer Alumran & HE Nur Syahrir Rahardjo

Anisa, Siti, Santi & Wula

Jeanie, Nico, Angela & Mandy

Dorian & Martin

Salman, Nivs & Usman

www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings

NOVEMBER 2018-HAPPENINGS FRIGHTENINGLY FUN EVENTS NOVEMBER 1 & 2

The Spooktakular Halloween month of October may be over, but the fun still lingers for a few nights more in November.

On November 1, the Bahrain Rugby Football Club hosts a Children’s Halloween Disco at its sports hall from 7pm to 9pm. Entrance is BD2.5 in advance or BD3 at the door. Each ticket includes a meal.

Call 17 695-809.

Also on November 1, Ramee International Hotel will hold a Boos & Booze night at its Madness House of Horrors with entertainment from a live band.

Call 36 289-349.

Celebrated Thai singer and actress, Nuch Wilawan, will be the highlight of the Halloween celebrations on November 1 at the Atiram Premier Hotel, Juffair.

Take advantage of the happy hour promotional prices from 8pm to 11pm.

Call 38 084-169 or 33 848-957. www.bahrainthismonth.com

HALLOWEEN EVENTS

Dia de los Muertos is back at Meisei with three show-stopping Halloween-themed events, which started on October 31. The main event on November 1 promises to be a lot of fun with spine-chilling cocktails, food from ‘hell’s kitchen’ and electrifying beats from DJ Salime.

Call 17 007-700.

It’s time to play masquerade this Halloween at the Jumeirah Royal Saray Hotel’s Play Restaurant & Lounge. Plenty of live entertainment is on for November 1, including three DJs, aerial stunts, fire shows and dancers to get the night going.

Call 17 100-345.

The brand-new Four Seasons beach hosts a Dia de los Muertos extravaganza featuring a live band and DJ on November 1. The entire venue will be transformed into a vibrant yet spooky fiesta, where the living and the dead will party from 8pm onwards.

Call 32 223-323.

Various

On November 2, some of the best DJs on the island will be spinning the decks at Coral Bay’s ‘Day of the Living Dead’ themed Halloween party. Special guest for the night is DJ Sabrina Terence, supported by DJs Jackson, VJMP3, Mine, Essie and Wisky.

Call 17 312-700 or 35 431-458.

Celebrate Sofitel’s annual Halloween party by the beach, also on November 2, featuring international star Top 100 World Female DJ and producer, Djane Djoly. Laser and fire dance shows are part of the entertainment line-up and the show carries on into the dead of the night, with the after-party at Tapas restaurant with DJ Sal. There will be games and prizes galore for the best costumes!

Call 17 636-363 or 34 331-779.

November 2018 17

happenings

AQUATIC ADVENTURES! UNTIL NOVEMBER 4

When? Until November 4 Event? Bahrain Sea Festival Venue? Bahrain Bay Visit seafestival.bh When? Until December 31 Event? The Stamp Seal: Hallmark of Dilmun and its hidden art Venue? Bahrain National Museum

An exhibition of seals spanning the 3rd and 2nd millennia BCE, examining the use, techniques, diversity and splendour of the Dilmun seals.

SEA FESTIVAL

Bahrain Bay

The third season of the Bahrain Sea Festival kick-started last month and continues until November 4 at the Bahrain Bay harbour area. The festival brings together local craftsmanship and entertainment in an effort to spread awareness among youth about the island’s aquatic legacy.

The Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority has lined up some adventurous virtual reality deep-sea diving, dhowmaking demos, a wall aquarium, interactive sea floor, pearl jewellery exhibitions and sea-themed art displays and movies. The festival is on from 4pm to 10pm every day.

Tickets are available online and at the festival entrance.

Visit seafestival.bh

FIVE PM AT BAB THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER

ENTERTAINMENT MARKET

Bab Al Bahrain

Call 17 298-777.

When? Until December 31 Event? Exhibition, Becoming Real Venue? InTouch Clinic Call 17690-100.

Maria Gluscevic presents a series of photographs that contemplate pluralism and various cultural practices in Bahrain. Entry is free.

Call 17 690-100.

When? Throughout November Event? Five PM at Bab Venue? Bab Al Bahrain Visit culture.gov.bh When? November 1 Event? The Hops & Barley Festival Venue? Bahrain Rugby Football Club

National Hotel Service Company offers a selection of hops and barley beverages from around the world. Live music from Greg Frey.

Call 17 695-809.

When? November 1 Event? Children’s Halloween Disco Venue? Bahrain Rugby Football Club Call 17 695-809.

When? November 1 Event? Alliance Française Open Day Venue? Isa Town

Alliance Française holds an open day from 5pm to 9pm for all French cultural enthusiasts and prospective students.

Call 17 683-295.

When? November 1 Event? Handicrafts Market Venue? Bab Al Bahrain Visit culture.gov.bh 18 November 2018

The market area at Bab Al Bahrain will be bustling this month with an array of activities for family and friends to enjoy.

Organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, the weekly fun takes place every Thursday at 5pm, in the main open market space. Start your weekend with cultural shows, music, handicrafts, heritage, arts, food and a vibrant environment!

There will be a handicrafts display on November 1 focusing on handmade products by Bahraini artists. The evening will also feature a live music performance.

On November 8, visitors to the market can savour the flavours of various cuisines, while enjoying entertainment from a live musical band.

Children will have an opportunity to learn about some of Bahrain’s prominent archaeological sites, at ‘The Little Guide’ workshop that will be conducted on November 15.

Registration is required prior to this event.

You can also get to watch local artists hand-sketch live, as art students from the University of Bahrain set up easel at the market on November 22.

Towards the month’s end is another highly traditional event not to be missed! From the shores of Bahrain come the famous Fjiri folk tunes of native pearl divers, which will be performed by the Qalali Band on November 29.

Visit culture.gov.bh

CLIMBING THE PROPERTY LADDER NOVEMBER 1-3

PROPERTY EXPO

BIECC

The island’s real-estate sector is once again under the spotlight at the 11th edition of the Bahrain International Property Exhibition. The event is held under the patronage of HE Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister.

This year’s forums are centred under the theme of ‘Building Communities, Developing Bahrain’, with a focus on the key sectors of education, healthcare, housing and transport.

New and upcoming projects from major developers in Bahrain and Dubai will also be highlighted at the event.

The exhibition runs from 10am to 9pm at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Call 17 810-733. www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings When? November 1 Event? Madness Halloween House of Horrors Venue? Ramee International Hotel Call 36 289-349.

When? November 1 Event? Halloween Party with Nuch Wilawan Venue? Atiram Premier Hotel Call 38 084-169 / 33 848-957.

When? November 1 Event? Dia de los Muertos Venue? Meisei Call 17 007-700.

When? November 1 Event? Fiestas de los Muertos Venue? Four Seasons Beach Call 32 223-323.

When? November 1 Event? Halloween Masquerade Venue? Play Restaurant, Jumeirah Royal Saray Hotel Call 17 100-345.

When? November 1-3 Event? BIPEX Venue? BIECC Call 17 810-733.

PETS APPEAL! FUNDRAISING PARTY

NOVEMBER 2

Dogfather’s Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre

For those of you who love a good hug from a furry friend, it’s now time to support them back with arms wide open!

The Dogfather’s Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre is hosting its annual fundraising garden party at its shelter.

Spend some valuable time with the animals and enjoy some good food with barbecue and musical entertainment from Sandi Thom & friends.

For those of you who fancy a few yard-sale bargains, there will be much to explore! There are raffle prizes up for grabs as well.

So make your way down to the centre, which is based in Saar, and don’t forget to bring your family and friends to support this wonderful cause.

Call 39 629-889.

STEP-UP TO THE MUSIC! NOVEMBER 2

STEP-UP DANCE COMPETITION

ART ON THE SHORES Cultural Hall

NOVEMBER 2

BEACH ART ELECTRIC EDITION

Art Rotana

When? November 1-3 Event? Yoga & Wellness Retreat Venue? Hawar Islands

A three-day yoga retreat focusing on breathwork, flexibility, calisthenics and clean eating.

Call 17 290-008.

When? November 2 Event? Step-Up Dance competition Season 2 Venue? Cultural Hall Bahrain Call 17 234-560 or 33 458-390.

When? November 2 Event? Bahrain National Abacus competition Venue? Indian Club Bahrain

Bahrain’s first national abacus competition testing the mathematical skills of kids.

Call 39 210-220.

When? November 2 Event? Children’s Carnivaganza Venue? The Fathers House AG Church Bahrain

A fun-filled carnival for kids to showcase their talents and participate in fun games and win prizes.

Call 36 441-284.

When? November 2 Event? Fundraising garden party Venue? The DogFather’s Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre Call 39 629-889.

When? November 2 Event? Beach ART Electric Edition Venue? Art Rotana Call 16 000-111.

20 November 2018

Bollywood Steps Performing Arts studio hosts the second season of its annual Step-Up dance competition this month.

The event, which invites acts of all kinds – solo, duo, trio or group – has students and outsiders vying for the top prize, which includes a chance to train with Bollywood celebrity dance choreographer Salman Yusuff Khan. Tickets are available in advance of the event at BD3 and BD5. The show starts at 7pm.

Call 17 234-560 or 33 458-390.

PARTY TIME NOVEMBER 2

Prepare to be electrified this month as ART Rotana’s fourth annual beach party returns. The Beach Art Electric Edition has specialised acts flown in from around the world to entertain guests. Tickets cost BD20 and include two free drinks. Doors open from 2pm.

Call 16 000-111.

LAP UP DJ TAY JAMES

Tay James, who is Justin Beiber’s official DJ, will be spinning his best at the Coral Bay Resort this month.

There’s free entry for ladies and military personnel from 3pm to 6pm.

Tickets are available in advance and at the door.

Call 36 617-161.

Coral Bay

NOVEMBER 3

9TH ANNUAL CHARITY SWIMMING CHALLENGE

Ritz Beach Club

Are you strong enough to brave the currents for a great cause? The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain hosts its 9th Annual Charity Swimming Challenge. Contestants will be supporting The Friendship Society for the Blind as they wade through two categories with distances of 200m and 1km. Entry from BD5 to BD8.

Call 17 586-612.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings When? November 2 Event? DJ Tay James Venue? Coral Bay Call 36 617-161.

When? November 2 Event? Halloween Party Venue? Coral Bay Call 17 312-700 or 35 431-458.

DIVA HUNT NOVEMBER 6 - DECEMBER 18

EXPANDING GLOBAL FOOTPRINT JJ’s Irish COMPETITION Restaurant

NOVEMBER 7

FRANCHISE & DINE EXPO

Crowne Plaza Bahrain

When? November 2 Event? Desibel – In The Sky Venue? Wyndham Garden Manama A rooftop pre-Diwali party featuring Dubai-resident, DJ Zubair.

Call 36 769-292 or 36 378-377.

When? November 2 Event? Annual Halloween Beach Party Venue? Sofitel Bahrain Call 17 636-363 or 34 331-779.

When? November 3 Event? Art at the Bay: Claude Monet – Water Lilies Venue? Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

Recreate world-class paintings at these monthly art classes taught

by Marion Akanji. Tariffs apply inclusive of beverages and canapés.

Call 17 115-500.

When? November 3 Event? 9th Annual Charity Swimming Challenge Venue? Ritz Beach Club Call 17 586-612.

When? November 5 Event? Drop in Improv workshops Venue? The British Club (Blighty’s bar)

Manama Theatre Club hosts mini lessons and games at this improv workshop from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

Call 17 728-245.

When? November 6-8 Event? Gulf Executive Leaders Support Forum Venue? Gulf Convention Centre, Gulf Hotel Bahrain

Hear specialists in the field of administration share their expertise on various topics related to technology, IT, digital media and management.

Visit gulfels.com

When? November 6–December 18

Event? 14th Annual Karaoke Idol Venue? JJ’s Irish Restaurant Call 33 843-005.

22 November 2018

How prepared are you to take on this year’s JJ’s Karaoke Idol? If not, it’s time to get those vocal cords stretched again in preparation for the 14th year of this muchanticipated competition.

A BD1,000 prize fund is up for grabs by the finalists with the most votes. The elimination rounds are every Tuesday, starting on November 6, leading up to the finals on December 18.

Call 33 843-005.

The second edition of the Franchise and Dine Expo takes place with the theme, ‘Expand your global footprint in the Middle East Market’. The B2B expo is held under the patronage of HE Shaikh Hisham bin Abdul-Rahman Al-Khalifa, governor, Capital Governorate, and will attract many reputed franchise consultants from across the Middle East.

Franchisers are from various sectors such as education and training, food and beverage, speciality retail, fashion and lifestyle, health and wellness, financial services, real estate, licensing and business suppliers. Attendees will also benefit from workshops that will be conducted at the expo, which runs between 10am and 7pm.

Call 17 713-716 or 32 000-057 or 37 188-875.

‘BAHRAIN NIGHTS’ IS BACK! NOVEMBER 8

DJ MEHMET GULEC LIVE

Arch Hotel Bahrain

A legendary night ensues at the Arch Hotel as Bahrain Nights presents DJ Mehmet Gulec from Istanbul.

The show is set in the vibrant classy atmosphere of Fizz Lounge, complete with food, drinks and a line-up of musical entertainment throughout the night with DJ Attalla, DJ Andy Collins and Frankie Flowerz on the saxophone.

Doors open at 8pm. Entrance is free by guestlist till 11pm, after which it is BD10 at the door.

Call 32 223-323 or 39 007-750 or 33 396-393.

IN FOR THE LONG RUN NOVEMBER 9

BAHRAIN MARATHON RELAY

Bahrain International Circuit

All eyes are on the Bahrain Marathon Relay this year, as life on the island shifts its focus in support of the hallmark of annual charities. The prestigious event, now in its 38th year, continues to attract scores of individuals, groups, corporates, ministries, government institutions, charities and donors.

The charity sporting event, which is successfully organised by Rotaract Bahrain in association with Bahrain Athletic Association, Bahrain Round Table and valued sponsors every year, pledges 100 per cent of its proceeds to various local charities.

This year, around 200 teams from both private and public sectors are expected to take part in the relay marathon which runs over 16 stages of approximately 3km each.

Team divisions and awards are up for grabs in various categories, including open mixed, schools, colleges, Hash House Harriers, various commercial sectors, sponsors and a Most Improved Team trophy.

The marathon starts at 10am on November 9 at the VIVA Karting track and finishes at the main BIC paddock area. visit www.bahrain-mr.com www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings

CARIBBEAN SOUNDS

NOVEMBER 9

KEVIN LYTTLE LIVE

Eleven Club

THE ARCH HOTEL

Barely two months since bursting onto the Juffair nightlife scene, Eleven Club is already turning up the heat. After a jam-packed October schedule with a veritable feast of uber-talented artists and DJs performing, November will be on a whole new level.

Since teaming up with the NightPro Bahrain team last month, plans have been put in place to bring some of the industry’s heavy hitters to the island. First up is Kevin Lyttle, performing live in Eleven. Known as the ‘feel-good man’, the Caribbean native achieved worldwide recognition with his first mega hit, the international chart topping Turn Me On. His self-titled debut album went multi-platinum, selling over two million copies, and follow-up hits for the superstar soca artist include Slow Motion and Last Drop. Make sure to book your VIP table, guaranteeing priority access and the best seats in the house.

Every other Thursday night at Eleven, it’s Live Love Local, showcasing the cream of local talent on the hallowed decks. Join the crowds and catch your favourite local DJ spinning top tunes into the early hours. A$AP Fridays are all about hip-hop, mixing up classic hits with all the hottest new releases. Wednesday nights are dedicated to pop Latino, a hip-swaying combination of Latin house, merengue and reggaeton, the only way to warm up for the weekend. No matter what gets you on the dance floor, the club’s very own Belizean 24 November 2018

Kevin Lyttle

beauty queen, DJ Mishka, has got you covered.

Having played throughout Central America, northern Africa and Europe, Mishka has instantly settled into the Bahrain island lifestyle, combining her globe-trotting DJ experience with her Caribbean roots to create an unforgettable night out.

If you’re on the lookout for some great deals, there’s an impressive array of beverage promotions on offer throughout the week, including a jaw-dropping daily bottle special.

Just point the way to VIP and show off your best moves. The regular Happy Hours run till 11pm six days a week, but take advantage of the extended timings every Saturday, with a

whopping 25 per cent discount on all food and beverages all night long. Check in to ACCESS with DJ Cossta on Sundays, when all air crew can cash in on an oversized 50 per cent discount applicable for draught and fruity vine glasses.

Ladies can enjoy free drinks from the lovingly crafted menu every night, and with the resident DJs spinning hit after hit from 9pm onwards, you’ll be hard-pushed to find a better place to party the night away.

All details of upcoming events and promotions can be found on the Facebook page, Club Eleven Bahrain.

Call 66 705-584. www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings When? November 7 Event? Franchise & Dine Expo Venue? Crowne Plaza Bahrain Call 17 713-716 or 32 000-057 or 37 188-875.

When? November 8 Event? ‘Bahrain Nights’ Presents DJ Mehmet Gulec Venue? Arch Hotel Bahrain Call 32 223-323 or 39 007-750 or 33 396-393.

When? November 8 Event? Food at Bab Venue? Bab Al Bahrain Visit culture.gov.bh When? November 8-10 Event? Food Truck Fun Fair 2018 Venue? TBA

Savour some yummy foods, live shows, beach time and more.

Call 66 336-801 or 33 733-340.

When? November 9 Event? Poppy Ball Venue? Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa Call 17 813-488.

When? November 9 Event? Yoga Teacher Training Venue? Namaste Bahrain

A 12-hour YACEP workshop for yoga teachers to refine their skills and exchange ideas.

Call 17 591-565.

When? November 9 Event? Bahrain Marathon Relay Venue? Bahrain International Circuit Call 39 628-383.

When? November 9 Event? Bahrain Games Venue? Bahrain Rugby Football Club

Gaelic clubs from across the Middle East gather for a weekend of playing ball, drinks, music and fun!

Call 17 695-809.

When? November 9 Event? DJ Nabihah Iqbal Venue? Gallery 21 Call 17 711-600 or 36 906-900.

When? November 10 Event? Awali Festive Fayre Venue? Bapco Club Call 39 850-372 or 39 459-217.

When? November 12 Event? 7th MENA Angel Investors Summit 2018 Venue? The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Call 17 820-827.

26 November 2018

AN ANNUAL TRIBUTE NOVEMBER 9

POPPY BALL

Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa

It’s that time of the year again when we commemorate Remembrance Day and the end of World War I, a timehonoured tradition, with the celebration of the Poppy Ball.

Held in support of the Chelsea Pensioners Appeal and The Children and Mothers Welfare Society Bahrain, the event is firmly established on Bahrain’s annual social calendar.

It is organised by the Bahrain British Business Forum in cooperation with the British Business Association (BBA) from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

As for every year, the Poppy Ball is honoured by the presence of the Chelsea Pensioners. This year’s visitors are Sgt John Griffiths, 73, WO1 Peter Henry, 71, and WO1 Hugh Craig, 68.

The highlights of their visit will be the laying of a wreath at a memorial service, as well as attending functions, school visits and places of interest in Bahrain.

The Poppy Ball will begin at 7pm with a

welcome reception and dinner, followed by music from DJ Alfie.

The dress code is evening or cocktail dresses for ladies and dinner suits with black ties or national dress for gents.

Call 17 813-448.

SHE’S ALL THAT NOVEMBER 9

DJ NABIHAH IQBAL

Gallery 21

A rare musician that can rake in the crowds with her captivating sounds is DJ Nabihah Iqbal. The past year has seen the multiinstrumentalist, who was formerly a producer, embrace a new direction in her artistic career, engaging in diverse musical education and her heritage as a British-Asian musician.

She will be playing funk, soul, house and disco at Gallery 21 from 8pm onwards. Pre-sale tickets are BD15, or BD20 at the door.

Call 17 711-600 / 36 906-900.

FAIR DEALS NOVEMBER 10

AWALI FESTIVE FAYRE

Bapco Club, Awali

Looking for something special to get your friend or loved one this Christmas? Look no further than the Awali Festive Fayre as you choose from plenty of hand-made jewellery, baked goods, décor and more. The Awali Ladies Hospitality Group’s efforts measure up to nothing less than successful every year, as crowds walk away with bags full of goodies in support of charity. The fair is from 11am to 3pm.

Call 39 850-372 or 39 459-217.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Early detection of breast cancer saves lives. Annual screening can help detect early signs of cancer.

Book a screening package during Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Breast Ultrasound + Mammography* + Consultation BD40 Mammography* + Consultation BD30 Breast Ultrasound + Consultation BD22 Above offers are only available at BSH Juffair until 31st October 2018. *Mammography is recommended for those above 40 years of age

17812000 bsh.com.bh

happenings

LOOK TO THE SKIES

NOVEMBER 14-17

BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW

Sakhir Airbase

The fastest-growing airshow in the Middle East takes place this month at the Sakhir Airbase. The 2018 Bahrain International Airshow, under the patronage of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, will feature the largest and most exciting line-up of activities yet, both in the sky and on the ground.

Connection BIAS hosts leaders and decision-makers from throughout the aviation industry, with military and commercial delegations attending the show enabling participants to meet face-toface with senior industry and government attendees invited by Bahrain.

The fifth biennial Bahrain International Airshow is now established as the region’s pre-eminent platform for business generation and networking across the aerospace industry. It has generated 90 per cent in economic impact since its 2010 launch.

Endorsing Bahrain as a great place to do business, 100 per cent of trade exhibitors who attended the 2016 show confirmed they would attend future shows, and return to Bahrain for business or holiday purposes, underscoring the show’s position as one of the Kingdom’s most important events.

Inspiration Designed as a place where expertise, knowledge and new ideas can be exchanged, the BIAS 2018 conference programme presents major opportunities for attendees to be inspired by the latest developments in the industry: The second biennial ‘Manama Air Power Symposium’ brings together air force chiefs and leading experts to address emerging issues from across the region. A conference focused on airports ‘Into the Future’ will explore challenges and opportunities for airports and airlines throughout the Gulf. And for the first time, a ‘Women in Aviation’ conference – organised by Woman This Month

TRADE SHOW – November 14-16 Business Generation Organised by the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications in cooperation with the Royal Bahraini Airforce, the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) offers unprecedented business networking opportunities via its three-day military and commercial delegations programme, a focused conference programme, on-floor knowledge theatre, and an exhibition hall situated in the hangar at Sakhir Airbase.

28 November 2018

Innovation The Exhibition Hall at the show is the place to be for companies who want to demonstrate their latest products and technologies. Twice the size of previous shows so that it now occupies the entire hangar, BIAS will host around 120 companies in the hall.

The flying and static aircraft display is a key feature of BIAS and one of the show’s biggest attractions. An estimated 110 aircraft will be displayed on the runway at Sakhir Airbase, providing visitors with a rare opportunity for trade visitors to get up close to the very best in aviation. The Flying Display enables participants to demonstrate their aircraft’s capabilities, flying alongside military and aerobatic display teams.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings

magazine – aims to promote discussion and identify solutions to industry challenges.

One of the newest elements of the show is a focus on the space industry, a fast-growing and dynamic area of the aerospace industry.

BIAS is delighted to host US astronaut and engineer Col Al Worden, who was the Command Module Pilot for the Apollo 15 lunar mission in 1971. Col Worden will be visiting schools and universities during his trip to Bahrain in order to share his experience and inspire the future generation of spacewalkers.

PUBLIC SHOW – November 14-17 Visiting an airshow is known to have inspired many successful aviation executives, with the up-close exposure to aircraft and the opportunity to watch them display, creating a lifelong interest.

Based on this principle, the organisers of BIAS have focused on engaging the public at the show since its inception. The public area near the Sakhir Airbase provides families with the opportunity to enjoy different aspects of the show, with aerobatic teams performing exciting displays in the sky, and an array of entertainment acts and performances on the ground. Extended by one day after the trade show, the public show this year will be four days for the first time, allowing more families the chance to enjoy it.

In the Sky Scheduled for five hours daily, the display includes some of the world’s best aerobatic flying teams, as well as military jets, big civilian airliners and historic classics – this year’s lineup will be the most diverse yet.

On the Ground There’s as much happening on the ground as in the sky. When not watching the display visitors can tour an exciting range of Zones, which will entertain, delight, inform, engage and excite.

The Simulator Zone – This is an unmissable chance to enjoy the thrill of being a pilot without leaving the ground. The Next Level Simulator Cockpit is a professional-grade flight simulator, used and tested by professional pilots. Suitable for all ages, visitors can experience the thrill of the hot seat in this exciting show feature.

Street Performers – Favourite characters from Disney and Star Wars join Iron Man, dancers and a crazy bouncing robot.

The Gaming Zone – A special treat for gamers, this zone will feature aviation-related games, allowing players to show off their skills in a dedicated environment full of the latest technology.

Heritage Village – The Heritage Village is returning to BIAS with a wealth of Made in Bahrain arts and crafts that celebrate creativity and talent from around the island.

Working in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Heritage Village is to feature a range of demonstrations from pottery to dressmaking and basket weaving, as well as traditional musical performances.

Kids Play Area – With magic shows, competitions, games, a carousel and a large play area featuring huge inflatable slides and obstacle courses, children will be spoiled for choice in a carnival atmosphere.

Stage Show – Some of Bahrain’s most popular acts including Mo Zowayed, Banah and DJ Leil are to perform on stage at the heart of this year’s BIAS. They will be joined by an amazing line-up of entertainment and musical acts.

The VR Zone – Some of the world’s most innovative virtual reality technology and a state-of-the-art flight simulator will allow visitors to soar through the air with the full body suspension flight simulator and experience the sensation of flight using VR goggles. www.bahrainthismonth.com

November 2018 29

happenings When? November 14 Event? Bahrain International Airshow Venue? Sakhir Airbase

The most-awaited airshow returns for another spectacular display.

Prices are BD10 for adults and BD5 for kids up to 16 years.

PITCH IT RIGHT NOVEMBER 12

7TH MENA ANGEL INVESTORS SUMMIT 2018

Wouldn’t it be a dream come true if you found the right angel investor to help realise your start-up? The 7th MENA Angel Investors Summit intends to do just that and more as part of celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week.

The summit is spearheaded by Tenmou, Bahrain’s first ‘Business Angels’ company and supported by strategic partner, Tamkeen, as well as Alba, Bahrain Development Bank, Rowad and the accelerators in Bahrain.

It has achieved immense success over the years in bridging the gap between angel investor networks and venture capitalists within the MENA region.

The event takes place between 8am and 4pm and is open to anyone. Consider this as your golden opportunity to pitch to the industry’s top financiers!

Call 17 820-827.

Visit bahraininternationalairshow.com When? November 15 Event? The Little Guide Venue? Bab Al Bahrain Visit culture.gov.bh When? November 16 Event? Women in Aviation Conference Venue? Sakhir Air Base Call 17 813-777.

When? November 16 Event? Brave 18: Bahrain Venue? Khalifa Sports City Arena

Hosted as part of the Brave International Combat Week, this event features MMA artists and championship title defence bouts from 6pm to 11pm.

