Y Magazine #343, November 6, 2014 by SABCO Press, Publishing and Advertising

JAN 9 – 15 • ISSUE 252 • WEEKLY

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The Barometer Going UP

TOURISTS The number of international tourists visiting the Sultanate is expected to rise by 14 per cent this year. And no wonder: Who could resist all that our beautiful country has to offer?

Going DOWN

GOLD Gold is fast losing its shine after slipping to a four-year low this week. Now hovering around the RO14.4 mark per gram, it’s good news for jewellery lovers looking for a bargain, but safe-haven investors have been stung by the drop.

THIS WEEK… Team Y has been wadi bashing for the first time, learning how to slalom drive in the new Mercedes C-Class at the Oman Automobile Association and looking at the pros and cons of whether to buy, lease or continue renting a car (it’s a difficult decision!).

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EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

Fast forward Y

ou see them everywhere: thin, malnourished street cats scavenging for food in trash bins, hiding under parked cars during the heat of the day or keeping us awake at night with their yowling and fighting. Oman’s stray cat population appears to be burgeoning out of control, but what’s the solution to the problem? There are two camps that offer differing views: one believes we need to help the stray cats as much as possible, while others say they need to be controlled at all costs. Some governments in the GCC have introduced capture, neuter and release schemes in an effort to control numbers. Yes, this would go a long way in regulating the cat population. But it also costs money to implement this type of programme, as well as keeping it consistent and operating over the long term. It’s not a cheap alternative, but there’s no doubt that it’s effective. In our cover story this week, we look at the Sultanate’s stray cat problem, talk to the people who are trying to make a difference and along the way, discover that we are a community divided on this issue. Meanwhile, Movember has arrived and Y is marking the annual event that aims to put men’s health issues in the spotlight with a fun feature on P14. And to honour our very own Matt Blackwell, who will be growing a moustache over the next month, Team Y has decided to try a few facial hair styles of our own. We hope you like our new, lighthearted (albeit temporary) looks above! Have a great week – and enjoy that cooler weather.

editor@y-oman.com

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 CONTRIBUTORS Matt Blackwell Adam Hurrell Jerzy Wierzbicki INTERN Deeba Hasan DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan

Y Magazine is published by SABCO Press, Publishing & Advertising LLC / Y is a SABCO Media product. We’d love to hear your news and views. For editorial enquiries, please email info@y-oman.com Want to read Y on the go? Scan our digital issue here:

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Write to us at Y Magazine, SABCO Media, PO Box 3779, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman. NOV 06 - 12 / ISSUE 343

contents

Feature 20 Cat Fight How To Deal With Muscat’s Stray Cats

NOVEMBER 06 - 12 2014

24 44th National Day Portrait By A Nation

This week

Your Oman 06 Coffee With Deeba Abdullah al Ismaili 08 Voice of Oman Issam Al Ismaily

16 Oman In 43 Objects Y Magazine 17 Movie Listings Horns 18 This Week Where’s Your Head At?

10 News GCC-Wide Visas

Food and Drink

Cars and Adventures

28 Food Feature Is Fat Key To Good Health?

38 Destination White sands Of Haluf

30 Taste Test The Bollywood

40 Outdoors First-time Driver

Health and Beauty

42 Postcard From Rotorua, New Zealand

32 Fashion Tween Accessories

44 Y-Fi Gaming Greats

34 Health Future Fitness

46 Car of the Week Mazda MX-5

35 Beauty You Nailed It

NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE... FAIRYTALE FASHION / NOODLE HOUSE REVIEW / DAMANIYAT YACHTING / GEELY GOOD / Y-FI / POSTCARD CRETE

dent , a stu nces i l i a ie Ism Abdulla ah al nary exper l l u h al Ism d Ab rdi aili e with me extrao e an ff o o ol and sed rc s o o h d f c s a n t he u men ho h dow governnage, which to share ege, w a n sits l a l s o y a t a i h C l ic orp opportun s. aH bout Denta p in Jama Deeb at all ar n g a n as an al tradition usual i h m i t o y O n sh an cultur well as my lso gave know ntry, religio ispel any at the ent intern a u d d o o “As c y c t r r e ee talks, In Oman an hm ou e. I tried on a r hroug volunt l care

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The Voice of Oman Take some time out to appreciate what’s actually important, says Issam al Ismaily

correspondence CAT debatE Dear Y and G. Benson of Boushar,

sat down on a cloudy afternoon and started recollecting all the wonderful memories I had. I thought of all the people I have met, the schools I have attended, the playgrounds I spent hours playing in, the brothers, sisters, family, friends, parents and grandparents that have helped create these lasting impressions. It’s true that we tend to sometimes forget what’s truly valuable and that’s why I want to come forward and draw attention to the country that has given me – and all those who live here – the means to grow up peacefully, to be creative, to be successful, to have a choice and to build a dream. Thank you, Oman. Under the wise and visionary leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said, Oman has transformed dramatically in all sectors over the past 44 years. Education, transport, technology, tourism and industry have all seen great advances, yet all the while the culture, history, identity and personality of our unique nation has been preserved. With no past and no history, we would have no future. So once again, thank you, Oman. I would like to ask everyone to take some time off, wherever you are in this beautiful country, look around you, think of all the blessings that surround you and just say thank you, Oman. I promise to continue on the path of transforming Oman to the best it can be. I promise to give back to my beloved country and to always represent the nation to the best of my ability wherever I go. Thank you, Oman.

Next week:

Yummy Mummy

NOV 06 - 12 / ISSUE 343

in a towel and disposed of it. It is heartbreaking. There wasn’t even a mark on it. Yes, a fundraising campaign would be a plan and again I wonder if the various vets could be involved. I will continue to do my bit feeding the stray neutered male outside my door, as well as the continually pregnant female and her offspring in the hope that somebody with more energy and knowledge can get the ball rolling for a neutering programme.

I have read your letter (issue 342) and can understand your sentiments. However, I am 70, and do not have the ability to catch one of these feral cats, nor the cash to pay for their operations. I wish I could do both. It is surely up to the powers that be to approach the various vets around the city and establish as to whether or not they could help with this terrible crisis. The cats I am talking about are completely unapproachable and would need an expert to catch them. During the past week, I found a dead kitten and so wrapped it

Regards, Jane, Muscat [See Y’s cover feature on this issue starting on p20]

Debate of the Week We asked:

“The recent news that bad drivers will face heftier fines is a welcome move, but is enough being done to curb irresponsible motorists on our roads?” Awais Ahmad Ansari

I agree and welcome this move with happiness, but it isn’t enough. Road accidents are a major cause of deaths in Oman and should be treated with more severity. Equipping radars with average speed checks and being stricter with motorists

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texting while driving are a few important and basic steps to reduce road accidents.

Khushboo Udeshi‬‪

No use. Here, it’s a habit of motorists to drive fast. Unless the habit is broken, attitudes won’t change. Paying fines won’t be a big deal if one is “habituated” to irresponsible driving.

Mohammad Osama Rawat‬

Heftier fines are a good move, but at the same time it is also very important to educate drivers on road safety issues through community awareness programmes, print media, radio and through roadside hoardings on a regular basis.

Adam Collins

Demerit points, mobile radar on all ROP highway patrol vehicles, heftier fines, there’s plenty that can be done. Driver education and public awareness programmes reach many but affect few. We know what to do, but most choose to do what they think they can get away with.

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It’s better to accept that there will always be a lowest common denominator on the road and adjust your driving habits accordingly to keep yourself and your family safe.

Rishikesh Chidhambaranathan

Bad drivers should be given bicycles. Driving lessons should be tightened and psychological tests should be conducted.

Heba Ali‬‪ ‬

Fines are not enough, offenders should have their licence or car taken away.

Rabiya Nabeel

Until there is an extensive awareness programme, people will not take it seriously!

Paula Lovelass-Penney ‬

Heftier fines are a great idea, but what chance have you got when the driving instructors and sometimes even the police themselves are bad examples? The driving laws aren’t enforced enough.

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Vijayalakshmi Shetty‬‬‪ ‬ ‬

There are many who have not bothered to register their vehicles or pay their fines. What do you do with them? Collection should be immediate or toll the car.

Tahir Aslam‬‬‪ ‬ ‬

Heftier fines are not enough alone. We will see a major change, as recently there were orders to jail the culprits, which will hopefully be a big lesson for those who play with the lives of others. Drive safe!

Sabareesh Nair‬‪

Drivers should show their responsibility to the public and the law. We can see the vehicle blocking other vehicles at the signals and on roundabouts. They should think

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before they move forward whether their exit is clear or not. If not, what will they gain by blocking others? They should be punished harder for repeated offences.

Agata PałyskaHanefioui ‬

It is true that bad drivers have no respect for rules, as the punishment is not severe. Especially for using mobile phones while driving. But most of all, bad drivers come from bad driving instructors, who do not teach them. To be able to drive, you need to have trust in other road users’ behaviour. Indicate!

Yo PChua ‬

Fines are not enough, they should have jail time and their licences cancelled.

New Debate:

“Should there be more budget-friendly hotels in the Sultanate to attract a wider range of tourists?” Tell us on Facebook or Twitter and be in with a chance of winning dinner for two.

Rahul Prasad was spotted with his favourite Y Magazine at home in Muscat

Susan Hilditch‬‪ ‬

Basic Highway Code! Use indicators – they are there for a reason. Merge in turn – don’t just shove in and run along the hard shoulder pushing in. Leave acceptable breaking distances – these are not spaces for people to slip into a new lane. Don’t tailgate and intimidate other drivers. Also re-educate professional drivers – driving instructors, bus drivers and taxi drivers are some of the worst drivers out there!

Anthony Carlton‬

Besides fines, what is required is that people are made to understand the impact of their actions on others, themselves as well as society. This can only happen with meaningful education and proper training of drivers.

Bader Al Lawati‬‪ ‬‬

Heavier fines and strict measures only cure the symptoms. The core issue is driver education. Driving instructors need to have a standardised curriculum and strict criteria to become qualified. The tests themselves need to have additional aspects like parallel parking, highway code and rules, as well as understanding the fine system before being allowed on the road.

Mario F Pereira ‬

People have to be made aware of the hazards of speeding and using cell phones while driving. This can be achieved by teaching such habits in school, proper training and proper education.

