Y Magazine #259, 26 February 2013 by SABCO Press, Publishing and Advertising

DICING WITH DEATH – DRUNK DRIVING IN OMAN

Sensational Salsa / Al Khoud / Cool Carting / What’s On / Movie Listings young Omani author who 06 The could become the next JK Rowling

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FEB 27 - MAR 05 • ISSUE 259 • WEEKLY

Oman – FROM GULF STATE TO GOLF STATE

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Food

TEA ON TREND

MUM KNOWS BEST

Y, in association with Radisson Blu Hotel Muscat, is asking mums to reveal their private recipe collections to share with gourmands from all over the globe. A great homemade dish offers far more than simple sustenance. It provides comfort, nostalgia and fabulous feelings of being loved and nurtured. That’s why this Mother’s Day, we’re asking talented home cooks to send in their favourite family recipes. A panel of judges will decide the best dish and feature it on one of Radisson Blu’s many marvellous menus. The winner and their immediate family will then get to sample their chef-approved meal in a restaurant environment on March 21. But don’t worry if your dish doesn’t make the ‘specials’ board because you can still share it with the world as we’ll add it to an online cookbook celebrating all things food and family related. To help kick things off, the editor asked her Mum to provide a recipe for a teatime favourite – Welsh cakes. Ingredients • 225g plain flour • 85g caster sugar • ½ tsp mixed spice • ½ tsp baking powder • 50g butter, cut into small pieces • 50g lard, cut into small pieces, plus extra for frying • 50g currants • 1 egg, beaten • Splash of milk Method Tip the flour, sugar, mixed spice, baking powder and a pinch of salt into a bowl. Then rub in with the butter and lard until crumbly. Add currants and work in the egg into the mixture until you have soft dough. If a little dry, add a splash of milk. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured work surface to the thickness of your little finger. Cut out rounds using a 6cm cutter, re-rolling any trimmings. Grease a heavy frying pan with lard, and place over a medium heat. Cook the Welsh cakes in batches, for about three minutes each side, until golden brown and cooked through. Serve warm with butter and jam, or simply sprinkled with caster sugar. Send your recipes to hazel.carvalho@radissonblu.com by March 15

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Welcome to the new look Y Tabloid - your indispensable guide to everything modern Oman has to offer.

Fast forward T

here is no excuse for drink driving. By getting behind the wheel of a car the worse for wear, you risk your life, the life of your passengers and others on the road too. Alongside excessive speeding, texting and the failure to wear seatbelts, driving while impaired – whether through the use of alcohol, prescription medicines or illegal drugs – is one of the top causes of road accidents in this country. We need to raise awareness and build the social stigma around underage drinking, ‘footballing’ and stealth boozing. In this feature, one of our writers gives a first-person account of nearly being killed by someone who was drunk at the wheel. Also in this week’s edition of Y, we report on the rise of golf, sailing and salsa in this super sporty Sultanate.

Penny Fray

editor@y-oman.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Eihab Abutaha CONTRIBUTORS Kate Ginn, Joe Gill, Tariq al Haremi, Heather Duncan

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PHOTOGRAPHER Jerzy Wierzbicki ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan LOGISTICS MANAGER Ayman Canawati

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FEB 27 – MAR 05 / ISSUE 259

contents

FEBRUARY 27 2013

Features 18 Drunk Driving Danger on the Highway 22 Golf Special Tee Time

Your Oman 06 The Big Interview Sami Jaffer 08 Voice of Oman Readers’ Letters 11 News Sailing Arabia

Food & Drink 26 Tea Sommelier Tea Twist 27 Restaurant Review Trader Vic’s

This Week 12 Movie Listings Special 26 14 This Week It’s Carnival Time!

22 Cars & Outdoors

Health & Beauty 30 Health Salsa Sashays 33 Beauty Hair in a Hurry 34 Fashion Luxe Leisure

38 Destination Wadi Al Arbaeen 40 My Hood Al Khoud 42 Outdoors Redbull Soapbox Race 44 Y-Fi Crazy Golf 46 Car of the Week Mitsubishi Galant

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INTERVIEW

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COOL COMMUNICATOR SAMI JAFFER. OMANI BUSINESSMAN, AUTHOR AND MODERN MAN Words: Kate Ginn Photo: Jerzy Wierzbicki You sound like a man on a mission with lots going on in your life. Give us some idea of what you are up to? I have my own business DaubOman, which offers communications and marketing solutions from research to touchscreen technology. I am involved in one of the family businesses as well, an aerosol factory, as business development manager. I also directed a video for Omani road safety NGO, Sustainability, called ‘Hizaamak Amaanak’ (Buckle Up for Life), about how more than half the lives lost or shattered each year could be saved by the simple act of fastening a seatbelt. It’s on YouTube. I have also written screenplays, articles and short stories, and I’ve just published my first book, a children’s novel. Wow, you are a busy man! Tell us about your book? It’s called Adventures of the Shir Sha – Pharha’s Quest and it’s about a young girl who goes on a journey from the safety of a small village to search for a mysterious medicine man, encountering strange people and creatures on the way. I looked around and saw that there weren’t many books with female heroines for the eight -to-13-year-old age group. I wanted to create a strong character that inspired young girls and who young boys could also relate to. She’s a girl but really strong because she’s from a warrior tribe of women, so it’s about the empowerment of women. I wanted it to be a morale tale too. So I decided to make the book about patience. It’s subtly in there, so it’s still a fun read. You’re a 31-year-old man. How easy was it to get into the mindset of a young girl to write about your lead character? I never really thought of it like that. I wanted Pharha to be a balanced person, showing both masculine and feminine sides. All of us have feminine and masculine sides to our personality. You need a balance. Too much on one side and you have too much femininity or you are too macho. Pharha doesn’t do her hair or worry about clothes, or anything like that. I kept her more on a savage level, a young warrior girl who goes out hunting. Is it easy to write a book? It took me around six months to write. I would handwrite the pages, type it up and then edit. The editing process is long and painful. I was living on my own when I wrote it so I had a daily schedule of when I would write or edit. Do you fancy yourself as the next J.K Rowling then? That would be nice (laughing). My book doesn’t have the Victorian morality of the Harry Potter novels. I tried to make it a little bit fantasy, from a different world, but it’s completely different. It’s a self-published book, we’ve only printed 1,000 copies to be sold in WH Smith, and I don’t expect I will make a profit. It’s not about the money or recognition. I write for myself, it makes me happy. Who are your favourite children’s authors? Roald Dahl and Rudyard Kipling. Kipling’s Kim was an amazing book and Dahl because he managed to bring a bit of darkness and humour to his work. The Muscat International Book Fair starts today (27). It’s been said there isn’t a culture of reading in Oman. What do you think? It’s getting better, the culture is developing. You have got to give it time. Children are reading more text than I ever will in my lifetime. Tweeting is massive; there is Facebook, online blogs and SMS. Oman is at a crossroads; it’s just getting to the size of population and activity that requires it to become more efficient. If we do become more efficient and progress in many different areas, then I think we are on a pretty good track. What about your future? In five years time, I hope that the other two books in the series I have in mind will be Sami Jaffer’s top published and we are talking about games and a film. I’d like to have written a novel tips for writing 1. Write for your eyes only for adults too. I hope that I’ve been successful in providing an outlet for the creativity in 2. Once written, let it go Oman through my Maryam company.offers And I’d like to beformarried with kids. a gateway businesses to enter Oman • For more information, go to www.blueumbrella.com 3. Be open to change

FEB 27 – MAR 05 / ISSUE 259

The Voice of Oman Ali Yousef Al Balushi talks about culture shock

correspondence How I was Omanised

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Dear Editor,

he conservation of one’s own culture does not require the contempt of other cultures – yet the shock of encountering a different language, philosophy or habit is an issue that needs to be addressed by those who cross continents and cultures to study, travel or do business. Culture shock is not a clinical term but rather a state of physiological confusion felt when moving to another country. When you cross borders you are bound to face a lot of overwhelming changes that may lead to feelings of sadness, frustration and eventual withdrawal. Apart from the ex-pats who work in Muscat, I know a lot of Omanis who have had to cut short their ambitions on the basis that they couldn’t cross the cultural divide. It’s such a shame because we Omanis have so much to offer. Survival depends on acceptance and adapting. It’s about gathering information in advance, paying particular attention to any behavior that may affect your security, religion or stance. More often than not, knowledge and understanding of the ‘other’ is the balm that soothes all confusion. Next week: Nadim Attieh talks about the 90/10 RULE

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I am a lucky person who has enjoyed the life of old Oman and modern Oman. I served in the Ministry of Health mobile medical team from 1980 to 2000. My post was Omanised and so I joined the private sector. I have served the country with full satisfaction and received many certificates. My service record is full of appreciations from my superiors. I have been an industrious, dutiful and faithful employee totally committed to my work. And to me work is worship. I must acknowledge that I have enjoyed my stay in this beautiful, hospitable land which has been transformed into a modern state without losing its age-old traditions by HM Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. To be in Oman is to love Oman, which has indeed become my first home. Needless to say, both of my daughters were born and bred here and are now studying in college. We have not been to Pakistan for many years, which only shows how deep rooted we are in this vast and varied land. I work as a general order supplier with all types of civil maintenance work. I applied for citizenship in May 2000, and I still hope to receive it some day. It would make me a very lucky person. My daughters were born here but they also do not have Omani passports. They are like many children born here of Pakistani parents, who still carry the passports of another country but whose hearts belong to Oman. Zahid Saeed Gull, Ruwi

Education is Missing Ambitious Hala al Jamali and mature Siham al Khanjari (Working For Oman, Y 258) provide examples of a permanent path of success to young Omanis. It is their education, based on knowledge, which has provided them the awareness of facts. It is not because of a piece of paper, which is called a degree. They are in support of private sector employment for Omanis. This wisdom they have achieved is a result of empowerment and their pride is due to education. The article, ‘Working for Oman’ is a real source of motivation for the Omani nation that is looking forward to a bright future. The 2010 Omanisation targets (a table in the said article) issued by the Ministry

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of Manpower are achievable. However, awareness towards the right direction is the condition of success. The education sector was not included in the table but should be an important sector for Omanisation. Young Omanis who wish to become educationists, who are determined to spread the light of education and wish to change the fate of the nation, should be accommodated. If they get a chance to be trained by mature Omani and expatriate educators, they can play a vital role in the growth and development of Oman and the success of Omanisation.

