Bahrain This Month - October 2014

GERMANY IN BAHRAIN | AUTUMN/WINTER 2014-2015 | THINK PINK

www.bahrainthismonth.com

YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE

THE NEW

FERRARI THE BAHRAIN

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

October 2014 ~ Vol. 18 ~ Issue 10

WHAT’S NEW IN TOWN Arts

Culture

Clubs

Sports

Interviews

Lifestyle

Dining

Nightlife

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Issue 206

Contents October 2014 COVER STORY 23

Music for All Seasons

The annual international music festival typically features a number of exciting events; this year is no exception with a gripping roster of talents.

49

HAPPENINGS

Bahrain This Month reviews events happening around town during the month of October 2014: 23

Serenading Tunes:

The annual music festival is back in town

Comic Situation:

26

Catch the second edition of the IGN Convention 28

Strictly Business:

Get a round-up of the top business expos and talks 30

23

52

The Finish Line:

The Bahrain Marathon Relay returns for its 34th year 32

On a Ride:

Harley-Davidson hosts its first official rally in Bahrain 34

Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

Find out what you can do for the cause 36

Real Time:

Jaffar Al Oraibi asks viewers to revisit their memory 23-39

Calendars:

Events during October

INTERVIEWS 69

38

70

100 Years of Success

Indian Club celebrates its platinum jubilee in style; Anand Lobo, president of the club, points out the highlights.

70

At Your Service

Christian Zandonella discusses his new role as general manager at The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa and shares his thoughts on the island’s hospitality sector.

72

80

34 Bystander At BTM we celebrated Indonesian Independence Day and welcomed Sushma Swaraj, the Indian Minister of External Affairs. We also attended the housewarming party for the launch of the Batelco Home Broadband package, in addition to the launch of Missoni Home, Magic Island, Nissan Xtrail, the Diplomat Radisson Blu’s ballroom and the new branch of twenty4.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Exploring Business Prospects

We take a look at the main players in Chinese enterprises operating in Bahrain. We hear about the untapped potential for bilateral trade relations.

74

Strengthening Ties

Newly appointed Pakistani Ambassador, HE Muhammad Saeed Khan, speaks to us about his plans for the Pakistani community in the Kingdom.

76

In the Wings

We take a trip to the new bird park at Amwaj Islands, where aviculturist Mike Gammond and his son help us understand what it takes to maintain the facility.

80

JLR Backseat Chat

Jaguar Land Rover Backseat Chat: George F Middleton speaks with GARMCO chairman Mahmood Al Soufi October 2014 9

a partnership

Issue 206

Contents October 2014 GERMANY IN BAHRAIN 49

Reinforcing Bonds:

We take a look at the contribution that Germany makes to the economic and social fabric of the Kingdom in this annual review.

95

NEW IN TOWN 117

Retail Therapy:

This month we take a look at what’s new in town. From new hotels and restaurants to new retail destinations and car hire services, there’s much to do and see.

LIFESTYLE

95 A showcase of the latest fashion trends with a

glimpse of the new autumn and winter collections

Fashion: 98

twenty4:

A style update for less

Motoring: 101

101

111

New Arrival:

Ferrari California T 102

Showcase:

Nissan X-Trail 104

Brief:

JAC and Kanoo Daily Rental

Downtime:

Gadgets: As cool as it gets 111 Music: Crossing barriers through songs 112 Computer Games: The theft is a legend 113 Websites: Bitten by the travel bug 114 Apps: Appetising apps 115 Movies: Gone too far 108

Dining:

135

Healthy Options:

Maki introduces a new menu 136

126

Happenings:

Where to dine this month

135

138

Showcase:

Nuasia’s delivery service 152

Feature:

The Ultimate BBQ

After Dark: 155

Party Central:

JJ’s Irish Pub hosts festivities all month long 156

Happenings:

Where to be seen this month 159

152

158

Showcase:

Halloween parties by Ramee Group of Hotels

Showcase:

What’s New: Dreamy scents 162 Marketplace: Latest products and services 161

Regulars:

146 www.bahrainthismonth.com

162

173 WIN WIN 174 Tarotscope 175 AD Index 176 Last Word

October 2014 11

THE TEAM

Bahrain This Month October 2014

Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton Email: george@bahrainthismonth.com Editorial Consultant Stan Szekowka Senior Assistant Editor Elma Bartholomew Assistant Editors Ankita Mamgain, Georgie Bradley Contributors James Claire, Simi Kamboj, Hannah Moore

Dear Readers,

Bystander Editor Aisha Siddiqa Art Director Maryam Toorani Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian Layout and Graphics Romeo San Miguel

Staff Photographer Subeesh Kumar N S, Ranjith Mohan Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa, Katherine Lao Personnel Manager Bassem A. Al Khabbaz Media Sales Marise Prata Dos Santos, Hilary James Sales Manager Sanhita Kar Marya Circulation Manager Fawaz Al Balooshi Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar Distributor Al Hilal Corporation Photography Picture Arabia: andrew@picturearabia.com 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 2005-2014 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.

COVER Cover Picture:

The Ferrari California T: A mean machine with a remarkable design makes its way to the Kingdom.

Licensed by the Ministry of Information Publication Code: TA001 ISBN 1 899 348 09 3

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GERMANY IN BAHRAIN | AUTUMN/WINTER 2014-2015 | THINK PINK

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George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman

YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE

Gulf and international subscriptions available on request.

THE NEW

FERRARI

Bahrain This Month is a member of BPA Worldwide

Connect with Bahrain This Month:

THE BAHRAIN

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

October 2014 ~ Vol. 18 ~ Issue 10

WHAT’S NEW IN TOWN Arts

www.bahrainthismonth.com

The October issue, sees the celebration of German Unity Day and the 24th anniversary of the country’s reunification with the publication of our annual feature “Germany in Bahrain”. Ambassador Her Excellency Sabine Taufmann tells us about her embassy’s plans for the future strengthening of bilateral relations with Bahrain. This year, the issue coincides with the Bahrain Federation of Expatriate Association’s visit to Berlin on October 2.

Keep abreast of the Kingdom’s most exciting developments and activities with our dedicated Happenings section. There are a plethora of events to look forward to including the annual Bahrain International Music Festival. This star-studded event, which features the likes of Leona Lewis, Anoushka Shankar, Macadi Nahhas and the Chamber Orchestra Vienna — Berlin, is set to be a treat for the Kingdom’s culture vultures.

With summer almost over, several businesses have opened their doors across the island. In a case of ‘out with the old and in with the new’, our ‘New in Town’ feature provides a detailed round-up of the must-visit venues that have recently-opened in Bahrain. From revised menus to revamped venues, all will be revealed!

There’s more, of course. With the camping season right around the corner, what better time for a round-up on all things barbecue. In ‘The Ultimate BBQ’ report, we talk to chefs around town to find out their secrets for preparing the perfect grills. We also feature some of the island’s best venues serving up mouth-watering and juicy ribs.

This month we interview Indian Club president Anand Lobo, who spills the beans on the club’s ongoing centenary celebration plans. Simi Kamboj speaks to the newly-appointed Pakistani Ambassador, HE Muhammad Saeed Khan, about his plans to bolster bilateral relations with the Kingdom.

Georgie Bradley meets up with the new general manager at The RitzCarlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa, Christian Zandonella. We put Chinese businesses in Bahrain under the spotlight as experts discuss the untapped potential of various sectors.

Our lifestyle section is packed with exciting features including an update on this season’s hottest fashion trends and the latest news on Ferrari’s recently unveiled mean machine, the California T. Wishing you all the very best for the upcoming Eid holidays and the new beginnings which follow, helping us to remain your guide to a great way of life.

Culture

Clubs

Sports

Interviews

Lifestyle

Dining

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Nightlife

October 2014 13

bystander

Japanese Ambassador Hosts Piano Recital HE Shigeki Sumi, the Japanese Ambassador to Bahrain and his wife Tomoko hosted a piano recital at their residence. In attendance were various Bahraini and foreign dignitaries and leading businessmen.

The piano recital begins

Masakazu, Yukiko, Kenji & Kenji

HE Shigeki Sumi and his wife Tomoko

Bonnie, Viera & Bridget

Mala Kumar, Wang, Amal & HE Hatun Demirer

Yoshiko, Dhafer Al Umran & Mitsu

Sara & Graham

14 October 2014

HE Sahid Glang, HE Chilman Arisman & Nancy Khedouri

Miller, Jaleel Ansari, Hasan Fakhroo & Chinese Ambassador

Miyuki & Nao

Aysha Al Ansari & Jihan Al Umran

Kathleen & Neil

Tomoko & Toichi

HE Shigeki Sumi

Toshti & Mizue

Yuko

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

HE Sushma Swaraj OIFC Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre - OIFC’s first diaspora engagement met this year in Bahrain. Bahraini and Indian business leaders discussed bilateral trade and investment opportunities.

HE Sushma Swaraj with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

Dr V Raghu Ram Shetty, Dr. Yousaf Ali & Mohammed Dadabhai

HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Mala Kumar, HE Sushma Swaraj & HE Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa

Mohammed Mashood, Dr Ali Hasan & Jamsheed

HE Abdul Nabi Al Shoala

R. Seetharaman & Sangeeta Seetharaman

16 October 2014

Mahendra Bhatia, Kishor & Indhukumar

Priya, Mery & Shaikha

Juzer Roopawala

HE Sushma Swaraj with Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa

Dr Cherian

Varghese Kurian & HE Kamal Ahmed

Laji George & Ramsingh

M.T. Mathews

Mohammed Dadabhai & HE Sushma Swaraj

P. Sudeep & Dr Babu Ram

HE Sushma Swaraj & Subi

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

69th Indonesian Independence Day HE Chilman Arisman, the Indonesian ambassador to Bahrain and the Indonesian Embassy marked the country’s 69th Independence Day with a reception at Al Dana Ballroom at the Gulf Hotel. Invited to the event were Bahraini and foreign dignitaries.

Dignitaries at the reception

Fatima, Fawzia, Intisar, Jameela, Rihab, Amal, Hala & Ragad

Ratnawati, HE Chilman Arisman & HE Hatun Demirer

Nabeel Ajoun & HE Ahmed Shahzan Abdulsamad

Sadiq Dawani, HE Sabine Taufmann & Ahmed Jawahari

Dr Dhafer Al Umran

Mala Kumar, Ratnawati, HE Chilman Arisman & HE Dr Mohan Kumar

18 October 2014

HE Chilman Arisman, Ratnawati & George

Marietta, Noor Huda, Sukma & H. Frumau

Endah, Ratnawati & Intan

HE Shigeki Sumi & his wife Tomoko

HE Alberto Vecchi, Ratnawati, HE Chilman Arisman & Mrs Vecchi

Fawzia, Ratnawati, HE Helman Arisman & HE Ahmed Rachid Khattabi

Dr. Hala, Ratnawati, Vicky & Rihab

www.bahrainthismonth.com

RENT NOW A Division of the E.K.Kanoo Group

Now Open IN ALRAYA MALL-JUFFAIR

Enjoy KDR’s quality products and services in the new location at Alraya Mall in Juffair. Call 17 725 572.

Special Rates on the Occasion of Opening the New Branch

D E T I M I L OFFER TIME

info@kdrbahrain.com LEADING BY FAR

bystander

Gulf Who’s Who Sunliz Publications, publishers of the Gulf Who’s Who directory organised the launch of the 2014-2015 edition at the Convention Centre, Gulf Hotel. The event was presided over by Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Khalid Almoayyed. HE Dr Abdul Husain Mirza delivered the keynote address and a speech ‘The Secrets of a Successful CEO’ was given by the former tourism minister of Karnataka, J. Alexander IAS.

Maher Al Musallam & Dr Abdulla Juma

J Alexander & Sunny

Dr Abdulla Juma & HE Dr Mohan Kumar

Khamees Al Mukla & Waleed Shareef

Samia

Isaac John

20 October 2014

Dima Al Haddad & Nabeel Ajoor

Mohammed & Mona

Ghazi & Dabyia

HE Dr Mohan Kumar

Samar Al Meer

Pakiza

Imran, Joel & Abdulla Al Haddad

Dignitaries on stage

Aysha & Heba

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Enjoy easy access to government entities

Introducing Tawasul, the National Suggestions and Complaints System "Tawasul" is the new online suggestions and complaints system that instantly communicates your suggestions, enquiries or complaints to 23 government entities. So if you have something to voice, and would like a prompt response from any of the entities which are at your service, simply visit bahrain.bh/tawasul For more information, please contact the National Contact Centre on 8000 8001

bahrain.bh/tawasul

OCTOBER 2014 . Happenings Anoushka Shankar

East Meets West For the 23rd year in a row, Bahrain’s Ministry of Culture has put together an eclectic line-up of entertainment as part of the Bahrain International Music Festival.

When? October 9-14 Event? Bahrain International Music Festival Where? Various locations Featuring a variety of artists ,including a former X-Factor UK winner, the velvety string sounds of an orchestra from Berlin and a young Swiss crooner with pop-folk flair, the Ministry of Culture has outdone itself this year.

Bringing together musical innovators from around the world, the Bahrain International Music Festival will be parading a diverse mix of cultures and genres. Appealing to a wide selection of tastes, the classical orchestra compositions sit nicely with the modern pop offerings.

Sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar is one of the leading figures in Indian classical and progressive world music today. She is deeply rooted in the Indian classical tradition, having studied from the age of nine under her father and guru, the legendary Ravi Shankar.

As a classical sitarist, she has toured

extensively and performed in prestigious venues and festivals around the world as a solo artist and accompanying renowned orchestras and conductors, earning a stellar reputation for her experimental, innovative style.

Enjoy Anoushka’s versatility for free from 8pm on October 10 at the Cultural Hall.

Leona Lewis The multi-platinum and award-winning singersongwriter, Leona Lewis, is known for her poise, personality and unmatched voice that has won the hearts of millions worldwide. As a former X-Factor winner, Leona is a driving force in the music industry and the most successful female solo artist in UK chart history, with more top five hits than any other British female artist.

If Leona is known for anything, it’s her expansive four-octave mezzo-soprano vocal range, power and technical control. Her Grammy-nominated debut album, Spirit, sold more than 20 million copies around the globe. Let’s not forget Leona’s best selling record, I See You, which she penned and performed for the box office smash hit Avatar. For some chills, thrills and soaring vocal talent, head to the Bahrain National Theatre on October 9; the show starts at 8pm. Tickets are available at Virgin Megastore and online on virginmegastore.me.

FUN RUN IN PLACE Spice up treadmill time with intervals. Alternate sprinting with walking, and carry 2.5kg dumbbells during the slow intervals. This workout will challenge your mind and your body

H.97.581mm X 61.167mm (3col)

Also this month: 26 | IGN Convention - 28 | Shep Hyken - 32 | H.O.G Rally www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2014 23

happenings

Chamber Orchestra The smooth elegance and nobleness of the velvety string sounds of the Viennese, and the captivating and passionate brilliance of the wind soloists of Berlin combine to form the celebrated Chamber Orchestra Vienna — Berlin. This decade-long cooperation between the Vienna and Berlin philharmonic orchestras creates a unique, refined classical sound that ranks among the very best in the world.

These two giants and traditional competitors in the classical music world came together under the initiative of famed English conductor Sir Simon Rattle, whose wish to conduct a concert of the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra for his 50th birthday united both orchestras for the first time. This experience surprisingly turned out to be so positive that it had to be continued; the Chamber Orchestra Vienna — Berlin was born. Serenade with the sounds of the orchestra at 8pm on October 11 at the Cultural Hall; entry is free. Call 17 298-777.

Macadi Nahhas

Bastian Baker Swiss crooner Bastian Baker’s artistic destiny took shape as a 15-year-old armed with just a guitar and a pen, which he used for his first attempts at song writing. He released his first single, Lucky, in 2011, which turned the heads of music producers.

Over the last couple of

years, Bastian has toured extensively, performing hundreds of concerts at prestigious venues such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, Paléo Festival, Francofolies de la Rochelle and Olympia of Paris. He opened for such legends as Elton John, Bryan Adams, Johnny Hallyday and Mark

Lanegan. Despite his relatively young career, he has already garnered many accolades, including three Swiss Music Awards in just two years. Watch this rising global star on October 13 at the Cultural Hall at 8pm for free.

A champion of freedom and human dignity, Jordanian singer Macadi Nahhas occupies a unique status among singers in the Arab world with her blend of classical and traditional songs, which revive the heritage of the Golden Era of Arab music.

Hailing from Madaba, a city famous for its gardens and water springs, her political and intellectual home environment helped her hone her talent and cultivated her artistic choices from a very young age.

A graduate of the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music, Macadi was heavily influenced by the Rahbani School of Music. Like her hero, legendary singer Fairuz, she is blessed with a distinguished supple voice and commanding stage presence. She is a frequent performer at cultural events and national celebrations in Arab and foreign countries.

Treat yourself to her sound for free on October 14 at the Cultural Hall at 8pm.

Call 17 298-777.

Call 17 298-777.

Aicha Redouane The nicknames bestowed upon Aicha Redouane are seemingly endless, but all point to the extraordinary singing talent; a talent she utilises to recreate a bygone era of Arab music.

The Moroccan-born French-raised chanteuse is a naturally adept singer, having mastered several musical genres and flavours, from Moroccan 24 October 2014

Berber songs to Western jazz and blues to classical Arabic tarab. Before emigrating to France, Redouane practised traditional folk songs as a child with her grandmother at her village in the Atlas Mountains, and has dedicated herself to spreading the enchanting musical heritage of the Middle East region. She is

joined in this noble quest by Habib Yammine, a Lebanese musician, professor and renowned Arabic music authority living in France, who specialises in Arabic rhythms. For some symphonic synergy, head to the Cultural Hall at 8pm on October 12. Entry is free for this event.

Call 17 298-777. www.bahrainthismonth.com

*Spend BD 20 and get BD 10 shopping voucher.

happenings

Game On!

Here, Kitty Kitty When? October 1-31 Event? Workshop Where? Build-A-Bear Workshop, City Centre Bahrain What child doesn’t want a furry friend to cuddle up to in bed? The Build-A-Bear Workshop already puts a smile on children’s faces with their ‘make your own stuffed animal’ experience,

When? October 1-31 Event? Talent contest Venue? Various SkillsBahrain is back for a second year of talent-based competitions.

E Visit www.skillsbahrain.com.

where you can pick bears, bunnies, dogs and more to dress up and give them your own style. Now, with the 40th anniversary of the Hello Kitty, the store hosts an exclusive workshop, offering children (and adults) the chance to build the beloved bear in their own unique way.

Call 17 178-560.

When? October 1-31 Event? Workshop Venue? Build-A-Bear Celebrate Hello Kitty’s 40th anniversary by building your own bear.

E Call 17 178-560.

When? October 5 Event? Live music Venue? Cultural Hall Moroccan singer, Asma Lmnawar, performs live from 8pm; entry is free.

E Visit www.moc.gov.bh.

Pop culture enthusiasts, unite! The IGN Convention is back for its second year and is set to be bigger and better with celebrity names thrown in.

Test Your Skills When? October 1-31 Event? Talent contest Where? Various The second national SkillsBahrain Competition will be held this month. The winners could qualify for the World Skills International Competitions 2015 to be held at São Paulo, Brazil.

The first edition, held at the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Institute for Technology in 2012, with the participation of over 88 competitors and 66 experts, was a successful event.

The SkillsBahrain team has launched eight new skills, in addition to the eight 26 October 2014

basic ones, in order to provide more training and rehabilitation opportunities for more than 320 contestants and 128 experts, in cooperation with Tamkeen.

Students with special needs are allowed to participate in some competitions, which is a precedent at the GCC level.

Those interested in participating in the competition may follow SkillsBahrain on social media networks or fill in participation forms on the website.

Visit www.skillsbahrain.com.

When? October 24-25 Event? IGN Convention Where? Bahrain International Circuit If you’re looking for a catalogue of the latest gaming consoles in the industry, this is your kind of event.

Even if you don’t have a penchant for said games, the event will focus on interactive activities across the board.

The Bahrain-based Tarteeb event organising company collaborates with IGN for a second year.

Given the success of the inaugural event, where they brought together over 4,000 pop culture enthusiasts from Bahrain and neighbouring GCC countries, this year will see a big step up. For a start, the venue has upgraded from Bahrain’s International Exhibition & Conference Centre to the Bahrain International Circuit.

Director of IGN Middle East, Abbas Jaffar Ali says, “The IGN Convention proved to be a lot more popular than our expectations last year. We now have the challenge of making it better, which is no easy task.

We’re increasing resources in every way we can.

Expect to see more celebrities, a better showcase of games and an overall experience that will keep our fans wanting more.”

The IGN Convention is open to anyone. The two-day event will see stage games, a live concert, a sumo suite contest, bubble football and many more games.

Expect to see Game of Thrones star, Hafthor Bjornsson, who plays ‘The Mountain’ on the hit HBO show, and Julia Voth, who served as the character model for Jill Valentine from the internationally renowned Resident Evil games.

When? October 5-7 Event? Talent show Venue? Saar Mall Participate in art and singing contests at the mall’s talent show.

E Call 17 311-602.

When? October 10 Event? Walkathon Venue? Muharraq Corniche Join the Bahrain Cancer Society to raise awareness of breast cancer.

E Call 17 233-080.

When? October 13-November 11 Event? Art exhibition Venue? Al Riwaq Art Space Jaffar Al Oraibi deals with raw views of human nature in his works.

E Call 17 717-441.

When? October 13-14 Event? Forum Venue? The Gulf Hotel The annual forum focuses on overcoming profitability challenges.

E Email yasmeen@megaevents.net.

When? October 13 Event? Forum Venue? Diplomat Radisson Blu The 2nd Health and Safety Excellence Forum will start at 8am.

E Email events@bhssonline.com.

When? October 14 Event? Seminar Venue? Diplomat Radisson Blu Shep Hyken teaches entrepreneurs the tricks of the trade.

E Call 17 552-878.

Call 17 451-649. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Find out about the new Tempo collection at www.natuzzi.com Tel. 17.564444 - Fax. 17.564466 email: phodecor@batelco.com.bh Seef district, facing Ritz Carlton Entrance - Palace Palms Bldg.

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happenings

Building Scale

In its third year running, this forum applies a fresher approach to boost the efficiency, profitability and scale of Islamic cooperative insurance players.

When? October 13-14 Event? The Middle East Takaful Forum Where? The Gulf Hotel With a focus on ‘Building Scale: Fresh Thinking to Boost the Efficiency, Profitability and Scale of Islamic Cooperative Insurance in the Middle East’, the Third Annual Middle East Takaful Forum (METF) is set to formulate and cement successful strategies. The twoday event begins with an inaugural keynote plenary by Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Baker, executive director of the financial institutions supervision at the Central

Bank of Bahrain.

There will be international keynote addresses from Dr Eddy Chong Siong Choy, director of accreditation division at the Finance Accreditation Agency, and Sohail Jaffer, deputy CEO of FWU Global Takaful Solutions, who will discuss major lessons from key international Takaful markets.

A key highlight of this year’s forum will be the high-profile power debate led by internationally respected CEOs and industry leaders. The session will address topics on how the Takaful industry in the Middle East can build critical mass and move to a new level of development. These key elements will determine which Takaful players will

be best placed to take advantage of strongly increasing product demand based on exciting consumer demographics, rising income levels and an appetite for Shariahcompliant products.

METF is an initiative of the Middle East Insurance Forum (MEIF), which celebrated its 10th anniversary special edition in Bahrain in February. The forum will be held on October 13 and 14. This year is set to gather over 200 high-level senior decision-makers from the regional insurance industry for discussions that will seek to overcome the profitability challenges for Middle East Takaful.

Email yasmeen@megaevents.net.

Are You Being Served?

Keeping up with change

When? October 14 Event? Shep Hyken Where? Diplomat Radisson Blu

In an industry fighting tooth and nail for perfection, it is always necessary to be in top form. In his seminar, Shep Hyken delivers his talk on ‘Revolution Amazement towards our Customers’.

28 October 2014

The first session will look into differentiating between what is a satisfied customer and a loyal one. Hyken will tap into his ‘Moments of Misery to Magic’ method to illustrate the most important moments in customer service. There’s no better way to take it all in than some role play and

interactive learning.

The event will be split into three sessions, which include a discussion panel between three CEOs from Bahrain’s key service industries. By the end of it all, you’ll probably have some questions to ask — cue the Q&A session.

Call 17 552-878.

When? October 21-23 Event? Forum Where? Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa In the dynamic world of auditing and accounting, keeping up with change is essential. Bahrain is hosting its first GCC Forum for Accountants and Auditors to establish key trends and the imperative skills needed for teamwork and communication.

“In the field of accounting and auditing, our standards are in fact the same as those of the corporate governance, which is the theme of this forum at its first session,” says Dr Fahad Ebrahim Al-Shehabi, secretary general of the forum.

Call 17 123-500.

When? October 14-18 Event? Forum Venue? BIECC The Invest in Bahrain Forum supports industrial coordination.

E Call Call 17 568-028.

When? October 16 Event? Golf tournament Venue? The Royal Golf Club Compete at the Think Pink Charity Golf Day and win prizes.

E Call 38 062-180.

When? October 16 Event? Golf tournament Venue? The Royal Golf Club Compete at the ninth Annual Charity Golf Day and win prizes.

E Call 38 062-180.

When? October 16-18 Event? Rally Venue? Various Harley-Davidson hosts its first annual rally in Bahrain.

E Visit www.hogbahrainchapter.com.

When? October 17 Event? Gala dinner Venue? Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Donate to Think Pink — Bahrain; get tickets for this gala evening.

E Call 39 076-717.

When? October 21-23 Event? Forum Venue? Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq The GCC Forum for Accountants and Auditors establishes key trends.

E Call 17 123-500.

When? October 21-23 Event? Expo Venue? Hall 1, BIECC Catch the Career Expo for Women held over a span of three days.

E Call 17 873-712 or 17 781-328.

When? October 24-25 Event? IGN Convention Venue? Bahrain International Circuit Get your costumes ready well before Halloween for this convention.

E Call 17 451-649.

When? October 28-30 Event? Exhibition Venue? The Gulf Hotel Meet a targeted audience of business decision makers at LABTECH 2014.

E Visit www.lab-tech.info.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings

Running FOR a Cause Get yourself in shape for the annual charity drive which is set to host another marathon relay across the country.

When? October 31 Event? Bahrain Marathon Relay Where? Bahrain International Circuit The Bahrain Marathon Relay proudly celebrates its 34th year with more company participation and teams than ever to help raise significant funds for various charitable causes. The run will start and finish at the Bahrain International Circuit; it will follow the same course as the last few years.

“The key to the relay’s success is the support and cooperation of all concerned, including the organisers, volunteers, sponsors, supporters and participants, all of whom have helped in the preparation and staging of this worthwhile event,” says Dave Wakefield, chairman of the Bahrain Marathon Relay.

“Over the past 33 years, the Bahrain Marathon Relay has raised more than BD800,000 for local causes — a fairly impressive amount for an event which started as a fun event with only a handful of teams.” Call 39 624-415.

Fly Away with Music

Remember to Write!

When? Oct 11-Nov 6 Event? Workshop Where? Words Café A writing workshop will open your mind to helpful tips and tricks that can be used in your writing practice. Writing in the company of others with similar interests is always rewarding.

The adult creative writing workshop held at Words Bookstore Café will focus on the craft of writing. This 30 October 2014

is not only about how a text makes you feel, but also about the mechanics of how the writer achieves that feeling.

Run by Krystall FierensLee, the workshop will include writing exercises designed to expand your thinking and to loosen up the infamous writers’ block. Krystall is trained to be supportive, with a view to improve or define your writing style. You will receive detailed written

edits on at least one piece of work as part of the course.

The workshop dates are October 16, 23, 30 and November 6, from 9am to 10.30am for those who prefer Thursday morning sessions. A second option is Saturday afternoons, organised on October 11, 18, 25 and November 1, from 4pm until 5.30pm. The tuition fee is BD50, payable in advance. Spaces are limited. Call 17 690-790.

When? October 6 Event? Music concert Where? BIC For its pilot project under the ‘Bahrain in Harmony’ banner, Reem Events Management brings David Pomeranz, a multitalented American singer-songwriter, who has sold over 40 million copies of his album worldwide. The event will be hosted by Isabel Granada, a singer and actress.

Gates open at 6pm; get your tickets from the Virgin

Megastore at City Centre Bahrain or through its online ticketing system.

Ticket prices are BD15 for Gold and BD50 for Diamond VIP, where fans will get a chance to meet and greet David Pomeranz.

Seats are on a first come, first served basis. The concert tickets also double up as raffle entries to the ‘Watch & Win’ raffle promo. This gives guests a chance to win air tickets for two to Paris and Dubai, with three nights’ hotel accommodation.

Call 33 440-574. www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings

Serenading Tunes

Along for the Ride No one in Bahrain is alien to the concept of weekly rides by motorcycle fanatics. This much-loved company introduces its first official rally to our shores.

When? October 16-18 Event? Rally Where? Various locations

Bahrain is known as the motor sports hub of the Middle East; so the first Bahrain H.O.G Rally is set to be an annual affair.

Harley-Davidson riders and motorcycle enthusiasts from the Middle East and North Africa region will come to Bahrain to attend this exciting sporting,

entertainment and family event. During the first rally, participants will take part in a variety of activities and sight-seeing rides across the island. This is a great opportunity for passionate riders to discover Bahrain’s natural beauty while doing something they love — riding their Harley.

Riders, motorcycle fanatics, fans and families can enjoy the jam-packed festivities, like the Thunder Parade, live music, carnival games, food stalls and a variety of children’s entertainment. The HD Expo covering the history and classic images of the motorcycle company will be another highlight of the event.

Visit hogbahrainchapter.com.

32 October 2014

When? October 5 Event? Live music Where? Cultural Hall Asma Lmnawar is a Moroccan singer born in Casablanca, a city famous for its rich and unique cultural heritage. In her career, she has released four chart-topping albums and singles, including duets with the likes of Kazim Al-Saher, Abu Bakr Salem, Ali bin Mohammed, Abdullah Al-Ruweished, Rashid Al-Majed and

Hussain Al-Jasmi.