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NOV 06 - 12 / ISSUE 343

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Interview

NEWS

GCC-wide visas could prompt tourism boom

Words: Deeba Hasan

man’s tourism industry is expected to greatly benefit if plans to introduce a new GCC-wide visa go ahead. If approved and implemented, travel would be allowed between the six-member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council on a single universal visa. A similar style unified visa policy already exists between 26 European countries and the concept, which could boost tourism levels in the region to record highs, is now being discussed at the interior ministries of the GCC member nations. While both the Ministry of Tourism and travel agents in Oman are looking forward to the unified tourism visas, there has been no indication as to when they will be introduced. The idea of introducing GCC-wide visas is not a new one. As Y Magazine reported in December last year, it was initially thought that the visas would come into use in 2014, but that did not prove to be the case. Despite no dates being announced, speculation now suggests that the plans will be approved by the end of 2015. “Plans for a unified tourism visa are being considered by the GCC interior ministries that will be responsible for visa related formalities,” a Kuwaiti newspaper recently quoted Samira al Gharib, the assistant undersecretary for tourism at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Trade, as saying. According he government of to the Kuwaiti official, the unified visa targets frequent Nepal is preparing visitors to the GCC, although there are still many hurdles to to lift a ban that overcome before implementation of the proposal. was imposed on In 2007, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Nepalese women who wanted Commerce Marketing (DTCM) had called for GCC-wide to travel to the Gulf countries visas, which would allow tourists to travel freely between to serve as domestic workers. the six-member states, as many tourists seemed to show However, this is not expected an interest in visiting more than one GCC country during to happen until the new their holiday. guidelines proposed by the country’s Ministry of Labour are brought into practice. “The new measures propose better regulations to protect female migrants, but we are not sure of the date when the ban will be lifted,” an official from the Nepalese Embassy in Muscat told a local newspaper. According to figures from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the number of Nepalese nationals in the private sector was 13,185 as of July 2014, 3,747 of which are female. The Nepalese government lifted a decade-long ban on sending female domestic workers to the Middle East, including the GCC countries in June 2011, but stopped women under the age of 30 from travelling to the region in August 2012.

Nepal to lift ban on maids

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NOV 06 - 12 / ISSUE 343

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British Prince to visit Oman

rince Harry, the most eligible royal bachelor and fourth in line to the British throne, is set to visit Oman for the first time as part of a mini-tour of the Middle East, it was announced this week. Arriving on November 18, the 30-year-old Prince Harry will attend a number of engagements focused on the Sultanate’s 44th National Day celebrations, in addition to several other events over the duration of his stay. Prince Harry will then travel to the UAE on November 20 to participate in the Sentebale Polo Cup, which will be held at Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club in Abu Dhabi. Earlier in 2014, the Prince was in Brazil and Chile to enhance the partnership between the UK and the

two countries and visited hospitals, charities and environmental projects, while also watching two World Cup matches.

Interview

NEWS

Calls for cheaper hotels

ith international visitors to Oman expected to rise by a healthy 14 per cent by the end of 2014, questions are being asked as to whether Oman has enough mid-range hotel rooms to accommodate for the influx. Oman Air has announced that it aims to increase its fleet to 70 aircraft as part of the airline’s 10-year plan and the number of passengers using Oman Air is forecast to rise to 4.8 million this year, up from 4.7m in the previous year. However, less than 20 per cent of these passengers are flying directly to Oman and Abdulrahman al Busaidy, Oman Air’s chief operating officer, believes this is partly due to the lack of affordable hotel

rooms. Although it is expected that thousands of new luxury rooms will be built in the Sultanate over the next few years, experts are unanimous in their call for more three-star hotels. Philip Wooller, the Middle East and Africa area director for STR Global, which tracks supply and demand data for the global hotel industry, said while Oman was expected to get about 4,000 to 5,000 extra hotel rooms in the coming years, there was not much on offer in the mid-scale segment.

Sultanate to host nuclear talks

between Iran and the us

he Sultanate of Oman will host negotiation talks between US Secretary of State John Kerry (pictured left), European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (centre) and Iran’s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (right) from November 9 to 10 to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue. The talks are due to take place before the November 24 deadline for Iran and six major powers – Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, known as the P5 + 1 nations – to reach a long-term agreement that seeks to curtail Iran’s nuclear programme. The high-profile gathering is part of a series of talks that will be taking place over the coming weeks. Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the meeting and it’s hoped that it will act as a significant step forward in the process of ending the dispute about Iran’s nuclear programme. The six nations are set to meet with the full Iranian delegation in Vienna on November 18, according to Michael Mann, Catherine Ashton’s spokesman. “The aim of the talks is to reach a comprehensive agreement with Iran by November 24, under which it would reassure the international community about the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme,” Mann said

in a statement. Speaking from the Iranian capital of Tehran, Ali Akbar Velayati, the head of the Centre for Strategic Research at the Expediency Discernment Council of the System, hailed the role played by the Sultanate in settling outstanding issues and disputes in the region and around the world.

NOV 06 - 12 / ISSUE 343

011

YOUR

OMAN Bite Sized Our weekly slot takes a lighthearted look at a news issue of the week.

Falling oil prices

I know this is in the news, but why should I care? The price of oil has a far-reaching effect. As an oil-producing economy, Oman is dependent upon the price being at a certain level to avoid a budget deficit. This could lead to government spending cuts, borrowing or spending of national reserves to make up the gap. Why do prices fluctuate? It can be as simple as a case of supply and demand or it could be more complicated. The price of oil has a lot to do with global politics and foreign economies. For example, if people in the US are driving fewer kilometres in more fuel-efficient cars, they will buy less petrol. If petrol demand falls in the US, then they will buy fewer barrels of oil from oil producers. If Oman sells less oil, the country’s income falls. Equally, if oil-producing nations produce too much oil there is what’s known as a glut and prices fall due to market saturation. But cheap oil means cheap energy, which is good surely? Yes and no. It can mean cheaper energy, although this is rarely passed on to the consumer. Also, oil energy may be cheaper but that’s only good if your energy market is based on oil. A lot of energy markets are based on gas and if oil prices fall but gas prices rise, any benefit of cheaper oil is consumed by the hike in gas expenditure. So when will prices go up again or at least stabilise? We don’t know. With Saudi Arabia maintaining its production levels, the market is currently experiencing a glut and the continued success of gas fracking companies in the US is reducing the nation’s dependency on GCC oil. Prices could be unstable for some time. Don’t say: Oman is losing money. Do say: The economy is currently stable, but the current spending level cannot be maintained unless oil prices rise and stay high.

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Muscat Youth Summit 2014 Words: Deeba Hasan

his year’s Muscat Youth Summit (MYS) will be held in Salalah in a bid to uncover the untapped potential of an outdoor economy and capitalise on market trends in adventure tourism, organisers have announced. This year, the five-day summit, which will be held from December 13 to 18, is expected to host 100 of Oman’s most promising university and college students, who will gather at the Salalah Rotana Resort to develop, create and market sustainable business ideas to attract millennials (those who reached young adulthood around the year 2000) to the Sultanate. Under the guidance of leading local entrepreneurs and international industry experts, participating students will be divided into eight groups and will work on projects promoting Oman and, in particular, Salalah’s tourism and travel sector. During the summit, titled “Opening Minds & Borders”, they will explore potential prospects through marketing campaigns, adventure tourism, ecotourism and community engagement. The groups will be competing for the MYS Project of the Year 2014 and will be in with a chance of winning a cash prize. “This year, the focus will be on entrepreneurship and tourism,” said HH Sayyid Faisal Bin Turki Al Said, the chairman of the MYS organising committee.

A WEEK IN PICTURES

Interview

NEWS

“When we started the MYS, we never anticipated that it would grow to what it is today. When I look back and see that almost 900 students have gone through, MYS it is positively overwhelming. “Initially, we were going to host the summit in Musandam, but when I sent our team there to research they couldn’t find a place that could accommodate MYS, so we decided to move to Salalah. “This year’s summit represents a beautiful opportunity – Salalah has its own unique music, folklore and cuisine, which will be a very enriching experience for the participants.” HH Al Said also revealed that the summit, now in its sixth year, could return to Duqm or Muscat in the future due to the new developments and projects that are scheduled for both areas. The goal of the programme is to not only create more socially minded entrepreneurs, but also to develop their employability as individuals. At the conclusion of the summit, the organisers will assess the eight projects and announce the MYS Project of the Year 2014. The project winners will be awarded RO3,000 to help them develop and implement their idea.

HEADLINING STORIES FROM OMAN AND BEYOND

Virgin Galactic’s tourism space programme will continue vows its owner, British billionaire Richard Branson, speaking after the death of a test pilot when a Virgin space plane exploded in mid-air at 45,000ft.

The 25-year-old British-Iranian woman jailed for a year in Iran after trying to attend a men’s volleyball match is on a hunger strike for the second time.

The new World Trade Center opens more than 13 years after the 9/11 attacks. The RO1.4bn skyscraper took eight years to build and is the tallest building in the US.

A 100-year-old cockatoo called Fred from Hobart, Tasmania, has received a letter from the Queen of England to mark his special milestone birthday.

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G for charity

row a Mo

he arrival of November can only mean one thing: the start of the month-long Movember campaign that aims to change the face of men’s health around the world. Kicked off in 2003, the concept has gained significant strength over the past decade. Spearheaded by the Movember Foundation, the campaign is committed to promoting men’s health issues, in particular prostate cancer, around the world. By growing a moustache during the month of November, men are creating conversation and showing support for a topic that is often neglected. Through collecting sponsorship for their moustache efforts, funds are raised to support men with conditions like prostate cancer and awareness programmes are funded in an effort to reduce the amount of people affected by such illnesses. Since 2003, more than four million people have taken part and $599 million (RO230.6m) has been raised across 21 countries and 2014 will no doubt see that rise further. For men, the month starts with a clean-shaven look on November 1 and their progress is documented throughout with regular updates. These special mo-growing men become Mo Bros. Women are encouraged to support their male family and friends taking part and those who do are christened Mo Sisters. Men can grow any type of moustache or beard during the month. Those taking part are encouraged to try to personalise their facial hair growth through regular trimming, waxing and combing. Chris Fisher of Merge 104.8 FM and Y Magazine’s very own Matt Blackwell are both taking part in the initiative this year. “For me it’s all about raising awareness of men’s health,” says Chris. “After my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year, this is a cause really close to my heart and something I feel passionate about. It’s important that society as a whole takes men’s health issues more seriously and talks about them more openly. Growing a mo is my way of starting a conversation about it.” Matt adds: “Cancer has affected my family and so I’m always keen to help raise awareness or money to help fight the disease in its many forms. Going clean shaven for the first time in twoand-a-half years at the start of November was a bit daunting, but I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of weird and wonderful styles of facial hair I can come up with over the next four weeks.” The Movember Campaign finishes on November 30. More information can be found at movember.com. Keep up to date with Matt’s progress on Y’s Facebook page: facebook.com/ ytabloid and on Twitter: @ytabloid.