Visit eticketing.me

When? November 17 Event? AWA Snowflake Craft Fair Venue? The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa Call 66 717-206.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain

GO WITH A BANG

FESTIVE BUYS Diplomat AWA Radisson Blu NOVEMBER SNOWFLAKE 17 CRAFT FAIR Hotel,&Residence Spa

NOVEMBER 19

REPUBLIQ METAL FEST

Park Regis Lotus Hotel

When? November 19 Event? Republiq metal fest Venue? Republic lounge, Park Regis Lotus Hotel Call 17 362-220.

When? November 20-24 Event? Jewellery Arabia Venue? Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre Call 17 550-033.

When? November 22 Event? Art Students at Bab Venue? Bab Al Bahrain Visit culture.gov.bh When? November 22 Event? Blockchain Conference Venue? Bahrain Fintech bay

This conference highlights the challenges and opportunities of blockchain technology.

Visit www.blockonconf.com

When? November 23 Event? An Evening with Brian O’Driscoll Venue? Crowne Plaza Bahrain Call 33 886-952.

When? November 27-28 Event? HRM Summit Venue? The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa Call 17 365-044.

30 November 2018

The most-awaited charity fair of the season is here – the American Women’s Association Snowflake Craft Fair. Gaining momentum year after year, it takes on a festive approach with exhibitors displaying their best in the spirit of Christmas.

There will be ornaments, décor, clothing, accessories and all kinds of handmade products to feast upon in the name of charity. The entry fee is 500 fils for adults and free for kids under five years.

Call 66 717-206.

Metal mayhem ensues at Republiq Lounge’s live and loud Metal Fest on November 19. Three local bands, Bloodshel, Motor Militia and Rain In Hell, will unleash their best for those all-night-long headbangers.

Entrance is BD3 and the doors open at 8pm.

Call 17 362-220.

ALL THAT GLITTERS NOVEMBER 20-24

JEWELLERY ARABIA

BIECC

Prepare to be dazzled at one the most-anticipated exhibitions on the island as Jewellery Arabia 2018 returns with a bling. The prestigious jewellery and watch exhibition, which is now in its 27th year, will take place on November 20-24, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister.

Visitors will interact with over 550 local, regional and international exhibitors, who will launch new product lines and display the latest, best and exclusive buys from their collections. Entrance to the exhibition is open to the public free of charge.

Visit www.jewelleryarabia.com www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings When? November 28 Event? Dreams of a Traveller – A Tale from Muharraq Venue? Bahrain National Theatre

A Tale from Muharraq is a musical project that has been specially commissioned in Bahrain to showcase the unique heritage and culture of the island.

The project marks the closing ceremony of Muharraq – Capital of Islamic Culture 2018.

Visit culture.gov.bh

When? November 28-29 Event? 4th edition of the SPE Middle East Artificial Lift Conference and Exhibition Venue? Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

A two-day conference from the Society of Petroleum Engineers focusing on the next phase of the artificial lift industry.

Visit www.spe.org.

When? November 29 Event? A Musical Evening: Qalali Band Venue? Bab Al Bahrain Visit culture.gov.bh When? November 29 Event? Miami Events Bahrain x NERVO Venue? Coral Bay Bahrain Call 35 431-458 / 35 978-780.

When? November 30 Event? Dogfather’s Boutique Sale Venue? Bahrain Rugby & Football Club

Christmas items, designer and high street clothing and accessories, bric-a-brac and household items on sale from 11am to 2pm.

Call 17 593-479.

When? November 30 Event? MeowDay 2018 Venue? Adhari Park Visit @meowdaybh

RUGBY TALK NOVEMBER 23

AN EVENING WITH BRIAN O’DRISCOLL

Crowne Plaza Bahrain

Sports Speaker MENA hosts its next sport entertainment night with rugby union legend, Brian O’Driscoll.

The retired Irish player will share insights and stories from his days at club and country level as well as his time with the British and Irish Lions. The evening includes dinner, entertainment from comedian compere Jerry Earl, meet and greet and a photo opportunity with Brian, and is not to be missed by rugby fans!

Tickets are BD30 and there will be sports memorabilia and prize giveaways.

Call 33 886-952.

THE BUSINESS OF PEOPLE NOVEMBER HRM Diplomat Radisson Blu 27-28 SUMMIT Hotel, Residence & Spa The Seventh Annual Human Resource Management (HRM) Summit pledges to deliver deeper insight into the world of human resource development for government, corporates and business professionals.

The two-day event, which is organised by Roshcomm, is held under the patronage of HE Dr Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza, Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs.

The summit hosts a conference, three workshops and the launch of the first Bahrain HR Awards. It is focused on topics relating to HR strategy, rewards management, talent management, skills development and employee engagement, among others, in a fast developing marketplace.

Attendees will join in discussions about strategic HRM, employee engagement practices, and leadership and succession development.

You can expect to learn about HR metrics and workforce analysis, leadership and navigation and the role of HR in organisational strategy at the workshops.

CAT MANIA NOVEMBER 30 MEOW DAY 2018 Adhari Park

In addition, the summit launches awards to outstanding professionals who have significantly contributed in various industries, under 10 categories.

Attracting one of the largest gatherings of human resource and training professionals and leaders in the region, it will be a great opportunity for CEOs, COOs, CFOs, HR directors, managers and specialists to network with peers and gain practical knowledge from experts.

Twenty selected speakers will share compelling, honest, passionate and personal accounts of how the turning points in their pasts changed the trajectories of their futures.

Call 17 365-044.

BARGAINS GALORE BSPCA BSPCA NOVEMBER 30- CHRISTMAS Thrift shop DECEMBER 1 FAYRE

When? November 30December 1 Event? BSPCA Christmas Fayre and Designer Days Venue? BSPCA Thrift Shop Call 17 593-479.

When? December 1 Event? Art at the Bay: Gustav Klimt – Lady with Hat Venue? Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay Call 17 115-500.

When? December 5 Event? Festive Bazaar Venue? Dilmun Club, Saar Call 33 664-785 or 36 199-303.

32 November 2018

It’s all the rave over our feline friends at this purr-fect festival, as the Meow Day runs for a second year. Yes, you read it right, we mean a festival of all things cat! Registration is open to cat owners who want to attend with their pets for a chance to win some paw-some prizes and awards. Bahrain Rescues will also be bringing along some of their stray cats to find them everlasting homes. Do not miss out on the line-up of entertainment for families and kids.

Visit @meowdaybh

In an effort to help pets in their care, the BSPCA hosts its first Christmas Designer Sale at the thrift shop. It starts with a ladies only day on November 30 from 1pm to 5pm.

The sale remains open to everyone on December 1 from 9am to 5pm.

Call 17 593-479. www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings

SUPERSTAR SISTERS

NOVEMBER 29

NERVO LIVE

Coral Bay

CORAL BAY

The most-awaited party of the year will completely shake the Kingdom. Brace yourselves for the hottest duo in electronic dance music, NERVO, performing live at Coral Bay Resort hosted by Miami Events Bahrain.

From songwriters to artists and from super-fans to superstars, electronic dance music’s first sisters – Mim and Liv Nervo of NERVO – have staged a miraculous climb onto the international stage, straight from the pit in front of it.

Now they’re coming to the island, telling BTM fans to expect: “An epic party! We are so incredibly excited to visit Bahrain. It will be our first time. We have some friends from Bahrain who have always asked us to visit but we never managed to find the time. Finally, that will change this November! We hope to eat a lot of great food and see the sites while we are there too.”

The multitalented DJ dynamos are the alltime top-ranking female DJs in the world, voted by their legions of fans to number 16 on DJ Magazine’s influential Top 100 DJs poll.

In-demand and beloved across the globe, their non-stop schedule takes them from the shimmering beaches of Ibiza to their studio in their home-away-from-home towns of London and LA, to the towering main stages of the biggest festivals in the world including Tomorrowland, Lollapalooza, Creamfields, Balaton Sound, EDC, Electric Zoo, ULTRA and many more. They have residencies and headlining sets at some of the top venues and events in the world including the new Las Vegas mega-clubs Omnia, Hakkasan and Wet Republic, and Ibiza beach clubs Ushuaia and Hï (home to their #Enervation parties).

Everywhere they go, their infectious energy, fearless personal style, and deep love and understanding for the music precedes them, not surprising when they take inspiration from an extremely eclectic line-up of the best in the business. They told BTM: “We are influenced by so many great musicians but also great artists that have come from the production and writing side and turned into entrepreneurial artists like Mark Ronson, Timberland, Calvin Harris and Will.i.am. Musically, we love everything from Gypsy Kings to Drake to Imogen Heap to Jack Johnson to &Him. There are just so many great artists out there!”

34 November 2018

NERVO

Having cemented their songwriting reputation with a global number one and having written and produced hits for the likes of Kylie Minogue, Ke$ha, The Pussycat Dolls, Afrojack, Steve Aoki, Armin van Buuren and Miley Cyrus to name just a few, and receiving a Grammy Award for writing When Love Takes Over for David Guetta and Kelly Rowland, the sisters from Australia have risen to stardom with their songwriting skills alone.

From numerous other releases, including a chart-topping debut album, Collateral, which launched in 2015 to high critical acclaim and reached number one on iTunes, to a string of club hits of their own, it’s fair to say NERVO are credited with being one of the biggest dance acts in the business.

Most recently NERVO released the viral hit Best Friend, which has become the official iPhone X campaign launch song. It reached number one on radio and iTunes, has over 30 million views on YouTube and over 40 million streams on Spotify. Also gaining traction this past year have been hits including In Your Arms, Anywhere You Go, LOCO, Like Air, Make

It Last, Champagne and Lost in You, featuring some of the biggest artists in dance music today including Timmy Trumpet, Quintin, Danny Avila, DVBBS, Chief Kef and Wolfpack.

Call 17 312-700 or email info@coral-bay.net www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

Meenakshi, Sara & Saneesh

150th Anniversary

The Indian Embassy organised an event to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Top officials at the event

Nazbeer & Prathima

Mamta & Dana

Khalid Zayani & HE Simon Martin

Bharath, Sreeni & Mahesh

36 November 2018

HE Alfonso A Ver

HE Anwaer, HE Dr Dhafer Alumran & Nasser Al Alrayedh

HE Agus Salim Haji Yusof & Jawahari

HE Simon Martin & HE CĂŠcile Longe

HE Domenico Bellato, HE Koo Hyunmo, HE Hideki Ito & Nasser Al Arayedh

Dr Varghese Kurian

Retnani, Fouzia & Mamta

Najat, Natasha, Bimla, Prathima, Mohini, Priya & Neelam

Kishor & HE Dr A S U Mendis

Samira, Mamta & Shaikha Hessa

www.bahrainthismonth.com

ure

fut e h t f o art

N E M O W N O I T A I V A N I

Be p

E

RENC E F N O C

2018

mber16 Nove

EDUCATION FINANCING EMPOWERMENT CAREER DEVELOPMENT Seek out opportunities for women looking for careers in the aviation and aerospace industries MAJOR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CONFERENCE:

• To encourage collaboration with aviation industry officials.

• Implementation of policies and processes, for the empowerment of women through education, training and fast-track development programmes.

• The conference will provide a road map for those individuals contemplating a career in the industry.

#WomenInAviationME2018

www.Womeninaviationconference2018.com

Organizer

Official Media Sponsors

INTERVIEWS

HE Kemal Demirciler

VISITORS WELCOME Turkish Ambassador HE Kemal Demirciler tells Liz O’Reilly that his number-one priority is to encourage the ever-growing numbers of Bahraini visitors to his country.

How long have you been in Bahrain and how are you finding it so far?

I came in December and am finding it very good and enjoying it. Bahrain is different to the other Gulf countries; it is traditionally more open to foreigners because of its trading history.

How has your previous experience prepared you for this role?

I wanted to be an engineer when I was in college but then realised I was more drawn to social sciences, so I thought it was a good idea to change.

Diplomatically, I started out in Muscat from 1986 to 1988 as third secretary. I was then promoted to second secretary and transferred to our embassy in Rome. Even then there were problems with illegal immigrants trying to sneak in; 25 years ago there was people smuggling, the same as now!

Over the years, I have served in Germany, Kuwait, Pakistan, Russia, Zimbabwe and finally Bahrain.

I came here from the Diplomatic Archives in Ankara.

I was one of a small group of diplomats and ambassadors checking documents to see if they could be declassified so researchers can benefit from them. I was there for a year and enjoyed every minute of it – I found out lots of things I didn’t know!

In diplomacy, learning is a never-ending process.

The day you complete your tenure and are off to the airport, you are still learning.

What is the size of the Turkish community in Bahrain?

We don’t know the exact number as people don’t have www.bahrainthismonth.com

to register but it’s estimated at around 2,500, young people especially. The population is fluid. They are working in all kinds of categories, from banking to engineering to university professors. The restaurant sector is also a big employer. And there are many Turkish barbers.

What are your plans and aims for your term in the Kingdom?

My number one plan is to keep up the trend of Bahrainis visiting Turkey [numbers have risen massively in recent years]. I think they go because they feel at home. Some have bought property or businesses, which is easy to do. Also, the exchange rate is favourable. The most recent figures for Bahrainis travelling to Turkey were 41,505 in 2016 rising to 59,442 in 2017. Till August this year, the number was 54,262, so it’s likely 2018 will see another rise by year end.

The Turkish Government is engaged in activities to try to attract travellers from the region. Unfortunately, there is only one Turkish representative office, in Dubai; it would be good to have others. The national carrier, Turkish Airlines, and Pegasus are expanding their services in the region, too, which will, of course, help.

What are the current trade figures between the two countries and do you see potential for this to increase?

In 2017, the overall trade between the two countries was USD414,221 million; in the first seven months of this year, the overall figure is USD303,413. It’s fairly stable but who knows how the US embargoes against Iran will affect international trading.

In the last year we have had several agreements, but the important thing is for the private sectors in each country to be communicating because it is there that the investment decisions are made. We are having a meeting to update with the Turkish-Bahraini Business Council – this happens one year in Bahrain and the next in Turkey; hopefully it will be in early 2019. The council has people from industries across several sectors and allows Turks and Bahrainis to get together to discuss taking cooperation forward.

At the beginning of 2017, a number of accords were signed to deepen cooperation between the two countries. How are these progressing? Will they be subject to periodic review?

Some are still with cabinet waiting to be endorsed or for judicial issues. Others are already in place, such as the abolition of visa fees for Bahrainis travelling to Turkey.

Are there any high-level visits planned between the two countries is the coming months.

Turkey attends the Manama Dialogue [taking place as we went to press]. I was told the president of defence industries and high-ranking officers from the armed forces would be here. I’d also like to see the business council promoting the artists of Turkey.

this month

The Financial Falcon, p40

The Refurbished Retreat, p42

One-Of-A-Kind Development, p46

A Significant Milestone, p48

View more info online

FAST FACT I’m a handyman and like to do DIY. I’m very good at repairing things; it’s been my hobby since my teenage years.

November 2018 39

interview

Head of Narmo Capital, Fahad Al-Omran, speaks to Behnaz Sanjana about his company’s unique place in the region’s finance world.

Fahad Al-Omran

THE FINANCIAL FALCON

A

fter starting out as a management associate at Citibank in Riyadh, where he hails from, 39-year-old Fahad Al-Omran is now managing partner and CEO of Narmo Capital WLL, Bahrain. Established in 2014, the company is an institutional, professionally managed multifamily office advisor. Fahad explains: “Narmo’s mandate is to manage the holdings of the Al-Omran family and other likeminded investors with some of the most intelligent, experienced individuals in the field of asset management and alternative investments. We offer next-level investment strategies that are sponsored by the family, thereby unlocking tremendous potential for clients, limiting their costs of having a private bank or broker as a middle agent. This pooling of investors has enhanced the ability to improve our performance and risk.”

With more than 17 years of experience in the financial world, Fahad’s business acumen is as keen as the swooping falcon depicting the company’s official logo. The alumnus of Boston and Harvard universities has a background in chemical engineering, which he believes was an ideal springboard to finance. “Observing my father allocating capital globally, I was always obsessed with finance,” Fahad says. “The beauty of being an engineer lies in your command of very deep analytical and problemsolving skills. Both these are important in finance and that complemented my career shift very well.”

Narmo boasts a proven track record in risk management and in wealth creation and preservation – two areas where Fahad believes high-net-worth individuals and family offices 40 November 2018

The beauty of being an engineer lies in your command of very deep analytical and problemsolving skills.” seem to lack when they develop a relationship with conventional investment banks. “We tailormake products for clients because every client requires a different architecture when constructing their investment portfolio. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Additionally, clients get the chance to diversify and invest in multiple asset classes, as the main sponsor is involved in a large variety of asset classes which the Narmo team has a full overview of. Besides our extensive, pooled financial experience, we offer investors an institutional platform, which is more advantageous in terms of optimising costs and accessing better rights when allocating funds to investments,” says Fahad, explaining why the company has clients and business collaborations spanning various countries.

The family built business connections with Bahrain more than 70 years ago. “My forefathers were one of the first from Saudi to do business in Bahrain. Today, we have a strong base on the island thanks to its strong legal and banking system, better retention of talent and being the most cost-effective in the region,” he says. The family maintains major

interests in Bahrain’s hospitality industry and are shareholders in the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa. Fahad’s experience has taught him that one doesn’t need to do extraordinary things to get extraordinary results. He says: “You need not revolutionise the wheel. You can achieve remarkable results with minimal resources, which is what we do at Narmo, to bring about consistent returns. It’s important to remember we’re not in a sprint, but in an enduring marathon. Another philosophy that we, as a team live, by is to be emotionally detached from investment decisions, and, going by the wisdom of Warren Buffet, being fearful when others are greedy and vice versa.”

The busy executive, who is a member of the global Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO), is also a member of the Al-Omran Family Foundation, a non-profit establishment. It financially assists deserving Saudi families in areas of healthcare, housing, marriage and entrepreneurship. Fahad says: “My wife and I are regularly involved in a variety of humanitarian causes that we come across in our travels to countries such as Bhutan, India and in Africa, and we encourage our children to be involved in them. The voracious reader enjoys topics of foreign and critical affairs, modern business, finance and investment, as well as popular fiction.

Favourite scuba diving spots: “Ras Mohammed, close to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, and Farasan, off Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast are pristine bio-diversities which are untouched and a must for beginner and advanced divers.” www.bahrainthismonth.com

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interview

Kosta Kourotsidis, general manager at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa, chats with Behnaz Sanjana about the renowned property’s new makeover.

Kosta Kourotsidis

THE REFURBISHED RETREAT

T

he revolving glass door at the newly refurbished Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa opens up to a beautiful grand piano and a stylishly decorated lobby area beyond it. The deep blue and beige theme of the expansive space gives the hotel a businesslike yet warm vibe.

“I’m happy to announce that the renovation at our hotel is fully complete, and it is rewarding to see the impression that it has on our guests, starting from the lobby to the guest rooms,” says Kosta. “The interesting colours of the lobby make it a more welcoming space. It gives guests their first ‘wow’ experience at the hotel, and this design and colour concept continues into the rooms as well.”

Kosta explains that the rooms are totally different from before, saying: “The dark colours and heavy timber wood of the past have given way to new, brighter living spaces with enhanced lighting. Guests enjoy the best of technology by way of flat screens that support IPTV and Apple TV. The light and air-conditioning sensors are more environment-friendly.”

The hotel provides patrons with all five-star amenities. “Ours is a fantastic product, and in the competitive market that we are in at this point in time, it gives great value for money to guests,” says Kosta.

42 November 2018

Ours is a fantastic product, and in the competitive market that we are in at this point in time, it gives great value for money to guests.”

The hotel’s all-day-dining restaurant, Olivos, has undergone a major facelift, too, making it a chic eatery ready to serve guests with delicious bites any time of the day. A portion of the venue overlooks the classy lobby area, giving it a contemporary look and appeal. Kosta says: “Not only is it a favourite with corporate clientele during the week, but also with families over the weekends, especially on Fridays, for a lavish brunch experience. Our Italian restaurant, Mondo, has also been given a soft refurbishment. Kontiki Terrace restaurant offers a new menu which guests are sure to enjoy.”

The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool and separate spa and gym facilities for

men and women. “The Diplomat Spa has 18 treatment rooms, and receives a large number of walk-in guests,” adds Kosta. “Our gyms are open from 6am to 11pm every day and many fitness enthusiasts enjoy a gym membership with us.”

The property is designed to be a business hotel, but is well prepared to host big functions and gatherings for corporates or private parties. “Our large ballroom, which has a separate entrance, has no obstruction of pillars, and is ideal for hosting weddings,” says Kosta. “The modern LED lights can be adapted to match the theme of the event. One of the most valuable benefits that wedding hosts get is the services of a Bahraini wedding planner.

She will assist guests with all the planning and execution to make their function one to remember from start to finish – and who better to understand and accommodate traditions and customs other than a Bahraini herself!”

Staff morale has also seen a boost following the refurbishment of the hotel. “The employees are proud of their workplace and this can be seen in the guest feedback that mentions their excellent customer service,” says Kosta. “The management focuses on developing the careers of our Bahraini staff and grooming them to take on higher positions in the future.” www.bahrainthismonth.com

BLU TIME

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interview

CEO of Roshcomm, MA Sridhar, tells BTM about new developments at this year’s big event.

MA Sridhar

LIZ O’REILLY

PUTTING HR IN THE SPOTLIGHT

T

he HRM Summit, which is held under the patronage of HE Dr Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza, Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs, first started in 2009 and this is the seventh edition. The first event attracted around 90 participants and this year MA Sridhar is confident attendance will be between 350 and 400 people.

He says: “It is a conference and workshops for HR professionals, practitioners and those who want to get into the field. In some ways HR is a cliché in which people keep saying ‘our employees are our greatest asset’ but without doing anything about it.

“With that in mind, the conference is about creating and highlighting the role of HR within organisations – it’s not just about creating CPRs, dealing with residency issues and issuing warnings. The conference is about looking at HR from the viewpoint of a CEO and other department managers. It’s primarily looking at how HR drives, and can drive, organisations.

We also want to examine how the function of HR, which was in the back room for so many years, is being transformed so that we see HR in the boardroom.”

He adds that there is a great deal of work 44 November 2018

The conference is about looking at HR from the viewpoint of a CEO and other department managers.” being done and this year’s event will include representatives from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world’s largest HR body, with 300,000 members, presenting a paper ‘Backroom to Boardroom’ looking at how HR professionals can convert their role from transactional to strategic. This will be backed up by three parallel, engaging workshops.

Another first is the introduction of the Bahrain HR Awards which has many different categories including Best HR Manager and Employer of Choice. The initiative aims to honour the Kingdom’s exemplary individuals

and employers who have played a role in shaping Bahrain’s business successes.

For those involved, it’s an exciting event in which Roshcomm will simply collect documentation and pass it on to a panel of professional judges who will score entrants from one to five. “To keep it transparent and exciting, even we won’t know the winners until they are announced at the Awards ceremony,” says MA Sridhar.

As well as providing an excellent networking platform, the two-day summit will also offer a range of workshops – ‘HR Metrics and Workforce Analytics’ with Brad Boyson, executive director of SHRM; ‘The Role of HR in Organisation Strategy’, with Dawood AlAshhab, assistant general manager of Human Resources of BisB; and ‘Organisational Transformation – Why, What and How’.

Delegates are expected from companies and organisations across the region and MA Sridhar is also working with a selection of universities to offer free places to their top students, who he believes will form the future of the industry.

The event takes place at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel on November 27 and 28. www.bahrainthismonth.com

interview

Ishaq Al Kooheji (IK), of Kooheji Golden Gate, Manoj Ajmera (MA), of Ajmera Realty, and Nayan Shah (NS), of Mayfair Housing, answer questions on Golden Gate, a major new development for which they are collaborating in a joint venture as Golden Gate Developers.

Nayan Shah, Ishaq Al Kooheji and Manoj Ajmera

LIZ O’REILLY

ONE-OF-A-KIND DEVELOPMENT Your information mentions “specially designed architecture”. Can you elaborate please?

IK: The towers at Golden Gate have been specially designed for the climate in Bahrain.

Every apartment has large floor-to-ceiling windows for residents to enjoy the scenic view of Bahrain Bay. We have used sun-defying glazed windows, containing the heat from the strong sun without having to compromise the aesthetic and design of the development. The apartments will be cool and be protected from the sun while still looking elegant, stylish and modern.

Other characteristics of the buildings have been designed in coordination with our Indian partners. The towers are crowned with a curved sail shape taking inspiration from the thousands of years of seafaring trade that Bahrain is known for. The ‘jewellery box’ is located on the sixth floor and is detailed in shades of gold and sapphire blue, portraying the precious stones traded for Indian spices, representing and paying homage to our decades’ worth of trade with India. Golden Gate is the representation of our two cultures, fused together to create a design and architecture that embodies tradition in a modern space.

Please tell us a bit about the history of Kooheji Golden Gate and any significant, recognisable developments it is responsible for in the Kingdom?

IK: Kooheji Golden Gate is a company that dates back to 1889. My great-grandfather, Mahmood Al Kooheji, established the company 46 November 2018

Residents will have panoramic views of Bahrain Bay and the waterfront that surrounds the property. ” by sourcing materials for the local market to start building properties around Bahrain. The company began processing sea rocks that were to be used as building materials, creating homes and buildings all over Bahrain. This family business has evolved into what we see today, a well-established and reputable family company. This is how our company grew to understand the real estate industry as well as becoming experts in investment. The company ethos is to always look towards the future, striving for excellence and delivering our projects through innovative thinking and collaboration. Golden Gate is the product of our collaboration and innovation that will change the meaning of luxury real estate in Bahrain.

With so many other developments either coming on stream or in the pipeline, what will be this development’s USP and how do you plan to ensure occupancy?

MA: The Golden Gate development itself will be a one-of-a-kind residential space. Firstly, the

location and the views of the development are the best in Bahrain. Residents will have panoramic views of Bahrain Bay and the waterfront that surrounds the property. It will stand out amongst the other buildings around it.

Secondly, the amenities and services that come with living on the property are another advantage that makes Golden Gate unique. Our facilities include state-of-the-art gyms, spas, indoor and outdoor pools, a 24-hour-a-day concierge that will be there to serve your every need, whether taking your car for a service appointment or reminding you of a loved one’s birthday or an anniversary. It is truly the epitome of luxury.

NS: Golden Gate is also a place of business, where we provide conference rooms with everything you would need to host meetings and other business events without leaving the comfort of your home. It is an investment that will last a lifetime. The families who have already purchased have done so for their children and their future. With our freehold sale option, it will last them all their lives if they choose to uphold the property for future generations to come. Golden Gate is a legacy piece that will undoubtedly last the test of time.

Scan the QR code to read the full interview.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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interview

Saïd Nourine, new director at Alliance Française Bahrain, talks to Behnaz Sanjana about his plans for the centre that completes half a century next year.

Saïd Nourine

A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE

S

aïd Nourine has had vast experience teaching the French language, modern and contemporary literature, and linguistics at the University of Besançon, France. “I was the deputy director and head of French studies at the most famous linguistic institution in France – the Centre for Applied Linguistics,” says Saïd. “This is my first job in the Middle East. My two months here have been very happy. The people of Bahrain are friendly and welcoming.”