Munawar Hameed Higher College of Technology, Muscat

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Debate of the Week We asked:

Some children seem to be out of control these days. Why? LUKE MAC It’s easy to pass the blame around, but the main problems is time management. Most parents find it difficult to manage between work, personal life and kids. By the time they realise it, it’s too late. Kids can never be out of control – if given correct direction and lessons at the right time. Parents often say “he will learn as he grows” but how can a bird fly if never taught to? AISHA HAMEED When we discuss ADHD in children, let us not forget about ADHD in teens and adults, which is around four percent worldwide and causes lot of issues in later life. AKO SI JOMZ Because of what they see on the Internet, TV and also lack of parental guidance.

LETTERS Thoughtless shoppers Dear ‘Y’ During the weekends, one finds the hypermarkets here in Muscat incredibly crowded. To make matters worse, entire families go out shopping and cause inconvenience to other shoppers. Sometimes they keep their shopping trolleys in the centre of the aisle and block the

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entire passage when they bump into friends and stop to talk. The children meanwhile keep running around and playing, restricting the free movement of other shoppers. Dear shoppers, kindly spare a thought for others. Best Regards, Sunil D. Muscat

dinocheeran wilson was spotted with a copy of Y Tabloid in Wadi Kabir, Muscat

ROSE REYES ALUDINO It’s a product of family upbringing. And then society (mostly peers) and, of course, the media – mainly the Internet. VIJAYALAKSHMI SHETTY Too much TV exposure and use of video games, lots of fast food and not enough outdoor activities. Parents are to blame as most of them are working and spend too little time with their kids thus leaving them to the nannies. This is the modern world with modern technology. CHING DOMEN “Sticks and stones may break bones but words shatter the soul.” Parents must use words thoughtfully because their children’s future depends on them. SHETI SUSHIL Children are out of control because parents give them the things they ask for as soon as they ask for them. MOHAMMED SALMAN Because of studies.

This Week’s Debate: March 8 is International Women’s Day. Are women in Oman playing a full role in society? Tell us on Facebook.

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FEB 27 – MAR 05 / ISSUE 259

NEWS

Singers at the grand finale concert of the TAISM Festival of Choirs

HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE

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There was a truly international flavour to the 10th annual Festival of Choirs at The American International School of Muscat (TAISM) at the weekend. More than 250 young singers representing a host of countries took part in rehearsals for two days in preparation of a grand finale concert. A special guest choir, Philomel, from Capital University in Ohio, USA, took the lead role in the event on Friday night. Guest conductor was Lynda R Hasseler,

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director of choral activities at Capital University, a mezzo-soprano who has performed, toured and recorded all over the world. High school students travelled from Bangladesh, Jordan, Kenya, Pakistan and Kuwait, among other countries to take part. The event, In Every Corner, with 20 schools from 13 countries for the year 2013, was held in the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bosch Center for the Performing Arts.

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All action climax to Sailing Arabia

Words: Joe Gill It’s been an eventful week at sea for Omani sailors – male and female – taking part in two major Gulf region tournaments, with the 2013 Extreme Sailing Series just round the corner. The final leg of the 1408km EFG Bank Sailing Arabia tour saw the fleet of boats move down the coast from Mussanah’s stunning fjords to Muscat on Monday, where the race concluded at The Wave, Muscat marina. Dubai’s AISM crew, captained by Bertrand Pace, was first over the line in Muscat, having been favourite to win after taking the ead in earlier legs. Omani team BAE Systems - one of four Omani teams contending - came second, while the only all-female crew, Al Thuraya Bank Muscat, under record-breaking British skipper Dee Caffari, came seventh, ahead of the Oman Royal Navy team in eighth place. It is the second year that Al Thuraya has competed with an all-women crew under Caffari, who is the only woman to have sailed non-stop around the world in both directions. The seven-strong crew were part of the first 21 women who came through Oman Sail’s women sailing programme in 2011. Three of them, Intisar al Tobi, Raya al Habsi and Tahira al Yahyai, recently won the Al Mara Excellence Award for sporting achievement in 2012.

Raya al Habsi on board the Al Thuraya Bank Muscat

Oman’s fourth team Renaissance, skippered by round-the-world sailing hero Mohsin al Busaidi, came sixth. Next week The Wave, Muscat hosts the opening leg of Extreme Sailing Series 2013. The series will see thrilling catamaran races in prime coastal locations around the world, finishing in Rio at the end of the year. Meanwhile in Qatar, 24-year-old Omani sailor Hussain Al Jabri won Qatar’s Sail The Gulf regatta, the first major regatta of the 2013 dinghy sailing calendar. His victory stands him in good stead ahead of the March 10 start of the 2013 Mussanah Race Week dinghy regatta, when he will face even tougher competition from highly experienced teams from Australia, the UK and Germany. He won in the Laser Standard class fleet against 13 dinghies from eight countries after four days of races at the Doha Sailing Club, leapfrogging over the two leading teams. “I had been ashore for about an hour and was already de-rigging my boat when I got the news from the jury that I had won!” said al Jabri. Until then I hadn’t been able to smile but then I just laughed and said: I love sailing! This is a sport where anything can happen!”

CLEANING UP THE BEACHES

Sohar pupils join Oman Gas team Scouring the beach on a mission to keep it pristine, these young environmental warriors are on the warpath against rubbish. Armed with black bin bags, the youngsters from Mahboob bin Al Raheel Basic School in Sohar joined a cleanup campaign at their local beach with volunteers from Oman Gas Company (OGC). By the end, they had filled more than a dozen bags with rubbish and waste helping to protect Oman’s coastline. FEB 27 – MAR 05 / ISSUE 259

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THIS WEEK

MOVIES MOVIES THIS WEEK’S MOVIES

Special 26 In 1987, an unknown man walked into a well-known jewellery store in Mumbai posing as a Central Bureau of Investigation officer and made off with jewellery worth a pile of rupees. Writer and director Neeraj Pandey translates this real-life incident into reel life. He makes the most of the ’80s setting, where the absence of computers, mobile phones and all of today’s technology helps to enhance the time and place of the story. Special 26 begins with a group of conmen led by Ajay Singh (Akshay Kumar) posing as CBI officers raiding the house of a corrupt politician and making off with his ill-gotten wealth. These Robin Hood-style bandits dart about the country pulling off raids in the name of the CBI. Their victims are inevitably corrupt men with black money who don’t dare to file a formal complaint. The happy scenario continues until a real CBI unit gets on their tail. The significance of the title is revealed only 10 minutes before the movie ends and only adds to the curiosity of the audience. The film creates a sense of urgency

that never lets up; Pandey deftly keeps the plot moving with slick direction and fast narration. Unfortunately, all the characters are half-baked, and almost one dimensional. Anupam Kher plays the lusty, old Sharmaji who has a long line of children – his only defence being “in his time there was no television”. Manoj Bajpai, as always, gives a stellar performance as Waseem Khan, the stern, unbending CBI officer on the trail of the imposters. Kajal Aggarwal plays the girl next door and Ajay’s love interest whose only concern in life is to elope with him, the reasons for which the movie never bothers to venture. The weak romantic subplot aside, it’s a crackling script that actors bite into. Kumar tones down as Ajay, Kher is comically vulnerable and Bajpal is a tight ball of fury waiting to explode. The climax isn’t wholly convincing and there are many loose ends, which Pandey conveniently forgets to tie up, but regardless you won’t mind because he has delivered a sparkler. Review by Abhudit Greene

For more information and times, go to: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net Star Cinema: Tel +968 24791641

Beautiful Creatures Supernatural love story set in the South Carolina Bible Belt. Bookish Ethan (Alden Ehrenreich), wants to escape his small town where all life revolves around the church. He forms a bond with new arrival Lena (Alice Englert) who has a secret – she is about to be initiated as a witch. After Twilight,

Children of the 21st century need not be deprived of their own Oz story as a new movie takes us back over the rainbow. In a kind of prequel to the original story of Dorothy, James Franco plays small-town magician Oscar Diggs. He is whipped away from Kansas to the magical Land of Oz where he becomes an overnight sensation. But he must use his illusionist skills to outwit the three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams), and their evil plans.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK Identity Thief 012

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Snitch Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson plays a construction company owner facing a terrible dilemma when his son is arrested for drug smuggling. To save his boy from a long jail sentence he negotiates with a hard-boiled US attorney (Susan Sarandon) and agrees to go undercover for the Feds and infiltrate a drug cartel.

7500 Well, we’ve had snakes on a plane, but ghosts on a plane, that’s the kind of high concept any half-witted film executive can get in the time it takes a hostess to pour a hot drink. Passengers on a flight crossing the Pacific encounter a supernatural force, guaranteeing the nervous will head for the toilets. Brought to you by the Japanese director of The Grudge, Takashi Shimizu.

Y’s TOP TWO Side Effects 1

A Wall Street trader (Channing Tatum) comes out of prison for insider trading and is reunited with his girlfriend (Rooney Mara), only to see her sink into acute depression. Her psychiatrist, played by Jude Law, provides her with experimental drugs which initially work, but have unintended and devastating consequences. Steven Soderberg crafts an ambitious drama that switches track part way through into a complex legal thriller, exploring many of the ills confronting modern America.

PREVIEW

Oz the Great and Powerful

this is another adaptation from young adult fiction, this time with a theme of religious intolerance and youthful search for freedom.

The Bang Bang Club

In the final years of Apartheid South Africa, four photographers took their lives into their hands by getting up close to the unrest and violence that wracked the country. Based on true-life accounts of those brave photojournalists, two of whom died, the Bang-Bang Club raises important issues about the ethics of war journalism, and touches on a fascinating historical period.

