Y magazine Issue #347 December 4, 2014 by SABCO Press, Publishing and Advertising

JAN 9 – 15 • ISSUE 252 • WEEKLY

Biker Girl

MEET OMAN’S HARLEY QUEEN Mega Mall

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MUSCAT’S OWN PALM

EVERY THURSDAY

11 News: NEW CONSUMER LAW

NOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR

BEAUTY: Keep it Simple REVIEW: Bar B Q Tonight

YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

DEC 04 - 10 / ISSUE 347 • WEEKLY

POLICE CRACKDOWN PLUS!

DRIVERS BEWARE

VOGUE VEGGIES

NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

SUITS YOU

MASIRAH ISLAND

WINNERS For the past month, we’ve been inviting fans and owners of Geely to ask and answer questions about the Chinese car brand. And over this time, we’ve learnt a lot about all things Geely. Unfortunately, our competition has reached the end of the road, but the good news is that we have announced the winners of our two iPads. Turn to P27 to see if you are one of them!

THE BAROMETER GOING UP

CONSUMER RIGHTS Consumers will enjoy more protection thanks to a new Royal Decree announced this week that will see harsher punishments for traders who ignore the rights of the public (see P11).

GOING DOWN

MARKET MELTDOWN Plummeting oil prices and Opec’s decision to maintain crude production output hit bourses across the GCC this week, with the Muscat Securities Market recording its biggest fall of 430 points, or 6.2 per cent, in five years.

THIS WEEK…

EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

Fast forward

eckless drivers are the bane of our lives – not to mention a serious threat to our safety – so it is welcome news that the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has been boosting its road safety campaign of late. From running red lights to speeding and talking or texting on your mobile phone, nobody is immune to the arm of the law these days, as a member of Team Y discovered recently (read Kate’s story on P22). The ROP’s campaign to curb bad driving, which includes the introduction of heftier fines, new speed camera rules and the amendment of traffic laws, appears to be working, with the latest statistics showing that the number of accidents and injuries are beginning to drop. But is it enough? In our cover story this week, Safety First Oman, which aims to reduce the number of road accidents and fatalities in the Sultanate by 50 per cent by 2020, says even harsher penalties are the only way forward. In fact, the non-profit road safety organisation is pushing for a black-point system that will see repeat offenders lose their licences rather than just facing increased fines. I have to say, though, that I am noticing a difference on the roads during my morning school run. The increased police presence is making a difference around the City Centre Muscat area and you see drivers constantly being pulled over for even the most minor of infractions. But that’s what road safety is all about: zero tolerance for reckless drivers. Meanwhile, our #Swim4Life campaign continues on P26, we meet one of Oman’s few female Harley-Davidson riders and join an archaeological dig in the tombs around Bat. Have a wonderful week – and take care on those roads!

Team Y splashed out on a rooftop paddle pool (and hopes it won’t end up in the living room of the neighbour downstairs!), has been enjoying al fresco dining and welcoming home Sabco the cat.

Ways to get your Y fix Online: Visit y-oman.com for even more inspiration. Smart device: Catch up with Y on the go by scanning the QR code below

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. DEC 04 - 10 / ISSUE 347

contents

DECEMBER 04 - 10 2014

Feature 20 Driving Without Discipline Are Fines Enough?

This week

24 Queen Of The Road Motorbike riding With Leona West

14 #FYI 5 Most Expensive Homes In The World

26 #Swim4Life Y’s Water Safety Campaign

08 Voice Of Oman Jane Jaffer

16 Movie Listings Penguins of Madagascar

27 My Geely iPad Winners Revealed

10 News Kids Wanted To Clean Up Oman

18 This Week Sing With Sunidhi

Your Oman 06 Coffee With Deeba Sultan al Subhi

Food and Drink

Cars and Adventures

28 Food Feature Veggies In Vogue

38 Destination Masirah Island

30 Taste Test Bar B Q Tonight

40 Outdoors Tomb Raider

Health and Beauty 32 Fashion Suits You, Sir

42 Postcard From Road Trip, USA 44 Y-Fi Modding The Motor

34 Beauty 46 Car Of The Week Keep It Simple Aston Martin Vanquish

NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE... MINI GETS 5 DOORS / FILM / ALL THAT GLITTERS / FESTIVE FOOD / Y-FI / #SWIM4LIFE / PANTO

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Sultan al Subhi

JULY DEC 0403 - - 1009/ /ISSUE ISSUE347 327

THE VOICE OF OMAN Jane Jaffer on the importance of learning outside the classroom

correspondence NOT A HAPPY CAMPER Dear Editor,

fter reading of Y’s wonderful campaign, #Swim4Life, it got me thinking about the important skills all children need to learn. To raise a well-adjusted individual, who will be prepared for life and able to make a valuable contribution to society, it’s not enough to simply focus on imparting information and teaching facts and figures. As parents, we need to ensure that our children learn important living skills, so that they can face the world with confidence and independence. Children need to ask questions, complete problem-solving tasks, work in a team, find their passion, be creative and learn to develop compassion. It’s imperative our children are able to swim, life save and can administer first aid. We all need to know how to cook and clean and how to care for others. Simple things like filling in a form, selling ourselves in an interview, driving a car, giving a speech and changing a light bulb are all necessary skills. I am passionate about helping children develop a love of reading. A child who reads becomes an adult who thinks. Reading is not only vital for qualifications and a good job; it also stimulates the imagination and develops creativity, giving us an insight into other people and places and really opens our minds. I am delighted to announce that the Let’s Read Charity Book Shop has just opened in the Al Qurum Complex, giving adults and children access to good books at very reasonable prices. All the proceeds go towards our campaign to promote the love of reading to children in Oman. Come visit us and, of course, bring the children!