Saïd has arrived at the helm of the island’s French bastion at a glorious time. “The Alliance Française was founded in 1969 in Bahrain,” he says. “We celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2019 for which we have many events and galas planned for the months ahead.” The global school network, first founded in the 19th century, is a non-profit language and cultural centre spanning Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania.

Alliance Française Bahrain will host an Open Day to welcome islanders on November 1, from 5pm to 9pm. “We invite everybody to join us and to partake in the activities, games and interactive sessions – free of cost,” says Saïd.

“Guests can try their hand at various games to win free French courses. The idea is for people to get to know us better, to see our skills and expertise, and to feel at home with us.”

The centre under Saïd’s leadership is geared to make its presence felt in Bahrain. He says: 48 November 2018

We organise a lot of events at our premises in partnership with the cultural department of the Embassy of France.”

“We organise a lot of events at our premises in partnership with the cultural department of the Embassy of France. Last month, we hosted Le Café des Images, an event showcasing French cinema based around its native gastronomy.

Our guests also enjoyed some French cuisine.

“Going forward, we are looking to host a variety of events, exhibitions and meets where the focus will be on intercultural arts, poetry and social networking. We also have a beautiful amphitheatre that we can use for such functions. The idea is to familiarise others with the French culture, while opening up to other cultures as well.”

Saïd aims to expand the outreach of the institute, beyond the current locations in Isa Town, Jasra and Busaiteen, to be conveniently accessible all over the country. He says: “Whether for students or adults, the reasons to learn French with an institute like Alliance Française are many. We have a range of French

courses – from beginner to proficient levels, as well as corporate courses. Our teachers are native French speakers and are certified from recognised French or Canadian universities to teach French as a foreign language. Amongst other examinations, one can take the DELF and DALF tests – French equivalents of the Cambridge English exam, as well as the TEF test at the centre. They are recognised as the gold standard in French language testing and recognised worldwide.”

Alliance Française Bahrain adheres to strict rules and stringent quality processes set by the French governmental authorities. Saïd says: “We are not here with the aim to do business and generate profits, but to genuinely teach our language and culture worldwide. We continue to strive to improve our quality and uphold our impeccable reputation built over the last 50 years.”

On why to learn the lingo, Saïd says: “It is the international language for arts, politics and economics. Top French companies are all over the world, including in Bahrain, so you have an edge over others if you speak it fluently. Its knowledge increases your global employability and makes a difference in your career prospects. Even if you just want to tour the most visited country of the world – France – the language will come in handy. You can explore new opportunities, new perspectives and new prospects with us.” www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

Rashid & Dominique

Guillaume & Rosiane

Oliver & Zohra

Ahlam & Abdul Wahab

French Reception

HE Cécile Longé, French Ambassador, hosted a reception on the occasion of the gathering of the Regional Counsellors of the French Embassy.

Dario, Shaikh Rashid & HE Cécile Longe

Eric, Bernard, Guy, Karen & Marie

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Francoise, Mariam & Nadia

November 2018 49

interview

McLaren’s new F1 driver Lando Norris on his big break and why Atyaf e-Racing is a gamechanger for motorsport in the GCC. Lando Norris

FROM VIRTUAL TO REALITY

A

new era is dawning at the McLaren F1 Team as it adds 18-year-old Lando Norris to its driver line-up for the 2019 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

Not only has Norris forged a burgeoning career on the track, he has honed his skills at the highest levels of e-sports.

With the Atyaf e-Racing project set to give a GCC national the opportunity to start along their own path through e-sports and The McLaren Shadow Project, Lando explains why the initiative has the power to change motorsport in the GCC region and how the platform has played an integral role in his meteoric motorsport rise.

Lando, many congratulations on your promotion to a McLaren F1 race seat for 2019.

How does it feel to be representing such an iconic brand at the highest level of motorsport?

It feels awesome to achieve my dream of reaching F1, and to be making my debut with McLaren just makes it feel even more rewarding. I was a big supporter of McLaren as a kid growing up, so it is a true honour to be competing with one of the most iconic names in the sport.

As an avid gamer yourself, to what extent has participating in e-sports benefitted your progression all the way to F1?

Without a doubt, gaming has definitely played a significant role on my journey to F1, and it is an area I put a lot of effort into perfecting alongside my racing duties. Not only do I use gaming and simulations to hone my skills in the cockpit, I do it for fun and really enjoy 50 November 2018

E-sports isn’t just simply about the racing; the platform can go much deeper into the technical side of the sport.” competing against friends and professionals. I had a sim at home when I was younger and it proved invaluable in developing my race craft.

Beyond the physics of racing, what other skills can would-be racers develop in e-sports to reflect real-world competition?

E-sports isn’t just simply about the racing; the platform can go much deeper into the technical side of the sport. Beyond perfecting your driving ability, it is a great way to learn skills in setting up the car, working as a team player and understanding data to improve your performance. It’s a two-way process, too, in that I can use simulators to improve performance on the track, but then we use the track testing to ensure our sims are more accurate.

Unlike any other sport or gaming genre, the transference of skills between virtual and real racing are direct and this is why McLaren launched the McLaren Shadow virtual racing programme this year. It shadows our on-track activity and the winner will gain a seat in our new e-sports team.

You’re one of the few people that can draw a direct comparison between e-sports and on-track racing, so just how closely matched are they becoming?

They are very closely matched and as the technology between virtual and reality improves it will only get closer.

You only have to look at the data between the real F1 car and the results we are getting through the simulators to see just how evenly matched, if not identical, they are now. It is hugely beneficial for myself and the team to always be using one when preparing for a weekend. It is getting better, and while there are a couple of key differences that are harder to overcome, such as G force and risk factor, that’s not to say they can’t find a way to incorporate it in the future somehow.

How important a role can e-sports play in providing a platform for gamers in the GCC region to progress to the highest levels of motorsport?

A potentially game-changing one. For anyone that doesn’t have the opportunities or budget to forge a motorsport career at a young age, e-sports is a fantastic way to develop and hone a vast number of versatile skills. McLaren really believes in this and launched the McLaren Shadow virtual racing programme this year to uncover the most talented, virtual racers from all countries and backgrounds. A lot of gamersturned-racers have proven to be extremely good in a real car, so I do believe there is a fantastic opportunity for anyone following this path to believe they can one day make it to the top of the sport. www.bahrainthismonth.com

interview

Alex Panagis, a 17-yearold photographer, filmmaker and techie, chats to Apple Sharma about his passion for all things tech and his revamped blog.

Alex Panagis

MEET THE MAINFRAME How did your passion for photography and technology start? Which came first?

To me, photography and technology are synonymous – I don’t think it would be possible for someone to like photography but not technology. My interest for the three topics I focus on – photography, filmmaking and technology – all sparked at the same time.

You’ve had a successful photography blog for a few years now. Why the decision to rebrand it?

ThePhotographyBlog was and always will be a big part of my life, but it started to come to a point where the content I was publishing had drifted so far away from photography that it simply wasn’t logical to keep the original name.

Furthermore, alongside the publication that lives at https://themainframe.ch, I also run an online media agency, which helps businesses define themselves in the online space. The title ThePhotographyBlog became confusing to customers as the name itself implies a focus on photography and blogging, when that wasn’t solely at the core of what is now The Mainframe.

What’s the story behind the name The Mainframe?

Although I quite liked the name ThePhotographyBlog because it was specific and made clear what I did, it was also limited in that regard. The Mainframe, on the other hand, is a title that can really adapt to anything; I am intending to open The Mainframe up to other types of content, including restaurant and hotel reviews. Of course, when we think of a mainframe we think of a computer and of technology, and, as intended, this shows that technology is very much still at our core. www.bahrainthismonth.com

I am intending to open The Mainframe up to other types of content, including restaurant and hotel reviews.”

What will the new website offer in terms of content?

Just as before, The Mainframe will publish content revolving around photography, filmmaking and technology, with the goal of helping people understand the significance of the latest news in our current geopolitical society. Many publications tend to use their readership to swerve the political opinion or to further an agenda through taking sides and inferring information that is often neither true nor actually well founded. The Mainframe publishes content based around facts, never speculation.

Facebook has been in the news a lot lately.

What do you think about its security and privacy policies?

Facebook is in a difficult situation at the moment, especially since they’ve only just recently and very questionably released Facebook Portal – a smart, hands-free calling system. Of course, the release was matched with a large amount of backlash, with many saying that Facebook wants to listen to our

conversations and record us without our knowledge. They have similarly been accused of using the app on iOS and Android to listen to conversations, but, of course, this speculation isn’t based on fact. Countless publications have used headlines and written articles about this as they are desperate for views, but they’re all based on speculation. Here at The Mainframe, we’ve taken clear initiative towards publishing the facts surrounding the topic of Facebook (instead of speculating) especially during their incident with Cambridge Analytica.

What’s going to be big in tech in the coming months?

We’ve actually just surpassed one of the most interesting times of the year. There have been a significant number of smartphone releases lately, including both the Google Pixel, and iPhone XS and XR. Similarly, we’ve just seen the OnePlus 6T announced on October 17.

Visit https://themainframe.ch

FAST FACTS • About Alex: Former Bahrain resident, currently based in Muscat, Oman, spends majority of his time studying for his A-Levels at the moment • Top tips for young photographers: Practice, don’t give up, never stop creating • Ideal career choice: Computer science and to work on innovating technologies in medicine and engineering • Hobbies: Making websites and publishing content on The Mainframe November 2018 51

bystander

Jeep Wrangler Launch Behbehani Brothers launched the new Jeep Wrangler at Reef Resort.

Management and top officials at the event

Mohammed, Hussain, HE Dr A S U Mendis & Sami

Alaa, Ian & Jeff

Eleonora, HE Domenico Bellato, Elena & Simone

Mais, Sawsan & Rawan

Dina & Nabil

The BBBF Poppy Ball in conjunction with the bba

Press Conference

To view more images, scan the QR code

Bahrain Specialist Hospital held a press conference regarding visiting surgeons from Apollo Health City, Hyderabad, India.

Sunny, Lucy, Lolita & Rineesh

Join us with VIP Guests of Honour ‘The Chelsea Pensioners’ In support of The Chelsea Pensioners Appeal Mother and Child Welfare Society – Bahrain

FRIDAY 9th of November from 7pm diplomat radisson blu hotel & Spa Tickets: BD35 members and non-members DRESS code: formal Tickets can be purchased from the following outlets by cash or cheque, payable to Bahrain British Business Forum: British Club Reception – 1772-8245 Bahrain Rugby Football Club Reception – 1769-5809 Dilmun Club – 1769-0926 For more details or to reserve a table contact the BBBF Office Email bbbfevents@ batelco.com.bh or telephone 1781-3488

52 November 2018

Dr KJ Reddy

Subramanyam

Dr Bashar

Dr Abdul Kareem

Shubhra

Dr Ardan

Majed

Dr Manish

Win two British Airways Premium Class return tickets to London

www.bahrainthismonth.com

advertorial

A TASTE OF PARIS A sweet collaboration between Nespresso and India Mahdavi with the Parisian Gourmandise-inspired limited-edition festive collection.

LIMITED EDITION VARIATIONS This year’s Limited Edition Variations bring the quintessentially French flavours to coffee lovers around the world, transporting them to a Parisian patisserie through unique flavour creations. Each year festive variations centre on flavours of the season and, for the first time, remaining true to French tradition, there is a Paris Black espresso coffee that caters to those preferring coffee in its pure taste.

Each of the Variations have been based on the Nespresso Livanto coffee blend which consists of pure Arabica from Southern and Central America.

It is well balanced with a roasted caramelised note providing roundness and balance in the finished coffees:

Around the world, the festive period brings people together to enjoy the treats of the season.

It is a time of indulgence and opulence and no city better brings this to life than Paris. In partnership with renowned interior designer, India Mahdavi, Nespresso will celebrate this festive season with the launch of its Parisian Gourmandiseinspired limited-edition festive collection, from delicious Variations coffees to a range of stunning accessories.

The Variations coffees centre on the traditional flavours of Parisian patisseries including macarons and praline. No one more embodies this iconic artistry than India Mahdavi, who has designed the packaging of the Variations range, selected boutique display windows and the communication campaign overall. Based in Paris, Mahdavi has created some of the world’s most iconic modern spaces, including The Gallery at Sketch in London, Jean François Piège in www.bahrainthismonth.com

Paris and APT in New York. Her work is now synonymous with elegant design imbued with rich colour palettes.

Treating each creation as though it is a couture piece, Mahdavi’s influence on the Nespresso Variations is evident in the range’s pastel hues and playful designs. With two unique flavoured coffees and non-flavoured coffee, Mahdavi has created a collection fit for the most discerning of coffee and design aficionados.

She says: “I sought to bring an oneiric dimension to Nespresso’s world in which these new capsules appear as imaginary delights, floating like sweet clouds in the sky. These voluptuous forms, reminiscent of childhood, suggest a fantasised ‘gourmandise’. I wanted to add a hint of reverie. Offering delight capsules for the eyes to relish and to then fly away in each and everyone’s imagination.”

[Original] Nespresso Variations Macaron – a harmonious combination of Livanto’s cereal notes and a subtle and sweet almond flavour, emblematic of the macaron pastry.

Intensity: 6 Serving size: Espresso (40ml) [Original] Nespresso Variations Praline – This flavoured espresso pairs the roundness of Livanto’s base with a delicate roasted hazelnut flavour, enhanced by a touch of caramel sweetness. A harmonious blend reminiscent of a praline dessert.

Intensity: 6 Serving size: Espresso (40ml) [Original] Nespresso Paris Black – A very aromatic blend of Arabicas, emboldened by Robusta. It displays notes of cereal and nuts in a syrupy texture, combined with spicy and woody tones.

Intensity: 9 Serving size: Espresso (40ml) With the festive season approaching, it’s time to get ready to celebrate in style and add a touch of indulgence to your coffee moments.

Nespresso Parisian Gourmandise inspired limited edition coffees will be available from November 1, 2018 at Nespresso Boutique Level 1, City Centre Bahrain, and Nespresso Booth, Gate 5, Seef Mall. Call customer care tollfree 80 001-999 or visit www.buynespresso.com/bh/en November 2018 53

bystander

Interactive Session

Bahrain India Society organised an interactive session on the current economic outlook presented by Sameer Nass, chairman of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, at The Diplomat Radisson BLU Hotel, Residence & Spa. The Bahrain India Society members with Sameer Nass

Mohammed Dadabhai & Jawahari

Arif, Talal & Sameer Nass

Yousif & Khalid

Sayed Abbas & Reem

Hishang, Kishor & Indu Bhatia

Waleed Kanoo & Thomas

Band Concert

To view more images, scan the QR code

The German Embassy held a concert of the German Air Force Police Band at the ambassador’s residence.

Members of the German Air Force Band

Stuart & Heidi

George, Daniela & Karin

54 November 2018

Perwin & HE Alfred Simms-Protz (former German Ambassador)

Francoise & Michelle

Samira & HE Kai Boeckmann

Dorian, Barbara & Manfred

Martin, Dorian & Babette

Kosta & Anna

Tristan, Wilfred & Andreas

www.bahrainthismonth.com

germanyinbahrain

Germany in

November 2018

A Special Supplement by Bahrain This Month

56 HE Kai Thamo Boeckmann The new German Ambassador on trade growth potential and bilateral collaboration.

58 Volker Mandlowsky Dietary deal with a German institution.

60-62 Made in Germany Top-class motoring.

64 Oliver Oehms Outlines the work of the German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs.

65 Top City Stays Must-see destinations for those visiting Germany.

66 German Bites German news from around the Kingdom.

Commercial Index Al Haddad Motors: Mercedes................................... 63 Behbehani Brothers Co. (Porsche).......................... 61 Orsay.............................................................................. 59

www.bahrainthismonth.com

November 2018 55

germanyinbahrain

The new German Ambassador, His Excellency Kai Thamo Boeckmann, speaks of trade growth potential and bilateral collaboration.

LIZ O’REILLY

HE Kai Thamo Boeckmann

POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH Is this your first time in the region, and in Bahrain, and how are you finding it?

Two previous postings in the region, Jericho and Cairo, have certainly helped me feel at home here, but even more the spirit of tolerance and openness I have encountered here in Bahrain.

Where were you previously posted?

In Berlin, a fascinating city which is changing constantly. I feel that this is something Berlin has in common with Manama and Bahrain.

Approximately how many Germans and German businesses are there currently in Bahrain?

About 500 Germans and 30 German companies are living and operating here. They contribute to the success of Bahrain in strategic areas like oil and gas, infrastructure, hotels and tourism and the medical field. I have started to meet them and have found a wonderfully vital and well-connected community.

Is this number growing, shrinking or static?

It has been very stable over the last few years.

My impression is that there is still some potential for growth. I will do everything I can in order to strengthen the economic ties between 56 November 2018

My aim is to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Bahrain in all possible fields.”

Germany and Bahrain and to bring both sides together on all levels, whenever possible.

What are the current trade figures between the two countries?

The volume of bilateral trade between Bahrain and Germany is on the rise: BD208.9 million in 2017, compared to BD158.6 million in 2016.

Bahrain is importing mainly cars and machinery from Germany, to a value of BD191.1 million.

The exports from Bahrain to Germany – metals, chemical products, ceramic and glassware –

are BD17.8 million. I believe there is potential for increase in both directions.

I understand Bahrain is covered through the German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs – are there any plans for a German-Bahrain Chamber of Commerce?

Commercial relations between Germany and Bahrain are fostered by the Embassy of Germany in Manama, a German Business Roundtable in Bahrain, the German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs (GESALO) in Riyadh and Dhahran and the information service of Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) in Dubai.

What are your plans and aims for your time in this post?

My aim is to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Bahrain in all possible fields. Germany has a lot to offer – a vibrant economy, excellent university education free of charge, experience in education and vocational training – that we are ready to share. Just to give one example, I would like very much to see an increase in the number of children and adults learning German in Bahrain.

How do you plan to achieve them? www.bahrainthismonth.com

germanyinbahrain The best way is to bring together German and Bahraini institutions and companies so that they can realise joint projects, with the German Embassy acting as contact point and facilitator.

Just to give one example, we are not only offering German classes as an Embassy, but also extending a partnership programme to all schools who would like to set up German classes. We also want to reach out to the friends of Germany in Bahrain and to win new friends. The recently established Instagram account of the Embassy – germanyinbahrain – offers instant information about our projects and activities.

Does the German community in Bahrain face any particular issues? And, if yes, how do you hope to resolve these?

Bahrain is a very friendly and welcoming country. The German community as a whole does not face any particular issues. If individuals are in need of consular assistance, our embassy is there to provide it.

The embassy has previously been involved in cultural initiatives to promote friendship and understanding between the countries. Is this something that will continue?

His Excellency and wife, Samira, welcomed guests at a musical performance by the German Air Force Band and Bahrain MoI Public Security Band (pictured below).

We will continue to provide for initiatives in the cultural field with partner institutions in Bahrain. Music is a wonderful language which transcends the borders of language. We have some events in the pipeline and hope to announce them soon.

Bahrain’s Investcorp seems to be pursuing a policy of German investment. Are there any further big announcements coming that you’re aware of?

Germany is very popular with investors from many different countries. I believe that investors from Bahrain are quite aware of the advantages of investing in Germany.

What makes Germany popular with Bahraini investors?

Germany is the engine of the European economy. Investors benefit from this fact. Another plus is the large German domestic market and easy access to growth markets in the extended European Union.

From the intelligently structured educational system, which produces a supremely skilled and dedicated workforce, to the business-friendly tax policies, Germany’s business infrastructure provides much peace of mind to international investors. Germany’s workforce is highly educated and motivated, as shown by the minimal strike activity and higher

www.bahrainthismonth.com

education graduation figures.

There has also recently been the announcement that a German company is part of the conglomerate that has won the tender for the Tubli waste management plant expansion. What do you think makes Bahrain attractive to German companies?

Bahrain is an attractive business location in the Gulf region due to its plans for economic diversification, the opening and liberalisation of its market, the favourable investment conditions, the well-developed infrastructure and, not least, its proximity to important regional markets.

A new German visa application centre opened in Bahrain earlier this year. How is this facility beneffiting Bahraini nationals and residents?

The applicants can be served there five days a week, which substantially reduces the waiting period for an appointment. On the embassy side, we were able to shorten the processing time. As a result, visa applicants can be served better and faster.

Anything else you would like to add?

Two things: I was very impressed by the active participation of the Kingdom of Bahrain during the September opening of the 73rd General Assembly of the United Nations. At times when multilateralism is under attack, I am confident that Germany and Bahrain will work together to defend, strengthen and reform the rules-based multilateral system which has been built up over the course of the last seven decades.

On a personal level, my wife and I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all those who so generously facilitated our first steps in Bahrain.

November 2018 57

germanyinbahrain

A new catering contract with the German Orthopaedic Hospital is just one of the developments The K Hotel’s GM, Volker Mandlowsky, is happy to talk about.

Volker Mandlowsky

LIZ O’REILLY

MAINTAINING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS

T

he K Hotel recently announced that is has signed a deal to provide patient meals for the German Orthopaedic Hospital with hotel owner, Faisal Khalid Kanoo, saying: “We are delighted to be partnered with the German Orthopaedic Hospital. We believe that nutrition starts with the use of quality ingredients and the utilisation of the best methods of cooking. Our culinary services will have fresh foods and will prepare food from scratch to maintain the quality.”

Volker, himself a German national, explains: “Mr Kanoo made the initial contact, and we were part of a tendering process which was about more than just the pricing, but rather the ability to provide a range of high-quality foods to meet special dietary needs, such as diabetic, low-fat, gluten-free and others.

“We will be providing approximately 30 meals per day, bringing the number of meals delivered by our extensive in-house catering operation to around 1,000 per month. We also cater for a specialist department in another hospital and are currently in negotiations to serve another medical facility.”

The promotion of outside catering has been a pet project for Volker since he joined The K Hotel in 2012, shortly after it opened. And maintaining the highest standards with multiple ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) certifications is another of his passions.

He explains: “All the food will be prepared here and The K Hotel is Hazard and Food Safety Standards certified. We are also ISO certified in 58 November 2018

We believe that nutrition starts with the use of quality ingredients and the utilisation of the best methods of cooking.” food safety management, occupational health and safety, environment, and quality management. We are the first and only hotel in Bahrain to hold all these certifications.”

And, such is his passion for this side of the

operation, he would like to see the outside catering division double its business in the next few years! He adds: “We will slowly reach our capacity and, should we need help, we can always call on our sister property The Gulf Hotel.”

In other developments, Volker is looking forward to the launch of a new Arabic outlet – a lounge with music and food – by the end of the year. And there are also plans to refurbish The K Lounge, so it looks like there are interesting times ahead for The K Hotel.

FAST FACT Volker is a motorcycle fan, and owns a bike, but says he gets little time to ride it!

www.bahrainthismonth.com

germanyinbahrain ORSAY

#MyFashionConnection

With the festive season just around the corner, ORSAY, the German brand, introduces its latest November-December collection, to get you looking picture perfect with gorgeous affordable fashion.

Ladies, you deserve the best! Just like the seasons, your ever-changing fashion wardrobe requires something unique that expresses your individual style, that’s also easy on the wallet.

That’s where ORSAY comes in, allowing you to be bang on trend with stunning outfits that will make heads turn.

The festive season is coming, and with it trends that incorporate glamour, pearls, gold and animal prints. This fashion season is governed by its own laws. Modern styles intermingle with antique glamorous embellishments. Violet looks surprisingly well in the company of silver and leopard print. Spots and snake prints can be seen throughout the collection, marking its presence on the streets, at parties and even at the office, adding a wild

accent to the classics. The timeless houndstooth makes its appearance this time accompanied by intense colours. In contrast, deep red needs no pairing, and is striking by itself. Complete looks stylised in this hue are a hot trend and will undoubtedly raise the temperature. Warm knitwear wrapped in romantic accessories features next to colourful flowers blooming on black, shimmering jacquard fabrics. The boho style in this winter edition surprises with fringes and eco-leather. Gold, silver, pearls, decorative stones and other trinkets bring to the wardrobe a true New Year’s Eve madness that will last throughout the entire season!

To keep your closet constantly unique and up-to-date, ORSAY introduces a new collection every two weeks, giving you a variety of options to always be chic and trendy.

The latest collection is available at ORSAY, City Centre Bahrain.

Call 17 581-569.

Orsay City Centre Bahrain +973 17581569 www.bahrainthismonth.com

November 2018 59

germanyinbahrain BEHBEHANI BROTHERS PORSCHE

ATHLETES JOIN THE FAMILY

GTS models are equipped with 20-inch Panamera Design wheels as standard. The interior features hallmark elements of black Alcantara and anodised aluminium. The standard package also includes a heated multifunction sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles and Alcantara trim and the Connect Plus module for a wide range of digital services. With the optional Interior GTS package, drivers can customise their vehicle with various design elements, such as a rev counter, designer seams and GTS logos in the contrasting shades of Carmine Red or Crayon.

Porsche has added two new GTS models to the Panamera line-up.

With a powerful performance from the four-litre V8 biturbo engine (338kW/460hp), extra dynamic chassis systems, including three-chamber air suspension, and their own unique design elements and equipment, the Panamera GTS and Panamera GTS Sport Turismo harness a one-of-a-kind performance package. For example, the Sport Design package with black exterior elements and large Alcantara surfaces in the interior is included as standard. What’s more, Porsche has expanded its portfolio of comfort and assistance systems to include a head-up display with various configuration options for the entire Panamera range.

Emotion and Efficiency At the heart of both of the new models is a four-litre V8 engine with 338kW (460hp) of output and maximum torque of 620Nm. The biturbo engine, which features a gasoline particulate filter, outperforms its predecessor by 15kW (20hp) and 100Nm, accelerating the Panamera GTS and Panamera GTS Sport Turismo from 0 to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds. The two models achieve a top speed of 292 and 289km/h respectively. There are no 60 November 2018

interruptions in tractive force as power is transmitted to the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive system by the eight-speed PDK dual clutch gearbox. Their exceptional performance is achieved with moderate consumption of just 10.3 litres/100km (Sport Turismo: 10.6 litres/100km); the CO2 emissions are 235g/km (Sport Turismo: 242g/ km).

Performance and Comfort The chassis systems are impressively dynamic.

The adaptive air suspension with threechamber technology is fitted as standard, which results in flexible control and optimum spring rate spread. The sports chassis in the two GTS models has been lowered by 10mm, while the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) function has been adapted for an even sportier calibration. Large brakes deliver outstanding deceleration.

That Distinctive GTS Look The new Panamera GTS models’ basic equipment package has been significantly upgraded. The Sport Design package with a new black front end, black trim at the bottom of the rear, and a variety of darker elements highlights the more athletic appearance. The

A First for the Panamera The GTS models offer all the same innovations as the second-generation Panamera range.

These include the digital Porsche Advanced Cockpit, assist systems such as Porsche InnoDrive including adaptive cruise control, and optional rear-axle steering. The GTS also features one highlight that is new to the entire Panamera range – the head-up display. This can be configured by the driver and projects all relevant information directly into their direct line of sight in full colour.