The skilled singer, who has lent her captivating voice to many famous poems, is a frequent performer in top music festivals in the Arab world and beyond. She is adept in singing in many dialects. In June last year, she was the public’s choice as winner of the Morocco Music Awards.

The show will be held at Cultural Hall and starts at 8pm; entry is free.

Visit www.moc.gov.bh. www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings

Attention, Men! Think Pink Bahrain takes a new approach to increasing awareness about breast cancer prevention.

When? October 17 Event? Gala dinner Venue? Ritz-Carlton Bahrain In their journey to tackle breast cancer awareness in the Kingdom, Think Pink Bahrain has, since its inception in 2004, been faced with the continuing challenge of how to raise awareness and encourage more women to take part in preventive measures. For their 2013-14 campaign, the not-for-profit organisation has taken an innovative approach to raising awareness about the prevention of breast cancer. In what is believed to be a first for the region, Think Pink Bahrain is targeting men.

“A man with a partner, wife or mother can also play a big part in the fight against breast cancer. We aim to reach out to these men to encourage them to join with the respective women in the lives, so that cancer prevention can be tackled together, not just in isolation,” says Think Pink Bahrain’s founder, Julie Sprakel. “The key message we’d like men to take away is that we’re asking them to support the women in their lives with gentle encouragement about self-checking, because ultimately early prevention is the key to saving lives.”

Tickets are on sale for Think Pink Bahrain’s 10th Anniversary Gala Evening. The black tie event will take place on October 17 from 7.30pm at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa. Tickets are BD50 and can be collected at Burlesque in Al Aali Mall from Saturday through Thursday from 10am to 8pm.

Call 39 076-717 or 17 531-008.

A Part to Play

Walk It Off

When? October 10 Event? Walkathon Venue? Muharraq Corniche

When? October 16 Event? Golf tournament Venue? The Royal Golf Club The Royal Golf Club hosts the ninth annual Think Pink Bahrain Charity Golf Day on October 16. In a change to previous years, both the ladies and gents tournaments will take place 34 October 2014

on the same day. The tournaments will be rounded off with a lunch and prizegiving ceremony.

“With the help of the local community we look forward to raising plenty of money once again this year for this great cause,” says Bernie Morgan, the Royal Golf Club’s director of golf. “The

money raised will be used to help train medical staff to treat women in Bahrain who are affected by breast cancer as well as to continue the battle to raise awareness of the importance of regular breast checks.”

Call 38 062-180.

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Bahrain Cancer Society (BCS) is organising an annual walkathon with the theme ‘Choose Life; Get Screened’. The event is held to raise funds, encourage public participation and invite private organisations to increase awareness and to push women into getting checked regularly.

The gathering and starting point of the event is Al Ghous Corniche in Muharraq. The walk will start at 5.30pm and will cover a distance of 5km. T-shirts and BCS merchandise will be on sale to raise funds. A raffle draw will be organised as well.

Call 17 233-080. www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings

A Matter of Time

Safe and Sound When? October 28-30 Event? Exhibition Venue? The Gulf Hotel The 3rd International Technology Conference and Exhibition (LABTECH 2014) offers your company the opportunity to showcase your service and products. This is a chance to meet a targeted audience of analysts, chemists, researchers, laboratory managers and business decision-makers.

“This paramount conference, which introduces the delegates to new developments and breakthroughs in many disciplines and techniques, workforce development, quality, health, safety and environment management, will be an exciting step towards improved laboratory solutions,” says Dr Ahmed Al-Harrasi, conference chairman. Influential people in the industry will attend this expo to learn about new developments in analytical instrumentation and techniques.

Call Visit www.lab-tech.info.

Fun for All When? October 24 Event? Festival Venue? The Lost Paradise of Dilmun

This artist attempts to change the general view of the static and the flowing through applying the concept of time and space as ever-changing elements.

The long weekend at the end of the month kicks off with a fun day out for the family at the Lost Paradise of Dilmun. Get 50 per cent discount on entry tickets to the amusement park on October 24.

Timings have been extended to 8pm, with

unlimited access to all rides from 10am. Aside from DJs spinning the hottest tracks of the year, visitors will be entertained by a magic show.

Children are treated to entertainment by clowns, balloon twisters and mascots.

The event also includes face painting, a dance competition and games.

Call 33 179-745 or 34 092-451.

When? October 13-November 11 Event? Art exhibition Where? Al Riwaq Art Space Jaffar Al Oraibi adopts the human consciousness idea, portraying an unusual and seemingly reversed ideology to that of a society’s generic view within men and women. The artist distorts the ordinary by reinterpreting it with a direct, raw and acute approach, creating a phenomenon of disproportion in the norm. It encourages viewing the constant static from new perspectives, thus transforming societies’ inherited perceptions.

Through Clear/Unclear, Al Oraibi deals with raw views of human nature that when unaffected can react directly to surroundings, resulting in a birth of thoughts that do not necessarily fit our current view of time and space. He encourages viewers to revisit their memory in search of solid and stable thoughts, uninfected by short-term common conceptions. Oraibi reacts aggressively to subtle issues, while clearly presenting an opposition between strength and frailty.

The exhibition will take place at Al Riwaq Art Space from October 13 until November 11.

Call 17 451-649.

36 October 2014

www.bahrainthismonth.com

- Special DDR package BD 14 ++ for 2 coffee breaks, lunch or dinner - Free pre-scheduled transportation - F&B Discount card for discounts starting from 15% on any of our restaurants - Royal Pool Villa @ BD 140 ++ BB for double occupancy - 15 % discount on all facilities, Spa & Health club For more information please contact 17845030 or email: alareen@alareenpalace.com rania.alhowais@alareenpalace.com www.alareenpalace.com

happenings

Roar with Laughter The go-to club for comedy nights presents another episode of stand-up acts. Get ready to for a night with a laugh a minute.

When? October 16, 17 Event? Stand-up comedy Where? Various locations

Andrew Stanley

Having performed at the Montreal, Australian and Edinburgh Comedy Festivals and become a regular fixture on the Kilkenny Cat Laughs Calendar, Andrew Stanley is one of the top comics working the worldwide comedy circuit today. Whether it’s performing as resident MC in numerous clubs around Ireland, one of which is the legendary Comedy Cellar in Dublin, or as a quality act in his own right, Andrew is always quick-witted enough to keep audiences thoroughly entertained.

Andrew has travelled to the Adelaide Fringe Festival twice, performed at the Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand Comedy Festivals and has been invited to the prestigious Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal.

He also travelled to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2006, where he teamed up with Australian comic Damian Clark in a show entitled ‘I Dare Ya’. This was then turned into a highly successful TV show on RTE2 in 2007; and is still the highest-rated debut comedy show on Irish TV. He returned to Edinburgh in 2008 armed with two shows: his debut solo and his own brand of late night entertainment called ‘Andrew Stanley’s Comedy Mish Mash’ along with a new solo show called ‘On Sale Now’.

In 2010 and 2011, Andrew continued to make headway into the UK circuit, performing regularly at Glee, The Stand, Komedia, Jongleurs and Highlight in addition to taking part in Latitude, V Stafford/Chelmsford and Reading Festivals.

Tania Edwards Tania Edwards is a standup comic and writer. Her credits include Stand Up for the Week for Channel 4, Twit of the Year for Channel 4, Mock the Week for BBC 2 and The Unbelievable Truth for BBC Radio 4. She was a finalist at the Hackney Empire, Amused Moose, Leicester Square, Latitude Festival and Funny Women competitions. She is currently working on her new stand-up show ‘Tania Edwards: Never Rong’.

38 October 2014

Matt Richardson He’s brash, slick and full of mildly laddish but selfdeprecating stories, all delivered with an irresistible twinkle.

Richardson may be full of self-confidence, but he’s

got the broad appeal to back up the cockiness.

After first performing stand-up comedy in 2009 at only 18 years, Matt has become one of the fastestrising stars in comedy. 2013

saw Matt presenting ITV2’s The Xtra Factor alongside Caroline Flack. He also appeared on a host of TV shows, including Celebrity Juice, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Sweat the Small Stuff.

Matt is currently on his debut national tour called ‘Hometown Hero’, which started last autumn and, due to popular demand, has been extended by 36 dates throughout this year. The show also won the award for Best New Show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2012. Call 36 663-509. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Festive Season A family mall, located in the heart of the new Saar area, will be holding a series of events to celebrate its annual community services activities.

When? October 5-7 Event? Talent show Venue? Saar Mall Saar Mall, since its inauguration this year, has attracted several stores in its newlyopened complex. To celebrate Eid Al-Adha, the neighbourhood mall will host talent competitions as well as a healthy food show. It welcomes the Bahraini public to participate in the festivities.

The talent competition will take place on October 5-7, with two themes: art and singing. The art competition has two groups for drawing and painting: for the age groups of four to eight years and eight to 11 years respectively. The singing competition also has two categories: for groups and solo performances between

www.bahrainthismonth.com

the age of four to eight years.

The Healthy Food Show aims to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle on October 10. The public will get tips and tricks on how to make fast and easy dishes. In addition, five local celebrities will participate in a live cooking competition, where they will be judged by five famous judges.

Chefs and live cooking stations will showcase healthy and delicious food recipes. Experts will give advice on how to encourage younger children to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Bokhowa Group, the owners of Saar Mall, looks forward to the festivities, along with Dara Innovation, which manages the mall, and Prince Events Managements, who will be organising the events.

Participants are encouraged to register for the competitions in advance.

Call 17 311-602 or email info@princeem.com.

October 2014 39

bystander

Ridha, Fatima, Hessa & Areije

HE Karim Al Shakar Dinner for Ambassadors HE Karim al Shakar, Undersecretary for International Affairs, organised a dinner for ambassadors in Bahrain. Invited were various Bahraini and foreign dignitaries.

Fatima & HE Karim Al Shakar

HE Iain Lindsay, HE Karim Al Shakar, HE Alberto Vecchi & Abdulrahman Fakhroo

HE Thomas Krajeski, HE Dr Mohan Kumar & John Miller

Leena, HE Karim Al Shakar & Fatima Al Shakar

Rassoul, Habib, Mary, Geeti, Nadiya, HE Karim Al Shakar, Fuad & Vicky

HE Shigeki Sumi & HE Karim Al Shakar

HE Thomas Krajeski & Sh. Hisham Al Khalifa

40 October 2014

HE Karim Al Shakar & HE Dr Mohan Kumar

Peter Grohmann & Jano

HE Hatun Demirer & HE Victor Smirnov

Zeina, Fatima & HE Christian Testot

HE Victor Smirnov, Mrs. Vera Smirnov & HE Karim Al Shakar

HE Christian Testot & HE Alberto Vecchi

Hessa & Ridha

John Miller & HE Karim Al Shakar

HE Mohammed Sultan Al Suwaidi

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

Malatya Pazzari Opening The official inauguration of Malatya Pazzari Turkish Delights Shop took place in Al Aali Mall.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony

Mehmet, Sebahat, Turkish Amb., Turan

Nada & Naeema

Faika, Najah & Waheeda

Issam, Rona & Mehmet

Abdul Hamee, Sherin & Mohammedd

Hameed & Dr. Lulwa

HE Vichai Varasirikul

42 October 2014

Rhaneya Al Derazi & Mohd Karimi

HE Muhammad Saeed Khan, Noor & HE Sahid Glang.

Guy Gateau, Concepcion & Judovic

Huda, Afnan & Maryam

www.bahrainthismonth.com

2014-2015

Fall-Winter

Collection For information call us at 17713999

bystander

Monin Cup Challenge

Agus, Filimena & Atanas

Prize time at the event

In partnership with Jawad Business Group, French syrup and gourmet sauce maker, Monin, organised the very first international creative beverages competition. The winner, Sagar Lama Patang, competed against 10 finalists and will compete for the Monin world title in Paris in October. x

Pierre, Fadhi & Amit

John, Alex & Marvin

Riyaz, Azim, Iftakar & Milton Sahara, Fadli, Mova, Maan & Bagus

Celebrations as the trophy is lifted

Haseen Chhaya, Farheen & Randa

Certificate holder

44 October 2014

Proud competitor

Peto & Omar

Guests at the event

Robbie, May & Emman

Suresh & Sunni

Giovanna, Lucia & Sagar

Certificate received with thanks

Mark, LJ, Analisa & Jean

Mahesh & Krishna

Mary & Tanmay

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

46 October 2014

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Annual Community Services Events Art Competition Painting & Drawing (Age Groups 4 – 8 years) Painting & Drawing (Age Groups 8 – 11 years) Singing Competition Solo (Age Groups 4 – 8 years) Group (Age Groups 4 – 8 years) » First Round: Sunday, October 5 05:30pm – 06:30pm Art Competition 07:00pm – 08:00pm Singing Competition 08:30pm – 09:00pm First Round Winners Announcement th

A competition where celebrities will cook in front of the audience in one of the fast food restaurants located in the food court

»Thursday, October 10th 5:00pm – 8:00pm The competition

» Second Round: Monday, October 6th 09:00am – 10:00am Art Competition 10:30am – 11:30am Singing Competition 12:00pm – 12:30pm Second Round Winners Announcement » Finale: Tuesday, October 7th 09:00am – 10:00am Art Competition 10:30am – 11:30am Singing Competition 12:00pm – 12:30pm Finale Winners Announcement

Balloon Twister 5 Characters

Henna

Horse carriage Face painting

For information and registration contact 17 311 630 Email: info@princeem.com

bystander

Feryal Nass, Dr Hasan Fakhroo & Vanda

Missoni Home Opening Design District Group in collaboration with T&J Vestor launched Missoni Home in Bahrain at Al Aali Mall. The chief guest was the Bahrain Minister for Industry and Commerce, HE Dr. Hasan Fakhro. Also present at the opening was Design District Group CEO, Feryal Nass.

One of the displays

Marise & Zainab

Furniture on display at the store

Jano & Vicky

Mrs Vecchi & HE Alberto Vecchi

48 October 2014

Noof

Sara, Jaleel Al Ansari, Mrs. Vecchi, HE Alberto Vecchi & Edoardo

Duaa & Noof

A look at the collections

The popular Missoni pattern

Maisa & Aziza

Deema & Dr Hala

Saswana, Ola & Mona

A bedroom range on display

Feryal Nass

www.bahrainthismonth.com

germany in bahrain

Germany in

October 2014

A Special Supplement by Bahrain This Month 50 Cultural Aspects HE Sabine Taufmann talks about Germany’s year of celebrations and discusses the importance of understanding cultural diversity.

52 A Strong Affinity Serving his second term as president of the BahrainDeutsche Society, Tareq FA Wafa discusses the goals of the organisation.

54 Economic Ties Senior member of the German-Bahrain social network, Prof Dr Bernd J Hoefer, discusses the potential for Bahraini businesses to grow in Germany and vice versa.

56 Study in Germany Coordinator of the Embassy-run German courses in the Kingdom, Stefanie Russell gives us a glimpse of the German education sector.

58 Expansion Plans Co-founder of Bahraini German International Services tells us about the growth of his company and the prospects of further expanding its reach.

60 All in the Game After the World Cup 2014 win, it’s hard to ignore German football. Stan Szecowka gives us an overview of Bundesliga and its players.

Commercial Index Al Haddad Motors (Mercedes)................................. 53 Bahrainisch-Deutsche Gesellschaft (BDG)........... 51 Berlitz............................................................................ 57 DHL International........................................................ 59 Euro Motors (BMW).............................................. IFC, 1 German Skin Care Centre........................................... 61 Yusif bin Yusif Fakhro.................................................. 55

www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2014 49

germany in bahrain

The Road to Re-unification

On the occasion of the Day of German Unity and the 24th anniversary of Germany’s reunification on October 3, German Ambassador Sabine Taufmann speaks about the Embassy’s future plans for improving bilateral relations with Bahrain.

Bahrain This Month (BTM): Why is 2014 considered a significant year for Germany?

HE Sabine Taufmann (ST): 2014 is a special year of remembrance. We look back on several epochmaking events of the 20th century and major points in history, like the outbreak of the First World War 100 years ago and the beginning of the Second World War 75 years ago.

The two world wars have left deep scars in Europe and the world. It must remain our duty to keep the memory of the darkest period in German history alive.

The division of Germany was a terrible consequence of the Second World War. However, we also celebrate the fall of the Wall 25 years ago that ended the Cold War era, and led to the reunification of Germany. The eastern enlargement of the European Union 10 years ago is another milestone we commemorate this year.

People wanted to live in freedom, peace and security. The recent developments in Europe as well as in the region teach us that we can’t take the value of a stable peace order for granted.

BTM: How has the Kingdom of Bahrain honed its relations with Germany?

ST: The only way forward to promote peace and stability is through democratic reforms. Germany highly appreciates the political dialogue initiative

50 October 2014

Celebrating the World Cup 2014 victory at the German Embassy

which His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has asked HRH Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to move forward. We commend the call for parliamentary and municipal elections in November.

Germany attaches great importance to our bilateral parliamentary exchange. Vice President of the German Bundestag Claudia Roth visited the Kingdom of Bahrain in March this year. At the same time, several delegations of the Bahraini Parliament, Shura Council and the Supreme Council of Women were received in Berlin.

BTM: Could you give us an overview of BahrainGerman trade relations?

ST: The GCC region is Germany’s fifth largest trading partner outside of the EU. Within the GCC, Bahrain is the easiest country to access for German business.

Costs are comparatively low; the doors of the Bahraini administration are always open. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Pianist-cellist duo Andreas Woyke and Friedrich Kleinhapl

Allow me to thank the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Economic Development Board and Tamkeen for their reliable support to German companies using Bahrain as a hub for their regional operations.

During 2013, German exports to Bahrain had reached USD470 million while Germany imported USD80 million from Bahrain.

BTM: There has been considerable focus on cultural aspects. What can the people of Bahrain look forward to experiencing?

ST: Culture is one of the most important pillars of our foreign policy. We have donated about 300 books to the National Library as a representative cross section of German literature. Fifty books are classic German literature translated into Arabic. We look forward to signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Isa Cultural Centre.

On the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations between Germany and Bahrain, the Embassy hosted a concert presenting German music of three centuries. A delegation of the Ministry of Culture has just visited the Berlin Art Week in order to explore whether a similar concept could be viable here.

On November 17, a piano-cello duo that performed last year in Bahrain will hold at a public concert in the Shaikh Ebrahim Centre.

On the occasion of the European Day of Languages, allow me to mention the importance of the German language as an important tool to learn more about our culture. It is one of the most spoken languages in Europe.

This year, we have more than 300 students taking part in German language courses organised by the German Embassy in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and by the University of Bahrain. The increasing number of students learning the German language is evidence of the great interest in Germany and German-speaking countries.

Last but not least, 2014 is also the year when the German football team won the World Cup — for the fourth time.

The secrets behind this were renewal and team spirit, both decisive criteria in policymaking and business.

Bridging Business & Culture For the past 14 years, the Bahrainisch-Deutsche Gesellschaft (BDG) has been a major catalyst in the development of Bahraini-German bilateral relationships in terms of commerce and culture. BDG’s main objective is to strengthen further social, economic & sporting ties between the two nations Our facilities & services include Introduction & Development of Business Opportunities * Market Research Advice & Support * Association with Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (“GHORFA") * Social Activities

P.O. Box 15378 Adliya, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel. 17 226697 Fax. 17 226789 Email: info@bahraingermany.com

www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2014 51

germany in bahrain

Building a Business Culture

Tareq Wafa

GEORGIE BRADLEY Serving his second term as president of the BahrainischDeutsche Gesellschaft (BDG), (Bahrain German Friendship Society) Tareq F.A. Wafa discusses the goals of the organisation and why Bahrain and Germany have a strong affinity.

Established in 2000, the Bahrainisch-Deutsche Gesellschaft (BDG) has seen steady growth over the years. Boasting a 40 per cent German and 60 per cent Bahraini membership, the non-profit organisation aims to create bilateral commerce and cultural relations between the countries, with the intention of further balancing the ratio in the future. Its activities and events are based on strengthening the social, economical, business and sporting fronts.

Bilateral opportunities The BDG holds and promotes functions, speeches and lectures with visiting German delegations, who engage in a dialogue for business potential. The society prides itself on offering a fair and blunt opinion on whether Bahrain is a suitable market for conducting business for potential German aspirants.

“We offer objective and practical advice largely for, but not limited to, the industrial sector. We support initiatives to establish a German presence in Bahrain,” says Tareq, the chairman and chief executive of Tricom Group, which deals with commercial services and agencies, electrical contracting, international brokerage, oil and gas and the import and export and sale of aircraft equipment.

Along with the other businessmen who are members of the society, Tareq brings his corporate skills and expertise to the table. The society assists German companies as suppliers, trying to identify opportunities in Bahrain when BDG is consulted. For example, the medical field in Germany can directly export their equipment to Bahrain and the same applies for many other German industries.

Support system “We as a society try to facilitate the needs of anybody who comes from Germany and wants to conduct business in Bahrain if he/she elect to seek

52 October 2014

BDG’s support. This extends to business opportunities in Saudi Arabia, too,” Mazen AlUmran BGD treasurer notes.

“The German embassy in Bahrain represents Germany and is therefore responsible for all political and economical matters. We get excellent support from the ambassador and her team, but we are not a political entity. We participate annually in June for the Arab-German Business Forum in Berline, Germany, and the German Ambassador has always been alongside us along with the Bahraini Ambassador in Germany. The Embassy in Bahrain invites BDG and its members whenever they have events,like visiting business delegations or the German National Day celebrations” Maike Neelsen, BDG general secretary adds.

The added value of the German influence in business is very high, which gives Bahrain a more exposed presence to other markets.

“We are both geared towards securing the quality of business; we’re both moving in the same direction.

Germany provides the quality and the time. We have met in the middle as a result of our successful partnership. We have adapted to a systematic way of conducting business. The market is open; you have to be competitive and reliable for international partners,” Tareq Wafa explains.

Beyond business Opportunity for trade is not the sole focus of the society. It is distinguishably intent on highlighting the culture between both nations. It has hosted functions such as selective speaker dinners, business presentations (where possible) and Ramadan Ghabgas that are organised as a means for a ‘meet and greet’ in a lively setting.

Additionally, regular lunches and dinners are held for members and their guests. The BDG has also taken part in many gastronomic events where each nation’s cuisine has been sampled and enjoyed by all as another way to unify the relationship.

“Our people bring the society together and ensure the smooth running of business and cultural exchanges. They have created a platform for businesses to benefit from; everyone carries out their roles efficiently,” Tareq says.

The board is small and this allows for clear and direct communication and regular interaction. The society is gradually increasing with new members joining annually. “According to the German Embassy, there are 500 residents in Bahrain registered to the society. We have to be realistic about how much we want to grow; it is a stable growth figure and we are thankful to all our members for their exceptional support and continued loyalty,” Tareq Wafa adds. www.bahrainthismonth.com

germany in bahrain Prof Dr Bernd J Hoefer

knowledge-based economy. In terms of sectors, the company is focused on ICT, transport and logistics, energy and clean technology, R&D, medical technology and higher education.

BTM: What makes Bahrain a fertile ground for business operations?

BH: If a foreigner or a foreign company wants to do business in the GCC you have to travel extensively throughout the region because the domestic markets of each member country are too small. In nine out of 10 cases the target market isn’t Bahrain but the GCC as a whole.

Without a doubt, Bahrain provides good reasons to choose it as the gateway to the GCC and even the MENA region. However, there is always space for improvements and the German Business Roundtable Bahrain, for which I am a spokesperson for, has plenty of ideas to help attract more foreign direct investments to strengthen entrepreneurship and support the private sector. We are open to discuss our ideas with any governmental or semigovernmental agency in Bahrain.

Standing Out GEORGIE BRADLEY Prof Dr Bernd J Hoefer is the founder of A9C Capital and a senior spokesperson of the German Business Roundtable Bahrain. He discusses why the country provides a fertile ground for business between Germany and Bahrain.

Bahrain This Month (BTM): What brought you to Bahrain in 2006?

Bernd Hoefer (BH): I was the vice chairman of the executive board of the German Aerospace Centre. It is one of most respected science, technology, and research and development institutions in Europe, focusing on aerospace, renewable energy, material sciences and life sciences.

I had a good relationship with a senior member of the Royal Family of Bahrain; one day he asked me if I would like to come to the Kingdom to take over the post as the CEO of one of his companies. It took me just three days to think it over.

BTM: What does your business entail?

BH: A9C Capital which I co-founded in Bahrain in 2008 is a business consultancy and technology advisory company which serves its Middle East clients as the gateway to technology projects, mergers and acquisitions opportunities, and private equity investments in technology companies worldwide with a focus on Europe. In addition, the company serves as a facilitator between technology and know-how providers worldwide with a focus on Middle Eastern investors.

We support governments and investors when it comes to portfolio diversification, industrialisation, innovative undertakings and the development of a

54 October 2014

BTM: What allows Bahrain to stand out from its GCC counterparts in terms of business and economic gain?

BH: First and foremost, it’s Bahrain’s liberality in all fields — politically, economically and socially — and the friendly, open lifestyle. One of the biggest assets is the fact that companies can be set up in Bahrain under 100 per cent foreign ownership in principle at least.

Other GCC countries require a majority ownership of local partners or only allow 100 per cent foreign ownership in free trade zones, which is expensive.

Another point is that the cost of doing business is almost half as compared to the costs of Dubai. Finally, we see a bunch of additional features, such as a free trade agreement with the USA, tax-free environment, educated local workforce and support programmes.

BTM: What are the aims of the German Business Roundtable in Bahrain to further foster business ties with Germany?

BH: The German Business Roundtable in Bahrain wishes to play a vital role in the discussions regarding the Bahraini-German economic relations. We want to be seen as one of the most competent partners to be approached in this matter.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Designed for excellent compositions PureLine, the new generation of built-in cooking appliances by Miele embodies the purest principles of design.

Stunning symmetry and sleek aesthetics ensure endless combinations for a visually harmonious ensemble of appliances. Together, they promise unprecedented ease of preparation, culinary precision and unsurpassed gourmet results. A new design for your life and the way you live your life.

germany in bahrain BTM: How demanding do you consider the studies in Germany to be?

SR: In Germany, they throw you in at the deep end.

This means that from day one, you have to be up to the demands of your subject. There is no established tradition of preparatory colleges or extra courses to provide you with the skills needed for your subject, although more universities are now introducing welcome centres and mentoring programmes.

In other systems, there is an incentive to help students as much as possible so as to let them succeed. If they drop out, the university will no longer receive their fees. This is not the case in Germany, where universities depend less on fees and therefore are independent.

Stefanie Russell

Study in Germany Stefanie Russell, coordinator of the Embassy-run German courses in the Kingdom, gives us a picture of the education scenario in Germany.

Bahrain This Month (BTM): Education in German is without cost. So can everybody study in Germany?

Stefanie Russell (SR): Public German universities usually do not charge fees for the tuition, or only nominal fees. However, German universities are not without costs. On average, the German taxpayers fund every university student with about BD4,000 per year.

For a complete study of medicine, we estimate about BD100,000 of tax funding to the university. This is a huge gift made by the German taxpayer; it explains why places are limited. So, no, not everybody can study in Germany; we can only accept the best and the most dedicated.

BTM: So, is it really difficult to be accepted by a German university?

SR: Let’s put it this way: At the moment, almost 300,000 international students are studying in Germany, but only half of them will finish their bachelor’s degree. We want to bring the quota of drop-outs down as much as we can. Selecting the students is a great responsibility for the universities.

If the students quit, it will have a negative impact on their lives. The German taxpayer will have made a considerable investment in vain.

BTM: Why do only half of the foreign students in Germany finish their studies?

SR: There are three main reasons why foreign students quit. Courses are being taught in German.

Courses in English are an exception; they will most likely be payable. Another reason is that studies in Germany are very demanding. And let’s not forget, even without tuition, there is still the cost of living to cover. An amount of BD500 per month will suffice, but it will be a moderate lifestyle.

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BTM: Is it as tough as it sounds?

SR: There is a wonderful institution which I would like to introduce called the ‘Studienkolleg’. There, within one year usually, you can complete a full German higher education programme. Before, you had to learn the language.

When leaving this institution, you will be at the same level as the German student who has just left school and is ready to start his or her further studies. However, it will take one or two years; it is mostly payable.

I still recommend it; it is similar to preparatory courses in other systems. Studienkolleg is a fascinating formative experience. You will be studying with people from all over the world.

BTM: Which is the best German university?

SR: As you know, the largest German airport is in Frankfurt. Berlin is the capital and the Oktoberfest is in Munich. What I want to say is that Germany is diverse. Only 150 years ago, the country consisted of 500 independent states.

Germany has almost 430 institutions of higher education, among them 108 universities and 216 universities of applied sciences. They all have their different core areas. Instead of looking for the best German university, you should be looking for the best German university for you.

BTM: How would a student proceed to select a German university?

SR: The first port of call should be the websites of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), either www.study-in.de/en or www.daad.de/idp. The latter is for English-taught programmes only. On this website, you will find the most comprehensive, sophisticated search engines, covering all German universities and study programmes.

With specific questions, you can always turn to the international students’ office at the university of your choice, to the regional office of the DAAD in Abu Dhabi (www.daad-gulfregion.org) or to the German Embassy. www.bahrainthismonth.com

BERLITZ BAHRAIN

Transcending Boundaries

Learning a new language is not just a means to communicating with a new community, but a gateway to a whole new culture.

Berlitz is reputed as an institution with a practical approach to teaching languages, where the method of instruction allows the students to engage in knowing the entire culture of the region to which that language belongs. The centre offers courses in several languages for children and adults at its Budaiya and Adliya branches. These include English, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Farsi and Urdu.

When you enrol into the programme, you’re not restricted to the books and theory. The language centre encourages the students to converse with each other, watch movies and listen to news and music in the language they are learning.

For parents who want their children to have an extra academic push, Berlitz’s tutoring module helps in mentoring children with schoolwork.

The programme is available in several languages. The Budaiya branch also offers parents an opportunity to learn languages, with an option to schedule their classes at the same time as their child.

