Y Magazine #335, September 3, 2014 by SABCO Press, Publishing and Advertising

JAN 9 – 15 • ISSUE 252 • WEEKLY

Ice Cool

Free!

Y’S BUCKET JOB Make A Date Sweet Omani bakes

EVERY THURSDAY NOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR

LAST LINCOLN WINNER / HI TECH DIVE / FILMS

12 News: VIRGIN MOBILE FOR OMAN? DESTINATION: Samad TASTE TEST: Great Kabab

Your top guide to the best of Oman, every week

SEPT 04 - 10 / ISSUE 335 • WEEKLY

TOUGH LESSON

PLUS!

CRACKDOWN ON PRIVATE TUTORS BE NORMCORE

NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

GET RUNNING

STUDENTPRENEURS

WINNERS Are you the lucky winner of our final iPad mini 2 giveaway? Check out this week’s Lincoln selfie winner – and our favourites – on P26. And don’t forget to turn to P27 to meet the winner of our Oman Tourism College RO500 tuition fee competition.

The Barometer Going UP

ROAD SAFETY As you know, Y is all for road safety, so it’s good to see Royal Oman Police (ROP) out in droves this week to help ease the overload of back-to-school traffic. And in another great move, ROP has launched an awareness campaign to boost road safety awareness for students.

Going DOWN

CRUDE OIL The price of Brent crude oil may have been on a downward spiral since June – from $112.42 to about $103 for October delivery – but so far, authorities remain unworried, saying the 2014 budget had set the price of oil at $85.

THIS WEEK… Team Y has been playing ice hockey, making plans for a visit to the Empty Quarter later this month and meeting Mahmood Tariq Jalal, the impressive young man who won our Back to School competition.

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Welcome to Y Magazine – your indispensable guide to everything modern Oman has to offer.

Fast forward

he pressure to perform in the classroom is at an all-time high, so it’s no wonder that many parents and students seek out private tutors to help them stand out from the crowd. Our cover story this week looks at this issue in light of the Ministry of Education’s recent warning that private tutors, many of them school teachers who charge up to RO50 per student per month, are illegal in Oman. We talk to teachers, parents and students about the practice and look at the reasons why this is a booming grey market in the Sultanate, despite the dangers of being caught. Meanwhile, we sit down for coffee with the inspirational Lewis Pugh, a motivational speaker who was recently in Oman for his “Seven Swims in the Seven Seas for 1 Reason” expedition. In Fashion, we dive into the “normcare” trend for a refreshing take on dressing down and find that wearing jeans, oversized shirts and flat shoes has never looked so good – or felt so comfortable! Ghada al Harthy takes us on a tour of her home town of Samad, a village steeped in rich Omani heritage, in Destination, we try out The Great Kabab Factory in Taste Test and road test some great diving gadgets in Y-Fi. We’ve got a jam-packed issue for you this week – enjoy!

editor@y-oman.com

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EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Eihab Abutaha MANAGING EDITOR Felicity Glover DEPUTY EDITOR Kate Ginn ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst follow us on:

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CONTRIBUTOR Matt Blackwell PHOTOGRAPHER Jerzy Wierzbicki INTERNS Deeba Hasan Khalfan al Ismaili Ghada al Harthy Nabaa Baqir Ailish Fleming DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan

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Write to us at Y Magazine, SABCO Media, PO Box 3779, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman. SEPT 04 - 10 / ISSUE 335

contents

SEPT 04 - SEPT 10 2014

06 Coffee With Deeba Lewis Pugh 08 Voice of Oman Sheline Clarke

20 Teacher For Hire Private Tutor Crackdown 24 Young Creatives Student Bosses

This week

Your Oman

Feature

26 Lincoln Competition End Of The Road To

18 Movie Listings Into The Storm

Win an iPad mini 2

19 This Week Too Many Cooks

10 News Open Minds

14 Gallery Honda Accord Launch 16 Oman In 43 Objects Omani Honey

Food and Drink

28 Food Feature Make A Date 30 Taste Test The Great Kabab Factory

Health and Beauty 32 Fashion A Life Less Ordinary

Cars and Adventures

38 Destination Samad 40 Outdoors Hit The Ice 42 Postcard From Fiji 44 Y-Fi Ready, Set, Dive

34 Health Run For Your Life

46 Car of the Week Ford Focus ST

35 Style Counsel Barbra Young

NEXT WEEKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ISSUE... Oman explored / layer on the FASHION / top gadgets / box appeal / food review / events /

CMY

s ewi

This week, Deeba Hasan sits down with Lewis Pugh, an internationally acclaimed motivational speaker, pioneer swimmer and ocean advocate, who was in Oman as part of his ‘Seven Swims in the Seven Seas for 1 Reason’ expedition

ewis Pugh was appointed Patron of the Oceans by the United Nations last year and is often described as the “Sir Edmund Hillary of Swimming”. But when I ask about this title following his talk at the Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, the 44 year old humbly replies: “I’ve got some way to go and many more mountains to climb.” The British national, who originally trained as a maritime lawyer, has had some major successes in 27 years of pioneer swimming, but it all started with a one-kilometre swim in the –1.7°C waters of the North Pole. This may seem a foolhardy challenge, but Pugh undertook his first expedition to highlight the melting of Arctic sea ice. Many adventures later, Pugh says each accomplishment has been extremely hard earned. “Expeditions are expensive. You see the end product, but in reality, there are months of trying to find a sponsor and the ups and downs of raising money.” Pugh was always encouraged to follow his dreams and although his mother is naturally concerned, he says: “She has always been very supportive and that’s a huge relief. She knew the doctor who accompanied me to the North Pole and she knows everybody in my team, so feels confident that I’m in safe hands.” It’s not difficult to imagine how determined you’d have to be to embark on such a journey, but Pugh is quick to stress that

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“I’m just like anybody else”. But then he adds: “Because I’m out in the sea, it’s freezing cold and there are predators in the water, I ask myself is this what I was meant to do with my life? And the answer is always yes, carry on.” Every year, Pugh delivers more than 100 motivational speeches to organisations around the world and he has definitely made his mark. The testimonials on his official website are written by chief executives and former heads of state, while Coca-Cola invited him to address its worldwide leadership team during the company’s 125th anniversary celebrations. If it wasn’t for swimming, Pugh thinks he would still be in London. “I’d probably still be a maritime lawyer, but I don’t think I’d be satisfied. Deep down, I have a desire to make a difference that came as a result of growing up under apartheid in South Africa. Witnessing great injustices gave me an acute sense of what is right and wrong.” For inspiration, Pugh looks to Desmond Tutu, the retired Anglican bishop who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, and Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to climb Mount Everest. “Desmond has got this ability to tell a story that is both simple and inspiring and then there is Edmund; after climbing Everest, he spent his whole life serving

the Nepalese people, building schools, hospitals and clinics.” Pugh is the only person to have completed a long-distance swim in every ocean of the world, but he insists that his recent favourite was a dip in the Arabian Sea, next to the Ras Al Hadd turtle reserve. “There were times during the swim when there were sea turtles as far as I could see. It just shows what can happen if you protect a species.” His skipper, an old Omani fisherman, was one of the best Pugh has had in his life. “He wasn’t too fast, wasn’t too slow and didn’t come too close to me. He always had a kind and encouraging face.” Pugh believes that the oceans need protecting to promote growth in the economy. “People will come to Oman because they can see beautiful fish and turtles, but less than three per cent of our oceans are protected. I am trying to get that to at least 10 per cent through my ‘Seven Swims, Seven Seas, 1 Reason’ campaign, held in conjunction with the United Nations. I want to get everyone, from the public to policymakers, passionate about marine protected areas. “If we fish until there is nothing left in the oceans, billions of people will be without their primary source of protein. Take that away and we will be left with a huge food security issue.” Have you got a unique story to tell or do you know someone who has? Contact us to have coffee with Deeba and be featured in Y Magazine. Email: editor@y-oman.com

The Voice of Oman

Raindrops keep falling on her head. Sheline Clarke gets to grips with her first Khareef

correspondence WASTing water

t’s true us Brits like to talk about the weather and my goodness, does Salalah have its fair share, especially during Khareef. Since moving to Oman earlier this year, we have enjoyed seemingly endless, soul-nourishing sunshine and temperatures we had only ever experienced while on holiday – do we really live here? I asked some of my new expat friends if it was always this hot and was told the climate was lovely, except during Khareef. While the monsoon rains drench Salalah and its environs, transforming the landscape from barren dustbowl to lush green pastures with flowing rivers and waterfalls, they also drench us. Unlike our Omani friends and the many visitors who travel to Salalah to enjoy the cooler temperatures – more than a quarter of a million of them so far this year – living in endless sunshine is what we dream of. Having endured a lifetime of freezing winters and spoilt summers back in the UK, we crave the life outdoors and love to feel the sun’s rays on our faces. But Khareef brings life to the mountains, life to our city and maybe even life to us. Perhaps we Europeans should forget about bad hair, chaotic roads and moldy curtains and learn to see the positives. We should relish the mantle of mist and celebrate a truly unique quirk of nature that helps to make Oman so intriguing. The fact remains, however, that it’s been lovely to have the sunshine back this week.

Next week:

Issam al Ismaily

SEPT 04 - 10 / ISSUE 335

The Ice Bucket Challenge was started by a US baseball player and ALS patient Peter Frates in an effort to create awareness of ALS – a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. This challenge went viral on social media and has so far raised $40 million, but I think it’s a sheer waste of water. On one hand, we are trying to save the environment by conservation, on the other, people have gone too far with this challenge. Instead, the bucket could have been filled with goodies and donated along with the money. It’s already started in Asia with the bucket being filled with rice. It’s just becoming a fun game for the people to play, although I must say that it has united people all over the world and

shows what a powerful tool technology is. Challenge or not, make sure you donate and then nominate. Check the site alas.org for more information. Wishes Dr Vijayalakshmi R Shetty

Debate of the Week We asked:

“In the age of technology, is social media damaging our society and threatening the art of conversation by limiting face-to-face interaction?” Sunil D’Cruz

Social media is facilitating communication; it allows you to view messages at your convenience. Given today’s lifestyle, one can keep in touch with friends on social media when time is the main

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constraint in face-to-face interaction.

Piyush Vora ‬

It has both positive and negative aspects. Social media allows anyone to express his or her ideas about anything without repercussions. It is a good medium to keep in touch with family friends and provides instant access to the most upto-date information. Despite this, social media has the potential to make us less social and distract us from everyday life. For it to be a truly effective communication vehicle, all parties bear a responsibility to be genuine and accurate and not allowing

Dinner for two at Le Jardin restaurant

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YOUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT TO US

it to replace human contact altogether.