Better Day-to-Day Driving As is tradition at Porsche, GTS stands for Gran Turismo Sport. Porsche’s first road-approved sports car, the 904 Carrera GTS, was launched all the way back in 1963, bringing racing technology to the streets. The first generation of the Panamera GTS came in 2011, initially available as a sports saloon only. Now, the new Panamera GTS is also available as a Sports Turismo. With a large boot lid, low loading sill, increased luggage compartment and four-plusone seating configuration, the new GTS variant based on the 2017 model meets the highest of standards for everyday driving, while also delivering outstanding performance.

The new GTS models are available to order now.

Call 17 459-911. www.bahrainthismonth.com

germanyinbahrain

AL HADDAD MOTORS

Showroom Upgrade

Improvements bring the Mercedes-Benz showroom in line with global distributor retailer standards.

Al Haddad Motors has recently upgraded its entire Mercedes-Benz Bahrain business units.

The Mercedes-Benz New Car and Certified Preowned Showrooms have been completely refurbished and the overhaul of the MercedesBenz Service Centre is under way. These enhancements were undertaken in order to be aligned with the global Mercedes-Benz standards and enhance best customer experience.

Al Haddad Motors has made improvements to the interior of the showroom that include changing the colour scheme from blue to white, 62 November 2018

as well as enhancing the reception area to be aligned with the brand’s global image.

There have also been other major enhancements, the most remarkable being the new illuminated signage on the showroom façade. Another notable upgrade, in compliance with the global Mercedes-Benz Distributor Retail Standards, is the new external colour of the showroom, which is black.

Moreover, the recent change includes a whole range of new internal signage.

The concept behind the updates is to have a globally unified Mercedes-Benz image within every facility and to give customers the same look and feel when visiting any Mercedes-Benz facility worldwide.

Warren Hudson, the GM of Al Haddad Motors, says: “The new brand rollout has given the business a complete new feel and the change has brought a lot of good vibes to the business. The showroom now looks great.”

The Al Haddad Motors Certified Pre-owned Showroom was also revamped and launched in February 2018. The infrastructure of the showroom was completely updated and now has the capacity to house a lot more cars.

Recently, the Certified Pre-owned Showroom signage was also updated as part of the distributor retail standards.

Call 17 785-454 or visit www.bahrain. mercedesbenzme.com www.bahrainthismonth.com

germanyinbahrain

Oliver Oehms of the German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs (GESALO) explains his organisation’s role in the region.

Oliver Oehms

THE BUSINESS VIEW What does GESALO do?

GESALO is part of the global network of German Chambers Abroad. In currently 92 countries, German Chambers promote and nurture bilateral business relations, on a not-for-profit basis. This is what we have been doing in Saudi Arabia for 40 years now, and in Bahrain since 2014.

The organisation is celebrating its 40th year in the region this year. Can you tell us some of the highlights of that time?

It all started very humbly as a two-man office back in 1978. Now we employ some 20 full-time professionals. Obviously, the scope and depth of our portfolio has developed significantly along this journey. In principle, we act in a purely demand-driven capacity, either responding to individual company requests or to those of sector and industry associations.

Highlights were either ‘big’ or simply driven by charming experiences we made with ‘off the beaten track’ business visits of individual companies. For instance, a fashion show that we organised 10 years ago in Riyadh for a handful of German fashion brands.

How many German companies are represented by GESALO and does that include those in Bahrain?

In Saudi Arabia the German business community comprises some 200 companies operating on the ground, either as JVs, representative offices or as WHFOEs (wholly foreign-owned enterprises). A much larger number have constant business relations from back home in Germany, totalling around 800. In Bahrain the German ‘headcount’ is some 35.

64 November 2018

We ramped up our presence in Bahrain quite significantly.”

How much activity does the organisation have in Bahrain?

We ramped up our presence in Bahrain quite significantly, especially through our German Desk in Dammam. Once a week one of us is present in Bahrain. Each year we have seven to eight events organised in Manama; for instance, our annual gathering of the German Business community, and also several German inbound business delegation visits.

What would you say gives German companies their unique DNA? Germans have a reputation of being rather cautious and conservative when it comes to investing overseas. This comes with an upside: once they commit, they stick to it, often for generations. This makes them attractive investors to many countries. Needless to mention – ‘Made in Germany’ is still a triple-A brand.

There was a German-Saudi Start-up competition earlier this year following which young Saudi entrepreneurs will participate in the Start-up! Germany Tour. Are there any plans for a similar competition in Bahrain?

We organised a Start-up Pitch Night in Manama in September. Both Bahraini and Saudi start-ups were invited. The winners were invited for a

one-week tour to Germany in October. This is an international gathering of 50 start-ups, featuring meetings with industrial champions in Berlin, Cologne and the Ruhr area.

Can you share any other plans for the future, any initiatives or future delegation visits?

We are about to establish a Bahrain-German Joint Business Council, together with our colleagues from the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry. I expect this to lead a more purposeful strategic planning of mid- to long-term activities, and also a greater visibility of the bilateral business relations.

Also, a delegation of 10 German start-ups visited Manama in October and some representatives of the German fashion industry will come this month.

GESALO is also invested in promoting Saudi/ Bahraini businesses at trade fairs in Germany. Is this an area of significant interest to local companies?

Bahraini businessmen have been visitors to German trade fairs for a very long time, in many sectors. A relatively new development is the presence of the Kingdom on selected German trade fairs with country pavilions. A remarkable example is the presence at Transport Logistic, the biennial world forum for logistics in Munich.

The presence of key Bahraini companies and institutions and the visit of HE Kamal bin Ahmed Mohamed, Minister of Transport and Telelcommunications, last year attracted a lot of attention. I think that Bahrain can only gain and benefit from such a presence on international sector trade fairs. www.bahrainthismonth.com

germanyinbahrain

TOP CITY STAYS

Germany is a land of fairytale castles and forests, industrialised cities and amazing historical sites.

We’ve taken a look at the country’s top three destinations of 2018 for those considering a visit.

Berlin

Munich

Home of the Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, spy legends and the haunting Holocaust Memorial, Berlin is one of Europe’s coolest cities. Take a walking tour, starting at the Brandenburg Gate end of Under den Linden, and visit historical cold war locations from Checkpoint Charlie to the café featured in the John Le Carré novel The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. Head underground to visit Berliner Unterwelten, a series of WWII air raid shelters and tunnels used to smuggle people from East Germany. Take a trip to Monster Kabinett, a robotic art display that’s reportedly terrifying. And make sure you grab a bite of currywurst – steamed then fried bratwurst served with curry ketchup, a dish that’s a matter of pride with Berliners.

Even if you’re not there during October, when the world-famous ale festival takes place, you’ll certainly not be short of things to do in Munich.

Step into the historic Marienplatz, the city’s central square, which dates back to 1158. Pass by the Sendlinger Tor – the surviving medieval city gate. Nearby, there’s a century-old movie theatre where the marquee has been handpainted by a single man for more than 25 years. Come right up to date with a tour of the BMW manufacturing plant and headquarters. If you love architecture, head to St Michael’s Church, the largest Renaissance church north of the Alps. And there’s more religion with the jewelled skeleton of St Muditia, the patron saint of spinsters, in St Peter’s Church.

Hamburg Yes, there’s the famous harbour and loads of highend shopping; but, if you’re heading to Hamburg, there’s lots more besides. Check out the Karoviertel Quarter for designer and vintage fashion, and people watch the in-crowd from the hip cafés along Marktstrasse.

Or head to Ohlsdorf, the world’s largest cemetery park where headstones tell the stories of the city’s great and good.

For a touch of the Gothic, visit Hamburg Museum to see the impaled skull of 14th century pirate Klaus Störtebeker – who got up and walked for several paces after being executed! Speaking of pirates, you can see genuine shipwrecks (though not pirate inflicted) at the www.bahrainthismonth.com

beach of Blankenese, west of Hamburg Harbour. And, continuing with the somewhat macabre, make sure you visit the Museum of Medical History, where you’ll find wax models of disease and deformity.

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germanbites

Encouraging Local Talent Bahraini artist Leena Al Ayoobi’s works have gone on display at the German Orthopaedic Hospital in Salmaniya after she was chosen as the organisation’s Artist of the Season for autumn.

Leena is an artist and designer, founder and owner of Dar Alfann, and a member of the Bahrain Art Society. Her work is influenced by her Arabian culture and traditions with a touch of Japanese manga style.

The exhibition is part of the hospital’s efforts to support and encourage local artistic talents. CEO Dr Heiner Abel says: “The German Orthopaedic Hospital is delighted to be associated with Leena and her wonderful, colourful artwork, and we

believe that it will add some liveliness and Arabesque flair to our Europeanstyle hospital for the next few months. It also serves to highlight the strong bonds between Bahrain and Germany.”

Deutsch Digital Bahrain’s Al Baraka Banking Group chose Germany for the first stop in the roll-out of its Insha digital banking services in Europe.

Launched through the Islamic lender’s Turkish subsidiary, Albaraka Turk, Insha offers interest-free digital banking services aiming to cater to the Muslim community with Shari’a compliant banking services.

Initially, Insha will offer basic services, including bank account management, debit cards, money transfers and online payments available in English, German and Turkish, with Arabic to be added soon.

Users can download the Insha app from the app store and Google Play.

Big Gun in Manama German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen was due to attend the Manama Dialogue 2018, which was taking place as we went to press. The minister, who has previously been tipped as a successor to German leader Angela Merkel, was expected to discuss her government’s decision to halt arms sales to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Star Designer in Town German luxury brand Aigner’s creative director Christian Alexander Beck visited Bahrain, alongside Kuwaiti influencer Ascia Al Faraj, for the launch of the brand’s Aigner Wunderkammer collection at its City Centre Bahrain store. The collection, created in collaboration with mixed-media artist Quentin Jones, features impressions from across the world in a succession of bright colourful patterns in extraordinary collages.

Aigner’s senior management also attended the launch, demonstrating the importance the brand places in the Bahrain market.

66 November 2018

Major German Property Investment In its second large-scale German investment announcement in recent months, Bahrain’s Investcorp revealed that is has purchased a modern office campus in Eschborn, Frankfurt Rhein-Main, at a price of USD99.5 million.

The newly renovated KO Campus is a modern complex in the town’s commercial area, comprising three office buildings of around 40,000sq/m, housing tenants across the manufacturing, retail and technology sectors.

In April, Investcorp announced its first German real estate deal, the purchase, in conjunction with Continuum Capital Investment Management, of the Stuttgart-based Burocampus Wangen.

Of the KO purchase, Investcorp’s co-CEO, Hazem Ben-Gacem, says: “This acquisition forms an exciting addition to our diversified portfolio of prime assets, and we believe that we are well-positioned to add value to this investment. We believe we are on the right track to continue to identify opportunities in the sector.” www.bahrainthismonth.com

jewellery&watches

Time to Dazzle Our little island may be small but it’s a treasure trove of some of the most exotic and luxurious jewellery and watch brands in the world. Apple Sharma showcases some of the well-known heroes of the industry.

With the festive season just round the corner, the hunt for that perfect present has most certainly begun. Nothing woos a woman more than a beautiful piece of jewellery – it’s also a way of expressing one’s individual style and personality. Men, on the other hand, shy away from accessories; however, watches still remain an all-time favourite with them. It’s no wonder, then, that jewellery and watches are high on the list of items purchased during this special time. And Bahrain’s highly anticipated event of the year – Jewellery Arabia – is the perfect place to start. It attracts thousands of visitors from the entire region and brings together some of the biggest international and local brands, all under one roof.

The jewellery and watch industry in the Kingdom is well supported by many notable brands, and the exhibition is a fantastic platform for them to showcase their finest offerings and services.

Asia Jewellers has a long-standing reputation as one of the industry’s leaders in trading the finest high-end jewellery and luxury

Audemars Piguet

68 November 2018

LIALI Jewellery

watches. They represent some of the world’s most renowned brands and are exclusive distributors for more than 60 trademarks, including Fabergé, The House of Garrard, Ulysse Nardin, De Grisogono, Zenith, Damiani, Corum, Philip Stein, Pomellato, Raymond Weil, Montegrappa, Pasqual Bruni, Gaspari and Gucci. They also have partnerships with standalone boutique brands, such as Cartier, Versace, Van Cleef & Arpels, Audemars Piguet, Panerai and IWC. Asia Jewellers have expanded their branches throughout the Kingdom and are located at Moda Mall, City Centre Bahrain, Al Aali Shopping Complex and Seef Mall.

Bahrain Jewellery Centre (BJC), is another big player and is the sole dealer for some of the world’s most renowned Swiss watches and Italian jewellery. With many flagship stores across Bahrain, BJC also boasts a number of mono boutiques for prestigious brands, including Patek Philippe, Chopard, Omega, Piaget and Tiffany & Co. Other prominent

brands represented include Bvlgari, Hublot, Breguet, Harry Winston, Frank Muller, A Lange & Söhne, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Barthlay, Tag Heuer and more. BJC aims to inspire the younger generation with BJC Baby, a fine accessory outlet for kids at Al Aali Shopping Complex, which also houses BJC Gifts and its lavish gift items from Links of London.

LIALI Jewellery specialises in 18k gold, certified diamonds, pearls, precious and semiprecious stones. Renowned for offering classy and luxurious designs in exclusive handcrafted pieces, Liali jewellery is becoming extremely popular in the region for elegant bridal sets as well as various international lines including Tessitore and Claudia Romano. Liali constantly updates its collections to offer exquisite creations in time for special occasions, along with great promotions.

Sharif Group’s jewellery outlet A La Mode offers everything from high-end jewellery and timepieces to affordable and contemporary pieces. Its collections highlight designs by www.bahrainthismonth.com

jewellery&watches

Jewellery Arabia Rochas

brands, such as Alpina, Emporio Armani, Ferre Milano, Esprit, Joop, Michael Kors, Nina Ricci, Pierre Cardin, Just Cavalli, Roberto Cavalli by Franck Muller, Rochas Paris, West End Watches and more. Of particular note are its own A La Mode line, as well as the collections

by Majorica, lolaandgrace and Misaki, which are popular with women from all walks of life and age. A La Mode outlets also provide on-site repairs to all brands of watches.

Kewalram & Sons hold the dealership of the luxury watch brand Titan, the world’s fifth largest watchmaker that manufactures more than 15 million timepieces every year. It is the recipient of the prestigious red dot design award for Titan Edge – the slimmest watch in the universe – and has recently unveiled Titan Sparkle, an exclusive range of women’s fashionable timepieces.

Ambassador Stores are the authorised dealers of prominent Japanese watch brand Seiko, offering various popular collections, including the Grand Seiko, Prospex and the elegant Premier range. Seiko’s sub-brand Alba holds an appeal for younger customers.

AJM Kooheji Group’s fast-growing lifestyle division is home to several world-renowned brands, including De Beers from the UK, Korloff from Paris, Roberto Coin from Italy, Maurice Lacroix from Switzerland and Askania from Germany.

Al Hawaj & Sons is well known for its partnership with Swarovski, showcasing the brand’s dazzling crystal product collections.

Nomination Italy is renowned for its signature composable bracelets and watches, which can be personalised to create a unique accessory.

Al Mahmood Pearls are one of the leading pearl jewellers of the country, offering a wide range of rings, earrings, pendants and necklaces, showcasing various shapes and sizes of pearls.

Al-Sarraj Jewellers is a pioneer in dealing with precious and semi-precious stones, as well as Bahraini pearls, crafting elegant and modern pieces of jewellery.

Bahrain’s other home-grown jewellery www.bahrainthismonth.com

Titan

Seiko

houses that have made a name for themselves in the local and regional market include Al Zain, Devji since 1950, Damas, Joy Alukkas, Malabar Gold and Diamonds and Pure Gold, to name just a few.

The Gold Souq in the heart of Bab Al Bahrain and the Gold City on Government Avenue are popular with locals and tourists alike. With a variety of jewellery shops, this is a go-to place for some great bargains. They sell everything from gold and silver to precious stones, and most will also offer jewellery cleaning services.

With such a plethora of prestigious options on the island, there’s something to suit every taste and budget, so get hunting and discover all that Bahrain has to offer.

Swarovski

JEWELLERY ARABIA 2018 Bahrain’s billion-dollar showcase returns for the 27th year. Jewellery Arabia 2018, the Middle East’s premier jewellery and watch exhibition, will be held from November 20 to 24 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre. This annual event takes place under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

Jewellery, watches, gems and luxury accessories worth an estimated value of USD1 billion will go on sale to consumers and trade visitors. Open free of charge, more than 50,000 visitors are anticipated to arrive over the course of five days. The exhibition, spanning 21,000sq/m, will host the finest retailers, designers and manufacturers from 30 countries worldwide, including Hong Kong, India, Lebanon, Russia, Singapore, Thailand and Bahrain.

More than 550 local, regional and international exhibitors, including worldfamous watch and jewellery houses, will launch new product lines, display their latest collections and introduce limited edition pieces exclusively at the event.

Visitors can even authenticate their purchases with the Bahrain Institute for Pearls & Gemstones (Danat), who will be present at the exhibition to verify gems.

They can also enjoy free daily jewellery education seminars led by the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA).

Visit www.jewelleryarabia.com for more information.

November 2018 69

bystander

Declan & Surbita

Gulf Hotel Oktoberfest

Silvia & Humbert

To view more images, scan the QR code

The Gulf Hotel Bahrain held an Oktoberfest celebration at its premises.

Garfield, Jill, Julia & Ron

David, Anna & Richelle

Klaus & Helen

Barbara, Dorian, Manuela, Babette & Martin

Anni & Lyn

HE Alfonso A Ver & Tessa

Mazi, Lucky & Carol

Phil & Beth

Lisa, Gracey & Hayley Hani & Jomaya

Birgit & Juliana

Mirna & Ibrahim

Tony & Zaina

Luwan & Mylo

70 November 2018

Marc & Zoe

Desiree & Guuse

Maria & James

Mel & Alex

Faisal Kanoo, Garfield & Ron

HE Alfred Simms-Protz (former German Ambassador) & Perwin

Mimie & Garry

www.bahrainthismonth.com

jewellery&watches ASIA JEWELLERS

A Glowing Legacy

Dior

Asia Jewellers, one of Bahrain’s biggest luxury jewellery and watch retailers, is dedicated to providing a vibrant portfolio of brands to its customers, from high-end jewellery houses to contemporary designers.

Standing tall in the high-end luxury jewellery industry, Asia Jewellers has had a loyal patronage for decades. It continues to wow its customers by carrying on its heritage of providing the best in high-end jewellery as well as affordable luxury brands. Offering a unique personality by representing a plethora of top jewellery and watch houses, the company’s grand reputation is fuelled further by its core values of trust, excellence, integrity and exclusivity.

Founded in 1962 by the late Mahmood Jaffar, the second generation of the family is leading the business with a dynamic approach and their father’s principles of honour, quality, care and passion. “From humble beginnings, Asia Jewellers has established itself as a pioneer in the region’s luxury fine jewellery market,” says chairman Mohammed Jaffar. “Our continued effort to bring the world’s most prestigious brands to our stores has cemented our position and nurtured our reputation.”

Asia Jewellers is the official retailer of more than 60 renowned international luxury brands.

Its repertoire extends from fine jewellery powerhouses such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, The House of Garrard, Fabergé and de Grisogono, to exciting contemporary designers including Messika, Repossi and Pomellato.

Apart from an eloquent mix of European and Middle Eastern brands, such as Paolo Piovan, Buccellati, Picchiotti and Crivelli, as well as George Hakim, Yeprem, Antoine Hakim and Christina Debs, Asia Jewellers also represents some of the world’s finest watchmaking houses including IWC Schaffhausen, Audemars Piguet, Officine Panerai and Bovet.

With such a vast range of presentations, the company appeals to a large clientele, offering www.bahrainthismonth.com

classic masterpieces for the elite collectors and timeless yet modern favourites to the young and trendy. With select brand boutiques, strategically located retail stores, and high-end as well as affordable offerings, Asia Jewellers entices customers from all walks of life.

The company’s six outlets are spread across the island, from City Centre Bahrain, to Al Aali Shopping Complex, Seef Mall, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, and the landmark Moda Mall. Its impressive dedicated brand boutiques include Cartier in Manama and Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, as well as IWC Schaffhausen, Officine Panerai, Audemars Piguet, Van Cleef & Arpels and Versace in Bahrain.

In a constant bid to strive for innovation, entice new clients and increase customer satisfaction, Asia Jewellers continuously grows its list of prestigious brands and maintains a classic image with a modern edge.

The recent refurbishment of its swanky new boutique in City Centre Bahrain is a great example of this effort, with more such revamps planned for the future.

In order to increase brand awareness, the company also holds exclusive events for its valued customers. One such occasion, and one of the biggest for this year, is the IWC 150th anniversary celebration, due to be held on November 7 at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. Asia Jewellers will once again be one of the leading participators at this year’s Jewellery Arabia, which will take place from November 20-24. Expect to be bedazzled by various offerings from top favourites such as Dior, Panerai, Fabergé, Buccellati and House of Garrard to newcomers including Marina B and more.

“We always endeavour to exceed the expectations of our customers, as we look towards a bright future at Asia Jewellers,” adds Mohammed.

Call 17 534-444 or email info@asiajewellers. com for more information.

Messika Panerai

Top brands at this year’s Jewellery Arabia: Watches: • Dior • Bovet • Panerai

• Audemars Piguet Jewellery:

• Fabergé • Palmiero • Pomellato • Buccellati • Messika • Butani

• Marina B

• Stephen Webster

• George Hakim • Gemayel • Moussaieff November 2018 71

bystander

ASEAN Delights Launch

To view more images, scan the QR code

Lulu Hypermarket and ASEAN Bahrain Council, with the cooperation of the ASEAN Committee in Manama, held the inauguration of ASEAN Delights at Ramli Mall.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony

Waleed, Kaleem, Shukoor & Juzer

Lulu American Festival

Stuart & Sami

HE Nur Syahrir Rahardjo & Retnani

Juzer & Kaleem

Vijoy

Stuart & Angela

Jebran

To view more images, scan the QR code

Lulu Hypermarket inaugurated the ‘Discover America’ festival at its premises in Juffair Mall.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony

Lulu Italian Food Week

Lulu Hypermarket held the inauguration of its Italian Food Week at its premises in Juffair Mall.

To view more images, scan the QR code

Isabella

Yanga & Elanoora

The ribbon-cutting ceremony

HE Domenico Bellato, Akram Miknas, Juzer & Kaleem

72 November 2018

Akram Miknas & Cristina

Giulia & Dorothy

Gianna

www.bahrainthismonth.com

jewellery&watches

BAHRAIN JEWELLERY CENTRE

Slim and Stylish In January 2018, Vacheron Constantin unveiled its Fiftysix collection in the form of three new models (Self-winding, Day-Date and Complete Calendar), representing the first notes of a new musical score. The rhythm is now picking up with a new reference: Fiftysix Tourbillon.

With its recent launch at London’s famous Abbey Road Studios, the maison announced an exclusive partnership with this legendary location in music history, where English songartist Benjamin Clementine, one of the faces of the maison’s new advertising campaign, gave a private concert to mark this occasion.

Crescendo Appassionato – Fiftysix Tourbillon Beautifully slender at less than 6mm thick and equipped with a 22-carat gold peripheral rotor, the calibre of this model may be observed through a transparent caseback revealing all the beauty of the mechanism with its refined ornamentation. The tourbillon alone called for over a dozen hours of chamfering and other hand-crafted finishing operations. Like a metronome, its 2.5Hz frequency provides a chance to follow its steady beat, framed by a 41mm-diameter case. On the two-tone opalinesunburst dial, decoration plays an equally exceptional tune.

The most prestigious composition in the collection to date, the Fiftysix Tourbillon will be available exclusively from Vacheron Constantin boutiques as of April 2019. www.bahrainthismonth.com

The Tempo of the Fiftysix Collection The style of the Fiftysix is a direct tribute to a watch created in 1956: reference 6073. The distinctive design of this iconic model embodies the creativity of the maison during the 1950s – a period representing the golden age of watchmaking refinement, as well as the heyday of musical creativity. Round, slim and effortlessly elegant, reference 6073 is distinguished by its four lugs, each representing a branch of the Maltese cross.

With its classic dial, daring case and avantgarde technical characteristics (it was at the time one of the first watches from the manufacture to be equipped with a self-winding movement and a water-resistant case), this 1956 watch wove ties between respect for tradition and a taste for innovation. Ties deeply cherished

by Vacheron Constantin and now expressed in the Fiftysix collection, picking up several features of the original model: lugs respectively forming one portion of the Maltese cross, a box-type crystal, as well as self-winding movements.

Bahrain Jewellery Centre is the authorised retailer for the brand in the Kingdom.

TECHNICAL DATA Fiftysix Tourbillon References 6000E/000R-B488

Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece Indications Hours, minutes Tourbillon Case 18K 5N pink gold

41mm diameter, 10.9mm thick

Transparent sapphire crystal caseback

Water-resistance tested at a

pressure of 3 bar

(approximately 30 metres) Dial Silvered opaline

18K 5N pink gold Arabic

numerals

18K 5N pink gold hour-

markers highlighted by a blue

luminescent material Calibre 2160

Developed and manufactured

by Vacheron Constantin

Mechanical, self-winding,

22K gold peripheral rotor

31mm diameter, 5.65mm thick

Approximately 80 hours of

power reserve

2.5Hz (18,000 vibrations/hour)

188 components

30 jewels Strap Brown Mississippiensis

alligator leather with calf

inner shell and tone-on-tone

stitching, square scales Clasp 18K 5N pink gold folding clasp

Polished half Maltese cross- shaped

Call 17 520-053.

November 2018 73

jewellery&watches

LIALI JEWELLERY BD495/-

Simply Classic!

Diamond jewellery in classic styles is a closet essential.

Combining modern trends with classic styles, our Memories collection is perfect for impressing at the ofďŹ ce or shining out at a festive event. They come in different styles at all price points. Look as beautiful as ever with these classic pieces.

Come to Liali for a glimpse of the latest trends in jewellery. Be it an engagement ring or wedding jewellery, or just a gift to be given, Liali has everything for every budget. And if you have something special in mind, Liali will make it for you.

You can even get the jewellery personalised by engraving a special message or memory on it.

This festive season, come spoil yourself... at Liali

BD305/-

BD825/-

BD725/-

74 November 2018

Liali Jewellery is available at City Centre Bahrain.

Call 17 178-160.

Liali Jewellery at Bahrain City Centre: +9731 7178160

1CT Look: BD305/-

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

AccorHotels Luxe Showcase Event Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa hosted the AccorHotels Luxe Showcase event at Fiamma restaurant.

To view more images, scan the QR code Emre, Alaina, Mark & Mehdi

Abdul Hai & Nesrine

Khalid, Felix & Victor

Marina & Olga

Abdulla & Abdulla

Karl & Marcia

Anand & Shams

Jen, Isael

Reslie

Oktoberfest at Sofitel

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa held its Oktoberfest celebrations at Tapas.

