APR 10 - 16 • ISSUE 265 • WEEKLY
Akon In Concert R&B STAR HITS TOWN
Techno Glamping / Aston Martin Reviewed / Jebel Shams
On A Global Mission: 22 Woman Giving It All Up For Charity
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REIKI: The Antidote To Modern Living BIEBER: Bombing in Oman?
ard HCandy
Your top guide to the best of Oman, every week
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Fashion
POLKA PERFECT
Food
30
PARTY PLANNING
Illegal Drugs Spell The End Of Innocence
Outdoors
26
DESERT RACING
40
TREND BAROMETER
EDITOR’S
NOTE
Welcome to the new look Y Magazine your indispensable guide to everything modern Oman has to offer. GOING UP Dreamstorming. Caught napping at work? Don’t worry – tell you boss that you were indulging in the latest trend in corporate creativity – brainstorming whilst asleep. Going Green: Climate change can seem a remote problem but the fact is, it’s already impacting on real people, species and countries. The ESO and other eco charities in Oman are doing their bit but so can you – without even moving from your desk. Help build a global mosaic for Earth Day by uploading your photo to http://www.earthday.org/2013/ GOING DOWN Apathy. Turn off the television and do something more interesting instead. See Akon in concert, be part of the Soapbox festival or simply go out and appreciate the natural beauty around you – because soon, it’ll be too hot to do anything except air-con hop. Selfishness: It’s cool to be kind. The urge to help others seems to be strong in Muscat at the moment, thanks to a boom in charity events.
Fast forward E
very parent likes to think they’ve given their kids adequate warning about the dangers of drugs. And it used to be the case that youngsters understood that taking illegal substances would jeopardise their future. This is no longer the case. Now, an increasing number of teenagers are indulging in all manner of ‘soft’ drugs due to ignorance, curiosity, peer pressure and even poor self-esteem. Few know or even care about the consequences of their mini highs. But innocuous looking packages from places like Pakistan, India and Yemen are ticking time bombs. After all, today’s buzz could mean tomorrow’s arrest, addiction, cancer and even death. Let’s be blunt here – drugs ruin individuals, devastate families and lay waste to whole communities. And an ostrich-like reaction to the problem won’t make it go away. We need to educate children not only about the dangers of hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin but also the softer stimulants that put an end to childhood innocence. When I was growing up in ’90s Britain the message was clear – ‘just say no’. Let’s start repeating that message to keep a newer generation from harm.
THIS WEEK… Penny Fray
Team Y has been visiting gurus, picnicking in the park and buying lucky cats in the kitsch new Japanese store in Muscat Grand Mall.
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EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Eihab Abutaha CONTRIBUTORS Kate Ginn, Joe Gill, Heather Duncan
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APR 10 - APR 16 / ISSUE 265
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contents APRIL 10 2013
Features 18 Hard Candy Youth On Drugs 22 Round The World Clipper Challenge
Your Oman
10
06 The Big Interview Jamie Bowden
This Week
08 Voice of Oman Readers’ Letters 10 News Non Beliebers
12 Movies Listing Friends With Kids 14 This Week Red Bull Soapbox 16 Gallery Italy In Muscat
Food & Drink 26 Trend The Party Planner 28 Restaurant Review Love At First Bite
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14 Cars & Outdoors Health & Beauty 30 Fashion Spots 32 Health Reiki 34 Beauty Deep Soak
37 Destination Jebel Shams 40 Outdoors Camel Race 42 My Hood Ghala 44 Y-Fi Happy Camper 46 Car of the Week Aston Martin
44 NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE...
EARTH DAY DEATH BY DRUGS SIXTIES FASHION ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SOAPBOX HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AL WISSAL 96.5
GRAND HYATT MUSCAT Shatti Al Qurum Diplomatic District PO Box 951 ● Muscat 133 ● Sultanate of Oman www.muscat.grand.hyatt.com www.facebook.com/GrandHyattMuscat www.facebook.com/cocolattelondon/events www www.facebook.com/matthewvankanmusic
YOUR
News
Gallery
INTERVIEW
OMAN
ON HER
MAJESTY’S SERVICE
JAMIE BOWDEN, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO OMAN Words: Penny Fray Photo: Jerzy Wierzbiecki Tell us about your career in brief: I started my career as an army officer in the infantry. I joined the Diplomatic Service in 1986. Most of my career has been spent in the Middle East – in Yemen, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and before Oman, as British Ambassador in Bahrain. What does your current job entail? The relationship between the Sultanate and the United Kingdom is one of unique strength and warmth. It is multi-faceted. I want to make the relationship even stronger and more diverse. But I also think it is the job of an Ambassador is to make sure that the people of his own and his host country get practical benefits from the relationship. I therefore focus particularly on encouraging trade and investment in both directions, as a way of generating prosperity and jobs for both Britons and Omanis. I also work closely with the Omani Government on a range of issues. We have a close defence relationship, which is important to both countries. We share similar views on many of the challenges facing the Middle East today and the United Kingdom recognises that Oman, with its policy of maintaining friendly relations with all countries, plays an important and constructive role in the region. We greatly value its advice and insight. What are the highlights of being in Oman? They are many! The most important, of course, is living among the Omanis. They are hospitable, friendly and incredibly good-natured. Oman is also one of the few countries in the world that combines wonderful people, a deep and fascinating culture and breathtaking physical beauty. What do you find challenging about your job? Getting more British companies to visit the Sultanate. If you had infinite time and resources – what would you most like to achieve? To write a book. I am a slow reader and writer, so I’d need lots of time. How do you relax in your spare time? I love walking, especially in the mountains. I read or re-read several PG Wodehouse books every year. What is your ultimate ‘must see’ tip for visitors to Oman? The view from the roof of Nizwa fort, with the mosque and city in the foreground, the date groves in the middle distance and Jebel Akhdar as a backdrop. How would you describe yourself in three words? Better not ask. What is your life philosophy? Never philosophise. 06
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JAMIE’S TOP DIPLOMATIC TIPS 1. The most important person in the world is the one to whom you’re speaking. 2. What doesn’t matter to you, can matter greatly to others. 3. Never underestimate how differently people of other cultures and countries might see things from you.
The Voice of Oman Jane Jaffer, the voice of reason, on nurturing the young and dreaming big
correspondence FAST FOOD AND OUR CHILDREN Dear Editor,
T
o succeed in life, innate talent is never quite enough. Talent combined with energy is the key. Life is never that simple. Motivation, interest, determination and application are essential components of success, 1 percent inspiration, and 99 percent perspiration! True story: two children, one extremely bright, and the other hopeless at everything except swimming. Which student succeeded? The bright child became a drug addict. The swimmer won a gold medal in the Olympics. As parents and educators we need to remember we are all different. We must nurture the strengths of the individual and increase selfesteem through praise and encouragement. How can we make learning fun and exciting, to inspire and motivate children to become life-long learners who are determined to achieve their hopes and dreams? ‘My Dream’ was the title of the poem we invited children to write for the Let’s Read Writing Competition this year. I am happy to say that the winning combination of talent and energy is alive and kicking in Muscat. We have had an amazing response; 729 poems from 29 different schools across the country. As the judges are still assessing the entries, I can only say that many of the poems are powerful and thought provoking. Children have bared their souls and expressed their deepest emotions. They have written about their fears, their need for love and acceptance and their desire for peace in the world. Choosing the winners will be no easy task. Find out who won at the next Big Book Day on May 2 in the Al Qurum Complex from 4-7pm.
Next week: Nadim Attieh
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The cover story on the adverse effects of junk foods in the latest issue of Y was nothing short of an eye opener. In today’s life, junk foods are very appealing because of two ‘t’s: time and taste. Unmindful of the age of a person, junk food takes a heavy toll on one’s health by damaging all the internal parts of the body. Further, the absence of proper exercise adds to the increasing risk of contracting diseases such as diabetes, cholesterol and cardiac arrests at young ages. As consumers, we are often lured into this lifestyle even after being aware of the adverse effects due to the aggressive advertising strategies adopted by fastfood outlets.
A WAY OUT OF RUWI Dear Editor, Driving has become difficult in Oman and is no longer the pleasure it was. To reach the office on time and return home safely is a tiresome and hectic process. People have to have lots of patience and follow the rules of the road religiously and not try taking short cuts, which only increases the risk to all. Driving in and out of Ruwi is
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With an increasing number of youth and adults becoming addicted to junk foods, the need of the hour is to promote awareness of the harmful effects of these unhealthy foods in schools and workplaces. Educational institutions must try avoiding the sale of these foods in canteens so as to improve the dietary habits of children. Also, providing exercise facilities at offices and colleges where we spent most of our time must be explored. I would like to thank the ‘Y’ editorial team for providing an insight into this topic and for helping us to lead to an improved lifestyle. Arun Rajan, Muscat
an especially unpleasant task. The solution is not so complex and complicated. The concerned authorities should give notice and vacate all the shopping attractions that have developed in Ruwi. There are too many restaurants and coffee shops, jewellery shops and malls. If we closed some of these and transferred them to a more spacious location, easily accessible via the Expressway, this would enable people to travel smoothly at any time of the day in the Sultanate of Oman. Regards, Habil Bhagat, Muscat
Dinner For Two SEND US YOUR letters, photos, news and views to editor@y-oman.com / @ytabloid / www.facebook.com/ytabloid. Impress us and we’ll send the winning correspondent a RO20 voucher towards lunch or dinner at Park Inn.
YOUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT TO US
Debate of the Week We asked:
If Y could grant you one wish, what would it be and why? Jomari Somontina Sagal I wish that I could work for Y magazine. Mohammed Salman To get A* in my final exams. Inshallah I will.... Shehab Imam Bring out the Talented Geeks of Muscat. Pragati Mehndiratta Expiry dates on exams. Ching D’Omen A free ticket for Akon’s concert. VIP too! Piyush Vora I wish Y Magazine was issued twice a week rather than just once.
LETTERS
E-MAILS
FA C E B O O K
METrO FOR MUSCAT A MUST Dear Editor, How is it that it takes me an hour and a half to take my children to school and get back home in the morning, while the same journey in the afternoon, when I go to collect them, takes 20 minutes? Muscat is grinding to a halt thanks to traffic. I love driving in Oman but the time has come to bring public transport to the city the way Dubai has done so successfully with its metro system. A metro running parallel to the Sultan Qaboos highway from Seeb all
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the way to Muttrah and Ruwi would completely transform the travel situation and ease traffic on the roads. An efficient public bus system would also be useful. As it is, with car use growing every year and lots of people travelling one person per vehicle, the problem will only get worse unless the authorities commit – quickly – to funding and building a modern metro system for a modern city. Best wishes, Noor al Maliki, Al Khoud
This Week’s Debate: If you could change one thing about your job, what would it be and why? Tell us on Facebook.
SHAMSA AL MAHRAZY was spotted with a copy of Y Magazine in Seeb
Ricky Cherian I wish I could work for Apple. Mehdi Ali Make me Apple CEO and I will reduce the prices. Adrian Joseph David Be the editor of Y for a day Shetu Sushil To forgive all my sins and bless my family, friends and enemies. Akhilesh Emanuel I wish I could just meet up with my best friend. Ali Fareed Mohammed Mc I wish for world peace and unity because the world is full of hate and war Nabeel Irshad Hussain Improve the school bus system in Oman so no more innocent kids are killed in school bus accidents. Sherrin Finoj I wish Y would give a space for readers’ best recipes, so that we could try it at home every Wednesday. Fazal Kader Chowdhury My wish is to skip my exams, and have a Galaxy Note 3 Brij Él Chavda Play for Chelsea Football Club. Michael D’SOUZA Let Oman host the next World Cup
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APR 10 - APR 16 / ISSUE 265
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NEWS
YOUR
OMAN
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he Justin Bieber concert in Muscat on May 6 could be cancelled unless fans come forward to buy more tickets, the organisers have warned. Ticket sales for the teen idol’s gig in the first few days of release have been disappointing, confirmed Alive Entertainment, the promoter behind
No Bieber fever
Poor ticket sales in Muscat put concert in doubt
Weekend shift gets THUMBS UP B
usinesses and schools have welcomed the news that Oman’s weekend will change to Friday and Saturday to bring it in line with most other GCC countries and Oman’s financial institutions. Businesses in particular say the step will help in regional and international dealings and reduce the long delay in cross-border financial transactions. The change was announced in a directive by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said on Saturday. From May 1, the public and private sectors will switch to the new weekend. The Omani banking sector has been working to a Friday and Saturday weekend since July 2008. It will bring the Sultanate in line with the majority of the GCC, with the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait all adhering to the same days. Only Saudi Arabia, which debated the issue of
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Gallery
the concert. Nawras was expected to be the main sponsor of the Oman concert, part of Bieber’s Believe Tour, but its involvement has yet to be confirmed, Alive Oman’s Robyn Green said. “We are still trying to sort out Nawras [sponsorship].” She added: “Ticket sales are going slowly. We didn’t get the rush of sales we were expecting over the first weekend. The newspapers did not carry the full page ad we had wanted, which didn’t help.” While Bieber’s concert in Dubai scheduled for May 4 has sold out, the response in Oman to the Canadian teenage singing star has been less enthusiastic. Y visited Muscat Grand Mall on the
changing its weekends at the end of last year, will remain with Thursday and Friday holidays. As part of the directive, His Majesty also ordered religious and national holidays to be standardised across private and public sectors. Hassan Jaboub, general manager at Muscat Grand Mall, said: “In addition to aligning weekends with most of the countries in the Middle East, this will help boost Omanisation as the private and public sectors will be at par in this area. As a retail development, we feel that this is a great step and will aid Omani companies to further business opportunities with global firms.” Sabah al Fadhil, service delivery manager with Microsoft in Oman, said it would be good for business. “We deal a lot with Dubai so it’s going to make our life much easier being on the same weekends. “We also gain an extra day dealing with the rest of the world. As an international company,
Interview
first day of sales on April 2 but found just a trickle of people buying tickets, rather than the hoards expected. Two event security guards brought in to control potential crowds found themselves largely superfluous with nothing to do. Ticket sellers sat fiddling with their smart phones to stave off boredom as disinterested shoppers wandered past. “It wasn’t the huge rush we were expecting,” admitted Green. “The school holidays haven’t helped as a lot of students are away.” Ticket prices for the concert at the ROP Wattayah Stadium in Muscat range from RO35 for regular standing to RO100 for Fan Pit standing right in front of the stage. Green insisted that rumours that the concert in Oman has been cancelled were false. “The bad press he has been getting in the UK might be part of it. Rumours are going around that [the gig] has been cancelled. It’s not true.” Bieber, 19, collapsed on stage during one of his performances in London last month and one of his concerts in Portugal was cancelled due to slow tickets sales, according to reports. “So far, so good.” Green said. “Only time will tell and ticket sales will tell. If they’re not going to buy tickets, we can’t put the show on. It’s a Catch 22.”
working with America, Europe and Asia, it’s good news. “Personally, it will take a while to get used to it and I did like having Thursday off to deal with banking.” Schools will also fall in line with the new weekend. Tamsin Turner, primary humanities and sustainability coordinator at the British School Muscat, said the changeover should not cause too much disruption. “The really good thing is all the ways in which we link up with schools in Dubai, such as the swimming competitions, where the students who went to Dubai always used to lose their Saturdays. It gives us parity across the Gulf. “I can’t see any negatives for the school. What I imagine, and this is not confirmed yet as we are on holiday, is that the Saturday timetable will just shift to Sunday.”
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THIS WEEK
MOVIES MOVIES THIS WEEK’S MOVIES For more information and times, go to: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net Star Cinema: Tel +968 24791641
The Snow Queen
be a near fatal one. Co-lead Adam Scott is strangely annoying but the supporting cast do well enough with some sharp and funny dialogue. Hamm almost steals the movie but the director herself comes over as rather robotic. Unfortunately, there’s barely a hint of romance or chemistry among any of the self-involved characters. Friends With Kids is married life as imagined by the Hollywood set, for whom wedlock is a terrible condition, children are seen as troublesome pets, and love is only possible between the sheets. Then there’s the ending. In a spectacular failure of nerve, Westfeldt throws away the credibility of the movie’s premise and tosses it in the draw full of forgettable romcoms.
A beautifully crafted 3D Russian animation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, now with an English script. Gerda goes in search of her artist brother in the bewitched country of the Snow Queen, meeting new friends and facing many dangers.
PREVIEW Oblivion
Tom Cruise is back with a science fiction blockbuster based on the graphic novel of Joseph Kosinski, who also produces and directs this epic. Cruise plays a drone repairman stationed on a ravaged Earth, which was nearly destroyed by an alien invasion 60 years earlier. When he meets a bespectacled rebel leader played by Morgan Freeman, he realizes that he’s been living a lie. Amazing design and sterling female support from Olga Kurylenko and Andrea Riseborough makes this one to look out for.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK Sky Force 3D 012
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A Wall Street accountant discovers that he is fronting a Ponzi scheme. The criminal backers want him dead and so he is relocated to an unlikely refuge – the Atlanta home of Aunt Medea, played by comedian Tyler Perry. It’s the kind of thing done by Eddie Murphy or Robin Williams in the 80s, and even then it was questionable. Slap-dash comedy that’s short on the essential ingredient – laughs.