Since many cannot always make time for scheduled classes, Berlitz offers virtual lessons. So, you can learn a new language in a flexible manner, regardless of your location. There is the option of blended learning, which is a combination of individual telephone instruction and interaction with licensed cyber teachers. You can also do just phone lessons or join the Berlitz Virtual Classroom.

CyberTeachers Live is the tutor-assisted version of their award-winning online programme. With this alternative, students benefit from the presence of their personal tutors and can have conversation classes animated in the Berlitz Virtual Classrooms.

Call 17 827-847. www.bahrainthismonth.com

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Mohammed Al Sharqi

The Whole Package GEORGIE BRADLEY Mohammed Al Sharqi, the co-founder of Bahraini German International Services, talks about combining health and holidays in a bid to solidify ties between the two countries.

Bahrain This Month (BTM): What is the main aim of Bahraini German International Services (BGIS)?

Mohammed Al Sharqi (MS): We want to be a company that offers complete A-Z services in high-quality tourism including medical, leisure and corporate aspects at an affordable price. We don’t just want to book tickets and accommodation for our customers; we offer full trips for people who need all our support.

BTM: Why do you think there is a demand for health trips to Germany? What about its medical field makes Germany so reliable and trustworthy?

MS: Germany has a perfect reputation when it comes to medical services. Their quality of medical research and treatment is world-renowned, making it very attractive for students to study medicine there as well. Our patients put their faith and trust in German doctors and their knowledge.

BTM: How does BGIS make medical trips accessible for Bahrainis who are not familiar with the culture and language?

MS: Our goal is to make patients and their families feel comfortable when they reach their destination in Germany. Besides choosing the right doctors at the right hospital for their treatment, we want to fully support them the whole way. We arrange for medical guides and translators. They take care of the patients in the hospital and are on hand for any questions regarding the life and culture in Germany.

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In addition, I and Birgit Hobaugh, a German national, who co-founded the company with me, pass on information from our first-hand experience. We prepare them for what they should expect when they reach the city and what cultural differences they will face — especially if they are travelling to a Western country for the first time.

BTM: You have changed the name from Bahraini German International Medical Care to Bahraini German International Services. Why is this?

MS: When we opened our company in 2004, we were only offering health tourism services, under the programme called ‘Fly for Your Health’. To increase the range of services, we opened our departments called ‘Discover Bahrain’ and ‘Discover the World’ in 2006, from which we offer inbound and outbound tourism services.

German companies are welcome in Bahrain; we are able to help them to get established in the Kingdom.

Through our network in the German community, we connect old and new citizens and try to help them feel welcome in their new home country.

BTM: Aside from offering these trips, has BGIS branched out in any other way?

MS: As an agency for the globally established Goethe Institut, we market and promote knowledge of the German language in their schools in Germany and foster international cultural cooperation. www.bahrainthismonth.com

DHL

Delivering Opportunities This logistics company has blazed the trail for express delivery in the region; the company’s investment plans are proof that it has no intention of slowing down.

Logistics sits at the heart of globalisation and is a key vehicle in linking the region to the global marketplace, boosting trade and economic growth as a result. DHL has been a key facilitator of this trend and for over 30 years has revolutionised the regional logistics industry with

key investment strategies, product innovation and commitment to service excellence.

With its MENA headquarters and a major distribution centre firmly stationed in the Kingdom of Bahrain, DHL has been a pioneer in the Middle East logistics industry for nearly four

decades. A strong business formula has guaranteed the company’s consistent growth and a strong presence in 19 countries with over 4,000 employees across the region.

DHL prides itself in being the express provider of choice with its main operations focusing on Express Time Definite deliveries. All the company’s investments and product and service improvements are targeted towards bettering transit times and enhancing time-definite delivery. The company is always looking to stay ahead of the game through continuous investment in its people, facilities and services — the key drivers of its business success.

The company’s expansion strategies focus on enhanced connectivity and boosting trade. DHL plans to open up more access points across the region and increase links between MENA, Asia and the Americas with investment projects worth over USD170 million within the next two years.

As the Middle East continues to offer lucrative business opportunities, DHL will continue to lead the way in strengthening the region’s global connectivity by growing their presence and capabilities for many years to come.

Call 17 364-100.

DELIVERING EXPRESS SOLUTIONS.

No matter how far your shipment is, the International Specialists at DHL Express will bring it right to your door; delivering express solutions on time, every time. dhl.com.bh

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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germany in bahrain

Another Wunderbar Season

Germany FIFA World Cup winners 2014

STAN SZECOWKA The booming Bundesliga records another bumper season in 2014-15 with the world’s attention focused firmly on Germany following their World Cup victory in Brazil.

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The German top division has been growing in terms of spectators and finances for years; the trend is continuing into the new season that started in late August. The national team’s World Cup victory has added to German football’s growing allure; a rising number of football-crazy viewers in the Kingdom are tuning into the action which isregularly aired regionally on beIN Sports channels or by live streaming via the Internet.

“For everyone involved in the Bundesliga, the World Cup victory is a huge motivation to become even better on all levels,” says VfL Wolfsburg sports director Klaus Allofs.

With minnows Paderborn promoted and Nuremberg, with a bigger stadium, relegated, the Bundesliga may not set a new attendance record, as it has done in recent seasons. Yet, it still looks set to maintain its status as the highest-attended league in the world, with an average of more than 40,000 spectators attending each game.

“The Bundesliga is seen by fans as exciting and we have the highest average attendance in the world,” says Reinhard Rauball, German football league (DFL) president. “The rivalry between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund is healthy for the league.”

The country’s top two teams, which have shared the title between them since 2010, reflect the health of the league. Flush with cash from ticket sales and broadcasting revenues, the pair has dominated not

Bastian Schweinsteiger

only domestically but on the European stage as well, with the highlight being the 2013 Champions League final where Bayern beat the Ruhr valley club in an allGerman affair. It is, however, the financial health of the vast majority of the 18 clubs, which churn out players from their youth academies, that makes the Bundesliga the envy of the football world. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Miroslav Klose

Every year more German players are lured away to the bigger leagues in Spain and England, with Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) and Emre Can (Liverpool) among the most recent exits. However, the Bundesliga’s seemingly endless production line continues to feed the domestic clubs.

Teams can expect increased interest in their players from European heavyweights while foreign talents see the German league as an attractive alternative to the Premier League and Spain’s La Liga.

With broadcast revenues increasing by around 60 million euros this year to 700 million euros, the Bundesliga is gradually closing the gap between bigger European counterparts. Around 150 million euros is expected to be raised through rights deals with foreign broadcasters for the 2015-16 season, but DFL CEO Christian Seifert says this figure would inflate to 250 million in the medium term.

“Football today is part of the global entertainment industry; so our thinking should not stop at country borders,” he says.

Growing Qatari broadcast giant beIN Sports recently signed a deal that added German Bundesliga coverage to its Middle Eastern rights portfolio. beIN has sublicensed the rights to the top tier German soccer league from Dubai sports channels. The Qatari network will now broadcast the Bundesliga on an exclusive basis in the MENA region.

Nearly two-thirds of Germany’s professional football clubs logged a profit in the 2013-14 season, according to a new study by auditors Ernst & Young. Those profits were even described as ‘high’ by every third club,

after gauging the opinions of 51 club managers from Germany’s three professional Bundesliga divisions. Out of 56 professional clubs, 18 clubs, or 32 per cent, were in the red. In the previous season, only 28 per cent of clubs had losses in the books.

“German professional football has become an attractive field from both a sports and a commercial perspective,” said Christine Unterhitzenberger, EY analyst and one of the study’s authors.

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Farrell International Co. W.L.L.

German Skin Care Centre SKIN CARE MADE IN GERMANY now 10 years in Bahrain, now 10 years in Bahrain, now 10 y

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 177 22 696 www.bahrainthismonth.com

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EURO MOTORS

Evolution of the Sports Car The world’s first sustainable and most progressive sports car of our time has found its way to our island.

62 October 2014

With its ultra-dynamic proportions, elegantly sporty lines, low-slung silhouette and futuristic design features, BMW’s i8 plug-in hybrid sports car is expected to cause a sensation on the roads when it goes on sale this month. It signals the future of sustainable motoring and Euro Motors, the BMW Group importer in Bahrain, has opened its doors to customers keen to learn more about this phenomenal vehicle.

“BMW vehicles have always been known to be at the forefront of technology and innovation; the BMW i8 is no exception. Combining the performance and appeal of a sports car with the fuel consumption of a small car, the BMW i8 features a unique design language as well as a sustainability concept throughout its build. Unique to its core, we are confident that the car will be as successful in Bahrain as it has been around the world,” says Paul Yates, general manager of Euro Motors. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Green technology The BMW i8 is the second model, after the BMW i3, to be unveiled by BMW i, the company’s sub-brand focusing solely on developing sustainable products and services. It has helped affirm BMW Group’s leadership as the world’s most sustainable premium car company.

Both the exterior and interior embody a revolutionary, pioneering take on the sheer driving pleasure for which BMW is renowned. The model features a new, exciting sports car design which includes sophisticated aerodynamics and environmentally friendly materials.

It incorporates BMW LifeDrive architecture, the worlds’ first body architecture specifically designed and purposebuilt for series production of electric and plug-in hybrid cars. The use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic is a first for a volume-production model. It is the lightest available material that can be used in the construction of a car body, without compromising on safety.

Fully charged Powered by a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine which, in typical BMW sports car fashion, drives through the rear wheels, the BMW i8’s intelligent hybrid system capitalises on a potent electric motor. This sends drive to the front wheels, resulting in a combined power output of 362hp delivered to all four wheels.

When united, the dual motors work in harmony enabling the car to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds while using just 2.1 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres and emitting just 59g/km of emissions. The BMW i8 has a top speed electronically limited to 250km/h and can be

www.bahrainthismonth.com

operated solely in all electric drive (zero emissions) for around 37 kilometres. The battery can be continuously charged by the petrol engine while driving. Due to its light weight, the car provides a total drive range of more than 500 kilometres.

The BMW i8 is the future of sports performance driving, offering unparalleled fuel efficiency in a light and lithe coupé body that takes nothing away from the thrill of driving a thoroughbred performance car.

Call 17 750-750.

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AL HADDAD MOTORS

Rewarding Customers This summer, a leading automobile company chose to treat the residents in the Kingdom to special offers on most of its car models and accessories.

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Since 1958, Al Haddad Motors has been the authorised general distributor for Mercedes-Benz in the Kingdom of Bahrain. From new and used passenger cars to commercial vehicles and genuine spare parts to lifestyle accessories, the experts at the centre make sure that everything is professionally managed to the worldwide standards of the German automobile brand.

“We want to reward customers staying in the country during the peak of the summer with special prices. Sometimes, it pays to stay,” says Graeme Newport, general manager at Al Haddad Motors.

The promotion was launched specifically to reward customers who have opted to stay in Bahrain instead of travelling over the summer break. The offer runs for a limited period of time; so get your hand on these irresistible deals this month before summer has officially ended.

Al Haddad Motors provides special prices on most of the Mercedes-Benz models, including the C-Class, C-Coupé, E-Class, A-Class, AMG range, the GL, GLK, ML and SL family. Get official accessories, such as the illuminated Mercedes star logo, the bike and luggage carrier and rear spoilers at unbelievable rates before it’s too late.

“If this is not enough to convince you to buy a luxurious Mercedes-Benz from Al Haddad Motors this summer, book yourself a test drive with any of our cars and find out what you’re missing,” he adds.

Al Haddad Motors is open Saturday to Thursday from 8am until 8pm. Visit the showroom to book your test drive. The service centre boasts a modern workshop fully equipped with Mercedes-Benz approved equipment. Get regular updates on the exciting promotions by following the group on its social media channels.

Visit www.bahrain.mercedesbenzme.com. www.bahrainthismonth.com

YUSIF BIN YUSIF FAKHRO

A Tradition of Quality

After being in business for more than a century, this company continues to win the trust of consumers, while seeking ways to improve their way of life.

Miele has been a family-owned and family-run company since its inception in 1899. Managed today by the fourth generation, the company has been a pioneer in the field of premium home appliances ever since a butter churn inspired the design of its firstever washing machine in 1901.

The butter churn has become Miele’s icon, the epitome of the company’s ongoing effort to make home living better. Today, its research and development teams continue to pioneer the way in technological advancements to develop firsts in durability and design.

The testing procedures are stringent, ensuring every individual part is inspected. Nothing but the highestquality appliance reaches the homes of its customers.

Miele’s dedication to quality has won the hearts of consumers the world over. It has grown over the years; today Miele has a workforce of 16,000 employees around the world.

Miele products and appliances are available exclusively at Yusif Bin Yusif Fakhro.

Call 17 408-150.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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Discover Germany

Düsseldorf

Mainz A quaint city known for its printing history and the Gutenberg Press, Mainz is a must-try for all who have been bitten by the travel bug. You will be pleasantly surprised by the welcoming nature of the place and its people. Stay in a hotel by the river for spectacular views at sunset.

Sankt Peter is the hidden gem of Mainz; its little park is worth flying back to every chance you get. The dining scene is surprisingly good. The Saturday farmers’ market is a great way to take in the true essence of this lovely city. Café Blumen and Hafeneck are two eateries worth discovering.

ELMA BARTHOLOMEW Previously an understated if upcoming tourist hub, Germany is on the way to making it to the top of every traveller’s bucket list. However, this country is not just about Berlin, Munich and the Black Forest. Here’s a round-up of five cities that boast a low profile, but you must visit nonetheless.

Düsseldorf For the art fanatics, this city is a dream destination. While it can pass off as borderline pretentious, the Quadriennale hosted here is reason enough to stop over for a few days. Home to a horde of museums carefully assigned to eras and styles of paintings and sculptures, Düsseldorf is not just meant for the elite art aficionado. The street and pop art scene in this city is worth checking out as well.

For the fashion forward, walk in every direction of the shopping districts for unbelievable deals. Zum Schiffchen is a great place to stop by for lunch, perhaps after a trip to the Film Museum and a short walk along the riverside. Choose a hotel closer to town to avoid wasting time getting around.

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Mainz

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Heidelberg

Heidelberg This scenic city is best to leave for the end of your trip. Spend the first day walking up Philosopher’s Way and down Snake Path. This should give you a beautiful view of Heidelberg city and is the perfect respite from the clamour of a busy life. Dine and wine to your heart’s content and spend the evening people watching by the shopping street.

Save a day to spend at the Heidelberg Castle. Take the 315 marked steps up to the castle to take in a bit of its history. You may not be able to finish seeing the gardens in a day, but you could get one of the best views of Heidelberg from the top. The student prison is a hidden gem a short walk within the city; it’s a pleasant treat for the wanderer.

Hamburg This city has got style. It’s got more bridges than you can count; the port city is divided into the outer and inner sides of the Alster Lake. Hamburg’s maritime heritage is its spirit, elements of which are infused in everything from its architecture to its cuisine. The music scene is big here, as is its shopping offerings. It’s hard to shut your eyes and ears to the history of this alluring city; so it’s best to simply embrace it.

Check out the recreated Caribbean beach on the Elbe and the quirky Miniature Wonderland if you’ve got time to spare from walking around and café-hopping.

Cologne

Cologne Köln is a shopaholic’s paradise. From boutiques on every street to understated designers, this city is replete with retail destinations of all kinds. If you’re into history, then visit the NS Documentation Centre. You might have to hunt for the entrance, but you’ll find it harder to leave.

Before you splurge on No. 4711 perfumes, take a trip to the fragrance museum nestled within the city to learn the history behind ‘eau de cologne’. You cannot leave the city without climbing up to the bell tower of the Cologne Cathedral; it’s only 533 steps! www.bahrainthismonth.com

Hamburg

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bystander

HE Sushma Swaraj

HE Mohan Kumar, the Indian Ambassador to Bahrain

Onam Celebrations at Ritz-Carlton The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Hotel & Spa celebrated Onam in style. The guest of honour was HE Sushma Swaraj, the Indian Minsiter for Foreign Affairs. The attendees were treated to traditional dances such as the Puli Kali, the Thiruvathira Kali and beautiful floral arrangements called Pookalam. The event ended with the traditional Onasadya lunch.

The dignitaries inaugurate the event

HE Sushma Swaraj and Mala Kumar

Dignitaries at the event Guests with Mahabali, the legendary king of Kerala

Rijas, Najeeb, Sudher, Vipin, Libeesh, Rujeesh, Salim, Kivan and Karthik

the Thiruvathira Kali

A Mosaic Workshop Bahrain’s first mosaic artist, Faiza Saeed, organised a workshop on the basics of mosaic building at the Riyadat Mall.

Jameela, Brigi, Faiza, Anu & Anshu

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Participants at work

www.bahrainthismonth.com

INTERVIEWS

Turn of the Century The mother of all local Indian clubs and associations pulls out all the stops as it launches into a 100-day celebration to mark a century of its success in the Kingdom.

ALSO THIS MONTH: 70 CHRISTIAN ZANDONELLA 74 HE MuhammaD Saeed Khan

Anand Lobo

T

he Indian Club is going through the most exciting phase in its history in Bahrain. The ageing building in the heart of Manama decks up this month to mark the milestone in style. Anand Lobo, the club’s president, was voted in last year to oversee the centennial arrangements; he is pleased with the developments so far.

“We’re proud to be part of the club especially at this moment. The team is planning the grand celebration and aims to improve the facilities at the venue,” says Anand. “The Indian Embassy chose to have its Independence Day ceremony on our club’s premises this year, which gave us a big boost.”

Anand has been orchestrating the BD300,000 renovation exercise that will culminate as celebrations peak in December. The Indian Club has been declared a ‘no smoking zone’ www.bahrainthismonth.com

and security has improved significantly thanks to an imposing boundary wall. CCTVs are being installed at various entry points for better surveillance. Additionally, the reception area has been expanded and spruced up.

“Our aim is to improve the standards of the club and to offer unprecedented facilities to its members. We’ve achieved these objectives to an extent; membership has gone up from 500 to 900,” Anand adds.

The revamped gym will remain open round the clock, with different timings for men and women. The badminton courts now have wooden floors; a sports lounge has been built for members in addition to a snooker and cards room.

“We’re increasing the capacity of the Sanskar Hall to accommodate around 800 people. A fine dining multicuisine restaurant is being added as well,” the president explains.

Anand has more ambitious plans for next year. He hopes to transform the outdoor tennis courts into a car park and build a swimming pool for members.

Celebrations kick off The 100-day celebration will begin with a marathon on October 24. Around 5,000 people from various Indian associations are expected to participate in the race. In the evening, an Indian market boasting jewellery, textile and food kiosks reels in visitors from across the Kingdom.

The club’s dandiya dance festival to be held in October is set to be one of the largest in Bahrain. The Centenary Cup for cricket, football, hockey and volleyball matches throughout the month will conclude in a grand finale on October 30, with Indian sporting stars in attendance.

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interview

Christian Zandonella

Let Us Stay With You GEORGIE BRADLEY Christian Zandonella continues his 10-year loyalty with the Ritz-Carlton hotel chain after being appointed the new general manager of the Bahrain branch.

Bahrain This Month (BTM): When did you first get into the hotel industry?

Christian Zandonella (CZ): I started as an apprentice in Germany when I was 16 years old. Before that, my family used to have an ice cream shop where my father put me to the task of selling ice creams out the back of our car.

BTM: As you evolve in your career, what do you think is the most essential part of a hotel experience?

CZ: Besides a comfortable bed, the food and beverage experience is the most important because it defines you as a hotel. We believe that the food and beverage experience makes guests want to come back.

BTM: Why did you decide to come to The RitzCarlton, Bahrain Hotel and Spa? CZ: The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain is a stellar flagship property with many layers; you need 10 days to discover it! Bahrain as a nation has a very impressive vision with lots of upcoming developments. As a hotel, we want to cater to that. It is said that Canada is one of the friendliest nations. Having been here only a week, I challenge that.

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BTM: What is the hotel group’s greatest asset?

CZ: The Ritz-Carlton philosophy is strong; we want to inspire life’s most meaningful journeys for our guests, to add value to their time at the hotel. We hope that we stay with the guests once they check out and are part of the memory of their hotel experience.

“

Bahrain as a nation has a very impressive vision with lots of upcoming developments

”

BTM: There is increasing competition with new hotels opening on the island. What sets the Ritz-Carlton apart?

CZ: Our motto is that there is no finish line. The hotel has been relevant for the last 20 years; we share the same vision and have a great partnership with our ownership group. We are going to keep evolving and improving our amenities and restaurants.

BTM: What projects have you got lined up in the coming months?

CZ: We are about to offer a mobile check-in service for our guests to cater for the mobile generation of travellers. Guests at The RitzCarlton, Bahrain Hotel and Spa will have a choice of either interacting with us or having a seamless check-in.

As we evolve, whatever we do, we always think ahead to make sure it will have relevance for the years to come. As you evolve in your career, you need more time to make a difference.

If you’re a server, you can start today and make a difference. As a general manager you do make day-to-day differences, but it takes time to make a long-lasting impact. www.bahrainthismonth.com

interview

Officials of the Chinese Embassy, Huawei and Dragon City

Forging Trade Links SIMI KAMBOJ

C

China’s efforts to build trade links that extend from Central Asia to the Middle East have been in the spotlight in recent times. We look at some of the main players, who are charting the modern-day Silk Route to Bahrain and beyond.

hina’s ambitious plans of building a Silk Road Economic Belt connecting East Asia with the Middle East and Europe are beginning to take shape in the region. With Bahrain starting to look to the East, major Chinese companies have begun investing in the Kingdom and others are exploring opportunities.

“Under China’s one-belt-one-road policy which attempts to recreate the ancient Silk Route, we aim to have connections by train, road and flights with this region. In a couple of years, we hope to see direct air links between China and Bahrain,” observes Patrick Zheng Shuo, regional president of the Chinamex Middle East Investment and Trade Promotion Centre.

China Star Airline has shown interest and is in the process of negotiations for direct flights. Patrick is sure that improved connections will bring more Chinese businesses and investment to this region.

72 October 2014

Dragon-sized retail Chinamex has signed up with Diyar Al Muharraq for operating Dragon City in Bahrain, for which the groundbreaking started in May 2014. The 50,000-square-metre project encompassing wholesale and retail shops, including a 6,000-square metre food court with a specific area for Asian dining oulets and parking in excess of 1,500 bays is scheduled to be completed by next June.

“We expect to have more than 750 commercial shops, cafés, banks and food courts as well as a 4,500-square-metre warehouse. There will be around 3,000 apartments to house tenants of the mall,” says Patrick.

Given their track record with the Dragon Mart in Dubai, which is three times the size of Dragon City and experiences a footfall of around 54,000 visitors on weekends, the promoters are confident that the project will be a major tourist attraction in Bahrain.

The building is designed in Chinese style.

With signage in multiple languages and staff members who speak Cantonese, Mandarin, English and Arabic, the mall caters to locals, expatriates and regional tourists.

“At this point we’re promoting leasing in China. Looking at the interest from potential tenants so far, I would say that around 80 per cent of the leasing should be finalised soon,” says Patrick.

The Dragon City will cater to various price points, with stores for lighting, furniture, textiles, garments, electronics and clothing.

Although the development is a Chinesethemed mall, the investors say that it shouldn’t be perceived as a purely Chinese space.

“Around 20 per cent of the tenants are locals. A fair share of the employees in the mall will be Bahraini. Following our experience at Dubai’s Dragon Mart, we are focusing on visitors from Saudi, Qatar and Kuwait,” notes Caroline Cui, managing director, Chinamex Bahrain Management Company. www.bahrainthismonth.com

year, with bilateral trade amounting to over US$1.95 billion in 2013.

“Bilateral foreign direct investment between China and Bahrain is still in the early stages, but we see a great potential in the near future, especially after HRH King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s visit to China last September,” he says.

In 2013, one of the largest manufacturers of fibreglass in China, CPIC, acquired a 60 per cent stake in the Saudi Arabian Abahsain Fiberglass Company, which has a manufacturing base in Bahrain, for US$42.5 million. The company plans to invest in expanding the factory’s production

Surging ahead Based in Bahrain for more than a decade, with offices in 10 countries across the Middle East, China’s biggest provider of information and communication technology (ICT), Huawei is one of the earliest players in the Kingdom’s telecom industry. The company is now a major presence, having built the fixed broadband and optical network for both Viva and Menatelecom. Country manager Paul Feng Nan finds Bahrain a relaxing place to conduct business.

“The ease of moving around the country and the business-friendly approach of authorities have worked well for us. We have been on an expansion path over the past five years; I see further potential for growth in each of the three segments in which we operate here,” he says.

Huawei is the market leader in the telecom equipment segment, with over 50 per cent market share. The company builds all the hardware devices for Zain telecom. On the consumer electronics front, the ICT player is now the world’s third-largest smartphone maker, behind Apple and Samsung. Huawei is in the process of launching the world’s slimmest smartphone, the Ascend P7, in Bahrain.

Addressing the issue of brand challenge for Chinese companies, Paul believes the consumer perception about Chinese products is changing and that his company intends to strengthen its marketing and brand positioning with aggressive promotions over the coming months. He aims to improve the distribution network, given that his company currently covers only around 40 per cent of Bahrainis territory.

Bahrain could well be on its way to becoming www.bahrainthismonth.com

an IT hub; the challenge lies in building a seamless national broadband network. Paul is optimistic that this will be addressed soon, as the government is committed to investing in the information highway.

“I’m sure the Bahrain Government will improve its infrastructure, which will make things easier for us in the coming years. The sky is the limit for us; we want to be number one in all the segments that we operate in,” he says.

“

In about a couple of years, we will see direct air links between China and Bahrain

On an upward curve While Huawei is currently the only Chinese player using Bahrain as a base for regional operations, several trading companies from China have expressed interest in having the Kingdom as their hub to tap into the regional market.

“Given Bahrain’s free economy, good legislation and the access to the US market through the FDA, we hope to see more trade between the two sides in the fields of infrastructure, housing, rail, energy and tourism,” says Liu Gengsheng, first secretary and head of the Economic and Commercial Office at the Chinese Embassy in Bahrain.

Liu has seen business improve over the last

capacity here.

In addition to this, a number of state-owned Chinese companies, such as the China National Automation Control System Corporation (CACS), China Communications Construction Company and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) have visited Bahrain and met potential business partners.

According to Liu, more than 20 companies have been in Bahrain in the past year in order to explore business opportunities and linkages. However, the overall perception that is emerging is that, while China has been more than forthcoming about trade and bilateral cooperation, officials from Bahrain could show further enthusiasm in order to meet their Artist’s image of Dragon City efforts halfway.

”

October 2014 73

interview

Bolstering

Ties SIMI KAMBOJ

Pakistan’s relations with Bahrain have been robust in recent years. The new Ambassador HE Muhammad Saeed Khan will ensure that the relationship translates into economic gains for both countries.

C

oming from a tropical island of the Maldives, where he was last posted, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Bahrain HE Muhammad Saeed Khan was pleasantly surprised to find himself on a larger island this summer.

“I think Bahrain is an excellent country with very friendly and open-minded people. I’m happy to be able to serve a larger Pakistani diaspora here, a strong community of 100,000 people,” he says.

As for bilateral ties, the ambassador should have little to worry about. Diplomatic relations hit a new high this year following the visit of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the first state visit by a Bahraini ruler to Pakistan.

Several key agreements were signed during this visit in the areas of trade, power and water generation, training of manpower and food security — rice in particular.

“Both countries have agreed on a 21-point agenda; my priority is to be the good soldier and implement His Majesty’s desires. Over the next two years, our aim is take this collaboration to new heights,” he says.

A bulk of the agreements signed were between companies in the private sector operating in the fields of packaging, fertilisers, information and communications technology, and the food industry.

Bilateral trade hovers at US$400 million between the two sides. Agricultural produce and foodstuffs comprise the bulk of Pakistan’s exports to Bahrain, with around US$21 million worth of halal food being imported in a single quarter. However, the Ambassador would like to diversify from the traditional Pakistani exports of carpets, leather goods, cement, 74 October 2014

HE Muhammad Saeed Khan

wooden furniture, rice and textiles.

“There are a number of new areas that we want to explore, such as surgical and dental instruments, software, handloom textiles, cash crops and spices. The advantage of doing business in Bahrain is that it’s a conduit even for countries as far in Northern Africa as Tunisia and Morocco,” he says.

The two countries hope to improve direct flight connections and are working on air service agreements between Pakistan International Airlines and Gulf Air. An occupational training institute from Pakistan will help set up a nurses training institute in Bahrain.

Three agreements have been signed between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in

“

Pakistan and Bahrain for working together in trade exchanges. The most important agreement is that signed between the Bahrain Economic Development Board and the Pakistan Board of Investment for protection and promotion of investment between the two sides.

To those who shirk from considering Pakistan as an investment destination, HE Muhammad Saeed Khan says that his country is itself a victim of terrorism.

Over the coming months, he expects to bring top performers from Pakistan’s music and creative industries to Bahrain in order to give people here a taste of the vibrant culture of the country.

I think Bahrain is an excellent country with very friendly and openminded people

”

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Ticket Prices: BD 18++ BD 16++ Gulf Hotel Partners / Prestige Club Members Early Bird: Buy your ticket in advance and get special discount Prices are subject to 15% service charge and 5% government levy.

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TheGulfHotelBahrain

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interview

David and Mike Gammond

A Tropical Paradise

A

SIMI KAMBOJ A trip to the new bird park at Amwaj Islands is a lesson not only in nature’s diversity, but also in conservation.

We went to see some of the endangered birds and their guardians.

s you make a left turn around Alosra Supermarket near the entrance to Amwaj Islands, you begin to hear bird calls reminiscent of an Amazonian rainforest. Welcome to Azizia Birds Kingdom, home to the largest collection of exotic birds in Bahrain. The sanctuary is home to nearly 700 birds, representing more than 60 varieties of macaws, parakeets, cockatoos and pigeons from Australasia, Central and South America, Africa and South East Asia.

Aviculturist Mike Gammond is an old hand at rearing birds. Mike has lived on the Canary Islands, working at the Loro Parque Foundation, which houses one of the largest parrot collections in the world. He relocated to Bahrain in the mid-1980s to care for Abdulaziz Kanoo’s private bird collection, which has been moved to this state-of-the-art bird park to make it accessible to the public.