014

NOV 06 - 12 / ISSUE 343

Interview

NEWS

GALLERY

The Art of coffee

Team y recently attended a workshop held by the pros at costa coffee. Not only did we pick up some useful tips and tricks when it came to making the perfect cup of coffee, but we also learned how to create some seriously impressive latte art

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Laid Back Brunch at Beach Pavilion

AbadiMTStd_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+{}|:”<>? å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆΔ˚¬µ˜øϖœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢∞§¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤≥÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒÂ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚÆ¯˘¿ Á¸`⁄‹›ﬁﬂ‡°·‚—±”’»ÚÆ¯˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" $‚Ç¨¬£¬•‚Ç©‡∏ø—Ä—É–±

An endless array of gourmet delights. A Friday afternoon with family and friends will never be the same again.

For reservations please call 24764000 or email BoxOffice.AlBustan@ritzcarlton.com.

NOV 06 - 12 / ISSUE 343

015

BIG

CAR OF THE WEEK 46 VW PASSAT

MUSCAT’S MOVIE MAGIC WEEKLY 12

Your Guide To Power Networking

Great Gadgets Get Gorgeous

NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

Drop A Dress Size

TRY THE FEAST AND FAMINE DIET THAT HELPS YOU LIVE LONGER AND LOOK LEANER

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Self Publish Or Be Damned

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t’s been almost a year since we began this project to celebrate National Day and now, we MANI ard WOMEN JUNK FOOD NATION Candy are finally journey to discover O M A N ’ S at the end of our HUNTING DESERTS THE The Oman in 43 objects. IN DANGER HUNTERS MOTHER During this time,MYTH we have highlighted the items that make the Sultanate so wonderful and diverse Jet Set. Go! Kid Killer Scent Pink Maidfrankincense In Oman Hot In The City in differentSoulways. From Think local honey or to the khanjar, goats to camels, and striking landmarks such as the Sultan Qaboos GrandFAST DON’T STAND BY MONEY RT Mosque to the desert dunes of the vast Empty WHILE LIST CHILDREN The Horse Quarter. Y has explored the quintessential objects RIO OR BUST WHISPERER PICTURE OMAN’S BIG MATCH THIS that make the country so unique. In short, we hope that we’ve captured the essence of Oman in our 43 Objects series. Along the way, it’s become essential reading each week for anyone – whether resident or visitor – who Dreaming of a better Oman wanted to gain an insight into Oman; its customs Cool TO BE KIND Double old and the new, and its faces, ashion ultanate and traditions, both funny Trouble OF SOAP MONEY classical and modern. So it seemed only fitting to end this series with the one object that we believe embraces all of this – Y Magazine. THE Conceived in January 2008 asTRAVEL a publication that Who Wears The NIGHT WORLD CROWN? IN ONE EID KNIGHTS would encapsulate Oman, Y’s brief was to mirror NO PASSPORT, SAVINGS OR JET SETTING REQUIRED ump Into the country, reflecting the lives of those who call JOY it home. Our first issue was groundbreaking in its style and content. Six years on, we continue to lead the way. After a relaunch almost two years ago in December 2012, Y had ON a THE new look Meetand new team. SANTA’S OMAN’S TOMORROW’S MOVE Whether pushing boundaries with hard-hitting COMING TO BIG TOWN features and investigations, or TYCOONS revealing theBOOK latest FAMINE HAVE WE LOST THE JOY OF TEXT? fashion trends, foods and movie releases in 48 packed pages, it all adds up to making us the best weekly magazine in Oman. The team and faces may have changed over time, but our aim to reflect Oman andMeet its people remains ON THE SANTA’S TOMORROW’S the same. MOVE COMING TO TOWN And we’ll continue to be here TYCOONS to give you a front row seat on all the action as the country continues to grow and evolve into a dynamic nation. Our readers – you – as ever remain integral to our success and Y Magazine looks forward to sharing the years ahead with you. Meet ON THE 14

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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

Horns

Horns is an edgy supernatural thriller in which Daniel Radcliffe shows his ability to expand beyond the confines of Harry Potter and the franchise that brought him to fame. Radcliffe plays the tortured antihero Ig Perrish who is wrongly accused of brutally murdering his childhood sweetheart in a crime that rocked the sleepy Washington logging town that they both called home. In a moment of desperation and frustration, Ig turns his back on God and wakes the next morning to find two bony protrusions breaking

the skin on his forehead. As his supernatural abilities grow, Ig finds people confessing their darkest secrets and desires to him and sets out to find the killer of his girlfriend. Despite the at times heavy-handed use of Garden of Eden symbolism (you’ll know it when you see it), Horns is darkly comedic and director Alexandre Aja deserves a pat on the back for tackling a topic that stretches beyond the humdrum of the usual Hollywood snooze-fests. Review by Matt Blackwell

P RE VI EW

Dumb and Dumber To Twenty years after imbeciles Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) first hit the screen, they’re back for round two. This time, the dim-witted duo are taking to the road in search of Harry’s long-lost daughter. Needless to say, you can expect the kind of nostalgia inducing idiotic humour that made the first film popular.

IN W O T E C N A CH R U O Y B A R G TS E K C I T A M NE I C Y T I C O TW

who sees the club members at their worst. For fans of dishy young British male actors, it’s a film that doesn’t disappoint, with leading roles played by Max Irons and Douglas Booth.

The Riot Club

Interstellar

The Riot Club explores the debauched exploits of Oxford University’s Riot Club, a fictionalised version of the Bullingdon Club. Based on her own brilliantly funny play, Posh, writer Laura Wade goes one better in this film version by adding an additional female presence (Holliday Grainger),

Christopher Nolan, the man who brought you the rebooted Batman films and Inception, presents his latest grand vision epic. Set in what is assumed the be the near future (although the date is not specified), humanity is struggling as food supplies come to an end. Professor Brand (Michael Caine), a scientist, proposes a mission that will send widowed engineer Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) through a wormhole in search of another habitable planet. Visually stunning sequences in space, but some of the more emotional aspects of the film could have been handled with slightly more sensitivity.

Bollywatch Super Nani

Bharti Bhatia (Rekha) is the model of a dedicated Indian wife, entirely devoting her life to the smallest needs of her husband and family. Under appreciated by those around her, Bharti’s life is transformed when a photographer circulates pictures of the housewife around ad agencies and the mother and wife is snapped up, becoming the face of several household brands.

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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THIS WEEKS QUESTION Which British University does the Riot Club belong to? LAST WEEK'S WINNER Ainsley Martis

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Muscat Food & Craft Festival 2014 is a one-day family event that is sure to be filled with fun, food and exciting prizes. Running from 10am to 10pm at Bahja Hall, The Jungle restaurant, you’ll have the opportunity to shop for the latest designer dresses, jewellery, accessories, handicrafts and home décor, as well as the chance to win big with the raffle. Entry is free for all.

Nov 06

InterNations connects thousands of expats all over the world and the Muscat branch is putting out an open invitation for an evening of socialising and networking at the InterContinental Hotel’s Tiki bar. Proceedings kick off at 7pm and the first 220 guests will receive a complementary beverage, so don’t be late! Light snacks will be served from 8-9.30pm. Go to www.internations.org for more information and to register for the event.

Festival Fun

Nov 10

Cheeky Tiki

Nov 07

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

THIS

WEEK

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

N O V ember It’s time to pull out your gladrags and get your dancing shoes on because one of the most renowned and respected house music brands is coming to the Grand Hyatt’s Copacabana. Hed Kandi has been whipping dance floors into a frenzy since the label was founded in 1999, going from hosting small boutique parties to staging more than 500 events annually. Single tickets are priced at RO15 and available from the Grand Hyatt lobby. Call +968 9236 69801 for further details.

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Winter Wonderland

Gidon Kremer

REVIEW

Movies Nov 10

Gallery

Sunshine and Songs

Nov 07

Get a head start with this year’s Christmas shopping at the Winter Bazaar that will be held at Bahja Hall, Qurum, between 9.30am and 1.30pm. Entry is RO2 and you’ll have the chance to browse the crafts and wares from the many different stalls present. Perfect to get you in the festive mood nice and early this year!

Sun, music and good company are all ingredients that make for a great evening and the Bollywood Sunset Lounge at The Lazy Lizard is set to offer all three! Get your friends together and head down to the event that kicks off at 4pm, with tunes provided by one of Oman’s top Bollywood DJs, DJ Pulse Muscat. Playful summer attire is encouraged, so dig out the shorts and shades and party on until midnight. This is a 21 and over event.

Adam Hurrell reviews the concert violinist’s peformance at the Royal Opera House Muscat

idon Kremer is a worldclass concert violinist and prolific recording artist with over 120 albums to his name. He has won numerous international awards and studied at the Moscow Conservatory. The audience at Muscat’s Royal Opera House was fortunate to be able to experience the playing of such a talented musician. His repertoire is usually large, but the Lativian focused on works inspired by the seasons. He opened with Vivaldi’s Concerto No.2, L’Estate (Summer) in G minor, a version for vibraphone and strings by Andrei Pushkarev. Call me a traditionalist, but the addition of the vibraphone wasn’t entirely to my liking. Thankfully, this was only for one piece, as next up was Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires) for violin, with strings by Leonid Desyatnikov. This was a delight and there was great movement and flow. For me, the whole point of a concert is in the listening and I was easy to become immersed in the music. Kremer made his bow dance across the strings and really brought them to life with passion and tremendous panache. Following the intermission, Kremer and his accompanying strings performed Phillip Glass’s Violin Concerto no.2, The American Four Seasons, in four movements and four songs. This half was very different to the first in the way that images and graphics were played on the large screens at the back of the stage, giving the concert a new dimension. Kremer was a triumph throughout and with two standing ovations and two encores, it’s clear that the audience thought so as well. My companion for the evening, Matt H, Y’s art director, described Kremer’s performance as “the music of a thousand love songs”. And I have to say that this is a sentiment I heartily agree with.