Andrew Catli Aludino ‬

Social media is fast and connects us to a larger audience, but is not as effective when compared to face-toface conversation because it lacks the “non-verbal” element. I may say (or write) I’m handsome and post a picture (which may not even be me), but if we meet in person I won’t even need to say that.

Sanaa Aziz

Social media has its pros and cons. While limiting face-to-face interactions, it also allows us to connect with family and friends living outside the country. It becomes easier for companies to promote themselves, get in touch with their clients and receive their feedback.

Preeji Jayasree

A warm handshake, engaging conversation and getting to know people play an important role in forming stronger more meaningful relationships. Once established, it allows us to build trust and minimise misunderstandings. However, for many of us, face-to-face communication seems to be a dying art replaced by text messages, emails and social media.

Razmeena Jemsheer ‬

All new technology is good to take our knowledge to a higher level, but we must use it in the right way.

Shyla Ivan ‬‬ ‬

I think social media affects each individual in different ways. It has been a very helpful tool in changing people’s lives and making the world a stronger and better place to live in.

Muhammad Nadeem Alvi

Yes, there is no doubt that the incorrect use of social media is damaging our society. When we impose it on ourselves, it will affect our attitude and can be a serious threat to face-to-face conversation.

LETTERS Krishna Sanal ‬

E-MAILS

FA C E B O O K

TWITTER

Apple and Irene were spotted with their favourite Y Magazine at the Al Wadi Commercial Centre in Qurum

Blaming social media or any technology for anything is like blaming a knife for a murder. Everything has its intended use. How you use it is up to you. Besides, face-to-face interaction is limited because of our lifestyle choices not technology. If your priorities are clear, nothing will stop you from face-to-face interaction.

Seemi Sahar ‬

Man devised technology for his own betterment, but today it has started controlling us. While it’s a fact that we cannot live without technology, at the same time everything in excess is harmful. We should know where to draw the line. For example, dinner time should be family time, where no gadgets should be allowed. These small steps can help in controlling our exposure to technology, at least to some extent.

Sangeetha Panigrahi ‬

It’s 50/50. It’s sad to see families busy with their phones at restaurants and public places instead of talking to each other. It has definitely discouraged physical games among children as well, but we should also accept than it has curbed the loneliness of senior citizens and house-bound people. Social media plays an important role in spreading awareness and bringing news into the limelight. My personal observation is that it has made people appreciate each other.

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AR Sofi

New-age technology and social media is limiting face-to-face communication for our children, which is such an essential ingredient in building their characters.

Shamija Suresh ‬

Only a bad workman blames the tools of technology. Do not overuse or misuse and lets gaze at the changing world!

Umais Arif ‬ ‬

The only issue is people want to show others that they are having fun, rather than actually having fun themselves.

New Debate:

“Do you think private tutors should be allowed to operate in Oman?” Tell us on Facebook or Twitter and be in with a chance to win dinner for two.

SEPT 04 - 10 / ISSUE 335

YOUR

OMAN

NEWS

OPEN YOUR MIND

l Bustan Palace hotel was graced with 10 iconic and inspirational thinkers this week, all of whom gathered to share their motivational stories and thoughts with the business community and youth of Oman in a bid to promote the Sultanate’s entrepreneurial scene. Open Minds was a two-day event that involved keynote speakers such as Sir Richard Branson (right), founder of the Virgin Group, author Lord Jeffrey Archer (below), Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet, and mountaineer and adventurer Tom Whittaker (below right). Speaking at a press conference before the event kicked off, Wheeler said he was delighted to be back in the country. “My life has been based around travel and Oman is a country with a huge tourism potential that is only just beginning to be tapped. This is my fourth visit and on only one of those visits did I travel extensively and even then, I only scratched the surface. I’m sure there are going to be a lot more visitors to Oman in the years to come.” Wheeler founded the travel guide company Lonely Planet more than 40 years ago. The guide books have helped millions of travellers to discover the world, while it has sold more than 120 million copies of some 500 books.

Wheeler stressed that the key to success for young entrepreneurs was passion. “Lonely Planet wasn’t an immediate success. I’ve always told people that if you want to do something in life or in business, you should always do something that you have a passion for. If you don’t believe in it, no one else is going to believe in it either. If you’re enjoying what you’re doing and you truly think that it’s a good idea, success will follow.” Whittaker lost his foot in a car accident in 1979, but didn’t let this shatter his dreams, with the

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mountaineer going on to become the first disabled person to scale Mount Everest in 1998. Whittaker has also climbed six of the highest summits on the seven continents and plans to tackle the highest peak in Antarctica in the near future to round off his amazing achievements. The idea of imparting wisdom to others is an unusual one to Tom, though, who said: “I’m a little conflicted because when I was growing up in Wales my grandmother always used to say, ‘A word of advice, Tom, never give it’. I don’t really have a message and I won’t be telling people how to live their lives, but what I can do is listen to people’s questions and then talk from my heart about things from my life portfolio and hopefully there will be some relevance there. The important thing is how we achieve our goals. It’s not what we do, but rather how we achieve it.” Other key speakers at the Open Mind forum, which finished on Thursday (September 4), included writer and activist HRH Basmah bint Saud al Saud, Omani scholar Sheikh Khalfan al Esry, telecommunications expert Candace Johnson, speed painter Brad Blaze, entrepreneur Sahar Hashemi and beat boxer Tom Thum.

YOUR

OMAN

Gallery

Interview

NEWS

MAKE A CALL – WITH VIRGIN MOBILE? Words: Deeba Hasan

obile phone provider Virgin could be launching in Oman under plans for expansion unveiled by FRiENDi mobile this week. Virgin is already in Saudi Arabia and Jordan and the Sultanate could be next. Other projects include opening FRiENDi stores across Oman and rolling out a 4G service in the Sultanate. FRiENDi mobile, which launched in Oman in 2009, is part of the UAE-based Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa (VMMEA). At a press conference this week at its new Muscat head office in Al Assalah Towers, Al Ghubra, FRiENDi revealed upcoming projects that are under way for the near future. FRiENDi mobile has also been able to launch its operations in Malaysia with support from VMMEA. Virgin Group and FRiENDi Group had earlier signed a strategic partnership agreement to manage the operations of Virgin Mobile in South Africa and FRiENDi Group in Oman, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, creating a sizeable regional mobile telecom player. The partnership aims to develop and operate mobile telecommunications businesses across the Middle East and Africa. VMMEA also recently began operations in Saudi Arabia. “We have increased our market share in Oman lately,” said Martin Glud, CEO of FRiENDi. “FRiENDi mobile in Oman will very soon reach the half-a-million customer mark. “There is a possibility that we might bring Virgin Mobile into the Omani market.” FRiENDi currently has three kiosks in Oman – in City Centre Muscat, City Centre Qurum and Muscat International Airport, as well as numerous other dealers around the country. A flagship store – its first – on the ground floor of Al Assalah Towers will open by the end of the year, along with one other. The plan is to open fully branded FRiENDi stores in every major city across the Sultanate. Mr Glud said new products and exciting new services were in the pipeline for next year. Ahlem Bouzid, FRiENDi’s marketing director, added that the telecom reseller would also be launching a mobile version for FRiENDi’s website, which will be user friendly. FRiENDi also plans to launch 4G services in Oman in a year from now.

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GALLERY

Have an Ice Day

aty Perry, Usain Bolt and Bill Gates have all done it. Even Lionel Messi has faced the ice. Joining the ranks of ice bucketers around the world, Y’s Matt Blackwell took the plunge this week to do his bit to raise awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Motor Neurone Disease. Inspired by our damp friends in Dubai, Y’s ice bucket challenge was conducted in an environmentally friendly manner – bearing in mind the scarcity of water in some places in the world – and we used seawater from Seeb Beach. According to a slightly soggy Matt: “It was a shock at first, but after that it was quite refreshing.” At 37°C outside, it probably was quite a nice change to feel cold for once in Oman. “I think it’s really united people all over the world and feel that the money that’s donated outweighs the negatives,” added Matt. Despite controversy, the ice bucket challenge has raised more than $100 million for ALS America and nearly £4 million in the UK. What’s more, it has inspired people to donate to charities in general. WaterAid UK witnessed a spike in donations this August, as did charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support. “Like a lot of people, my family has been affected by cancer. I chose to donate to a cancer charity because it’s something close to my heart,” said Matt. To watch Matt get a super soaking, check out the Y Facebook page, where we’ve shared his video. His nominations included Y Deputy Editor Kate Ginn and friends back home in the UK. So keep your eyes peeled and follow us on Facebook for any ice bucket updates!

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Scan the QR code to go to Y’s Facebook page to watch Matt’s ice bucket challenge.

* Try, try and fail. For all their best efforts and intentions some people just didn’t rise to the challenge. Check out some of the internet’s best fail compilations using the hashtag #IceBucketFail to search social media, or just type it into Google or YouTube. For more laughs, the “22 People Who Should Definitely Not Have Taken The Ice Bucket Challenge” on Buzzfeed is worth a read. * India’s Rice Bucket initiative is another take on the challenge where, rather than dumping ice (or rice) over your head, nominees donate a bag of rice. Check out the Rice Bucket Challenge Facebook page for details. Even better, donate food, clothing or money to local charities such as Dar Al Atta’a.

The launch of the 9th generation Honda Accord at the Wattayah Showroom

NEWS

By the numbers

he National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) is undergoing something of a change. It’s rebranding itself with a new logo and new website in preparation for making sure every number we could ever want will be at our fingertips. By 2020, it is planned to have all figures for Oman – from population to babies born – accessible through technology. A new website, www.ncsi.gov.om, has been launched in both Arabic and English. The centre’s social media pages, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, have also been freshened up with a new modern look. Within a few months, it also aims to have a data portal for easy access to information. NCSI was set up by Royal decree in 2012. One recent prediction from NCSI, released last week, is that the Sultanate’s population will grow by 2.4 million by 2040. The current population has already passed the 4 million mark. Interestingly, the population by gender is expected to grow by 72 per cent for women compared with 69 per cent for men. According to the forecast, the average age for Omanis in 2040 is expected to be 27.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

man’s key heritage sites are to be turned into living museums, the Ministry of Heritage and Culture announced this week. While several sites of architectural and historical significance are abandoned and in ruins, the Ministry said it was determined to rebuild these places of interest for tourists and locals alike. “There is a possibility of converting some key heritage sites into places of tourist interest and plans are also being made to organise heritage exhibitions in the future,” said Professor Soumyen Bandyopadhyay, from the Department of Architecture at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. The Ministry granted Prof Bandyopadhyay funding to conduct research into the heritage significance of various sites for their preservation and reuse in Oman. As Y reported last month, there are about 1,000 settlements, most of them in ruins, spread across the Sultanate that need to be documented. The Ministry’s ongoing efforts in documenting these sites is part of a much larger project that aims to preserve ancient settlements in Oman for tourism purposes and for learning about the heritage of Oman. “We want to keep a balance between the modern and the traditional,” H. E. Salim bin Mohammed al Mahruqi, the Undersecretary for Heritage Affairs, said at a press conference on Tuesday. The Ministry has partnered with local universities to help with the project, including Sultan Qaboos University, Buraimi University and Nizwa University. Sharqiyah University has also been invited to join the project. Five key sites have already been documented: Bahla, Ibri, Birkat al Mawz, Fanja and Izki. Plans are also under way to introduce courses at Sultan Qaboos University that will teach students about the building heritage of Oman.