Having successfully bred critically endangered species like the black palm cockatoo, hyacinthine macaw, red-fronted macaw and the red-tailed black cockatoo over the years, Mike feels many of these birds don’t have a chance of survival in the wild.

“We need to understand why these birds are 76 October 2014

endangered in the first place. Human activities, like agriculture, logging and mining, have led to frightening levels of deforestation in the Amazonian rainforest and Australia,” says Mike.

“Birds such as the hyacinthine macaws cannot breed well in the wild, given that 60 per cent of their eggs are infertile. Others such as the red-vented cockatoo are so ferocious that the male often attacks and kills the female before she’s able to hatch eggs. The only chance these birds have of survival is in captivity,” he explains.

Mike’s son David now manages the aviary along with his wife. He offers educational visits for schools in Bahrain, where children spend time watching chicks that have just hatched from eggs being hand-fed.

Being responsible Azizia Birds Kingdom provides a house-sitting facility for birds when their owners leave town.

Visitors can also buy birds here, with detailed instructions on their maintenance and training.

“One has to invest time in order to care for, train and socialise with the bird in order for it to talk and be tame. You cannot expect these birds to be programmed to speak by themselves,” says David.

While the bird park is an attractive destination, do not forget that you are dealing with endangered species.

“We’ve had weekend tourists who tease or feed the birds; we’ve had to ask people to leave. Visitors need to understand that these are endangered creatures which should be treated with respect,” says David.

Azizia Birds Kingdom will soon open a play area for children and a coffee shop. David is planning to offer kids party packages soon.

More birds arrive this month before the breeding season starts in November. www.bahrainthismonth.com

interview Mohamed Elkanzi and Mustafa Hasan

Smarten

Up the Home SIMI KAMBOJ

Who hasn’t worried about the time they forgot to close a window or left the kettle on before leaving home? It’s time to carry home automation with you — on your phone.

T

echnology is driven to make our lives easier, but these young engineers in Bahrain have taken things a step further, enabling you to control your lifestyle at the touch of a button.

Smart Life Technology was set up last year by three aircraft engineers — Mustafa, Amar and Yousef — to bring home automation to the Bahrain market.

“We’ve introduced GPS tracking in the system, which helps the home to react to your position. For instance, the garage doors open or the lights and air conditioning are switched on when you approach your home, and the converse happens when you leave. The system can be programmed to turn the bathroom heater on at a certain hour every morning and even open the curtains,” says Mustafa Hasan, CEO of the venture.

The partners worked on the business plan for a year before launching the initiative last February. IT engineer Mohamed Elkanzi was roped in to programme the system and make it available on an IT application. The team has now applied to business angels Tenmou for seed funding in order to expand the business.

78 October 2014

“The technology operates from a smartphone and controls all electronic gadgets in the house, including the doors, windows and curtains, if they’re motorised.

The application is not designed to make people lazy, but is devised as a smart solution that promotes security, power saving and peace of mind,” notes Mohamed.

For instance, the system works to alert the owner if there’s a fire in the house, even when he or she is abroad. The sensors take constant samples from the air in the room and can trigger an alarm, which sends a notification to your mobile phone.

“The sensors can distinguish between a genuine fire or smoke from cooking. In case of a break-in, your phone will alert you wherever you are. In case no action is taken in the first few minutes, the system can notify a technical team which can call the police,” says Mustafa. While there is an option to integrate cameras with the security

“

system, the partners say they prefer to focus on door contacts and motion sensors. Having catered to residential clientele, they are now open to commercial clients, including architectural consultants and real estate developers. Mohamed stresses that the system can be programmed to do what homeowners want, depending on their daily routines.

“We also take charge of the maintenance.

Since our products are all wireless and working on the Z-Wave platform, there’s only an occasional need to change batteries. The application doesn’t consume much Internet bandwidth on your phone as the commands take a few bytes, which is equivalent to text messages,” says Mohamed.

Pricing for the system starts at BD200 and goes up depending on how many home appliances you want to activate.

The application is not designed to make people lazy

”

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Swim.

Eat. Chill.

Repeat.

Business Lunch

Sun - Wed 12pm - 4pm BD 4.9++

Free Deliver y Availab le

spotlight

JAGUAR LAND ROVER

Backseat Chat Integrity, honesty and transparency are just some of the key words used to describe our guest this month on Backseat Chat.

Land Rover LR2

80 October 2014

www.bahrainthismonth.com

I

n a career spanning four decades, Mahmood Al Soufi has headed many leading organisations and earned a reputation as one of the region’s most transparent professionals. After working in the aluminium and financial services industries, he is currently the chairman of Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill Co. Mahmood joins George Middleton for a chat about his life in business and his intention to highlight those working towards the betterment of society in Bahrain. In this month’s Jaguar Land Rover Backseat Chat they go for a drive in the latest Land Rover LR2.

George: How did you make the transition from being an engineer to the board of a company?

Mahmood: I actively worked as an engineer for only four years. Soon my involvement in other aspects of management, especially marketing, increased and this went on for the next four to five years. Eventually, I had greater participation in managing the teams and, consequently, the firms I worked for. I enjoy meeting good people and the sales process.

And at every stage, I had a very supportive team which helped me deliver on our shareholders’ expectations. We might not have fared 10 out of 10 but it was always eight or nine out of 10.

George: Changing industries from manufacturing to insurance; was that a big challenge?

Mahmood: One needs to get a few things right.

First of all, having a basic understanding of a particular industry is very important. Secondly, making sure the board has a clear vision and plan for the business they are in is essential.

Mahmood Al Soufi with George F Middleton

And lastly, giving them the chance to think freely and creatively, making them accountable for their decisions and fostering an environment that makes them communicate and cooperate with one another is important. If you have these basic factors in place, then it doesn’t matter if you are managing a dairy company or are in the manufacturing or financial sector.

George: What do you consider to be the high points of your career so far and also the most challenging moments?

Mahmood: George, I have to go back to your question on changing the industry. It is a great achievement when the transition is completed and you know you did your job well.

The Land Rover LR2 is available at Euro Motors, the official distributor for Jaguar Land Rover in Bahrain

www.bahrainthismonth.com

George: A court case in the UK recently found a former chief executive of ALBA guilty of fraud and corruption. Is transparency in business important to you professionally and, if so, why?

Mahmood: Yes, transparency is very important in business, in addition to many other values that an employee, manager or company at large must have. In the financial services sector, it is common practice that companies licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain are supervised or audited regularly. So there is a set

‘rulebook’ according to which companies are monitored and assessed.

My question is why aren’t there similar common standards of assessment in other industries as well? I believe it would improve shareholder value, employee-employer relations, attract more investment and ultimately lead to more transparency.

George: You mentioned a ‘happy list’ you’d come across while overseas, published annually, which you thought could be a good initiative for Bahrain. Can you tell us how you think this would work?

Mahmood: I was quite taken by the publishing initiative of The Independent in the UK and thought about starting something similar in Bahrain.

Knowing that there are many people, a few that I know of and many more that I am probably not aware of, who are doing a lot of philanthropic and charitable work for society and the country; I felt that such a list would be a way to thank them for their selfless dedication.

George: How do you best like to relax with your friends and family?

Mahmood: I really enjoy reading whenever I get time; mostly non-fiction and autobiographies. I love fine dining and of course working out. The last thing I would say is travel. I love to travel, to see the world, and I was lucky that, through the jobs I’ve had, to have managed to see quite a bit of it.

October 2014 81

bystander

Indian Ambassador to Bahrain, HE Dr Mohan Kumar

Indian Club Centenary Wall Inauguration The newly-built centenary boundary wall of the Indian Club was recently inaugurated. The chief guest at the event was the former Union Cabinet Minister of India, Oscar Fernandes and Assitant Under Secretary for Tourism Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa and Indian Ambassador to Bahrain, HE Dr Mohan Kumar.

The Minister receives a memento from HE Dr Mohan Kumar

Safeya, Arya & Deepika

82 October 2014

Sandhya, Khushi, Mahi, Kedar & Jitendra

Merlin, Rachel, Sharmila & Rebecca

Narya

Uday & Cassius

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Six Hours of Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit announced an action-packed weekend for the ‘Six Hours of Bahrain’ to be held on November 14 - 15 in Sakhir. The announcement was made at the Capital Club. In attendance were BIC Chief Executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa and WEC CEO Gerard Neveu and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Benoit Treluyer.

Mohammed Shareeda, Sh. Hamed & Fayaz

Basma, Amy & Ali

Peter

Benoit Treluyer, Sh. Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa & Gerard Neveu

Ahdeya & George

www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2014 83

bystander

Bahraini-French Business Club Dinner The Bahraini-French Business Club held its monthly dinner at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa’s Ambassador Ballroom.

The guest speaker for the evening was the Chief Executive Officer for LMRA, Ausamah Al Absi.

Guests at the event

Nakhle, Amar & Claudine

Mohamed, Violet & Waleed

Carmen, Ziad & Rim

Tony, Pramod & Fuad

84 October 2014

Rodolphe

Talal, Abdulla, Jaleel, Khamis, Sadiq & Tawfeeq

Segolene, Dominic, Stan & Didier

Mike, Waleed & Frederic

Philipp, Francois, Abdulrahman & Jahan

Liliane, Jaleel & Shandra

Khaled

Laurent, Sophie & Christophe

Ahlam, Talal & Christine

Stephane & Herve

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Manar, Waleed & Marise

Magic Island Re-Opening The new Magic Island at Seef Mall has opened by Dr Hassan Fakhro, Bahrain’s Minister of Industry & Commerce.

Opening ceremony with Seef Mall's Rob Addison, Dr Fakhro & other guests

Simon Huggett

Jacqui & Burak

Heather & Namita

Adyan, Jenan & Saman

Halaa & Bianca

Ahmed, Hussain & Hussain

Haiki & Roza

supporting ideas achieving success

Bahrain Development Bank offers a wide range of distinctive financial and advisory services specifically designed to meet SME’s special needs. Whether your plan is to launch a new entrepreneurial venture, expand or diversify business in the Kingdom, BDB provides you with advice and support in developing the financial resources for your project since BDB’s core mission is to develop SME’s. Over the years, BDB has expanded in delivering an innovative mix of financial products tailored to meet the needs of entrepreneurs and extended to reach out a broader spectrum of economical sectors.

For more details visit: www.bdb-bh.com

www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2014 85

bystander

Andrew Weaver’s Book Launch Bahrain-based photographer, Andrew Weaver, launched his second book, ‘Between Two Seas’ at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa.

George, Laura & Andrew

Tulin & Hina Andrew

Rashid & Pallavi

86 October 2014

Media guests at the event

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Farewell to Ritz Carlton GM The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Hotel & Spa, bid a fond farewell to their GM, Mark Neukomm. The party was held at its Al Ghazal Ballroom, where Christian Zandonella, the new GM was also introduced. The party was attended by various Bahraini and foreign dignitaries and the country’s leading businessmen.

Mark, HE Italian Ambassador Alberto Vecchi, Christian, HE US Ambassador Thomas Krajeski & HE Greek Ambassador Konstantinos Pallikaropoulos

Christian & Mark

Mrs. Krajeski, Mrs. Sumi & Mrs. Vecchi

Taka, Kuri, Toshi & Mizu

David & Kathy

Sami

Al Gosaibi

Ahmed, Soufiane, Lane & Ahmed

Norman, Wissam & Georgina

Christoph, Olivier & Daniel

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Pervesh

Amanda, Rick & Sarah

October 2014 87

bystander

KIMS Bahrain 10th Anniversary KIMS Bahrain Medical Centre celebrated their 10th anniversary with a gala dinner at The Diplomat Radisson Blu, Hotel, Residence & Spa. Alaa, Dr Dean, Jacob, Dr Avneesh & Dr Ravi

Shankar and Usha

Dr Dean & Margarita

John & family

88 October 2014

Mohammed, Dr Sahadullah, Jacob, Dr Baha, Ahmed & Dr Mohammed

Suja & Sajna

Deepa, Anu & Dr Meera

Priyanka & Karuna

DJ at the deck

Haseena, Dhanya, Beena, Jyothi, Dr Lima, Nimmi, Subha, Rejitha & Nisha

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Russian Ambassador Dinner The Russian ambassador to Bahrain, HE Victor Smirnov & his wife Vera Smirnov threw a dinner party for the artists performing in The Nutcracker ballet. Also in attendance were Bahraini and foreign dignitaries.

Japanese ambassador, HE Shigeki Sumi & his wife Tomoko, Vera Smirnov, Jihan Al Umran & Dhafer Al Umran

Leison, Dennis & Natalia Alla & Yana

Tomoko, Russian ambassador, HE Victor Smirnov & Japanese ambassador, HE Shigeki Sumi

Anastasia & Maria

Raculya

FREE DELIVERY! Natali

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Karina, Irina, Irina, Tgeerd, Vera & Dennis

EMAIL: ricsbah@yahoo.com October 2014 89

bystander

The One Autumn Preview

Taya Restaurant Launch

The One, known for its different and affordable furniture and accessories, unveiled its autumn collection at its store in Al Aali Mall.

Bahrain’s newest seafood eatery, Taya Restaurant, opened up in Seef Mall’s west wing.

Fatema & Noora

Abdulla & Abdul Rahman Martine, Charley, Priyanka & Colin

Harpreet, Noor & Tassos

Dalal & Maryam

Shaikh Abdulla

Ali & Showaiter

Abdul Rahim Fakhroo

Shaikh Hesham

Colin & Priyanka

Martine & Charley

Marise & Anne

Martine

Harini & Sandhya

Indian Club Onam Feast The Indian Club in Bahrain celebrated Onam with a traditional Onasadhya grand feast. Club members, guests and media representatives attended the event.

A song number from club participants

Maveli Neema & Hansul

Savitha, Sreedevi & Nandini

90 October 2014

Ashok, Dileep & Lakshminara

Meeth, Shashi & Kamal

Shiney & Kunjumol

www.bahrainthismonth.com

VJ MP3 LIVE One of the most popular DJs and producers in the region, VJ MP3, performed to a roaring crowd at Ibrida. VJ MP3 has played in some of the best night clubs and lounges in Bahrain and has also released a CD with his own tracks and mashups.

He is also the winner of the Bahrain Cloud9 DJ Competition in 2012 and the DJ Pioneer Middle East DJ Championship held in Dubai in 2012.

Ranjith, Filimena, Nena Jea & Bagus

Rasul & Ali

Vinty, Sifil, Shayne & Logi

Vanessa & Emma

Tosim, Evlin & Michelle

Mike

Joshua & VJ MP3

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Weena & Heifi

Nicola & Elena

Jo, Stef & Gabrielle

Galia & Yulia

October 2014 91

bystander

Batelco Housewarming Batelco hosted a housewarming party at Amwaj Islands in celebration of the launch of its new Home Broadband.

Batelco Assistant CEO Alan Whelan cuts the ribbon

George, Nick, Yanni & Lisa

92 October 2014

James, Waleed & Antone

Alan & Ali Mustafa

Zainab, Mytham, Afrah, Ali & Salah

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

Shantharam Shetty Dinner Shantharam Shetty, Group General Manager for Ramee Group of Hotels organised a dinner party for close friends at Rukha Restaurant at the Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa. Among the guests was HE Dr Mohan Kumar, the Indian Ambassador to Bahrain and his wife, Mala

360 DJ Night KLUB 360 hosted a special Greek Toga fancy dress party The DJ at the deck

Sasha

Peter, HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Shantharam Shetty & Irwin

Moutaz, Ryan & Ahmed

Mala, Asha, HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Shantharam Shetty

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Sharon, Asha, Renuka, Mala & Alison

Ahmed & Rahila

Stasia, Melissa, Gloria & LeRoy

Sylvain & Florence

Ahmed & Shima

October 2014 93

bystander

Exclusive Launch of Nissan X-Trail Nissan Bahrain and YK Almoayyed and sons announced the launch of the 2015 Nissan X-Trail in Bahrain at the Nissan Showroom in Sitra

Rohit

The official launch of the X-Trail

Abdulla, Ali, Sonu & Faizal

Kristina, Julia & Talia

Amal, Mirna & Deema

Paritosh & Salman

Fatema & Sarah

Santhigiri Awareness Campaign and Get Together The Santhigiri Awareness Campaign and Get Together was held at the Olive Hotel. The event was staged on behalf of MEM Santhigiri and Swamiji Janananma Jnana Thapaswi, the Santhigiri international operation head.

Dr. Ravi & Shanker Bharadwaj

Soni & Vishwanathan

Deepa & Asha

94 October 2014

Ali & Swami

Paul

Jameel & Flor

Marise

Reem & Victoria

Farheen

Sreekala & Mrs. Sudheeran

Reshmi & Soumya

Anoop

Ahmed & Maram

Shajil & Sreekanth

Srikumar

Arun

Jayaraj, Ginu & Akhilesh

Navesh

Arti & Gladys

www.bahrainthismonth.com

LIFESTYLE ALSO THIS MONTH:

Winter, Here We Go!

98 TWENTY4 108 COOL GIZMOS 114 FOOD APPS

Fernanda Langhammer With a new season comes new looks. Pick your favourite pieces from the autumn/winter 2014-15 collections and re-create your wardrobe.

Chloe

Hermes

Bottega Veneta

Missoni

Stay undercover Coats are essential this season; every year a few designs are selected as the must-have pieces. Last year’s capes are still close to the heart; so don’t be scared to wear them. Long coats, especially those in mid-calf length, are the new stylish pick; wear them with knee-high boots. Opt for lightweight fabrics in bold, solid colours or plain patterns.

Out of the shadow Dark shades, such as black, grey, navy and burgundy, are the season’s old pals; so you already know how to embrace them with mastery. To add some colour to your looks, opt for pink in all its versions or fluorescent yellow to break the dullness. Military green contrasts with blue and vivid red. Some designers went overboard and created a loud contrast in their palette scheme. Give it a try; but choose the colours wisely.

Feeling girly Dresses are the season’s pick for the wow effect. Add a jacket and tights to keep warm. However, the Kingdom’s mild winter allows you to go simple and chic without the hundred layers. The lengths can vary according to your taste and the occasion. Mini, midi, maxi: they are all in vogue.

Giambattista Valli

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Salvatore Ferragamo

October 2014 95

Heads up!

Newcomers on the island need to prepare for the chilly breeze that usually visits us during wintertime. Get your earmuffs and hats ready for the action. You may need a hooded jacket, beanies or a headband to stay comfortable outdoors.

Dries Van Noten

Louis Vuitton

Perfect prints We may see the cold season as a greyish blur with some flashes of colour. To spice up your winter outfits and add more character to the collections, prints play an important role. Visual effects boost the designs and build volume. This year, geometrical and folk patterns are most popular, particularly when applied to coats, dresses and tops.

J Mendel

Mango

Moncler Gamme

96 October 2014

Stella McCartney

Dolce & Gabbana

Saint Laurent

Material things Wool, leather, velvet and all sorts of fluffiness speak of winter. Their use has one specific aim: to keep you warm. To make it more exciting, the designers’ creative minds gave them another important role: to look good. To deliver the concept, they cut, folded, dyed and embellished these fabrics.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

LULU HYPERMARKET

Stay Trendy For those of you who can’t wait to wear your winter best, this retail destination has stocked up on the latest trends of the season.

Every season, the world of fashion focuses on a particular decade.

This year, it’s all about the ‘60s.

From structured A-line shift dresses and bright printed tunics to knee-high shiny leather boots and luxe polo necks, LuLu Hypermarket’s fashion department offers everything you need to update your wardrobe at an affordable price. Look through the accessories section for pointy flats and mini boxy handbags.

The season’s must-haves If you only buy one thing for the new season, it must be a statement coat. Whether it is to reproduce a fairytale look or to feel like royalty, it is wise to invest in huge fur hoods, green embellished capes and thick ruby

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coats. LuLu Hypermarket offers chunky faux furs, full length patchwork designs and shearling.

A key look is the blanket coat; think of quilted pieces to recreate this look.

Creative spirit This season celebrates Bohemian artists of the ‘20s. Treat yourself to whimsical watercolour scarves and layer them over dresses. If you follow colour codes, then the safe choices are blush pink and all shades of blue, from cobalt to teal.

Indulge in soft black leather and inky silks for a hint of romanticism in your outfits. i Call 17 646-455 (A’ali), 17 465-599 (Hidd), 17 553-555 (Manama) or 17 768-311 (Riffa).

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fashion TWENTY4

Affordable Fashion Our dress code is getting ever more complex with a multitude of different styles from which to choose. This brand’s autumn/winter 2014 collection embraces original designs. twenty4 distinguishes itself from its competition with cool and trendy fashion items that are available at unbelievably affordable prices. Its value for money collections contribute to the brand’s increasing popularity amongst men, women and kids.

The latest offering from BMA International, a successful retail group, twenty4 opened its first outlet in Bahrain Mall last November. The launch led to widespread enthusiasm for the fashion concept resulting in the opening of a second outlet in the country, at Enma Mall. Its popularity has grown with the recent unveiling of the third store at Ramli Mall in A’ali.

As a mall dedicated to offering the complete shopping and entertainment experience, with some of the best international brands, Ramli Mall is a perfect fit for twenty4. The store’s vibrant

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layout and clearly segmented departments offer an inviting ambience for shoppers. Its exciting range is sure to attract more fans to the new location.

“For a young, hip and trendy brand, we offer fashion at really low prices. We want our customers to buy new fashion as often as they want to, without burning a hole in their pockets.

We look forward to welcoming many more satisfied customers to our new store,” says Tarique Azmi, concept head.

The stores showcase a stylish range of apparel and accessories at competitive prices.

The fashion at twenty4 is inspired by the latest trends around the world. All stores have introduced an eclectic autumn/ winter 2014-15 collection. i Call 17 640-463 (Ramli Mall) or 17 382-270 (Bahrain Mall).

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

The band entertains the crowd

JJ’s 15th Birthday Bahrain’s popular Irish restaurant, JJ’s, celebrated its 15th birthday with a grand bash Party-goers at the event

Mahi, Fatay, Davide, Mimi & Jalal

Dave, Hannah, Lauren & Emily

Maha

Haitham, Maha & Ossama

DJ Dev & Milad

Mark, Maurice, Z & Travis

Tom, Nick, Rob & Sarah

Ghilbert, Yahia & Alphonso

Ahmed, Anas, Irina & Mohammed

JJ’s top team celebrate

Tina & Zack

100 October 2014

Alana & Angela

Ziana

Alex & Khadija

Sara & Roberta

Michael & Emily

Judi, Jessica, Lida & Zhey

Samuel & Daniel

Julia & Jenny

www.bahrainthismonth.com

motoring

Sporty, Elegant, Versatile Stan Szecowka The extraordinary design of one of the automotive industry’s dream machines was unveiled at the Kingdom’s home of art and culture, the Bahrain National Museum.

T

he 2014 Year of Arts initiative launched by the Bahrain Ministry of Culture presented a perfect opportunity for Ferrari to unveil the California T in style. Celebrating the collaboration and technique of design and innovation, both in art and in automobiles, the launch consisted of a display of vintage Ferrari models and images featuring the marque’s ongoing heritage.

Guests, clients and admirers later joined in for an exclusive evening to celebrate the arrival of the model. With its refined elegance and Formula One-inspired turbocharged engine, Ferrari says the new California T reinforces the quality of its aspirated engines, www.bahrainthismonth.com

while delivering the same sound, progressive torque, 560hp and a remarkable reduction in emissions and consumption.

Motoring analysts suggest the California T is the perfect model for those who like a powerful Berlinetta, faithful to the Prancing Horse tradition and, at the same time, an exciting Spider to be used for the sheer pleasure of driving.

Refinement and obsessive attention to detail are its main characteristics. The new model maintains a sense of continuity with the past. Its designers say it has been completely redrawn to present a more harmonious, contemporary style.

Born in the late 1950s, the California model represents a long history of tradition embodying

ALSO THIS MONTH: 102 NISSAN X-TRAIL 105 JAC J5 106 KIA SALE

elegance and versatility. It has become a global symbol of exotic success by admirers of the mean machine.

The California T is powered by a directinjection 3,885cc V8 turbo engine that punches out a massive 560cv at 7,500 rpm. This yields a specific power output of 145cv/l, the highest in its category, as well as maximum torque of 755Nm in seventh gear. These are figures that allow the California T to sprint from zero to 100km/h in just 3.6 seconds and deliver extraordinary acceleration, even in higher gears, and excellent fuel efficiency.

Take a look at the new treat from Ferrari at the Euro Motors showroom. Call 17 750-750.

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motoring

NISSAN

Supreme Comfort Stylish and dynamic design with best-inclass interior refinement, this compact SUV is fully packed with progressive technology.

102 October 2014

Today, Nissan has strengthened its position as the world leader in SUVs with the launch of the all-new 2015 X-Trail in Bahrain. Completely redesigned from the ground up, the 2015 X-Trail joins Nissan’s allencompassing SUV family, bringing new technology, style and class-leading levels of practicality.

The new model made its debut during a special launch event held at the Nissan showroom at Sitra.

Muscular, modern and packed with technology, the new Nissan X-Trail made its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Building upon the company’s respected 4x4 heritage and benefiting from its crossover leadership, the new model redefines the compact SUV segment, with prices starting from BD7,995.

At the same time as enhancing its predecessor’s ‘go-anywhere’ credibility, this car takes inspiration from Nissan’s market-leading crossovers — Qashqai, Juke and Murano — to create the ultimate, allweather, highly capable, modern family vehicle.

“The new X-Trail is just as tough and accomplished as the previous-generation model, but adds crossover style and efficiency, exciting design, innovative technology and exceptional comfort to set a new benchmark in the fiercely competitive C-SUV market,” says Paul Baker, general manager at YK Almoayyed & Sons.

As a high-volume global growth product, built on the new jointly developed Nissan-Renault Common Module

Family (CMF) platform architecture, the 2015 X-Trail is projected to be available in 190 countries around the world. The company’s ambition is to sell over 500,000 units per year.

A detailed look The design brief was to blend the sleek and stylish lines of a modern crossover with the robust appeal of a typical SUV. In place of the rugged, squared-off lines of the previous generation, the X-Trail has a premium and dynamic appearance. Sculptured muscular lines create a distinctive silhouette framed by elegant curves and high wheel arches.

Inside, premium features include chrome, geometric metallic and piano black finishes, making the new interior look modern and refined. The use of high-quality and soft touch materials, elements like double stitching on the door panel, seats and centre armrest combined with a classy design puts the new Nissan X-Trail in a league of its own.

The spacious interior has theatre-style seating, making every row higher than the row in front to increase visibility for all passengers. The option of two extra seats to make room for seven inside is unique for the category.

Fully connected, this model is equipped with the latestgeneration NissanConnect in-car navigation, information and entertainment systems. Drivers will benefit from a comprehensive suite of assistance features that make up the car’s Safety Shield system. i Call 17 732-732 or visit www.almoayyed.com. www.bahrainthismonth.com

BD 16,790/Starting from

• 5 Years/100,000 kms Maintenace Service • 5 Years Roadside Assistance • 5 Years Home to Home Service • 5 Years Service Courtesy Car

• Lifetime Warranty • Lifetime Dedicated Service Advisor • Buy Back Value Guarantee

www.1stmotors.com

17 121 121

Available in 3.8L V6 GDI engine with a maximum output of 315ps and a 5.0L V8 GDI engine with a maximum output of 413ps.

Experience the innovative safety technology, striking design and inspired craftsmanship of the All-New 2015 Hyundai Genesis.

Luxury driven by performance.

motoring EBRAHIM K KANOO

Getting Around

Need wheels on your next trip? Renting a car can give you freedom and flexibility when you’re travelling, especially in Bahrain where it’s the most feasible way to get around.

Kanoo Daily Rental (KDR), a division of the Ebrahim K Kanoo Group, has opened a new branch in Juffair to add to its existing three branches in Sitra, Tubli and Arad. The opening ceremony took place on September 3 and was attended by Fawaz Kanoo, director of Ebrahim K Kanoo, Mike Brightmore, CEO of Ebrahim K Kanoo, officials from the company and members of the press.

“Kanoo Daily Rental’s core values are respect, trust and commitment.

We aim to deliver service excellence and the best customer satisfaction to wherever you are. Our promise is to meet your specific needs, making sure that you drive away satisfied. This is why we have opened a new branch in Juffair,” says Fawaz Kanoo.

KDR offers daily, weekly and monthly rentals for passenger cars and commercial vehicles in addition to limousine services for corporate guests and VIPs. It provides a comprehensive vehicle range to suit the clients’ needs and budget. The experts at each outlet take great care in helping you choose what kind of vehicle you’ll need. For instance, if you’re travelling with children or with a lot of gear, you may want a large sedan or SUV. KDR makes every effort and utilises maximum resources to keep its fleet of cars in excellent condition to ensure that you have a safe and pleasant drive wherever and whenever you use its vehicles. Trying to find the best deal and sorting out which insurance options you need is made easier with this rental company. i Call 17 725-572.

Alice, Bayan, Vincent & Zain

Kanwal Hameed at Al Riwaq Bahraini photographer, Kanwal Hameed, organised an exhibition of photos inspired by Francis Fukuyama’s ‘End of History’. The photos took a playful approach to serious questions about culture, identity, society and political engagement.

Some of the pictures from the exhibition Hadil, Dunya, Khalid, Kanwal & Bayan

Sarah, Sally & Sarah

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Esra & Ahmed

Alaa

Razan & Shereen

Ali & KJ

Maryam & Wadeeah

www.bahrainthismonth.com

JAC

No Alternative!

This award-winning car is designed to provide excellent driving pleasure, safety and affordable luxury.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

JAC J5, designed by the Pininfarina Design Centre in Italy, has been awarded the title of the ‘Most Beautiful Car in the Last 10 Years’, the CCTV Best B Class car of the year 2011 and ‘Five Star Quality’ in the C-Nap crash test. The car comes with a mature 1.8L engine and Mitsubishi fourspeed automatic transmission with a flat-type torque converter and solid transfer case, making your drive as pleasant as it can be.

For a better and safer driving experience, J5 is equipped with an advanced mechanical power steering system. Compared to the electrical power steering, this can deliver the response efficiently, which can provide a good drive.