To view more images, scan the QR code

Chad, Krisnen, Jackie & Aiden

Dinara

Ali & Khadija

Dennis & Shomro

Ryan

Katherine & Krisnen

Zyra, Grace, Mary & Jasmin

Adam Live in Concert

Adam Live in Concert took place at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa. Adam

76 November 2018

To view more images, scan the QR code Vlada & Elie

Mukaram & Sari

Gilbert & Jessy

www.bahrainthismonth.com

jewellery&watches KEWALRAM & SONS CO WLL

A Special Sparkle Explore Titan’s newest range of ladies’ watches to razzle and dazzle in this festive season.

Titan, the renowned house of horologists, presents Sparkle, an exclusive range of elegant women’s watches. Each of the timepieces are feminine and classy, and an ode to the bold, dynamic and independent woman who is constantly on the go.

Fitted with stylish leather or mesh straps, and embellished

2569

with Swarovski crystals, this collection embraces the latest trends in the world of contemporary fashion. The collection captures the femininity of a woman with unique, understated designs in gleaming pink, gold and blush colour palettes. Titan Sparkle is available in a variety of five cases across 22 variants and is water resistant up to five atmospheres.

Call 17 210-982.

2565

Multitasking becomes easier with this category of multi-function watches. Pick from powdery white, metallic grey, golden beige or midnight blue. Embellished with Swarovski crystals and rose gold or silver mesh straps, these watches make a dynamic, yet refined style statement.

Dial up the glamour with a pop of blue or tone it down with a touch of brown. A classic accessory for the modern woman, these watches are available in five colours, all with enclosed brass cases and embellished with Swarovski crystals. The off-white dials are set in contrast, perfectly complemented by blue or brown leather straps. The threecoloured dial options are complemented by stylish mesh straps in striking rose gold and silver. Go completely feminine with a powdery pink dial or make a bold statement with a navy blue one.

9798

2480

This is an elegant timepiece studded with Swarovski crystals on the watch bezel, and is available in four mother of pearl dial colour options. Wear one anywhere, and let the colourful leather and mesh straps around your wrist do the talking!

Add a dash of pastels and shimmers to your ensemble this season with these elegant timepieces from the collection. Embossed stainless steel straps highlight the brass case embellished with Swarovski crystals functioning as index markers. This model, available in four colours, is a perfect blend of classic materials and signature design.

2570 Make a dynamic fashion statement with this modern yet timeless set of wristwatches. Choose from woody brown, pastel pink or navy blue leather straps if you want to flaunt your time accessory at work, or go for the silver or gold stainless steel straps to show it off on your nights out.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

November 2018 77

MOTORING

this month

Sportier than Ever, p80

My Life in Cars

Safety and Luxury Reimagined, p80

DICK POTTER

Dominating On and Off Road, p81

New and Improved, p81

View more info online

78 November 2018

I have had the pleasure of living in Bahrain for more years than I've lived in the UK. In fact, I now have the honour of holding a Bahraini passport. Aside from enjoying the consternation this creates at random immigration portals across the GCC, the other benefits this bestows on me are innumerable. In short, I immensely enjoy my newly bestowed citizenship as much as I enjoy living in Bahrain. However, despite my years of abode here, I still despair at the safety violations and increasing lack of courtesy to other drivers I witness on a regular basis on the roads. Just yesterday I was almost forced off the highway by a chap who lost control and swerved from the lane he was in while using a mobile phone.

My despair is perhaps compounded as younger generations join us on the roads. In my earlier days in Bahrain (quite a bit earlier I assure you!), mobile phones didn't exist. On the safety side, then, they just weren't an issue.

That changed in the ‘90s. A mass influx of brick-like communication devices flooded onto the scene, including the driving scene. In time, credit to the traffic boys, the use of a mobile phone whilst driving became a big no-no. In fairness, not everyone had one of these cumbersome devices back then. Furthermore, they weren't as versatile as they are today. Let's see: WhatsApp, FaceTime, emails (you get the message, right?). How many ways can you distract yourself whilst driving today? Yes, there are some law-abiding motorists out there who use Bluetooth, and newer car models have infotainment systems and so forth, which also mitigates the mobile phone issue to some extent.

Now, I do know that issues concerning road safety and courtesy to other drivers is not exactly breaking

news. I know this because my wife said so. Furthermore, she didn’t think you, my (ahem) fans, would appreciate me dedicating an article to it. She thought it would be more useful if I provided some insight into why some drivers behave as they do – she’s quite clued up in the study of why people behave in various ways.

So, I thought I’d do a bit of research – OK, I asked her to explain further, same thing, right? She says that what makes phone conversations unsafe whilst driving isn't so much the act of holding the phone as being distracted by the conversation. That much I think I already knew. The lack of body language makes such conversations especially demanding, requiring us to commit more cognitive resources and further distracting us from the road. That, I admit, was news to me. My research revealed more. When someone bumps into us on the street, we usually react by apologising profusely. So, why don’t we behave similarly when driving? Often, discourtesies to us are met with instant anger – in extreme cases, road rage.

This apparently happens because of what is known as the ‘Fundamental Attribution Error’. (Patience. I shall explain.) Apparently, we fail to account for situational reasons as to why other drivers seem to behave dangerously. Instead, we tend to attribute mistakes to their personality or ability (“moron”, “terrible driver”).

However, we excuse our own road errors as situational ("that bit of road was really dangerous", "I had to drive that fast or I would have been late"). Interesting, huh?

So, my fellow road users, next time you're behind the wheel and get annoyed, frustrated or other, ask yourself, am I guilty of the Fundamental Attribution Error here? Even more importantly, is the driver behind you guilty of it also?

Safe driving all.

Email dick@redhousemarketing.com www.bahrainthismonth.com

xxxx_hi_Jimny ADD 12.5X9.4 CM copy.pdf

7

10/24/18

5:25 PM

bystander

Mai Tai Lounge Relaunch Trader Vic’s relaunched the new Mai Tai Lounge at its premises in The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain.

Model 2019

Julie, Mr and Mrs Viola & Frederic

Hesham, Silvia & Laurence

Qays & Karina

Gina & Erica

Jayne, Hugh & Melek

Leila

Georgina

Nallely, Andy & Taylor

Mohammed Jalal & Sons Automotive Division 17252606 17707070

Deepak & Maya

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Christiana & Saira

Showroom Khamis

25.3 x 9.4

Showroom Sitra

November 2018 79

motoringnews&launches

Sportier than Ever

Sales Accolades Al Haddad Motors honoured its three sales consultants – Tamim Anwar, Nabil Nizamudeen and Melville De Souza – the recipients of the Mercedes-Benz Certified Sales status.

The C-Sales Certificate entails an extensive and comprehensive training programme followed by a thorough examination that tests each candidate’s brand and product knowledge, customer interaction skills and behavioural skills.

“The C-Sales Certificate is a global certification that gives you a great sense of achievement and enhances your confidence when dealing with customers and about presenting cars,” says Melville.

Nabil says: “This certificate is an important aspect in my professional career. I also consider it as a personal achievement, as it has been my dream to obtain this certification for a long time.”

“The Mercedes-Benz C-Sales Certificate is a prestigious award that builds confidence and knowledge,” says Tamim.

These certifications give the recipients several benefits and opportunities that include credibility and global recognition as Mercedes-Benz representatives. They also ensure that Al Haddad Motors is in line with the international Mercedes-Benz standards and that the customers receive the best and most reliable information.

The new BMW Z4 – a premium open-top sports car – boasts a classic fabric soft-top, an emotion-packed body design and a puristic, driver-focused interior.

The reinterpreted roadster fuses typical sports car dynamism with advanced equipment features.

Unadulterated driving pleasure meets state-of-theart powertrain, chassis, operating and connectivity technology.

This modern two-seater, with fully electric fabric soft-top, has radically revised proportions, central seating position, shorter wheelbase for increased agility and wider tracks than its predecessor. It has weight-saving measures and ideal 50:50 weight distribution and an aerodynamically optimised body.

It will be launched in March 2019 with a choice of three model variants: BMW Z4 M40i – i.e. the BMW M Performance model with new 250kW/340hp sixcylinder in-line engine – and the BMW Z4 sDrive30i and BMW Z4 sDrive20i with four-cylinder engines and outputs of 190kW/258hp and 145kW/197hp respectively. Further improved eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission as standard. All engines have a gasoline particulate filter and emissions that comply with the Euro 6d-TEMP standard.

Superb Deals

Safety and Luxury Reimagined Volvo Cars has relaunched its new design direction with the XC90 and continues to deliver on its promise to introduce a visually striking, premiumquality seven-seat SUV with worldleading safety features, new powertrain technologies, an unrivalled combination of power and fuel efficiency and a superlative interior finish.

Volvo’s new generation of premium SUVs has accomplished untimely success as a result of Scandinavian design at its finest, with functionality and genuine beauty. The XC90 represents the epitome of luxury and 80 November 2018

allows for an outstanding highway performance and low emission commuting through its range of twolitre, four-cylinder Drive-E powertrains.

Zayani Motors, the exclusive distributor of Mitsubishi and MG in Bahrain, is introducing a sensational offer for the season, allowing customers to purchase brand-new cars under instalments of unparalleled ease and comfort.

The ‘No Gimmicks’ offer provides exceptional value on selected Mitsubishi and MG models, giving customers a great bargain and the opportunity to own one of the four excellent options for a car at an affordable price.

The offer includes two Mitsubishi models: the Attrage, which represents everything you seek in a compact sedan, for BD69/month; and the Outlander for BD140/ month – a vehicle of refinement and robustness. The bold sedan MG 360 is for BD68/month and the premium stylish SUV MG ZS is for BD88/month.

All models come with an extraordinary warranty of 10 years or one million kilometres for a Mitsubishi and six years or 200,000kms for the MG. Instalments of the No Gimmicks offer start in January 2019. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Motorsports Series Gets New Name The longest running motorsport series in the Middle East will celebrate an historic 10th season with the introduction of a title sponsor for the first time, thanks to a new partnership with Best Water Technology (BWT), a global leader in the manufacturing of water treatment systems.

The championship will now be known as the Porsche BWT GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.

In previous editions, the season consisted of 12 races held over six intense weekends on the world-class Middle East circuits. But the forthcoming season is ready to offer four further races – season 10 will now comprise 16

races across six weekends, held between the Dubai Autodrome, Yas Marina Circuit, and Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).

The new season gets under way at the Dubai Autodrome on November 16, before moving to BIC the following weekend. The championship will then head back to the UAE to test drivers again in Dubai followed by Yas Marina Circuit, with the final decisive rounds in Bahrain. The season will conclude with an official support race to the 2019 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in March 2019, the only regional racing series to do so.

New and Improved MG Motors, with Zayani Motors as its exclusive distributorship in Bahrain, announces the arrival of the new MG GS 2019 in the Middle East. This new, improved model now takes a major step forward with its refreshed and practical interior, high levels of equipment and dynamic design.

It is available across the region in two trim levels: 2.0T COM and 2.0T LUX AWD. With prices starting from just USD17,200, depending on market, MG’s SUV offers fun family versatility in a highly affordable package.

The New GS shows off a sportier, yet more aggressive look from the front. The newly designed bumper helps to improve aerodynamics and is nicely complemented by a larger grille and redesigned air intake.

The enhancements continue on the inside thanks to the noticeably higher quality finish, with more than 80 per cent of the surfaces covered in soft-touch material. The central console has been completely revamped to offer a more premium finish and greater functionality. New, sportier seats contribute to heightened levels of comfort and style within the cabin.

Safety is a key priority with the new MG GS, which has been awarded 5-star C-NCAP ratings. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Dominating On and Off Road

Nissan has expanded the iconic Patrol Safari range with the introduction of three exciting new editions – the Patrol Falcon, Gazelle and Gazelle X. Exclusively developed for and available to customers in the Middle East, these cars are inspired by two of the iconic animals of the region, the majestic soaring falcon and fleet-footed gazelle.

With its impressive styling and richly appointed interior, the Nissan Patrol Falcon is certain to turn heads both on and off the road. As comfortable navigating the urban jungle as tackling the challenges of desert driving, this multi-terrain vehicle transcends expectations of a 4WD car.

The Nissan Patrol Gazelle Edition is the ultimate urban 4WD. Improved suspension and new additions have boosted performance, elevating the vehicle over and above a regular off-roader.

Taking it one step further the Patrol Gazelle-X features enhanced functions and capabilities. The definitive off-roader, it has been designed to dominate the world of desert driving.

All three editions are available at Nissan dealers across the region. Also, now available across the Gulf is a new manual variation of the Super Safari model.

New in Town

Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons, the official and sole distributor of INFINITI vehicles in Bahrain, has launched the all-new 2019 Infiniti QX50.

The QX50 introduces what is possibly the most innovative internal combustion engine on the market, the VC-Turbo, that delivers the strong performance of a V6 and the fuel economy of a fourcylinder engine, with an exhilarating performance of 268hp and 380nm at 4,400rpm of torque. The QX50 appeals to buyers who require the unique combination of interior space, power, efficiency, hand-crafted quality and modern design, along with effortless on-road performance.

The new model is available across Bahrain starting at BD16,750 for the QX50 LUXE version and BD23,495 for the QX50 Autograph.

November 2018 81

alfrescodining

Al Fresco Allure As the weather changes, so do the dining habits of the islanders, bringing them outdoors to enjoy the pleasure of eating out, literally.

BTM rounds up the best open-air hotspots around The Kingdom.

The scorching heat and heavy humidity have made way for cooler climes to grace the island.

Now’s the time to get outside and take in the balmy breeze, and what better way to do this than an evening out savouring your favourite food and drinks?

Bahrain being a beautiful archipelago blessed with azure waters lapping the coastline, waterfront eateries offer the best scenes while dining by day or night. Take Tapas Bar and Restaurant at the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa for instance. Not only does the view there make you go “C’est magnifique!”, but the marineinspired outlet at this five-star property has all the trappings of a very chic venue to entertain and be entertained.

Similar in class and style, and affording stunning water views is The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain. The terrace of Trader Vic’s offers guests a pleasant ambience, where one can settle in for a long evening of delicious tidbits and signature beverages. Cantina Kahlo’s outdoor area is the perfect place to enjoy exotic Mexican flavours under the gentle swish of palm trees, while Primavera’s classic Italian dishes eaten al fresco in beautiful surroundings 82 November 2018

are sure to impress. Close by in the same district, Bushido, one of the island’s premier Japanese eateries, has a tranquil outdoor patio.

Also in Seef, Nasmat Pool & Lounge at The Westin City Centre Bahrain is a relaxed setting for guests to take a dip in the outdoor pool and enjoy a pint of ale or a glass of grape.

Bahrain Bay Kitchen at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay allows diners to take in the sights of the island’s iconic architectural marvels, while savouring an international smorgasbord of dishes. Also in the list of outdoor restaurants in the bustling city centre is Downtown Rotana’s Alto – a rooftop venue offering sweeping views of the urban beauty that is Manama.

The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa houses Kontiki, an old favourite of Bahrain residents. This dining spot that serves a mix of Asian cuisines spills out on a terrace by the sophisticated poolside of the newly renovated property.

Close to the King Faisal Corniche is Coral Bay Resort, offering an outdoor ambience that can transport you to a beach-front paradise complete with a marina to boast. Albeit away from the city, Al Areen

Palace & Spa’s Asian dining outlet, Keizo, has set up gazebos on its man-made islands. These private lakeside pavilions make idyllic dining spots for a romantic evening.

The Gulf Hotel Bahrain’s Typhoon Bar and Lounge is a lush, tropical setting – a perfect place to enjoy cocktails and postprandial drinks. Adliya, where this five-star establishment is located, has a number of stand-alone dining hotspots that offer delectable bites under the open sky. Café Lilou, is an all-time favourite for fusion French fare, while Meisei’s rooftop offers the glittering lights of Block 338 along with authentic Japanese delicacies. It may not be easy, no matter the day of the week, to secure a table at Coco’s for lunch or dinner. The wait for space in the cosy

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

www.bahrainthismonth.com

alfrescodining

Tapas at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

little garden can be even longer, but just so worth it. Lanterns Lounge & Restaurant, everyone’s go-to, has comfortable open-air seating in which guests can enjoy some delicious nibbles and beverages. Angelina Paris is a quintessentially Parisian tearoom serving classic pastries for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a chic outdoor area.

At the far end of Adliya, the Palace Boutique Hotel has the Orangery Tea Room and Patisserie, with twinkling fairy lights and a vintage fountain adding flair to the ambience.

Masso, housed in the same property, has an outdoor terrace where guests can chill out with friends while they enjoy excellent Italian fare.

Crossing the highway into Juffair, Wembley Lounge at the Atiram Premier Hotel offers an electric outdoor environment, perfect for nights out or a lazy Friday brunch. The Wyndham Garden Manama, also in Juffair, houses the Terrace @ 28, the ideal place to relish traditional German cuisine and malts with a fantastic view of Juffair’s skyline to go with it.

Affording a great view of the Grand Mosque is Via Brazil, the hotel’s venue to gorge on Brasilian delights.

If you’re looking to take your dinner date to a place that looks far removed from the city, but is actually right in its centre, it’s the fine-dining eatery at La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art. The outdoor area has an earthy, minimalist tone and, with the lights and the majestic fountain, it looks straight out of a fairytale.

After a great round of golf at the Royal Golf www.bahrainthismonth.com

Club in Riffa, catch your breath on the outdoor terrace of Links. It’s a unique experience dining before the rolling greens. If it’s a dose of Bahrain’s history that you’re after, then Saffron

by Jena offers commanding views of the Riffa Fort. The popular establishment keeps the legacy of authentic Bahraini cuisine alive, but with a twist of the modern thrown in. Similarly, Darseen Café at the Bahrain National Museum also offers outside seating and lip-smacking good food.

The white Grecian columns at Ya Hala at the Ramada Hotel & Suites Amwaj Islands lend the al fresco venue a picturesque Mediterranean

flair. The food echoes the ambience, boasting influences from coastal Europe, the Levant and the Middle East. The Lagoon, located in the heart of the man-made island of Amwaj Islands has a smattering of café-restaurants that are perfect to spend relaxed afternoons and weekend evenings. Guests have the added advantage of partaking in the numerous social activities that are planned year round while there, or simply take pleasure in the wonderful view of the lights reflecting on the water.

The island is full of picturesque venues with al fresco dining offerings, so take advantage of this beautiful weather and get exploring!

Romantic Dining at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain

November 2018 83

DINING

this month

Timeless Tradition, p86

A Taste of Italy, p88

Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice!

Truly Fantastic!, p94

Triple Michelin-Starred Whammy!, p100

View more info online

84 November 2018

Behnaz Sanjana was bowled over by some intriguing new dishes and some tried and tested favourites at Miam.

Miam, at Galleria Mall, Zinj, is an ideal cosy-chic place to catch up with old friends or go on that first (or millionth) date. There are brand new items in the kitchen’s repertoire that definitely warrant a visit.

The chilli-laced Mexican Prawn Soup that kicked-off the meal was right up my alley – reasonably fiery, tangy, and brimming with the winning flavour combination of tender prawns and bell peppers. The more benign French Onion Soup was more suited to my dining companion’s palate. He thoroughly enjoyed the Swiss cheese-laden toast afloat on this hearty broth.

Salmon Cakes are new entrants among the appetisers. The patties, although fried golden, were light and easy on the appetite. A garnish of mango, dill and wafer-thin baby radish lent a wonderful freshness to the dish. The quinoa salad, that I’ve enjoyed before, tasted just as I remembered, brimming with an exotic Levantine appeal.

Also new is the Afghani Lamb in Rice that came to the table parceled in an elliptical puff of bread. The top was strewn with flaked almonds, and caramelised carrots, onions and black raisins. Housed within was one of the most fragrant pilafs ever, with big chunks of meat looking like they’d just been carved off the shank.

Another recent addition to the main course offering is the Hamour and Rice with Walnut and Pomegranate Sauce. I’m admittedly picky with my fish, but this dish

was an absolute winner, and the highlight of my meal.

The fillets were bursting with a unique flavour combination, their mildly charred edges retaining the tanginess of the lemon they were cooked with. The accompanying sauce was almost like molasses, stringing between the tines of my fork and bursting with sweet-sour-earthy tastes. The dill rice was so good, I could eat it just by itself. If there was only one reason I could give you to go to Miam, this would be it.

Suitably stuffed, we turned to sweet treats. Our heart was set on the very Instagram-able Fruit Burger, but how could we turn down the earnest suggestion of the steward to try two dessert debutantes?

The Fruit Burger was all about sandwiched berries, fruit and generous layers of fluffy cream – what’s not to like! The Pistachio Cake was a delightful creation of silken white cream and nutty green layers, with droplets of red currant sauce. One bite of the Saffron Cheesecake made my eyes go wide. A biscuity base was the podium for a light, creamy top layer, replete with the distinct taste and heavenly aroma of saffron.

Just divine!

Miam has something for everyone. For a quick, tasty afternoon bite on a working day, the business lunch, comprising soup, salad and main course, is just right, priced at just BD2.900. The rotating menu offers a good choice – on the day we visited, the menu included Cream of Chicken Soup, Grilled Calamari Salad (with succulent baby octopus and olives in the mix) and Hot Peri Peri Chicken (with a tasty peppery brown sauce).

Happy dining!

dining

Chef Hany Mostafa

THE WESTIN CITY CENTRE BAHRAIN

Timeless Tradition There is a succulent roast turkey in the oven at Furn Bistro & Bakery, ready for you to serve at your dinner table this festive season.

The Westin City Centre Bahrain’s executive chef Hany Mostafa and his team are excited about Furn Bistro & Bakery’s #turkeyatyourdoorsteps concept that has kicked off this month to mark the start of the celebratory season.

“Back in 1620, when a group of people from England crossed the Atlantic and reached Canada, the natives helped them settle into their new surroundings, teaching them to farm, use the available natural resources and also how to prepare chicken and turkey,” says chef Hany, narrating a little history about the festival of Thanksgiving. “The foreigners roasted a turkey and offered it to the natives in gratitude of their help. And thus started the tradition of celebrating this festival.”

Carrying on this tradition, Furn Bistro & Bakery provides a full Thanksgiving meal to guests that they can enjoy in the comfort of their own homes. “Our turkey will be available from November 22 to December 25,” says chef Hany. “This year, we can deliver the meal to our guests for added convenience.

The bird will weigh around 10kg and the side dishes will include Brussels sprouts, whipped potatoes, apricot, sage and chestnut stuffing, veal chipolatas wrapped in turkey bacon, honey and mapel roasted root vegetables, cranberry sauce, turkey jus and cornbread. For dessert, there is a choice of pumpkin, pecan or apple pie.”

The offering is competitively priced at just BD65, inclusive of delivery charges, and is good for 10 to 12

diners. Guests are required to place their orders 48 hours in advance. “Our turkey is the best in town,” adds chef Hany.

He learnt the laborious process of preparing the bird for this special occasion while he worked at a fine-dining establishment in the UK. It begins with the fowl sitting in brine for 12 hours, with salt, honey and herbs. Once dried and rested in the chiller, it is seasoned and glazed with butter, garlic and pepper. It is then covered and steam cooked in the oven with bouquet garni and mirepoix for two hours, followed by 90 minutes of uncovered cooking, allowing the top to caramelise. “This process results in the most moist, tender and tasty turkey,” he says.

As for the mouthwatering stuffing and trimmings, they are cooked in the juices that are released while the turkey roasts. The stuffing consists of sage, apricot, chestnut, celery, carrots, butter and cinnamon. It is served alongside the turkey, for diners to be able to slice into portions as per their preference. “However, if someone would like the stuffing to be inside the turkey, we can do that for them as well,” says the chef.

Chef Hany, who has several years of experience working in some of the world’s most renowned hotel chains in Egypt, the UK, Europe and the Middle East, looks forward to bringing friends and family together at the dinner table this season over a glorious platter of delicious turkey.

Call 17 171-441.

86 November 2018

www.bahrainthismonth.com

dining MAKI

Welcoming Vegans After earning a leading position in contemporary Japanese cuisine, Maki restaurant is fast becoming a trailblazer when it comes to ultra-healthy, tasty food.

Having been a pioneer in innovative Japanese cuisine, and introducing fantastic hallmark creations such as Fusion Temaki, Tara Maki, Shake Oliva Maki and Tartufo Yaki Udon, Maki continues to please palates with new additions to its already nutritious vegan menu.

“We spare no cost at attending workshops, gastronomy events and sourcing the most exotic ingredients to be able to present the most exquisite choices to our valued guests,” explains agricultural and nutritional expert Amer Zeitoun, also Maki’s co-founder and managing partner.

Thanks to Amer’s diligent research, vegetarian and vegan guests can now enjoy mouthwatering dishes, such as Vegetable Kale Maki, Vegetable Kale Salad, Akagome (red rice) Teppanyaki and Portobello Quinoa Mushroom.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Additionally, several of Maki’s amazing dishes can be made in a vegetarian or a vegan version, on demand.

The star, though, has to be Amer’s latest introduction – the Lentil Caviar Salad. This exotic-sounding dish has quickly become a favourite with both vegans and non-vegans alike. Boasting ingredients like French green lentils, crispy corn, coriander, avocado, basil, cherry tomatoes, shiso, red radish, dill, exotic baby orange, and a special, house-made sweet and sour dressing, this salad will dispel anyone’s doubts of the tastiness of cleverly crafted vegan dishes.

The Vegetable Kale Maki is made with spinach wrap, kale leaves, cucumbers, carrots, avocado, iceberg lettuce, thyme and togarashi spices, and is drizzled with Maki’s special house extra virgin olive oil mixture.

This winter, relish the ‘soothing’ Miso Shiitake Kale Soup, which comprises shiitake mushrooms, wakame, spring onions and tofu.

Enjoy these drool-worthy dishes and many

Lentil Caviar Salad

Veggie Kale Maki

more at Maki, located at Bahrain World Trade Center.

Call 17 522-733 or visit www.olivermaki.com for bookings.

November 2018 87

dining CUCINA ITALIANA

A Taste of Italy There’s a host of new menu options available to tempt your taste buds at Cucina Italiana.

There really is no better way to describe Cucina Italiana than “truly unique”. With an unshakeable passion for the Italian lifestyle from the cuisine to the décor and even the culture, this bistro brings class and style to casual dining.

New menu items to tuck into for the winter season include: • Verdure Alla Milanese – deep-fried vegetable patties served with spicy tomato sauce.

• Salmone Uovo Guacamole E Insalata – salad with smoked salmon, guacamole and poached egg, served with honey mustard dressing and mayo pesto.

• Insalata Al Salmone Lenticchie Nere E Uovo In Camicia – chef special salad featuring homemade gravlax salmon with black lentils, roasted chilli walnuts, red and white cabbage and poached egg.

Served with a vinaigrette dressing and grated parmesan cheese.

• Salmone Affumicato E Mascarpone All Aneto – smoked salmon served on savoury pancake with mascarpone cheese, dill leaves and capers in homemade passion fruit sauce and mayo pesto.

• Chef’s Salad – a refreshing salad of baby rocket leaves, asparagus, herb-crusted croutons tossed with thinly sliced marinated chicken in chef’s special dressing.

• Risotto Con Pollo E Funghi – creamy risotto rice cooked with mushroom and chicken breast served 88 November 2018

with caramelised peach and apple sauce.

• Lasagne Vegetariana – homemade spinach pasta carefully layered over zucchini, potato, eggplant and basil leaves baked with house tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.