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OMAN IN 43 OBJECTS 38. Omani Honey

t’s rare that you’ll find an Omani house without honey. The act of beekeeping began a long time ago and many consider it an important occupation. Oman produces highquality honey year round thanks to the indigenous Bu Twaiq, a rare species of wild bee. Omani honey has garnered a reputation that spans not just the Sultanate, but across the GCC as well. The bees are only found in a small selection of trees and Bu Twaiq honey is used in the production of some cosmetics. It is also considered to have medicinal value, aiding in the prevention heart disease, as well as common ailments such as a cough or sore throat. Amazingly, the bee’s venom can also be used to help treat rheumatism. It’s apparent powers mean that it doesn’t come cheap. A medium-sized jar of Bu Twaiq honey can cost up to RO50. Cheaper honey – made by imported or domesticated bees – is widely available. To keep the purity of Omani honey, the government has specified that certain areas must only keep Bu Twaiq bees. According to the Omani Census 2012/2013, the number of beehives in the Sultanate had reached 21,469.

F A T

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For

ADMISSIONS OPEN NOW Classes begin 21 September 2014 For more information please contact: Admissions & Registrations Department admission@otcs.edu.om Tel: (+968) 24512303, 304, 305 OmanTourismCollege Oman Tourism College is located next to the Golden Tulip Hotel in Seeb

www.otc.edu.om

NEW COOKING CLASSES FOR THE FOOD ENTHUSIASTS OTC’S Series Of “How To Cook At Home” Classes

Traditional Omani Cuisine

A journey through the culinary history of Oman learning how to prepare local dishes true to the heritage of Oman Date: 1st – 29th October, 2014 Duration: 4 hours every Wednesday (not 8th of October) Time: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Indian Cuisine

A true culinary tour of India learning how to prepare mouthwatering dishes from the regions of Punjab and Awadhi. Date: 13th of October – 3rd of November, 2014 Duration: 4 hours every Monday Time: 5p.m. – 9p.m.

Lebanese Cuisine

For the lovers of the true Arabian cuisine, learning a range of healthy and very tasty traditional Lebanese meals that are easy to prepare. Date: 5th – 24th of November, 2014 Duration: 4 hours every Wednesday Time: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Italian Antipasti and Pasta

COURSE FEE

Our Italian cooking class will cover a wide selection of regional pastas as well as a selection of mouthwatering antipasti. Date: 10th November – 1st of December, 2014 Duration: 4 hours every Wednesday Time 5 p.m. – 9p.m.

OMR 40

For more information please contact: jaana.raisanen@otc.edu.om 97628670 Short Courses Department

scd@otc.edu.om

Tel: (+968) 24512312, 24512313 OmanTourismCollegeOfficialPage

For registration please visit www.otc.ed.om and click new short courses

MOVIES MOVIES For more information and times, go to: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net VOX Cinemas: oman.voxcinemas.com Star Cinema: Tel +968 24791641

where Papa (Om Puri) decides they will open their restaurant, Maison Mumbai. The business venture brings the family into direct contention with the prickly Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren), who owns a Michelinstarred restaurant just 100 feet away. Oprah Winfrey, of all people, has teamed up with Steven Spielberg to produce a film that is as warming as the cuisine it depicts.

From Bombay to Paris: The Hundred-Foot Journey After fleeing their home country of India due to political unrest, the foodloving Kadam family happen upon a quaint village in the south of France,

The November Man Pierce Brosnan returns to the world of international espionage, this time starring as Peter Devereaux, an ex-CIA agent who is brought out of retirement to protect a valuable witness. Conspiracy is rife and Devereaux can trust no one as his final mission marks him as a target for his former pupil (Luke Bracey), who is the best assassin Devereaux has ever trained. All in all, an entertaining cat-and-mouse thriller that pits protégé against master.

Into the Storm

PR EV IEW

Stephen Quale’s disaster flick is a somewhat incongruous amalgamation of handheld first person camera footage and wide-angle aerial shots, complete with stock characters and a plot that limps along in a largely familiar and formulaic manner. A small American town is subjected to an unprecedented amount of havocwreaking tornadoes over the course of a single day, but, rather predictably, the experts forecast the worst is yet to come. High school vice-principal Gary (Richard Armitage) must battle against the elements to rescue his stranded son (Max Deacon), while a team of storm-

chasing climatologists led by Pete (Matt Walsh), careen towards the eye of the storm in pursuit of the best possible footage. It’s hard to feel any great empathy for the characters due to their relative lack of dimension; however, if it’s unadulterated destruction you’re after, Into the Storm certainly delivers. Expect tornadoes on fire, people clinging on for dear life and every piece of wind-borne detritus (including planes and helicopters) you can possibly imagine. Review by Matt Blackwell

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez join forces once more to co-direct the sequel to 2005’s Sin City. Several narratives from Miller’s original comic series are weaved together into a hard-boiled crime thriller that brings Jessica Alba, Mickey Rourke and Bruce Willis back as Nancy Callahan, Marv and John Hartigan, while Josh Brolin, Eva Green and Joseph Gordon-Levitt join the star cast for the first time.

WIN O T E C N A H C GRAB YOUR MA TICKETS INE C Y T I C O W T

Bollywatch Finding Fanny

Deepika Padukone and Arjun Kapoor star in this satirical comedy. Set in the sleepy village of Pocolim, Goa, Finding Fanny sees five dysfunctional characters set off on a road trip with the intention of tracking down Stefanie “Fanny” Fernandes (Anjali Patil),

TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN, just answer a question based on the week’s cinema reviews and send your answer to info@y-oman.com, along with your name and contact information. Tickets must be collected from Y’s Seeb offices in person only. For the rest of the terms and conditions, see voucher. Contact: Movie enquiries 24607360

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the childhood sweetheart of Ferdie (Naseeruddin Shah), but things don’t quite go to plan.

Brought to you by

THIS WEEKS QUESTION What is the name of the Kadam family’s restaurant? LAST WEEK'S WINNER Jasmine Ali

Get your glad rags out and your dancing shoes on. DJ Kamya will be turning up the Desi beats at Copacabana, Grand Hyatt Muscat hotel. Doors open at 9pm and close at 3am. Tickets cost RO10 and can be purchased in advance or on the door. For more information, visit Axis Events’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ axisgroupevents

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WEEK

SEPT

Fancy yourself as a bit of a culinary genius or just enjoy watching the masters in action? Visit the Oman Exhibition Centre, Seeb, to see amateur chefs cook up a storm as they compete for the title of Oman’s Best Chef. Watch the action unfold from 9am-11pm. For more information, visit the Facebook page or call Mohammed Al Rawahi on 99380398.

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

SEPTEMBER

Dance and culture lovers alike will be excited to see renowned classical dancer Premila Ramesh put on a performance that has been two years in the making. A rich blend of contemporary and classical dance, Reflections endeavours to deliver a spiritually uplifting message to its audience. Presented by Orbit Training Centre for Performing Arts (Nrityanjali), the event will be held at the Oman Auditorium, Al Bustan Palace, and is by invitation only. To get yours call 92161685.

SEPT

If you have a passion for Latin-American jazz, this will be music to your ears. Grammy award-winner Paquito D’Rivera is set to give a performance at the Royal Opera House Muscat. Drawing inspiration from various styles, including classical and Afro Latin, it’ll be a night of musical delights. For ticket prices and more details, visit www.rohmuscat.org.om/performances

Cultural Fusion

Dance Delights

THIS

Too Many cooks

Although gold and gemstones won’t go amiss either. Paragon Designs by Aruna Pathreeker blend traditional Indian heritage with modern elegance. Jewellery lovers can choose their favourites from a huge selection at an upcoming exhibition held at Mrunal’s Boutique. The event runs from 10.30am-7pm on both days. For further details, visit www.mrunalsboutique.com or call 2456 7599.

Dance Desi

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Diamonds are a girl’s best friend

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Teachers

For Hire Private tutors are big business in Oman, but the practice is officially illegal. Should we really stop our young minds from getting a little extra help? Deeba Hasan and Kate Ginn report

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rriving for their lesson, the students take a few minutes to settle into their surroundings and get comfortable before the teacher arrives. Opening books and getting pens out of their schoolbags, they’re ready for another bout of hard studying. This scene in Muscat is not, however, quite as it looks. The teaching is not taking place in a classroom at a school, but rather in the evening at the private home of a teacher who is “moonlighting” from their day job by offering tuition outside normal hours. And what they are doing is illegal, according to the Ministry of Education. Last month, the Ministry declared that the practice was banned and reiterated to a local newspaper that teachers in both government and private schools were not permitted to offer private tuition for financial gain. A Ministry spokesman told the newspaper that the practice was a punishable offence. “Conducting classes without a valid licence and other necessary documentation from the authorities concerned is an offence and the Ministry of Education considers this very seriously,” he told a Muscat newspaper. Any teachers suspected to be breaching the rules will be investigated by the Ministry of Manpower and appropriate action taken. The Ministry of Education has evidently done its homework and is now laying down the law. But, as has been widely reported, private tuition is big business in Oman and widespread throughout Muscat, with some teachers reportedly seeing up to 300 students a month at a cost of RO50 per student. Clearly, it’s hugely lucrative for teachers, with a few earning more privately than their regular day job. Y conducted a small investigation of its own and found parents who admit to routinely using tutors to help their with their grades. “These extra lessons help my son because the teaching at school is not enough sometimes and the child needs extra help,” says Shailesh Pandey, a working mother of a Grade 12 student at the Indian School, Al Ghubra. “My son takes classes for maths, physics and chemistry. There are about 25 students in his batch and the classes are for six hours per week at two rials per two-and-half hours, which is very nominal.”