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T H E W H AT ’ S ON G U I D E

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March

6-7

East meets West

THIS

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What to do. What to see. What to hear.

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and traditional Carnatic classical styles - he has written pieces for orchestra, ballet and film. It promises to offer “wrenchingly beautiful melodic exposition with tumbling multi-noted cascades” (New York Times). Performance starts at 7.30pm.

The Carnival is Coming There be Arabian Pirates, freestyle dancers, jugglers, a house of mirrors, deejays, game booths, mini golf and a magic show. Yes, the Carnival is coming and it’s free for the whole family. Take the Qantab road to the Yiti Roundabout and follow signs to Jebel Sifah. For details visit www.jebelsifah.com.

EvrenKalinbacak / Shutterstock.com

Award-winning Indian violinist, composer, and conductor Dr. L. Subramaniam is performing his own compositions at the Royal Opera House for two nights this week. His work has gained an international reputation for combining Western

wind in their sails The first three-day leg of Extreme Sailing Series 2013 begins on March 5 at The Wave, marking the start of a thrilling catamaran tournament spanning some of the world’s most famous bays and coasts. The Wave, Muscat and one other Omani team will be there on the starting line with six other international teams. After the magnificent ESS 2012 wins for The Wave, Muscat and second-place Oman Sail in Rio in December, hopes are high that our Omani champs can do it again this year.

Movies

Thurs

Super party people

FEBRUARY

Do not hang around or you will miss the electro dance rap party of the year. Black Eyed Peas rapper Taboo, French house DJ and producer David Vendetta, and electro violinist and improviser extraordinaire Micah are performing at the Shangri-La amphitheatre from 8pm with gates opening at 6pm. Tickets from RO20 are on sale at MacKenzies Café & Deli, Muscat Grand Mall, OUA MQ , Bose Qurum City Centre and Connexions Seeb City Centre. Visit www.facebook.com/aliveoman for all the latest information.

March

Human resources

Looking for a new strategy for staff development? The second annual Human Resources Oman Summit, organised by Fleming Gulf, is taking place at Radisson Blu Hotel from March 4-6. Speakers include Abdulmalik Al Balushi, general manager at Oman Shipping Company, and Fahad Al-Abdulkarim, human resources manager for P&G Arabian Peninsula among others.

04-06

8 The culinary festival at the Marjan restaurant is supported by Etihad Airways. Chef Gatot has worked at Grand Hyatt Jakarta since 1991 and was promoted to Chef de Partie in 2007. Tuck in.

Bake your cake and eat it ‘Dessert’ and Diet’ don’t often co-exist in meal planning but sorting out your sweets is a major component of a healthy lifestyle. The Art of Living has taken the pudding by the topping and organised a Healthy Dessert Competition on International Women’s Day March 8, at the Art of Living Centre, Mosaic Towers, Al Khuwair, from 5-7pm. The winning recipes – vegetarian only - will be judged based on nutritional value, taste and appeal.

BiEBER COUNTER Coming

Please, please, just get a grip. And please, no screaming. The Bieber counter is ticking. Yes, Justin Bieber is coming to Muscat. Of course, if you know who he is, and if you like his music or just have an insane crush on him, you’ll already know that he’s appearing on May 6 at a venue to be announced. Anyone with nearly three billion views on YouTube must have something that people like, and quite a few of those fans are here in Oman - the rest are flying in. So we can safely predict this gig will sell out. Fast. Go to www.justinbieberoman.com – tickets are from RO35 to RO100.

Soon

Dhow-Wow A networking event usually conjures images of fetid conference halls, warm drinks and static carpets. But banish all such thoughts and head to Marina Bandar Al-Rawda where a ‘Ride the Networking Wave’ dhow cruise is setting off at 4pm. Oman Professional Women’s Group is offering this unique opportunity to take some time out, meet new people and network with women from different walks of life and industries – all in the middle of the ocean. Contact professional. women.in.oman@gmail.com to register.

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February

Grand Hyatt Muscat has flown in two of their most illustrious chefs from their sister hotel in Jakarta, Chef Bowo and Chef Gatot, to bring something different to the menu in Qurum.

March

Taste of Jakarta

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THIS WEEK

The What’s On Guide

Movies

GALLERY

Giving For Good Photographed by: Jerzy Wierzbicki

CITY PHILANTROPISTS HELP CHILDREN IN NEED AT THE Dar al atta’a GALA DINNER AT THE GRAND HYATT HOTEL

Shatha Abbas from Dar Al Atta’a Raoul Restucci, managing director of PDO HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq al Said

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THinkYBEFORE ou Drink Words: Laura Shergold and Kate Ginn

Death on the roads is a calamity that can affect anyone and drink driving is one of the causes, killing and injuring hundreds each year. A survivor and a drink driver tell Y their stories.

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“

I closed my eyes as I knew the inevitable was about to happen.” The oncoming car came around the corner at such speed, it had lost control and was heading straight for our vehicle.

These are the words of Laura Shergold describing the moments before she and her husband were involved in a car crash. “The next few seconds seemed to occur in slow motion,” says Shergold. “We swerved to the right to try and avoid its path. We weren’t that lucky. It hit our side so hard, it spun round a further two times just for good measure.” This happened to Y writer Shergold not long after she moved to Muscat to be with her husband, Pete, a captain with the British Army. It sounds like a familiar tale of careless or dangerous driving in a country with some of the worst statistics for traffic accidents in the Middle East. Only in this case, the driver had been drinking. Not just one but enough to register considerably on the breathalyzer test administered by police who arrived at the scene. The driver was a young local man. Shergold and her husband were lucky. They walked away from the accident shaken but unscathed, unlike thousands of others who are killed or maimed on the Sultanate’s streets each year. “Reality hit home how lucky we had been and then I could not help but think of the what ifs,” says Shergold. “What if we had headed off a few seconds earlier? What if we had not been wearing seatbelts? What if things had worked out differently? “It was at that moment that the police turned up and told us that the driver that hit us had been drinking. “My ‘what ifs’ turned into ‘could haves’. He could have killed us.” The story, though rare, is not isolated. At the end of 2011, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) registered 1,203 offences during the year as those belonging in the category of drunken driving. Driving under the influence (DUI) led to as many as 167 accidents, 15 deaths and 99 injuries within the same period. Behind each statistic is a human tragedy. While small, the figures are still worrying in a country that operates a zero tolerance policy towards drinking and takes a tough stance against anyone who breaks the law. “Is drink driving a problem in Oman? Yes it is,” says Hamed al Wahaibi, international rally champion and co-founder of Safety First, Oman’s leading non-profit road safety campaigning organisation. “But it is only a small percentage, the majority of the population do not drink, although within that minority it is quite a big problem.” There is a minimum 48 hours in jail for any traffic offence in which the driver tests positive for alcohol. According to the Traffic Law, the minimum fine for driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs and causing an accident on the roads is a minimum fine of RO500 and not less than a year imprisonment. In more severe cases, further preventative measures can include bigger fines, black points on the licence and suspension or forfeiture of the licence for up to five years. “Unfortunately, none of the penalties stopped the man who hit us from thinking twice from getting into his car intoxicated,” says Shergold. “None of the above stopped him from speeding and none of the above stopped him from putting our lives at risk and wrecking his own. “He now faces a court case, costs and the effect that his actions will have on his career.” At last year’s Traffic Safety Expo held at the Oman International Exhibition Centre, traffic safety experts debated the issue of drink driving. “Increasing expectations coupled with insecurities, work pressure and peer influence many a time requires an outlet to vent, leading an

individual to adopt the bottle as a coping mechanism,” said Alawi Almurazza, from Traffic Safety Expo 2012. “Taking up the bottle while driving could mean someone else’s head on the plate. And while the impaired driver may have no care for his own head, his victim might not want to lose his.” Being able to drink drive is, of course, all about the availability of beverages. While hotels have licensed premises, these are often expensive and there is, according one source, a flourishing black market trade in Muscat and other parts of Oman to meet demand. “It is quite easy to acquire cheaper alternatives which have been brought in. “Oman has a vast coastline to police. It’s just not possible to watch every inch of it all the time,” says the source. The potentially deadly practice of drinking cologne or perfume is well known in Arab countries. At almost 90 per cent proof in some cases and freely available for a few hundred baisas at supermarkets in Muscat, it’s a quick, cheap and dangerous way to get a fix. One man in Muscat explained how his friend went to Qatar and was invited to a party where a bottle of expensive Chanel No.5 perfume was put on ice for guests. According to the source, the practice is not just confined to taxi drivers or labourers, as widely thought. “I know people, Omani and expats, from good areas who have drunk perfume. “There is something called a ‘football’, which is four glasses and a bottle of perfume in a bucket of ice, which you can get in the right places.” It happens, then, there is no question of it. Official statistics might suggest drink driving is on the decline, though it must be remembered these are only the ones who were caught. There is no room for complacency. The ROP has made it clear any flouting of the law will not be tolerated and recently announced it was stepping up its vigilance and enforcement on the roads. “It is completely unacceptable to drink and drive,” agrees al Wahaibi. “For a driver to drink and then get into a car without any thought for his life or anyone else’s is completely unethical. It is not part of the culture and it’s completely antisocial.” Safety First is campaigning to reduce the total number of road accidents and fatalities in Oman by 50 per cent by the year 2020. Latest police figures revealed that 1,056 people died on the roads in 2011, compared to 499 in 2001, and total of 7,719 traffic accidents were recorded, a two percent rise from the previous year. As a current advertising campaign running in cinemas shows eloquently, for every victim of a fatal road accident, there are traumatised people left behind, family, friends and colleagues, trying to cope with the loss, their lives shattered forever. Widows and orphans struggle without the breadwinner. Husband and wives are suddenly facing a future alone, fathers and mothers mourn for the loss of a child. Brothers and sisters lose their sibling. Even if they do survive an accident, the victims can be left with life-changing head and spinal injuries, with devastating effect for their loved ones. Laura Shergold knows she is one of the lucky ones. “If my story can influence just one person to think twice before they get into a car after drinking, then that’s good enough for me,” she says. “I can’t change the fact that eradicating drink driving will take years of education from school age upwards, alongside continued enforced penalties, but I implore you - it’s not worth the risk. “At best, you could lose your licence. At worst, it’s a life that can be lost.” FEB 27 - MAR 05 / ISSUE 259