Evil Dead
Friends With Kids In a newish twist on the romantic comedy, two single friends decide to have a baby together while avoiding the ‘trap’ of marriage and commitment. Julie (Jennifer Westfeldt) is looking for Mr Right and Jason (Adam Scott) likes to sleep around. Meanwhile all their friends are settling down to have children – and losing the spark in their relationships. The friends decide to have a child together, share the childcare, but still enjoy the single life. Then they both meet new partners and, well, we’ll stop there. Writer director and star, Westfeldt assembles a talented group of her actor friends – including her real-life partner John Hamm – but her decision to give herself the lead turns out to
Madea’s Witness Protection Programme
Phantom
Evil Dead is a remake of the cult Sam Raimi horror, with a new cast and director (Fede Alvarez) revisiting the original cabin in the woods scenario. Five friends on a getaway find a book of demonic power and start reading from it. Whereas the original had its tongue firmly in its cheek, the remake opts for a demented blood fest that should satisfy the most hardcore horror fan.
Y’s TOP TWO A Case of You 1
A young writer played by Justin Long, who actually co-wrote this romantic comedy, woos a cute and quirky barista (Evan Rachel Wood) by creating an embellished online profile. When she falls for his alter ego, he must keep up the act or risk losing his dream girl. The cast includes Vince Vaughn, Sam Rockwell, Sienna Miller and Brendan Fraser.
Escape from Planet Earth (3D)
A moderately diverting tale of interstellar sibling rivalry that will probably appeal to younger kids. Celebrity astronaut Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) is sent on a dangerous mission to the ‘Dark Planet’ (aka Earth) where he is captured by an alien-hating general played by William Shatner (yes, good old Captain Kirk).
The Host
2
T H E W H AT ’ S ON G U I D E April 10-11
Akon’s coming - and thousands will be gathering at the Oman Automobile Association to see the multi-platinum selling American artist perform all his hits and set the stage alight for a night of unstoppable entertainment.
Modern interior design is under the spotlight at The Home Equipment Show at the Oman Exhibition Centre, with a wide range of products and services from local and international suppliers. It’s a chance to check out the latest in home appliances and meet suppliers and design specialists.
Art of survival A herd of artistically imagined ibex are currently on show at Bait Al Zubair Museum, created by 30 artists with the aim to spread awareness of this threatened species. The Ibex project was initiated by Muscat Municipality and assisted by Omani artist Hassan Meer.
WEEK
What to do.
A
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What to see. What to hear.
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Bring the tunes World-renown jazz artist Branford Marsalis and his quartet will be showcasing his new album, Four MFs Playin’ Tunes, at the Royal Opera House on Thursday. Audiences will get first hearing for the new material with an accent on songs from the talented maestro and bandmates.
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April
April
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Movies
Akon has landed
Between These Walls
THIS
Gallery
April
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April
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Snap Happy April
11 Friday
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Digital Oman
The Middle East College is hosting the Third Photography Summit to highlight the skills and share the knowledge of photography students from public and private sector and the Gulf region. The work of outstanding local and regional photographers will be awarded in nine categories on the second day.
The Oman Web Awards will be held at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel on April 23, with Omani brands lining up to receive recognition for their digital innovation, design and creativity in the online realm. For more info visit: www.omanwebawards.org
April
April 19-21
Butterfly Dreams For more than a century, audiences have thrilled to Puccini’s haunting, poignant music and been touched by the story of the lovely Butterfly, who sacrifices everything for the love of a dashing American Naval Officer Pinkerton. Now Russia’s world-renowned Mariinsky Opera is performing the much-loved Madama Butterfly at the Royal Opera House. Don’t miss out!
SOAP ON A SLOPE
April 18
Where there is talent, it cannot remain hidden; it will break out and shine forth. That is the founding thought of a group of Indian artists with diverse interests who came together to exchange ideas and sharpen their skills. Their organisation, Mind, is holding its first art exhibition at the InterContinental Hotel’s Jabrin Hall from 6 pm to 11 pm, in association with Al Hayat Association. An amazing 120 works of art from 70 artists will be displayed. For more information about Mind’s activities call Jayaraj on 99444081.
Top of the Town InterNations Muscat is gathering at the Park Inn Sama Terraza tonight from 7pm to 11pm for one of its essential get-togethers. Enjoy the beautiful views over the city and a free drink and finger food courtesy of the Park Inn. Cover charge RO5, free to Albatross members.
April
The Red Bull Soapbox Race is finally upon us. The Bawshar Dunes will be bashed in a series of wacky races of the craziest, most colourful and the downright kamikaze. It’s all downhill from 2pm – as it’s warm out there, relief will be at hand with water and food available at the stalls in the public village. Lots of parking and free wi-fi courtesy of Nawras are available. GPS coordinates: N23º33.916’ E058º25.008’
12 Talent breakout
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THIS WEEK
The What’s On Guide
Movies
GALLERY
ITALY IN MUSCAT
Photos by:Jerzy Wierzbiecki
CONNECTING CULTURES THROUGH ceramic art at Bait al ZUBAIR
Marco Bellucci (centre)
Dr Badar al Mamari
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t g n i s u Is
d l i h c r u yo
It’s become a disturbing trend among the youth with users as young as nine dabbling in illegal drugs. In Part 1 of a three-part investigation on drug use in Oman, Kate Ginn and Joe Gill report on the teen addicts.
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Photos by Jerzy Wierzbicki. Photos and additional research by Saif Bidi
? s i h t
WHAT THE TEENAGERS HAVE TO SAY Y spoke to several teenagers about their substance abuse habit. This is a snapshot of what they said:
I get the stuff from friends, it’s very easy to get hold of I do it because It’s too stressful in my house
My parents don’t know. My dad would kill me if he found out
I
n an ordinary residential area of Muscat, a group of teenage boys are huddled together passing around a clear plastic bag tied with an elastic band. Even the most observant of passerby would probably miss the slight of hand, imperceptible unless you know what you’re looking for. One by one, they stuff a fingerful of the contents of the bag into their mouth and continue their journey onto school. To the uninitiated, it could look nothing more innocent than some friends sharing sweets or a snack. In fact, the boys have just ingested an illegal drug called ‘afdal’; a nonsmoking form of tobacco laced with other substances, which has health implications for long-term use including cancer and increased risk of heart disease. They are far from unusual. According to experts, children as young as nine are becoming hooked on similar illegal substances to give them a ‘high’ or buzz. The youngsters are drawn in because the drugs are so cheap – afdal costs just 100 baizas a bag – and freely available. Other drugs go by the names ‘strawberry quick’, which is sweet tasting and looks like candy, ‘Spice’ or ‘K2’, pop rock and khat, a shrub native to Omen and Yemen and cultivated for its stimulant effect. Paan, derived from a betel (or areca) nut is also commonly used. Though legal in India and other
My friends do it and I was curious
It’s mostly boys but I know a couple of girls who do it
I can only remember one drugs awareness campaign at our school. Someone from the ministry came to speak to us
How to get your child to avoid drugs parts of Asia, it is banned in the Sultanate but freey available. Y has learned that the drugs menace is spreading into different ages, social classes and genders with school children being sucked into taking recreational drugs. While the problem is predominantly among young men, girls are starting to get involved too. “It’s very easy to get your hands on drugs and it’s hugely popular among kids,” said one teenager, a college student who has friends who regularly use afdal and other stimulants. “One guy I know started when he was 13 years old. He said that he had no idea what it was at that time. Someone gave it to him at school and he thought it was a sweet. Now it’s a habit that he can’t stop. “When I was at school you would see kids who
were taking drugs because of the way they were acting, a bit spaced out.” Figures from December 2011 revealed that as many as 3,000 cases of drug abuse were registered by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and thousands more are suspected of going unreported. No-one was available for comment from the ROP at the time of writing. There have not been any official statistics released for the number of young people using drugs. Studies have shown that using soft drugs at a young age can be the pathway leading to abuse of hard drugs when older. Experts from Al Hayat Association, a non-profit organisation in Muscat dedicated to helping drug addicts and drug prevention, have warned that children are being assiduously drawn into the drugs net.
p Do your own research about the drugs out there before you talk to your kids. Knowledge is power. p Whatever you say, make sure it is factual and true. Do not exaggerate or lie to them. p Try to build your child’s confidence and selfesteem. Many teenagers take drugs to escape their problems or feelings of low worth. Make sure your child knows that you love them. p Be fair and reasonable with discipline. p Speak to them about drugs before they hit puberty, around the age of 10, and reiterate it at different stages. p Never EVER tell them not to do drugs. Most teenagers go through a rebellious stage. If you forbid them to do something, it only makes them want to do it more. p Your child may become fascinated with drugs and do research on the Internet or in a library. The knee-jerk reaction is to assume they are on drugs. It’s good they are researching drugs and getting the information you want them to. Eventually the fascination will go away. p Talk to your child about peer pressure. Tell them not to do anything they don’t feel comfortable doing. APR 10 -16 / ISSUE 265
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My friends say they take it because it helps them relax and makes the stress go away
“The association has come across a large number of cases in which students were found to be using afdal and smoking hash. This culture has taken schools and universities by storm,” said Dr Amira bint Abdul Mohsin al Raaidan, chair of the association. “I have found a 15-yearold addicted to drugs. When questioned, he said that he had been taking the drug since he was nineyears-old and now he can’t live without it.” Association members have claimed in the past that shopkeepers are targeting schoolchildren. Afdal, a non-smoking pungent tobacco, is not sold openly but can be bought ‘under the counter’ in shops and on the streets. Rolled up empty plastic bags that once contained the drug can be seen discarded on streets in residential areas. It is said to give a mild ‘buzz’ or relaxing sensation. “My friends say they take it because it helps them relax and makes the stress go away,” said a college student. “I ask them why and they say ‘mosh kela’ (problem/s). Some take it for exams, for instance, others because of boredom, curiosity or because they’re friends are doing it. “They’re parents don’t know a thing about it. One told me his dad would kill him if he found out. “None of them have been caught by the police. One was caught at school with afdal and he was suspended for two days. “Some say they want to quit but don’t know how. They’ve got into this and now they don’t know how to get out.” Afdal is inserted into the mouth and left by the gums for the effects to be released. Paan, a stimulating, psychoactive preparation of betel leaf
TOP FIVE HITS Afdal p Non-smoking form of tobacco chewed in mouth p Effects mild buzz and relaxant p Risk of cancers and heart diseases
Spice or K2
Strawberry Quick p Coloured version of crystal methamphetamine resembling candy or ‘pop rocks’ that sizzle in the mouth. Dark pink in colour p Gives an instant high p Lung damage and tooth decay.