Meanwhile, the safety function structure protects the driver.

The J5 offers leather seats, alloy wheels, parking sensors, rear air conditioner, full power windows, airbags and tyre pressure detection systems The front suspension saves space in the engine house and lowers the barycentre.

The rear suspension is designed as the two-link type strut with a stabiliser bar which connects with the body through the sub-frame. In comparison to the old spring, the cone-type suspension spring reduces the weight of the rear suspension, making your drive more comfortable.

The front and rear disc brakes provide high-performance braking. The Bosch 8.1 anti-lock braking system enhances driver steering control by reducing wheel lockup under hard braking. The electronic brake-force distribution balances pressure distribution based on vehicle load and braking conditions. It automatically adjusts the force applied to each wheel and can transfer pressure from front-to-rear or side-to-side to help optimise the traction.

For attractive finance schemes and to test drive the J5, visit the JAC showroom at Segaya Plaza in Zinj. i Call 17 270-270.

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motoring

A.A. BIN HINDI

Once in 50 Years

This automobile company continues celebrations its golden jubilee with a clearance sale that will showcase its best cars for previously unheard of prices.

106 October 2014

Following the success of its Ramadan promotion, A.A. Bin Hindi has launched another winning offer to celebrate being in business for 50 years. This is your chance to grab top-of-the-line Kia cars at the lowest prices ever offered in the region.

A one-off opportunity, this sale features the latest award-winning cars from Kia. These include the ‘ahead of its time’ Optima at a starting price of BD6,300, the seven-seater Mini MPV Carens for BD6,550, the ‘pocket rocket’ Picanto for BD3,550, the evergreen Sportage for BD7,400 and the Sorento for BD8,600. Also on offer are popular models like the Rio and Cerato.

The only catch is that these low prices are available only while stocks last. Since only a few units are left to be picked up from the showroom, Kia has organised the sale on a first come, first served basis. That’s not all; you can also trade in your old Kia for a new state-ofthe-art model.

“The A.A. Bin Hindi Group and Kia have become industry leaders over five decades. We see many Kia cars on the road; we attribute a lot of credit for our success to our loyal customers,” says Mohammed Bin Hindi, general manager of sales.

“The ‘Once in 50 Years’ sale is our way of thanking the customers for their support. However, due to the high demand for Kia cars, we have had to set up the sale on a first come, first serve basis.”

Taking the rush of potential buyers into consideration, A.A. Bin Hindi management has extended their opening hours. The showroom is open from Saturday to Thursday from 8am to 1pm and 3.30pm to 7pm. While the stocks last, you can drop by on Fridays as well from 4.30pm to 7.30pm. Follow AA Bin Hindi on its social media channels for updates on more celebratory offers. i Call 17 408-800 or email kiasales@binhindi.com. www.bahrainthismonth.com

gadgets

Beyond the senses The genius Aroma R-evolution fork will bring out the flavours you didn’t know existed. The aroma fork provides a flow of aromas upon inhalation. You’ll be getting an enhanced tasting experience with a flow of flavours — more than your brain can handle!

Piggy in the middle We have to keep to some traditions in life, but we also have to digitalise them!

The Porkfolio is a quirky piggy bank. The app-enabled device allows you to keep your finances in check from anywhere in the world.

Cutting Edge Not only do these gadgets do cool things; they look cool too — so cool, in fact, that they make the Jetsons look outdated!

EDITOR'S PICK OF THE MONTH

Stay updated It’s already sold out in South Korea. Why wouldn’t it be? The Samsung Galaxy Note is the company’s latest phablet. It comes with a 5.7-inch Quad HD display featuring a super-sharp resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels.

108 October 2014

Sunset sleep This is a real light bulb moment in the world of technology. It might seem counter-intuitive that a light bulb will help you sleep, but the Saffron Drift Light does.

Flip the switch twice and it will enter midnight mode and will gradually dim — like a sunset if you will.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

All gadgets are available online.

Pump it, louder!

Ice cold

The Brazen 705 Speaker is all about being light, loud and pocket-sized.

With its high definition audio capabilities, it’s not called brazen for nothing! It is weather and waterproof and comes with a muchneeded noise cancelling feature. Its striking design and colourful personality make this a firm favourite.

For all your endlessly big files, here comes a small solution. Not only does the Leef Ice USB look slick; it simply works without having to manage software applications to back up your important files. It will store 32GB of your stuff; it will do it with lightning speed.

Life on hand Do you want your life to sit comfortably on your wrist?

The Apple Watch UAE is the most personal device that Apple has unveiled to date. It features the digital crown, which is an innovate way to scroll, zoom and navigate fluidly. There’s a new user interface too.

Move over, Instagram!

Since everyone has gone vintage when it comes to photos, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 sits well in the market. This camera is for the serious photographer.

It features a retroinspired design and has multiple exposures and a bulb mode.

The next voyage This e-reader phenomenon has changed the way we engage with the written word. The Amazon Kindle Voyage is the thinnest yet and weighs only 6.4 ounces. There’s also a new adaptive front light sensor — clever stuff! www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2014 109

music

Cross Culture Fusion music is all the rave at the moment.

Combining the ingenious sounds of the East with the beats of the West is an unlikely but unique way of experiencing far reaching cultures.

VERDICT: If you want to feel invigorated and in touch with something different, give Onra a chance.

Chinoiseries Part I Onra What’s the story?

Having been adopted by French parents, Onra is Vietnamese born but Parisian bred. Growing up, he found his sound through DJing and creating rhythms and became the ultimate beat wizard by the time he reached his early twenties.

To trace his familial lineage, Onra went to Vietnam for the first time in 2006. During his trip he collected old Chinese and Vietnamese records for inspiration and blended his hip hop beats to produce Chinoiseries Part I in 2007 — meaning the application of Chinese influences in art. He has paved a legacy of amalgamating chopped up RnB sounds with deeply ethnic melodies. As well as making Chinoiseries a two parter, he also has an exclusively electronic album: Long Distance.

Worth a listen?

If you want to be wholly transported to another realm, Onra can do that for you. The 32 long tracklist has vocal samples of Asian material as well as fist pumping beats. It sounds like an odd marriage of sounds but it’s balanced enough for the novice and different enough for the intrepid listener. It can at times get repetitive and some tracks can sound similar. Others however are so bold and other worldly, you’ll never feel like it’s a laboured listen.

Laundry Service Shakira It feels wrong to add a commercial artist among the more independent bunch but Shakira’s fifth studio album taps into more than just the chart figures. It undoubtedly put her on the map, as well as Bahrain with the firm favourite Eyes Like Yours track which gives a nod to our little island.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Top Track: The Anthem and Boundless Boundaries.

The Fusion Mantra Igor-Bezget

It does exactly what it says on the tin. This album pours Indian music in with contemporary jazzy instruments and creates a stunning harmony. The Slovenia born artist is a principal jazz guitarist with a penchant for classical Indian music.

The tracks start with a gorgeous hum of Hindi sounds and eventually modern instrumental sounds follow. It’s very easy on the ears and is calm inducing. Go for Speaking Trees.

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games

High Voltage This month we give you further reason to absorb in the fantastical virtual worlds of these top of the range games.

Velocity 2X What Is It?:

The much anticipated sequel is a piercing follow up for the Velocity games. This installment remains true to the franchise where you control a ship tasked with completing various objectives as you progress through a series of scrolling maps. For Velocity veterans, slipping back onto the bridge is easy enough because everything is right where you left off. The game blends different gameplay mechanics together with tight controls for a unique experience. The already exciting genre adds a few extra elements for the ultimate challenge.

Graphics:

On the visual front, the game is a notch above its predecessor. Perhaps it’s not the best to show off on a PS4 but stylistically you can’t fault it. You’ve got a handful of themed environments this time round and a powerful electronic score to go with it. All of this runs at 60 frames per second.

Azure Striker: Gunvolt The 2D side-scrolling action is a great return to the technical Mega Man formula found in the series of subfranchises after the classic series ran its course. You’ll be charging through the missions in a colourful world of eye-popping presentation. Watch out for the mega speed on this one.

112 October 2014

VERDICT: The franchise hasn’t rested on its laurels and has produced a breathtaking sequel.

Gameplay: The added on-foot gameplay makes the whole experience much stronger.

Although you’ve got the familiarity of the tools, you feel you can go that much further with your gameplay this time. The frame rate and tight controls does mean that you will fail a lot, but you’d never dispute the game. The 50 main levels have difficult requirements for the perfect grade but the new feature of a quick restart (tapping both triggers at once) will get you back on top.

Mighty Gunvolt Created as the brother to Azure Striker: Gunvolt, this is a bonus game starring Gunvolt and Beck and Ekoro in a retro throwback to the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System. Players take hold of any of these heroes and can take advantage of their varied capabilities through five stages of traditional 2D action.

Dark Souls II: Crown of the Old Iron King Playing this game is a real chronicle of history.

You’ve got the kingdom of Drangleic and the Brume Tower to give you that antiquated and haunting charm with all the intricacies lying in the nooks and crannies of the open spaces.

You’ll find yourself both trapped in tight spaced caves and exposed to some digital Vitamin D. www.bahrainthismonth.com

websites VERDICT: Simple, fast, reliable and beautiful.

Wanderio.com What Is It?

Although there are catalogues of sites available for travel bookings, the Italian based Wanderio has come out on top. The site offers a multi-modal travel search tool that allows customers to compare transit options from point-to-point. The site lets you plan your trip from doorstep to doorstep encompassing all transportation modes to get you to your final destination.

The Good:

The sorting opportunities are pretty cool on this website. You can sort your travel according to travel time, price and CO2 emissions.

The creators of Wanderio pride themselves in fast tracking you to your final destination without you having to wade through endless reams of irrelevant information. On the other hand, you can find connections you never knew existed through Wanderio. The visual timeline of your door-to-door travel experience is also clear-cut.

The Bad:

Don’t expect to find dirt cheap fares — skyscanner.com will sort you out there. In a market so crowded with travel sites, it’s only a matter of time until a new one flies in. Being a young site, it hasn’t quite got a far reach into the most obscure places yet but soon enough they’ll get you there.

Purposefairy.com Sometimes you need a 15 ways list on how to relax and be in touch with your soul — as cringe worthy as that might be. The mindfulness theme of Purpose Fairy is filled with “How To” reminders for a healthy and happy life in a productive way.

Alongside there are vlogs from the Romanian born creator, Luminita D. Saviuc who aims to turn wounds into wisdom. You can also share your own stories. www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2014 113

apps

Appetising Apps If you’re a real foodie and want further inspiration, unlock the library of recipes and menus available in these yummy apps.

VERDICT: Forks Over Knives is a real game changer.

Pepperplate The name itself sounds like it’s for hard-core cooks. This app is ideal for hosts who need to organise their courses efficiently and effectively.

What’s great is that you can take the app everywhere you go without an internet connection — camping trip in the desert anyone? As this is for serious cooks, it works best on an iPad perched on your kitchen countertop. And on top of that, being that it’s for gastronomic geeks, the app allows you to create your own menus.

Forks Over Knives What Is It?

For any culinary quirk who loves to sample dishes from every corner of the world, this app holds every kind of recipe you can imagine. Gleaning from the critically acclaimed film: Forks Over Knives, its primary focus is to cook up a healthy treat but still satisfy your drooling urges. Every recipe abides a plant-based, whole-food lifestyle which a growing number of professionals are adapting to.

The Good

The look of the app is tantalisingly good with scrumptious photos of the food next to each recipe. The set up is simple and straightforward with the ingredients, method and a brief description provided

114 October 2014

with each recipe. You know you’re in good hands with this app because over 20 of the world’s leading chefs contribute to the weekly recipe updates. Insights on the lifestyle around these recipes are provided too. The shopping list feature is particularly useful.

The Bad

Although the recipes range in cuisine offerings, the130 recipes available seems a tad thin on the ground for an app that is US$4.99 but the creators of the app assure its customers that this is a growing figure. Another minor point is the lack of syncing to other devices, but you’ll be so distracted with the heavenly food you won’t even care.

Gojee Do you have a stock of ingredients jammed in your cupboards and have no idea how to put two and two together? Gojee comes to the rescue and pairs up unlikely ingredients and helps you cook up a storm. The app scours blogs and websites alike to source recipes to match your cravings and preferences. Gojee is essentially the food planner you’ve always wanted and can now have for free. www.bahrainthismonth.com

movies VERDICT: As typical a thrill-filled film it is, Chloë Grace Moretz proves her acting prowess beyond her years.

The Equalizer DIRECTED BY: Antoine Fuqua STARRING: Denzel Washington, Chloë Grace Moretz, Melissa Leo

The Plot:

Denzel Washington plays McCall, a man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and can now lead a life of quiet peace after faking his own death. When McCall meets Teri, a young girl under the tight control of Russian gangsters, he can’t stand idly by. With all his skills from his previous life as a black ops commando, he comes out of his reclusive state to help the girl.

Worth Watching? With Denzel you can never really go

wrong, so for the leading man factor, this film is a sure crowd pleaser. All the ingredients for a mysterious and suspenseful thriller are in place to keep you on your toes but it’s still a conventional “brave man steps out of his hermit state and saves innocent young girl, the world is saved” type film. If you wanted to get deep about it, you could say it touches on hard hitting issues on law and rules and seeing justice served. In the end it’s a call out for more good in society.

Gone Girl

Dracula Untold

This is the kind of mystery drama that scratches heads and makes you secretly hope that Ben Affleck isn’t responsible for the disappearance of his on screen wife, Rosamund Pike. The mounting pressure of the police investigation into his wife’s mystery vanishing makes you question everything and everyone.

The legendary tale of Dracula gets stripped down to the very beginnings showing how the man came to be the infamous vampire.

The film is as epic as it sounds and delivers the right measure of gothic eeriness, swords and bloody battles. The film is sure to be the buzzword for the end of the year.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2014 115

new in town

Bayti

New in Town!

Ankita Mamgain After the sleepy summer months, the Kingdom springs into action with a number of new highlights in the market. We zoom in on what can be the latest additions on your to-do list.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Shopaholics may not need a reason to splurge, but this month offers exciting reasons for everyone to loosen up the purse strings. A number of new outlets have opened in Al Aali Shopping Complex. Check out the argan-based skin and hair care range at Hive, located on the mall’s first floor. Along with these products you can purchase other natural health and beauty boosters like manuka honey, bee pollen and royal jelly. Santa Maria Novella, an old Florentine company, has entered the Middle East market, with its first store in Bahrain at this mall. The company boasts an impressive array of health, beauty and culinary products.

Give your home a stylish makeover with Missoni Home, retailers of popular Italian-styled furniture and textile furnishings. The brand uses premium-quality materials and fabrics that add tasteful luxury to any space.

Lalapaloza is a unique concept that combines a spa and a party venue. This interactive, desert-themed store targets a younger clientele with an interacting menu of services like candy manicures, pedicures and facials.

Offering a plethora of sewing accessory is Al Aradi Sewing Tools. The store stocks a wide variety of articles, including line thread, wool, zippers, coloured shaped sequins and lace.

Artikel at The Jawad Dome has introduced creative

Taya

October 2014 117

products from Bugatti. The company designs and manufactures products for both the table and the kitchen, including innovative utensils and small appliances.

Extending hospitality The hotel and serviced accommodation industry is one of Bahrain’s strongest economic sectors. This season some of the biggest names in this domain make an entry, leaving the city skyline glittering with luxury and decadence.

The Four Seasons Group is all set for the much-anticipated launch of its Bahrain property. Greg Pirkle has been appointed as the general manager of the hotel in Bahrain Bay. The striking H-shaped tower, featuring a two-storey sky bridge, will offer guests sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf, the surrounding community and Manama. The hotel is ready to give diners in Manama a great culinary experience with three concepts by the iconic, Michelin-starred chef Wolfgang Puck.

The 28-storey Swiss-Belhotel located in the heart of the Seef district intends to set new standards in the high-end, four-star segment. The management of the hotel is excited about entering Bahrain and not daunted by the existing competition.

“The objective is to set a new benchmark; this won’t be too difficult to achieve as we offer a great product, highest standard of service and are brilliantly located,” says Herve Peyre, the general manager who is at the helm to bring the international brand to the Middle East.

The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa reopens its conference and meeting facilities after a long makeover in time for the busy events season ahead. The new ballroom is equipped to host conferences and events for up to 1,300 delegates and offers possibilities for different room configurations. All event venues at the hotel have received a complete redesign and can easily adapt to corporate and social functions.

Lalapaloza

118 October 2014

Rampe

Reserve a table Diners in the Kingdom have a number of new venues to try out. Café Amsterdam brings a melange of vibrant flavours from the land of bicycles and windmills. Located in Adliya’s popular 338 dining district, the venue offers a fine-dining experience in a casual setting, with its own take on contemporary European cuisine.

Those in search of the true taste of Sri Lankan cuisine in an elegant setting must try out Rampè. A childhood dream of friends Nirmalan Thangiah and Raj David, the restaurant has over 90 dishes on the menu including popular street food, kotthu roti.

Taya Restaurant in Seef Mall promises a fine dining experience at affordable prices. Owned by MIA Holdings, the venue can host more than 100 guests and is open for lunch and dinner. The menu includes Arabic, Chinese and Mughlai dishes; the main focus of the restaurant is on seafood.

Guests can choose from the display of the day’s catch.

Bayti, located near Bahrain Financial Harbour, breaks away from the stereotypes of a typical Arabic restaurant. This recently opened Lebanese restaurant has funky interiors and offers an innovative take on traditional dishes, keeping them both fun and delicious.

Bahrain’s oldest Japanese restaurant, Kei in the Golden Tulip Bahrain, welcomes a new chef this month. Chef Umekawa brings a wealth of experience and innovative cooking styles to the 31-year-old venue.

Treat yourself to the chef’s special menus and kyodo ryori, Japan’s regional dishes.

Shoppers can enjoy a variety of dining choices at the new eateries opened at Al Aali Shopping Complex from a sophisticated experience at Cavalli Caffé to Café Cataleena, a colonial-style French bistro.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

FASHION. FINE DINING. B E A U T Y.

A HIGHER LEVEL OF SHOPPING

alaalishoppingcomplex www.alaalicomplex.com

new in town

QATAR AIRWAYS’ A380

It’s all in the Detail

Five-star service moves to another level. Glide through a travel experience that this aviation company has gone to great lengths to perfect for you.

Featuring a tri-class configuration of seating in First, Business and Economy over two decks, the A380 is the largest passenger jet in the world and will provide customers with unparalleled levels of comfort reflecting a truly world-class experience. From the warm welcome when you arrive and the state-of-theart entertainment system to the delicious gourmet dining, Qatar Airways believes the secret to unforgettable flying is simple — it’s all in the detail.

Your space The First Class cabin features ultra-wide seats tailored in the softest fabric and with signature design elements. Central and aisle dividers afford more privacy and can be raised or lowered to provide a feeling of extra spaciousness when travelling with a companion. It is a flexible space; the seat automatically reclines into a fully flat bed, or the table can be extended to allow two people to dine in style.

Sleeper suits, flight slippers and the finest amenities from renowned Italian fashion house Giorgio Armani add extra touches of luxury.

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Your sanctuary The Lounge is a sanctuary in the sky. It is the ideal place for First and Business Class customers to relax, read a magazine or just enjoy the ambience. Under the stunning chandeliers, inspired by contemporary Arabian designs, you’ll find fresh flowers gracing a strikingly curved bar. Enjoy a range of canapés and other delicious snacks on one of the settees finished in European leather. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Travel redefined Qatar Airways was awarded Best Business Class by Skytrax in 2013 and 2014. On the A380, Business Class will continue to be redefined. The one-two-one configuration gives direct access to the aisle so that every seat in the A380 Business Class is an aisle seat. Enjoy greater comfort and generosity of space with fully lie-flat seats that convert into a bed in the sky. You are always fully connected via Wi-Fi and SMS; there is power at every seat for your laptop and personal devices.

Designed for comfort Space, comfort and clever design come together to deliver Qatar Airways’ A380 Economy Class experience.

Higher ceilings on the main deck, a cool grey colour scheme on the walls and a configuration that uses fewer seats all contribute to a real feeling of spaciousness in both upper and lower decks.

The slim, elegant design of the seats offers more legroom, a greater angle of reclining and contoured headrests. The new generation in-flight entertainment system delivers one of the world’s highest resolutions of any Economy Class system on the 10.6-inch touch-screen.

Signature dishes First Class customers can choose from the à la carte menu that uses fresh ingredients and signature dishes from internationally renowned chefs. A signature caviar service is available as well as delicious Ladurée desserts.

Business Class customers can select a full meal or snack from the à la carte menu. Qatar Airways has introduced an overnight meal service providing both late evening meals and early breakfast options. In Economy Class, a great selection of meals catering for a variety of tastes and preferences are offered.

Call 17 505-147. www.bahrainthismonth.com

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new in town CAFE AMSTERDAM

Going Dutch Serving authentic recipes from the Netherlands in a plush environment, this dining venue is creating quite a stir in the Kingdom’s culinary scene.

Windmills, bicycles and a melange of vibrant flavours — Holland has found a home in Bahrain at Café Amsterdam. Offering a fine dining experience in a casual setting, the eatery successfully pairs modern European cuisine with a relaxed atmosphere.

Located in Adliya’s 338 district and opposite the Gulf Hotel, the ‘destination restaurant’ boasts an effortless mix of bistro, café and lounge-style dining.

Open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, the one-of-a-kind venue is divided into four distinct sections, where you can socialise, watch sports or enjoy great entertainment in the lounge upstairs.

The restaurant’s brightly coloured main dining area is styled with iconic Amsterdam imagery, replete with brick decorated walls, tulips and bicycles.

The menu includes contemporary preparations as well as classic dishes, such as fish and chips, patatje (hand-cut Dutch fries) and the classic Dutch burger. The food reflects the continuing evolution of modern European recipes, with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences.

“Our experienced chefs use the highest quality ingredients to prepare every item in-house, right down to freshly baked burger buns. This attention to detail turns these everyday favourites into something extraordinary,” says Trudy Karrendbeld, restaurant manager.

Must-try dishes are the salads, such as trio of salmon, made from smoked and poached salmon and salmon mousse, and the warm spinach and gouda cheese salad. Pamper your sweet tooth with the white chocolate soup for dessert. The restaurant is open from 9am until 2am daily. i Call 32 000-177.

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BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

Garden | Restaurant | Sports Lounge Welcome to Café Amsterdam, a destination unto itself.

It’s a new journey waiting to be experienced.

Opp Gulf Hotel, Adliya | Tel: 17007404, 32000177

www.bahrainthismonth.com

AL AALI SHOPPING COMPLEX

All Things New

With a number of new shops recently opened, it’s time to rediscover one of Bahrain’s best loved malls.

Need a full image overhaul and makeover? Then head over to Al Aali Shopping Complex in Seef. The recently opened Beautilicious Salon offers you a variety of services to help you feel and look great. If you want to focus on hair and skin care, Hive offers argan-based products from Morocco in addition to other health-boosting nutrients like manuka honey — just as nature intended.

Lalapaloza is an interactive, desert-themed store which exclusively caters to youngsters. It offers skin and hair services themed on sweet treats. A noteworthy addition to the shopping complex is Santa Maria Novella, a Florentine company founded in 1612 that boasts an impressive array of health, beauty and culinary products.

Style update Get your fashion fix at the latest openings at Al Aali Shopping Complex. Closh by Nada Z is the ideal place to find a statement outfit to suit every style. Set to open soon, Nomination Italy is all about quality, originality and innovation, while Ramah Jewellers retails custom-made gold, silver and diamond jewellery, and watches.

Are you ready for an urban-style store in Bahrain? Victory Route 88 will sell denim, T-shirts and accessories from upcoming designer labels. Al Aradi Sewing Tools caters for all your sewing accessory requirements with wide collections of line thread, wool, zippers, coloured shaped sequins and lace.

If you are looking to smarten up your home with the finest Italian-style furniture, then head over to Missoni Home.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

The furnishings brand has a collection of uber-slick furniture and textiles to go with it.

Dining splendour Bridging the gap between food and fashion is the soon to open Cavalli Caffé, which is the culinary venture that links with fashion icon Roberto Cavalli, offering an exclusive and sophisticated café experience.

For a true treat, head to Malatya Pazari which sells authentic Turkish delight. To complement that, try out Mazapan for authentic almond paste pastries. Looking for a great spot for a coffee morning? Swirl Café is the ultimate stop for the finest gourmet desserts, coffee and tea. For the passionate coffee drinker, the mall boasts Illy.

With its blend sold in 140 countries, Illy offers its own range of coffee machines in addition to its signature coffee beans, capsules and pods.

There are a number of venues scheduled to open in the coming months. Café Cataleena is your answer to a contemporary French colonial bistro with traditional touches, while Filicori Zecchini is an Italian cafeteria, home to the certified Italian espresso. Lumee is an exciting Middle Eastern street grill and deli concept. The focus is on charcoal-grilled skewered meats. The venue offers a variety of fresh lemonades and fruit juices — ideal for a break amidst a shopping spree. i Call 17 581-000, visit www.alaalicomplex.com or follow Instagram.com/alaalicomplex.com.

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new in town

THE DOMAIN BAHRAIN

Contemporary Japanese Japanese food has been adapted to suit the tastes and whims of people throughout the world, but chef Riichiro Matsui sticks to his tradition.

The Domain Bahrain’s Japanese restaurant, IMARI, has undergone a menu expansion. Having opened its doors again after a two-month closure, chef Riichiro Matsui has implemented a stripped-back taste of Japanese food. “At IMARI, we focus on authentic Japanese flavours,” he notes.

The chef has changed 20 per cent of the menu, adding dishes such as a seafood salad, which combines multiple fresh fish with wasabi dressing, scrumptious chicken and daikon salad with sesame Japanese dressing, and grilled red bean curd with sweet white and red miso paste.

“It is more about miso paste than lashings of mayonnaise; soya sauce is used sparingly,” he adds.

That being said, keeping up with the local penchant for the cuisine, he has included a wide selection of mouthwatering sushi rolls and sizzling robatayaki and tempura offerings. This includes the ‘Ten-don’ rice bowl, which has prawn and veggie tempura drizzled with the chef’s special sauce, Japanese pickles and miso soup.

In the kitchen The success of IMARI is found on its freshly imported ingredients from Japan; everything is handcrafted on site. “Customers were not familiar with these tastes, but they are now adapting to the authentic flavours,” the chef notes.

Having travelled the world, the Nagoya-born chef has brought with him techniques that he picked up along the way. In turn, he has left an indelible mark in far-flung

124 October 2014

places, such as Italy, Taiwan and Malaysia, by reversing the Westernised Japanese cuisine to its basic roots.

The menu places a strong emphasis on a variety of vegetarian dishes to meet everyone’s expectations, like the cold green tea noodles with shiitake mushrooms, wasabi and dry seaweed. The range of desserts includes unique offerings of black sesame ice cream and green tea tiramisu.

A real treat On Monday night, IMARI lets you be your own sushi chef.

Select your fillings, type of wrapper, type of rice and toppings to create your own culinary masterpiece. Enjoy a wide selection of the chef’s favourite sushi rolls served buffet style for you to enjoy plate after plate. Eat and drink as much as you can for BD14++ from 6pm to 9pm.

Another fantastic way to enjoy a night out with friends and family at The Domain Bahrain is the Biru Garden concept. Hosted every Saturday, the theme night combines a casual and dynamic atmosphere with a special selection of chef Riichiro’s favourite dishes served izakaya style.

Choose what you like; the plates will keep on coming.

Wash it down with a free flow of Kirin draughts and red or white grape. The Biru Garden is the perfect option to have a great time. Drop by between 5pm and 9pm to experience the unique dining concept for BD23++ or BD17++ (excluding alcohol). i Call 16 000-000. www.bahrainthismonth.com

RAMPÈ

Sri Lankan Surprise Featuring more than 90 dishes on its menu, this fine dining venue brings the authentic taste of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom.

Recently launched Rampè is the latest addition to Um Al Hassam’s food district. Childhood friends Nirmalan Thangiah and Raj David always wanted to run an eatery together and the dream actualised this year through this Sri Lankan restaurant.

“We had been looking for an appropriate venue that we could develop.

We found this office space and Sri Lankan architect Nandika Dennipitya transformed it, giving it the true flavour of the country,” says Nirmalan.

Ingredients including spices, herbs and even chicken are flown in from Sri Lanka. The kitchen is managed by three chefs that have perfected authentic Sri Lankan recipes over several years.

Nirmalan admits that the food had to be toned down a bit for Bahrain’s palate. However, certain dishes, such as the choice of sambols, still carry the intense flavours expected from the cuisine. The menu contains street food staples, such as kotthu roti and a variety of string hopper meals, and seafood, lamb, beef and chicken specialities.

A dish that only makes an appearance on Fridays is the lamprais. This is a mix of flavoured rice, with three or four condiments, chicken, lamb, fish cutlets and prawns, all wrapped in a banana leaf. This baked dish takes about a day and half to prepare. The dessert watalappam is a must-try!

“Initially, we thought of serving fusion cuisine, but later decided to bring in traditional Sri Lankan recipes. We’ve grown up on these dishes; I’m surprised to see how popular they’re becoming with people from other cultures as well,” Nirmalan adds. i Call 17 723-700.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2014 125

new in town

POTTERY BARN

Subtle Hues After much anticipation, this premier home furnishings retailer has opened an outlet at one of the most popular malls in the country.

The US-based home furnishings brand, Pottery Barn, believes in making your home an inviting and relaxing place. With the aim of creating a place to clear your mind and replenish your spirit, the company was founded on the idea that home furnishings should be exceptional in comfort, style and quality.

Each piece in the collection is inspired by timehonoured designs from around the world and crafted using the finest materials and processes available.

Pottery Barn offers an exciting product range for living rooms, outdoor spaces, dining rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms, together with lighting, rugs, window treatments, dinnerware and botanicals.

Customised homes Pottery Barn takes pride in its free design services, where customers receive complimentary decorating consultations in the comfort of their own home. Each session is tailored to each customer’s needs. In addition, the monogramming service adds a personal and classic touch on everything from the living room to the bedroom.