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In a candid piece, a young Omani talks about why he breaks the law to drink and drive

eing a party person, having a drink is a must for me on any night out. I usually drink responsibly as I have to drive home at the end of the night, yet there are times when I’ve had such a good day that I just want to have fun and consume a lot of drink. I shouldn’t drive home but I do. I could get a taxi but I won’t because I know they are going to rip me off. It’s easier to just drive my own car. Some of my friends do the same, they will drive their own cars home. If you go out in a group, the driver will be sober enough to drive yet the rest of the group are drunk out of their minds. To be honest, I never think about the consequences of drink driving. The police have never stopped me but I know that they would put me in jail. I know I could have an accident but I just don’t worry about it. Drink driving is normal to me. Even though I’m drunk, when I’m behind the wheel I feel that I’m totally focused and can drive as though I was sober. Apart from this one day when drink driving became a living nightmare. I had woken early to go to work and it had been a productive day for me, so I planned to have a good night at a local pub with a few of my friends. After consuming a large number of beers and a few shots, it was obvious that I was drunk. Usually after the night is over, I try and grab something to eat before I head home in order to sober up a little but this time we were too tired and too under the influence, so we decided to go back home and get some rest. It was easy for my friends because they lived close by. I however, did not. By now, it was 3.30am and it had been a long day. I was very tired. Zigzagging and unbalanced as I was, I managed to get to my car and turned my ignition on. I thought that I would be able to drive and I tried to act natural, because I know that sometimes there is a police checkpoint up ahead from the pub. They usually stop people who are not wearing seatbelts or have their fog lights on. Luckily for me, there were no police out that day. The only thing going through my mind was that if I could get to the highway, everything would be alright. It would be a straight road and just a 20-minute ride back home and, because it was late at night, there would be few cars on the road. After ten minutes of driving, I felt my eyelids growing heavy; I was fatigued from the early morning work yet also drunk at the same time... a dangerous combination. I thought to myself that it’s okay, I’m almost there. But it was not. I was having trouble staying awake and trying to drive at the same time. I slapped myself a couple of times, but it wasn’t that effective. I tried to smoke cigarettes because I thought that they would keep me busy and wake me up somehow, that didn’t work either. I cranked up my music but that didn’t help. The only thing running through my head was to get home safely. I also had trouble keeping the car in the fast lane, so I slowed the car down and went into the carpool lane (hard shoulder), as I was afraid to hit the crash barrier. While driving I thought to myself, I should have eaten something to sober me up, or at least sober myself to the point that I can drive. Thank God that there were no other cars on the road. I made it home but although I was drunk, I can still remember that day and that drive like it was yesterday. After telling my friends the story, they asked me why I didn’t take a taxi back home. The reason I gave them might be silly, but they would surely rip me off considering the state I was in. Besides, I never like to leave my car overnight anywhere but my home. I am one of many that drive home under the influence of alcohol – simply because we came with our own cars and we will leave with our own cars.

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Even though I’m drunk, when I’m behind the wheel I feel that I’m totally focused and can drive as though I was sober

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It’s the dawn of a new musical era right here in Oman. Merge 104.8 is a celebration of cultures and a true reflection of diversity. Providing you with the best R’n’B, House, Rock, Lounge, 90s, and Pop music from around the world. Served with fresh local flavour.

Tee

Time

As Muscat plays host to the GCC Golf Championship for the first time, Y looks at the potential future for the sport in Oman. By Mark Thomas

his week the GCC Golf Championship was played at Almouj Golf course in Muscat.  Over four days, from Saturday to Tuesday, Oman’s top senior and junior golfers fought it out against their opposite numbers from Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.  It was a historic moment for the development of golf in Oman, because it was the first time in the 17 years of this event that it has been hosted here. Golf is big business in all continents these days, and has largely lost its staid, old-fashioned image. An exciting new generation of star players has sprung up, with young people getting involved in golf as never before, while celebrity golfers like Robbie Williams and Justin Timberlake have put their own cool stamp on the sport. And it’s a lucrative profession, with top stars earning phenomenal sums both in prize money and sponsorship. Irish golfer Rory McIlroy, who at 23 has supplanted Tiger Woods as the world number one player, recently signed a Nike sponsorship deal that, according to some reports, will earn him up to RO96million over the next 10 years. Top brands are eager to be associated with this sport and it is not just companies with sporting products to sell, as we have seen in Muscat. Oman Air and Etihad Airways were the main sponsors for the GCC tournament, and earlier this month Audi staged a glittering amateur tournament at Muscat Hills. So financial backing for golf is not difficult to come by, and now opportunities to play the sport are also increasing. Once golf in Oman was only played on sand. But suddenly, golf on grass has arrived, with

Greg Norman sharing his golfing skills

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Almouj Golf Course

Ghala Valley converting from sand fairways to grass, and the opening of two fine new grass courses, at Almouj and Muscat Hills, all over the last three years. It is still largely a pursuit for expat workers from the west, and an attraction for the growing numbers of tourists coming to sample the many delights of a holiday in Oman. But that may well be about to change. Gradually, Omanis are beginning to show an interest in the sport. All three courses offer PGA professionals to teach people of all ages how to play golf, and driving ranges where they can learn.  David White, sales and marketing manager at Muscat Hills, says he believes the key to growing the sport among Omanis lies in the young. “I think there needs to be a big drive in the schools, and if it’s funded by the government and the Oman Golf Committee, that would be the best way forward. You have to start young, at the grassroots level, to get people involved.” At Almouj, a floodlit nine-hole par 3 course offers a gentle introduction to playing on a golf course in beautiful surroundings. It is the perfect introduction for youngsters. The club’s restaurant facilities, overlooking the practice area, are proving a popular draw for non-golfers, and about 50 percent of the walk-in customers are Omani families. Many of the children amongst those visitors see the sport for the first time and are curious to get involved. Almouj general manager Simon Duffield says many Omanis are completely unaware of what the game is about. “One man asked me what the golf ball was for, and it became clear that he had no concept of what a green or a golf hole was. It is as basic as that.” Yet when they start to play, Omanis seem to show a ready aptitude for this most exacting of sports. “The Omanis are quite natural when they get into it. All the components are there,” said Mr Duffield. Almouj now has 130 junior players on its books, and there is a waiting list. Most of them are Omani youngsters. A Muscat girls’ school has already put golf on its curriculum, running a six-week training programme, with the girls lining up on the Almouj driving range in their navy blue uniforms and hijabs. Several other schools are running after-school activities at the club. The Almouj junior programme consists of a six-week course, a two-week break, and then a further course, and the club is also working on an indoor summer camp programme, taking the expertise of its three teaching professionals off site. Youngsters can progress at their own pace from driving range to par 3 course at Almouj, and eventually onto the daunting championship course designed by golf legend Greg Norman. Getting Omani young people into the sport is good business for the clubs, of course. The expats bring their enthusiasm for the game, but it is such a transient workforce that the expat membership of the golf clubs tends to fluctuate wildly. But it is not just the clubs that benefit from Omani involvement. Golf brings benefits to young people that are universal, and should be a persuasive argument for Omani parents to get their children involved. Golf is fun to play, and very competitive, but while you are enjoying it, you learn all sorts of valuable life lessons. Said Mr Duffield: “Golf teaches you to have honesty and integrity, and about time keeping. There is a dress code, and you learn about respect and how you should treat others. You also learn to have respect for your surroundings, and about team spirit.” The Omani government is very supportive of the growth of the golf industry, with the Minister of Tourism now

It is very encouraging to have the youth team playing with us as they look to us for guidance. We will do what we can to ensure these young players will represent Oman in future events where they will hopefully win. Azaan Al Rumhy, one of Oman’s top golfers

Our vision is to put Oman on the world’s golfing map and to bring local talent to the forefront of international events. With the support of the Ministry of Sports and the golf courses in Oman, we are confident that we will reach our targets and soon see some genuine Omani talent playing in tournaments, as well as the Sultanate hosting top-level events and encouraging sports tourism. Mundhir Al Barwani, chairman of the Oman Golf Committee

Oman is proud to host this prestigious event for the first time. This is just a beginning. We have bigger plans for the future. His Excellency Saad bin Mohammed bin Said Al Mardhouf Al Saadi, Minister of Sports FEB 27 - MAR 05 / ISSUE 259

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The novice’s short guide to golf - by Penny Fray

encouraging development through a golf brochure, which will feature Almouj, Muscat Hills and Ghala Valley.  Having a championship-standard course like Almouj can only serve to increase the sport’s profile, at home and abroad. After the GCC event, Almouj is looking forward to hosting a tournament from the European Challenge Tour, the junior division of the European Tour in October this year, complete with Sky TV coverage. While some well-known names feature on this tour, the next step will be to get Oman on the European Tour calendar itself, attracting Europe’s top golfers to play here. But perhaps the biggest leap forward of all in terms of getting Omanis involved in golf will be the eventual emergence of Oman’s first touring professional. Such a player, rubbing shoulders with the best in Europe at major tournaments, would become a national hero, and a role model to galvanise the young. That player is out there somewhere. The question is where. It could be your son or daughter. Why not get them down to your local driving range and find out?