Paan mixed with tobacco chewed in mouth p Mild euphoria, increased alertness and warm sensation in body p Risk of mouth cancers, gum gums, sometimes turning reddish-brown
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p Synthetic marijuana manufactured in Asia and sold online - natural herbs sprayed with chemicals p Gives a well-being high p Hallucinations, vomiting and agitation. p Associated with acute psychosis and triggering of chronic psychotic disorder among vulnerable individuals
Khat
p Betel leaf or nut
disease and discoloration of teeth and
combined with areca nut and often cured tobacco, is used the same way. “The thing about drug use is that it crosses kids of different economic backgrounds,” said one source, who mixes with people who openly take drugs. “We are not talking just about the guy who comes from the Interior or Seeb or Mawaleh. I am talking about kids from affluent neighbourhoods and from some of the wealthiest families I know. “It’s the young people who are susceptible because they have less to do.” The ROP has stepped up its efforts to combat the drug plague with a reorganization of its drugs department into a separate administrative unit. There have been several high-profile arrests and drugs seizures recently, including four Omanis arrested in Salalah for smuggling and possessing 621 packets of khat. A cohesive strategy with a partnership between the police, health and education ministries and schools would present a united front. Some schools are already running drug awareness projects. Tamsin Turner, a teacher at the British School Muscat, explained: “We do cover drugs issues as part of our Citizenship, Personal, Social and Health Education in years five and six. It’s covered in units of science and in Healthy Living when we look at smoking and drug use. “It’s looked at in a lot more detail in senior school and it also comes up in assemblies and other school forums.” More, however, needs to be done to protect our children. “Children are our country’s future,” said a member of the Al Hayat Association. “We cannot remain a mute spectator and watch them getting spoiled. We have to save them.”
p Flowering plant native to tropical East Africa and the ArabianPeninsula p Grown in Kenya, Oman, Yemen and Ethiopia. p Feelings of euphoria similar to amphetamines p Nightmares, loss of appetite, insomnia and psychological addiction
ALL AT SEA Giving up everything to spend a year racing round the world on a yacht took on a special poignancy when Claire Carroll’s sister was diagnosed with cancer. Kate Ginn reports
Words: Kate Ginn
I
n under two months time, Claire Carroll will pack up her life in Oman and head off for the adventure of a lifetime as part of the world’s longest ocean race. She is going to join crews racing yachts for 64,500 kilometres around the globe, crossing the equator twice and battling everything from hurricanes in the Caribbean to the dreaded doldrums of South East Asia during almost a year at sea. It may seem like the sort of grand adventure only the most hardened sailor should undertake. But Claire hadn’t even ever set foot on board a yacht until eight months ago. Add this to the astonishing fact that more people have climbed to the summit of Mount Everest than have circumnavigated the globe, and the daunting challenge ahead becomes clear. Yet Claire, a sound technician at Royal Opera House Muscat, has had to overcome more than most to become part of the annual Clipper Round The World Yacht Race. Born with a congenital hip condition, which required surgery as a child and left her with one leg shorter than the other, doctors at one time weren’t even sure she would be able to walk let alone one day tackle the gruelling physical demands of such an event. And two months ago, she was close to giving up on her dream altogether after her sister, Leigh, was diagnosed with incurable cancer. By coincidence, Claire had already chosen a UK-based cancer charity as one of four she is fundraising for as part of the race.
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The decision had to be made whether to continue with the race, with her sister’s prognosis uncertain, or back out having already spent her lifesavings of RO25, 000 for the berth fee and handed in her resignation. “My immediate thought was that I couldn’t go. What would I do if she got sicker when I was away?” says Claire. “I felt that I would be selfish to go away and that I should be back home in Scotland spending time with her. “I spoke to my mum. We talked about it and she said that if I delayed for a year or so, something else might happen. “She also said that Leigh was desperate to go to New York to meet me off the boat in the first stopover and she would kill me if I cancelled and she couldn’t go. “Leigh wants me to go, she would be furious if I didn’t. “I can always leave at any time during the race if something happens.” Tests have shown that Leigh’s cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, has spread through all of her lymph nodes and into her bone marrow but it is slow growing. Doctors have advised a ‘watch and wait’ strategy before embarking on treatment. “It’s very difficult for her. The not-knowing is very difficult for all of us,” says Claire. “But I’m determined to do the Clipper race and finish it now.” May 31 will be her last day at the Royal Opera House, after two years, and her final day in Oman. The following day, she flies back to Scotland in preparation for the final two training stages before departure sometime in August. JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race (above and below) Claire Carroll (centre) with fellow sailors and (below) in training
CLIPPER race IN NUMBERS
12
yachts
64,500 km circumnavigation 15 races 13 countries 8 legs 1
winner
“I am sad to be leaving Oman, it’s a beautiful country and I’ve had a great time, but this is something that I have wanted to do for years. I have to get this out of my system,” she says. “I wanted to do the race in 2006 but my plan was put on hold because of work commitments. “Most of my friends think that I’m mad but I can’t wait to get started. “Opportunities don’t come along like this often, or not at all, and you have to take your chances.” Lying ahead is a challenge like no other. For 11 months, home will be a 70-foot ocean-racing yacht. Twelve crews will be racing against each other in a brand new identical boat, known as the Clipper 70. In 2009, two Omanis were selected for the same race. Ahmed al Mammari and Abdullah al Busaidi, both fulltime sailors with Oman Sail, already had several thousands kilometres of offshore sailing experience. Claire, in contrast, has no experience of yacht sailing. Although she won’t quite be a fish out of water, she has been sailing dinghies since her teens and has worked on tall ships – the clipper race will be, metaphorically speaking, like swimming with the big fish. Capable of speeds up to 30 knots, the elite racing craft will take them through warm trade winds, winter storms and tropical heat in some of the most extreme sailing conditions on the planet from the Southern Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Sleep will be in narrow bunks in claustrophobic quarters on a diet of mostly freeze-dried food, and cooking on a tiny four-ring stove. Claire, who has been keeping fit taking part in triathlons and working out in the gym, will burn up 5,000-6,000 calories a day during the race. It’s not without its dangers. Two years ago, one of the yachts ran aground after hitting a reef and started to capsize. The crew was all safely rescued but their race was over. Claire will meet the rest of her crew in June. At the same time, they will be allocated their yacht and given time to get to know each other and develop their race tactics. At any one time, 24 people will be on the yacht. Crew can sign up to race the entire way around the world – like Claire – or opt for a single leg or combined legs. Life on the yacht is going to be quite a test of character then. Particularly as she admits from suffering from seasickness, a bit of problem when you’re spending weeks without seeing dry land. “It’s healthy to be a bit scared but you can’t let yourself be too worried,” she says. “I’ve learned to deal with adrenaline with my job. “The biggest thing I’m worried about is having to cook. I really can’t cook at all!” * Read about Claire’s adventure on her blog: http:// clairedoesclipper.blogspot.com, where you can also donate via Virgin Money Giving to the charities she is supporting: Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres, Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) and STEPS (supporting children and adults affected by lower limb conditions). All money donated will be split between the four charities.
If you would like to donate to Claire’s berth fee or offer corporate sponsorship, please email clairedoesclipper@me.com
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food and drink
FACT
Salted caramel originated in France where it has been a sweet treat since 1932.
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Trend
New Restaurant
Reviews
Fashionable foodies among you might have spotted the trend in salted caramels already, particularly in chocolates. The fabulous flavour combination hit the headlines when curvaceous cook Nigella Lawson appeared on a magazine cover doused in salted caramel with closed eyes and an expression of pure ecstasy. Now the taste has become a firm favourite with artisans and restaurants. See what all the fuss is about with these M&S sweets from Muscat City Centre.