I have managed to make a substantial earning from these classes that I give ... I share knowledge and there is nothing wrong with that

None of the parents we spoke to thought they were doing anything wrong by trying to get their children through the rigours of school with a little extra help on the side. Another parent, whose son is in Grade 11 at one of the Indian schools, says: “I recently started sending my son for tuition because his studies are getting very difficult and he needs extra classes. “Earlier, I was the one teaching him and clearing his doubts, but now I don’t really have the time and the curriculum is getting a bit tough. My son takes classes for two subjects and the teacher charges RO25 a month for two days a week or three hours a day. The teacher is from the school and they are very good. We don’t know much about the new law but I would hope that these classes don’t stop.” So the market – and need – for private tuition is clearly there. The private tutor issue has also been in the spotlight in other GCC countries. In June, a high-profile case in Saudi Arabia saw three Indian teachers arrested after a police raid on their homes for allegedly providing private lessons outside school. Like Oman, offering tuition out of hours is illegal in the Kingdom. It’s also banned in the UAE. Only accredited centres or institutions, which have paid for commercial licences and fees for ministry affiliations, can offer external tuition in the Sultanate. Paul Steele, the director of training programmes at AMIDEAST in Oman, a non-profit organisation involved in education in the Middle East and North Africa, can see both sides. “Trust is a paramount element of the relationship between schools and teachers, and students and parents. It can be a challenge to maintain under the best of conditions. It does surprise me that schools responsible for K-12 education would want to distance themselves from as many potential conflicts of interest as possible, including those involving private tutoring,” he told Y. But Steele, a qualified teacher who admits to offering private tutoring early in his career, agrees that it can be beneficial for both teachers and students. “I can understand the financial difficulty that a policy like a tutoring ban might have on teachers with families, or on people with education degrees hoping to gain instruction experience.” SEPT 04 - 10 / ISSUE 335

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Teachers at private schools earn about RO800 a month, including accommodation. Government teachers often have a lower salary, depending on the school. A teacher who spoke anonymously to Y and has been giving students private lessons for nearly seven years, admits the main motivation is money. She charges from RO15 to RO20 a month for young pupils and up to RO30 a month for older students. “I have managed to make a substantial earning from these classes that I give,” says the teacher. “I have been teaching different subjects for nearly seven years now, but my focus is always on maths and physics. Earlier, I used to go to my students’ homes, but now they come to my place because I am too busy to go to their houses.” “I teach five to six days a week for three hours each day. Sometimes, when exams are on, I teach on Fridays as well.” She defends her work, saying she’s merely meeting demand. “I have made a respectable place in society because I share knowledge and there is nothing wrong with that. Students need help because sometimes the teaching done in schools in not enough for them and people like me are only happy to help.” Layla, who attends Qurum Private School, is one student who agrees with her. The Grade 11 pupil takes some extra coaching for three subjects – maths, chemistry and physics – and finds the extra coaching is vital. She says her tuition teacher repeats information while teaching her, which is why she tends to remember it easily. Layla has a specific reason for taking extra tuition: she has recently changed schools and needs to become familiar with the curriculum of her new school. “I think that these extra classes are useful for many students because it helps them understand the concepts and also get good marks in exams.” Quite where this leaves everyone remains to be seen. It’s a quandary for parents and teachers, both of whom have the children’s best interests at heart, and the Ministry, which has to uphold the law.

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Paul Steele, director of training programmes at AMIDEAST Oman, an educational organisation that has a presence throughout the Middle East, gives his opinion on private tutors. “There are several arguments to consider regarding the ban on government school employees providing private tutoring. “On the surface, the advantages of a free market exchange of knowledge must be acknowledged. If you know someone skilled in a subject, compensating them in exchange for the effort and time required to transfer their knowledge, and for their prior investment in knowledge development is much more fair, efficient and honest than befriending them to glean expertise. “Tutoring can increase a teacher’s exposure to subject material and to individual learning styles, improving their overall teaching ability. Parents and adult learners who pay individual tutors may benefit from higher scheduling flexibility, cheaper costs, and proximity – particularly if the tutor is willing to visit the student. It is very important to note, however, that just because someone is skilled in a particular area does not mean they are skilled at teaching. “Potential pitfalls of allowing school teachers to provide tutoring are quality-related; both for the student and for a teacher’s primary employers. Conflicts of interest can occur when students are directed to private tutoring sessions when they should receive extra help during school hours. “The knowledge that students will need to get good grades in a class or on a standardised test score for their future may tempt teachers to slow the pace of their instruction, or to curtail information provided in class. This is done to leverage students into registering for private tutoring sessions. Obviously, these kinds of betrayals of the studentteacher relationship are exceptions. Most people become teachers because they are passionate about education. But the perception or suspicion that this could happen is damaging to schools. “Tutors themselves can find themselves involved in conflicts of interest related to additional aspirational income. Tutors can easily be tempted to teach material in which they lack direct expertise, or to overwork themselves in the interest of additional financial gain. In both cases, tutors sacrifice quality of instruction for money. If they work for a school, they sacrifice that institution’s reputation as well as their own. “The functional goal of independent education organisations is to provide a standard of ethics to their service. This includes both class-based and one-to-one instruction. Educational organisations provide a higher standard of accountability for the quality of instruction than is possible with individual tutors. They can ensure that instructors are trained teachers, that they are not overworked, that class sizes are appropriate, and that instructors are dedicated and accountable for the subject matter in class. Class providers also take responsibility for the safety of students – an issue not often considered by parents sending children to the homes of tutors.”

The Oman Football Association would like to invite Agencies to pitch for the sales requirements on a seasonal basis in line with the OFA commercial and marketing objectives. The OFA has experienced rapid growth in recent times and is poised for a huge increase in support as the new technical plan and impact of recent projects take hold. The Oman Football Association invite companies to tender for the new project. National Team and League Competitions Ticket Sales & Management : The OFA is looking for a company to take on responsibility for the sale of all tickets for all Oman National Team games and domestic competitions such as the Oman Professional Leagues and Cups (as identiďŹ ed by OFA). The OFA sells VIP tickets and General Entry tickets to each game taking place in Oman. A company is sought to handle pre match and match day ticket sales, and full ticket management. Interested Agencies should be experienced, have a large database of clients and have a good reputation in the Oman market place. Interested parties should contact the OFA Commercial Director, Nic Cartwright, before September 09 via email to nic.cartwright@ofa.om to register their interest and receive a full tender document. Oman Football Association PO. Box: 3462, PC: 112,

Young Creatives Bright, dynamic and ambitious, the Omani entrepreneurs of the future are bursting with big ideas to change the world. The best of the bunch have been showcasing their talents at Injaz Oman, an annual competition aimed at encouraging young men and women to start their own businesses. Khalfan al Ismaili meets them

Nasr al Siyabi

Mechanical engineering student at The Higher College of Technology. CEO of Ghamer Vision: To encourage tourism in Oman through products that will help to solve any issues tourists may have. Product: The main product is a tourism application that we will launch by the end of September. Our secondary product, the Ghamer Solar Bag has already been made and

Juhaina al Mughairi

Information systems student at the Higher College of Technology CEO of Direction Vision: To solve the problem of lost items through unique tracking devices. Product: The Tracker Nano and is very small. It is Bluetooth compatible and has a range of 45 metres. You can attach it in many places to keep track of belongings such as wallets or keys. sold to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Germany. How do you market? We focus on approaching customers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Canada, Germany, and the UK. We aim to raise awareness of our business to expand into South America as well. Mohammed Khalfan al Hudaifi Marketing manager for Ghamer Instagram: @Ghamer_co

Suliman al Bimani

Fatma al Tiwani

Applied chemistry student at the Higher College of Technology Production director for Jothor Vision: To search for sustainable products to save our environment. Product: It’s an eco-friendly product that uses date palm leaves as an alternative to soil and compost. It consumes less water and is 100 per cent natural.

QS engineering quantity survey student at The Higher College of Technology Marketing manager for Marasim Vision: To reduce pollution and keep our environment clean and eco-friendly. Product: It’s a tissue box divided into two parts. One side contains the unused tissue and the other is used as a rubbish bag.

Our product will help the environment by minimising fumes from the burning of plant remnants. Instagram: @jothor_company

The Organisers: Mohammed Waheed al Lawati Programme officer for Injaz Oman

“It’s a really enthusiastic creative and powerful competition between the companies. “Students in colleges and schools must participate in this competition to get the experience of establishing a company, to learn how real companies work and develop the skills for business.”

Khalid al Zubair Chairman of Injaz Oman

“I find our youth are highly motivated and entrants are increasing every year. The competition has many features associated with creating a real company in that they must come up with the service or product that they are going to work on, divide the team as board members and departments in order to work together and achieve their goals. “Students receive some supervision from the private sector and this year Oman Oil Company, S.A.O.C, have provided 100 hours of volunteering to help guide the contestants. They also develop other important skills such as communication, researching, team building and, most importantly, self-confidence.”

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Amur al Rawahi

Information technology student at the Higher College of Technology. CEO of Clickers Vision: To create a link between events needs providers and customers through an electronic event management system. Product: Our website and app will allow the customer to book and

About Injaz Oman:

About the competition:

INJAZ Oman is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that has reached more than 25,000 students since it was founded in 2005.

The Sharikati competition is a popular programme that sees students aged 18 to 24 form mini-corporations under the guidance of volunteer business advisers. The students sell stock, elect officers, produce and market products or services, keep records, conduct stockholder meetings and liquidate (usually returning a profit), all in about 12 weeks.

INJAZ is funded by Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s private sector and aims to deliver educational programmes on entrepreneurial and leadership skills to future generations through various partnerships with companies in the business and education sectors. INJAZ Oman also has a network of qualified and dedicated volunteers who serve as real-world role models and mentors to the businessmen and women of tomorrow.

y has t in gs

ny.

The Pro Tracker uses GPS to find lost items. You could put it in your travel bags because it has no limits. If our customer was to lose his tracker and someone else found it, they could use a QR code scanner to identify the trackerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s owner How do you market? We focus on Instagram and have had a large increase in followers recently. Thank you to Injaz for preparing events that develop our followers and help with our marketing strategy.

Instagram: @Directions_Company

di e

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o two tissue g.

Our product aims to reduce the amount of rubbish thrown in the roads and change bad habits to help keep our country clean. How do you market? In the beginning, we started on social media, but now we are trying to present our product at more of the events arranged by Injaz Oman. We also have our WhatsApp number to keep in touch with our customers. We are dealing with companies in Oman and we are willing to provide our product to other regions and also government departments

Instagram: @marasim_company

by lant

manage his or her event at home. Customers will be able to communicate with the shops easily without problems. They will also enjoy great discounts, with every shop involved offering at least five per cent off normal retail prices. How do you market? We have many ways to market Clickers using social media. At the same time, we have also received exposure on the radio and TV.