126 October 2014

Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids are dedicated to providing outstanding customer service to their guests. Customers will find inspiration for their home at their fingertips, from complimentary in-home design consultations and gift services to in-store decorating classes and activities.

To discover Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids in Bahrain, customers can now visit both stores on Level 1 of the Bahrain City Centre.

Call 8000-1020 or 8000-1021. www.bahrainthismonth.com

BAYTI

A Pleasant Surprise This recently opened Middle-Eastern restaurant offers a fun and casual dining experience while getting really creative in the kitchen.

Bayti joins Bahrain’s culinary scene, breaking the stereotype of a typical Arabic restaurant by moving away from dark interiors, heavy upholstery and gilded artefacts. As soon as you enter the space you know it belongs to a young, fun-loving crowd. The walls are covered with retro pop art, posters of Arabic sirens of yesteryear; chequered tabletops and natural light finish the look. The decor is only the beginning of the new trend of Arabic dining that the restaurant introduces to the Kingdom.

“At Bayti, we feel the local cuisine is rich and has great potential to evolve into interesting preparations,” says Peter Lyons, general manager.

“Keeping inherent flavours intact, we want to take these dishes to the next level.” The kitchen team do this exceedingly well with the gourmet shawarma. A highlight of the menu, this bespoke dish is made to your preference. From the bread to the meat and relishes, you get to choose it all. Another must-have is the chocolate shawarma for dessert. You’ll know why it deserves a special mention when you see it.

“Arabic cuisine hasn’t evolved as much as others have over the years.

The aim was to bring a change to the menu and ambience of an Arabic restaurant. We wanted something funky, modern and attractive that caters not just to locals, but Bahrain’s cosmopolitan population,” he adds.

Do not be surprised if the staff members don’t address you as ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’. Bayti drops the age-old service industry clichés, making way for a more casual, equal and hospitable dining experience. i Call 17 229-778.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2014 127

bystander

A display of the new collection

Twenty4 Store Opening Twenty4 Fashion opened its latest outlet at Ramli Mall.

This is the value-fashion brand’s second in Bahrain.

Officials at the opening ceremony

Saleem, Ali & Akber

Zainab

Hilary, Sanhita, Savya & Randa

Jithesh

Ryan, Joy & Jonathan

Satinder & John

Aroma Express Launch Mesk Holdings of the popular Aroma Café at Seef Mall, opened the company’s latest outlet ‘Aroma Express’ in Juffair.

Yousif & Hassan

Nawaf & Yasir

128 October 2014

The Aroma Express team

Julie, Lia, Alessandra & Marise

Mobarak, Mado & Saiful

www.bahrainthismonth.com

TAYA RESTAURANT

Everyone’s Invited!

This new dining venue promises premium quality preparations in a fine dining setting, without burning a hole in your pocket.

After a successful stint in Saudi Arabia, Taya Restaurant brings its culinary magic to the Kingdom. Owned by MIA Holdings, this latest entrant into the fine dining segment offers Arabic, Chinese and Mughlai cuisine.

Located in Seef Mall, the venue can host more than 100 guests and is open for lunch and dinner. It offers a contemporary setting that is chic and comfortable.

“We wanted to bring a fine dining experience to people that they can truly enjoy without worrying about an exorbitant bill,” says Imran Agha, CEO of MIA Holdings. “At Taya, people can enjoy premium-quality food at affordable rates in a luxurious environment.”

From juicy grills to pan-fried specialties and local favourites like pasta and biryani, this venue offers it all. The choice of curries, soups and salads is proof that there is something for everyone at Taya.

The main focus of the restaurant is seafood. Guests can choose from the display of the day’s catch. The kitchen mainly uses locally sourced produce. However, certain specific ingredients are brought in from Australia and the USA. “We intend to make fine dining more accessible to people. Although our menu is moderately priced, we focus on using the finest-quality ingredients,” Imran adds.

The chefs at Taya pay attention to taste and presentation. Guests receive a welcome drink on arrival throughout this month. On weekends an elaborate buffet spread is on offer for BD5.500; this way you can sample a number of dishes on the menu. i Call 77 319-999. www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2014 129

bystander

Lloyd & Clare

BIZNET Networking Breakfast BIZLADIES Bahrain chapter organised a networking breakfast with guest speaker Delphine Boireau at the Capital Club.

Guests at the event

Maria, Tosin & Amy

Delphine

Clare

Antoinette & Delphine

Saleem

Claudia

Hamed & Olga

Panos & Murshed

Diplomat Media Breakfast The Diplomat Radisson Blu, Hotel, Residence & Spa held a media breakfast to unveil its newly-renovated ballrooms and meeting rooms.

The Press party with hotel officials Farheen & Rebecca

Michael, Georgie, Marise & George

130 October 2014

Ali

Panos

Murshed & George

Adel & Panos

www.bahrainthismonth.com

DIPLOMAT RADISSON BLU HOTEL, RESIDENCE & SPA

A Grand Makeover

BLU

BALLROOM RADISSON THEBALLROOM DIPLOMAT

BLU

RADISSON THE DIPLOMAT

The five-star property reintroduces its event venues to the Kingdom, refurbished and ready for the festive season ahead.

EVENTS

www.bahrainthismonth.com

EXHIBITIONS WEDDINGS CONFERENCES

EVENTS

The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa has reopened its conference and meeting facilities after a long and elaborate renovation.

These venues offer intelligently planned and tailored solutions for Bahrain’s busy events calendar.

“We are proud of the completion of this project. An investment of BD2.2 million, our refurbished facilities will become one of the best-recognised brands in the market,” says Abdulrahman Morshed, CEO of National Hotels Company.

“We are pleased with the extensive improvements and upgrades made to the facilities,” says Panos Panagis, general manager of the hotel. “The modern design that the facilities now have allows an effortless flow of large and small events.”

The new ballroom can host conferences and events for up to 1,300 delegates and offers possibilities for different room configurations tailored to each client’s requirements. From boardrooms to ballrooms, each space has received a complete redesign and can easily adapt to corporate and social functions. The hotel provides the latest in technology and catering in addition to experience in hosting meetings — a core service championed by Radisson Blu Hotels.

In 2009, National Hotels Company started the construction of the 28-floor Diplomat office tower, a project worth BD27 million that was completed in 2012. At much the same time, the renovation of the Al Fanar skylight lounge started in 2011, when it was converted to Bahrain’s only rooftop ballroom. Located on the 14th floor, the venue offers unparalleled views of the city’s skyline. i Call 17 531-666.

WEDDINGS CONFERENCES

EXHIBITIONS

For more information please call T: +973 17531 666 F: +973 17531 633 http://www.radissonblu.com/diplomathotel-bahrain The.Diplomat.Radisson.Blu

RBlu_Bahrain

diplomatradissonblu

October 2014 131

new in town

JOZ SALON

Managing Pain and Anxiety

It is difficult to pinpoint precisely where reflexology originated and how it evolved. Joz Salon & Spa has taken a modern approach to the practice.

132 October 2014

Humans have always sought methods of easing emotional and physical discomfort. Ancient literature is filled with formulas, descriptions of remedies, and examples of manoeuvres and procedures aimed at easing pain. While many of these have been forever lost to history, practices such as reflexology have not only survived, but are enjoying resurgence in popularity.

Research focusing on this technique’s potential utility in pain management is increasing.

It is believed that reflexology began in China roughly 5,000 years ago. The ancient Chinese, particularly the Taoists, were known to heal the whole body by tapping pressure points on the feet. They exerted pressure on specific body parts, or zones, in patients to determine whether this provided substantive and lasting pain relief.

In addition, it is thought that applying pressure to regions of the foot corresponded to relief in other, more centrally located, areas of the body. Reflexology’s use of controlled pressure for analgesia may be as effective for promoting good health and for preventing illness as it may be for relieving symptoms of stress, injury and illness. Reflexologists today work from maps of predefined pressure points located on the hands and feet.

“The professional masseuses at Joz Salon & Spa divide the human body into 10 equal longitudinal zones running from head to toe. In theory, these pressure

points can affect bodily organs and glands,” explains Vinny Aseeja, business development head at Joz Beauty Division.

The science behind reflexology Reflexology uses subtle pressure on specific muscle areas of the feet or hands to stimulate blood flow and nerve impulses that then trigger the release of endorphins and retained toxins. The majority of clinical trials examining the efficacy of reflexology have targeted conditions involving pain management and anxiety.

Many practices combine this therapy with other similar alternative practices, so the cost is often a combination of more than one type of treatment. No trial found any adverse effects of the therapy. On the contrary, most anecdotal comments are positive.

Benefits such as not having to move a bedridden individual or remove clothing are some reasons for people to try this form of therapy.

“When choosing any sort of alternative therapy, the first question is always safety. Healthcare professionals that support the holistic treatment of patients should have no misgivings about trying reflexology, specifically those who desire natural treatments,” Vinny adds.

Joz Salon & Spa has branches in Amwaj and Juffair.

Book an appointment for a reflexology session. www.bahrainthismonth.com

new in town KEI RESTAURANT

A Master’s Touch

One of the oldest Japanese restaurants in the Kingdom has a new chef on board, who promises to bring back some time-honoured recipes from the Land of the Rising Sun. Kei Restaurant at Golden Tulip was established in Bahrain in 1981 and has been serving high quality authentic Japanese cuisine ever since. The establishment recently welcomed chef Umekawa, who brings a wealth of experience and innovative cooking styles to the venue.

“Since it’s my first time in the Middle East, I am still getting used to the heat and humidity. However, I am highly impressed by the Japanese restaurants in Bahrain and the dining culture the place has,” the chef says. Working on the menu, the chef intends to introduce kyodo ryori, Japan’s regional dishes. He also plans to start serving omakase, the chef’s special meal which features multiple courses. Each item is handpicked depending on the season and availability.

Chef Umekawa is focused on helping the kitchen team establish a solid foundation of authentic taste and techniques and then proceed towards adding innovative touches. He began his career in the culinary industry over two decades ago. Recipient of a number of prestigious awards, he has extensively worked across the world, which brought many unique touches to his cooking style.“I would like to try local ingredients and blend them with Japanese cuisine,” he adds.

You can sample a variety of dishes from Kei’s menu at the special daily lunch, priced at BD5++, served Saturday to Thursday. The Japanese restaurant also hosts a sushi promotion on the last Friday of the month, offering 50 per cent discount on selected items. i Call 17 533-450.

134 October 2014

Chef Umekawa

www.bahrainthismonth.com

DINING

The Japanese Way Charlie Holding This restaurant offers diners a fusion of delectable flavours, combining traditional elements of Japanese cuisine with contemporary flair and a healthy twist.

L

ocated at the Bahrain World Trade Centre in the bustling financial district, Maki restaurant delivers a world-class dining experience befitting its impressive surroundings.

The decor is contemporary and crisp, with mood lighting and soft background music adding to the cool and comfortable ambience.

If you’re looking for proof that healthy eating needn’t be bland or boring, look no further. Maki now offers customers red and white quinoa and the option of having brown rice for rolls and sushi, known for their health benefits.

With a name like Maki, it should come as no surprise that this restaurant serves up some of the best sushi on the island, which may have something to do with its staple ingredient, in-house made extra virgin olive oil that preserves the taste, aroma and vitamins of the olive fruit. It is a well-known fact that fish provides plenty of energy, protein, essential fatty acids as well as omega 3.

Maki has practically swept the ocean for the www.bahrainthismonth.com

best variety. The fish is so tasty and fresh, you could be forgiven for thinking it had just been plucked from the sea, wrapped into bite-sized morsels and served up on the spot.

Another ingredient that features heavily on the menu is avocado, which is great for cardiovascular health and supple skin. For those who enjoy traditional options, the venue prepares an astounding Amer Mame Maki with tuna, avocado, wild thyme and extra virgin olive oil. It is delicate and packed with flavour; for those who like their seafood to bite back, wasabi and fresh ginger is never too far away.

Adventurous diners with a taste for spice should opt for Nano Mame Maki featuring prawn tempura, salmon, avocado, rocket and wasabi flakes with extra virgin olive oil. It has a delicious aftertaste and the ingredients complement each other seamlessly.

One of the most popular dishes on the menu is the Oliver Shiromi Sushi made of white fish, tobiko, crispy togarashi with extra virgin olive

ALSO THIS MONTH: 136 HAPPENINGS 142 ARABIAN NIGHTS 146 GULF NIGHT OUT

oil mixture and fried garlic. It must be tried Anand Lobo because of its fantastic fusion of flavours, which is even tastier with a dab of soy sauce.

Executive chef Louis Huang is no stranger to fusion cuisines. The half Taiwanese, half Japanese culinary master honed his skills in Las Vegas, USA, and says his travels around the world have taught him the value of looking at food from a different angle.

“The items on the menu are not new, but people are becoming more concerned about what they eat and its value to their health. A lot of things are still traditional, but nowadays people care more about their wellbeing so things have been adapted,” he says.

“We’re taking traditional elements and adding a modern, fun and healthy approach. If a customer wants brown rice instead of white it is now available and makes their healthy dish even healthier without compromising on the taste.”

Call 17 522-733.

October 2014 135

dining

Spoilt for Choice From lavish festive fare to themed dinner parties, Bahrain’s dining calendar has something for everybody, especially those who would like to try new cuisine.

Enjoy the Eid holidays with traditional delicacies at Gulf Hotel’s Lebanese Restaurant Zahle. The buffet features authentic Arabic preparations and live entertainment with belly dancers during the first three days of Eid. This is priced at BD25++, with discounts for prestige club members, NSA and Gulf Air crew. You can enjoy a special lunch and dinner buffet at Al Waha as well.

Le Méridien lays out a delicious spread at Baharat’s Eid brunch. Feast on festive specialities along with a variety of international classics, modern fusions and delightfully fresh flavours. The dedicated children’s buffet, a colourful play area with engaging activities, face painting and friendly mascots keep the kids entertained all afternoon. This experience is priced at BD20 with soft drinks and BD30 with unlimited selected beverages.

Saveur Restaurant at The Westin serves a special mixed grills menu on the first three days of Eid. The succulent lamb chops and koftas, beef tenderloin, shish taouk, sherry fish and Gulf prawns are available for BD12++, which includes soft drinks.

The Spice Route Savour the flavours of Indian cuisine in a fine dining setting at Rasoi at Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa. The restaurant organises Punjabi Nights on October 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9. Sample delicacies, like butter chicken, sarson ka saag and a refreshing lassi, for BD14. The venue invites you for Diwali celebrations on October 22 and 23 with a lavish spread of traditional Indian dishes and live ghazals for BD15.

Experience It’s Mirchi’s Street Food Festival from October 2 to 4. This is your chance to enjoy lip-smacking street treats from various parts of India. The Indian 136 October 2014

restaurant at Ramee International Hotel offers dishes like pav bhaji, vada pav, masala puri, panipuri, kathi rolls, aloo tikki and butter dosa, all under one roof.

The party continues You don’t have to leave the island to attend a ‘Party in the USA’. Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain organises this themed attraction throughout the month, complete with delicious American classics and non-stop entertainment. From the Wild West to California-style wining and dining, this festival celebrates Jack Daniel’s birthday and partying in true Miami spirit from October 17 to 30.

Head over to La Vinoteca Barcelona for a Spanish festival from October 15-31. The venue plays host to flamenco dancers, live guitar music, cultural events and a special menu. The K Hotel hosts a Spanish Food Week from October 20 to 24. Guests can enjoy unique recipes from the Iberian Peninsula and an extensive tapas selection. The spread is prepared by Spanish chef Jordi Gimeno, who promises a variety of traditional and contemporary dishes with live cooking demonstrations.

Yes, chef!

Learn authentic Chinese recipes from the masters at Soie restaurant at Sheraton Bahrain Hotel. The chefs host cooking classes every Friday from 10am, where you can pick up some kitchen secrets and enjoy your creations as well.

Masato Week at Bushido brings Masato Nakabayashi, executive sushi chef from Buddha-Bar Paris to Bahrain.

Do not miss his freshly prepared dishes from the restaurant’s live sushi counter and a special sushi show during the Friday Brunch.

When? October 8 and 9 Event? Food promotion Venue? Rasoi, Ramee Grand Sample some lip-smacking Punjabi dishes for BD14.

E Call 17 111-999.

When? October 15-31 Event? Theme night Venue? Mövenpick Hotel Join this ‘Party in the USA’ with great food and entertainment.

E Call 17 460-000.

When? October 15-31 Event? Food festival Venue? La Vinoteca Barcelona The venue offers variety Spanish delights with great live entertainment.

E Call 17 007-808.

When? October 16 Event? Diwali celebration Venue? Golden Tulip Enjoy a host of Indian delicacies with live entertainment for BD9.

E Call 17 535-000.

When? October 20-24 Event? Spanish week Venue? The K Hotel Enjoy authentic preparations from the Iberian Peninsula.

E Call 17 360-000.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

dining

NUASIA

A Delicious Break

The last thing you want to do during your precious lunch break is waste time scanning through takeaway menus. This restaurant delivers a variety of scrumptious meals straight to your desk.

A lunch break at the office, no matter how short, is the most relaxing time during a long work day. The quality of this break often dictates how productive the rest of your working hours will be. Make the most of it by ordering a delicious meal from Nuasia.

Located in Juffair, Budaiya, Isa Town and Seef, this restaurant is a favourite among those who seek quality Asian food at reasonable prices. Offering four distinct cuisines, Nuasia promises a variety of dishes, so you can have something different each day.

Its menu includes authentic preparations from India, China, Thailand and Japan. The kitchen prepares tandoori delicacies, colourful stir-fry dishes, exotic curries and fresh sushi. At the BTM office, we experienced Nuasia’s service and were thoroughly impressed.

Our verdict The delivery is prompt — big bonus! Food arrives in neatly packed boxes that are labelled with the respective dish’s name so there’s no room for mix-ups. The drinks are packed in separate bags, so you don’t need to worry about spills.

The food smells great and is piping hot when it arrives.

As the aroma travels through the office, it’s needless to say; you will be sharing your lunch with colleagues. Our order was for five people and included dishes from all four types of cuisine.

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We started with smoked shredded chicken and crab Rangoon wrapped in wanton skins filled with seasoned crab meat. The vegetable samosas and Thai beef salad are must-haves. The mixed makimono platter, which has California maki, spicy tuna maki, ebi tempura maki and Philadelphia maki, disappeared in no time.

The choice of curries is impressive; we had a go at the green chicken curry, shrimp Penang curry and dal. It was evident that the rice and biryani were freshly prepared to order.

The slow-cooked lamb shank, with the flavourful gravy and rice, remains the highlight of the meal. Those who have a Nuasia close to their office can experience its vibrant atmosphere by dining in.

The perfect host Add some flavour to any business or personal event with Nuasia’s catering options. Whether you prefer buffets, set menus or live cooking stations, this venue guarantees high standards of quality and service.

If you’d like to host a party at the restaurant, you could book a private room for an exclusive dining experience.

Choose from a variety of carefully designed rooms that offer a seating capacity of up to 100 guests. i Call 17 434-344 (delivery). www.bahrainthismonth.com

MCDONALD’S BAHRAIN

Making a Difference This worldwide chain of restaurants is not only the most popular fast-food destination, it is also known for its spirit of giving back to the community.

Fakhro Restaurants Co and McDonald’s Bahrain celebrate their 20th anniversary in the Kingdom this December, starting with the success of the annual Children’s Charity Book Drive during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Building on its success over the past five years, McDonald’s Bahrain exceeded last year’s totals, which generated more than BD2,000 in charitable funds.

Working in collaboration with Academia, one of the region’s leading publishing houses, McDonald’s developed four all-new stories this year, designed to foster a lifelong love of reading. They teach valuable lessons that reflect the virtues of the Holy Month of Ramadan. These four books

— Family, Friendship, Honesty and Understanding — were available at all McDonald’s restaurants in Bahrain throughout the Holy Month, with all proceeds going to local children’s charities.

“We plan to celebrate our 20th year anniversary by sharing our values and our gratitude with all communities in Bahrain,” says Abdulla Adel Fakhro, director of Fakhro Restaurants. “That is why we are very pleased to support our local children’s charities with the proceeds of this campaign, as well as engage in other charitable initiatives as we have been since the start. We extend our gratitude to our customers and we look forward to their support.”

Fakhro Restaurants Co and McDonald’s Bahrain are among the major supporters of a number of charity organisations in Bahrain, including the Smile Foundation for children with cancer. The duo also sponsors a number of local sports initiatives, including the McDonald’s Bara’em Under 11 Football League. i Call 17 221-722.

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Order: 1722 1722 mcdelivery.com.bh www.bahrainthismonth.com

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LEILA RESTAURANT

Like a Dream

In the spread of restaurants claiming to serve authentic Lebanese cuisine, this venue has successfully made a mark owing to its consistent quality and ingenious flavours.

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Here’s a venue that’s not just a restaurant, but a vault of precious memories of a girl that brings a slice of charming, rural Lebanon to the city. Taste her grandma’s secret recipes at Leila Restaurant at Al Aali Shopping Complex’s restaurant lane.

Started in 2011, the restaurant has garnered a loyal customer base. Despite severe competition, Leila manages to have a packed house for both lunch and dinner throughout the week.

“What makes us different from the rest is our quality,“says restaurant manager Ayman Daou. “All our ingredients are flown in from Lebanon and the chefs have combined several spices and herbs to arrive at our signature flavours. We keep the authenticity alive by investing in our staff and the produce we use. We have the best team of chefs one could ask for and suppliers that give premium-quality products.”

At Leila, you enter a classic world of antique artefacts on shelves with mellow music in the background. The air is filled with tantalising aromas from the kitchen that whet your appetite as soon as you step in.

Some of the signature dishes on the menu are the stuffed pastries, mixed grills and a special preparation of liver. However, a creation that deserves special mention is kafta bil karaz. Finely minced meat is

perfectly seasoned and mixed with herbs. It is then grilled into succulent kebabs, which are served with fried potato dices and a luxurious cherry and pine nut sauce. This decadent dish is one of the restaurant’s best sellers.

You might wonder how special can the widely available fattoush be. Wait until you taste the one prepared in Leila’s kitchen. The remarkable vinaigrette makes all the difference.

A popular dessert on the menu is osmalieh. This is an age-old recipe of crispy, golden, sweet vermicelli served with dense cream and rose-flavoured sugar syrup.

Garnished with crushed pistachio, this is a treat for the sweet-toothed.

The chefs specialise in traditional Lebanese food and constantly experiment with flavours, ingredients and presentation to keep the novelty of the menu alive.

Moving into the busier part of the year, the restaurant plans to start serving shisha as well.

The venue can accommodate more than 150 people.

Spread across three floors, it has selected areas that can host gatherings of small groups. Leila enjoys the added advantage of a great location with ample parking space and access from the mall. Follow Leila Restaurant on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. i Call 17 566-556. www.bahrainthismonth.com

dining

AL AREEN PALACE & SPA

A Traditional Feast

A lavish spread of traditional dishes and great live entertainment combine to create a festive experience at one of the island’s mostsought-after restaurants.

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Al Areen Palace & Spa launches a themed dining attraction for the festive winter season. Along with a celebration of regional gastronomy, it lets you experiece true Arabic culture and lifestyle. Each night, guests enter a space of authentic delicacies and entertainment of the Arab world.

The chefs have carefully put together an elaborate menu of dishes that beautifully complement a fairytale ambience, recreating the true spirit of Arabian Nights.

The buffet extends to the poolside and includes an array of salads, mezze, main course dishes, grills and desserts. The spread features food from different parts of the world in addition to traditional Bahraini delicacies. the Barbecue nights feature a number of live cooking stations including far eastern, western, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean.

The salad bar features staples such as hummus, tabbouleh, baba ganoush, moutabel and vine leaves. Stop by the live shawarma and saj bread stations for some chicken and beef delights. Guests can also try pasta with a variety of sauces.

Enjoy Arabic lamb rack, Bahraini lamb tikka, herbmarinated beef steak, reef fish steak, tuna fish steak, beef kofta, hammour fish skewer and other lip-smacking treats straight from the grills. This meal meets a befitting end

with an assortment of French pastries, different types of mousse, fresh fruit plates, Arabic sweets, orange cake and Umm Ali. The live pancake and waffle station fills the air with irresistible aromas.

The venue has introduced a new menu inspired by modern Bahraini dishes blended with European influences that results in a feast for your palate.

A regal experience Al Areen Palace & Spa is only 35 minutes from Bahrain International Airport and five minutes away from the Bahrain International Circuit. Located on a massive spread of land, the property features a total of 78 pool villas in a one-storey setting.

Guests can choose from two types of villa-style accommodation. Replete with state-of-the-art facilities, these comprise a swimming pool and jet pool in the courtyard. The hotel is home to some of the Kingdom’s best food and beverage venues. Keizo specialises in Far Eastern fusion dishes; Rimal is the hotel’s all-day dining venue that serves an elaborate à la carte menu.

The Senses Lounge invites you to indulge in delicious pastries, freshly baked cakes and quick coffee breaks or high tea sessions. i Call 17 845-000. www.bahrainthismonth.com

AROMA EXPRESS

Arabian Treats Mesk Holdings has recently opened Aroma Express at the American Alley in Juffair. We take a closer look at the venue.

Mesk Holdings, the company behind The Meat Co, 338 Garden Restaurant, Aroma Café and Cake Boutique, has now opened another eatery for those who prefer to have food on the go.

Located on American Alley in Juffair, Aroma Express offers a new take on the fast and casual dining scene in Bahrain with its modern, vibrant atmosphere.

Focused on delivering traditional Arabic flavours to those looking for a delicious meal, this venue is ideal for a quick dine-in or takeaway. All dishes are prepared with care in an open kitchen, where you can witness the magic of great food cooked to perfection.

“We are proud to open Aroma Express and, most of all, to be able to bring quality food to a fast dining and delivery concept, what we felt was missing in the country,” says Hassan Chouman, regional manager for Aroma Café and Aroma Express. “We want to offer only the true flavours of the Arabic world to our customers.

Aroma Express is fresh and friendly, translating all that Arabic hospitality is truly about.”

The Aroma Express menu includes fattayer, pizzas, breads, grills, shawarmas, hot and cold mezze, desserts and juices. Every dish is prepared from scratch by skilled chefs who are ready to serve you with Arabic hospitality. i Call 16 031-120, 17 756-449 or 17 369-133.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2014 143

dining THE K HOTEL

Delectable Arabian Feasts Known for serving authentic regional delicacies, this restaurant puts its best foot forward during its Arabic theme nights.

EL RANCHO STEAKHOUSE & CANTINA

A Transition of Flavours Ric’s Kountry Kitchen, serving home-style American food, spices up its offering with the addition of a Tex-Mex venue.

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Located on the first floor of The K Hotel, Kenza Restaurant is known for offering authentic Middle Eastern recipes. The expert chefs put together a buffet of delicious grills and gravies every Tuesday and Friday. This is a great opportunity to sample the variety of dishes on offer at the restaurant for BD8++.

Choose from a selection of mezze and sambosas for starters. The fresh salad offerings include potato harrah, beetroot salad, fattoush, tabbouleh, hummus, mutabal and sweetcorn salad.

Move on to the main course with options like shrimp harrah, chicken machboos and the four-star hotel’s special biryani. The restaurant boasts a live grill station, where kebabs and seafood are grilled to perfection.

You can try one of their gourmet shawarmas as well.

A number of sweet treats bring this decadent experience to a befitting end, including Umm Ali, the traditional must-have and local favourite. The rich chocolate mousse cannot be missed.

The setting within Kenza is tasteful and warm, featuring a mix of Arabic and contemporary elements. A pleasant surprise is the exotically decorated terrace with cosy seating areas, perfect for al fresco dining in the cooler months.

Under the supervision of Jose Ledo, food and beverage director, and led by award-winning executive chef Sylvester Rozario, the kitchen brigade deserves credit for maintaining high standards. They take pride in the fact that no two buffet spreads at The K Hotel are alike. i Call 17 360-000.

A longstanding fixture on the local dining scene, Ric’s Kountry Kitchen built its reputation by delivering American cuisine as if served at home.

“A home away form home has long been our motto to describe what we have always sought to achieve at Ric’s Kountry Kitchen,” says Rick Abernathy, the owner of the restaurant. “To this we have now added the El Rancho Steakhouse & Cantina.”

Over the summer months the restaurant has undergone a renovation to create a seamless transition from the downstairs area, which hosts Ric’s, to the upstairs El Rancho venue and Cattle Man Lounge. The latter is named after the impressive display of Mexican bull horns that decorate the cantina. El Rancho also has its own entrance, through a courtyard corridor of vibrant colours that reflect the Mexican spirit.

“Our Tex-Mex menu includes the favourites you would expect from this southwestern style of American cuisine, including certified 100 per cent USDA Black Angus steaks and prime rib,” notes Rick. “While Tex-Mex tones down the more spicy aspects of Mexican cuisine, customers can still order food as hot as they like it.”

One of the signature features at Ric’s is the emphasis on ‘home’ and being treated like one of the family.

With additional decor still to arrive from America, the restaurant plans a grand opening at the El Rancho in the coming months. i Call 17 725-550.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Come in. Sit down. Have a nice meal.

t +973 17311280 f +973 17311281 bldg.175 rd. 2608 adliya 326

Shoo Fee Ma Fee Restaurant

shoofeemafeerestaurant

dining

When? November 5, 11, 18, 25 Event? Gulf night out Venue? The Gulf Hotel

THE GULF HOTEL

Poolside Carnival

A centre of culinary expertise and social activity, this five-star venue hosts keenly anticipated events on the Kingdom’s dining calendar.

The Gulf Hotel’s exclusive poolside event, Gulf Night Out, is all set to make a splash! The themed dining experience goes all out with a variety of food, live cooking stations and entertainment. Resembling a carnival with raffle draws and games, the event features performances by various bands and dance troupes.

The hotel boasts the largest number of food and beverage outlets within a single property on the island.

Dishes from 17 of its restaurants are on offer at the event. No pool party is complete without a barbecue station; this one is no different. Watch out for the smoky surprises from the grills. Enjoy this fiesta by the pool on November 5, 11, 18 and 25.