WIG PARTY 2013 7PM THURSDAY 18 APRIL
FUNKY VOCAL HOUSE MUSIC COURTESY OF DJ CARL ROBERTS ACCOMPANIED BY TAMAS ON SAXOPHONE & FERDINAND ON PERCUSSION
WIGS
ON SALE THE DOO R OMR 6 E ACH AT
IG NO W TRY NO EN
ALL U CAN DRINK OMR 25
GRAND HYATT MUSCAT Shatti Al Qurum Diplomatic District PO Box 951 ● Muscat 133 ● Sultanate of Oman www.muscat.grand.hyatt.com www.facebook.com/GrandHyattMuscat www.facebook.com/cocolattelondon/events
food and drink
T rend
New Restaurant
Recipe
Party THE
Planner
Nightclub impresario and events planner Nicholas Chrisostomou has partied with everyone from Janet Jackson to Dannii Minogue. Now, the international jet setter hits Muscat to host an array of hip events at the Grand Hyatt hotel. Here, he shares his tips with Penny Fray on how to throw the perfect party.
You have a lot of exciting events planned for Muscat – can you spill the beans on some of them? I’ll be doing a lot of international and fashion forward stuff, flying in famous artists and so forth. This month, we’ll be doing a wig party and a Beverley Hills brunch as well as turning Copacabana into a jazz club with Matthew Vankan singing there on April 19. How is staging events in Muscat different from elsewhere in the world? Working in a new country or in a different environment is always exciting since it poses new and interesting challenges. What’s the best event you’ve thrown? The Coco Latté dance tent for 4,000 people at London Mardi Gras, because it was amazing to have Boy George DJ-ing for me so early on in my nightclub career. Also, the two-day grand opening of the first W hotel in the Asia Pacific region in Seoul, South Korea. The party
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T rend took a year to plan. It was the first hotel I ever worked on. If money, time and any other restrictions weren’t issues – what would be your ideal event? I’d re-run my 30th birthday. I rented a 15-bedroom villa on a hilltop in Ibiza, flying in a top London chef to cook for me and 30 of my closest friends – and we ate, drank and laughed for four days and nights in the sun. Then, on the day of my birthday, we all dressed up in black and white for an amazing party which started at sunset with fizz and Matthew Vankan singing swing, followed by a five-course meal and dancing to legendary DJ Danny Rampling and Brighton DJ Diablo until dawn. It went too fast, so I’d love to do it all again in slow motion, maybe with a few less friends. You’ve just written a book called Disco Rollercoaster. What’s it about? It tells the story of a shy North London boy who opened a decadent, upscale West End nightclub, hung out with stars and jetted around the globe throwing extravagant parties. Of course, there’s some scandal in the book, otherwise no one would buy it. When it comes to hosting a party at home, what’s currently in vogue? Catered house parties with live singers and a barman are a big deal at the moment. What about creating ambience? If you are serious about throwing a brilliant bash and ‘wowing’ your guests, a quality sound system and professional DJ are essential, not least to react quickly to the ever changing musical demands of your guests. Sorry, but an iPod and a docking station will not hack it. Covering the basics are always important but how can a hostess go further to grab that domestic goddess title? Hire a professional bartender and keep the drinks area tidy and well stocked with ice – this will free you up to let your hair down and enjoy yourself. And pay someone to tidy-up throughout the party so you don’t wake-up to a disaster zone the morning after. The numbers game – how do you play it? Getting enough people turning up has never been a problem – but having too many people has been. The most effective way to combat this problem is to post a burly security man on the door armed with a guest list, typed up in alphabetical order, with strict instructions not to let in anyone who’s not on the list. And don’t answer your mobile once the party has started. What’s the biggest faux pas you can make when hosting a party or event? Getting inebriated. Keep a clear head and remember, it is not all about you, there are guests to think about.
New Restaurant
Recipe
Party Perfect Planning events can be fun, but it is also a big responsibility and one that few people accomplish successfully without proper preparation, say our panel of experts. Annika D’Souza, Events Organizer at Zeenah Events
Book your event to match your budget
If you have the luxury of flexible timing for your event, try to work around the dates that are in major demand. You can often get substantial discounts on event venues and services if you are able to book last minute. If possible, steer around the peak event season from November to March, as facilities and service providers may need you more than you need them.
Make things easy for your guests
Long after people have forgotten what colour the decorations were, they will remember the ease and comfort of the experience you provided. Provide your guests with maps and other information to create a seamless experience. Above all, make sure your event location is easy to find with clear signage, you don’t want your guests unsettled before arrival because they couldn’t find your venue.
Always read the contract – and be ready to refuse to sign
All too many people sign contracts with hotels, caterers and other service providers without negotiating terms that meet their requirements. Always remember that once you sign on the line, you are obligated to fulfill the requirements of the contract even if you don’t like them. So don’t be afraid to negotiate, it can save you money and free up budget to spend on other aspects of your event.
Matthias Emperhoof. Director of Events Management at The
Make a concrete plan.
Call a meeting to brainstorm and map out some strategies. It is essential that you pencil in themes, venue, number of invitees and budget.
Meet with the events management team of the venue. You have to visit the possible venues of your event and get all the information you need to be able to present it in the office or to your family. Make sure that you deal with one event manager only to ensure accuracy in communications and details.
Do not let budget limit the event.
While budget is important, you have to innovate to ensure the success of your event. Focus on finding a premium menu that will be most impressive to guests, signature drinks and special entertainment.
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food and drink
Love at First Bite
review N e w R e s t a u r a n t
News
Info Box
Address: Love at First Bite, Shatti al Qurum, Muscat Opening for Lunch and Dinner: 12pm-12am daily For Bookings: 24601737 Web: www.bitelounge.com Twitter: @BiteLounge Average meal price (for two): RO30
In need of some sweet nothings, Heather Duncan took her husband out for a romantic dinner at a love-themed restaurant to see if it had the recipe for passion
E
veryone needs a little romance in his or her life from time to time. My husband is lovely in lots of ways but making a big show of his feelings is just not his thing, so when I heard about this place in Shatti al Qurum, that apparently serves up romance by the plate load, I dragged him along in the hope it might stir his ardour. Love at First Bite, or The Bite Lounge as they call it, claimed to be Oman’s first themed restaurant when it opened a year ago. It’s all about love and romance. Inside, it’s split into three different sections – Italian, French and Arabic – each with different seating designed to bring you and your loved one(s) closer together over a fervour for shared food. We went for the French area, which was designed to look like a sensual boudoir with the main attraction being a large bed with a table in the middle where groups can lounge and eat together. The idea is quirky and fun but I chose to sit at a regular table in fear that my dress was perhaps not the best item of clothing to wear lying on a bed in a public place. We had saved our appetite for the occasion and at this stage were hungry for food, rather than love. The only loving glances we exchanged were at the impressive-looking menu, an extensive little number, offering enough choice to keep everybody happy. Every dish has a quirky name relating to the theme of love and romance, which made for an interesting and amusing read as you dither between a ‘one night stand-witch’ and a ‘Sel-FISH-ness.’ VERDICT: For starter, the cheeky ‘She loves me not’ crispy sesame chicken in honey chilli caught my eye (I had 10 been thinking about them all day long) and I wasn’t disappointed with the sweetness ending with a Fun concept and quirky décor with fresh food sharp kick of chilli. My other half, Colin, went for and reasonable prices ‘Secrets’ crisply marinated chicken wings. He said but not quite they were full of flavour. true love For mains, my hubby came over all macho and chose
7
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the mixed grill from the specials menu. On the plate, it looked impressive but it didn’t quite deliver as much as he’d hoped. While good quality, it was a disappointing selection of meats, mostly just lamb, and didn’t quite satisfy his manly urge for more red meat. He was left wanting more. I didn’t fare an awful lot better with my ‘Hope’ shrimp pasta with tomato and cream sauce with cheese. The sauce was delicious but the addition of mushrooms instead of the shrimp advertised left me feeling a little broken-hearted. I’m not a lover of mushrooms so seeing them on my plate left me feeling underwhelmed to say the least. By dessert we were in the mood…for something sweet. We wanted to share so went for the ‘It’s complicated’ warm chocolate cupcake and fudge icing with ice cream inside, which hit the spot in every way. A giant cupcake about as big as my face with warm sponge and vanilla ice cream in the middle. It was the perfect ending. Overall, the food was good but it seemed that too much time had been taken trying to make it look appealing rather than sticking to what was actually described on the menu. The concept was fun and we loved the tongue-in-cheek dish names. We will go again. After all, we still have the Italian and Arabic sections to try and find romance in. I would leave it a good few months until I go again, though. That’s the bad thing with a themed restaurant – it gets boring quickly. And no, it didn’t make my husband any more romantic but it was worth a try.
HEALTH& BEAUTY
Health
Beauty
FASHION
SEEING SPOTS
Designers are reluctant to ditch this retro print – and with good reason – it rocks! Whether it’s a fully fledged polka dot blouse or a simple spotty scarf, you can’t go wrong with this classic pattern.