For details of The Royal Opera House Muscat’s upcoming performances, go to www.rohmuscat.org.om

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019

CAT FIGHT

The stray cat population in Muscat is growing and everyone agrees something needs to be done. But what is the way forward? Deeba Hasan, Kate Ginn and Adam Hurrell investigate and find fur is flying

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A big part of their work is raising awareness of animal welfare in Oman s the sun begins to dip low in the sky and the temperatures through social media and by attending events, using their network of volunteers cool, the twilight population of Muscat starts to appear. to spread the word. Perched on rubbish bins or rummaging through their Volunteers include Krystal Brown, who has adopted many pets from a young contents for food, these residents are a ubiquitous sight age. When she was little, she didn’t get much assistance from the community, across the city’s residential neighbourhoods come dusk. but she seems happy with the launch of Omani Paws. “I got to meet many likeNot everyone in the community, however, necessarily welcomes these minded people and together we are doing a great job. particular dwellers. Street cats or “bin cats” are growing in numbers, the “We as volunteers are always ready with food pouches so that whenever we result of a policy that leaves them unchecked, free to reproduce and thus see a starving animal, we’re able to feed it immediately.” swell the feline ranks even more. Volunteers also actively take part in the TNR programme, rescue animals, How to solve the problem is a dilemma that has divided the provide them with medical care through donations and help to find homes. community. One camp favours elimination of what they see as a social “We have traps that we provide people with so that they can catch street cats nuisance; scavenging pests that need to be eradicated, while the other side is pushing for the introduction of a trap, neuter and release (TNR) who multiply quite often,” says Brown. “We neuter the male cats and spay the females, thus resulting in no reproduction. Finally, we release them back into scheme that has been successful in other GCC countries. “Population control of street animals is a very complicated issue, not their respective territories.” She has managed to spay and neuter about six cats and rescue three kittens in just in Oman, but all over the world, hence the volume of discussion her area. and research going on,” says Asta Parker, who worked as a vet in Most of the animals living on Muscat’s streets are descended from strays Oman and is currently doing a MSc degree in International Animal – Arabian Maus – but there are also a number of abandoned pets. People Welfare, Ethics and Law at the University of Edinburgh, with the discard them for different reasons: unwanted gifts, adult cats that have lost their aim of starting dialogue on animal welfare issues in the GCC region. “cuteness”, or are too expensive to be shipped home by expats, who dump them “Here in Oman, the street animal population has been able to on the streets when they leave the country. breed unrestricted, adapting effectively to increasing urbanisation by One story recounted on social media recently tells of a tenant who moved out scavenging and intermingling with unneutered pet animals that are of her apartment and simply left her two cats in the common hallway to fend allowed to roam free or are dumped.” for themselves. Currently, there aren’t any measures to deal with the strays in the “People in Oman need to be educated about caring for cats. Yes, kittens are city, although Muscat Municipality is reportedly looking into it. Y tried to contact the Municipality this week to comment on the stray very cute, but they grow into cats, which are then left to fend for themselves on the streets,” says Barbra Ward-Young, an expat and cat owner. cat problem, but no one was available to speak to us. “In The Wave, we have a real problem with neglected cats. They fight all In the meantime, thousands of cats continue to roam at will, night, come into gardens, foul our outdoor furniture and try to come inside. It’s churning out yet more kittens. In the past, the solution for stray not the cat’s fault, it’s the irresponsible people who abandon them when they wadi dogs was to shoot them. Y reported in June last year about are no longer kittens. A pet is for life.” the practice after our former Facebook pages of groups such as Omani Paws, photographer found Royal Oman Cat-astrophe and Dog Tails are full of photos of Police officers shooting dogs near rescued stray kittens and cats needing new homes, his house. often with heartbreaking stories. Dr Elke Heitz, owner and Abandoned or orphaned kittens are tortured by head veterinarian at Al Qurum kids, adult cats are hit with bricks or run over and Veterinary Clinic, is an advocate there have been reports of poisoning. In The Wave, we have a real of TNR. “We often get calls about cats and dogs being in problem with neglected cats. “It’s the most humane way dire conditions,” says al Moosa. “We pick them up They fight all night, come into to do it. It’s the only long-term and get them the medical attention they need and gardens, foul our outdoor solution. We don’t euthanise furniture and try to come inside. later on find them homes or release them.” healthy animals,” she explains. Asta Parker, who worked at Tafani Veterinary It’s not the cat’s fault, it’s the On average, Dr Heitz spays irresponsible people who abandon Clinic in Muscat, was right on the frontline. 70 to 80 stray cats a month, “Working as a vet in Oman can be very them when they are no longer sometimes paid for out of her disheartening. On a regular basis, I was seeing kittens. A pet is for life own pocket. The clinic also animals that had dreadful wounds or conditions helps rehome rescued strays and just this week, seven cats were dumped on their doorstep. that were causing the animals great pain. I saw a lot more trauma cases here than I would do in the UK and I estimated about 10 times more fractures Dr Heitz says regulations should be brought in requiring per year than in my last practice in the UK. It felt like we were constantly fire every cat owner in the country to neuter their pet. Around fighting, but never actually at a stage of getting the flames under control in two years ago, the clinic had been in talks with Muscat terms of the numbers of animals that needed care. However many animals I Municipality about a TNR scheme, but it fell by the treated, I knew there were still thousands out there that needed help.” wayside until recently. Cultural divides mean that some see cats as potential pets, whereas others “The Municipality has started to rethink the idea, view them as a menace. although nothing is going to happen in the near future,” One person who believes a firm hand is needed told Y: “The cats running all says Dr Heitz. “They just need to do it. Muscat is a around are pests, like rodents. modern city and they need to start looking at things like “They hang around bins and are dirty and diseased. I have children and this seriously.” don’t want them coming into contact with these cats. I worry they could attack Funding remains an issue. The cost to neuter a cat or scratch them – the cats should be removed permanently.” varies, but it’s about RO20-25 for females, and between Such radical solutions would work, but at what cost to Oman’s global RO10-13 for males. reputation? Other countries in the region, including the UAE and Jordan, have “TNR does work, and that has been proven elsewhere taken great steps of late to improve animal welfare. Cultural taboos have been in the world, but only through well-organised, broken and attitudes shifted. continuous and wide-reaching efforts,” agrees Parker. “All over the world, attitudes to pet animals are changing, not just in Oman,” “Ideally, the entire urban area must be targeted systematically and regularly, as a pair of unneutered cats agrees Parker. “The increasing dialogue on animal welfare issues throughout the world over the last three decades is a generational thing, traceable back can generate hundreds of offspring in a relatively short to the late 1960s. However, human compassion for animals has always been period of time.” present, regardless of culture or religion.” Omani Paws, an animal rescue group founded Whatever the end solution is, there seems to be a uniform agreement in January 2014 by Nada al Moosa, helps fund the that a well-funded and organised government-backed approach, must be neutering of stray cats. implemented. “Our focus is on the TNR approach to control the “To combat the numbers of feral animals in Oman in the long run, a increasing population of stray animals. Besides this, concerted educational programme and government initiative has to be put in we also rescue animals, specifically orphaned puppies place,” says Parker. and kittens that are in critical situations. We provide “This change, however, must come from and be guided by local and national medical care if required and find homes for them,” government. The volunteer community working to improve the lives of animals al Moosa tells Y. in Oman can only do so much. We are able and willing to help and support the Al Moosa wants to be registered with the Ministry authorities here in their efforts at improving animal welfare in Oman, but we of Social Development, after which she has plans to cannot do it for them.” spread to other parts of Oman.

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021

a g a S n e t t i K r u O

es in Muscat, liv ho w r ge og bl n ow kn lel w a Heather Duncan, doned in a box an ab ft le e er w ns tte ki y ra st o writes about how tw outside her house in Azaiba

ide your house hen two tiny kittens are dumped outs raise them or and e hom your into do you take them let nature take leave them where you found them and faced with was I ma its course? That is the very dilem two weeks ago. their mother long they’d been outside for or where how idea no I had was that they were weak and and other litter mates might be; all I knew like that. dehydrated. I couldn’t just let them die two weeks old, the best only were they as , that sed The vet advi back onto the street and them course of action would be to release ived; then again, they surv have may y let nature take its course. The a hungry wadi dog or been hit could’ve just as easily fallen victim to er way, I couldn’t leave the fate by a car like our last cat, Cooper. Eith ce; the mothering instinct of such small kittens entirely up to chan e and introduced them hom my into ns kicked in and I took the kitte to the family. k is involved in rearing Naïvely, I had no idea how much wor specially formulated kitten of le kittens. They must be fed with a bott saged like their mother milk every three hours, cleaned and mas the not so cute bit – helping would do after feeds and then comes ant, but constipated kittens them pass waste. It’s messy and unpleas that needs done. ng can die very quickly, so it’s just somethi s, I would love to look tiful beau With a sweet personality and t of us, I have my own keep them as my own pets but, like mos e animals into the fold – we commitments which don’t allow mor es and a nine-month-old already have a dog, two cats, two turtl baby. Bake [pictured with For now, the kittens, named Shake and of I am hand rearing them with the help Heather], are living in my house and a new owner. Failing them find y thier, when I will hopefull heal and er bigg are they l unti and my husb cat. outside to fend for themselves. fewer stray animals on the streets of Mus that, they will be neutered and put back , as gradually we would see fewer and idea se relea and ter neu , trap the with Personally, I agree

Stray and feral animals are not a problem unique to Oman. It occurs throughout the region and each country has its own way of dealing with them ● In Jordan, for example, Queen Rania patronised an animal charity that is funded by the government. The Humane Centre for Animal Welfare (HCAW) was established in September 2000 as a Jordanian non-profit organisation to promote animal welfare issues by providing professional veterinary care, raising animal welfare awareness and by conducting educational programmes in co-operation with teaching institutions. They not only care for strays, but they also help working animals whose owners often can’t afford the correct treatment and care. The charity also works closely with government schools and has set up over 80 animal welfare clubs that teach children the importance of correct animal care. ● In Dubai, there is the Bin Kitty Collective. This is a Facebook group that acts as a forum for people who want to help the city’s homeless, sick or injured cats. They also help with fostering and adoption, hosting special adoption events where people are encouraged to come and interact with the animals in need of rehoming. ● Also in the UAE, this time in Umm Al Quwain, a woman has been granted land to build a rescue home for more than 100 dogs. Amirah William, who shares her home with abused and abandoned dogs, has been given a plot of land from the municipality to build a muchneeded shelter. She still has to raise money to fund construction of the centre, but it is a positive step forward. She was reported in local media as saying, “The municipality wants to create an official name for the shelter and change the name of our group from SOS Animal Rescue Umm Al Quwain to UAQ Centre for Stray Dogs and Cats, because it is starting to help our group.” ● The problem of these homeless animals is by no means unique to Oman. Other GCC and Middle Eastern countries experience it too and it is hoped that the issue can be overcome through sharing experiences across the region.