Instagram: @clickersoman

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COMPETITION

END OF

THE ROAD

t’s been a fantastic journey and we hope you’ve enjoyed the ride as much we have, but alas, all good things must come to an

end. Our competition to give away four iPad mini 2s, held in conjunction with Lincoln Oman, has finally reached the end of the road. Hundreds of Y readers responded to the challenge to take a Lincoln selfie and we’ve had some amazingly creative entries, ranging from the wild and wacky to the truly wonderful. But as we all know, there can only be one winner and Lincoln Oman has spoken, naming Calum Ross as this week’s victor. Well done, Calum! You’ve won our final 16GB iPad mini 2 and Lincoln Oman will be in touch soon. With so many Lincoln selfies flooding into Y and on to Lincoln Oman’s Facebook and Instagram pages, we’re also printing a selection of the other entries that also caught the eye this week. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who entered; you really did make it a great competition and presented our judges with more than a few difficult decisions. Well done all of you!

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TOP OF THE CLASS

fter more than four weeks and dozens of entries, there could only be one winner. Meet Mahmood Tariq Jalal, the star student who won the top prize in our Back to School contest. Mahmood, 16, a Grade 11 pupil at Anas Bin al Nadher School in Seeb, scooped RO500 to go towards his tuition fees, courtesy of Oman Tourism College. Y’s Ailish Fleming caught up with Mahmood and his father, Tarek, when they came into our office. The young winner was all smiles – and who can blame him? Asked to tell us in 100 words or less what his favourite place was in Oman, Mahmood impressed the judges with his delightful poem Ode to Oman. Mahmood managed to capture the Sultanate in its entirety in his poem. From mountains to wadis to changing seasons, Mahmood’s poem had it all. His inspiration stems from his love of everything Oman has to offer. “When I saw the title I just thought, ‘It’s too difficult for me to choose one thing – all of Oman is beautiful’,” Mahmood said. It is obvious that Tarek, Mahmood’s dad, is very proud, judging by his ear-to-ear grin. “I was so happy when I read that he won. In fact, I was the first one to pick up the magazine. When I opened it and saw Mahmood’s poem, I called him straight away.” Mahmood said he was shocked when he received the call, “I couldn’t believe it!” he laughs and his father’s smile widens. You’d be mistaken, however, if you thought that Mahmood was one lucky boy. Like many successful people before him, Mahmood’s fortune isn’t dependent on chance. “He’s not lucky, he tries hard,” said Tarek. Indeed, the poem wasn’t a creative moment of genius. It took Mahmood t wo days and seven drafts to finally arrive at the winning entry. In his own words, “It was difficult to describe all the feelings I have about Oman”. A love of writing has been an intrinsic part of growing up for Mahmood. Glowing with pride, his father said that this wasn’t the first time his son had won a writing competition. “He used to enter competitions at an Indian school and won quite frequently,” he said. He also said that Mahmood had been diabetic since a very young age and was insulin dependent, which meant that contact sports were a no-go area. “He goes to the gym every day, but doesn’t have a sport like I used to play

football. Being diabetic is dangerous. So he concentrates on reading, writing and using his energy elsewhere.” Unfazed by this, Mahmood doesn’t see his diabetes as an issue. “It doesn’t stop me from doing anything I want to do. Nothing can stop me!” Mahmood hopes the RO500 will help him to achieve his goal of a career in engineering. His favourite subject at school is chemistry. In the future, he hopes to attend university to further his education. The prize money could now help to fund studies abroad, his father added. Mahmood is reaching for the sky for the future, with his sights set on becoming an aeronautical engineer. “When I was younger, I was fascinated by planes. Even now that I’ve travelled on them often, I still love them.” The future looks bright for this young man, who has a combination of determination, drive and creative talent. Y wishes him all the best in his further studies and encouages you all to get writing! Mahmood and his father visited Oman Tourism College in Seeb this week to meet the competition’s lead judge, Dr Abdulkareem Sultan al Mughairy, who is the Dean of the college. Dr al Mughairy said Mahmood’s entry stood out above the rest as it encapsulated everything that is Oman.

Dr al M ug ha ir y & Mah m oo

d Ta riq Ja la l

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food and drink

Up-Dated

The Omani fruit is big in baking and great for adding a touch of sweetness.

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Tr e n d

New Restaurant

Reviews

T R E ND N e w R e s t a u r a n t

News

MAke a Date Steeped in tradition, dates have formed a staple part of the Omani diet for hundreds of years. Still popular, they’re now used in cakes and sweets as a healthy replacement for sugar. Ailish Fleming cooks up some ideas for you

ates are hugely popular in Oman and no wonder – more than 75 per cent of the area dedicated to tree growth is for cultivation of date palms. Traditionally served with coffee when welcoming guests, or as a dessert, dates also have a high vitamin content and were used to protect the first Omani sailors from scurvy. In more recent times though, the humble fruit has been elevated to the realms of haute cuisine, featuring on the menus of high-end, fine-dining restaurants. With the date harvest drawing to an end this month these tiny treats are currently in abundance. As a baker, I know that these little gems can add something different to a dish. Here’s the lowdown on the Omani date:

Full of fibre

They may be high in sugar, but unlike their refined

Date Paste Ingredients

40g pitted dates 2 tbsp water

Method

1. De-stone the dates and soak them in warm water until soft. 2. Drain and place the dates in a food processor. 3. Add 2 tbsp of water and blend until smooth and creamy. Mix your paste with some gorgeously sweet Salalah bananas to create this banana, date and walnut cake. Tried and tested at the Y office, we’ve enjoyed more than a few slices.

Banana, date and walnut cake Ingredients

175g butter 200g self-raising flour 75g sugar 3 tbsp date paste 2 large eggs (beaten) 1tsp cinnamon 100 chopped dates 350g bananas (weighed in their skins) 50g walnuts

counterparts, dates also contain a huge amount of fibre. Essential for a healthy diet, fibre plays an important part in our digestive health. Long story short, it’s the key to keeping you regular.

All your vitamins and minerals

Dates pack a powerful punch in nutritional content. Potassium, magnesium, niacin, vitamin B6; the list goes on. In fact, dates contain about 20 essential vitamins and minerals you might struggle to find elsewhere.

Sweeter than sugar

These little gems are the Middle East’s sweetest natural treat and a fantastic replacement for sugar. Due to their low glycemic index, dates don’t elevate your blood sugar levels the way normal sugar does. This means you won’t suffer from an energy slump and reach for the snack draw soon after. Eaten as they are with a cup of tea or incorporated into your other meals, there are many ways to make dates part of your diet. Check out the recipes below for a simple date paste that can be used to make a beautiful banana, date and walnut cake. Alternatively, you could add the paste to your morning porridge, or have it with a bowl of natural yoghurt – the possibilities are endless.

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C fan. 2. Grease and line an 18-inch cake tin. 3. Pit and chop the dates. 4. Place the eggs, butter, flour, sugar, cinnamon and date paste in a large bowl and beat until light and creamy. The batter should become paler. 5. Mash the bananas and chop the walnuts. 6. Add the bananas, dates and walnuts to the mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until combined. 7. Spoon the mix into a cake tin and level off. 8. Bake for 40–50 minutes until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tin before transferring to a wire rack. It will break easily when moist, so don’t be tempted to move it too soon.

Method

1. Heat all the ingredients except the walnuts in a saucepan. 2. Bring to the boil and allow to bubble for about a minute until it has thickened slightly. 3. Stir in the walnuts and remove from the heat. 4. Allow it to cool for a couple of minutes before pouring over the cake.

Recipe

Adapted from BBC Good Food

For the date glaze Ingredients

50g butter 2 tbsp date paste 2 tbsp honey 50g walnuts

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food and drink

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

Reviews

Food factory

there really is no better place to satisfy your craving for Kebabs than The Great Kabab Factory, where The chefs are also cooking up some intriguing new varieties, says Deeba Hasan

ababs are a serious business in Lucknow, my home town in India. Made using mutton, chicken or beef, they form a major part of the popular non-vegetarian Mughlai cuisine, which is why The Great Kabab Factory (TGKF) was a must try for me. The Indian franchise first opened its doors at the Radisson Hotel Delhi in 1998 and today, the chain has restaurants across five countries. Its website features testimonials by newspapers and magazines from around the world, my personal favourite being, “If kabab is the king of snacks, then The Great Kabab Factory has to be the king of kingmakers”. Entering the restaurant’s only outlet in Oman last weekend, we were warmly greeted by a friendly waiter, who was dressed in white Pakistani dress as part of its ongoing “Jashn-ELahore” food fiesta. We were slightly early for dinner, which probably explained why only a few other tables were occupied. Nevertheless, the smell wafting from the kitchen was heavenly. As soon as we settled into our cosy corner, a waiter provided us with a menu of the day to peruse. TGKF creates a sumptuous new menu every day, which comprises a variety of kebabs and curries. Your only decision is whether to plumb for vegetarian or non-vegetarian. My parents went for the latter, while I chose one of the vegetarian options. After ordering refreshments from the somewhat limited drinks menu, we sat back to wait for our food. We didn’t have to wait long, as within five minutes, plates started to appear. This is how it works in TGKF – once you have chosen your option, the waiters will start bringing food in the order that it appears on the menu. And the best thing is, you can always ask for more because the menu is unlimited. I love restaurants with good interiors and TGKF certainly didn’t disappoint. The décor was modelled on a rich, princely style, while the

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dim lighting created an intimate atmosphere. The soft, slow music that was playing in the background rounded off the pleasant ambience perfectly. While I was pondering the lack of customers in the restaurant, a group of mixed nationalities – Indians, Europeans and Omanis – suddenly walked in and settled down at the large table in the centre. There was no time to people watch, though, as our food and drinks arrived. VERDICT My paneer tikka kebab was : served with four chutneys –

Excellen t service, lovely in teri food need or, but s to catch up a bit

yoghurt, mint, tamarind and sweet – and it was delicious. My parents were also relishing their galouti kebab. As a kabab lover, I naturally had to sample a small amount of everything, along with all the chutneys and some delectable round bread called ulte tawe ka paratha, which is cooked on the lower part of a deep frying pan by turning it upside down. All of the kababs melted in the

mouth and were served with an Indian yoghurt drink called chaach. The vegetable biryani was pleasant, but a few more spices would’ve made it even better. I also tried the chicken tikka, which was mouthwatering and juicy. I don’t eat seafood, so I asked my mum about the fish she was munching on and she said it was just fine. The chicken curry was great, but like the biryani, the dal makhni could’ve done with an extra dose of spice. If you’re a seafood addict, you’ll love their special seafood option, while there’s a menu that caters for little ones, too. As our plates were cleared, all thoughts turned to dessert. I enjoyed the gulab jamuns – sweet, spongy, golden brown dumplings – pineapple kheer and shahi tukda, which is made with bread, nuts and milk. I wasn’t keen on the moong dal halwa, which I thought was just too sweet. But all were beautifully presented. The service was excellent – the food arrives at your table promptly and the waiters are friendly and always willing to help. The manager himself performs the table checks to ensure diners are happy and, as we left, he gave us a warm goodbye. I didn’t need convincing about kebabs – it would be like preaching to the choir – but I am convinced that TGKF is worthy of a second visit... maybe even a third and fourth.