The Swinging Sixties is set to become one of the season’s sweetest trends – that’s why we love this retro inspired monochrome shift from Jaeger. Just add kitten heels and a boxed clutch for extra fashion points.
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CONNECTING THE DOTS
Work this classic Next shirt with a pair of jeans and a blazer. RO16
It’s time to go dotty over spots this season, says Penny Fray.
S
tripes may have stolen the limelight this season but spots is following fast as one of spring’s most quintessential prints. Since Stella McCartney worked the classic trend into her 2011 collection, turning the sheer polka into the style staple du jour, fashion houses such as Jaeger, DVF and Dolce & Gabbana have all gone dotty over dots this season. Several celebrities have recently been spotted wearing the classic pattern with aplomb, including Rachel Weisz in Louis Vuitton and Amy Adams in Jenny Packham. And while a dizzying array of vintage dots have been seen on catwalk frocks, Muscat’s fashionistas are keeping things fresh with dotty jeans and clashing monochrome prints. Think pretty and playful – and you won’t go far wrong.
A subtle take on spots can be found with this Vivienne Westwood clutch. From RO82.
Make your mark with this fun fragrance from Marc Jacobs.
If you want to literally dip your toe into the dotty trend, try these wedges from Marks & Spencer. From RO20.
Bored of black and white? Try this bright Marc Jacob scarf – RO88 from My Theresa.com
We love Zara’s 1920s take on the spotty blouse. After all, 2013 has already been heralded as the year of The Great Gatsby, thanks to the much-hyped Hollywood blockbuster starring Leo DiCaprio. RO17
Dot-To-Dot: PENNY’S GUIDE TO WEARING POLKA DOTS 1 Ditch the leopard print for Dalmatian dots this season – just keep your outfit simple with neutral separates and low-key accessories. 2 Pair spots with stripes for a statement look that’s bang on trend. 3 Spots are surprisingly hot, so mix them with sheer material for a more sultry effect.
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An Event by
A Rajeev Chowdhary Enterprise
Live in Concert 11th APRIL, 2013 Oman Automobile Association Grounds Gates open 6:00 pm
In Association with
Support the Cause - Book Now Ticket Prices: OMR 125, OMR 40, OMR 20 contact: 95948858, 24491625
Tickets available at Al Fair CCC / Madinat Qaboos / Al Sarooj / Azaiba (18th Nov Street) Markaz Al Bahja / The Wave, Muscat Book online - www.itptickets.com & www.timeouttickets.com
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H ealth
Well
HEALED
E
ver felt any of the following symptoms – fatigue, misanthropy and stress? You’re probably suffering from the same thing as everyone else – life. Fret not. We’ve discovered a drug-free cure – Reiki, the healing power of human touch. Yeah, yeah, we can see you rolling your eyes. I did too until I experienced something extraordinary. The moment a Reiki master placed his hands above my head, I felt a whoosh of hot energy pouring into my skull and within minutes I felt all warm and tingly. The strange sensation intensified and despite willing myself to stay awake, I zonked out. What happened next defies words – suffice to say it was somewhat spooky and intensely spiritual. My response to the ancient Japanese treatment doesn’t surprise Raju Doshi, a Reiki practitioner in Muscat. “Your experience is quite normal,” he says. “Energy is always warm and we see this feeling as a higher level of sensitivity. But everyone reacts differently.” So, how does it work? Well, Reiki is similar to spiritual healing where energy enters the body through the crown chakra and comes from the palms, aiding relaxation and bringing balance to people’s lives. The ‘ki’ or energy in Reiki is said to be similar to the ‘chi’ used in Chinese acupuncture. It promotes the body’s healing process on an
Beauty
Fashion
Penny Fray discovers how harnessing the healing power of touch can help people reach their full potential. emotional, mental, physical and spiritual level. “Reiki helps you reach a certain level of relaxation,” adds Raju. “From this level onwards, events begin to generate automatically. You feel lighter and healthier. It also brings about deep relaxation, destroys energy blockages, detoxifies the system and adapts to the natural needs of the receiver.” It is an art that Raju has been practicing for years, as his eldest sister is a Reiki Grand Master in Gujarat, India. Now the media director is eager to share the knowledge of natural healing with others. “This is an important time to begin working with Reiki energies since we have now embarked upon the fastest and most exciting movement of human consciousness that our world has ever experienced,” he explains. “The ‘information age’ that we are now a part of is creating a fast-paced world that can be both exciting as well as challenging. Many are experiencing higher levels of stress and the purpose of the Reiki training is to help everyone use healing more effectively to create balance and harmony in our lives. With Reiki, we can improve our life in various positive ways and accordingly enhance the quality of life for everyone on the planet. It’s also here to heighten the global consciousness and help it move quickly to a new and higher level.” If you’d like to know more about Reiki or participate in evening classes, please contact rajukhanjar@gmail.com APR 10 – 16 / ISSUE 265
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HEALTH& BEAUTY
Health
MAKING A SPLASH
Add bubbles and banish stress. Penny Fray explores the ancient therapy of bathing bliss.
T
here are two things you should know about me. First, good clean fun is my forte and I’m a sucker for bubbles. Like Cleopatra before me, I’m a big believer in baths. So much so, I’ve been known to change hotels on the basis of a suite not having one. Forget about the shower or bed – it’s all about the bath – and the bigger it is the better. Thankfully, I’m not alone. A new survey suggests that one in five adults believe that baths banish worries. In fact, the tub is now trending again because it alleviates stress, quells pain and cleanses deeply – but best of all it is the ultimate beauty therapy. Think about it. There are few greater pleasures than washing your limbs while immersed in a blanket of warm, fragranced water. Add some posh candles and a couple of fluffy towels, and you have your very own retreat – somewhere to get away from everything and everyone for half an hour. Not only does it wash away worries but also a soak infused with lavender can help you sleep better and alleviate the symptoms of everything from muscle pain and menstrual cramps to arthritis and migraines. Unlike practical and quick showers, the humble bath celebrates the art of cleansing. And it’s been a favourite for centuries. The earliest bath dates from the second millennium BC, revealed when a luxurious alabaster tub was excavated in Crete. Both the Greeks and the Romans established public baths and gymnasiums for relaxation and personal hygiene. It’s also been a muse for countless artists – from Tizian to Renoir. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to reclaim your bathtub.
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Beauty
Fashion
promotion
SHOP the week
OTE GROUP
N
o doubt you have already got a wide screen TV. If not, what exactly are you waiting for? LG has just launched this season’s most exciting piece of kit – one the world’s biggest HD television screens. Woo-hoo! Measuring 84 inches, it’s a whopper. But as we always say here in Y Towers – either go big, or go home. Offering four times the resolution of existing HD TVs and eight million pixels per frame, images on this big baby are mind-bogglingly crisp. And for those of you who want to experience cinematic quality in the comfort of your own home, LG has impressively equipped its Ultra HD TV with Cinema 3D technology. This means you can fine-tune the distance between onscreen objects for a customised 3D experience, plus generate sound according to both location and movement. And the coolness doesn’t stop there. LG’s newest Magic Remote lets you control your smart television with even greater ease. Point, speak, gesture or spin your way through channels and other controls. OTE Group is the exclusive distributor of LG’s range of electronics and home appliances in Oman. “LG continues to be at the forefront of industry innovation and OTE Group ensures that customers in Oman get a wide range of prompt, effective and high-quality sales and after-sales service experiences,” says Ajay Chopra, managing director of the OTE Group of Companies.
www.otegroup.com APR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 265
035
C ompetition
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WIN 50 LCD TVs Fill Shell petrol for 3 Rials and get the chance to win 50 Philips 32-inch LCD TVs. Fill up with Shell petrol worth 3 Rials, fill and drop your promotional coupon at any Shell service station and get ready for the chance to win 50 fabulous LCD TVs. You really can’t ask for more...
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Promotion valid from 15 March to 30 April 2013. Lucky Draw on 8 May 2013. Conditions apply.