I’ve been told by several people, including one involved in animal welfare in Oman, that it would’ve been kinder in the long run if I’d left him on the streets and let nature take its course

Top Cat

rescued a Y’s deputy editor Kate Ginn, whoide the office stray kitten from the street outs r story in Muscat 18 months ago, tells he

help recalling the tiny ball of fur that y I work for, SABCO Media), I can’t pan com the instinct after ed (nam co Sab cat hen I look at my distinctive wailings for help, the survival that first attracted me. His desperate k e blac nois of his dle was bun it little fact, In The . red. don unte Lon I first enco t fresh off the plane from expa an by not y ainl cert but – and m red wor kicking in, could hardly be igno he was covered in fierce looking ring my palm – not that I touched him as the restaurants below where he was and white was small enough to sit on his way to our office block in Seeb and d foun had he and attention. that live to re desi y such was his guts weak and confused, mewing for food nd, arou ble stum him hed watc I , days took him to the vet. open pipe. For three lved, I picked him up in a blanket and invo trying to lick water dripping from an get to not me ned war who ds of my frien the surgery with a teary expat in tow. Against my better judgement and that ther sick Omani kitten passing through ano just re, befo all him, I just wanted to rescue him. it seen had se, The vet, of cour n I picked him up that I wanted to keep whe sure n’t t keep was I . ther toge still are I ts who often don’t think it through. Mos Eighteen months on, Sabco and being picked up by well-meaning expa are cats or ns kitte y man Too . lem And this is part of the prob with the vets to deal with, and their finds, but some leave the animals back on the streets once the vet has therefore pay for, or simply put them done their job. ding one involved in animal I’ve been told by several people, inclu kinder in the long run if I’d left welfare in Oman, that it would’ve been its course (he would’ve died within him on the streets and let nature take if the trap, neuter and release a few days had I not stepped in). And course have never been born. scheme happens, then Sabco would of Sabco has proved to be quite a I could never give up my boy, though. own. He loves adventure, chasing character with a real personality of his a fascination with water and has still foil balls and lazing in the sun. He when he was dehydrated – and is drinking it – a legacy of the kitten days on my lap that is. great company, when he deigns to sit times when I have a brief pang Do I regret picking him up? There are overall, no I don’t. I have realised at the thought of the commitment but animals to help in Oman and I there are just too many cats or needy or drive past street cats or can’t singlehandedly save them all. I walk my heart has hardened – it but kittens in precarious positions every day, by. on pass I and – to has rt from the authorities to join up In my view, we need a concerted effo Dr. Alexander Bickerton DDS existence and work together for with animal welfare groups already in General Dentistry, Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, e. ther is will the if pen hap can Member of International team of Implantology It d. goo the greater

Creating beautiful smiles for life Affectionately known by everyone as Sandy in his native Canada, Dr Alex is the latest addition to our team as general and cosmetic dentist, Dr. Alex likes nothing more than giving people the confidence of a healthy beautiful smile.

PO Box 115, PC 134 Sultanate of Oman Way 3017 - Villa 1301 Shatti Al Qurum Tel: +968 24 600 664 | Fax: +968 24 600 993 | Mobile: +968 99 884 804 info@muscatdental.com | www.muscatdental.com

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023

44th National Day

In Association with

Let your child’s imagination run free and be part of our 44th National Day tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said – and they could share a prize pool totalling RO1,500

Magazine has been inundated with entries for our historic art project celebrating Oman’s National Day this month. And to keep up with the demand, we have decided to extend the deadline to register your entries. Presented by Bank Sohar and in association with Shell Oman Marketing, Jotun Paints Oman and Markaz Al Bahja Mall, registration for our “Portrait By A Nation” competition now ends on November 8, while the event itself will be held on November 14-15. “Demand has been very high to enter our ‘Portrait By A Nation Competition’,” says Felicity Glover, the managing editor of Y Magazine. “And because of this, we decided to extend the entry deadline to November 8.” Y Magazine can think of no better way to memorialise His Majesty than in a portrait created by the children of his own nation – and we are looking for young artists to use their budding talents to help. If you are between the ages of six to 17 years, we want you to harness your creativity and decorate a pre-printed canvas depicting a portrait of His Majesty. You could choose to paint the canvas, create a collage, decorate it with buttons

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– or perhaps even use a glitter technique. It is up to you to decide on which technique you will use and to bring along your own paint and other supplies to ensure you have all the right materials. “We are very excited about our historic National Day event and know that it will be a huge success,” says Felicity. “There are many talented children in Oman and this is a wonderful opportunity for them to create a lasting tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said. “We are looking forward to seeing the children create their masterpieces at the ‘Portrait By A Nation’ event on November 14-15.” Our month-long activity will not only encourage local talent, but also provide children with a platform to bring out their best and feel proud of their country and home. This exclusive artwork saluting the architect of modern Oman will go on public display during National Day celebrations for everyone to see and enjoy. To take part, children need to register their interest and select the correct age category they will be entering. Entrants will be invited along to take part in the event hosted by SABCO Media, Y Magazine’s parent company, at Markaz Al Bahja

Mall on November 14-15. A panel of judges, including an art expert and representatives from Y Magazine and Bank Sohar, will choose 44 entrants to make up our “Portrait By A Nation”, along with the four entries that have been chosen as the top pieces of artwork. The winners of the two age categories will each receive a RO500 prize, while the runners-up will each collect RO250. All 44 portraits will be collated and spread on a larger canvas that will be presented as a giant collage of the many faces of His Majesty The Sultan, as seen through the eyes of the nation’s children. The canvas is then set to be unveiled in a grand ceremony on National Day, November 18, that will be attended by the young artists and their families, before going on public display for the duration of the country’s celebrations. The chosen 44 pieces of art will be on display at Markaz Al Bahja Mall from National Day until November 27. Open to the public, the artwork will be available to buy in person or online. The proceeds of the sale will be given to each of the child artists. This will be your chance to own a unique piece of history and be part of something special. But hurry, time is running out to enter despite the deadline extension!

Simply pick up a registration form at any of the 10 Bank Sohar branches below, complete and post it in the drop box on site. The full list of participating Sohar Bank locations is: MBD, Azaiba, Al Khoudh, Barka, Sohar, Nizwa, Ibri, Sur, Ibra and Salalah You can also post your details on Y’s Facebook page ytabloid or simply drop us an email at editor@y-oman.com. You will also find a registration form on Y’s website: www.y-oman.com/register. Or use a QR code reader to scan the code below. We will need various details, such as your name, age and contact number, to verify your registration and add you to the event.

Parents may complete the registration form – but remember, the children must create the actual portrait. Entry is restricted to children aged between six and 17 years old. There are two categories to enter: one for six to 10-year-old children, the other for 11 to 17 year olds. Only one entry per child. Paints and other materials needed for the painting/decorating of the pre-printed canvas must be brought by the child to the November 1415 event. Y Magazine will supply the pre-printed canvases depicting His Majesty’s portrait used by the entrants. Children selected to go forward for the painting event at Markaz Al Bahja Mall will be notified and must be free to attend on November 14-15. The judges’ decision is final.

Radhika Hamlai

Tips: ❶ Lots of practice can make a really good portrait.

Deeba Hasan speaks to local artist Radhika Hamlai to get an insight into her life as an artist, as well as tips and tricks on how to make your art stand out from the crowd for our ‘Portrait By A Nation’ event

he first thing that struck me about Radhika Hamlai’s studio was the strict attention to cleanliness. The space was tidy with painstakingly arranged paints and many of her paintings hanging on the wall, while others were neatly stacked in a corner covered with a plastic sheet. The scene looked like it hadn’t been touched for months. It came as a surprise then, when she informed me that she spends every day in her studio, painting between 9am and 4pm. Radhika was never into the mainstream art that she was taught at school, nor was she keen on finishing her art homework as a child. “I wasn’t very fond of the art they made us do in school. It started and ended with drawing. It was mostly about copying a picture. I’d rather do the homework I got from other subject.” An art lover from the beginning, Radhika joined special classes so she could learn different art forms. “I was doing landscapes, miniature works,

still life and various other forms and those classes were an inspiration to me because we were not copying something from a book, we were just drawing what we felt like and that is how it should be.” Despite her great love, Radhika never thought that she would become an artist. “I was 15 or 16 when I grew more serious about art, but I was never sure about becoming an artist. Teenagers, such as my first son, know what they want to study in the future, but I wasn’t really sure.” Radhika studied management, got married, moved to Oman and started working. It was not until her first son was born and she took a break from work that she knew she wouldn’t be able to go back to her old career simply because she did not enjoy it. It was this moment that Radhika decided follow her passion for art. She began with abstracts and has been working on the same style ever since. Recently, though, Radhika has exhibited some Japanese handmade

paper art, along with some calligraphy works of hers. “I have been working on dry pigments – something different from the usual materials,” she says. Radhika has held between 40 and 50 exhibitions – including six solo – in various cities around the world, including Berlin, Dubai, London and New Delhi among others. Her biggest inspirations in art are probably some of its greatest names – Mark Rothko, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. Radhika studied at Central Saint Martins – University of the Arts in London and her love of art has led her to enroll in many different workshops dedicated to various disciplines. These days she feels that her style cannot really be classified, “I think it should depend on the audience as to how they interpret or perceive it. We cannot name art any more as a particular style or say that an artist produces a specific type of art. Art is to be felt and interpreted in whatever way the audience wants.”