Info Box

The Great Kabab Factory

Al Khuwair, Opposite Safeer Continental Hotel Tel: 2447 8373 Opening hours: Lunch 12pm-3pm and Dinner 7pm to 12am Dinner for three including drinks: RO34.96 Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

HEALTH& BEAUTY

PERFECTLY PEDESTRIAN Normal, ordinary, mundane,

whatever you want to call it, there’s no getting away from fashion’s fascination with ‘normcore’ this season. Just throw on some jeans and a big easy shirt like this one from Matalan and you’ll nail the look.

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Health

Beauty

fashion

Anya Hindmarch has gone on record to say that this snakeskin-coated minaudière is as show-stopping and relevant as fine jewellery. Pair the cobalt blue design with a black cocktail dress – it won’t fail to impress. From RO605 at MyTheresa.com

A LIFE LESS ORDINARY? After years of wobbling in high heels, channelling Big Bird from Sesame Street, it seems that followers of fashion only want to look normal this season, says Penny Fray

J Brand’s cult-favourite slim-fit “Maria” jeans have been revamped in the label’s innovative Photo Ready denim. This fabric has a touch of stretch, ensuring a streamlined silhouette that holds its shape with wear. RRP RO122

n a field where all things lavish are lauded, it’s nice to have a rest from fashion lunacy and embrace a little reality – or something like it. Introducing “normcore”. We’ve talked about this trend in Y before, but the phenomenon is now catching on beyond Muscat’s elite hipsters and, just like the ice bucket challenge, everyone’s doing it. Even the non-fashion crowd. Ironic, isn’t it? So what exactly is normcore? Well, I guess it’s mall clothes. It’s the grey tracksuit bottoms pretending to be trousers or the seenbetter-days white t-shirt under your dad’s golf sweater. In short, normcore is the opposite of wearing a gothic lace dress and channelling Miss Havisham in McQueen. That means wearing what you would to do the groceries. The plainer and less affected you look, the better. Although if going incognito is too much for you, then you can always stockpile your baked beans and milk cartons in a chic Chanel shopping basket.

Channel the season’s carefree aesthetic by wearing this Zara check shirt with jeans and ankle boots. From RO19.5

Supermarket shopping gets glamorous with this basket from Chanel – although the RO4,500 price tag will separate you from the rest of the harassed slummy mummies

Step away from Gucci’s leopard print pumps. Normcore is all about keeping things simple and comfortable. As such, these grey slip-on sneakers from H&M tick all the right boxes. From RO19.5

WALLFLOWER

FASHION

It’s time to blend in with the nonfashion crowd.

Gap’s oversized sweatshirt is cut from soft cotton-blend jersey and has a cosy fleece interior. This grey marl design is finished with tribbed trims and oozes normality. From RO12.5

1. Normcore knows nothing of fluorescent-studded Louboutin sneakers. Normcore is safe. 2. Normcore is what you wear when you can’t be bothered to make an effort. My advice is keep it simple. 3. The ultimate normcore uniform is a neutral t-shirt over “parent” jeans and a pair of plain trainers. Elevate it to fashion’s heights by buying the trendiest brands you can afford.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

Beauty

Fashion

The benefits of running far outweigh the effort and it’s great for your health, too. Ailish Fleming gives it a go and explains why she’s a jogging convert

t used to absolutely kill me. Laps around the pitch were my least favourite part of football training; it’s why I chose triple jump and hurdles over the long distance races. So why on earth have I signed up to do a 10K? Running is arguably one of the best exercises you can do to keep fit. It strengthens your legs, increases your cardiovascular ability and releases more endorphins than eating your favourite chocolate bar. It’s completely free, a great way to explore and a proven stress buster. “Studies have shown that running can help prevent obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, some

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cancers, and a host of other unpleasant conditions,” website runnersworld.com says. “What’s more, scientists have shown that running also vastly improves the quality of your emotional and mental life, and even helps you live longer.” Over the summer, running was the easiest way for me to keep up my fitness and I’ve learned to love it – even on the days I hate it. The key is to start slowly. Don’t trick yourself into thinking you’ll knock out 5K in 20 minutes on your first run. Like anything practice makes perfect and the more you run, the better you’ll get. It’s time to lace up those trainers and get going.

Health B e a u t y

Fashion

Here are a few useful tips to help keep you on the running bandwagon:  Set achievable goals Throwing yourself into a ridiculous training plan is a sure-fire way to do yourself damage and put you off running completely. It could be as little as aiming to add five minutes of running into your usual walk. Set new goals as you start to feel more comfortable. I started by running for 15 minutes, gently increasing the time until half an hour was no problem. You won’t catch me running marathons, but goals and achievements are all relative.  Find something that motivates you Let’s face it, if you really don’t want to run you just won’t. Find something that makes you want to get out there and get your heart pumping. Perhaps it’s an outfit you want to look great in at an upcoming event. Maybe it’s so you can afford to pile your plate high at the buffet. Try looking at the long-term benefits, too, like being able to keep up with your kids when they want to play football or hike through wadis.  Stop making excuses You’re hungry, you’re tired and you don’t have time. I bet there are hundreds of reasons you could come up with NOT to go for a run, but are they really good enough? Go to bed a little earlier so you can squeeze in a run in the morning. Regular exercise actually increases your energy levels and helps you sleep better, so it’s a win-win situation.  Don’t run every day Like anything new, the novelty of taking up a hobby sometimes means you want to do it as much as possible. There’s no better way to put yourself off running than by overdoing it and getting injured. Your muscles need rest time to repair themselves and get stronger, which will help you improve your running in the long term.  Keep a routine Research shows it takes 21 days to form a habit. Personally, having become so accustomed to exercising regularly, I’m a right grump when I don’t get a workout in. Once you’re used to doing something, it’s hard to stop. Running is rewarding and honestly, you’ll never regret the runs you do; only those you don’t do.

Why not use September to start your running habit? Try this run-walk plan for the next month and see if you can make running part of your exercise routine:

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GRAB IT BEFORE IT’S GONE GET YOUR FREE COPY OF Y AT THE FOLLOWING DISTRIBUTION POINTS… Yiti • Sifawy Boutique Hotel Qantab • Al Bustan Palace Hotel • Marina Bander AL Rowdha • Oman Dive Club • Shangri La - Barr Al Jissah Wadi Kabir • Al Maya Hypermarket • Khimji Mart • Lulu Hypermarket • National Hospitality Institute • Shell MBD • Bank Dhofar • Moore Stephens • NBO • Oman Oil Ahlain • Pizza Hut • Pizza Muscat • Shell CBD • Al Maya Hypermarket • Alizz Islamic Bank • Bahwan Travel Agencies • Bank Sohar • Centre pointSplash • Copper Chimney • Costa Coffee • HSBC • Lama Polyclinic • NBO • Oman Arab Bank • Standard Chartered Bank • Woodlands Restaurant Muscat • Muscat • Bait al Baranda • Bait al Zubair • Diwan • Shell Darsait • Cave Restaurant • Indian Social Club • Khimji Mart • KIMS Hospital • Lulu Hypermarket • Muscat Bakery • Shell AL Falaj/Rex Road • Al Falaj Hotel • Badar Al Sama • Golden Oryx Restaurant • Kamat Restaurant

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Toshiba Showroom RUWI • Kamat Restaurant • KFC • Khimji’s Watches - Showroom • KM Trading • Oman Air • Oman UAE Exchange • OTE • Sarwana Bhawan • Swaroski Hamriya • Apollo Medical Centre Wattayah • Ahli Bank • Best cars • BLS • Ford • GM (Chevrolet) • Hatat House • Honda • Hyundai • Kia • Lexus • National Travel & Tourism • Passage to India • SABCO Group • Shell • Subaru • Suzuki • Toyota Qurum • Al Araimi Complex • Balance Gym • Bank Nizwa • BMW showroom • Burger King • Capital Store • Chili’s • Crowne Plaza • Finland Eye Center • Fun Zone • Gloria Jean’s Coffee • Jungle Restaurant • Left Bank • McDonald’s • Mercedes Benz • Mumtaz Mahal • Nandoos • Nissan • Oman Oil Ahlain • Pizza Hut • Qurum Commercial Complex (Old CCC) • SABCO Centre • Second Cup • Starbucks • Tché Tché coffee

shop The Sultan centre (TSC) PDO • PDO • Oman Oil Head Office • PDO • Ras Al Hamra Club Royal Opera House • Indus Restaurant • More Café Shatti Al Qurum • Bareeq Al Shatti Complex • Carribou Coffee • Darcy’s Kitchen • German Eye Laser Center • Intercontinental Hotel • Jawaharat Al Shatti Complex • Kaya Skin Clinic • Muscat Eye Laser Center • Oasis By The Sea • Second Cup • Starbucks Sarooj • Al Fair S/M • Al Masa Mall • Al Shatti Cinema (Dunkin Donuts) • Ayana Spa • Cosmeclinic • Emirates Medical Center • McDonald’s • Shell MQ • Al Fair S/M • Arab Open University • British Council • Costa Coffee • Darcy’s Kitchen • Emirates Airlines • Hana Slimming Centre • Kargeen Café • KFC • Mackenzies • Mood Café • Oman Oil Ahlain • Papa John’s • Pizza Hut • Saharz Beauty Saloon • Starbucks • TBWA Zeenah Al Khuwair • Badar Al Sama • Bait Al Reem • Bait Al Reem - Coffee Shop • Café Vergnano •

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Centre pointSplash • Diplomatic Club • Friendi Mobile • Grand Hyatt Muscat • Grand Hyatt Muscat (Saloon) • Gulf College • Harley Davidson • HSBC (Old OIB) • KFC • Khimji Mart • Khimji’s Watches - Showroom • KM Trading • Landmark Group • McDonald’s • Ministry of Information • Muscat Bakery • Mustafa Sultan Enterprises • Oman Bowling Center • Oman Oil Ahlain • Oman United Insurance • OMRAN • Pizza Hut • Radison Blu • Shell • TGI fridays • The Kebab Factory • The Tikka Place • VLCC • Zahara Travel • Zakher Shopping Mall MGM • Carribou Coffee • Gloria Jean’s Coffee • Just Falafel • Nawras • Paul Patisserie • Tim Hortons Bousher • College for Banking & Financial Studies • Costa Coffee • Crepe Café • Dolphin Village • Modern College Of Business Studies • Moka & More Café • Muscat College • Muscat Private Hospital - Emergency • Muscat Private Hospital - Outpatient