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I
f you’ve ever dreamed of being the next Sebastian Vettel or Lewis Hamilton, now is your opportunity to get into the driver’s seat and get behind the wheel of a go kart. It might not quite be the same level as Formula 1 but many of the racing elite, including Hamilton and fellow British driver Jensen Button, started their careers in karting. In conjunction with Red Bull, we are offering four lucky Y readers a go round the new track at the Oman Automobile Association in Muscat. Based in Seeb, the 950-metre track has floodlights and provides different types of karts to fit varying age groups. Go kart racing returned to Oman in July last year with a revamped circuit and overhauled facilities after a seven-year break. The association also has a 700-metre track for drag, drift and sprint races. With the first Red Bull Soapbox Race in the Middle East to be held in Oman on April 18 at Bawshar Dunes, the country has plenty to capture the interest of wannabe speed demons. Unlike go karting, Soapbox racing is by human-powered dream machines battling against each other and the clock in a mad dash to take the chequered flag but with the same level of thrills and spills. To win one of the four places on the go kart track, the only one in the Sultanate, simply answer the following question: Where is Oman’s only gokart track? Send your answer, name and contact details to: prize@y-oman.com by April 17. www.omanauto.org www.redbullmea.com/ soapboxrace
CARS AND OUTDOORS
CARS AND OUTDOORS
My Hood
Cars
Wi-Fi
Destination
Jebel
Shams
Escape the heat of the city atop the highest mountain in Oman and mingle with goats on the edge of the second largest canyon in the world Words and images: Kate Ginn
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OUTDOORS
U
at the hair-raising drop directly to his left, while our cameras clicked and whirred at the scene before us. There is a path leading down from the side of the gorge into the ravine of Wadi An Nakhur below, only to be undertaken by the brave. Alternatively, you can drive the 7km through to the end of the gorge, passing mango trees and golden grasses on the way. One last photo stop on the way home was the old Ghul village, a cluster of ruined mud brick homes clinging to a hill of orange rocks with a patchwork of farm fields and date plantations in the foreground. Then it was back to Muscat and a mountain of paperwork in the office.
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p and up we drove, along a twisting dirt track taking us ever higher with no end in sight to the climb ahead of us. To our left side, although I could barely look, was a steep drop of such dizzyingly height it felt as if we were flying in tandem with the black speck of a bird soaring overhead. Our 4x4 clung to the road as the tyres seemed to skim the edge. Suddenly the road changed and flattened out. It felt as if we were on top of the world – and in a sense we were, standing on the highest point in the country and looking down on all we surveyed as if it was all ours. Indeed, at that point, we all felt like kings and queens, conquerors of Jebel Shams. Sources differ as the exact height of the summit of the mountain, with figures ranging between 2,980 and 3,075 metres (9,777 to 10,089 feet). Whatever the true figure, it’s pretty impressive. And it seems churlish to quibble over a few metres. Spread out before us was An Nakhur Gorge, the Grand Canyon of Arabia, the world’s second largest – deferring only to the U.S namesake in size – and a momentous sight stretching to the horizon and plunging down into unfathomable depths below. Standing on the edge, one could only feel in awe at the power of nature for creating such wonder. The brown and white mountain goat in front of us trotting along the narrow ledge, inches from a vertiginous drop, seemed oblivious to all the fuss. A cool breeze whispering along the top stirred the patches of shrubs nearby. It was a world away from the oppressive heat of Muscat we had left behind only a day, and 240 km, before. Having never been further than Nizwa since arriving in Oman four months ago, the invitation to join Guide Oman’s Easter in the Mountains was a welcome excuse to escape the confines of office and desk. Our drive from Muscat, a convoy of 4x4s, took us via Jabreen Castle, which dates back to 1670 and has been sympathetically restored to retain its original features. It lies around 20 km from the city of Bahla in the Ad Dakhiliyah region. Nestling amid date plantations, it offers a wonderful 360-degree panorama from the roof with the towering darkness of the Al Hajar Mountains range looming in the background. Our final destination was somewhere up there. On the way, we took a detour to Al Hamra, a 400-year-old traditional village, one of the oldest in Oman, where time has stood still. We wandered round the old residential quarters, some of which are still inhabited, preserved through time; while the rest is deserted. Crumbling remains where ceilings made of palms and fronds topped by mud and straw can still be clearly seen as shafts of sunlight pour through the gaps. Inside the living museum, Bait al Safah, women daubed sandalwood make-up the faces of willing volunteers, while the smoke from rukhal bread being baked from an open fire drifted across the small courtyard. Less than half an hour drive away was our overnight camp, Sunrise Resort, rooted into the northwestern side of Jebel Shams, reached by a 38km graded interior road travelling through the interior. Our Jeep made light work of the potholes as we bumped along. As we climbed, we could almost watch the degrees dropping on the car’s temperature gauge. When we left Muscat earlier it had been 38c. Here, in this almost apocalyptic terrain of ancient skeletal trees and scorched barren earth, it was a refreshingly cool 20c. By early evening, it was 12c. A popular destination to flee from the suffocating summer, it drops to below 0c in the winter. After a good dinner in the onsite restaurant (basic but more than adequate) and a chat by the open fire, our weary group was ready for a soft pillow and sleep. Earlier, the Easter Bunny (Rebecca from Guide Oman with rabbit ears) had visited and the children were happy with the Easter egg hunt among the rocks and trees. Sunrise offers family chalet, private rooms and Arabic tents, all with beds and blankets. It even has a pet camp goat, George, who is very tame and will eat dates, plastic cups and just about anything else in his path. The next morning, we set off on the final ascent to the top of Jebel Shams, Sun Mountain, so called because it is the first place to greet sunlight at dawn and the last to say farewell at dusk. Our driver, Abdul, calmly negotiated the bending turns without a glance
Jebel Shams is around 250km from Muscat, a little over three hours drive. A 4x4 is strongly advised to tackle the twisting bends and gravel track, although you can use a saloon car to reach some parts. Drive to Al Hamra, from head to Wadi Ghul and follow to Jebel Shams. There are two ways to the summit, the easy route and harder track for experienced 4x4 drivers only.Sunrise Resort: www.sunriseresort-om. com. Chalet RO60 for one night, breakfast and dinner for two people; family chalet RO100 for five people and tents RO50. Follow, interact and view photos of Guide Oman at www.facebook.com/ TheGuideOman. Contact Rebecca Mayston on 98038820, Rmayston@theguideoman.com or Abdul on 922 85813. APR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 265
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All images courtesy of Oman News Agency
CARS AND OUTDOORS
WINNER BY
A HUMP It’s all over this season as the final camel racing competition before the summer took place fighting for honour, a cup and 4x4 cars
Main image: robot jockeys mounted on camels for the race
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mmaculately turned out and freshly washed, clad in elegant red coats, the competitors gently jogged to the start line and had a little nibble or nip at each before settling down. This was the scene as the curtain came down on the local camel race season at the Royal Camel Corps Racetrack in Barka, with the final race seeing 176 camels taking part. Make no mistake, camel racing is a serious business for both beasts and owners with prizes on offer including a cup and four-wheel drive cars for the first past the post. The names of the races may not have been familiar – Laqaya, Yada’a and Long Ardha Run to name but a few – but it wouldn’t have detracted from the thrill and excitement of watching pedigree champions battle it out on the sand. On race day before, robot jockeys had taken to the track on the back of their animal rides. But for the conclusion of His Majesty the Sultan’s Cup for Local Camel Races 2013, organised by the Royal Court Affairs, it was back to humans in the saddle with jockeys decked out in bright orange and white outfits. The thudding of camel hooves can be quite dramatic as they reach speeds of up to 65kmph for up to 8km. If you haven’t caught the action this time round, don’t worry. The new season starts in September.
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EXPLORING
Ghala
Photo by Jerzy Wierzbicki
The LowDown
The area is known for its sprawling industrial and warehouse zones, but it’s not just dust and grime as there are new residential developments and plans for transformation.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly It’s hard to get away from the fact that Ghala is mostly ugly, due to uncontrolled industrial development, pollution, dirt and an endless flow of trucks and lorries bringing goods to and from the warehouses for the likes of LuLu, Khimji and the Home Centre. With the opening of the expressway, businesses, workers and residents are now easily connected to the city centre, which is both a blessing and a curse. It does mean that the area is ideally positioned for the rumoured plans to transform the area into a new commercial and residential hub – a rival to Al Khuwair. According to some locals, the whole industrial zone will be swept away in time for the opening of the new airport in two years.
Living There For the most part people live in Ghala because they have to for work – it is not and never has been a desirable address. As Y readers have pointed out, there is a desperate shortage of the kinds of greenery that makes other areas of Muscat so pleasant. “I feel it is an area which has been ignored for development until now. Basically, it is architecturally and aesthetically backward,” complains Jignesh Panchal. However, the area is not uniformly ugly and dirty. Between Ghala Street and Ghala Wentworth Golf Club Road there are some swish new residential developments that offer space, quiet and pleasant surroundings. South of 99 Street beyond the industrial estate you also have the luxury developments around Muscat Hills. All across Ghala new apartment blocks are under construction, suggesting a better future is round the corner. 042
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There’s no doubt that the lorries, the pollution, the lack of development and absence of any greenery make much of Ghala very unattractive. One Y reader summed up the area as “ugly”. Afzal Shams says: “It’s an industrial area and that’s the way it should be. It is 100 percent a men-only zone. But it could be improved with some trees for shade as well as pollution control. It also needs wider roads considering all the heavy vehicles passing through it. There is a severe absence of road safety signs or designated roadside parking.”