❷ The drawing has to be really good – do as many drawings as you can, then turn them into black and white or sepia and then go into the colours. ❸ Use the right combination of colours in the portrait. ❹ Check the light and shadow, as they play an important role. You need to see where the light is coming from and where it is falling, there has to be a balance.

Favourite technique: Start off like the old Masters – drawing with complete details. Next, go into the second level, go into sepia, add your colours and then go from one layer to the next. For me to make a perfect portrait would be a slow process. NOV 06 - 12 / ISSUE 343

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he word is spreading about the latest hot wheels that everyone wants to be seen in. We’re talking about Geely, the cars that are built for fun, style and value for money. Whether you want a smart SUV or cute hatch, the Chinese brand has the perfect model for you at a price to make you smile. Want to be part of the Geely gang? Y has teamed up with Towell Auto Centre, the sole distributor of Geely Emgrand in the Sultanate, to grow the Geely gang in Oman with our competition. Best of all, there are iPads up for grabs. Geely, which bought Swedish car company Volvo, currently sells to more than 50 countries and regions and launched in the Sultanate in 2011. With the GC2, also known as the Geely Panda, the crossover GX2, sedans Emgrand 7 and 8 and the SUV Emgrand X7, there’s a Geely for every taste and budget. The automatic range starts from a 1.5 litre and goes up to a 2.4 litre model. For added peace of mind, all Geely models are designed and manufactured in line with European safety standards with a five-star C-NCAP rating across all cars.

Geely Good Do you have a question about a Geely that you’d like to ask an owner in Oman? It could be about any of the models and about any subject. Simply email your question and contact details to us at editor@y-oman.com by November 10 and we’ll do the rest.

The Geely gang is growing and we’re looking for more people to join. You could win an iPad as well in our cool competition

To be part of the adventure, simply enter our competition. Just submit a question about a Geely and we’ll pose it to a current owner. It can be about any of the models and on any topic, and be as creative or as straightforward as you like. There are three more weeks to go, including this one, so still plenty of chances to win! Two iPads will be given as prizes for the best Q&As and the winners will be announced in our December 4 issue. * To keep up to date with the latest deals and information from Geely Emgrand, search for Geely Emgrand Oman on Facebook, or follow @GeelyOman on Twitter.

Geely Gossip

Geely manufactures the London black taxis that are seen zipping around the UK capital’s streets.

Own Up Do you own a Geely and fancy a chance to win an iPad? Register at editor@y-oman. com by November 10 to answer our reader questions and tell everyone in Oman what’s so great about your Chinese wonder.

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food and drink

Trend

New Restaurant

EAT UP

Reviews

New studies have revealed that increased levels of fat in our diets could actually help us lose weight and benefit the heart.

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TREND New Restaurant

News

Is fat key

to GOOD health? We’ve always been told that fat is bad for us. But as Adam Hurrell and Deeba Hasan investigate, there could be more to this than meets the eye

or years, health professionals have been preaching about the need to reduce our fat intake due to the direct links to obesity and the associated diseases that come with being overweight. Recently, however, new studies are beginning to suggest otherwise. For decades, the line from health officials has been that saturated fats increase our chances of being overweight. But it now appears that they may, in fact, not only help you lose weight but also benefit your heart. This year, a British Heart Foundation-funded study stated that it was unable to find solid evidence that eating saturated fats led to an increased chance of suffering from heart disease. In this somewhat controversial study, scientists from Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard universities examined the data from nearly 80 additional studies, involving more than a half million people from around the world, but were unable to find convincing evidence that eating saturated fats leads to greater risk of heart disease. Such a finding is not only a serious challenge to established dietary perceptions, but it also has the potential to cause significant confusion among the general public as this is a conflicting message to the popular belief that, on the whole, fat is bad for you. Professor Kay-Tee Khaw, from Cambridge University’s Department of Public Health and Primary Care said that the new findings did not give people a licence to fill up on junk food, but she also accepted that the developments made the dietary picture more complicated. As Monika Seth, a nutritionist and weight loss consultant at Al Raffah Hospital in Ghubra, Muscat, explains, some fats are needed in the diet and often it is a case of making

sure that we have enough of the right ones that can make a difference to our health. “Healthy fats are those fats which contain essential fatty acids required by the body,” she says. “Two essential fatty acids are linoleic acid, an Omega-6 fatty acid, and alpha linolenic acid, an Omega-3 fatty acid. Sources of Omega-6 include vegetable oils, soy oil and nuts, while Omega-3 is abundant in cold-water fish such as salmon, herring, and mackerel. According to Ms Seth, one way of identifying healthy fats, or unsaturated fats, is that they are liquid at room temperature. Unhealthy fats, or saturated fats, are either solid or hard at room temperature. They will liquidise on heating, but solidify again on cooling. “Healthy fats, eaten in small amounts as part of a balanced diet are good for our health. They act as an important solvent for many essential nutrients in our body. They keep the heart healthy, prevent arteries clogging, lower cholesterol, improve bone strength and improve our immune systems. They are also good for the skin and help keep our brains healthy.” Nutritionists and doctors are still saying that people need to take a considered approach to food and that we should all try to maintain a balanced diet of fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals and carbohydratesr to remain healthy. We also must ensure that we take plenty of exercise. While the study adds a new element to the fat debate, it should be stressed that we cannot class high amounts of fat as a healthy diet. Like anything in life, too much of one thing is not necessarily the healthy option.

Braised broccoli with cheese sauce Ingredients § 85g hard, crumbly blue cheese § 200ml double cream § 1 tsp Dijon mustard § Salt and freshly ground black pepper § 100g purple-sprouting broccoli, blanched and drained Preparation method ● Preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas 6. ● Heat a small saucepan over a low to medium heat, crumble in the cheese and add the cream and mustard. Stir until the cheese is melted. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. ● Arrange the blanched broccoli in an ovenproof gratin dish and pour over the cheese sauce. ● Bake in the oven for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese mixture is golden brown and bubbling.

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food and drink

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

Reviews

Info Box

The Bollywood

Qurum, Muscat Phone: +968 2456 5653 Opening Hours: Saturday - Thursday: 11am to 11.30pm Friday: 1pm – 11.30pm Dinner for 4: RO 19.15

Verdict 6 / 10 Service 6 / 10 Food 6 / 10 Ambience Cheap but average quality food. Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

We’d run out of butter roti (Indian flat bread) and so we asked a waiter for some more as he passed. It was a good five minutes before the next basket arrived, which, when you are in the middle of a meal waiting, is quite a while. The drinks service was slow was well and I had to ask for a bottle of water three times before it arrived. The disappointments for me were the new additions to the menu. I tried a little bit of the mint and coriander paneer and the seekh paneer chaap, but they did not entice

BOLLYWOOD BLUES Despite taking inspiration from the greats of Indian cinema, The Bollywood puts in a below par performance, finds Deeba Hasan

reviewed The Bollywood back in February of last year, but upon hearing the Indian restaurant had lauched a new section to their menu, based on dishes submitted by the chefs who entered The Big Bollywood Cook Off competition in May this year, we couldnt resist a revisit. As a lover of Indian savoury snacks and the cuisine in general, I was excited at the prospect of sampling the new dishes on offer and dug out my diary to pencil in a convenient time. It was a busy Friday evening when the four of us decided to drop in and as we approached, I could see many people eating inside the restaurant – all Indians with the exception of a few Omanis. I thought we’d struggle to get a table, but as we entered, the supervisor and a waiter came towards us to help out with the seating, which even though expected, was a nice gesture. As there weren’t many tables to choose from, we had to settle for one that was almost in the centre of the

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restaurant and I was struck by the close proximity of the tables – there really is very little privacy. We didn’t take long to choose our starters, opting for dahi batata puri and pani puri – round, puffy and crisp bread shells with fillings of chickpeas or mashed potatoes served with spicy chutneys and yoghurt. Both are very popular savoury street snacks in India. While we waited for our order to arrived, I noticed the décor of The Bollywood. The restaurant’s interior is decked out in red, black and white, with framed photographs of various Indian actors adorning the walls. Indian songs were playing on two television sets, giving the space a movie-like feel, which was good to see, given the restaurant’s name. When the starters arrived, the dahi batata puri was ok, but not great. I liked the tangy sauces and the puri seemed fresh. However, I was greatly disappointed with the pani puri, which I had been looking forward to so much. The puri was hard, to the point that biting into it was actually difficult. Not one of us enjoyed it. When my brother asked for more chutney, the waiter’s reaction was indifferent. After the starters, we ordered the mains – malai kofta and butter paneer. We were there to sample the new menu, so made sure we also ordered something from there as well. We opted for the mint and coriander paneer and seekh paneer chaap, although when the food came, there was nothing extraordinary about any of the items. I liked the malai kofta though; it was soft and creamy, without any strong spices. The butter paneer was, once again, just okay. It lacked any form of spice, although the paneer itself was nice and soft.

They could also benefit from addressing the current seating arrangement; after all, a bit of privacy isn’t a lot to ask for when dining. my fork back for a second visit. Of course, Indian meals traditionally end with a sweet treat and The Bollywood’s menu did look quite tempting. We settled on matka kulfi (a frozen dairy dessert served in earthenware pots), rasmalai (a spongy dessert served with milk syrup and sliced nuts), rasgulla (spongy and juicy dumplings with sugar syrup) and gulab jamun (small, deep-fried balls, similar to dumplings). I’d chosen the rasgulla, which was juicy but largely devoid of flavour. My dad did not enjoy the matka kulfi, which led him to reminisce about the kulfi in our hometown in India. The gulab jamun was palatable, but my brother was impressed with his rasmalai. If I were ever to return to The Bollywood, I would hope to see improved service and better tasting food. They could also benefit from addressing the current seating arrangement; after all, a bit of privacy isn’t a lot to ask for when dining.

HEALTH& BEAUTY

Little extras

Accessories can make or break an outfit. Chosen well, you will always be able to lift your look and strut your stuff without spending vast amounts of cash.