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Oman Medical College • Stationery Hut Ghubra • Al Hayat Polyclinic • Al Maya Hypermarket • Aster Hospital • Bank of Beirut • GMC • Lulu Hypermarket • Oman Oil Ahlain • Park Inn • Porsche • The Chedi Ghala • National Mineral Water • TAISM Azaiba • Al Fair S/M • Al Maha • Al Meera H/M • Audi • Bentely • Brand Oman • Carribou Coffee • Costa Coffee • Golden Tulip • Infinity Service Station • Jaguar • Jeep • Land Rover • Mazda • McDonald’s • Mitsubishi • Oman Arab Bank • Oman Oil Ahlain • Peugeot • Seven Seas Complex • Shell • Skoda • The Sultan centre (TSC) • Towell • Volks Wagon • Volvo • Yamaha • Zubair Automotive (Sayarati) Al Murtafaa • Bank Muscat • DHL • KFC • Muscat Hills Golf Club • Oman Air Mawaleh • Chili’s • Costa Coffee • Makkan Café • Noodle House • Starbucks • Starcare Hospital • Tim Hortons

• VLCC Hail • Al Mouj Golf Club • Amouage - Oman Perfumery LLC • Bait al Hail • Burger King • Caledonian College • Costa Coffee • Markaz Al Bahja • McDonald’s • Oman Football Association • Oman Sail • Shakespere & Co. • The Wave H.O. Rusayl • Knowledge Oasis Muscat -1 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat -2 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat -3 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat -4 (ITA) • Middle East College • Omantel • SQU - Diplomatic Club • SQU - College of Commerce • SQU - Students Banking Area • SQU -Hospital • Waljat College Seeb • McDonald’s • SABCO Media Al Khoud • Badar Al Sama • Al Fair S/M • Pizza Hut Barka • Al Nahda Spa and Resort • Lulu Hypermarket Sawadi • Sawadi Beach Resort Massnaah • Millennium Hotel Sohar • Centre pointSplash • Crowne Plaza • National Gift Market • Nawras • Pizza Hut • Safeer Mall • Sohar Beach Hotel • Sohar Port • Sohar University Nizwa • Nizwa University

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ROCKY RUINS

Take a glimpse into Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past and marvel at the effort that went into building the forts and castles wonders

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

D estination P o s t c a r d s f r o m

Y- F i

Indoors

Destination

SAMAD

Samad is steeped in rich Omani heritage amid a stunning natural backdrop. Ghada al Harthy takes you on a tour of her beloved home town 038

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Cars

restoration. Standing in front of the castle, I thought of the great hardworking men who had the ability to design such a thing, measuring dimensions and laying brick after brick without the help of modern technology. I took an overview photo of the castle, trying my best not to imagine any of the walls falling down on our heads. It has a number of wells and small holes in the wall, which were used to repel invaders when the castle came under attack. I find that the style of many old buildings reflects the creativity of Omanis from the past. We drove on, surrounded by farms and luscious green on both sides, until we saw some children riding their bicycles. As soon as they saw me pointing the camera in their direction they started smiling. We crossed the wadi in order to reach a very distinctive historical site. Our next destination was another famous castle, al Khabib, which has recently been converted into a museum. Situated on a mountain, the castle was built in 19th century by Al-Shaikh Said Bin Khalfan Al- Busaidi and affords stunning views of the surrounding area. It is rectangular in shape and contains two floors, with two circular towers in addition to a 13m well. The castle was inaugurated as a museum in 2010 and since then, many visitors have passed through its doors in order to learn more about the way the castle

travel guide

ike most people, I have seen my home town hundreds of times before. However, when I returned to visit last weekend, I saw the place that I call home with the eye of a journalist. It was when I began to ponder what would make a great trip for Y magazine that my own town came to mind. Naturally rich in both history and heritage, Samad al Shan has much to offer those who have never visited. One Friday, my younger brother, Khalid, and I took our Toyota Hilux out on a mission to capture photos all over the town. We travelled along the road that crosses al Sewerej Falaj, with a cemetery on one side. Caught in a moment of self-reflection, I suddenly felt incredibly lucky that I was still breathing when many others have passed away. After some time, we pulled over to visit the Imam Azzan Al Kharosi Tomb, a site which holds great historical significance in the story of Samad’s past. Imam Azzan Bin Tamim was in Nizwa at the time that Mohammed Bin Boor, who was from Bahrain, started to conquer every town that resisted his army. A great battle took place in Samad and it is said that Imam’s body was buried there, while his head was cut off and sent elsewhere. I took a number of photos from different angles, but because of the extreme early afternoon heat, getting the correct focus on shots taken at distance was difficult. The sun was high in the sky and a few bits of rubbish obscured the view, which Khalid set about moving. After a brief stop we continued on our way. The sky was empty of birds and there was a calm silence all around. Our next stop was Hozam Castle, which was built by Al- Nabahina, but has long since been abandoned and is in need of

was designed as well as Samad’s heritage and fascinating history. Unfortunately, the castle was closed when we visited, but I was still able to capture some great photos. While I was photographing one of the castle’s canons, I heard some noise coming from a nearby farm. I saw a number of teenagers swimming in a pool and enjoying themselves. They certainly had the right idea as the best place you can be at 3pm on an exceptionally hot day is swimming in a pool! Near the castle, I saw a small mosque with a square shape that fascinated me. After grabbing a few shots I returned to the car in

order to start checking through the photos. Many turned out slightly overexposed due to the strong sunlight. Although I tried hard, my afternoon trip that lasted a couple of hours still wasn’t enough to capture the real essence of Samad. I didn’t even get time to photograph the many beautiful types of date palms we have, or the falajs that irrigate the gardens and surrounding agricultural areas. It is for this reason that I recommend you visit Samad yourself in order to sample everything that my town has to offer at your own leisure.

HOW TO GET THERE Samad is 150km from Muscat and it takes just under two hours to get there. Head out of the city on the Muscat Expressway, exit at Road 15 and follow this until it splits into Road 23. Continue on Road 23 until you see the right turn for Road 27. Take this turning and follow the road signs to reach Samad.

GPS location of Samad: 22°48’56”N 58°9’26”E

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

sand? f o d n a l port in a s e c i n a man y O a e l h p t u o t o y s thrown e How do a w l l e w or ck Matt Bla lves to find out m o Timberw

elmets on and visors down, oversized jerseys cover a multitude of thick padding, while the thin metal blades upon which each player stands means they dwarf the average man in both height and girth. The Oman Timberwolves certainly do cut formidable figures. Ice hockey is perhaps not a sport you would immediately associate with the sunny climes of Oman, but the team, which is predominantly made up of expats from Canada, along with a sprinkling of Americans, a few token Brits and a lone Norwegian, has been playing together in one guise or another for the past 14 years. Add to this the fact that Oman was accepted as a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation earlier this year and it is clear this is a sport well and truly on the rise in the Sultanate.

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With a passion for hockey and nearly four decades of experience, player and team manager Sonny Mangat is a veteran of the sport, but a relative newcomer to Oman, having arrived in 2012 from his native Canada. Fellow countryman and team captain Mike Ison has been with the Timberwolves since the early days and has watched the team – and the sport as a whole – grow in popularity. “We used to play at this tiny little rink in Al Khuwair, it was barely the size of a tennis court,” Mike says. This shows just how far the team has come over the years as I watch the players race around the sizeable rink at Fun Zone in Qurum, in what is the team’s first training session following a summer break. Training sessions are usually split into drills, followed by a recreational game, but the first session back after a few months off was

D e s t i n at i o n

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 The Oman Timberwolves are currently looking for team sponsors for the 2014-2015 season. It’s a great opportunity for businesses to be marketed throughout the region when the team plays in tournaments as well as through their digital media and social media channels on a regular basis.  The Timberwolves welcome anyone who has some degree of ice hockey or skating skill. Get in touch through Facebook.com/ OmanTimberwolves to find out training times. all about getting on the ice and playing some hockey. “Drills are good,” says Mike. “We started them last year because, frankly, we needed it. Some guys grumble, but it’s still fun and the best part is they work.” As far as competitive fixtures go, the Timberwolves play against a local Omani team once a month to stay sharp and compete in two tournaments a year, usually in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which see them face off against teams from across the GCC as well as Europe and Asia. The new season brings with it good news for Oman’s ice hockey enthusiasts, with talk of an official league starting in November. Although, as Sonny explains, the announcement caused a bit of a stir for the team, which had to change its name from the Oman Wadi Dogs and rebrand as the Oman Timberwolves. “The national ice hockey team now gets funding from the Ministry of Sport and they didn’t want us to use the word ‘dog’ in our name. The request came from the ministry just before the summer started, so we had to change it.” Despite the considerable weight of the safety equipment that is essential to a heavy contact sport like hockey, each player is incredibly nimble on the ice, skating at blistering speeds in full pursuit of the puck while retaining the ability to stop, start, change direction and even skate backwards – it really is a marvel to watch. While dab hand Mike has been skating since he was three years old – “It’s all we did in the winter,” he says – he also assures me that “it’s just practice. Anybody can play hockey, but it does take time to learn to skate, I have to say that.” It was at this point that the Canadian duo invited me onto the ice. While I spent many years unbeaten at NHL 2K7 for Xbox 360 and I have an innate talent for skating in a straight line at speed, I do tend to struggle with both changing direction and stopping, forcing me to politely decline. But this just encapsulates the Timberwolves’ ethos: anyone can have a go. I caught up with Colin Duncan, one of the newer recruits who has been with the team for just over a year. “I watched the Olympics and thought ice hockey looked good. I found out about these guys online, ordered some gear from Canada and just started.” Padding aside, ice hockey is unforgiving and these guys take some big hits. I spoke to Colin after he was sidelined with a minor knock. “It’s an attitude,” he says. “It just takes a bit of getting used to. It’s great fun, but way harder than these guys make it look!”

 If you’re a complete novice, coaching sessions aimed at beginners and children are held every Friday. Contact the team via Facebook for more information. www.omantimberwolves.com

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CARS AND ADVENTURES

Island Life Let the relaxed pace

of Fiji into your heart and you will depart a happier person!