• Pollo Ripieno Alla Parmigiana – parmesan, mozzarella and ricotta cheese-stuffed chicken breast baked in tomato sauce and served over olive oil tossed bow tie pasta and asparagus.

• Pasta All’avena Con Salmon – homemade oatmeal pappardelle pasta cooked in seafood sauce with a touch of tomato concasse topped with grilled salmon fillet and balsamic caviar.

Cucina Italiana takes great pride in delivering the highest quality menu prepared with only the freshest and finest hand-picked ingredients, making the dishes nothing less than delicious. All dishes are made from fresh vegetables, succulent meat, hand-tossed dough and superior-quality tomato sauce and served with genuine Italian passion, bursting with true flavours of Italy in every mouthful.

Cucina Italiana is a place you can walk into with your family, colleagues and friends – and have a delicious dish of pasta, the finest and tastiest woodfired pizza, a beverage and a superb premium espresso experience.

Call 17 001-317. www.bahrainthismonth.com

BAHrain this month LANTERNS.pdf

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New Menu

Better cravings tastier savings

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17224417 / 17666517 Lanternslounge LanternsBahrain

Next to Al-Najma Club, Juffair

dining THE M RESTAURANT

A New Gastronomic Gem Gourmets, stay tuned as a new multi-cuisine eatery, The M Restaurant, gears up to launch in Bahrain.

The M Restaurant is the brainchild of Mushtak Abdul Gafoor, a wellknown businessman on the island, who has been running a successful multinational travel company over the last two decades. Having travelled the globe extensively for his business expansions, it has enabled him to have first-hand experiences of food habits and cultures around the world. This has inspired him to lay the foundation of his culinary dream, offering various popular cuisines under one roof – The M Restaurant.

The eatery, with its first outlet in Adliya, will serve some of the best fare available in the Kingdom for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The taste and presentation of the dishes will showcase the kitchen’s expertise in Arabic, Asian, Indian and creative international cuisines, including classic Continental and Italian.

The restaurant takes great pride in its exquisitely compiled menu of fine food and beverage, an action-packed sports lounge, a refreshing café space and outdoor catering services. The proficient kitchen team is supported by an able and customer-friendly service team comprising talented executives and managers. Every department of the outlet is closely monitored by dedicated supervisors to ensure a smooth flow of operations at par with international standards, and is set to surpass clients’ expectations.

The M Restaurant promises to be the ultimate culinary experience for all food-loving people who seek stylish, wholesome, nutritious food that excites their taste buds, served with a warm smile. And it is extremely well priced for the value it affords.

Call 17 580-777 or email info@themrestaurant.com

Jackie

Hussain

Wedding Fair

Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa held a wedding fair at its premises.

Lina, Kumar, Zaineb, Naveen & Unnati

Fatima & Elham

Cruise Press Con

To view more images, scan the QR code

Farhat International Tours & Travels held the Norwegian Cruise Line press launch at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain.

Nick

90 November 2018

Zuhaib, Danish, Neomi, Aysha, Azharuddin & Mujib

www.bahrainthismonth.com

FOUNDER AND HISTORY “The M Restaurant" is a brain child of Mr. Mushtak Abdul Gafoor. Being a hard-core global traveler and having over 2 decades of experience of running multinational travel wholesale company, Mr. Mushtak has travelled extensively as a part of his business expansion. This enabled him to have first-hand experiences of food habits around the world which inspired him to offer various popular cuisine under one roof and this laid the foundation of the first brand of his culinary dream - "The M Restaurant". The M Restaurant will serve arguably the city's most supreme and elusive breakfast, lunch and dinner, narrating the restaurant's expertise in Arabic, Asian, Indian and creative international cuisines like Continental & Italian at its first outlet in Adliya - Bahrain. We take pride in presenting ourselves offering food through exquisitely compiled menu for Restaurant, action packed sports lounge, refreshing cafe and Outdoor Catering. We are working with a proficient kitchen team supported by agile and customer friendly service team of talented executives and managers. Every stage of restaurant functionality is closely monitored by our dedicated supervisors to ensure smooth flow of operations as per the international food standards and surpass the client expectations. It would be ultimate culinary experience for all the food loving people who want the best of nutrition to excite their taste buds with a sense of simplicity, style, solitude, warm friendly service and all this without harming their pockets severely.

CEO - Mr. Mushtak A.G.

THE

RESTAURANT

dining ATIRAM PREMIER HOTEL

Full-On Fun Wembley Lounge at Atiram Premier Hotel will be coming up with some fantastic new concepts in the near future.

The much-loved Wembley Lounge at Atiram Premier Hotel in Juffair provides islanders with excellent entertainment throughout the week with its fabulous Friday brunch, quiz nights, ladies’ nights, and the amazing Bandeoke (a fun spin on the traditional Karaoke).

Manager of the venue, Tony Curtis, has new plans in the pipeline with ‘LIVE @ Wembley’ that will see some hugely popular artists coming especially to Bahrain to appear on the Wembley stage.

The Friday Fun Brunch is more popular than ever, with once-a-month special brunches along themes like disco, Halloween, pool party and fancy-dress being a rip-roaring success.

Wednesdays are popular for quiz nights hosted by ex-radio jockey Ian Fisher. Teams battle it out with their general knowledge in a jovial, relaxed environment. The team with the

highest overall score for the month wins an amazing hamper from the game’s sponsors – African & Eastern.

Since Tony has arrived, ladies have been the luckiest of all, with the introduction of another ladies’ night after the weekend brunch in addition to the evening dedicated solely to the femme fatales every Thursday.

Christmas is just around the corner and bookings are now being taken for the special Christmas brunches on December 7, 14 and 21. If you’re looking to plan an office party, get in touch with Tony right away, and he will take away all the worries of organising your special party.

Call 33 640-009.

Swing Party

Coda Jazz Lounge held a Gatsby-themed swing party at its premises in Atiram Premier Hotel.

Klea, Sonia, Flora & Rohtot

To view more images, scan the QR code Models at the event

Denzel, Damian & Fello

Max & Yasmina

Puttu, Amith & Govinda

Maryse & Charles

92 November 2018

Yara & Cesar

Saeem & Rabab

Carl & Almanda

Swing dancing at the party

www.bahrainthismonth.com

The Festive Season Dates For Your Diary

Friday Nov 23rd Thanks Giving Brunch Thursday 29th Nov Scottish Ladies Night Friday Nov 30th St Andrews Day Brunch Friday Dec 7th Festive Brunch One Friday Dec 14th Festive Brunch Two Sunday Dec 16th Bahrain National Day Friday Dec 21st The Office Christmas Party Brunch Tuesday Dec 25th Traditional Christmas Day Lunch Wednesday Dec 26th The Big Fat Boxing Day Quiz Of The Year Friday Dec 28th What Were You Wearing When The Ship Went Down Brunch MONDAY DECEMBER 31st INVITATION ONLY NEW YEARS EVE PARTY EVERY WEDNESDAY IS QUIZ NIGHTi EVERY THURSDAY IS LADIES NIGHT EVERY FRIDAY IS BRUNCH & LADIES NIGHT FORTH FLOOR, BUILDING 1188, ROAD 2420, BLOCK 324, JUFFAIR

For Reserv ations And En quires Call Or Whatsa pp Tony O n

+973 33

64 0009

dining RAMEE GRAND HOTEL & SPA

Truly Fantastic!

The Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa Seef has a brand-new Indian food and beverage offering that is sure to delight your taste buds.

décor. The live band adds zing to the fresh, young ambience. The restaurant welcomes families with children and has a child-friendly food menu as well.

Tanatan offers a wide selection of food and drinks for you to select from. A variety of soft and other selected beverages are available at the bar.

The talented chefs in the kitchen take it upon themselves to take you through a memorable culinary journey across the vast lands of India, while adding some modern twists to beloved classic preparations of the cuisine.

The outlet looks forward to celebrating the festival of Diwali amidst great pomp and splendour with its esteemed patrons. November 7 to 9 being ‘Diwali weekend’, a chef’s special three-course menu will be available from 7pm onwards. Needless to say, the dishes will feature the best of culinary traditions. An Indian band will rock the house with everybody’s favourite oldies and the latest tunes, making it a feast to remember.

A five-star business hotel, the Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa has been striving to provide top-notch customer satisfaction to guests in every sense of the way. Whether you are travelling for business, or looking for a leisurely family staycation, the professional staff will ensure you have the most pleasant experience. The hotel provides a range of world-class facilities and is one of the preferred accommodation choices thanks to its stylish, wellappointed rooms. A great range of restaurants that suit a wide gamut of tastes and preferences makes it an ideal place to catch up with business associates, colleagues and friends.

Call 17 111-999.

The dictionary defines Tanatan as an adjective used to denote good quality of anything, be it taste, music or art. The colloquialism is widely used in the Indian subcontinent, and fans of Bollywood (mainstream Indian cinema) are quite well versed with this term.

It’s a fitting moniker given to the upscale, new ethnic restaurant at the Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa in Seef.

Standing true to its name, Tanatan promises a fantastic dining experience.

The restaurant’s décor and menu are specially curated to create the perfect vibe. Bedecked with quirky and interesting pieces of art and artefacts, the venue has a touch of modernity to its grand Indian 94 November 2018

www.bahrainthismonth.com

7th to 9th November 2018 from 7pm onwards

A tasty blast for your taste buds BD 9.000 Net per person

Seef Area, Kingdom of Bahrain, T: +973 17 111 973,Mob:36260365 afbm@rameegrandbahrain.com www.rameegrandbahrain.com

dining TALABAT

Start the Day Right

Power your day with a sumptuous breakfast that you can easily order from Talabat.

You promised yourself you wouldn’t skip breakfast, but you’re hard-pressed for time most mornings of the week. It’s a common woe in today’s fast-paced world, leaving no scope to prepare a home-cooked meal.

Even if there are leftovers sitting in the fridge, where’s the time to pack, or even grab a bite before you leave home every morning?

Health experts say it is extremely important to have a bite to eat within a couple of hours of waking up. Fuelling up well at the beginning of the day allows you to be more productive, have better focus, memory and a more pleasant outlook. Talabat, Bahrain’s premier online food ordering platform, is here to help you manage that. Just order in a healthy, fulfilling breakfast from the many available options on Talabat.

Choose from a great mix of gourmet options that are guaranteed to please a range of tastes and budgets.

Below are some of the top favourites on Talabat: Go the Mediterranean Way Yes, that’s right, you can enjoy pizza for breakfast!

Florence La Maison Méditerranéenne serves this delicious Italian delicacy from 9am onwards. Bite into heavenly dough laden with succulent toppings to take your taste buds on a journey to the pleasantly sunny Mediterranean. Or, if you are one of those people who enjoys eggs in the mornings, give the outlet’s delicious Mediterranean Eggs a try. You definitely won’t be disappointed.

Classic French In the mood for some French bread? Oui, oui! You will love Paul’s breakfast choices, from croissants to pain au chocolat, plus everyone’s top favourite – macarons, of course! It is recommended you store these in your fridge for a midday snack with your coffee. You can

96 November 2018

also order the outlet’s other well-known specialities such as crêpes, sandwiches, cakes, pastries and other heart-warming morning treats.

Local Love Last but not least, you can’t go wrong with a timeless Bahraini breakfast. Go back to basics with Darseen’s classic local favourites, including Bahraini eggs and tomato, eaten best with salty Mahyawa bread.

Darseen has fantastic options for groups, so be sure to invite your friends, family or office colleagues to join in for an unbeatable deal. After all, breakfast is best enjoyed with good company.

Ordering meals from Talabat is as simple as a few clicks of a button. Just specify your location, choose your dishes from your selected restaurant and place your order. You have the option to pay by cash or card on delivery. If you need inspiration, browse Talabat’s breakfast category and order the food that catches your fancy.

Visit www.talabat.com/bahrain or download the Talabat App on iOS and Android devices.

dining GULF SUITES HOTEL AMWAJ

Intriguingly Wild Rainforest Lounge at Gulf Suites Hotel in Amwaj Islands offers an authentic tropical experience.

True to its name, the Rainforest Lounge in the chic Gulf Suites Hotel Amwaj is designed to radiate tropical vibes and an ambience akin to that of a far-away jungle. Located on the ground floor of the property, this unique hotspot features faux plants, mushrooms, waterfalls and even forest fauna such as tigers, monkeys, elephants, crocodiles and various tropical birds. There is an exclusive non-smoking area for families, too.

The fascinating venue serves an assortment of international seafood, beef and chicken dishes, along with impressive ribs, pastas and pizzas. Specialised chefs from five-star hotels prepare authentic Thai and Chinese cuisine for outdoor catering anywhere in Bahrain.

Live music from the Latin Soul band and DJ Sonia keep the crowds entertained every night from 8pm to 2am. The outlet organises special themed nights specifically for ladies, men, airline crew and the military, as well as Latino and Salsa nights. Adding to the allure, the venue offers attractive food and beverage promotions, including Happy Hour from 4pm to 8pm daily. Don’t forget to take back a rainforest-themed souvenir, which can be purchased from the gift shop.

Saturdays are all about Karaoke Night with MeChele at Rainforest Lounge. An updated karaoke list awaits you to sing along with your favourite tunes, and every participant gets a free beverage. The best singer of the night will receive a special gift voucher, and airline crew and members of the US military enjoy special discounts.

Call 36 811-193 or 33 159-437.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

November 2018 97

bystander

Mahi & Prent

Jihan & HE Dr Dhafer Alumran

Judith & Samira

Shandra & Jalil Al Ansari

Babak & Maryam

HE Simon Martin & Sophie

Birthday Celebration Perwin celebrated her 50th birthday at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa. HE Alfred Simms-Protz (former German Ambassador) & Perwin

Stefan & Susan

Manfred & Ires

Dandiya Night

Rania, Aymen & Hanan

Samira & HE Kai Boeckmann

Mamta & HE Alok Kumar Sinha

The Indian Ladies Association held a Dandiya Night at The Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Arshiya

Suvasini, Swati, Asha & Vani

Nympha, Sally & Rose Sangeeta, Kahkashan, Meenakshi, Pallavi & Jaya

Neeti & Samina

98 November 2018

Gopika, Jyoth & Kalpana

Avanthika, Tanvi, Bhwani & Julia

www.bahrainthismonth.com

END OF SUMMER

BD 149++ INCLUSIONS : Stay for a night in One Bedroom Private Pool Villa Breakfast Lunch or Dinner BD 20 Spa Voucher 2 tickets to LPOD Waterpark

Valid only for every Saturday-Wednesday

dining Chef Giancarlo Perbellini

Chef Wout Bru

Chef Vineet Bhatia

THE GULF HOTEL BAHRAIN CONVENTION & SPA

Triple Michelin-Starred Whammy!

The Gulf Hotel will welcome a trio of Michelin-starred chefs this month to work their magic in the iconic venue’s kitchens.

As well as upgrades and special offers in many of the hotel’s award-winning restaurants, November promises to be a treat for all you serious foodies, with a chance to meet, greet and dine with some of the world’s most celebrated culinary masters.

The Artisan Cook Keeping a watchful eye on the relaunched restaurant which bears his name, La Pergola by Perbellini sees the return of chef Giancarlo Perbellini from November 4 to 9. He’s known for his devotion to fresh, seasonal, local produce tempering the taste of tradition with innovation, and is famed for his amazing pastry creations and all-round creativity.

The TV Star The Gulf Hotel prides its outlets not only for delectable culinary journeys, but also on exclusive experiences, that will leave you with a taste to remember! And that’s certainly true from November 20 to 24 when two-Michelin-starred celeb chef Wout Bru takes over the kitchen at Fusions. Chef Bru has presented several TV cooking shows and is a judge on the second season of the Flemish version of MasterChef.

His speciality is revisiting the classics to take them to another level.

100 November 2018

The Indian Trailblazer Vineet Bhatia is widely regarded as the ‘face’ of modern, progressive Indian cuisine. He created history in 2001 by being the first Indian chef-patron to receive the coveted Michelin star. He returns to The Gulf Hotel’s Rasoi by Vineet from November 27 to December 1 and guests can join in a cooking class with the master and share the lunch table with him.

Elsewhere in the hotel, the all-new Al Waha restaurant is now open, featuring new décor and even more amazing food to try. It’s open all week. Head down on Friday to try the huge buffet brunch or Saturday for the special Arabic brunch. There’s also a spectacular seafood evening on Thursdays with cooking stations by the pool and live music.

And, at China Garden, chef Ding welcomes Peking duck lovers to enjoy the authentic and amazing taste of aromatised duck with Hoisin sauce, scallions and homemade Chinese pancakes paired with a special red grape.

The hotel’s regular cooking classes run on November 3, 10 and 17, with a star class on November 24 with guest chef Wout Bru. Call 17 713-000. www.bahrainthismonth.com

dining

HIDDEN GEMS IN BAHRAIN

JOE MAMA’S

by BILL GRIEVE

I

t’s only fair to say that not all burger joints are the same – or equal – because some are more equal than others and Joe Mama’s in American Alley, Juffair, is living proof of that.

Americans will know Joe Mama’s and the reputation it has for good food – fast and fairpriced – and that’s exactly what you get from Joe Mama’s in Bahrain.

US Navy Base servicemen and women will find themselves entirely at home inside this quaint little eatery hidden midway down American Alley. Stealthily positioned amongst the kaleidoscope of restaurants is this little beauty forming the centrepiece diamond.

The burgers are outstanding, the signature fries to-die-for, and the rest of the menu – well, you’ll need to taste them one at a time to find out which you enjoy the most. No two dishes are identical and every one is a

gastronomical feast that sets this little eatery apart from the others in this literal carnival of eateries and restaurants.

Take a look at the menu; whatever you select it’s going to surprise you. One thing is for sure – eat there once and you are going to keep going back!

Great food, incredibly clean and neat kitchen upstairs, clean toilets and a contemporary theme to the internal décor makes for a pleasant visit and an outstanding dining experience.

Seating is available for 20 guests inside and another 12 outside. The Juffair branch is open from 11.30am to 1am on weekdays and up to 3am on weekends.

Call 17 464-040.

Sarah, Sharika, Janine & Amber

JJ’s 19th Anniversary JJ’s Irish Restaurant celebrated its 19th anniversary at its premises.

To view more images, scan the QR code The cake-cutting ceremony

Khalid, Kareem & Faisal

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Stasha, Candice, Kelly& Amanda

Rosana & Maria

Mayssa & Mohammed

Ezara & Ahmed

November 2018 101

tablehopping

LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN

WITH LOVE FROM BEVERLY HILLS

When? Every day Event? Cake by Weight Venue? Furn Bakery, The Westin City Centre Bahrain Enjoy a variety of cakes sold by weight to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Partake in week-long gourmet festivities for Diwali at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa’s Indian restaurant – Call 17 171-000.

Rivaaj – from November 4-11. Enjoy this festival of lights When? Every Monday and with an authentic Indian gastronomic experience, full of Tuesday flavourful dishes, with a special Diwali Street Food Edition Event? Discover India Set Menu featuring live cooking stations on November 8 and 9. Your Venue? Rivaaj, Sofitel Bahrain experience is complemented with exotic live performances Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa Experience extraordinary flavours of to ensure you and your family have an entertaining evening. authentic Indian royal cuisine by Lunch will be served from 12.30pm to 3pm, and dinner epicurean chef Javed Qureshi at BD10. from 7pm to 11pm.

Call 17 636-363.

Call 17 636-363.

When? Every Friday Event? Themed Friday Brunch BOXED DELIGHTS Venue? Downtown Rotana Take a culinary journey through the 50 states of America at the new, themed Friday Brunch at Flavours on 2. The buffet costs BD22 inclusive of soft drinks, or BD32 inclusive of selected beverages.

A PRESTIGIOUS ACCOLADE

Call 13 119-999.

When? Every Saturday Event? Saturday Brunch Fiesta Venue? Cantina Kahlo, The RitzCarlton, Bahrain

Enjoy authentic dishes, taco station, irresistible sweets and festive décor for BD35 including select beverages, or BD20 including soft drinks.

Call 17 586-499.

When? Every Thursday and Friday Event? Asian Street Food Buffet Venue? Soie Restaurant, Sheraton Bahrain Hotel

Savour Chinese and Malaysian dishes priced at BD15 per person.

Maki, the chic Japanese restaurant, offers a variety of Bento Boxes that are served exclusively during lunch hours on weekdays. Each lunch box contains a full meal including salads, sashimi and/or sushi, a maki roll, and a main dish.

There are various bento boxes available: Issa Bento, Light Bento and Wazani Bento.

Call 17 522-733.

FESTIVE FARE

Call 17 533-533.

Enjoy Indian delicacies, a chaat corner, LED dance performance, kids’ corner and more for just BD10.

Call 17 535-000.

Taste traditional Indian flavours for BD11, inclusive of non-alcoholic beverages, and be entertained by a DJ and host, as well as quizzes and giveaways.

Call 17 531-122.

102 November 2018

The K Hotel’s executive chef, Nitai Chand, has been awarded the title of ‘Certified World Master Chef’ from the World Master Chef Society. He has harboured a passion for cooking since childhood, watching his mother cook at home. Although he started his career with traditional, authentic cuisines, his forte is fusion cooking, incorporating modern culinary styles into his dishes. The title of Master Chef is awarded only after stringent screening of those holding executive chef positions, with a strong multi-culinary background. To taste chef Nitai’s creative preparations, head to The K Hotel in Juffair.

Call 17 360-000.

A TIME FOR GRATITUDE

When? November 1 Event? Navrang Diwali Venue? Golden Tulip Bahrain

When? November 8 Event? Diwali Dhamaka Venue? Spices Indian Restaurant, The Crowne Plaza Bahrain

There will be a pop-up version of celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s legendary Spago restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. On November 8 and 9, each and every detail of the Spago experience will be authentically recreated at CUT

by Wolfgang Puck steakhouse – from the cocktail list, to the staff uniforms and the two-Michelin-starred cuisine by chef Tetsu Yahigi, who will be flying in from the US to cook up a storm in the kitchen. On November 8 and 9, guests can choose between a six- (priced at BD42++) or nine-course (priced at BD57++) tasting menu with optional grape pairing for dinner. On November 9, lunch includes a choice of a three- (for BD26++) or five-course (for BD32++) menu with optional beverage package for BD10++.

Call 17 115-044.

Enjoy a traditional Indian feast on the auspicious occasion of Diwali at Jashan, the decadent Indian dining spot by the tranquil poolside of the Wyndham Garden Manama, Juffair. The buffet is priced at BD10 and will be on from 7pm to 10pm, inclusive of unlimited soft beverages and live family entertainment.

Call 66 316-666.

Baharat Restaurant at Le Méridien City Centre Bahrain will host a Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 22. Join in to break bread with your family or enjoy an intimate dinner for two on this significant occasion. A scrumptious feast featuring succulent turkey will be served in a setting of luxurious ambience, making it a memorable dinner for sure. The buffet, from 6.30pm to 11pm, costs BD24, including soft drinks and water, or BD29, including selected free-flow beverages.

Call 17 171-441. www.bahrainthismonth.com

tablehopping

A LEISURELY LUNCH

La Med at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, hosts a lavish lunch every Friday from noon to 3.30pm. From the influence of the East to the West and everything in between, the luxury food line-up is paired with special beverages to uplift your spirits and allow you to make the most of your weekend.

The buffet is priced at BD35++ inclusive of soft drinks, or BD39++ inclusive of selected beverages.

Call 17 586-499.

A JOYOUS DINNER

Join Al Safir Restaurant at the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel for special Diwali celebrations on November 7 and 8. Revel in the brightly lit festival while you savour delectable curries and traditional Indian delicacies at the Diwali Dinner Buffet from 7.30pm to 11.30pm. The meal is priced at BD10++ per person.

Call 17 533-533.

UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN

RETRO MADNESS

When? November 10 Event? Slow Food Concept Venue? La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Arts

Embrace the conscious food notion with the Slow Food concept. Slow Food is a global, grassroots organisation, involving millions of people in over 160 countries, working to ensure everyone has access to good, clean and fair food.

Vendors will showcase delicious and healthy products for visitors to purchase, from 2pm to 6pm. They’ll also have an opportunity to become a member of Slow Food International.

Entry costs BD5.

Call 17 230-123.

When? November 22-23 Event? Thanksgiving Feast Venue? Al Murjan Ballroom, Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain

Enjoy Thanksgiving meat and cocktails at Thursday Night Out on November 22 for BD32, including unlimited premium beverages, and a Thanksgiving brunch on November 23 for BD36, including unlimited selected drinks.

Call 17 460-017.

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa’s Fiamma restaurant brings Tuscany to Bahrain from November 15-24. Enjoy a ‘delizioso’ Fiamma à la carte menu with authentic Italian specialties prepared personally by chef Marco Terranova, designed to satisfy all your Italian food cravings.

Experience captivating flavours celebrating the gastronomy and grapes of the region, featuring a lavish, themed buffet during the weekend, with live performances and much more. The buffet is priced at BD18 inclusive of soft beverages, and BD22 inclusive of selected drinks.

Call 17 636-363.

It’s time for the Madness Tribute Band Brunch party at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain on November 29. Head over to the Sherlock Holmes for an outrageous 70s-, 80s- and 90s-themed brunch. Revel in golden tunes played live by One Step Behind, a tribute band from the UK, accompanied

by DJ Rob on the decks. The brunch includes unlimited selected buffet pub food and unlimited selected beverages, and is available on ‘first come, first served’ basis, so advance bookings are recommended. Prices are BD23 for early bird tickets, members of NSA Bahrain and the Prestige Club. Tickets cost BD28 at the door.

Call 66 901-323.

ARTISANAL FARE Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts worldwide are celebrating Swiss cuisine and the culinary versatility of chocolate with a new global menu of savoury dishes featuring a sweet twist.

The ‘Chocolate on the Salty Side’ promotion is ongoing up to November 20 at the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain, where Mövenpick chocolate is the hero of seven dishes. From salmon fillets enlivened with dark chocolate, to a savoury tarte tartin with a white chocolate flourish, each creation offers up something distinctively flavourful and showcases the wonderful versatility of the ingredient. Guests can finish their meal with a tempting ‘chocolate pavés au chocolat’, combining milk chocolate, crispy cocoa bean fragments, sizzling pecan nuts and slightly bitter matcha powder, all with a hint of green tea and paired with an espresso.

Visit www.movenpick.com/chocolate www.bahrainthismonth.com

November 2018 103

marketplace

CORAL BAY

Sports by the Sea Coral Bay’s newest innovation, Sports Bay Bahrain, offers a great experience for fans that’s proving increasingly popular.

Launched just a few months ago, Sports Bay is located at the island’s favourite leisure resort, Coral Bay, and provides sports fans with a unique opportunity to enjoy a high-energy, classy, sports-themed setting that also offers delicious international cuisine.

The venue is equipped with 10-plus large, HD flat-screen TVs which are situated to make sure you’re never far away from the action, so you’ll get the feeling of almost being there as you cheer your favourite team on in a huge range of international sports. Plus there are dart boards and a pool table for when the sporting action is a little quieter.

The Sports Bay concept relies on providing an atmosphere in which guests can relax while watching a sporting event in a comfortable environment. It strives to be the premier sports-theme bar on the island, offering a unique beachside environment.