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Health

Beauty

fashion

Pinned onto the lapel of a coat, maybe a soft hat or even a bag, this dragonfly broach from Accessorize is guaranteed to give your look a real buzz. RO4.9 from accessorize.com

Design

Detail

We all need a bit of 1D in our lives. Wear this chunky bracelet with a white t-shirt, distressed denim and Converse sneakers. It’s one of the best ways to take the boys with you wherever you go. RO8.62 from onedirectionstore.com

As any tween will tell you, it’s the little things that make an outift great, says Imogen Faulkes

or us girls, it’s often the smallest details that make our outfits really pop. Sometimes those special accessories and extras that we add to our favourite looks can take them to a whole new level. It is often the case that a well thought out accessory such as a funky costume necklace or a great hat can make us stand out from our friends and, more importantly, mean that we’re that much more noticeable at the all important 1D concert! So girls, here’s my guide to this season’s latest accessories that are guaranteed to make you shine.

Don’t let the boys have all the fun this season with the very on trend snap-cap look. Girls can get in on the act as well and there is no better way to do it than with this brilliant sparkling number from River Island for RO6.2 Yes, this is not strictly speaking an accessory but James from the Vamps is a sweetie and this cutout is sold by Claire’s Accessories, which is an accessory store, so I am calling it an accessory – it would be a welcome addition to my bedroom anyway! RO15.4 from claires.co.uk

I love these big sparkly earrings. Bold, bright and a little bit brash. They’re sure to make a statement this autumn. RO6.9 from hm.com

This red hairband from Zara is cute. Perhaps pair it with with a blue and white dress to really make the red work for you. RO2.5 from zara.com

Accessory advice

Imogen’s top tips on those little extras:

1. Yes, accessories are great, but think before you add more. Does the look need it? 2. It can be possible to overload with bracelets and necklaces. Sometimes a well-chosen piece on its own can make more noise than lots of pieces. Make each item shine in its own light. 3. Pick your accessories for each look. What works for one outfit may not work for another, so when adding more, make sure it’s the right type of more.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

Beauty

Fashion

Fitness Future

It’s time to get out of the gym and embrace the technological fitness revolution, says Matt Blackwell

itness, like all aspects of modern life, is evolving. Fad diets and revolutionary regimes come and go, but constant innovations in the field of fitness as well as technological advances mean that the sector’s future could soon look very different. Here, we take a peek at the changing shape of the exercise landscape and some of the new concepts we can look forward to over the coming years.

Wearing is caring. Wearables are big news and advances in technology mean they just keep getting better. From smartwatches to headphones, just about any electrical item is being designed with built-in GPS and biometric monitoring capabilities, with all stats instantly available on your smartphone.

3 5

Life through a lens. An interesting concept that has resulted in some success in Japan, these glasses play on the tendency of the brain to view certain colours as unappetising. Apparently blue is one such colour and the idea is that the glasses will make food look dull, reducing the temptation to snack or over eat.

Space saver. Gym memberships can be expensive and not everyone has the luxury of a spare room to kit out as a home workout centre. TRX blazed a bold trail in the spacesaving fitness equipment market, but the future looks set to offer even more choice, with fitness literally becoming part of the furniture if the designs of Lucie Koldova are anything to go by.

Vyper. This innovative bit of kit helps prepare your body for training at a high level, as well helping your muscles to recover afterwards by loosening them up and increasing circulation through a combination of pressure and vibration.

Office fitness. As the working day stretches out longer than ever before, we’ll see increasing ways to keep fit while working. These can range from small under desk treadmills to exercise ball chairs.

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Get fit gaming. The concept that began with the Nintendo Wii has been perfected by Xbox Kinect, which uses a line of motion sensing input devices to track movement. With a wide range of fitness games available for the platform, it’s like having a personal trainer in your living room with the sensors detecting movement to ensure your technique is flawless.

Drone on. The future of fitness could lie with robotics and some helicopter drones are being put to use as pace setting devices. A preferred running speed and route can be entered via a smartphone app, with the drone shutting down if it travels beyond a certain distance from the phone.

Virtually reality. Running on a treadmill can get very boring very quickly. Thanks to an incredibly successful Kickstarter campaign, the Virtuix Omni, the first virtual reality treadmill could be in available soon. Strap on the headset and nip out for a virtual run!

Smart scales. Gone are the days when scales merely weighed. The next generation of scales will also offer features such as measuring your BMI, as well as the ability to send stats wirelessly to your computer to link up with predetermined calorie and weight loss goals. Good Vibrations. Getting fit while standing still sounds like a dream, right? It seems that vibrations are the way forward for weight loss and speedy toning. Powerplate machines are great for firming up, while the Chi Oxygen machine uses vibrations to boost oxygen levels and increase your metabolism.

Health

Beauty F a s h i o n

You Nailed It

While many women in Oman often head to the nail salon, taking care of your hands and nails is crucial between visits

ails have become the ultimate form of self-expression in beauty. From classic French manicures and gel finishes to elaborate designs and bold neons, nails reflect your own unique style. This season, make sure your tips are healthy and perfectly polished to enhance your overall appearance. Polish Your Look Whether you want a pop of colour to match a new outfit or a subdued nude overlay, a perfect polish is the final step in completing a well-crafted look. No matter your personal style, there are hundreds of shades to choose from. To nail your ideal shade, visit a store that has a wide colour selection of nail polish. Your favourite nail spa will also have a host of colours to choose from. Make Moisturising a Habit Before you break out the polish, be sure to give proper attention to your hands. Invest in a deeply hydrating formula of hand cream or body lotion and apply to hands throughout the day, every day. Some key ingredients to look for include retinol, vitamin B and alpha-hydroxy acids, which work together to provide smooth, supple skin from the fingertips to the palms. Maintain Your Manicure The signs of healthy nails include a strong, smooth surface, free of dents and dings, with a consistent, uniform colour throughout. Invest in quality nail care supplies to keep them looking their best. A complete kit should include a fingernail clipper, cuticle stick, emery board and a buffer. While the rate at which nails grow varies from person to person, filing about once a week is a good way to keep up with maintenance. Of course, filing is a good idea any time chips, breakage or rough edges appear. For the best results, cut and file right after bathing when your nails are soft.

Cuticle Care The cuticle located above the nail bed also requires proper moisture, so be sure to use a special cuticle formula or your favorite lotion to apply onto this area. If you have brittle nails, invest in a strengthening base coat before you begin to polish. By keeping your nails looking maintained, clean and polished, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll set the tone for your beautiful appearance.

Are You a Winner? Throughout the month of October, Y ran a series of competitions with Kaya Skin Clinic, the number one name in skincare in the region. The response was fantastic and our inbox was flooded with readers providing us with everything from tips on beating skin breakouts to snaps of them enjoying the sun safely. Prizes on offer ranged from taster laser hair removal sessions to Kaya Skin Clinic hampers and now, with great pleasure, we can revel our winners:

Formose Pereira April Joy Pineda Rodney Woods Simi Prajith Nandita Divakaran Sadaf zahid

Your Skincare Expert

Minal Edwards Virginia Anna Anthony Carlton Rafia Ahmad Fiona Loader Tina Squires

Congratulations to all those who won and thank you to everyone who entered. We will be in touch over the coming days to reveal your prize.

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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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• 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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Postcards from

CARS AND ADVENTURES

Outdoors

Y- F i

Cars

Hot stuff

The city of Rotorua in New Zealand is a geothermal hotspot, with many springs, pools and geysers waiting to be explored.

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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

Outdoors

Destination

White sands of Haluf This week, we go back in time to May 2010 to explore the chalky sands around Haluf, an area unique for its geology and accessibility for the everyday traveller 038

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Cars

travel guide

ver the five years he spent with Y magazine as our photographer, Jerzy Wierzbicki clocked up an impressive amount of trips around the Sultanate. In honour of this and for those who may have missed them the first time around, we are continuing to run a retrospective series that looks back over some of the most beautiful images he captured. This week, it’s the white sands of Haluf, where fantastic dunes can be found just a few metres from the road. Here’s Jerzy’s take on the area: “Think dusty white talcum powder. The sand stretches for as far as the eye can see. The cool, soothing colours come as a welcome relief from the fiery red sands that you will often find in places like Wahiba Sands.

“There are palm trees huddled together grasping at the remnants of water that are to be found in this inhospitable area. Fragile, brittle rocks that are dotted invariably around the desert are another notable point of interest. “The uniqueness of this doesn’t just rest with the colours of its sand or its geology, the highway at Haluf also means that you can park your car at the side of the road and then walk the chalky white dunes. “They are just a short skip and jump away from your vehicle, so no need for dune bashing – unless you really want to, of course. Thus, Haluf is an infinitely safer trip than other deserts we have featured, but, as with all deserts, it still requires caution.”