Cars I work in Ghala: There are no road signs anywhere. The heavy-vehicle drivers always create chaos with their careless driving. Another negative factor is that there are no taxi stops, shaded areas or any walk ways for those who need to walk. Multafit Bhutta
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Places of Interest Ghala’s Church compound turned quarter of a century in 2012, serving Muscat’s various Christian communities over the years. Within the compound there are several churches including Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant churches, as well as a Christian bookstore. The American International School of Muscat was opened in 1998 and has seen the area develop from nothing into an industrial hub. The school offers a liberal arts education based on the American system, while its Bosch Centre for the Performing Arts extends over 4000 square metres of performance and audience space and seats more than 500. At the Seeb end of Ghala is the Automobile Association where many concerts and driving events are held. We wanted to include Muscat’s most famous building and place of worship, the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, with its beautiful modern Islamic design that lights up the city’s night sky. However the mosque is strictly speaking in Ghubra south, looking majestically over to the Ghala Road across a patch of scrubland.
Hang Outs Places to go are thin on the ground unless you’re pastime is lorry watching. The 360 Degrees restaurant opened recently, providing some relief for diners in the area. It is situated at the top of the Al-Nahda Towers just off Sultan Qaboos Road and also offers coffee and shisha with views from the balcony. At the expressway roundabout there are a few restaurants and fast food outlets close to the Toyota showroom, including KFC and Pizza Hut. Otherwise you can drop into the Hotel Madinah Holiday, frequented by business travellers mostly, which at least has a buffet restaurant and bar. On the Seeb side of Ghala along Road 99 there is the Automobile Association, which is a venue for all kinds of events, from drifting to big concerts such as the upcoming Akon gig. The Ghala Wentworth Golf Club is just south of the expressway for some very scenic putting, although this is actually in Bawshar.
Shopping Most of the major retailers have their distribution warehouses and logistics in Ghala, but this is not the place to go shopping. For cars it is a slightly different story – the showrooms are concentrated in south Azaiba, running along Ghala Street. From Cadillac to Toyota, showrooms of most major auto brands are situated in the vicinity, as are car-hire centres, and all manner of vehicle service shops. There are any number of business suppliers and contractors operating in Ghala’s vast industrial hinterland but otherwise for shopping you must head out of area. APR 10 – 16 / ISSUE 265
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-FI THE TECH IN YOU
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HAPPY CAMPER
If the idea of falling asleep under Omani stars appeals to you but the reality of roughing it doesn’t, it’s time to go ‘glamping’ the high tech way, says Penny Fray.
SHOWER POWER Being dirty and smelly in the desert sun is no fun. That’s why we love this eco friendly shower from Gelert. It uses direct sunlight to heat the water and can be hung up with ease. Available from RO5 at gelert.com
WATCH & LEARN This stylish Sunnto watch offers a wealth of fabulous functions for serious sand explorers, including barometer, compass, sunrise/set times and logbook. Oh – and just in case you were wondering, it tells the time too. Available online from RO200. For Middle East stockists, go to suunto.com
EDITOR’S PICK BUBBLE-TASTIC Offering incredible views of Oman’s wilderness, the bubble tent is designed to get campers as close to nature as possible. Sleep under the stars or watch a sunrise in transparent luxe. For more information, go to bubbletree.fr
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FULLY CHARGED What do you do when your smart phone or MP3 player runs out of juice in the middle of the desert? Apart from cooking and making coffee, this clever BioLite camp stove converts heat into electricity, charging your tech via its USB output. Even better - there’s no fuel to buy or carry, as this is the ultimate green machine. Go to biolitestove.com
WI-FI
FIND OUT WHAT’S HIP & HAPPENING IN GADGETS SMART STORAGE Ever tried to stick a USB stick into a Kindle or iPad? Guess what? You can’t. That’s why we’re well excited to discover Maxwell’s Airstash. This nifty little gizmo stores files that can also be accessed via wi-fi. From RO 65 - Airstash.com.
NEW! TOSHIBA SATELLITE U920T Toshiba Gulf FZE launches its first convertible ultrabook, combining the performance of a laptop with the touchscreen functionality and portability of a pad. It transforms easily from laptop mode to a flat touchscreen interface through its slide-and-tilt hinge design. Powered by 3rd Generation Intel® CoreTM i5 and featuring Intel® HD Graphics 4000, the Satellite U920t supports graphic-heavy content such as photos and videos. Up to 128GB of storage allows you to enjoy quicker bootup times and faster data access. It sports WLAN and Bluetooth 4.0, providing fast wireless access to other devices, while the Intel® Wireless Display technology allows any content to be streamed to compatible TVs.
APP OF THE WEEK
CHEAPAIR Finding the best price for travel can be tres tedious – all that date and destination tweaking. This voicecontrolled app is the easiest way to shop for flights with your mobile device. Free from iTunes.
The super-slim 19.9 mm profile is lightweight at just 1.52 kg.
THE GIRLY GADGET
Native Union POP Handset This colourful accessory inspired by the Bakelite telephone of the 1950s embraces cutting-edge technology – in that it can be connected to either your iPhone or computer.
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CARS
Aston Martin Vanquish Engine: AM11 Gen4 V12 Horse Power: 565 0-100 km/h: 4.1 seconds Transmission: Six-speed
Car of the week
It’s the British brand at the top of its class – Eihab Abutaha falls in love with the speed, style and sophistication of the Aston Martin Vanquish.
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peed, serious speed, is where this car shines. No wonder the Aston Martin is synonymous with suave, fictional spies flaunting their 007-status. A couple hours of driving this amazing, purring creature and you can’t help but become a better version of yourself. Forget the guru or the motivational speaker – try this car. You’ll feel stronger, speedier and more sophisticated after driving it. The Vanquish oozes power. Boasting carbon fibre splitters, diffusers and the kind of bulges that demand you notice its 565hp, this is much, much more than a boy’s toy. This is a man’s car. And it’s seriously swift. Cruising at a normal highway speed, curiosity got the better of me and I gently tapped the accelerator. Wow! Within seconds I was flying. Shocked, I looked at the speedometer once, twice, even thrice, and swore something was wrong. My heart skipped a beat and I jammed the brakes when I realised that the dial had zoomed up the gauge. I’m a sensible, family man and staying within the legal limits is my preferred
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option – but I had to make a real effort to remain there because this car is designed to go with a capital G – which is just as well because the upmarket design attracts attention. A passing police car watched me like a hawk, while other drivers looked on with a strange mix of admiration and envy. But the Vanquish has much, much more to offer than just speed and notice. Its cornering is off the scale, with perfect weight balance, endless grip and ‘Positive Torque Control’, taking my driving skills to another level. No matter how hard I pushed, this luxury vehicle clung to the road like gum and I felt safe – so safe in fact, that I’d have no hesitation driving my wife and two young sons in this car – and that’s not the kind of statement I’d make lightly. Talking of family, the Vanquish is very much a car for the whole household in that it offers a surprising amount of space and boot room. Of course, every aspect of the Vanquish says that it’s top of the range. Apart from the superbly sleek exterior, it has leather seats, a stylish central stack and enough class to convince
you that you’re driving the crème de la crème of cars. Even the quality of the stitch is noticeable on the seats. Not everything was perfect though – but what is in life? I couldn’t get quite comfortable in the seat. I fidgeted and squirmed like a naughty school kid with little effect. It was only when I let the Vanquish take flight that I molded into the seat with complete ease. The drive and reverse buttons on the dashboard were also rather awkward to use. But after some time and tinkering, I got accustomed to them. Nevertheless, I didn’t really take to the PlayStation-like feel of the controls. The brake, reverse, park and drive functions didn’t feel intuitive in the hand. Then again, they didn’t need to. You just need start, drive and speed. Which takes me to its six-speed transmission – it shifted seamlessly – so smoothly, in fact, you hardly noticed it except when flooring the car. Oh my goodness – it’s beautiful. So beautiful, I could start writing poetry about it (but don’t worry – I won’t).
The Porsche Approved Pre-owned Car Programme. Porsche Centre Oman SATA LLC Muscat, Telephone 2449 2544 9277 1887 9222 1225 satallc@omantel.net.om www.porscheoman.com • Full condition report • Warranty extendable up to 9 years • Two year pre-owned warranty • Available only at Porsche Centre Oman
911 GT3
911 Turbo
Carrera
2008, 31,000 km, White Exterior, Black Interior, 31,000 OMR.
2008, 35,009 km, Black Exterior, Beige Interior, 32,000 OMR.
2009, 72,000 km, Black Exterior, Red Interior, 24,000 OMR.
Carrera S
Cayenne S
Cayenne S
2012, 8,500 km, Gold Lime Exterior, Black Interior, 44,000 OMR.
2008, 101,955 km, Olive Green Exterior, Beige Interior, 19,000 OMR.
2008, 122,510 km, Black Exterior, Black Interior, 18,000 OMR.
Cayenne V6
Cayman
Panamera
2013, 14,000 km, Auburn Exterior, Beige Interior, 28,000 OMR.
2008, 30,163 km, Red Exterior, Silver Interior, 13,500 OMR.
2012, 9,000 km, Topaz Brown Exterior, Beige Interior, 37,000 OMR.