A chilled-out spot by the water where you can enjoy drinks with friends while listening to the hottest beats mixed by live local and international DJs, Sports Bay aims to step ahead of the competition and wants guests to have more fun during their leisure time.

A spokesman says: “We combine menu selection, atmosphere, ambience and service to create a sense of ‘place’ in order to reach our goal of overall value in a dining or entertainment experience.”

Open daily from 9am till 2am, Sports Bay also offers an international à la carte menu.

Located on the calm and peaceful shores of the Arabian Gulf nestled within Coral Bay, it is an experience just waiting for you. Explore and discover the location with all the exoticism of a tropical island but all the convenience of a top-of-the-range resort.

Live it up and escape to Bahrain’s favourite leisure resort, Coral Bay. Call 17 312-700 or email info@coral-bay.net 104 November 2018

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

Au Soleil Launch

Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts launched Au Soliel: a Summer SoirĂŠe by Le Meridien at Le Meridien City Centre Bahrain.

To view more images, scan the QR code Management and guests at the launch

Ali, HE Agus Salim Haji Yusof, Jamal & Taher

HE Nor Huda, Anna Marie & HE Agus Salim Haji Yusof

Sveta, Snej, Nina & Oksana

Hajan, Youssra & Estella

Ekaterina, Marina & Aisling

LIVE THE AMWAJ WAY STARTING FROM

550

BHD

1600-0061

3838 9256 | 3840 5933 WWW.ROYALAMBASSADORBH.COM

www.bahrainthismonth.com

November 2018 105

marketplace AL RASHID GROUP

Perfect New Season Fashions Mothercare’s Autumn Collection 2018 features country colours, preppy prints and urban styling – a perfect fit for a perfect fall!

Mothercare, the one-stop destination and leading omni-channel children’s retail brand in the Kingdom from Landmark Group, has launched its latest exciting apparel range, the Autumn Collection 2018. Featuring a variety of styles at great prices, Mothercare’s autumn collection focuses on the trends in minimal design, hints of retro characters, street style, sporty motifs, florals and natural elements that are all brought to life in mixes of pastels along with deeper hues for the balmy outdoor season.

The collection is characterised by strong and richly coloured palettes of greys, darker greens and burgundy, offering perfect styling combinations. Meanwhile, for active days, a selection of heavier quality fabrics and knitwear across jogger pants, hoodies, sweat tops, T-shirts and jackets, are also on show.

Boys: • The look for the season is about being sporty, rugged and preppy.

• The collection displays various winter shades from bright blue to

Juniors Denim Pants Giggles Pullover & Jogger Set

deep burgundy, combined with dense all-over prints.

• The ensemble will get the boys ready for the urban outdoors, street style of the city and bring out their inner superheroes.

Girls: • The girls’ range is inspired by caramel lakes, enchanted animals and a touch of country vibes interweaving fun styles with fine details.

• Sweat tops, jackets, cardigans and knit woven dresses are just some of the highlights of the collection as well as heavier knits and jackets.

• Last but not the least, the three Ps — pleats, print and patterns — will adorn the wardrobes of little girls in autumn.

The theme of this new collection is spread amongst all brands available at Mothercare – Juniors, Giggles, Eligo, Lee Cooper, Barbie, Disney, Hello Kitty and My Little Pony, to name a few.

This shrink-free, perfect-fit collection offers great value, with prices starting as low as BD1.9 and is now available across all Mothercare and Centrepoint stores in Bahrain as well as online at www.mothercarestores.com

Juniors Gillet Juniors Graphic T-Shirt

Juniors Denim Skirt

Juniors Padded Jacket

Posh Glitter Slogan T-Shirt

Juniors Pants Set Juniors Tops Set

Juniors Jog Set

Juniors Printed T-Shirt

106 November 2018

Juniors Sweater

Posh Bomber Jacket Posh T-Shirt Juniors Sweattop

Lee Cooper Shirt Lee Cooper T-Shirt

www.bahrainthismonth.com

marketplace SOFITEL BAHRAIN ZALLAQ THALASSA SEA & SPA

An Edenesque Getaway Discover the paradise of Thalassa and indulge in the health benefits of sea water at the serene and idyllic surroundings of Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa. Allow your body and mind to connect in perfect harmony at Sofitel Bahrain’s rejuvenating spa, which covers 2,000sq/m of the resort. It is the first and only Thalassa Sea & Spa in the entire Middle East to offer thalassotherapy, a treatment that uses salt water to relax and detoxify your body, with health benefits.

Designed to ensure privacy and tranquillity, the complex is separated into 14 different rooms – six are for dry treatments such as massages, while the other eight are for the thalassotherapy and other water-dependent treatments. The complex is infused with a soothing aroma and also boasts a cutting-edge seawater hydrotherapy pool, a freshwater pool, saunas, steam rooms, hairdresser for men, beauty salon for women, as well as a recreation and yoga studio.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

With a permanent focus on purity, the sea water used in the Thalassa Sea & Spa is sourced from the deep waters of the open sea, filtered, and then heated to 33°C. This promotes the relaxation of muscles, stimulates the blood-flow, and helps the absorption of active ingredients.

This method of deriving seawater to create an idyllic feeling has made Thalassa Sea & Spa the forerunner of thalassotherapy in France, and now in the Middle East at Sofitel Bahrain.

Pamper yourself this November with the special

90-minute Thalassa Autumn Escape Package, for BD50, which includes: • Seawater Hydromassage Bath: Relax and revive your body, and enjoy great health benefits – 30 minutes • Marine Body Wrap: Relieve stress and indulge in a unique rejuvenation experience – 30 minutes • Express Facial Treatment: Skin renewal and detoxification – 30 minutes Call 17 636-391.

November 2018 107

marketplace MIDDLE EAST GROUP OF HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL CENTERS

A Common Ailment Highlighted

Dr Harish Talan

psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) among others; infectious, presenting as infection in a joint; and metabolic, also known as gouty arthritis.

Doctor Harish Talan explains the causes and treatments of arthritis.

Arthritis is all around us; it impacts individuals, families, employers and the national economy. It is the leading cause of disability in the US with around 54 million diagnosed cases. This figure is expected to rise to 78 million by 2040.

In the US, osteoarthritis affects 31 million people and it is more common among those who also have other conditions – 49 per cent of heart disease sufferers, 47 per cent of diabetics and 31 per cent of obese people also have arthritis.

What is arthritis?

It is a common term and an informal way of describing joint pain or swelling. However, there are 100 types of arthritis. People of all ages, races and sexes may be affected. Symptoms include swelling around the joint, pain and stiffness with a decreased range of movement. Chronic patients may develop permanent joint damage and limitation of daily activities.

Types of arthritis include: degenerative – often osteoarthritis in which the protective cartilage surrounding the ends of the bones becomes damaged; inflammatory – inflammation of the joint and surrounding tissues, including rheumatoid arthritis,

108 November 2018

What is the treatment?

Treatment depends on the type of arthritis; however, the common goal is to keep joints moving properly by relieving the pain, stiffness and swelling. Medical management can be achieved through taking proper medications like NSAIDs (for example aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc). Surgical treatments comprise arthroscopic procedures such as joint debridement and ligament reconstruction. Osteotomy may be used to correct deformity and, for damaged joints with deformity, replacement surgery is advised.

This is the most successful surgery of recent times.

Advancements in computer-assisted and roboticassisted joint replacement surgery have led to the prolonging of implant survival to more than 20 years.

Can arthritis be prevented?

Some kinds of arthritis are preventable but some are not. The progression of osteoarthritis can be arrested with appropriate exercise, weight reduction and correct posture. Gout can be prevented with a change in lifestyle and eating habits. In children with rheumatic fever, penicillin prevents arthritis. Some diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and different collagen diseases such as SLE are not preventable. But, in such cases, early diagnosis and aggressive treatment helps to prevent the progression of disease.

Call 17 362-233 or follow on Facebook: mehospitalbh and Instagram: @mehgroup www.bahrainthismonth.com

marketplace AMBASSADOR STORES

A Superior Listening Experience The Yamaha MusicCast wireless speakers allow you to enjoy music and movies at home without the hassle of wired connections.

Good music should never tie you down. Yamaha presents two wireless speakers – the black MusicCast 50 WX-051 and the MusicCast 20 WX-021 – that give you high-quality sound without having to sort through a jumble of wires. These nifty devices are equipped with Bluetooth, Apple Airplay, Wi-Fi and Spotify connect technologies to hook up to nearly any wireless component at home, as well as an Ethernet port for wired network connectivity.

With these speakers, it’s easy to play songs and control audio with the MusicCast app, which is available on Android and iOS devices. For an amplified audio effect, two speakers can be paired together. This can also be done for a superior surround sound effect while watching your favourite movies.

You have the added advantage of adding one or two speakers to a MusicCast surround-capable receiver to provide wireless surround speakers in your home theatre system. After a future firmware update, you will be able to add a MusicCast SUB 100 to a pair of MusicCast 50 or 20 speakers.

The amplifiers are not only sleek to look at, but they also fit any style of room. They have standard and bass booster sound modes as well as a built-in alarm. They allow hands-free operation with your Amazon Alexaenabled devices and are designed to provide powerful, room-filling sound.

Explore new tunes with the speakers’ built-in live streaming music service. Sync your personal playlists and favourite songs from your smartphone or computer to the MusicCast 50. For a superb home theatre experience, just place your wireless speaker at the back of the room, replacing the need for surround sound speakers. Also, connecting to the same brand’s AV Receiver means no more unsightly cables around your room. You can listen to your tunes from any room of your home by simply connecting all your MusicCast devices to the same network.

To test this handy gizmo for yourself, just download the free MusicCast app and use the demo mode to see what a difference it makes to enjoying music the way you want to.

Yamaha MusicCast speakers can be purchased at Ambassador Stores, Bahrain, which also stocks other high-end brands like Shure, Klipsch, B&W, Audio-Technica, Hercules and Proel. The outlet, located in Bab Al Bahrain, Manama, is the sole distributor of Seiko and Alba watches in the Kingdom.

Ambassador Stores has long been offering its discerning customers in Bahrain the best brands in musical instruments, high-quality home entertainment systems, elegant and much-desired watches and clocks, and the very latest high-tech gadgets and accessories, all available at attractive deals.

Call 17 225-513. www.bahrainthismonth.com

November 2018 109

marketplace BAHRAIN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL

Is Orthodontic Treatment Inevitable?

Dr Supradeep Kumar Kamisetty

Specialist orthodontist Dr Supradeep Kumar Kamisetty answers the question.

Considering 80 per cent of teens are currently undergoing orthodontic treatment, braces and Invisalign Teen seem like rites of passage.

Every day, parents visiting our orthodontic clinic ask, “Will my kid need braces?” or “Are braces inevitable?” There are a variety of factors that determine the answer. To shed light on the subject, we’ll go over when braces are needed, the causes of malocclusion or an improper bite, and if orthodontic treatment can be avoided with preventive measures.

Will My Child Need Braces?

Haven’t we all crossed paths with one of those lucky people who have a fantastic smile without the help of orthodontics? Yet they seem so few and far between. That’s because research indicates that 80 per cent of kids and teens have some degree of malocclusion, with crowding being the most common, followed by overjet, often referred to as an overbite. While anyone in this 80 per cent could benefit in some way from braces or Invisalign, not all of them will be in jeopardy if they skip the teeth-straightening process, particularly those with very mild cases.

Mostly, treatment is recommended to improve oral hygiene, for cosmetic purposes and to ensure long-term oral health. It’s 110 November 2018

estimated that around 15 per cent of patients have a serious, handicapping malocclusion, meaning it interferes with chewing, speaking or even causes pain. In these cases, it’s absolutely necessary to seek out treatment and the earlier you do so, the better.

Statistically, it’s highly likely that your child will have a degree of malocclusion. Whether or not they wear braces, unless they fall into the 15 per cent with serious orthodontic issues, will be a personal choice. However, when weighing the pros and cons, know that the benefits of straight teeth include being able to properly clean them to avoid expensive, painful dental work and having aligned jaws, which may ward off TMJ pain, headaches and changes to facial structure, preventing future bone loss, and more. Also, considering we’re a society that really values the appearance of people’s smiles, even patients whose crooked teeth are merely a cosmetic concern, particularly kids and teens who are vulnerable to teasing, will still want to consider braces or Invisalign. The power of self-confidence shouldn’t be underestimated!

What Causes Crooked Teeth?

A lot of orthodontic issues are caused by genetics. Crowding and spacing often present themselves because of an imbalance in the tooth-to-jaw-size relationship. With crowding, teeth can be too large for a smaller arch and

spacing is sometimes thanks to teeth that are too narrow for the jaw. Overjet and underbites are typically skeletal in nature and result from a discrepancy between the jaws. Crossbites, especially a back crossbite, are also subject to the genetic lottery.

Overjet is actually more common in certain ethnicities, including Caucasians and South Asians. A study found that humans’ transition from hunting and gathering to farming may have led to a shortening of the jaw that left less room for teeth, remember, we said crowding was the most common orthodontic problem.

This is because, with the advent of farming, easier to chew, processed foods became the staples of our diet and we no longer needed such robust jaws.

While genetics play a huge role in the alignment of our teeth and jaws, certain habits and environmental factors can also create problems or worsen existing ones. Thumb sucking, extended pacifier and bottle use, nail biting and pen biting and losing baby teeth too early are tied to a range of diagnoses including front crossbite, crowding and spacing.

Make an appointment with Dr Supradeep Kumar Kamisetty and find out how your smile can be improved.

Call 17 812-000, 17 812-222, 17 812-235 or email supradeep@bsh.com.bh www.bahrainthismonth.com

marketplace SAAR MALL

Shop in Style

Enjoy retail therapy at Saar Mall, a one-stop shop that boasts a plethora of shopping outlets as well as entertainment options for you and your entire family.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Saar Mall is a medium-sized shopping centre located in central Saar. The 7,500sq/m retail haven is a threelevel development consisting of basement, ground and first floor, with 70 commercial units catering to the various needs of the general public. Since its opening in 2013, the establishment has contributed towards further urbanisation of the area.

The arcade has a stylish and contemporary look and offers something for everyone, including several renowned brands and various restaurants and cafĂŠs.

Residents of the area and the neighbouring vicinities have the added convenience of grocery shopping,

thanks to Carrefour, located within the precincts of the mall. It also caters to important public utilities such as banks, mobile service providers, a pharmacy, money exchange house and an insurance company.

Customers can take advantage of various other lifestyle requirements including beauty salons, car rental companies, professional car cleaners, laundries and travel agents. It is home to several international food and beverage outlets, from popular fast-food brands, to coffee shops and eateries offering local cuisine.

Additionally, the mall has an indoor play area for little ones, the Big Game Zone for children of all ages, as well as a mini-cinema to keep children entertained.

The management of the shopping centre works hand in hand with all its stores to effectively reach out to its customers. It not only undertakes advertising for its tenants through social media, but also holds significant large-scale events to involve the community in festivals like Eid and campaigns like breast cancer awareness.

Saar Mall has made a mark in Bahrain and carved a niche for itself as an upmarket retail destination that fulfils all the daily needs of islanders, along with providing courteous services and a safe environment to both customers and tenants alike.

Call 17 790-203.

November 2018 111

marketplacebusinessbites

CSR Efforts Recognised

Citi Wins Digital Awards During the recent Digital Banks and Innovators Awards Dinner, Global Finance magazine announced the 2018 regional sub-category winners, with Citi Bahrain taking the Best Overall Corporate/ Institutional Digital Bank award as well as being named the Best Consumer Digital Bank for the Middle East. Usman Ahmed,

CEO of Citi Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar says: “We have set the bar high and invested heavily in our solutions and products to ensure the best digital experience for both our institutional and consumer banking clients. This is a testament to Citi regaining its position as a leading digital bank.”

Skills Centre Inauguration The Minister of Education, HE Dr Majid bin Ali Al-Nuaimi, inaugurated the Clinical Simulation and Skills Centre at Arabian Gulf University (AGU). The centre aims to support and promote basic research on the use of clinical simulation techniques, and to build strategic partnerships with global medical simulation centres to enhance the status and services of AGU’s facility. “The Clinical Simulation and Skills Centre provides an interactive environment that simulates the hospital, from which students can learn and train. They may examine the mannequins, which are programmed to exhibit symptoms of any disease, as if they were patients. The students deal with cases in an integrated manner to determine the type of treatment,” says Dr Khalid bin Abdulrahman Al Ohali, president of AGU.

Global Industry Award for Al Muqla Khamis Al Muqla, founder and president of the International Advertising Association (IAA) Bahrain Chapter and chairman of the Gulf Marcom Group, was honoured for the third time by the international advertising industry. He was granted an Honorary Life Membership Award for his service to the IAA and his work as a communication leader.

At the IAA Inspire Awards and dinner, IAA world president and chairman, Felix Tataro, presented the Inspire Award and Honorary Life Membership to Khamis Al Muqla, saying: “This is in recognition of 112 November 2018

your contribution to advancing the aims and objectives of the IAA in the Kingdom of Bahrain and your long and distinguished services in supporting the association’s activities and the global marketing communications industry.”

Telecommunications giant VIVA Bahrain received an award for its Excellence in Community Partnership with Charity at the recent Bahrain International CSR and Sustainability Conference.

The company was awarded in recognition of its grassroots CSR initiatives such as its ‘Iftar Saem’.

This annual Ramadan initiative distributes food boxes for the less fortunate to break their fast. So far, more than 75,000 boxes have been handed over.

The Fereej VIVA initiative was also highlighted.

Launched in 2015, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, the initiative focuses on benefitting Bahraini women with low-incomes and reaches out to the wider Bahraini community of women living under challenging conditions.

VIVA’s partnership with the Conserving Bounties Society was also recognised. Together they source surplus food from large gatherings or hotels and restaurants and deliver food parcels to families in need with 280,500 meal parcels distributed to date.

AMEX Launches Accelerator Programme

With the aim of bringing powerful backing to powerful ideas, American Express Middle East has launched Accelerate ME in Bahrain in partnership with the Nest, to bring together the next generation of start-ups and newly established SMEs (Small and Medium-size Enterprises) from around the world. The programme is focused on delivering innovative digital solutions to customers and business partners in the region.

Operating from a specially appointed innovation lab at American Express Middle East’s headquarters in Bahrain, Accelerate ME will provide a highly supportive and collaborative environment for seven selected start-ups and give them the opportunity to pitch their solutions.

The eight-week programme will provide a real-time opportunity for those participating to work alongside the highly experienced digital and business innovation teams within American Express Middle East, as well as helping them explore Bahrain’s emerging fintech and start-ups ecosystem. www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

Nippon Food Festival

Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa held a Nippon Food Festival at Ruka Japanese restaurant.

Hossam & Lina

Jay & Rohit

To view more images, scan the QR code

Yousif & Kumar

Hussain

Hossam, Arun, Faraz & Naveen

Huda

Zainab & Natalia

Meena, Harish & Ratinder

Irfan

Vytautas

Kelvin & Vy

Rachana, Geeta Kamboj, Archana, Ratinder, Vicky & Balraj

Engagement Party

Sandeep and Minal (Minz) celebrated their engagement party with family and friends at Wyndham Garden Hotel, Juffair.

Sandeep & Minz

To view more images, scan the QR code Boris & Manuela

Karan, KN Singh, Ratinder, Gurcharan, Harjit, Kundan, Mahender & Mona

Kewalram’s family with the couple

www.bahrainthismonth.com

November 2018 113

bystander

Award Ceremony

Ramada Manama City Centre and Bukhowa Investments held a ‘Best of Ramada Award’ reception at its premises.

To view more images, scan the QR code

The awarding ceremony

Esmahn Bukhowa & Adel Bukhowa

Fadel

Desmond, Mena & Rawsan

Nabila & Khulood

Abrar, Fatema & Nada

Fatema & Momen

114 November 2018

Rania & Eslam

Rahul, Javed & Mukesh

Reem & Noor

Hussain & Rev

www.bahrainthismonth.com

lifestylewhat'snew

What’s New Edited by Apple Sharma

Starry, Starry Night Van Cleef & Arpels’ Poetic Astronomy family of watches presents a new set of 12 feminine Lady Arpels Zodiac Lumineux models. These creations recreate the sparkle of the stars with an exclusive lighton-demand module, with several enamel beads lighting up the dials of the 12 zodiac signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.

Available at Van Cleef & Arpels Boutique, Moda Mall.

Arm Candy Michael Kors introduces a special-edition Whitney handbag for the Middle East. Designed as a group of 24x7, work-to-weekend bags, the Whitney combines sophisticated silhouettes with on-the-go versatility.

Offered in deep, rich admiral blue, this is a small shoulder bag crafted from fine, panel-quilted lambskin, featuring an adjustable, gold-tone leather-and-chainlink shoulder strap, and sleek, distinctive push-lock fastening with pyramid stud detailing.

Available at Michael Kors, City Centre Bahrain.

Together Stronger This Emporio Armani fragrances duo continues a genuine celebration of love.

Equal in strength, Because It’s You is perfectly feminine, and Stronger With You generously masculine.

Just like a pair of lovers, the two scents talk to each other, defying, seducing and seeking the other.

Available at leading retailers.

A Brilliant Bouquet Carat, the new fragrance by Cartier, brings together the seven colours of the rainbow in a single, clear and pure white scent like the fire of a diamond. Violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red are represented here by layered floral tones of violet, iris, hyacinth, ylang, daffodil, honeysuckle and tulip.

Available at all Al Hawaj outlets.

Cool and Casual Embracing timeless elegance and relaxed comfort, LACOSTE introduces a new standalone Paris Collection of sun and optical styles. The frames are characterised by well-balanced proportions and subtle details. The collection presents three lines of products: the Paris Polo, the Ultrathin Metal and the Ultrathin Combo. Each of the sunglasses are enhanced with ZEISS Sunlens Originals – a new selection of authentic lens tints in blue, green and brown.

Available at Lacoste, Seef Mall and City Centre Bahrain. www.bahrainthismonth.com

November 2018 115

lifestylegadgets BTM brings you the latest gadgets to push your technological buttons.

Immerse Virtual Reality Headset Watch 3D movies, dive into a virtual world and play simulated games, all on this one device. Place your phone into the slot on the headset and load up the accompanying VR apps, and enjoy 360-degree virtual environments, which move along with your head thanks to gyroscopic technology.

Available at www.menkind.co.uk

Shower Clock Radio This water-resistant radio features a digital clock so you won’t spend too much time singing along to your favourite tunes via the FM radio, and you have the option to either hang it up or use the suction cup.

Available at www.thinkgeek.com

Helium Levitate This speaker defies gravity by floating on an invisible cloud of magnetic force while it spins and plays music in crystal-clear clarity. You can attach it to anything metal, and it comes with a built-in mic so you can use it to make calls. Connect via Bluetooth or the included AUX cable.

Available at www.amazon.com

The Real Book Safe The realism of this secret safe disguise should keep your treasured belongings under wraps. It’s a hardback book with real paper pages that perfectly blend into its surroundings on the bookshelf. Concealed within the inconspicuous ‘book’ is a lockable metal safe with two keys.

Available at www.amazon.com

FIXR – 20 Tools in 1 This nifty piece of kit contains 20 tools in one compact design.

Crafted from stainless steel, it has a gold titanium-treated rotating tool disc, a stainless steel nut and clip as well as a carbon steel blade to see you through any DIY dilemma.

Available at www.amazon.com

116 November 2018

www.bahrainthismonth.com

lifestylegadgets

iClip Wallet This extremely compact wallet is the size of a credit card, so it should fit in any pocket. Slim and lightweight, its rounded corners protect your clothing from wear and tear, and the big viewing window at the back allows you to access your cards with ease. Made from high-tech resin, the clip to hold your notes and cards is durable as well as flexible and will not damage the magnetic strips on your debit or credit cards.

Available at: www.thinkgeek.com

6 in 1 Pen Tool This useful tool is not only a normal writing pen, but packs some nifty hidden features. Inside its metal casing it has a stylus tip for touch screen, a Philips screwdriver head, a flat screwdriver head, a spirit level and a ruler with inches and centimetre markings.

Available at www.menkind.co.uk

Spy Watch This stylish, covert watch records video and audio, takes photographs, is splash-proof and, of course, tells the time! This timepiece packs a hidden video and sound recorder, and can take photos at the touch of a button. It has 4GB of built-in storage, more than enough space to take hours of video surveillance in computer-ready AVI format, capture high-quality photographs of your quarry, or record crystal-clear audio.

Available at www.thinkgeek.com

Fruit-Juice Extractor

All-Day Rechargeable Fan Beat the Bahrain heat with this device. It has three fan speed settings (low, medium and high) and a handy stand allowing you to prop it up for optimum cooling power. It can also simultaneously charge up your phone or MP3 player via its USB slot.

Available at www.menkind.co.uk

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Skip the process of picking out annoying seeds from your fruit and get straight into the good stuff with this extractor. Simple to use, just screw it in and you’re ready to go.

Available at www.menkind.co.uk

November 2018 117

lifestylemusic

Twenty One Pilots – Trench What’s the story?

Trench is the fifth studio album by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots (TOP). A concept album set in the fictional city of Dema and the surrounding valley known as ‘Trench’, it is the band’s first studio album in three years and serves as a follow-up to their fourth studio album, Blurryface (2015). Trench continues the band’s exploration of themes surrounding insecurity, faith and mental illness by framing them within the conceptual world of Trench.

Worth a listen?

Advancing the narrative started on Blurryface, the Ohio duo continue the struggle with personal demons, diving deep into the darkness of the Trench and battling fresh enemies wrought from their newfound fame and fortune. The results are less carefree or pop-friendly, and instead comprise an engrossing conceptual journey that demands full attention, especially considering the album’s underlying mythology.

Dark and intense, it’s a gift to dedicated fans, a theory-packed, multimedia puzzle for those interested in delving into a rich story occupied by symbolic entities like Dema, the journal-writing Clancy, the mysterious Nico, and the nine bishops from the Blurryface days.

Sonically – while their trademark cross-genre, dub-influenced sounds remain – TOP expand their reach with some fresh tricks, sprinkling

Verdict: An intriguing and exciting concept album. surprises such as Tyler Joseph’s falsetto into the R&B-washed Morph and the funky My Blood; a horn section on Legend; and bright digital synths to second-half highlights The Hype, Cut My Lip, and Bandito.

Shorts

KT Tunstall – WAX WAX harks back to KT Tunstall’s first three albums with their catchy hooks and raw, emotional punch. Cleansing single The River sparkles with life, an empowering rallying cry, while the confessional Dark Side of Me and the smoky rocker The Healer recall her most electrifying moments. WAX is full of vigour, pulsing with a visceral charge on the strutting Little Red Thread and the infectious singalong In This Body. These effects add brightness and texture to her typically impeccable songcraft, resulting in a reinvigorated triumph for an artist who considered leaving music behind just years prior to WAX’s release.

118 November 2018

Coheed and Cambria The Unheavenly Creatures

Marie Davidson – Working Class Woman

After the sinister piano and spoken word Prologue, the band’s prog side comes straight to the fore on The Dark Sentencer, complete with twin-guitar leads, an angular riff, and proto-military chanting, that moves straight into its knotty melody with eternally youthful voice soaring over the top of the band’s raging attack. Throughout The Unheavenly Creatures, Coheed and Cambria incorporate structures, approaches, riffs, hooks and progressions from their twodecade lifespan. Even the few seemingly out of place moments are deliberate diversions to reward longtime fans.