HOW TO GET THERE Haluf is approximately 400km from Muscat. Take the road from Muscat to Sinaw and then head to Mahout. Around 30km after Mahout, there should be a road sign for Haluf. Take this road and when you see the dunes, park your car and explore the area for yourself. NOV 06 - 12 / ISSUE 343

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

From wadis to dunes, Oman has some great opportunities for off-roading. Matt Blackwell hired some wheels and hit Wadi Fanja for his first solo adventure

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Y- F i

C a r s OUTDOORS

edicated readers of Y will have more than a passing familiarity with the travelling trials and tribulations of our former photographer Jerzy Wierzbicki, whose trips around the Sultanate number in the hundreds. Hiring a 4x4 ahead of a weekend of off-roading, I felt like his young protégé picking up the mantle, burning a torch in his honour. During my three months in Oman, I’ve already played co-pilot on an extreme desert safari (issue 337), so I was well acquainted with the 4x4 beasts capable of conquering the country’s deserts and mountains, but this was the first time I was heading out on an adventure in the driving seat. Our destination: Wadi Fanja. Located just under 50km southwest of Muscat, it took about 40 minutes to get there, which was helpful as it gave me some time to get a feel for the car and build my confidence. Nearing our destination, the wide and open highway gave way to narrow village streets as we wound our way towards the point where the asphalt gave way to nature. Rain had fallen a few days prior to our trip, which can flood certain places, but thankfully Wadi Fanja was not too badly affected. Things started off relatively calmly with small rocks and pebbles making up the terrain of the wadi, which my hired Toyota Fortuner rumbled over with ease. It wasn’t until we left the day trippers and tourists behind that the drive really became interesting. I’ve had some experience of driving on sand on Australia’s Fraser Island when I visited back in 2012 and I found that driving over the deep piles of stones was a similar feeling. The steering became far less responsive than usual and my passengers and myself were bounced around the car’s interior as I constantly spun the wheel back and forth to compensate for the lack of control the terrain afforded the Fortuner’s wheels. Thankfully, the car’s stereo had an AUX input, which allowed me to play sufficiently motivating songs to get us through – one of the more surreal moments was when my iPod selected Dean Martin’s Ain’t That a Kick in a Head, initiating a whole car singalong as we thundered through the wadi. The next trial came when we had to cross the flowing waters. Once again, the car lost a great deal of traction – which is only to be expected – and each time we were forced to ford a stream I had to rely on the car’s forward momentum, along with constant left to right adjustments of the steering wheel to give the tyres as much purchase as possible under the water and pull us through. The feeling was incredibly foreign to begin with, although it soon became second nature as my confidence and enjoyment grew in equal measures. We drove over the rocky riverbed and through moving water for around 45 minutes, before finally admitting defeat in the face of a huge pool that blocked our way. Not wishing to take the risk with a rented car, we pulled over and began lunch preparations. After safely delivering the party of seven several kilometres down the wadi, you may think I’d earned myself a rest, but as the barbecue coals failed to light, the group looked to me as one of the two males present to create fire and cook. Thankfully, man the hunter was able to deliver on this Neolithic stereotype and we didn’t go hungry. As the rising wind ushered in foreboding clouds, we took our cue to pack up and leave, joining the mass exodus of vehicles as we travelled back towards the exit point. By the return leg of the journey, I had a better idea of what to expect, although I never wandered far above 20kph. While I wasn’t negotiating the steep inclines of a dune, nor was I battling my way over mountainous boulders, what did surprise me was just how mentally taxing the drive was. Saying this, though, I’m always up for a challenge and this only intensified my desire to get myself a 4x4 and head out to tackle the Sultanate’s wilderness. NOV 06 - 12 / ISSUE 343

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CARS AND ADVENTURES Steam powered

Walking tracks wind through the many parks in Rotorua, giving you a chance to get up close and personal with the geothermal activity.

Top five things to do: 1. Experience Maori culture first hand at a cultural show in Rotorua 2. Explore the geothermal springs and geysers 3. Go Black Water Rafting in the Waitomo Caves 4. Take the Tongariro Alpine Crossing 5. Admire the stunning natural beauty of lakes, mountains and green forests as you drive

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NOV 06 - 12 / ISSUE 343

Destination

Outdoors

Y-Fi

Cars

postcards from

Matt Blackwell recommends

Rotorua, New Zealand F

ans of Salalah during Khareef will be right at home in New Zealand. With a temperate climate and plenty of rainfall, the island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean is a luscious green paradise with stunning natural beauty. Whether you’re an adventure sports junkie or simply appreciate a good scenic walk, New Zealand really does have something to c a t e r fo r a l l t a s t e s . S i tt i n g o n t h e b a n k s o f a l a k e f r o m w h i c h i t t a k e s i t s n a m e , Rotorua is a geothermal hotspot, renowned as the heartland of M a o r i c u l t u r e . Fr o m t h e p e r f e c t l y m a n i c u r e d l a w n s o f G o v e r n m e n t Gardens to the charming lakeside promenades, it’s not hard to see w h y R o t o r u a h a s b e e n v o t e d N e w Z e a l a n d ’ s m o s t b e a u t i fu l c i t y six times in the past 11 years.

T ong a r

iro A l p in e

C ross

ing

My favourite place

From the moment we pulled up outside the Tourist Information Centre on Rotorua’s main road, Fenton Street, we were accosted by a strange smell. After thumbing through a few leaflets we realised this was the sulphur produced by the many surrounding geothermal springs and geysers and set about tracking some down. A visit to Motutara – also know as Sulphur Bay – is one way to do this, but we decided to pay the $49.90 (RO14.9) entry fee to Te Puia, the living Maori cultural centre that incorporates 60 hectares of geothermal wonder. Te Puia connects the past to the present and plays an important role in preserving the rich heritage of the country’s indigenous Polynesian people. It’s somewhat of a living museum, housing the national schools of woodcarving, weaving, stone and bone carving, at which young Maoris are taught ancient crafts integral to their culture. I’d strongly recommend upgrading your ticket to include either the cultural performance or the indigenous evening experience. We opted for the slightly cheaper option of the cultural performance and the trip back through time held in traditional Maori style was an insightful way to learn about their vibrant culture through dance and song. The evening experience includes a mouthwatering banquet of authentic Maori cuisine. The grounds of Te Puia are also home to the world famous Pohutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere.

M a or i Tr a d it ion a l ua h ow in R otor c ul tu r a l s

Highlights

One of the great things about New Zealand is its size. The country isn’t that big, meaning that in addition to exploring the area in which you are based, you can also venture out on exciting day trips. Two such places that are less than a two-hour drive away from Rotorua are the Waitomo Caves and Tongariro National Park. The Waitomo Caves are famed for their glowworms and there is no better way to explore them than with the Black Water Rafting Company, which will have you leaping into the darkness over cascading waterfalls as you float along a subterranean river. Tongariro National Park is an area of immense natural beauty and home to Mount Ngauruhoe, which you may recognise as Mount Doom from the Lord of the Rings films. Keen climbers can ascend to the summit for some breathtaking views, although there are several walking trails and crossings that cater for novices as well.

Lowlights That smell! You do get used to it after a couple of days but the whiff of rotten eggs that comes as a result of the area’s high geothermal activity can be off-putting when you first arrive. Souvenirs

Help preserve the traditional Maori way of life by picking up some authentic arts and crafts on sale in the city centre, Te Puia and other local tourist attractions. Popular items include bone jewellery, traditional weapons and statues.

a Brig ht across sun beams lake Rotor ua

Where to stay

One of the best ways to see New Zealand is in a camper van. The wide and largely deserted roads make driving a pleasure and you have the freedom to pull up and bed down exactly where you choose, whether it’s at one of the fully serviced campsites or the middle of a national park.

NOV 06 - 12 / ISSUE 343

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Postcards from

Cars

Outdoors

Y-FI

GAMING GREATS It’s so much more than a game. Matthew Herbst takes a look at everything you need to transform the virtual into reality, whether you're at home or on the go FRONT ROW If you’re looking for a cinema chair or perhaps a computer gaming chair, then this versatile piece of comfort could fit the bill. Meet the X-Rocker Vision 2.1 Wireless Sound Gaming Chair, a chair guaranteed to blow minds with a full blast of audio and video surround sound. This exhilarating experience is compatible with all major game consoles and gadgets thanks to a universal audio output jack. So sit back and relax into the padded seat, put your feet up and listen to your iPod, watch TV or a movie or zone into your game. Whatever audio experience you’re after, the chances are that the X-Rocker can oblige. Available at www. game.co.uk from around RO140.82

SHARP SOUND

SHAPE SHIFTER It’s not everyday that you can say you’ve played Tetris on your mug while enjoying a cuppa. Well now you can with the Tetris Challenge Heat Mug, designed to banish lunchtime blues. The instructions are simple: just fill the mug with hot water and the bricks will magically appear. When the mug is empty the images freeze up, but don’t worry, as soon as you add boiling water the game will kick in again. Look out for a Pac-Man version as well. www.amazon.com from RO3.83

RETRO GAMER

EDITOR’S PICK 044

When it comes to playing games, there are many aspects that can pique the interest of a particular gamer. For some, it’s having fantastic looking graphics that is of the utmost importance, while for the others, it requires lifelike audio. The ROCCAT Kave XTD Stereo Gaming Headset has the ability to deliver highclass stereo sound, as well as the cushioning comfort your ears require for those all-nighter gaming sessions. The frame is extremely lightweight yet durable and the headset comes with an easily accessible clip-on remote with volume control and mute switch. Last, but certainly not least, it sports a 360-degree rotatable and detachable noisecancelling microphone that works wonders when communicating with other team members. Read all about it at www.roccat.org. Prices from RO29.94

The games we grew up on hold a special place in our hearts and always bring a smile to our faces when reminiscing with friends. Sometimes it’s fun to pull out our old consoles (if they still work) and see how much things have changed. If You can only find the game cartridge and not the console itself, then you need the Super Retro TRIO, which lets you use NES, SNES, and GENESIS game cartridges in order to relive those memories. There are three cartridge slots and six controller ports, which will work with original or thirdparty controllers. It also comes with two controllers, an AV cable, S-Video connection, and an AC adapter. priced at just RO26.93, it's great for some costeffective nostalgia. Blasting your way back to the past is just one click away at www.innexinc.com

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FIND OUT WHAT’S HIP & HAPPENING IN GADGETS

App of the Week

MOUSE TRAP An important aspect of gaming is control. And if you’re a PC gamer, then a good gaming mouse goes a long way. The Razer DeathAdder Chroma boasts a 10,000 DPI optical sensor capable of tracking a lift-off distance as precise as 1mm on most surfaces, while the upgraded sensor itself can handle mouse movement speeds of up to 200 inches per second, which ensures exacting accuracy and organic fluidity onscreen. Happy gaming! Check out this little companion at www.razerzone.com and snap it up for about RO39.96

NEW GAEMS Vanguard Are playing video games the best part of your day? Unfortunately, work can often get in the way and somehow, using your phone to play an app version of a game during lunch just doesn’t cut it. Well, what if you had a portable gaming station that had everything you needed to play on the go? Compatible with most consoles, the GAEMS Vanguard offers a 19” LED display and the option to plug in stereo speakers via the 3.5mm jack. There is a cushioned space to secure your console, controllers, and power supply so you don’t have to worry about damaging your equipment. If you really are a serious gamer and absolutely cannot live without your virtual fix for nine hours, then you’ll have to fork out RO134.68. This would be the perfect companion for those who travel a lot, or those heading out on vacation, but struggling to justify packing the entire home entertainment centre. Available from www.gaemspge.com