“This is a night of guaranteed fun, whether you are with friends or family. We invite you for non-stop entertainment, games and, of course, the fabulous buffet that we are famous for,” says Rahim Abu Omar, general manager, Gulf Hotel.

Priced at BD18++, the buffet starts from 8pm. There is a special discount for Prestige Club, NSA and Gulf Air members, and if the ticket is purchased in advance.

Oriental treats Gulf Hotel’s Sato restaurant is a popular venue to enjoy the true taste of Japanese cuisine. At the helm of affairs is chef Naotaka, whose valuable experience brings a special touch to the dishes. Introducing some new items, Naotaka successfully maintains a fine line between innovation and preserving traditional flavours.

“Japanese cuisine is about technique and attention to

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detail, which can transform simple ingredients into something extraordinary,” he says.

Look out for the new chef’s specials on the menu. This month, the hotel’s Italian restaurant, La Pergola introduces a new à la carte menu. Enjoy an evening of homestyle cooking with the Casa Mia dining concept.

Indulge in traditional Italian fare with a selection of antipasti, risotto, pasta, pizza, fish and meat courses topped with a selection of Italian desserts. This special menu is available throughout the month for BD12.500++.

Known as one of Bahrain top five-star properties, the Gulf Hotel continues to deliver high standards of service to its residents and corporate customers alike. In addition to its luxurious rooms and suites, contemporary apartments and panoramic views of Manama, the hotel provides high-quality dining and entertainment options for residents and visitors. i Call 17 713-000. www.bahrainthismonth.com

LANTERNS

Authentic Flavours There’s hardly a corner of the world untouched by the flavours of Indian cuisine. This restaurant continues to excite the taste buds of curry connoisseurs in Bahrain.

Flavours of Indian cuisine have firmly established themselves in Bahrain as well as other parts of the gastronomic world. Lanterns Restaurant & Lounge, with its ambience and diverse menu, is a notable example.

The restaurant serves more than just the expected northern Indian favourites. Boasting a large menu, Lanterns offers new additions to its fusion offerings, beverage selection and chef’s specials.

The Thursday buffet at the Adliya branch features a fresh seafood counter. On offer is the day’s catch, including clams, prawns, crabs, shari and ladyfish, which can be grilled, fried or wok tossed according to your preference. There is a sizable variety of sauces to choose from as well.

Among the reasons the venue has become particularly popular are its outdoor garden, the barbecue grill and the lounge upstairs. With its private rooftop dance floor, bar and in-house DJ, the Goa Lounge hosts a number of theme nights during the week. These include High Heels Night on Wednesdays, Shoot the Night on Thursdays and Gentlemen’s Night on Fridays. The popular Busy Bee lunch is now available at the Budaiya branch as well as at Adliya. Served from Saturday to Thursday, from noon until 6pm, the menu includes soup, salad, appetisers, a main course of your choice and selected beverages — all for BD5.

Expanding their presence in the country, the restaurant recently opened a branch in Durrat Al Bahrain and is expected to start new outlets in Riffa and Juffair. i Call 17 590-591 (Adliya) or 17 250-999 (Budaiya). www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2014 147

dining SEVEN LEISURE

Good Times Guaranteed!

This oasis nestled in the heart of the city provides a multitude of recreational offerings for residents and tourists.

Situated by the clear waters of the Arabian Gulf, Coral Bay is the ultimate destination for relaxation, adventure, dining and entertainment. Formerly known as Coral Beach Club, this is a marina, a beach and a fully equipped health club.

The venue offers water sports and scuba diving equipment. Also boasting a relaxing lounge, Coral Bay is home to one of the island’s most popular Lebanese restaurants. An official venue of Bahrain’s legendary Formula One parties, Coral Bay allows you to brush off stress and celebrate life with special events featuring international DJs. Although located in the city centre, it offers a calm environment where you can enjoy both sun and sand and have a splash in the large swimming pools. Pump iron with a view of the white sand beach or pamper yourself at the state-of-the-art, Coral Spa. Providing the perfect respite from the fast-paced city life, Coral Bay is a popular destination for family and corporate events. The club offers exciting membership packages with exclusive discounts and privileges catering to singles, couples and families.

Dine by the beach Rayés, Coral Bay’s Lebanese restaurant is known for its authentic cuisine and atmosphere. The food quality fits fine dining criteria; the relaxed ambience keeps the venue warm and welcoming. Not only does it have some of the best Lebanese food in town, but it also enjoys a great location as it overlooks the marina with the Muharraq skyline in the distance.

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Rayés Lebanese restaurant

Dine al fresco while listening to waves or sit inside and take in the view through Rayés’ large open windows. The restaurant’s popular business lunches run from Sunday to Wednesday, from noon to 4pm.

The venue recently launched its free delivery service.

Whether you want to relax by the sea, catch up with friends or entertain business clients over lunch or dinner, this is a venue for the occasion.

Chill-out zone Coral Bay is home to Karma Lounge, a casual afterhour spot by the beach where you can enjoy drinks with friends over great food. As the night progresses, you can dance away to the hottest beats mixed live by local and international DJs. Treat yourself to a 30 per cent discount daily during happy hours between 5pm and 7pm.

Call 17 312-700. www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

Kareem & Basel

Sofitel Vine Days

Pierre & Sami

Juan & Simonetta

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa launched ‘Sofitel Vine Days’ at La Mer Restaurant. Grape connoisseurs were treated to 16 variations of French beverage, including Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Languedoc, Loire, Rhone, with canapés in addition to live entertainment.

Sergey, Alex, Elina & Ahmed Sami, Pierre, Mayka & Ahmed

The cellist plays on the night

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Moussa

Hedi & Heather with Anne

Batoul & Nicholas

Sophie, Laurent & Erika

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SHOO FEE MA FEE

Ice Breaker Bites

There are few better ways to start conversations than sharing a meal together.

How about making some new friends at this popular neighbourhood eatery?

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Shoo Fee Ma Fee, a Lebanese restaurant tucked within Adliya’s café ‘square’, believes that sharing is a way of life. Whether it’s for a date with your significant other or for a business lunch, this impressive venue is well worth finding.

“The Shoo Fee Ma Fee philosophy comes from our endeavour to bring traditional and authentic Lebanese food to Bahrain and offering it in a modern and inviting ambience,” says general manager Mohammed Fayyed.

“Our menu has been carefully put together to bring you the best selection of tasty and healthy food.”

With a name that is the Lebanese phrase for ‘what’s up’, Shoo Fee Ma Fee encourages conversation and interaction between guests over food. Everything about this restaurant is modern, including the decor in the two-storey building. Bright colours of red, green and yellow decorate the furnishings and walls, while the large glass windows light up the venue.

Tall ceilings, staggered decks, outdoor balconies and

a courtyard offer a different dining experience with each visit. The mixture of indoor and outdoor dining offers plenty of space for private gatherings and functions. The eatery offers a new take on the idea of an open kitchen; you can see what is cooking from your table and from the street.

Using the freshest ingredients and marinating them in natural citrus juice, herbs and spices, the restaurant offers healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner. From the steaming hot breads to the oven-fresh pizzas, you can draw comfort from knowing that everything you eat is freshly cooked. It is not difficult to understand why Shoo Fee Ma Fee has garnered a loyal following.

Shoo Fee Ma Fee is one of the few venues in its neighbourhood that offers ample parking for customers. If you do not have the time to visit, take the experience into your home with its home delivery service and find out what’s up! i Call 17 311-280. www.bahrainthismonth.com

A spectacular new photographic book about the Kingdom of Bahrain

by Andrew Weaver

“The first aerial photography book about Bahrain ever to be produced, containing over 250 amazing images shot almost entirely from helicopters”.

In all leading bookstores soon.

For further information and corporate sales contact: (+973) 39445102 or email: weaverphoto@yahoo.com Available in 3 sizes.

the ultimate BBQ

Follow the Smoke Ankita Mamgain Balmy afternoons in the backyard or breezy evenings by the sea, it’s always a good time for a barbecue now that summer starts to make an exit.

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The grills that were lying dormant these past months are all set to reignite the barbecue season. As the Kingdom moves into a more chilling climate, a variety of grill pots, patio furniture and barbecue tools make it to the front rows at supermarkets.

Interestingly, there are hardly any aspects of this much-loved cuisine that are not a subject of debate; be it the cooking equipment, the meats, the marinade or which part of the world does it the best.

Bahrain’s social topography has brought in a myriad of influences to the art of cooking. We take a close look at three barbecue styles that are widely popular in the Kingdom, but couldn’t be more different from one another.

variety of venues in the Kingdom that serve traditional Arabic grills.

Establishments Iskenderun on Exhibition Road, Show Piece in Zinj, Apple in Salmaniya, Adhirna Grills in Umm Al Hassam and Lahore Restaurant in Manama might lack glamour, but their meats have had the public hooked for years. Eateries such as Al Abraaj, Kosebasi, Shoo Fee Ma Fee and Leila offer a casual dining environment. Takht Jamsheed in Gulf Hotel, Golestan in Sheraton Bahrain, Saraya in Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa and Kenza in The K Hotel are some venues where you can enjoy these gastronomic indulgences in a fine-dining setting.

From nomads to royalty The Middle East is the microcosm of the barbecue world.

Like all great civilisations, the Arabs learned how to dig a pit, light a fire and throw an animal in it. With time, the cuisine of the region resembled the cultural sophistication and finesse of its inhabitants.

When you say grills here, it’s not just a slab of meat.

These gourmet preparations employ meticulous technique, a medley of carefully measured local and exotic herbs, a delicate balance of spices and a plethora of condiments. The offerings of the otherwise humble grill, in this region, are fit for royalty. Arabic culture encourages community meals; hence barbecue is a popular choice.

“Along with our signature cooking style, it’s the community spirit that makes an Arabic barbecue special,” says WG Gunasiri, executive chef at Al Areen Palace & Spa. “I’d say the three most essential parts of making Arabic grills are the quality of meat, getting the right mix of spices and sharing it with a large group of friends.”

The hotel is set to host barbecue theme nights in November with an exhaustive variety of dishes, live cooking stations and great entertainment. There are a

Tex-mex flavours America’s one contribution to the culinary world that is as original as jazz, baseball and rock ‘n’ roll is their barbecue-style cooking. Texas is the American state that along with having a signature take on meat-on-grill has given some of the most ingenious barbecue pit designs.

When you say barbecue there, it seldom means the dainty little grill in a backyard. It takes industrial-size equipment to meet the insatiable demand of fiery grills.

With a number of restaurants serving authentic American cuisine, the Texas-style barbecue is hugely popular in Bahrain, especially with the expat community.

This grub is all about the right spice-rub and uses beef cuts as primary meat.

Techniques and flavours show influences of European immigrants, especially Czech and German, as well as traditional African-American and Native American influences on the cuisine. From smoky ribs to juicy steaks, a hefty hamburger and those tasty Buffalo wings, this food is a meat lover’s dream.

Ric’s Kountry Kitchen allows you to savour customised barbecue meals with your choice of meat, seasoning and sauce. Some of the most popular dishes on its menu are www.bahrainthismonth.com

the Angus steaks and prime ribs.

TGI Fridays prides itself on its ribs and has a special promotion. It can be a tough task to choose when the menu includes Texas spiced lamb ribs, spiced short ribs, beef bacon crusted short ribs, beef bacon crusted baby back ribs and boneless BBQ ribs. Hard Rock Café and Tony Roma feature some of the most popular barbecue meals on the island as well.

The Rio taste Churrasco, or the Brazilian barbecue, has all the traditions and elements of an American barbecue, but is not based on smoke. This is as close as it gets to tasting real meat. Originally the standard was to coat meats in coarse salt and leave them for 30 minutes to get absorbed before placing them over the fire. Later, salt water was used to keep meats moist during the cooking.

Beef is typically never seasoned, but poultry and lamb are spiced with a rich marinade the night before cooking. The pieces are places on long sword-like skewers and cooked over an open fire. With the growing popularity of this style of grilling you can even buy a churrasco grill.

Brazil Rodizio grill & Lounge in Adliya is one of the places that serve authentic Brazilian barbecued meats in the Kingdom. This venue is most popular for its unlimited dining offer; eat until your belly bursts. If you’re looking to make the most of your weekend, move to the lounge upstairs which hosts some great DJ nights.

Brasa De Brazil is a fine-dining venue and churrascaria in Seef Mall.

It serves authentic rodizio or southern Brazil’s cuisine. As gauchos circle your table with unlimited supplies of meat, sip on a caipirinha or Brazilian Crush.

Preparation is key Getting the right equipment for a barbecue at home is very important; right from the kind of grill to turners and brushes. Artikel at Jawad Dome in Barbar has a wide range of quality essentials. From Eva Solo barbeque pots, tongs and turners to acrylic glasses and crockery and even garden furniture and accessories, it’s a one-stop shop for all your barbecue needs.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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dining TGI FRIDAYS

Stuck to Your Ribs If your idea of a good meal is a full rack of slow-cooked, fall-off-the-bone tender ribs, then this restaurant’s promotion will have your mouth watering.

The secret to preparing the perfect barbecue beef ribs is to cook them low and slow. TGI Fridays is a dining haven that does what it takes to make fall-off-the-bone delicious ribs. Diners can choose from a variety of dishes that feature the delicious rack of beef.

The Texas Spiced Lamb Ribs feature tender lamb ribs cooked with an irresistible blend of southern spices and drizzled with the restaurant’s signature barbecue sauce. The Texas Spiced Short Ribs are glazed with the signature sauce and crusted with a blend of flavourful spices.

Beef Bacon Crusted Short Ribs are glazed with a tangy barbecue sauce for a savoury finish and then piled high with pieces of beef bacon.

Another delectable option is the Beef Bacon Crusted Baby Back Ribs.

Juicy baby back ribs are fire-grilled and then glazed with the tangy barbecue sauce and topped with beef bacon.

Those who find the bone-in business too messy for a quick meal can try the Boneless BBQ Ribs. Soft beef ribs are removed off the bone and expertly fire-grilled with a thick glaze of the signature barbecue sauce. All the dishes on this special menu are served with crispy seasoned garlic fries, honey-lime coleslaw and the famous sauce on the side.

TGI Fridays has a branch in City Centre Bahrain and in Juffair. Visit this restaurant this month for a taste of true Texan flavours. Take away the ribs for your own barbecue parties if you’re not in the mood for cooking. i Call 17 179-041 (City Centre Bahrain) or 17 827-009 (Juffair).

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www.bahrainthismonth.com

AFTER DARK

The Legend Continues Put on your dancing shoes and keep them on for the party at this popular Irish pub, where festivities just doesn’t stop this month.

A

fter celebrating its 15th birthday with boy band Legends, JJ’s Irish Restaurant & Pub returns with another night dedicated to pop music. Introducing the popular UK tribute band The Pop Stars, the pub delivers a night of old and latest chartbusters.

Featuring hits by the queens of pop like Madonna, Kylie, Beyoncé, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga to those of rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis, The Pop Stars’ show pays tribute to best of the best in the music industry. Get ready to swing along as you sing your hearts out on October 10.

Tickets for the show will be available from 7pm at the door for BD5; the show starts at 9pm.

The Irish way It might be difficult to understand them due to an almost incomprehensible accent, but the art www.bahrainthismonth.com

of making merry is something the Irish have taught well to the rest of the world. Join the mayhem as the pub hosts an Irish fest on October 23 and 25 with the country’s two great gifts, a dark beauty called Guinness and the kings of stadium rock — U2.

UK’s most popular tribute band to the iconic rockers brings the house down with some of their most popular tracks on October 23.

This group has been known to set a new standard in the art of tribute shows. U2 may have the ‘Edge’, but founding member Rich replicates the woolly-hatted guitarist’s fluid style to a tee. Russ has performed as Bono for over 10 years and perfectly captures the legendary performer’s throaty rasp.

Expect hits such as Magnificent, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Where the Streets Have No Name, Vertigo and With or Without You. Voted

ALSO THIS MONTH: 156 HAPPENINGS 158 HALLOWEEN 159 RAMEE GIGS

one of the top 10 tributes in Europe by Stage Magazine, this is your chance to treat yourself to a loud night out! The show starts at 9pm; entry is BD5.

The shenanigans continue on October 25 with Paddyman. A full-time Irish entertainer based in Dubai, he performs a mix of high-energy music and comedy. Entry is free; so be there early to grab the best seats in the house.

Trick or treat!

The year’s most anticipated costume party is here; JJ’s Irish is all set to deliver a great night.

Make sure you’re at your ghastly best as there are many prizes to be won. From pumpkin heads to broomsticks and great food and drinks to ‘killer’ entertainment, the venue has it all.

Call 39 329-083.

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afterdark When? October 2 Event? Eid party Venue? Wrangler, Juffair Grand Hotel Dance the night away with friends to the tunes of DJ Teddy.

E Call 39 831-380.

Get the Party Started!

This month Bahrain’s party roster is packed with nonstop entertainment. Here’s a round-up of the gigs you don’t want to miss.

When? October 2 Event? Wine fair Venue? The Dragon Hotel & Resort A night of entertainment with BMMI’s extensive selection of wines.

E Call 17 293-380.

Have a ball this Eid with a number of parties around town.

Join in the celebrations at Club Wrangler on October 2; dance the night away as DJ Teddy Jam spins up a storm.

He’s joined on the console by DJ Aelex and DJ 25.

On October 4, the party shifts to The Domain’s glamorous sky lounge, Txoko. Enjoy your favourite cocktails and great music, overlooking the breathtaking views of Manama’s skyline.

When? October 2 Event? Oktoberfest Venue? The Royal Golf Club Revel in the spirit of Bavaria with a variety of ales and German food.

E Call 17 750-777.

Spirit of Bavaria Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa combines this month’s two most important celebrations on October 31.

Oktoberfest and Halloween come together and offer ghoulish fun with more than 25 brands of international brews. The resident DJ starts the night, before DJs Oliver Shine and Hallex M electrify the crowds with their thrilling beats. Entry is priced at BD38, inclusive of five brews or soft drinks and food from the grill.

Enjoy traditional German food, drinks and entertainment at Royal Golf Club’s Oktoberfest. The party starts on

When? October 3 and 4 Event? Live performance Venue? The Hub, Ramee Monroe Hotel Night-long bash with live performance by AEGIS. E Call 17 296-699.

bystander

Pussycat Dolls Tribute at the Club Buffalo The official tribute to American pop girl group ‘Pussycat Dolls’ performed at Club Buffalo at Ramee California

Mel, Alma & Miguel

Meaza & Tony

Dee, Kourtney & Briana

Rajiv & Antony

T, Maddi and Tim

Jenna & James

Dee, Kourtney & Breana with the Pussycat Dolls

Jeff, Fadi & Andrew

Otis, Mike & Chou

156 October 2014

Philippe & Nancy

Tara & Lindsay

Jeff, Susan, Elaine & Steph

www.bahrainthismonth.com

When? October 9 Event? The Vocalist, finale Venue? The Harvesters Pub, Crowne Plaza Witness the ultimate sing-out with great food and cocktails.

E Call 17 531-122.

When? October 17 Event? St Patrick’s party Venue? Bennigan’s, Al Safir Tower Enjoy a selection of ales and Irish grub at this popular joint.

E Call 17 813-750.

When? October 31 Event? Halloween party Venue? Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq This bash celebrates both Oktoberfest and Halloween.

E Call 17 636-363.

When? Throughout October Event? Food promotion Venue? Noor, InterContinental Regency Try a variety of wines and gourmet cheese at this lounge.

E Call 17 227-777.

QBA Inside

October 2 at 8pm at the club’s Majlis; entry is priced at BD21 for members and BD26 for visitors.

Trader Vic’s at The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa has an entire week of entertainment planned for Oktoberfest.

Be prepared for traditional German fare, unlimited ales and lots of Bavarian bravado.

There’s more The Hub at Ramee Monroe Hotel hosts an electrifying night with the band Aegis on October 3 and 4. The group promises a high-octane performance with great choreography and the latest chartbusters.

The quiz nights make a grand comeback at the Capital Club Bahrain. To be held every month, this is a night topped with some fun-filled brainteasers and lots of prizes.

The celebrations have begun at Bennigan’s as the countdown to St Patrick’s Day begins half a year in advance. Drop in on the 17th of each month until March for great entertainment and special promotions on drinks.

The Irish-American pub-restaurant also introduces its new food and drinks menu that includes new burgers, beer and cocktail towers for groups and plenty of signature giant cocktails.

Bring out the slippers and sarongs and head to one of the coolest pool parties in town. Jose Padilla of Ibiza’s Café Del Mar fame brings the hottest tunes to The Dragon Hotel & Resort on October 24. Get your tickets beforehand for BD10.

New sound Sway to the beats of the Cuban band QBA Inside at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa. An energetic and passionate group, they perform a mix of Cuban traditional music with contemporary international songs every night at Tapas Lounge from 9.30pm.

The evenings at the Mezzanine Lounge and Boudoir Lounge at The Westin get a melodious lift with pianist and singer Hanna Turtsevich. She boasts a wide repertoire of classics, pop and jazz favourites.

The Warbler at Ramee Baisan International invites you for an exhilarating performance of its new band, Energy 7. Performing a mix of the latest hits and popular classics, the group of seven musicians deliver an unforgettable experience. Downtown Bar at InterContinental Regency Bahrain welcomes EvolveR as its new resident band. A group of six talented musicians from USA, Canada, UK and South Africa, it delivers an energetic set of old and new hits.

www.jfcbahrain.com

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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A Terror-rific Time

The Kingdom’s after-hours venues don a ghoulish garb and call all creatures of the night for this holiday, which is a lot more than just tricks or treats.

The time of the year when monsters, ghosts, ghouls and other scary creatures descend upon the world for one night only is here. Bahrain puts on numerous parties to celebrate Halloween this year.

Pirates, princesses and blood-thirsty vampires are invited to Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa’s Halloween bash by the beach.

Dance away to the sounds of DJs Oliver Shine and Hallex M until the full orange moon rises.

Fine-dining venue Camelot Restaurant & Lounge in Adliya brings out its dark side for the holiday. Join in the bash and sample goodies from a special drinks and food menu made for the evening.

All fiends are invited to the island’s largest club Ibrida for chills and thrills, live entertainment and heady cocktails. Enjoy the electrifying atmosphere created by the live band and DJ in the haunting setting.

Imari Lounge at The Domain Bahrain celebrates the dark night in style with great Japanese food, drinks and entertainment.

Downtown Bar at InterContinental Regency welcomes all demons and divas on October 30 and 31. Enjoy a large selection of drinks and food; remember to get creative with the costumes.

Join the bloody masquerade at H2O on the 11th floor of Elite Grand Hotel in Seef. This night of spine-tingling fun features non-stop entertainment and unbelievable offers on food and drinks.

Boudoir Lounge at The Westin is ready to celebrate Halloween with a special menu. Try the flambéed lobster and pumpkin cappuccino for BD5++ while listening to the sultry sounds of pianist Hanna Turtsevich.

DJ Babey Drew at Ibrida DJ Babey Drew, one of pop culture’s greatest music icons spun the decks at Ibrida on AUG 28th.

DJ Babey Drew was listed in Vibe magazine’s list of Top 100 DJs and was the official touring DJ for Grammy award winning R&B artist, Chris Brown.

Kumar, Vijai, Ashish, Diptha & Asha

Stephanie, Lynn, Marc, David & Dan

Live entertainment at Ibrida

David & Nishendra

Ulisses & Fernanda

Jeff & Virginia

158 October 2014

Lynnette & Gladys

Natalia, Natasha & Reeme

DJ Babey Drew & Wolfgang

Fadli & Vittal

Kareena

Ranjit & Zahra

Crissie, Lia & Karina

Fanny, Chris & Gabrielle

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Beat Elite

RAMEE GROUP OF HOTELS

The Dark Night Rises These nightlife hotspots have a multitude of entertainment lined up this month; mark your calendars now!

One of the most eagerly anticipated events on the calendar is Halloween and Dublin Club in Ramee Palace Hotel is set to raise all hell. Dress to distress for ‘Phobia - Confront Your Fears’ on October 31.

Don’t hold back your imagination for there are prizes to be won. Enjoy a three-course dinner including a beverage for only BD10.

The club offers great entertainment throughout the month as well. The resident British band, Beat Elite, and DJ Tripz ensure that the party never stops until the the dawn breaks, belting out the biggest hits all night long. Sports fans can catch all the action, live on the club’s big screen. i Call 39 413-677.

Drop by Rocky’s Café to check out its new band Vision.

Its action packed performance includes R&B, hip hop, pop, disco, reggae, house and the latest chartbusters.

Catch them every night 9.00 pm onwards. i Call 39 736-547.

West turns into a sinister dungeon as resident band Sugarmash and DJ Trixta fill the air with scorching mixes. The scariest outfits receive special gifts and early birds can take advantage of a ‘buy two get one free’ offer till 9pm. There is an all-you-can-drink offer for BD20. i Call 35 559-391 or 33 142-651.

Be part of the Flintstones’ nightmare on October 30.

This spook-tacular night at Bedrock features Thai band Museum and DJ Maude and DJ Neil. There’s free entry for all until 11pm and an unlimited drinks package for BD15. i Call 37 740-766.

The bloodfest continues at The Hub at Ramee Monroe on October 31. However earlier in the month, you can catch the band AEGIS at the venue. The group brings its energetic act and collection of chartbusters to the Kingdom on October 4 and 5. i Call 36 289-383 or 33 004-253.

At The Warbler in Ramee Baisan Hotel, ‘All Souls are Welcome’ as the club leaves no pumpkin unturned to deliver a hair-raising time for Halloween on October 30 and 31. The party features a special menu and prizes for the best — or rather the worst dressed.

Earlier in the month the pub brings out the German ales and food for Oktoberfest on October 2 and 3.

Feast on Bavarian favourites, such as Bratwurst sausages, Sauerbraten and a variety of drinks. i Call 38 381-631, 37 735-866 or 39 098-607.

Club Buffalo at Ramee California invites you to the year’s biggest costume party on October 31. The Wild www.bahrainthismonth.com

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La Fontaine event A host of events were held at La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary art last month, including the screening of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which was followed by a dinner, proceeds of which went to charity.

Loredana, Fatima & Naty

Ali & Claudia

Gero, Aref & Dunia

Salwa & Mona

Hamed & Khawla

Discover the secrets of Handcrafted Coffee Costa Coffee at the Bahrain City Centre organized a coffee workshop on SEPT 16th. Attendees were shown how every cup of coffee is made at Costa. They were also given the opportunity to0 try and make their own Costa Coffee.

Prashant, Margie, Ahmed, Gizem & Ishan

A coffee workshop

160 October 2014

Margie, Ahmed & Prashant

Gizem, Sara & Dana

Marlette, Marise & Gizem

www.bahrainthismonth.com

What’s New

Highly successful design

The Longines Heritage 1935 is based on a timepiece originally created for aviators, but which went on to prove highly popular among the general public. With its cushion-shaped steel case and fluted crown, this model has an original look that evokes the timepiece on which it is based.

Available at leading retailers.

Edited by Elma Bartholomew

The power of scents Sometimes, all you have to do is breathe in a combination of well-chosen essential oils to wake up feeling good, relax, stay in Zen mode or fall asleep easily. L’Occitane Aromachologie consists of two lines of body care products — Relaxing and Revitalizing — that deliver a revitalising or soothing effect.

Available at L’Occitane.

Shine bright

Recently launched in Bahrain, lolaandgrace is a new jewellery and accessories brand by the Swarovski group. It offers a strong mix-and-match character, suitable for all moments.

Available at A La Mode.

Superb sound Primal passions The exclusive Dark Kiss line from Bath & Body Works is a seductive blend of dark berries with a kiss of vanilla.

Lavishly splash or lightly spritz the fragrance, either way you’ll fall in love with its scent.

Available at Bath & Body Works.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

The F&D W330BT provides a radically new way to listen to music and home entertainment. You can stream music and control everything wirelessly from your smartphone or tablet. Aesthetic cubic elements give a unique look to the speaker system.

Available at Gajria Electronics.

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ASIA JEWELLERS

Performance Driven Three iconic names that stand for their impeccable timing and precision come together to launch a collection of limited edition timepieces.

Together with its brand ambassadors and Formula One drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has developed two special edition watches. Just days before the Singapore Grand Prix, the two Silver Arrow drivers unveiled their personal Ingenieur Chronograph watches, each limited to just 250 pieces.

As brand ambassadors of IWC Schaffhausen, the two also had a hand in designing their own timepieces.

“Lewis and Nico are not only unique personalities and incredibly successful sportsmen, but also very creative. They were both immediately interested in the idea of launching these special edition watches,” says Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen. “I’m confident that these remarkable timepieces will be equally popular with motorsport enthusiasts and watch connoisseurs.”

The two drivers had a clear idea of how their ideal watches would look. They demonstrated a great deal of understanding and aesthetic sensitivity during the design process.

The fact that the watch chosen is a chronograph from the Ingenieur family is no coincidence. First, the chronograph is the epitome of sports timing; second, the Ingenieur collection has materials typically used in motorsport, such as titanium, carbon fibre and ceramic.

Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Lewis Hamilton” When Lewis Hamilton visited IWC’s workshops a year ago, he was particularly impressed by the expertise and pioneering approach of the company’s watchmakers.

162 October 2014

“My tour of the premises showed me just how much pride, passion and commitment is behind IWC’s astonishing success,” Lewis says.

His model has a distinctly technical appeal. With its carbon dial, push buttons and zirconium oxide screw heads, the watch reflects the high-tech materials used in Formula One. This is also the only watch in the entire IWC collection that has a titanium bracelet.

Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Nico Rosberg” “For me, IWC watches epitomise not only complex technology and unmatched performance, but also passion and emotions,” Nico says.

Both lighter and sportier in appearance, the watch is made of titanium and features a black strap. The bright dial creates a striking contrast; the silver plating gives the titanium case and crown protection.

Screw heads made of zirconium oxide lend a light, sporty appeal.

The yellow colour of the seconds hand and of the hands in the totaliser at ‘12 o’clock’ is inspired by the neon-yellow helmet that has been Nico Rosberg’s trademark for seven years. The watch features a rubber strap and a touch of luxury with its embossed calfskin inlay and grey quilted stitching.