Marie Davidson’s latest album is far more outgoing than her previous releases, in addition to being more introspective. Her observations are sharper and funnier than before, and the album’s sound design is much more daring and articulate. On opening piece Your Biggest Fan, she pokes fun at herself, as well as the state of life as a performing artist. The more ethereal Day Dreaming is a much starker reflection of the loneliness of touring life. Work It is a cheeky ode to the pursuit of success, with Davidson acting as a motivational coach over a stripped-down, driving beat. www.bahrainthismonth.com

lifestylegames

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Verdict: A stunning return to the past.

Rating:

What is it?

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is an action roleplaying game developed by Ubisoft Quebec, the 11th major instalment in the popular series. Set in the year 431BCE, the plot tells a fictional history of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta. Players control a male or female mercenary who fights for both sides as they attempt to unite their family and uncover a malign cult.

Gameplay

The game brings a fresh makeover to the series, and places more emphasis on role-playing elements. It contains dialogue options, branching quests and multiple endings. The player can also develop romantic relationships with non-playable characters of both genders, regardless of which one they choose. This all helps to make the world, and the people who inhabit it, feel like a living, breathing environment.

The player character, Alexios or Kassandra, is a mercenary, and a descendant of the Spartan king Leonidas I. They inherit his broken spear, which is forged into a blade to become a weapon that grants the player special abilities in combat. Along with a skill tree system

WWE 2K19

In WWE 2K19, experience authentic WWE gameplay, extensive creation options, engaging match types, fan-favourite modes and more. The game packs in a massive roster of popular WWE Superstars, Legends and Hall of Famers, as well as NXT favourites.

Engage in the action through jaw-dropping graphics, heart-pounding excitement and thousands of new gameplay animations that enable you to experience WWE at its most realistic level yet.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

that allows the player to unlock new abilities, it allows for the most diverse and intricate fighting the series has seen yet.

Graphics

Odyssey’s world is the biggest and most vibrantly colourful of the series. Even though much of it is blanketed in the fickle blue waters of the Aegean Sea, its playable acreage is immense and rivalled only by its sheer jaw-dropping beauty. Greece is a stunning series of picturesque locales: white-stone isles, eternally autumnal forests, sun-blasted desert islands, an endless expanse of beach, alabaster cities defended by titanic statues of bronze and stone, and the inviting, rolling waves of the open sea.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 offers a gritty, grounded, all-out combat experience, raising the bar with a Multiplayer mode that increases tactical gameplay and player choice, and also the biggest Zombies offering ever with three full experiences at launch.

New to the series is Blackout, where the Black Ops universe comes to life in a massive battle royale experience featuring iconic characters and locations from all four Black Ops.

Forza Horizon 4

Forza Horizon 4 is a racing game based in a fictional representation of the UK and features over 450 licensed cars. The game features a dynamic weather system that also depicts the change of seasons. The environment in the world will change depending on the season: for example, lakes will freeze over in winter and allow players the ability to explore regions of the game world that would be inaccessible during all the other seasons.

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lifestylewebsites

VERDICT: Extremely handy service which will keep important documents in one place.

DJ Redoxx Live Miami Events Bahrain held its White Perception Party featuring DJ Redoxx at Coral Bay. Fabio & DJ Redoxx

Sneha & Bee

Site: www.filethis.com Rating: To view more images, scan the QR code Pascual

Madonna, Jason & Ahmed

What is it?

FileThis is a new web-based service that automatically downloads your e-statements into your PC or cloud storage. It covers a wide spectrum of household paper filing, such bank statements, phone bills, tax documents, mortgage statements, credit card statements, insurance policies and benefits, online shopping accounts, utilities and more.

The Good

Kim & Marieke

Tich & Vuvu

FileThis encrypts your login information the moment you enter it. Once you’re on its servers, everything is encrypted to the highest standard so no one can decode your content, even if hackers were to somehow break in.

The few employees who manage the encryption process undergo the same rigorous security measures used in banks, including background checks..

The Bad

The list of covered institutions is finite. FileThis has to write code to connect to each institution and, though it plans to continue adding new ones, those with the largest demand take precedence. Therefore, it lacks regional institutions like health insurers or local utilities.

http://infinitejukebox.playlistmachinery.com/

Infinite Jukebox is perfect for those who like to listen to one song on repeat…for hours and hours on end.

This website lets you feed in a song, and it finds similar points throughout the music that it can use to generate an endless, on-the-fly

Birthday Celebration Sarbeth celebrated her 50th birthday at the Swiss-BelHotel Seef Bahrain.

Reynel & Sarbeth

remix of the song that goes for as long as you like.

www.any.do Fernando & Magnolia

Juan Carlos & Juanita

120 November 2018

Eliana & Ricardo

Adriana & Yannis

An extremely useful task manager for smartphones, and the website is especially useful when you need a big-picture view of your plans. With its gridbased, drag-and-drop layout, you can easily see everything in Any.do’s four distinct

categories: Today, Tomorrow, Upcoming and Someday. www.bahrainthismonth.com

lifestyleapps

Apps Review BTM brings you the low-down on the latest and greatest apps on the market.

App: Dark Skies Rating: Verdict: A bright and breezy weather app.

What is it?

A weather app that packs a ton of information, such as the current conditions, temperature (and whether it’s rising or falling), wind speed and direction, humidity, barometric pressure and visibility.

A variety of charts and, most niftily of all, a fully animated weather globe shows the severity of various weather conditions and a brief sentence lets you know what type and to what degree a certain type of weather will be coming within the next hour. A few simple clicks will take you to any city in the world.

The Good

It’s a beautiful app, stunningly designed and one that fits in perfectly with the design aesthetics of iOS. Everything about the app just works smoothly and intuitively, and the 3D-globe radar map is a stunning way to convey weather information.

The Bad

It’s a tough ask to pay for a weather app when there’s already one built in with the iPhone. There’s also a limitation on forecast data and the app provides few details further than an hour or so ahead; this is very much a ‘here and now’ weather app.

App: Daleni

App: Runmeter

After gaining massive popularity in Saudi Arabia, the Daleni app has extended its reach to Bahrain. With a large array of services, Daleni provides a more convenient and stress-free way of getting daily tasks done.

Developed by Al Azom Plus Trading Co, Daleni currently provides numerous home services including cleaning, man & van, pest control, maids and AC maintenance, with several other options scheduled to be included by the end of the year.

The app connects customers with authentic and professional service providers, who also supply all the necessary equipment when visiting a customer’s residence to ensure the hassle-free concept of the app.

Daleni can be downloaded from App Store and Google Play. For more information visit https://www.daleniksa.com/?lang=en

Rich with stats and highly customisable, Runmeter is one of the most comprehensive iPhone running apps around. Runmeter tracks just about everything there is to track during your outdoor workouts, from pace and distance to how many miles you’ve run over a selected period of time. It also provides health and wellness information, such as calorie-burning estimates and workout recommendations.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

November 2018 121

lifestylemovies

Halloween Film: Halloween Rating: Directed By: David Gordon Green Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Nick Castle

The Plot

After 40 years in a mental asylum, silent killer Michael Myers breaks loose and returns to Haddonfield, butcher knife at the ready. This time, however, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) — the sole survivor of his previous Halloween-night massacre — is ready for him, determined no longer to be a victim.

Worth Watching?

Halloween launched a hugely popular slasher franchise and, while many of the sequels had their moments, none could ever live up to the ghoulish heights of the 1978 original…until now. This is Curtis’ film through and through, and the actress easily slips back into one of her most iconic roles. She excels at handling Laurie’s tough but somewhat damaged state. She can take care of herself, and then

Creed II

Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family’s past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what’s worth fighting for, and discover that nothing’s more important than family. Creed II is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can’t escape your history.

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VERDICT: A violently brilliant resurrection. some, but she still bears the scars — emotional and physical — of that long-ago Halloween night.

Making great use of shadows, featuring a heavy dollop of unexpected humour throughout, and relying greatly on subverting expectations, the long-awaited showdown between Michael and Laurie is worth the wait. This time, the roles are reversed, bringing things full circle. Laurie Strode is no longer the prey. The hunted is now the hunter.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne).

But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards to rule over all non-magical beings.

Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury.

The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound. Having suffered greatly without the collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to reunite with his band mates just in time for Live Aid. While bravely facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Movie Mania

lifestylefilmreleases

From animations to drama to comedy, November has a host of new releases to indulge in. Suzanne Nicholas brings you the top picks of the month – check them out!

Nobody’s Fool

Thugs of Hindostan

The Grinch

Instant Family

Widows

At Eternity’s Gate

Robin Hood

Ralph Breaks the Internet

Genre: Comedy, Drama Release Date: November 2 Directed by Tyler Perry, starring Tiffany Haddish and Tika Sumpter, the film follows a recently paroled Tanya (Haddish) who helps her sister Danica (Sumpter) get revenge on her boyfriend, who may or may not be a ‘catfish’. Hilarity ensues as the sisters, completely different from each other, join forces with one mission in mind.

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller Release Date: November 16 Directed by Steve McQueen, this thriller is one of the most-awaited watches of the month. When a heist goes awry, the now-widowed wives of those involved team up to finish the job their husbands started. Featuring a stellar cast, the film will somehow have you rooting for the criminal heroines.

Genre: Action, Adventure Release Date: November 8 (India) Releasing in time for Diwali, Thugs of Hindostan sees Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan together as lead actors, for the first time ever, already an indication of the spectacle this film is to be.

Budgeted at USD42 million, making this the most expensive Bollywood film to date, expect some intense action sequences and the unfolding of an epic story.

Genre: Biography, Drama Release Date: November 16 Capturing the essence of the renowned artist, Vincent van Gogh, and portraying it on a cinematic canvas, At Eternity’s Gate gives the curious a glimpse into the last unhappy years of the artist’s life, leading up to his death.

Exceptional actor, Willem Dafoe, assumes the role of van Gogh in the film.

Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family Release Date: November 9 Join the adventure that sees The Grinch attempt to ruin Christmas for the people of Whoville (yet again!). Based on the original Dr Seuss story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, this children’s animation, voiced by a host of notable actors, is sure to kick-start the spirit of Christmas.

Genre: Action, Adventure Release Date: November 21 Robin Hood, starring Taron Egerton, is the re-imagined adventure, based on the age-old tale of the same name. The film functions as a prequel to the story, complete with automatic weaponry and flashy armour. The trailer promises great things, so be sure not to miss out.

Genre: Comedy Release Date: November 16 Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) decide to look into foster care adoption where they meet, and take in, three siblings – a big change from their one child plan. The film follows the duo on the fast track to learn the many parenting skills they need to become a family.

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy Release Date: November 21 Six years after the release of Wreck-It Ralph, this animated 3D sequel focuses on another journey that Ralph and Vanellope embark on, after being forced out of their game, Sugar Rush. On discovering a Wi-Fi router in their arcade, the pair go on a wild adventure – one that will be enjoyed by all.

All release dates shown here are for the US. Keep a lookout for Bahrain showings. www.bahrainthismonth.com

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lifestyletravel

An African Adventure Shoba Subrahmanyam shares her experience of accompanying a party of 17 personalities, from Canada, India, the UK, Australia and Dubai, on a memorable trip to Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia.

T

he welcome at the airport at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, was perfect – greeted by the unique singing timbre and dancing of the local musicians. The Kingdom Hotel, with its artful African architecture, would be our base camp for the next 12 days.

We started with a meet and greet dinner that evening, where some familiar faces from earlier trips met the new. As the evening progressed, with a couple of milestone birthdays celebrated, there was a sense of eager anticipation to spot the ‘big five’, enjoy the culture and make memories that ignited the spirit of camaraderie and family. Each was given a T-shirt with ZimBotZam [her name for the tour] highlighted on its front. The dinner was awesome, the service and friendly atmosphere near contagious.

The next morning, after being surprised by some alligators and wild boar just outside our

124 November 2018

window, we took our first bus ride, to Hwange Safari lodge, with its own huge waterhole that attracted many species of wildlife. That evening we took the first of the many game drives, where we got to sight several animals, but the highlight was the large herd of elephants that came to drink from the waterhole. As we stood and took in this sight, another herd approached from the opposite side. Caught in between, we stood still, wary of their temperament, till they passed us and reached the waterhole. A very tense yet exhilarating moment to be remembered.

The next morning another safari in the biting cold also turned out to be a wow moment. We saw a pride of 16 lions crossing our road, flanked by two majestic males. It seemed surreal as sighting even one is a rarity.

Cameras clicked while videos rolled and the kings of the forest moved on into the bush, the big male guarding the rear regarding us with

majestic disdain! Our lunch tasted better after such an appetising encounter. We had another evening safari to see more of the deer, impalas, kudus, giraffes and mainly to catch a glimpse of the more nocturnal residents.

The following day on the way back to Vic Falls we stopped at a ‘painted dog’ conservatory to see this rare breed of wild dogs that possess unique hunting and feeding skills that help them survive and coexist, even among the stronger, wilder animals.

We then went on to take an exclusive cruise on the Zambezi River, catching sight of hippos and other wildlife on its banks. The sunset was amazing, spilling its orange hues onto the water, with the darkening stillness and silence of dusk adding to the mystery of the exotic moment. We sat around a long table, and were treated to a delightful three-course dinner served with five-star fanfare! We even got to www.bahrainthismonth.com

celebrate a couple’s 50th wedding anniversary, an emotional finale to another perfect day.

The next day was our ‘wonder day’ as we were guided through the lush rain forest of the Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It was a long trek with tracks leading to different falls, each splendid and majestic on its own yet all part of that one big “smoke that thunders”. We were soaked from the constant spray in spite of the raincoats, which added more to the colour than protection. We followed this with a helicopter ride to get an aerial perspective of the falls, which was breathtaking. And ended the day with ‘high tea’ at the famed Victoria Falls Hotel, built by the British on the edge of the falls.

The next day, we were special invitees to the wedding of Isabella, our local tour operator, who had programmed our trip around her wedding day. We got to experience a unique Zimbabwean wedding, a day filled with the solemnity of the ceremony, the introduction to authentic local cuisine and jaw dropping entertainment, all wrapped in true Zimbabwean hospitality. www.bahrainthismonth.com

After resting from all the excitement, we crossed over to the Chobe Marina Lodge in Botswana, where every cottage combined the rustic rugged décor with state-of-the-art amenities, and also offered a view of the Chobe River with occasional wild boar grazing on the lawn. Later that evening, we set out for a ‘sundowner cruise’ down the river and spotted a variety of bird species, elephants swimming across while buffalo and hippos lined the water’s edge. The barbecue that night was awesome spiced with variety and tradition!

The next day we had two game drives through the Chobe National Park and got an up close and personal sight of more elephants, giraffes and a large congress of baboons. We even got to see the jackals, foxes and wildebeest. The highlight was watching two stately lions moving in on a lioness that both were trying to woo!

If that wasn’t enough, we saw the elusive, shy leopard on a tree with its unfortunate prey.

The exciting day ended with lots of laughter and a sing-song around a piano where spirits soared and inhibitions dropped.

The next day we drove back to Vic Falls to take in another exotic dinner with a cultural dance show.

Then to Zambia for our last leg of ZimBotZam! We visited a local village to understand their culture, and came away inspired by their cleanliness, system and values. We spent the afternoon at the David Livingstone Museum, drawn into an earlier period of time where the dedication and vision of one person impacted an entire country.

We drove back to Zimbabwe for the final unforgettable night at the Boma dinner and drum extravaganza, that offered a fusion of mouthwatering local cuisine, spirited dance performances and interactive drumming. We all got to play along on our own drums called Djembe or Ngoma! The atmosphere was truly all Africa, a perfect way to say goodbye, “Ligale Khule”.

We left with memories of the wild, the experience of a wedding, the magnificence of the falls and the distinctive roll of the drums – everyone leaving, their hearts beating to the rhythm of Africa.

November 2018 125

bystander OTHER EVENTS The Gulf Hotel Bahrain held an exclusive Chef Table with Vineet Bhatia for the media at its premises.

The executive office in Bahrain of the Gulf Disability Society organised the first Carnival of Disability at Khalifa Sports Hall.

Laura Bellato, wife of the Italian Ambassador, hosted the IBFA coffee morning at their residence.

Bahrain India Society held the book launch of the Arabic version of ‘Gandhi His Engagement with Islam and the Arab World’, written by Abdulnabi Alshoala, at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa.

Yaquby Stores Bahrain won the P&G winning portfolio award for best peaks activation for the third consecutive year.

Royal Life Saving Bahrain hosted a media roundtable at the Four Season Bahrain Bay, in the presence of chairperson and founder, HH Shaikha Nayla bint Hamad bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.

126 Novmber 2018

Capital Club Bahrain held the Automobile Business Forum at its premises.

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bystander OTHER EVENTS

HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Information & Communication Technology, patronised the opening ceremony of the Bahrain International eGovernment Forum & IT Expo 2018 held at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain and organised by the Information & eGovernment Authority.

The Daleni Bahrain app launch took place at the Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa.

Capital Club held a charity dinner featuring three Michelin-star chef Heinz Beck at its premises.

Sheraton Bahrain Hotel supports #TeamBahrain campaign.

The Rotary Club of Sulmaniya held its regular meeting featuring guest speaker, HE Justin Siberell, US Ambassador.

Football Champions 2018 with the theme of ‘Feel the Spirit of United Bahrain’ took place at Al Ahli Club.

The fourth Bahrain Jazz Fest pre-festival event, This Might Be Jazz, took place at Terrasse@28, Wyndham Garden Juffair.

An orientation course for children aged five to 18 years was conducted at KCA by the organisers of the Indian Talent Scan.

The Nine Training Center conducted a customer service excellence training programme for Bahrain Specialist Hospital.

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Novmber 2018 127

lifestyletarotscope

SCORPIO

October 23 – November 21 The book of life has opened at a pleasant page for you this month and November sees you entering a positive and rewarding chapter of your life. Many changes have taken place about you and there are more yet to come as you prepare yourself for some turbulent but exciting times ahead.

The only point of concern could be in a partner’s current state of health as stress and worry seem to wipe away the more fun-loving side of his or her personality.

Card of the Month —The World For a detailed, personalised Tarotscope reading, contact Raphael by email: raphael@tarotscope.org.uk

SAGITTARIUS November 22 – December 21 An ambitious man and a dark secret each touch your life this month as you enter what could well be the most unusual period of 2018. Doubts concerning the validity of someone’s comments fire your curiosity and this could lead you into some private ‘snooping’ which concludes with the unearthing of sensitive information about the person in question. Also, a family secret is suddenly revealed in a heated argument, causing much embarrassment. Who said life was boring?

Card of the Month — The High Priestess

CAPRICORN December 22 – January 19 A relationship will enter a fulfilling and buoyant period as a partner’s good news impacts on you with favourable results. There could even be the possibility of an unplanned trip overseas. On the work front, the sense of dissatisfaction and general lack of enthusiasm you may have been experiencing for the first few months of the year will gradually dissipate as either a change of job or more challenging tasks present themselves to you.

Card of the Month — Ten of Swords 128 November 2018

AQUARIUS January 20 – February 18 You’re going to be busy this month as you seek to push through new initiatives within the workplace and also put the finishing touches to a personal project that is likely to bring you in a tidy side income over the coming weeks. What remains of primary importance for you over this frantic period is the ability to put some time aside to relax in the company of loved ones. Don’t neglect your own needs or the needs of those closest to you or there could be repercussions.

Card of the Month — Temperance

PISCES February 19 – March 20 You need to be careful not to start falling into the trap of taking a person’s good nature for granted because they are likely to turn without a moment’s hesitation if they feel all their efforts are being expected rather than appreciated. Whilst you might have your own opinions on the matter, you can’t force them onto the person concerned, and if they don’t agree with you then you just have to live with that. There is no point in souring a relationship just for the sake of it.

Card of the Month — Seven of Cups

ARIES March 21 – April 19 You are in the very fortunate position of being able to make choices on your own terms this month and that means whatever you decide will have the best interests of you and your loved ones at heart. You are always a decisive sign, and you will need to be because there are some key questions that only you will be able to answer. On the work front, you will find your hard work and endeavour is about to be rewarded but once again, stick to your principals and beliefs to ensure you get everything you deserve.

Card of the Month — The Chariot TAURUS April 20 – May 20 It’s been a while coming but at long last you are able to see justice delivered in the areas of your life that have for so long been challenged by opponents who sought to hold you back. This will see you released from the shackles and fired up to finally deliver on all the areas of your life where you want to make a mark. This renewed sense of energy and purpose will also impact the way others see you and, in turn, new opportunities and offers will quickly make their way to your door. It’s your time, so use it wisely.

Card of the Month — Justice

GEMINI May 21 – June 20 November will leave you feeling a little unsettled about the future direction of a current relationship and may even force you to question a partner’s motives and commitment to you. It could very well be that a past indiscretion still rests heavy on your heart and fresh suspicions could bring a painful event back to the fore to haunt you. The best way out would be discussion, so if you are at all concerned or unsure, confront the person in question – but try and keep your temper.

Card of the Month — Ace of Wands www.bahrainthismonth.com

lifestyleadvertisersindex CANCER June 21 – July 22 You’re feeling a little down and in desperate need of having your batteries recharged after several trying weeks. Try to book something up and get away with a partner because you really need it, especially because you will have a few more challenges to deal with before the year is out. If you’re in good shape mentally then it will make whatever comes in the next few months much easier to deal with. We often underestimate the need to keep ourselves healthy but it is the only way to really achieve what you are looking for.

Card of the Month — Ten of Cups

Fashion & Footwear

Motoring

Orsay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Al Haddad Motors (Mercedes) . . . . . 63 Behbehani Brothers Co. (Porsche) . . 61

Home & Furnishing Phoenicia Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Hotels & Serviced Residences Al Areen Palace & Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Atiram Hotels (Premier Hotel) . . . . . . 93 Gulf Hotels Co. (Gulf Hotel) . . . . . . . . 21

LEO July 23 – August 22

Gulf Suites Hotel Amwaj . . . . . . . . . . . 97

The pain of separation cuts deep and there could well be a trauma in your romance waiting just around the corner.

Coming as a surprise will make the whole affair even harder to deal with. The best course of action to take in the short term is simply step back from everything and assess where you might go from here if the break-up proves to be final. The last thing you want to embroil yourself in is a heated exchange right now. What you need is time to keep your head clear and your heart unencumbered.

Card of the Month — Four of Swords

VIRGO August 23 – September 22 How do you feel about life at the moment? A little disillusioned perhaps? That could well be a symptom of the lack of drive and ambition in your present working environment. Still, there’s no need to feel so down because the opportunity for change and progress are within your grasp – you only need to focus a little more on what you really want. Financially, the prospects are positive given that you could find rewards by utilising a particular skill.

Card of the Month — The Empress

Kooheji Golden Gate Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Mohd Jalal & Sons (Suzuki) . . . . . . . . 79

Others Al Rashid Group (Mothercare) . . . . . 15 Alliance Francaise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 BBBF (Poppy Ball) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Berlitz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Civil Aviation Affairs (Bahrain International Airshow) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Entertainment Plus (Goldilocks & The 3 Bears) . . . . . . . . 33

Ramee Grand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Entertainment Plus (Narnia,The

Royal Ambassador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Lion,The Witch & The Wardrobe) . . . 37

Sofitel Hotels & Resorts . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Farhat International Tours & Travel . 91

The Arch Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Juffair Fitness Center . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel . . . 43

Lulu Hypermarket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,67

The K Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Remya Management SPC (Nervo) . . FC Roshcomm (HRM Summit) . . . . . . . . . 45

Jewellery & Watches Ambassador Stores (Seiko:Alba) . . . 11 Asia Jewellers (Raymond Weil) . . . IFC Bahrain Jewellery Centre (Patek Philippe) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BC Kewalram & Sons Co. (Titan) . . . . . . . . 8 Liali Jewellery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Medical & Dental Services

Saar Mall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SOJ Bahrain (Nespresso) . . . . . . . . . . 53

Restaurants & Cafés Bayti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Bennigan’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Cucina Italiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 JJ’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Maki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Miam Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Talabat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC

BBahrain Specialist Hospital . . . . . . . 27

The Lanterns Restaurant & Lounge . 89

Middle East Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Yard House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

LIBRA September 23 – October 22 Your sign can sometimes appear thoughtless when it comes to your own ambitions, although this isn’t through any meanness or malicious streak but simply because you tend to become so focused on what you want to achieve that you lose sight of everything else. The problem is that this behaviour can often leave those you love feeling isolated and alone. Try to put some thought into changing this in November or you risk losing something very precious in the long term.

Card of the Month — The Emperor

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Emma Stone

Ryan Gosling

Anne Hathaway

FAMOUS SCORPIO THIS MONTH

BTM retail sales outlets 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

● Other leading Cold Stores and News Stands

● Al Hilal Bookshops, all outlets ● 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 ● 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.

November 2018 129

lifestylewinwin Bahrain This Month gives three lucky readers an exclusive chance to win a complimentary pair of footwear from CALL IT SPRING! To win all you have to do is correctly answer the questions.

Hint: You can find the answers in this issue of Bahrain This Month and at https://www.appareluae.com/call-it-spring/

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Who got it right?

Which Australian sister act will hit Coral Bay this month? ______________________________________________

Bahrain This Month received 109 entries last month, all of which answered the questions correctly. Congratulations to the winner:

For how many years has Bahrain Marathon Relay been running? ______________________________________________

Winner : Joebert Marcelino

Which international rugby star visits the island this month? ______________________________________________

1. Rick Ross

In which German city would you find the Brandenburg Gate? ______________________________________________

Ad Seek:

2. 27

2. Bushido

3. The Cultural Hall

3. Eastbound Tourism LLC

4. October 5

Taiwan Tourism Bureau

5. Chef Vincenzo Nigro

4. Fontana Suites

1. Miam

6. Chef Giancarlo Perbellini 7. Thursday

When is Jewellery Arabia being held? ______________________________________________

8. 02:18:96 9. BD12,995

Where is Miam restaurant located? ______________________________________________

10. VC-Turbo

What is the price of the #turkeyatyourdoorsteps concept at The Westin City Centre Bahrain? ______________________________________________

Name:

Address:

is the name of the Indian restaurant at the Ramee 8 What O A REMARKABLE HEIGHT. Grand? ______________________________________________ T OF BAHRAIN BAY.

9 10

Last month’s solutions:

Telephone: Email:

What kind of products does CALL IT SPRING sell? ______________________________________________

CPR: Entry deadline is every 15th of the month. The winner will be selected at random.

Please include your full name, CPR number, address and telephone number, and mail to: Win Win, Bahrain This Month, PO Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain.

How many CALL IT SPRING stores are there in Bahrain and where?

AD Seek

This is a fun game for all readers. Each of these pictures is taken from advertisements in this issue of Bahrain This Month. All you have to do is identify the ad and mark your answer below each ad clipping. So test your observation skills, and you may be a winner!

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130 November 2018

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4. www.bahrainthismonth.com