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The days when golf was played by hoary headed men with horrid nylon pants and nothing better to do with their time is over. These days it’s the hot new sport for hipsters. But for those of you, who like me, don’t know their birdies from their eagles – here is a 60-second lowdown: • On the most basic level, golf is a club and ball sport in which players use different clubs to hit balls into a series of holes using the fewest number of strokes. • Courses consist of either nine or 18 holes, each with a tee box and a putting green. The different terrains in between each hole is called a fairway, rough or hazard, which differ according to each individual course. • A golf competition is generally played for the lowest number of strokes – this is known as a stroke play. • Golf has it’s own scoring lingo which can be super confusing for the uninitiated. These are: Ace: Hole in one Par: The score a good player would expect to make on a hole or round Albatross: Three strokes under par on a hole Eagle: Two strokes under par on a hole Birdie: One stroke under par on a hole Bogey: One stroke over par on a hole (that’s bad!) Double bogey: Two strokes over par on a hole (that’s very bad!) Triple bogey: Three strokes over par on a hole (that’s throw club in a tantrum time!) Handicap: A mysterious and unfathomable system for golfers to level the playing field between different abilities. No one understands it apart from golfers, but basically the worse golfer you are, the higher your handicap. If you were +20, you would get 20 strokes against your opponent. Most professionals are ‘scratch’ golfers and have zero handicap. • This scoring lark gets even more complicated when penalty shots come in to play – but my blonde little head is now starting to spin, so end of lesson.

Almouj Golf at the Wave And this is what the GCC golfers had to contend with. A testing round for Mark Thomas at Almouj saw him find lots of sand – in both bunkers and the beach.

egendary Australian golfer Greg Norman is known throughout the sport as the Great White Shark. His teeth must have been at their sharpest when he designed the dramatic Almouj Golf. Deep, unforgiving bunkers, water hazards and tricky, undulating fairways characterise this majestic 7,310 yard course. The course has been sculpted so cleverly that you could be out on a classic Scottish golf links apart, of course, from the unbroken Omani sunshine. When I played it, just a few days before the start of the GCC Golf Championship, it was in absolutely superb condition, a testament to the unobtrusive but attentive work of a legion of greens staff, who zipped about everywhere on their trucks, keeping the fairways and greens in pristine shape. The biggest water hazard of all at Almouj is also its most dazzling attraction, The Sea of Oman. The course stretches along the shoreline, to the south of the luxury villa and apartment complexes of The Wave. Most holes offer at least a glimpse of its vivid blue waters, and some of them run right next to the beach, testing your accuracy and nerve even as you admire the stunning views. You first encounter the sea as a striking backdrop to the second hole, a pretty and straightforward 181-yard par 3. You then play the 502-yard par 5 third with the sea over your left shoulder. But the sea really intervenes for the first time as you play your tee shot to the 152-yard par 3 fourth right over a sandy, granite-strewn stretch of beach, which is where my tee shot came to rest. Not that I really minded. There is something about playing golf in a seaside setting that really lifts the spirits, and however difficult you are finding the golf; it is hard not to have a smile on your face in such glorious surroundings. The course heads inland for a while after this, all undulating, tight fairways enclosed by high sand hills. Greg Norman once described Hillside golf links near Liverpool, UK, as having the best second nine he has ever come across. This section of Almouj is very reminiscent of Hillside, which I suspect may have been part of Norman’s inspiration. You certainly have no sense of being close to a main road, and the designs of sand hills to mirror the shapes of the mountains in the background are a deft and original touch. The bunkers, particularly around the greens, are big, brutal and plentiful.

Clambering in and out of them is quite an effort, never mind the small matter of playing a shot from them. They are deep and soft, so it is quite easy to catch the lip of the bunker and watch the ball bounce back to your feet. Apply a little more power and trajectory, and the next problem is persuading the ball to stop on the green instead of rolling off into another trap on the far side. The sea reappears on the 380-yard ninth hole. You drive up a tight fairway along the coastline, with your second shot daring you to fire out over the sea towards a green perched on a headland. It is a beautiful but intimidating hole. The second nine takes you back inland, but you have not seen the last of water, with the 13th and 14th both dominated by a large lake. The par 4, 318 yards 13th is a classic risk and reward-driving hole. The more you take on the carry over the lake from the tee, the easier your second shot, but the penalty for getting too greedy is likely to be a lost ball. The 14th is a stunning par 3, 142 yards to an island green in the middle of the lake. There is no hiding place, and with the prevailing wind in your face, club selection is tricky. You need a high trajectory and, ideally, some backspin, or even a well-hit shot will just bounce through the green and into the lake beyond. Two of my golf balls went to a watery grave on this hole, leaving me slightly anxious that I would run out of ammunition before I ran out of holes. Happily, I still had one ball left in the bag as I reached the 18th. I would not have wanted to miss the opportunity to play this delightful finishing hole. The Sea of Oman confronts you once again, as you drive across a rocky inlet onto a relatively wide fairway. At 397 yards into the wind, though, all but the very longest hitters will still face a tough second shot towards another green with the sea as its backdrop. It is a worthy hole on which to win or lose a tournament. I have a feeling it will be the scene for some great golf moments in the years ahead.

Next week: we review Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club FEB 27 - MAR 05 / ISSUE 259

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T rend

New Restaurant Forget coffee â&#x20AC;&#x201C; tea is fast climbing up the trend barometer thanks to its mind and body benefits. Here, a tea sommelier at the Al Bustan Palace adds a twist to the traditional tea ceremony by doing acrobatic tricks.

Trend Alert

Creative cooks are now pairing teas with food to enhance the flavour of a meal.

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Reviews

T rend

New Restaurant

News

THE ZEN OF TEA

Tea has become our tipple of choice thanks to its health benefits and new trendy status among chefs, says Penny Fray.

ust as yoga has superseded adrenalinepumping aerobics as the exercise du jour, so too has coffee given way to the more refined pleasures of taking tea. But we’re not talking about any old builder’s brew here. No, we’re talking about the traditional tea ceremony, using only the finest leaves. Performed by a brew master, the ancient ritual is designed to promote a sense of harmony and purity in the drinker. In fact, recent research confirms that the plant nutrient in tea really does lower anxiety levels. Rich in antioxidants, tea hydrates and helps stop fatty cholesterol from building up in our arteries. But the benefits don’t stop there. “Tea drinking is also used as an aid to meditation, fortune telling, ceremonial purposes and in the expression of the arts,” reveals Karan Jain, director of food and beverage at Muscat’s Al Bustan Palace. “The Japanese tea ceremony, for example, has played a crucial role in local diplomacy for centuries.” Little wonder then that tea is elevated to an art form at this impressive Ritz Carlton hotel. Apart from serving high tea in the lobby area, it also holds acrobatic shows in its restaurant – China Mood. Combining a sense of theatre with impeccable leaf-tasting credentials, the tea sommelier offers a novel twist to the traditional ceremony. “It’s a complex area”, explains Karan. “Each culture has its own traditions of serving tea and, since there are so many different varieties, the preparation, flavour and temperature differ from one continent to another. In China, for example, the tea leaves are first steamed, then broken, and made into a loaf through the addition of different ingredients. This loaf is then seasoned, toasted on a fire and ground between fine sheets of paper. Final preparation of the tea is to boil the salter water, adding the loaf and a spoonful of cold water before waiting for the particles to settle. Nowadays, customs have changed and modern boiling techniques are preferred due to practicality. In India, however, the tea is infused

with a mixture of milk, water and boiled with sugar and masala, while the Europeans add a spoonful of loose tea into a pot of boiling water, leaving it to infuse for four to six minutes to release its flavor.” Maybe it’s all that Downton Abbey that we’re watching on our Kindles, but proper tea, complete with raised pinkies and dainty porcelain cups has never been hotter. In Muscat, tea connoisseurs can make civilized selections from a diverse menu at Chada, a tea lounge near Shatti beach, or sip English Breakfast while nibbling on scones at Darcy’s Kitchen. Either way, it’s all about boosting both your hip and health credentials. Medicinal teas such as lemon with ginger or fennel with liquorice have recently become incredibly popular, according to tea experts Whittard of Chelsea, who reveal that sales have increased by 60 percent in the last year. But it’s not just about drinking the various leaves on offer; tea has also become a trendy cooking ingredient, with Green Tea being used in everything from cakes to truffles. As a Brit in Oman, all I can say is viva la tea!

THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A BREW Drinking green tea could help you lose weight, according to a study in the Journal of Nutrition. Tests on mountaineers have proven that tea is just as beneficial as water in keeping you hydrated. Fresh leaves brewed for three minutes maximise antioxidant levels, helping lower the risks of allergies and heart disease. Scientists discovered that applying a compound found in green tea can shrink and even eliminate tumours.

FEB 27 – MAR 05 / ISSUE 259

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Reviews

PARADISE LOST

In the mood to party and indulge in some fabulous fare, Penny Fray was disappointed by Trader Vic’s lack of pizzazz.

he weekend – it’s supposed to mean Expectations were as high as the prices. having a bit of fun, right? So why was The menu offered variety, with some dishes I still chained to my desk on a Friday prepared in the glass-encased oven, and the afternoon, worried that the only glow service was calm and professional but I’d get was from the odd toxic ray leaking from my somehow lacked sparkle. computer? It was time to hatch an escape I ordered a starter of and experience some sunshine. A Caeser salad, which was burger on Shatti beach was the plan ‘okay’. The lettuce – but good intentions are designed was crisp and to be broken – so I ended up the dressing meeting a friend at dusk in seemed Trader Vic’s instead. authentic Now, anyone who knows enough but anything about the art of it could have ‘mocktails and mingling’ will tell done with you that Trader Vic’s is the place some slices of to be seen. After all, the swanky chicken. Kate opted American restaurant chain has been for the scallops in chilli wowing audiences all around the globe with sauce, which was fresh and its inventive drinks menu, lively vibe and Polynesian tangy but the fish was slightly overcooked décor since the 1940s. and rubbery as a result. Lying in the shadow of the InterContinental For mains, my fillet of hammour in orange and Hotel, a wooden mask lured us into the tropical ginger sauce was – and I’m sorry for repeating themed retreat. The exotic artifacts, warm this most meaningless of adjectives – okay. walls and trademark clay oven were just The fish was beautifully cooked but the VERDICT: as expected – but the place lacked salsa didn’t really taste of anything. atmosphere. Admittedly, it was early The vegetables looked overcooked 10 evening (8pm) and it was one of but were in fact, acceptable. Ditto Lacked atmosphere the few days that there wasn’t a live – Kate’s fillet of beef. What’s it like, and the food - despite band playing, but I had bought into I ask? It’s ‘okay’, she replied. “It’s being beautifully presented - was the brand and expected something a good quality lump of meat but it mediocre considering Maita’i Roa Ae (Tahitian for ‘out of lacks flavour.” the cost. this world’). A theme of mediocrity was emerging. I guess had it not been Trader Vic’s, a And by the time we ordered desserts, we place that I’ve visited in several other countries were under no illusion that we’d get something and loved, I may not have felt so let down by the ‘okay’ – and for the first time that evening – we ambience and food. weren’t disappointed.