Top 5 Places To Visit: 1. Ratu Kini Dive Resort 2. Scuba Diving 3. Manuriki Island 4. Island Walks 5. Local school

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MANA ISLAND FIJI F

rom the moment you touch down on the island nation n e s t l e d i n t h e S o u t h P a c i f i c a n d a r e w e l c o m e d b y a group of beaming Fijians, accompanied by guitars and u k u l e l e s , i t i s c l e a r y o u a r e i n a v e r y s p e c i a l p l a c e . Fiji is made up of more than 330 islands, of which 110 are permanently inhabited, making it a nigh on impossible task t o s e e t h e c o u n t r y i n i t s e n t i r e t y i n a s i n g l e t r i p . M a n y o p t fo r t h e c a p i t a l a n d l a r g e s t c i t y , S u v a , a l t h o u g h l y i n g 3 0 kilometres west of Fiji’s third-largest town, Nadi, is a n u n f o r g e tt a b l e s l i c e o f p a r a d i s e o n e a r t h : t h e m a g i c a l

SCUBA

D IV IN G

Mana Island.

My favourite place

This is an easy one. We stayed at Ratu Kini Dive Resort and I can put my hand on my heart and say that it was the friendliest place I have ever stayed in my life. The staff, led by KD and Mike, were fantastic and I have never felt more at home. We arrived at Ratu Kini on the back of 13 weeks of solid travelling, which meant we spent many of our days simply relaxing in hammocks, gazing out to where the warm translucent waters met the cloudless horizon. The beachfront resort is located next to an inland track that leads up to the highest point on the island, rewarding those who make the 15-minute journey with unparalleled views of Mana and the surrounding islands that make up the Mamanuca group. Due to Mana’s small size, the island can be circumnavigated in just a few hours of walking, giving you the opportunity to stumble across your own secluded beaches.

Highlights Ratu Kini is a PADI-certified dive resort, offering Open Water Diver courses among a host of others. More than 20 stunning dive sites lie within easy reach, meaning that within minutes you can be floating among sharks, rays, turtles, tropical fish and even the wreck of a ship. Boat trips to the nearby islands can be organised, including to the neighbouring island of Manuriki, where the 2000 film Cast Away starring Tom Hanks was filmed. Wakeboarding, kayaking and windsurfing can be organised as well. Mana Island is a place where you forge your own lifelong memories and one of my fondest recollections was playing football with a huge crowd of Fijian schoolchildren – along with their headmaster – outside the local school.

H indu t em pl

Lowlights

There are no ATMs on the island, so make sure you arrive cashed up. However, you can always run a tab and pay with a credit or debit card at the end of your stay. Relying on daily deliveries from Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu, Ratu Kini can sometimes run out of certain drinks towards the end of the evening – thankfully, water isn’t one of them!

Souvenirs

The best kind of souvenir is something completely unique. Ratu Kini offers classes in which you learn traditional Fijian methods of coconut jewellery making, meaning you can walk away with a handmade, one-off piece.

Where to stay

There are several guesthouses and resorts on Mana, but there is doubt that Ratu Kini is the life and soul of the island – so much so that guests from other resorts frequently haunt the bar at Ratu Kini for the daily Bula Hour and evening drinks. The dive resort offers accommodation to suit all budgets, ranging from shared dorms to traditional Fijian cottages.

Traditi

Naval

onal h ouses of a Vill age

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

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READY, SET, DIVE There’s a whole world under the waves that’s just waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re a novice or a diving demon, Matt Blackwell brings you the necessary equipment to explore the big blue LOOK, NO HANDS Between checking dive computers, keeping half an eye on pressure gauges and using dive lights where necessary, it’s fair to say divers can often have their hands full. This is exactly why the Octomask is such a brilliant idea. With a built in camera mount compatible with all GoPro models, the Octomask allows you record footage hands-free, capturing the beauty of your dives effortlessly. The mask is made using a tempered lens for maximum safety at depth and features a low-volume design that keeps it close to the face for clear visibility. Available from www. octomask.com for RO30.7

UNDERWATER TUNES The Finis Neptune Underwater MP3 Player is designed for anyone who can’t bear to be without their music. Using the revolutionary system of Bone Conduction, the Neptune transmits clear audio through the cheekbone directly into the inner ear, eliminating the need for fiddly ear buds. The Neptune works with iTunes – a handy bonus – and with 4GB of storage, you’ll be able to load up to 1,000 songs on it. The sound is clearest when fully submerged in water and the Neptune works at depths of up to three metres, which makes it the perfect accompaniment for recreational snorkelling. www.amazon.com, RO42.7

JET POWER The Seabob F5 really is the daddy of all aquatic toys. A cross between a jet-ski and a bodyboard, this emission-free piece of kit allows you to skim over the waves at speeds of up to 15kph or plunge down to depths of up to 40 metres. The nifty LCD screen gives you all the info you could want, including depth, remaining operating time and engine power. Controlling the Seabob couldn’t be much easier – all you have to do is shift your body weight and accelerate, while it automatically powers down if you let go of the handles, meaning you won’t have to swim a marathon if you accidentally let it slip. www.seabobadriatic.com, RO3,985.2

EDITOR’S PICK

FINTASTIC Finding the right fin is essential to keep leg strain to a minimum when diving or snorkelling. The SF-22 Solla continues TUSA’s rich history of performance fin design, offering reinforced side rails that maximise propulsion and manoeuvrability. The anatomic foot pocket has been designed to enhance comfort, too. Prices start from RO37.5 at www.amazon.com

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FIND OUT WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HIP & HAPPENING IN GADGETS

App of the Week

SNORKEL SNAPS The incredibly hardy Olympus TG-2 is waterproof, shockproof, crushproof, freezeproof and dustproof, making it able to withstand just about anything you can throw at it. This little gem is a great camera to take snorkelling or swimming and with a high-speed, ultra-bright f2.0 lens and 4x optical zoom, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re guaranteed to get crystal-clear shots up to 15 metres below the surface. If you want to take it deeper, there are a number of specially designed housing units for the TG-2 starting at RO119.3. The camera itself will set you back RO153.6 and is available from www.amazon.com

NEW Aeris A300 CS OLED Dive Computer With flashing icons and what seem like a million different functions, dive computers can be daunting pieces of equipment. Leading dive brand Aeris has realised this, though, and gone back to the drawing board to create the A300 CS OLED Dive Computer. Clearing the unnecessary clutter, the dive computer has been designed to show you what you want to see, when you want to see it, offering an easy to use interface, displayed on a high contrast OLED screen with Bluetooth technology. You can even download the DiverLog app for iOS to view the details of your dive and share you favourites via social media. www.diveaeris.com, RO365.7

Perfect Planning

Scuba Schools International (SSI) brings you everything you need to go scuba diving in the suitably titled Everything Diving app. You can keep your SSI certifications handy at all times and go over dive planning and equipment checklists before you head out. The app also features a hand signal review and a list of all SSI dive centres and resorts worldwide, along with detailed descriptions of the services they offer.

One for the Kids

Children will have a whale of a time exploring the world beneath the waves with the Aqualung Kids Junior Mask, Fin and Snorkel Set. Available in either translucent pink or translucent yellow, the kiddie-size Hinge Flex fins utilise pivot technology for smooth movement, while the Island Dry snorkel features pivot-dry technology and a water purge with one-way valve to keep water out when underwater. The mask is made from silicone for a comfortable and customisable fit and the whole set comes with a cool little backpack for storage. Check out www.amazon.com and get it all for just RO17.3 JULY SEPT 03 04 -- 09 10 / ISSUE 335 327

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Ford Focus ST Specifications: Engine: 2.0L Twin Turbo Four Cylinder Horsepower: 250 Transmission: Sixspeed manual 0-100kmh in 6.6 seconds Top Speed: 245kph

car of the week A hot hatch with the looks and stamina to take on Oman’s roads, the Ford Focus ST takes Kate Ginn on a thrilling ride

like a car that growls. That wonderful sound that a powerful engine makes when you press down on the accelerator and a rumbling begins deep from inside the bonnet. When the car demands more, all you can do is acquiesce and let it go. This is how it feels to drive the Ford Focus ST. To get the full effect of the roar, I slid back the sunroof and let the noise flood the cabin as we shot forward in one exhilarating smooth thrust. My goodness, the ST is fast. We’re like a streak of red slipping through the traffic and showing our rear tyres to vehicles meandering along behind. Even better, the ST is a manual gearshift. There’s nothing quite like slamming your foot down on the clutch and knocking the gear down in a seamless motion, a second or so delay as the car responds and you’re off like the wind. I realised how much I missed this feeling, which an automatic just can’t replicate. Somehow, I knew that my Focus ST test car was going to be bright red in colour. If you’re going to drive a hot hatch, it should, in my view, be eye-catching and make some sort of statement of intent. Red is exciting with all the connotations of danger, 046

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strength, power and passion, desire and love. As I was leaving Ford Oman’s car park, I noticed three young Filipino guys had stopped and were glancing admiringly in my direction. The object of their adoration was not yours truly, but my car. The Focus ST, you see, is a boy racer’s (and girl) ultimate dream. It looks the part with a glossy black grille, chunky body and twin-outlet exhaust. The bright red also brings out the handsome alloy wheels. This car clearly means business. Let’s talk statistics. I once had a Focus – my first new car that I bought myself – and I loved its 1.8i engine. The ST goes one (or two) better. Powered by a 2.0 Ford EcoBoost engine, capable of producing 250 horsepower, it can hit 100kph in a heart-stopping 6.6 seconds. Handling is superb, light and nimble, and never dull. It’s playful with the ability to nip complacent drivers on occasions. It goes round corners like it’s on rails. This is thanks to a system called Torque Vectoring Control. What, you may well ask, is that? Well, it doesn’t sound terribly exciting, I know, but boy what it enables this car to do is incomparable in its class.

The ST is a five-door car, though the back looked a little tight for my liking. But then I’m very tall and need extra, extra legroom. I did love the sports RECARO seats that embrace your body like a big bear hug. A bit too snug as a bug at times for my thighs, it has to be said. It’s chock-a-block with instruments and things to push, switch or slide. I wasn’t a fan of the small pressure gauges on the centre console but it’s nothing that I couldn’t live with. Storage is decent and the stereo has a satisfying boom and was preset to my favourite station, Merge 104.8. You’ll also like the rear-parking sensors that helped me to squeeze in and out of tight spaces at Muscat Grand Mall. As you would expect, it’s also got Android and iOS connectivity and voice activation for telephone calls. I could also talk about lowered CO2 emissions (by up to 20 per cent) and reduced fuel consumption. But let’s face it, the Focus ST is all about performance and looks – you buy the ST for the style, street cred and that throaty engine growl. I might be a bit past the speed demon stage now, but I’m willing to give it a try for this car. I might well be the oldest girl racer in town.

They say: “Uncompromising mix of performance and efficiency” We say: “A boy or girl racer’s dream”

Sunroof 10-speaker Sony stereo 18” ST aluminium wheels Unique rear spoiler Keyless start LED taillights Solar-tinted glass High-gloss black front grille RECARO sport front seats Unique 4-spoke steering wheel Trip computer Ford SYNC’s voice-activation system

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