Call 17 431-177. www.bahrainthismonth.com

ASIA JEWELLERS

When the Sky is the Limit “I am very satisfied with the Zenith watch I use frequently. I can’t recommend it enough for those looking for accuracy,” Blériot reportedly said in 1912.

Zenith was one of the first brands to design instruments to assist flying, particularly altimeters and on-board watches. At the start of the 20th century, these two ‘visionaries’ were destined to meet.

Mikael Carlson

In a tribute to one of the greatest pilots of the 20th century, aviation veterans rekindle glorious moments of a relationship that goes back over 100 years.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Paying tribute to one of the greatest pilots of the past century, AIR14 Payerne recently displayed the Mikael Carlson Blériot XI in flight. The event marked Louis Blériot’s 1909 flight across the English Channel on board his Blériot XI. This archetypal single-engine aeroplane used at the dawn of aviation was present at the AIR14 Payerne show in Switzerland last month. The aircraft revived the glorious moments of its pilot, including his use of his Zenith watch.

On September 6, pilot Mikael Carlson brought the greatest moments of early Swiss military aviation back to life in front of 110,000 spectators. Used for civilian purposes, but mainly reserved for military use, the plane was the first to perform a loop, fly across the Alps and was one of the first to drop a parachutist. The aircraft can be credited for the advent of aerobatics and it was on board this plane that Blériot achieved his feat at the beginning of the last century.

In the summer of 1909, competition was in full swing to meet the challenge to cross the English Channel by air. Hubert Latham tried first, as he had signed up before Blériot. However, his attempt proved unsuccessful and on July 25, 1909 at 4.15am, Blériot took off. He reached England in 37 minutes, with his Zenith watch on his wrist.

Precision mechanics “Louis Blériot and Zenith have many common values, like their desire to push back boundaries and create new records. Both have always been guided by pleasure, adventure and authenticity,” says Aldo Magada, president and CEO of Zenith.

Founded in 1865 by visionary watchmaker Georges Favre-Jacot, the design and mechanics soon became famous for the precision of its chronometers. The manufacturers have been awarded 2,333 chronometry prizes in just one and a half centuries of existence.

These include the all-time record for pocket watches, on-board instruments and wristwatches. The company also made the legendary El Primero calibre, with a high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour that ensures precision to a tenth of a second. These watches are a rare find today from a manufacturing unit that is still located on the exact spot where its founder built the very first workshop.

Call 17 535-344.

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THE ONE

Unleashing Animal Instincts Indulge in creature comforts with Glamorama, one of four lust-have decor styles in the newly launched collection from this home furnishings outlet.

Capture the dramatic, luxurious look put together by THE One by blending a colour palette of black, beige, brown and a hint of red with a mix of metallic, mirrors, velvet, animal prints and furs. The keys to creating this glamorous boudoir look is using clean lines with rich accessories and finding the right balance between materials, prints and textures.

A touch of glamour Start by fashioning a spectacular backdrop with embossed gold croco pattern wallpaper. Then, set a sleek, raven black leather bed against it, flanked by mirrored nightstands, clear glass lamps and graphic wall art.

When dressing the bed, think of wild beauty fit for an urban jungle. Go for big cat print cushions and layers of

164 October 2014

lush throws in fabulous faux fur — one of this season’s biggest trends. While you’re at it, discover the most tactile of fabrics this fall. Velvet is featured in the gold curtains and red stool at the foot of the bed.

Practically speaking A fluffy black rug provides comfort. A curvaceous chest of drawers in black wood is both beautiful and useful.

Using an ornate, oversized vase in blue glass with gold detailing as an over-the-top planter will be a fitting finish to this production.

Roar into the new season with Glamorama — decadent, stylish and luxurious. You can’t expect anything less from THE One! i Call 17 587-178. www.bahrainthismonth.com

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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Celebrating Success

Dr Hannan Marafie

Marafie Clinic celebrates nine years in the field of dermatology and cosmetic dermatology treatments that are delivered with the utmost comfort and care.

When it comes to caring for patients, Marafie Clinic stands for the highest quality of care available in Bahrain. Essentially, it results from Dr Hanann Marafie’s warm and hands-on approach. “For us, a patient is a human being first, not just a customer. We take special interest in every patient because every case is unique. Similarly, our staff members are trained to be attentive healers, who help patients relax with their kindness and gentle attention,” she says.

Celebrating its ninth anniversary this year, Marafie Clinic treats all manner of skin diseases with modern equipment and the latest technology. The clinic provides all types of laser treatments for pigmentation, hair removal, broken veins, scars and wrinkles. It also offers different technologies for treating hair loss, cellulite and wrinkles.

Dr Marafie has 19 years experience in her field. Following the success of her Seef branch in 2005, she opened the Sanabis centre in 2010.

The largest branch which opened near the airport in 2011 has been very popular among GCC patients and supports health tourism in Bahrain.

With the wellbeing of her patients foremost on her mind, Dr Marafie goes to great lengths to ensure that they experience painless treatment.

“For example, our Botox injections are administered with microneedles, causing minimum sensation. Even the face rejuvenation is carried out without needles. We’re the only clinic in Bahrain to offer mesotherapy without injections. Our resurfacing and laser treatments are entirely painless. We want the patient go home happy, without suffering,” she says.

Call 17 585-373 or instagram marafieclinic.

JUNAID PERFUMES

Middle Eastern Scents

A leading perfumery in the region has recently unveiled its latest creation. Targeted for men, this fragrance is great for the upcoming season.

Taraf is the new rich fragrance exclusively designed for the man who embodies luxury and strong sensibilities. A perfume that speaks volumes for its oriental ingredients, Taraf comes alive with natural scents like vetivier, hints of 166 October 2014

rose and the mystique of oud.

Junaid Perfumes has pulled out all the stops to make their latest creation special, not just in terms of its smell, but also its looks.

Taraf, which literally translates to ‘luxury’, is exactly the impression generated when you first see it. The fragrance is presented in an elegantly crafted bottle with subtle black carvings to represent a stylish agaal (headband)

and a finely engraved crystal body to reflect the weave on an exclusive shimaagh (head scarf).

Established in 1910, Junaid Perfumes is one of the oldest perfumers in the GCC and has significantly grown in reputation and stature over the years. Today the company operates over 150 exclusive outlets across the world. i Call 17 737-007. www.bahrainthismonth.com

PHOENICIA DÉCOR

Dress Your House The high-end brand from Italy’s largest furniture house has launched its first collection of bedroom furniture.

The harmony of opposites — day and night, conviviality and silence, liveliness and calm — is the guiding light behind Natuzzi Italia’s new concept of living. The bedroom collection called Piuma was created with the assistance of prestigious designers Claudio Bellini and Manzoni and Tapinassi from the StudioMEMO, who also were responsible for the flagship models from the living area collection.

Piuma represents the iconic product within the range of beds, a model that transmits a feeling of utter softness and comfort from the first glimpse. Like a pillow, the original detail of the ‘volant’, available in leather and in fabric, makes it the perfect product for dreaming. This encompasses the entire elegant profile of the bed.

But Natuzzi Italia’s bedroom furnishing range does not end with beds. A complete collection has been developed, featuring dressers and containers of various sizes and bedding options.

The bed collection reinforces the core Natuzzi brand values — unparalleled comfort, quality, style and the ‘Made in Italy’ appeal. The six bed models and three bed linen ranges use a variety of unique, eyecatching elements in line with the concept of living promoted by home furnishings group.

You can find the Natuzzi Italia collection exclusively at Phoenicia Décor in Seef.

Call 17 564-444.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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AMEX ME Roundtable American Express Middle East held a roundtable discussion at the Capital Club in the Bahrain Financial Harbour. The meeting was held to share the results of a study commissioned by the company on how consumers were changing their spending habits over time in the region. Mazin Khoury, the AMEX ME CEO, presented the findings.

Mark Jackson, Noaman, Mazin & Ghassan

Mazin, Ghassan & George

Maui Taylor LIVE at The Hub Filipino actress and singer, Maui Taylor, performed at Monroe Hotel’s The Hub. Known as the Comic Goddess of the Philippines, she has performed a series of concerts across the GCC and the West.

Mazin

Mark Jackson & Noaman

Guests at the event

John, Marlon, Bubot, Ron & Ronald

Julius, Ada & Iya

Maui takes the stage

RS Pamo & Noer Gallani

Maui Taylor

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Vicenta, MJ, Lina & Tomo

Othman, Ali, Gladys, Khaye & Rod

Party-goers at the event

www.bahrainthismonth.com

marketplace YATEEM CENTRE

Present Thoughts

Alternatively you can hob-nob with the royalty of the Gulf by visiting Mohammed Saleh for Zary for gorgeous jelabiyahs and other traditional fashions. These glorious gowns are great for weddings or any celebration.

Alternatively, go fashion-spotting through the remarkable collection of new boutiques that have opened in the Yateem Centre, mixing styles

from both East and West.

For the ‘personal’ touch, consider visiting Lee Sports on the first floor. In addition to their normal range of sporting goods, they will also personalise pieces by embroidering names, mottos or emblems as required. i Call 17 215-615.

October is here; it’s time to shop for Eid alAdha, Dussehra, Diwali, Christmas and the New Year.

If you want to start thinking about gift shopping, it is time to head down to the Yateem Centre in the heart of Manama. This is the time to go in search of bargains and trinkets, for unique jewels and jewellery. By shopping early, you can allow time to personalise presents, engrave a name, gift wrap uniquely — make your gift that bit ‘extra special’.

Jewellery is always a delightful present, both to give and to receive. Al Zain Jewellery boasts international award-winning designs. Using their own workshops and personal service, you always feel like their unique customer. Another old favourite is Middle East Jewellery, who has recently reopened their store with a completely new range.

bystander

Roshni’s 16th Birthday

Asha & Mala

Urvashi, Harsha, Dr Hala, Shanthini & Naeema

Feryal & Batool

Roshni Raja celebrated her sweet 16 among family and friends at Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa. Raja, Roshan, Roshni & Shanthini

Daniel

Sebahat

Razan, Maryam & Fatema

Izabella, Roshni & Laura

Michael

Kyle

Dheeptha

Hessa

Manayer & Latifa

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Sean

Schnelle, Chantal & Frana

Sophia, Roshni & Alia

Khulood & Noora

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Flash a Smile

Age, coffee, smoking and even drinks and food containing artificial colours can result in dull yellow looking teeth. Here’s how you can get a sparkling smile.

A beautiful smile is an important part of a person’s life. Aside from external agents like coffee and smoking, there are a lot of factors that affect the colour of your teeth. At Ceram

Dental Center, a variety of whitening techniques are offered to patients in order to restore their confidence and boost their self-esteem.

Ideal for those looking for immediate and longlasting results, the Zoom 4 in-office whitening treatment uses the Zoom advanced power chair side lamp said to accelerate the bleaching process. The hydrogen peroxide is broken down. Oxygen enters the enamel and dentine

to bleach the stained substances, leaving the structure of the tooth unchanged.

“You can even take home bleaching products with custom-made flexible plastic trays that can be applied regularly for a few weeks. White fillings known as composite resins or porcelain inlays can be used to restore the teeth aesthetically to get a more attractive smile,” says Dr Haidar Alfayadh, prosthodontics and cosmetic dentist at Ceram Dental Center.

While these techniques can brighten your smile and improve the colour of your teeth, the brilliant celebrity look can only be achieved using porcelain veneers. Over the past 30 years, veneers have improved dramatically to create the perfect Hollywood smile. There are different types of veneers on the market: Empress I, Empress II and Fortress Emax.

Among the best options are the Emax veneers that are made of porcelain and can be used as a smile makeover. They look like real teeth and create a pearly white smile. The Emax is strong, durable and can last for decades.

“Lumineers are another option for teeth whitening. The ‘no prep’ veneers can be as thin as 0.3mm, so little to no teeth enamel needs to be removed,” he adds. i Call 17 131-123.

INTERCOL

Make the Right Choice developed utilising precise specifications, so you can be confident that your camera will produce high-quality results time and time again.

Canon has maintained a global ranking in the top five for patents granted over the last 20 years. The company continually invests approximately 10 per cent of its net sales in research and development in order to continue innovation.

Canon Inc has numerous patents for its camera products, toner bottles, cartridges, drums, parts and toners. Many of these help to improve usability, while others help to ensure premium output and functionality.

The Canon name and logo are officially registered as trademarks and with customs offices in more than 30 countries around EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) to allow formal surveillance and seizure of suspected counterfeited products. The company has implemented security measures to help customers identify genuine products.

As a leader in the imaging equipment industry, this camera manufacturer designs its products to help you achieve your imaging goals.

While its devices may have changed over time, the one constant through it all is Canon’s quality. ‘Canon Genuine’ supplies are designed by the brand’s engineers and manufactured in the company’s own facilities. They are 170 October 2014

Identifying the brand When buying a Canon product, look for the unique Canon-Intercol hologram sticker included on the packaging of all Intercol-supplied cameras, printers and accessories. This ensures that what you are buying is genuine, carefully tested and approved with the company’s strict, industry-based standards in quality, productivity and safety. When you choose a Canon product, you’re making an investment in quality, reliability and value.

Call 17 727-177, 17 812-726 or email canonsales@intercol.com. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Night and Day This award-winning seating system is based on the theme of versatility. The piece can be used as a sofa, chaise longue or comfortable single bed. The product is multifunctional and offers comfort, taste and rationality to your space.

Teso Designed by Foster and Partners, this small, unusual table never ceases to amaze interior enthusiasts. The successor to the award-winning Arc table, Teso’s base is created by a robotic arm.

The Arc

Vetrina This showcase is designed to display and contain precious objects and books. The smooth edges have given a great finish to the surface; the shelves are made of solid glass.

Gio Ponti Armchair

Sol rocking chair This is an airy and enveloping object of rare proportions. The piece comes with a cover which can be easily removed. It has a brightly coloured frame and an optional back cushion.

Call 17 826-726.

Night and Day

LIGHTEX

Not Just Furniture Offering lighting and home automation products, this store is a one-stop solution to your interior design needs, with an aesthetic touch.

Lightex, located in Amwaj Islands, offers a full range of professional support for your interior decoration needs. The store is home to high-end designer furniture by Molteni & C. The Italian brand is known for its innovative designs, maximum functionality and innovative technology.

The Arc This range of glass-top tables has been designed by Foster and Partners and has received the prestigious Elle Deco International Design Award and the Grand Design Award. The inventive design of the table base sets it apart and lends contemporary style to your living space. The material used is a light concrete cement with organic fibres, making it suitable for the outdoors as well.

Gio Ponti Armchair Molteni puts the spotlight on the masters of architecture and design with a project aimed at recreating furniture and furnishings designed by Gio Ponti. Designed by one of the most famous and influential Italian architects of the 20th century, the armchair boasts a satin brass frame. Available in blue and white, it is upholstered in leather or in punteggiato, the original fabric.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Vetrina

Teso

Sol rocking chair

October 2014 171

bystander

Mostly business A montage of pictures from the corporate world in the Kingdom and occasionally the not so corporate world.

Artikel at The Jawad Dome, Barbar, have introduced new products from Bugatti. There was a demo of its creative kitchen range by Primo Prandelli from Casa Bugatti, Italy.

Clarks held a raffle draw for the Back To School Promotion at Jashanmal Al Aali. The event was attended by A.R. Nair, Deputy General Manager; Saud Saif, representative from Consumer Protection Directorate; Rhizlane Siabri, General Manager & Jayachandran V.R., Finance Manager. The winner received a Family Trip to Atlantis, The Palm.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Bahrain, which allows the continued operation of the Paediatric Mobile Diabetes Unit. HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Diabetes Society and Sameer Otoom of RCSI, have agreed upon a two-year pilot project involved over 1,200 primary school aged children from government and private schools educated about Type II diabetes.

Jo, Said & Kate

Jawad Business Group celebrated 56 years of association with its deputy chairman, Abbas Hussain. He was recognised for his pivotal role in the company’s success in consumer retail and hospitality industries. The event was attended by Chairman and CEO of the company Faisal Jawad, N I Thomas, Saleh Khameeri, Sujoy Mallik, R. Ramakrishnan, Imane Gala & Hassan Jawad.

Claudia, Walid & Marion

Mo & Anna

InterNation’s 7th Birthday Party InterNations chapter in Bahrain celebrated the organization’s 7th birthday in style at the Gulf Hotel’s Typhoon Bar and Lounge.

InterNations members at the event

Char, Josh, Burak & Gileen

172 October 2014

Vania, Milana, Aditya & Mira

Chris, Toni & Ryan

Joseph, Claudia & Ammar

Burak & Gizim

Pauline & Chloe

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winwin Bahrain This Month gives readers an exclusive chance to win watches from Sharif Group.

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To win, all you have to do is correctly answer the questions below.

1

2

3

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Who will perform at Bahrain National Theatre on October 9? ___________________________ Who is the new general manager at The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain? ___________________________ When will The Paddyman perform in Bahrain? ___________________________ Who is hosting the Walkathon for Breast Cancer Awareness? ___________________________

HINT: You can find the answers in this issue of BAHRAIN THIS MONTH.

Who got it right?

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!

Bahrain This Month received 61 entries last month, 56 of which answered all the questions correctly. Congratulations to everyone, particularly our three winners: Winner : Anisha Kumar Second Place : Mohammad Awal Third Place : Donna Lagos

Last month’s solutions

1.

1. The National Theatre 2. Greg Pirkle 3. The Palm Association 4. Andrew Weaver 5. Fraser Suites Seef 6. VW Beetle 7. Akram Miknas

5 6 7

8

Which car is on our cover? ___________________________

8. La Vinoteca Barcelona

Who is the German Ambassador? ___________________________

Ad Seek

Which e-reader have we reviewed this month? ___________________________ Which restaurant has a ribs promotion this month? ___________________________

9. Pocket Drive+ 10. JJ’s Irish Pub & Restaurant

2.

1. Batelco 2. Alliance Francaise 3. Frunch, Baisan International Hotel 4. Crowne Plaza/The Harvesters/The Vocalist

Name:

Address:

3.

Telephone:

Email:

9

10

Who is the chef at Imari restaurant? ___________________________ Which album by Shakira did we listen to? ___________________________

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CPR:

Entry deadline is July 15. 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.

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4.

October 2014 173

tarotscope

LIBRA

Sept 22 –Oct 21 How many times have your friends told you to bite your tongue, Libra? For some of you out there I think the answer might be quite a few.

For whilst you might be renowned as one of the sensible signs of the zodiac, you also have a reputation for some times going off course and being less diplomatic — especially when your temper gets the better of your reason. A close friend who is feeling particularly vulnerable following a recent break-up could find themselves in the firing line of your verbal assaults as you allow unfounded gossip to disrupt your relationship. Just take care of what you say; otherwise you might very well shed some tears of your own.

Card of the Month — Page of Cups For a detailed, personalised Tarotscope reading, contact Raphael by email: raphael@tarotscope.org.uk

SCORPIO October 22 – November 21 Only you know how long you can run from an unrelenting truth. The fact of the matter is that you’re doing little else than treading water at the moment. You really need to start thinking about putting some decisive plans in action if you want to climb out of the mess you’ve got yourself into. The most important thing is to seek advice and then stick to it. You have been in this situation before, but it appears you just won’t listen to reason. On the property front, a move could be in the offing and you might surprise a few of those around you with your decisions on where to relocate. However, if you have a fixed idea, then run with it because, after all, you only live once.

Card of the Month — The Hermit

SAGITTARIUS November 22 – December 21 This October, you will find your thoughts directed firmly towards the possibilities that a new job prospect may present. You would do well to apply some serious thought to your plan of action. On a different tack, you will discover that faces long absent and memories deep-rooted in the past may return to haunt you and speak possibly of a change in your life that you have not been able to truly adapt to. If you feel a sacrifice made has perhaps not been worthwhile, then this month could be the starting point for some honest soulsearching and reassessment. Luck may come your way on October 3; beware of overconfidence connected to a family battle of wills.

Card of the Month — Four of Coins 174 October 2014

CAPRICORN December 22 – January 21 Plans that take seed in October concerning a long-term project will develop favourably into the latter part of this year and see you travelling abroad to cement a profitable longterm partnership. You may also need to recruit a working associate to assist in an operation that might move too quickly for one person alone to deal with. You should safeguard your health by ensuring you do not take on more responsibility than you can eschew, otherwise stress could easily get the better of you. The passing of a loved one might leave you more hurt than you first imagined and family feuds may arise from such regrettable events. Card of the Month — The Magician

AQUARIUS January 21 – February 20 You may feel more emotional than usual this month; people close to you may be concerned about your state of mind.

Circumstances revolving around a problematic relative could be partly the reason for your obvious dismay, although financial matters also dominate your thoughts. Work could see you changing positions or even company as a more productive vacancy comes to your attention.

However, ensure that your intended move is everything it appears to be before making the final switch; otherwise you might be left with a nasty surprise. On the relationship front, there could be a collision of opinions when it comes to the visit of a family member. You may have to back down just to keep the peace. Card of the Month — The World

PISCES February 21 – March 20 October may not kick off in exactly the way you would have liked this month as a course of events you had been banking upon at work suddenly goes the wrong way and forces you to quickly reassess your long-term position. If you had been hoping for a promotion or a pay rise, then the chances are you should prepare to be disappointed. Another area of uncertainty surrounds some of you who might be currently renting or looking for somewhere new to live. The Fool appears to have a negative influence on your sign, suggesting that that your efforts for the time being will be in vain. All in all you are best advised to stick with what you have and appreciate it.

Card of the Month — The Fool

ARIES March 21 – April 20 Your sign is driven by the passion that only a fire sign can really generate. When that energy manifests itself in a relationship, then you can be sure of a rather steamy and powerful connection occurring. This month you will feel at your most complete when it comes to a partnership and this makes the rest of your world tick in a very positive and rewarding fashion. Work-wise, a recent change of position sees you enjoying a lot more freedom and purpose in your role. The opportunity to express yourself will also lead you towards making some sweeping, but positive, changes to the operation. All in all, the signs are good far and beyond October itself.

Card of the Month — King of Swords

TAURUS April 21 – May 20 The fire of competition spurs you to great success this month; a welcome message through the mail sees you take confidence in an ongoing battle. You may also find yourself being drawn in to assist a partner in matters of work where two heads are most definitely better than one. There may be a new investment with which you will become involved; the omens are positive if investigated thoroughly. Watch out for a young girl who may not seem herself this month as she may be trying to cope with a problem she cannot handle alone. The number 30 is fortuitous at work; October 29 brings a surprise phone call. Card of the Month — King of Cups www.bahrainthismonth.com

advertisers index GEMINI May 21 – June 20 Saying you’re going to do something, especially when you don’t really believe it yourself, is not always the best philosophy to adopt. This month, it might even prove to be embarrassing if you don’t stick to the line you’ve been preaching for the last few weeks. Travel will be high on your agenda, but you need to ensure you don’t get too carried away with the idea at the expense of properly planning any holiday or excursion. It would be prudent to prepare as much as you can in advance, especially if your journey is to more far-flung places, since some of you might hit a stumbling block along the way. Card of the Month — Judgement

CANCER June 21 – ­July 20 How close can two people get? Interesting question, but one that applies to your current state significantly since you could find yourself feeling at the very peak of happiness as far as a relationship is concerned. More than anything, you should not look for a reason. Just appreciate the moment since one can never tell when change could encroach on a situation. On a different note, you will discover that a young one may come to you for financial assistance, but you should consider their motives before parting with any money. October 11 is an important date to bear in mind if you intend to pursue a career move or perhaps learn a new skill.

Card of the Month — Queen of Cups

This month, you will be faced with the difficult dilemma of having to decide whether you should help out a loved one or close friend in a financial dispute. Providing them with aid could really help turn their life around but, at the same time, you need to assess what the risk to your assets could be if they don’t repay you as quickly as they have promised. There could be a happy medium to be reached, but it might take a little financial manipulation to get it all to work out right. Be prepared to burn the midnight oil in pursuit of a solution. As far as relationships go, you are going to be very frustrated by a partner’s slow progress when it comes to making a commitment.

You might need to give them a gentle nudge in the right direction. Card of the Month — Ten of Swords

VIRGO August 22 – September 21 Romantically, this month has everything for you. There is a whole series of uplifting events that are set to take place throughout October that will have you really feeling on top of the world. Although the focus for you is likely to be on matters of the heart, you should be aware that the news you’ve been waiting to hear regarding career changes will finally reach your ears around the 28th; it’s going to be even better than you had hoped for. As far as a loved one is concerned, there really is only one way the two of you can go from here.

If you both feel ready to take the plunge, then why hold back any longer?

Card of the Month — The High Priestess

Eminem

Will Smith

FAMOUS LIBRA THIS MONTH Catherine Zeta Jones

Madre & Padre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 twenty4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Financial Institutions

AXA Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Bahrain Development Bank . . . . . . . . 85 Bahrain National Holding . . . . . . . . . . 23

Home & Furnishing

Lightex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Phoenicia Décor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 The Closets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 THE One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 3, 4, 5

Hotels & Serviced Residences

Al Areen Palace & Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Ramada Hotel Bahrain . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Ramee California Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Ramee Palace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel . . 131 The Domain Bahrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 The K Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Jewellery & Watches

Asia Jewellers (Panerai) . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Cartier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BC Kooheji Jewellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Sharif Group (lolaandgrace) . . . . . . . 17

Motoring

LEO July 21 – August 21

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Fashion & Footwear

Al Haddad Motors (Mercedes-Benz) . . 53 Ebrahim K Kanoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Euro Motors (BMW) . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC-1 Euro Motors (Jaguar) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 First Motors (Hyundai) . . . . . . . . . . . 103 JAC Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Kia Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 YK Almoayyed (Nissan) . . . . . . . . . . . IBC

Others

Al Aali Shopping Complex . . . . . . . . 119 Alliance Française . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Ambassador Stores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Bahrain Germany Society . . . . . . . . . 51 Bahrain International Circuit . . . . . . . 10 Berlitz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Ceram Dental Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Chuckle Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 City Centre Bahrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Coral Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Dessange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 DHL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 e-Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Farrell International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Gajria Electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 HRM Summit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Intercol (Canon) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Joz Salon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Juffair Fitness Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 Junaid Perfumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Life Easy Commercial Services . . . . . 46 Lulu Hypermarket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Marafie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 National Photo Services . . . . . . . . . . 116 Pegasus Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Picture Arabia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 Pottery Barn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7 Primedia International . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Qatar Airways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gatefold Saar Mall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Seef Mall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Yateem Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Yusif bin Yusif Fakhro (Miele) . . . . . . 55

Restaurants & Cafés

Al Ghalia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Aroma Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Bayti Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Brazil Grill & Lounge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Café Amsterdam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Casa Mexicana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Gulf Hotel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Kei Restaurant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Lanterns Lounge & Restaurant. . . . 147 Leila. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 Maki. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92 McDonald’s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Mesk Holdings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Nuasia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Rampé. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Ric’s Kountry Kitchen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Seven Leisure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Shoo Fee Ma Fee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Taya. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 TGI Fridays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

BTM retail sales outlets BAHRAIN THIS MONTH, your guide to a great way of life, is available at the following selected outlets:

● 24 Hours Market, all outlets ● Al Hilal Bookshops, all outlets ● Al Jazeera Supermarket, all outlets ● Alosra Supermarket, Saar ● Bab al Bahrain Souvenir Shop ● BooksPlus, all outlets ● Burhama Cold Store ● Classic Shop, Bab Al Bahrain ● Elite Supermarket, Hoora ● Supermarket, Awali ● Jawad Supermarket, all outlets ● Jim’s Restaurant ● Mega Mart, all outlets

● Miami Cold Store, Adliya ● Midway Supermarket, all outlets ● Park Supermarket, Mahooz ● Waitrose Supermarket, Amwai ● Other leading Cold Stores and

News Stands 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 National Photo Services, Gudaibiya 17 742-955.

October 2014 175

lastword

Looking Back

James Claire

For 40 years I have moved forward, even when it hurt. Human nature is to turn back, to comfort that which grieved, to forgive, to forget. Instead, I moved on.

176 October 2014

I write a lot about my mother. She was, after all, the one responsible for my being here. She also steered this rudderless ageing hulk through many a stormy night in the turbulent oceans of life. She was responsible for filling my head with life’s anecdotes.

Of all of them, I have lived my life according to one in particular: Always move on and never look back.

If a girlfriend walked out, I never sought reconciliation. If I left a city that I thought I would die to ever leave, I never went back. Mother’s philosophy was that things just are never the same or as good the second time around; so cut the loss and move on.

This philosophy carried through to everything; even restaurants. Sometimes I tried to prove her wrong but, more often than not, a return to the establishment of an amazing dinner all too often was simply never as good on the second visit.

And then there were jobs and with it came career advancement, management dissatisfaction, arguments with colleagues and tight budgets. For whatever reason, over time I have walked away from some pretty good jobs.

But a son’s love for his mother, the trust in a parent’s words and her knowledge as an older person made me abide by what she had taught me.

So, I never went back; but here’s the thing. My mother was wrong!

Not about much, but on this particular topic, she was 100 per cent wrong. Perhaps it is the clarity of my age, the changing of our times, a shift in humanity or as William Gates III put it: “If I have seen farther, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” On a giant’s shoulders I have stood; the giant’s name is ‘Time’.

Time has proven a better teacher than my mother.

I see now that, in some cases, when a change comes, it is neither good nor bad. It is there for that reason — change.

Sometimes instead of walking away and refusing to go back we just need a time-out to re-think, to re-strategise and to re-focus our priorities or those of others. Instead of seeing going back negative, we should look at it as a positive.

I think many relationships could be saved this way; divorce rates could fall too. Instead of saying I’ll never go back and viewing a break as condemnation of defeat or bitterness, we should use a time-out to live, change, restructure life and then give it another go.

If a child does something bad, we allow a time-out.

Why can’t big kids have time-outs too?

Marriages were a concept started when life expectancy was far lower. Sixty or 70 years was just never conceived when the words “through sickness and in health” were first written. Instead of walking away forever, walk away for a while. Try again. Love is after all about forgiveness “for better or worse”.

I wish I had seen this clarity earlier. Sometimes it’s not about going back, but moving forward in a reverse motion. www.bahrainthismonth.com

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