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My cheesecake was beautifully presented but bland and my pal’s coconut ice cream in honey was fine. Actually, having dipped my spoon into the bowl, it was a bit better than that. The unusual combination of soft and sticky was in fact quite yummy. Kate wasn’t enamored with it and slid it over the table for me to polish off, while she tucked into her Tahitian coffee with cream and coconut syrup. It was strong stuff and offered a real kick – and got the thumbs up, as did her Bull Frog cocktail. And that’s where the crux of the issue lies. Trader Vic’s is more famous for its drinks than fine dining.

Info Box

Contact number: 24680080 Address: Trader Vic’s, InterContinental Hotel, Al Kharjiya Street, Shatti Area, Muscat Opening Hours: Dinner: 6pm-12.30pm / Mai Tai Lounge: 6pm-1.45pm (Fri-Mon) / 6pm-2.45pm (Tues-Thurs) Average price: (for two people) RO55

HEALTH& BEAUTY

SLAVES TO THE RHYTHM Salsa is on the rise in Oman with a four-day festival at Al Nahda Resort this week as more and more people join the party

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H ealth

Beauty

Fashion

H ealth

Beauty

Fashion

HIP THERAPY

Sassy Salsa can help you get rhythm and get fit Words: Kate Ginn

n a nondescript room in Muscat, a mixed group is warming up ready for the music. When the irresistible pulsating beat of Cuban-inspired music begins, the dancing starts with a lively burst of colour and frantic movement. The room is transformed into a dance extravaganza. Welcome to Salsa. The craze for the dance has been sweeping Oman for some time and is still growing, with classes held across the country each week and the third Oman International Salsa & Dance Festival set to start today (Weds) at the Al Nahda Resort & Spa, just outside Muscat. Not only is it a fun way to meet people but it’s also a great workout for the body. The health benefits range from a simple tone up and weight loss to muscle building. It’s also a great stress buster, helping to decrease blood pressure and lower the chances of heart problems - even though, with the right partner, it could well set your pulse racing. “We get people who come to a class after work to unwind and relax,” says Thuwaini al Harthy, founder and instructor at the Oman Salsa Group. “We also get referrals from hospital clinics for patients who need physical rehabilitation. “The great thing about Salsa is that it’s very easy to do, you don’t need to be really fit. We also don’t have an age or weight limit, so anyone can try it.” Al Harthy is the only Omani instructor in the GCC and has been instrumental in forging the rise of Salsa in Oman. He’s also behind the Oman Salsa Festival, which last year attracted big names in Salsa from around the world. The group started ten years ago with just a handful of students but now has between 70100 attending classes each week, with Omanis outnumbering other nationalities. Salsa originates from Cuba with Spanish and African influences and is popular throughout South America, Europe, Australia and some countries in Asia and the Middle East.

Al Harthy describes his particular unique take as African Salsa with Arabic style. Ma. Luisa Jasa-Loque is living proof of the power of Salsa to change lives and body shapes. When she started dancing two years ago, she was overweight, tipping the scales at 85kg, and unhappy. Now, she’s a trim 64kg and manager for Latin Dance Muscat, which runs classes at the Hotel Muscat Holiday in Al Khuwair, including Latin Dance for Kids. “It’s not just about the physical benefits,” says Jasa-Loque. “Before I was so shy that I wouldn’t have been able to talk to you like this. Through Salsa, I have become more confident and it boosted my selfesteem. It really has improved my whole life.” On another note, Salsa dancing is also a great way to meet new people and socialise, which in turn can improve mental wellbeing and banish stress. “It is fun, open and informal,” says al Harthy. “Unlike other dance styles where people are initially enthusiastic and then drop out, people stick with Salsa for years and years. Once you start, you can’t stop. It’s very addictive.” * Join in with salsa and various other types of dance style at the 3rd Oman International Salsa & Dance Festival from Feb 27-March 2.

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review Heather Duncan finds her feet on the Salsa dance floor

hen I think of Salsa I generally think of it smothered over tortilla chips; not Mambos, cross overs and staring into the eyes of a dance partner I have only just met. That being said, with Salsa becoming hotter than a chilli in Oman at the moment, I decided to dust off my dancing shoes and head to the Latin Dance Muscat group. Latin dancing is famous for being fiery and passionate – this intimidated me. I can quite honestly admit that I am a terrible dancer and lack the rhythm and coordination to strut my stuff. Perhaps Fernando could help. Was the brooding dark-haired instructor of the class the man who could possibly turn me from a two-left feet duckling into a graceful swan? He was waiting for me (and the rest of the class) at the dance studio at the Muscat Holiday Hotel in Al Khuwair. There were butterflies in my stomach. Not from the sight of Fernando but nerves that I was going to be horrendously bad and make a fool of myself in front of people. If I trod on Fernando’s toes, would he throw me out? The welcome was so warm that I soon calmed down. After a quick run-through of the basics, I was allowed to blend into the back of the class until I mastered the first couple of steps and plucked up

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a bit more courage. Fernando has performed with professional dance companies in Australia, Europe and Latin America. His passion and intensity for dance radiates from him. Basic steps mastered, we formed a circle and the men picked their partners. As my husband had cried off, I was flying solo. Thankfully, a nice man took my hand and led me to the dance floor. I noticed that no one had come with a partner and everyone was happy to mingle. So we danced. Inevitably, I messed up quite a few moves and stepped on a few toes but what surprised me most was that I was having fun. Instead of getting frustrated at not being able to do the moves, I enjoyed the challenge of trying. The day after, my legs were feeling sore in places that a gym workout just doesn’t reach. The good news is that you can burn between 5-10 calories per minute dancing and it’s great for toning up the legs, quads and core. I don’t think that I’ve turned into a swan quite yet but I have potentially found myself a new hobby.

Health

B eauty

Fashion

Hair In A Hurry

Looking good doesn’t have to be a chore for time squeezed women. Tame your tresses in a jiffy with these expert tips, says Penny Fray.

his season’s lady-like look would be great if styling your locks wasn’t such a time commitment. I mean, who wouldn’t want to look like a Mad Men extra in contemporary Louis Vuitton? But come on. It’s hard enough to find the time or the inclination to apply lipstick let alone tease your hair into perfection when you need to get to work by ‘early ‘o’clock’? And the days of daily blow dries are kind of over since penny pinching became de rigueur. But who says sophisticated hair has to be a distant memory? Our panel of experts believe that a tidy mane on a tight schedule can be easy with the right techniques and products. If you’re stuck with flat and oily hair that really could do with a wash, but just don’t have the time, let me introduce you to the miracle of powder. “A few sprays of dry shampoo on the roots will be your saviour,” says stylist Gerald Cuthbertson-Smith. “It will give you a fresh start to boost volume, put the movement back and banish those flat greasy fringes.” Want glamorous waves

without a blow dry or rollers? Try this easy trick. “Section your hair off into four when slightly damp and twist each one until it curls itself into a bun,” advises Bree Davie, a salon director at Trevor Sorbie. “Simply pin the buns up and let your hair dry and you can even sleep on it. Then let the buns down and rake your fingers through with a little serum for loose tousled curls, or brush through for a classic soft wave.”  Too much effort? Let the experts do all the hard work for you. Bruce Masefield from Sassoon believes the secret to stunning hair lies in the basics – a great cut. “Your stylist should cut your hair according to your lifestyle and then teach you how to style it,” he says.   “My other tip actually belongs to my wife. To blow dry your hair with greater ease, sweep it into a high ponytail, pull out sections and style. This makes sure you dry the underneath as well.” Finally, learn the art of onthe-go styling. Shop around for travel sized products and straighteners. That way you can style your hair any time, any place and anywhere.

TIP TOP TRESSES Dr Mike Ryan, the Middle East’s only Board Certified Trichologist from CLEAR Arabia in Dubai, gives his tips for healthier-looking hair 1. HAIR ACCESSORIES: Try not to use uncovered elastic bands. Instead, use ones with a fabric covering. Uncovered elastic can cut into your hair shaft resulting in breakage and can also pull your hair out when removed. 2. NUTRITION: The energy to form hair cells drops four hours after eating a meal. Have a healthy snack such as fruit, raw vegetables or wholegrain bread between meals to boost energy levels to your follicles. Carbohydrates are good snacks as your body quickly absorbs the energy they produce. 3. HYDRATION: Make sure to keep hydrated throughout the day. Not only can dehydration dry out your skin but it can dry your scalp too. Water is best, but decaffeinated beverages, such as herbal teas and fresh juices, are also good options. 4. SHAMPOOING: Before shampooing, gently run a wide toothcomb through your hair from tip to root. If you start off with tangles, you’ll end up with more tangles. Hair is most vulnerable when wet, so you certainly don’t want large knots to contend with after washing, as this can cause damage and breakage. 5. STRESS: Stress is sometimes blamed for extra hair fall and also dandruff. This is not a myth. Stress, through a convoluted route, can produce more androgens, the male hormones that can be responsible for hair thinning. Stress can also exacerbate dandruff. You can help lower your stress levels by meditation, yoga, or an afternoon nap. If you are experiencing dandruff, you can use products such as those from the Clear Shampoo range to sooth your scalp and clear up irritation/flaking. It’s extremely important to wash your hair regularly if you have a flaky/itchy scalp to keep the flakes from building up.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

This Asos jacket ticks all this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boxes thanks to its bomber shape and meshed detailing. RO22

LEISURE LUXE

Team sport jackets, vest tops and jersey trousers to work this latest fashion trend.

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

DON’T SWEAT IT! The leisure luxe trend is all about clean lines and sporty shapes in fabulous fabrics, says Penny Fray.

t’s fashionable to be fit this season – or at least look as though you are in stylish ‘sweats’, t-shirt dresses and leggings. Tom Ford, Thomas Tait and Lacoste all reintroduced the sports luxe concept during the main fashion weeks with hooded tops, sports jackets and colour blocking. I particularly loved Richard Nicole’s tailored tracksuits, styled with slicked-back locks and heels, while Alexander Wang’s mesh overlay looked fabulously fun and futuristic. From Zumba to Salsa and yoga to golf, there is something sporty for everyone in and around Muscat at the moment – making leisurewear a wardrobe ‘must have’. If, however, you prefer retail aerobics to real aerobics, follow in the designers’ footsteps and give the trend a polished edge with glamorous accessories. After all, this look is far too good to waste on the gym.

This Chalayan’s tank is tres chic. RO174 from Harvey Nichols, Dubai.

EDITOR’S PICK This large tote bag ‘nails’ the sport luxe look thanks to its neon stripes. Available from Matalan, Markaz Al Bahja.

Cheap leggings look just that. That’s why we prefer these Stella McCartney pair for Adidas. The leatherette detailing offers a designer boost. RO41 from Net-A-Porter.com

Gap sweat tops are like the LBDs of leisurewear – they never go out of fashion. From RO20 at Gap, Muscat City Centre.

We love H&M shoes not just because they ooze sporty glamour but also because they come from their ‘conscious’ range. RO20 Qurum City Centre.

Fast Fashion

Penny’s tips on how to survive the sporty look:

1 Use neon accents and layers of jersey to be comfortable and on trend. 2 This year’s sportswear has a very American vibe with bomber jackets and numbered t-shirts. Go to Gap to embrace the look for less. 3 Running gear will look refined with sporty-looking heeled sandals – so leave the trainers at home, unless you plan to do some real exercise!

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pro m ot i on

SHOP

the week

THE SULTAN CENTER I

t’s no news flash that The Sultan Center leads the way in quality foods – but lately it’s been branching out into luxury lifestyle as well. Just head to TSC’s home décor and appliances section and you’ll see what we’re talking about. Fancy furniture and ornate upholstery vie for attention alongside sophisticated kitchen tools and utensils. Cool brands currently trending among budding chefs include Joseph and Joseph as well as Chef ’n’ Kitchen. In another section, popular international brands in crockery and tableware reflect a modern retail philosophy that caters to their customers’ refined tastes. Kitchen stuff aside, perhaps one of TSC’s most sought-after utility products is its tents. These models aren’t just tough - they’re designed for maximum comfort. One of them even has bay windows - how’s that for a slab of urbane luxury in the middle of nowhere? As always, no shopping experience at at any of Sultan Center’s seven stores is complete without stacking up those points on your rewards card. There’s also the chance to take advantage of TSC’s wholesale stores at Al Khoud and Al Amerat and its discount stores at Al Samail, Al Mawaleh and Quriyat. Both offer excellent quality at low market prices.

www.sultan-center.com Hotline: 80074447 facebook.com/SultanCenterOm twitter.com/SultanCenterOm

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My Hood

Cars

Wi-Fi

OUTDOORS

CARS AND OUTDOORS

Wadi You Know

Two men and a dog take a trip to the pools and waterfalls of Wadi Al Arbaeen

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Cars

Wi-Fi

Destination

Wadi Al Arbaeen Visiting journalist Mark Thomas joins Y photographer Jerzy Wierzbicki on his latest mini-adventure into Oman’s remote world of natural beauty Words Mark Thomas photos: Jerzy Wierzbicki

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OUTDOORS

goats, and a couple of donkeys. Occasionally a Bedouin tribesman, or a young child in a brightly coloured robe, wanders up the track, always with a friendly wave as we slow down to pass them.   It has been a dry winter, but there are still stretches of water along the trackside, and occasionally the big 4x4 splashes easily through shallow fords, sending a cascade of shimmering water crystals dancing over the windscreen.   As we press further into the wadi, we come to deeper water, made vivid turquoise or emerald green by the mineral-rich rock formations. Tiny fresh-water fish play close to the surface, occasionally breaching to snap at a hovering insect.   It is hot, the sun already high overhead in the azure mid-morning sky, the steep valley walls offering little shade. We stop, gather a few dry twigs, and Jerzy makes tea over a campfire in a trusty old copper kettle. Trop shuffles about, dipping into the ice cool water, snuffling amongst the grey and copper brown rocks. Jerzy keeps a corner of his eye on him, occasionally calling him back.   “This close to water, there is always the risk of venomous snakes or lizards,” he explains. “Trop found a nest of snakes once in terrain like

this.”  I make a mental note to pick my steps carefully. The flora is sparse, but there are crops of palm trees and clusters of hardy little shrubs somehow thriving in this rugged place.   We drive on, coming across occasional groups of simple homes, impressively equipped with electricity through overhead cables and water through a falaj – a manmade channel carved into the sheer walls of the wadi.   The track climbs higher, and the views back down the valley become ever more spectacular as the car clings precariously to the bends.   Eventually we reach journey’s end, a system of deep and inviting water holes, linked by tinkling little waterfalls over blue-grey granite. This close to Muscat, we have not completely escaped the tourist trails, and a red warning sign cautions the unwary with the legend: “Drowning accidents are now popular.” Well, we knew what they meant. It is a quiet, ancient place, with the sounds of rushing water and gentle birdsong providing the same soft soundtrack that must have echoed endlessly down the centuries.  It is a corner HOW TO of mystic beauty, and a GET THERE first taste for me of the Take the Sultan Qaboos great Omani wilderness highway to the airport and that Jerzy knows so well. turn right at the exit for Nizwa/ Salalah, then drive all the way towards Nizwa/ Bahla on the Nizwa road. From there you turn to Nizwa and follow the road towards the town centre. At the roundabout (left to the Nizwa fort) you take the right for Bhala. Tanuf is 19 km from Nizwa. Take the paved road at the signs for Wadi Tanuf and the mountains. After 1.5 km turn off for old Tanuf.

travel guide

inety minutes out of Muscat, we are zipping along an empty highway through the Hajar Mountains with the bustle of the city roads just a bad memory.  “We have arrived,” the driver announces, before swinging the big white Land Cruiser off the reassuringly smooth asphalt carriageway, and down onto the rough, rocky terrain of the dry riverbed at the roadside. I am in expert hands. As regular readers of this page will know, Y photographer Jerzy Wierzbicki is an inveterate explorer of Oman’s most beautiful secret backlands.  Yet as he steers the car under the bridge, and takes us disappearing down the wadi hewn by the ages into the base of those forbidding mountains, for just a moment I find myself glancing quizzically at my companion. Soon the highway is just a memory, as the car slews and bounces its way down a dirt track weaving through the river valley known as Wadi Al Arbaeen. The third member of our expedition, Trop, seems completely unfazed. Jerzy’s intrepid 10-year-old Dachshund has travelled thousands of miles with him on routes like this, and takes it all calmly in his stride. I decide to take my lead from Trop. What’s the worst that can happen?  We pass little groups of wandering

GPS Coordinates: Location of Tanuf Village: N23’03’8” E57’28’8”

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Photos by Jerzy Wierzbicki

CARS AND OUTDOORS

The LowDown No doubt about it, Al Khoud is up and coming – it’s affordable, convenient to reach the city by car and just a hop from the airport. It’s not too far from the sea and it’s got all you need for shopping, banking and family life. The whole area is under construction, with a new international school and two mosques rising from the dust, as well as any number of semi-built housing projects dotting the horizon. Muscat City Centre is only 5-10 minutes away for Carrefour or the Home Centre. If you work at the airport this is the perfect suburb, with the runway lights visible from homes here, but mercifully only a few planes fly directly over head as it’s not in the main flight path.

EXPLORING

Al Khoud

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Al Khoud’s main claim to fame is being the satellite suburb to Sultan Qaboos University, where students and staff are within easy reach of the campus. If that conjures up images of a student and academic hub, don’t get your hopes up. It’s a little more sedate than that, with the most excitement to be had in the bustling souk, which is not saying a great deal. For low-cost living in a peaceful neighbourhood within 10 minutes of the airport and 20 minutes of Muscat’s smart zones, you could do worse than Al Khoud. For families, there are schools close by and pre-school centres such as Little Land on Al Khoud Street. While traffic is constant, it could get ugly if you live here without a car – you may find yourself standing on the side of the main road hoping for a passing taxi. Not nice in summer.

Living There To estate agents, Al Khoud is sometimes referred to as ‘Muscat West’ – and offers swish new developments like Talat Al Khoud, as well as ostentatious villas and low-cost apartments. For those who cannot afford the pleasures of Ghubra, Azaiba or Al Khuwair, this is a great alternative where you can still live in spacious style, with Al Khoud souk providing most of your basic needs, and the city just a short ride away. For excitement and nightlife you will have to head out of this hood because the only thing fast round here is McDonald’s, KFC and Hungry Bunny. 040

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It’s up and coming, the rents are low and it’s only 20 minutes from the city centre.

Cars Why I live here: There are lots of shops but no big establishments. Rent is affordable here and it’s convenient for SQU students. For families, Al Sahwa Park is not too far away and there is Seeb playground by the Al Khoud roundabout. For nightlife you have to head to City Centre, Al Khuwair, Seeb or Ruwi. Greg Dagulo, staff member at Modern Exchange, Al Khoud

Wi-Fi

Outdoors

My Hood

Places of Interest Sultan Qaboos University Campus is at the edge of the Al Khoud conurbation, the focus of student and academic life in the capital. On the other side of the expressway you have the lovely old village of Al Khoud, which is a great day out where you can experience old Oman only a 10-minute drive from the new suburban centre. Otherwise Al Khoud offers a great vantage point for plane spotters.

Hang Outs Al Khoud is not short of restaurants, with lots of low to mid-priced places offering anything from Chinese to Yemeni and plenty of Turkish options, as well as all the usual fast food joints. There’s a Costa at the end of Al Khoud souk, but for anything more fancy you have to head into town, or at least as far as Muscat City Centre. As for nightlife, the nearest hotels and bars are in neighbouring Seeb, unless you are an SQU student in which case you have the cafes on campus and the Faculty Club restaurant.

Shopping Al Khoud souk is the centre of life in the area, and offers most of what any shopper could ask for, from fast food to banks and beauty parlours, except possibly anything fashionable or luxurious. For food there is upmarket Al Fair or value Babil Hypermarket. The souk gets pretty busy at the weekend – there isn’t really anywhere else to go round here anyway. FEB 27 – MAR 05 / ISSUE 259

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Wi-Fi

OUTDOORS

GET YOUR (HUMAN)

MOTOR RUNNING It’s fun, fast and furious and coming to the Middle East for the first time – get ready for the ride of your life with the Oman Red Bull Soapbox Race. Words: Kate Ginn

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My Hood

Cars

Wi-Fi

OUTDOORS

T’S every boy and girl racer’s dream: speeding towards the checkered flag in a dream machine as a crowd of thousands cheers you on to victory. With blue skies and a cooling breeze, the weather was perfect for an outing on two wheels. For some, this is about to become reality. The wacky and wonderful world of soapbox racing is coming to Oman next month and it promises to be a thrilling adventure, the like of which has never been seen before here. Think of the cool edginess of karting mixed with the craziness of a fancy dress carnival when the imagination is allowed to run free. If that whets your appetite, add in careering downhill at speed in a human-powered machine racing against the clock and you can understand the appeal. What is soapbox racing? Well, for those who don’t know, it’s a simple concept with a race for amateur speed demons who design and build their own four-wheel creations. Since 2000, Red Bull has been organising annual soapbox races around the world, from Australia to South Africa, Helsinki to Hong Kong and Jamaica to Italy. Last year, the first ever race in India was held, in Mumbai. As for the cars, the more bizarre the better it seems. Past engineering marvels taking part in races include a piano, a massive cob of corn, a rocket and a pram. Anything goes. For extra showmanship points, participants often wear outrageous costumes or create their own musical soundtracks for their part of the race. Gaining even a microsecond advantage over your competitors can give you the edge. The need for speed is important but it’s not everything in soapbox racing. Teams are judged on creativity and showmanship as well. Mark your calendar for March 28. The scene is set for an amazing day at Wadi Dayqah Dam, where racers will have to contend with a fiendish route, navigating twists and turns down the mountain roads. Both competitors and spectators can expect a memorable day of action, fun and thrills. Oman, with its diverse landscape and warm hospitality, was viewed as the ideal location by race organisers. “Oman will be the first Middle East country to hold the Red Bull Soapbox just as in 2012 it was the first to hold a round of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series,” says Richard Breis, Red Bull communication manager Kuwait/Bahrain/Oman. A ride quite like never before awaits the 40 teams who have signed up to take part in the inaugural Oman event. “The Red Bull soapbox is a challenging event, it requires creativity and competitive spirit,” says Breis. “The attraction is to build a successful machine capable of reaching the finish line in the least time, design the best costume and perform in front of the judges and impress them. For spectators, it’s the funky car designs and the hilarious crashes.” Registration is now closed so if you haven’t signed up now, it’s too late. Don’t worry though. Spectating can be just as fun.

* www.redbullmea.com

And they’re off… The brave racers & teams taking part: Merge 104.8, Gloria Jeans, Ice Hockey Desert, Boharet Oman, Red Bull Boys, Ashish, Oman Pharm, HLS Team, Prototype X, Ritz Carlton, E&Y, Team Mr.Bean, Road Winners, 360 Rest & Lounge, Qahwa Riders, Unfortunate Faith, Sayyad, Raft, Desolation, Fire Hindrants, Mazda, The Flintstones, Bugs Runaway (Nawras), Bulls Eye, Cooler Runnings, DEVASTATORS, The A-Team, 94 Octane, ISMites, Joker Killers, Al Nahda Resort & Spa, ChaosCarriers, The Star, The WaterCARe, The Wave, Muscat, The Suckers, Keek-ers, Baked Alaska, Dream Team, Crash Test Dummies, Gladiators, Rig Rascals, Team 100, Clearly Deranged, Fisherman Team, Vegetarianz,Black Ops, Afro Team, Street Fighter.

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

My Hood

Cars

We’ve gone bit golf crazy in this week’s Y mag. And if there’s one thing golfers love, it’s a gadget. So here is a taste of some of the coolest golf gizmos to help keep you in the swing. By Mark Thomas.

SCORED! The world’s first digital golf scorecard has been developed by Golf GameBook, in association with Samsung. Based on the Galaxy Note II’s S Pen Technology, the electronic scorecard can now be signed in the same way as a traditional paper one, making it workable within the official rules of golf. Result!

EDITOR’S PICK Smarten up Golf tips from your smart phone? It’s now possible, thanks to the SwingTip, a Bluetooth device that clips to your golf club just below the handle, and sends analysis of your swing to your phone, to help identify flaws and show you how to fix them.

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WI-FI

CRAZY GOLF

Practice makes perfect The Super Swing Trainer is billed as the ultimate training aid, and claims to help you halve your handicap in 21 days. We’ll believe THAT when we see it, but it is a tried and tested gadget for building muscle memory for the correct golf swing. RO 76.52 and up. Superswingtrainer.com

From RO49.60 Amazon

Outdoors

Watch out Golf sat navs come in all shapes and sizes, but the simplest and most convenient we know is the Garmin Approach S3 GPS golf watch. Wear it like an ordinary wristwatch, glance at it, and it gives you the yardage for your next shot. Easy as pie…and it comes with free lifetime course updates! From OR 134.57 Amazon

FIND OUT WHAT’S HIP & HAPPENING IN GADGETS Soft option Imagine smashing a drive across the lounge of your home. Now imagine the looks on your loved ones’ faces as that antique vase disintegrates, the TV screen cracks and the ball shatters the front window. Not a problem with the Dunlop foam golf ball, designed to simulate the flight of a real golf ball in your home. From RO1.22 for six at sportsdirect.com

NEW! PDJ - THE PORTABLE DJ PAD Welcome to the world’s smallest, lightest mixer on the market. It delivers CD quality sound, anytime and anywhere – which means you can literally start dancing in the street. This standalone kit needs no other device or computer. It features a dual touch screen and beat mixer. Batteries are re-chargeable. Available from luxemodo.com for RO304 (not including shipping)

APP OF THE WEEK

Running out of music space on your android device? Google Play Music is the answer to your dreams. Your music purchases from Google Play show up instantly, but you can also add up to 20,000 songs from your personal computer collection for free. You can then access them instantly whenever you are online, and save your current favourites for offline playback. It’s free, and it’s fab.

THE GIRLY GADGET

Protect your prized tablet in designer style or simply use it as a clutch – after all, the neon coral colour of this Proenza Schouler iPad case is bang on trend. RO200 net-a-porter.com

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Wi-Fi

Outdoors

CARS

Mitsubishi Galant Engine: 2.4 litre 4 cylinder Horsepower: 230 Max speed 200km/hour Tyres: 215/60 on 16-inch alloys Fuel tank: 67 litres

Check this out

Car of the week

Mitsubishi Galant has plenty of mileage as a mid-sized sedan

T Standard and optional features: Four-wheel anti-lock braking system Standard electronic stability system Sportronic sequential shift control Folding rear seats with storage and passthrough centre armrest Cruise controls on steering wheel Simulated wood trim on dash Entertainment system includes eight speakers, auxiliary MP3 audio input, AM/ FM in-dash single CD player Seven-inch centre display and rearview camera Side window deflectors Fog lights, rear lip spoiler, rear bumper protector Power tilt and sliding sunroof with antitrapping function

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he demise of the Mitsibushi Galant, with its 43-year pedigree, has been much exaggerated of late, as its sales record in Oman proves. The ninth-generation Galant is the most popular family car in the Sultanate, according to official dealer General Automative Company. It has sold over five million units worldwide since its 1969 launch. In the few years it has been available in the Gulf it has become a staple fleet and rental vehicle, as well as a family favourite. The Gallant is a perennial among drivers thanks to its perceived value in the mid-size sedan class, good safety record, ample leg room and a consistently reliable performance. Touches such as the rearcentre armrest with cupholder only add to passenger comfort. The design has changed dramatically over the generations but its new incarnation is recognisable from its stylish metal-mesh grille at the front end, wide rear window and a hood with sharp creases.

A 160 horsepower 2.4 litre four-cylinder engine comes with four-speed automatic transmission and offers a smooth, quiet ride. Its silver-trimmed controls and chrome-ringed gauges are enhanced by a new seven-inch centre display with rearview camera to assist reversing. The Bluetooth hands-free phone allows you to talk and drive without distraction, making for safer driving. A Rockford acoustic sound system delivers 360 watts of reproduction, with eight speakers including dual woofers. Safety technology includes antilock brakes and electronic brake-force distribution as well as dual front sidemounted airbags. The ultra-rigid RISE body is designed to reduce collision impact but also improves suspension, while steel side-impact beams add to all-important crash protection. The Galant is available in Oman starting from RO7000 including free insurance for two years, free service for two years or the first 30,000km, six years roadside assistance and a six-year warranty.

go wild with your taste buds

Feel the Spirit of Jungle with our Tantalizing Menu. For Reservations call: 2456 1700

PO Box 54, PC 100, Muscat Sultanate of Oman

Toll Free: 800 77246 (RAIN) Fax: 2456 4900

Email: rgm@junglerestaurant.net Website: www.alnahdaresort.com