NEXT WEEK:

AL SAYYIDA MAYYA AL SAID

It was great to see the national pride over the recent holidays with the decorations and enthusiasm of the people to celebrate this occasion. And what better way to make the best of the National Day holiday by visiting the wonderful places available in this country? The disappointing part is the way these great recreational places are turned into rubbish dumps. Bins are provided, however, the effort required to place the rubbish in them is apparently too much trouble for many, which in turn dampens the excitement for others. Here’s a photo of a campsite at Fins on Saturday, November 29 ,and sadly this is

BIN IT Dear Editor, I visited the Muscat Clock Tower on Friday and saw many other people hanging around with friends and family, enjoying the holidays and amazing weather. While taking a walk around, I happened to see the fountains littered with all sorts of plastics wrappings, used water bottles and juice cans. Unfortunately, it’s a common sight. It’s a real shame that people living in such a beautiful country leave litter around carelessly,

WRITE TO US AND WIN A VOUCHER

only a fraction of the rubbish left behind. Regards, Disappointed camper

especially given the fact that there were a number of garbage bins close to the Clock Tower.   People have to change – they need to make the effort to get up from their seats for a moment and dispose the garbage properly. Wake up, people! Regards, Pragati Mehndiratta

Dinner for two at Le Jardin restaurant

ebHotel /GoldenTulipSe eb @GoldenTulipSe

SEND US YOUR letters, photos, news and views to info@y-oman.com / @ytabloid / /ytabloid. Impress us and the winning correspondent will receive a voucher for dinner at the Golden Tulip. Vouchers must be collected from Y’s

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DEC 04 - 10 / ISSUE 347

SCAN THESE QR CODES &

WE ASKED:

“The government is facing a budget deficit. How do you propose the gap can be closed up?” ISSA BORJA‪ ‪ ‬‬‬‬‬

Boost the agricultural land to limit importation of fruits, crops and other products. Tourism should be grown to enhance the number of visitors, which will generate income for government bodies. Revise or change rules on obtaining visit visas so that more foreign countries can visit Oman easily.

‪RUSHIN KANABAR‬‬‪ ‬‬

Promote tourism and encourage foreign investment. Reduce subsidies on petrol and try to find other income resources.

RONNEIL SALES VALIENTE

The budget deficit is a result of misallocation and unnecessary spending of money and other resources. First, the Government must cut their own budgets and avoid unnecessary expenses, which will not help boost the economy. Secondly, tourism should be promoted, since there is always money in it. Thirdly, encourage and invite foreign investors to put their businesses in Oman. Fourthly, cultivate and develop natural resources other than oil.

SYED BOKHARI‪ ‬‬

Oman is one of the most beautiful countries in the Middle East in my opinion, and tourism should be promoted more. Foreign investment should also be encouraged and above all, revise rules and regulations that limit the jobs that expatriates can do. Levy taxes on big businessmen and highly paid people instead of putting pressure on the low paid ones.

‪BEENA XAVIER‪ ‬‬‬‪ ‬‬‪

Find more natural resources, promote tourism, raise awareness regarding the current economic status, promote exports, control banking (loans) and increase awareness in education.

WWW.Y-OMAN.COM

KRISHNA SANAL‪ ‬‬

Non-essential commodities, especially luxury items can take a price hike. Cost-cutting by the Government to reduce unnecessary expenses and a general increasing of awareness among people to save resources.

/YTABLOID

@YTABLOID

/YMAGAZINE

ARK LORA was spotted with his favourite Y Magazine at Costa Coffee, Muscat

DIGAN PANDYA ‬‬

First of all, stop paying minimum wage to unemployed. Eliminate subsidies on water, electricity and other things in phases. Employ the youth in income generating business rather than in military and start levying an income tax of 2 per cent on all. Increase corporate income tax to 15 per cent and put natural resources other than oil to work.

‪AMY RAHMAN‬‬‪ ‬‬

By promoting tourism. It’s the world’s largest income earner and the rules on getting visit visas should be revised and made more more flexible. Recreational activities are very limited in Oman. If there was a cricket stadium in Muscat, international cricket matches could be held here and generate a large turnover, as there are many cricket lovers here. We need international standard colleges and universities so that people will not leave Oman for higher studies.

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Send it to: info@y-oman.com

DIMPLE KANABAR‪ ‬‬

Reduce subsidies, encourage foreign investment and promote tourism. Actions can be taken now to encourage economic growth while implementing measures that reduce future deficits.

PRABHAKAR SESHAN‪ ‬‬‪ ‬‬

Convert all new projects into public-private partnerships. Get a Build Operate Lease Transfer deal on large projects and convert capital expenditure to operational expenditure.

Dr Alexander Bickerton DDS General Dentistry Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

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.

New Debate:

“Time travel is big in movies at the moment. If it was possible, where would you travel to and why” Tell us on Facebook or Twitter and be in with a chance of winning dinner for two.

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

DEC 04 - 10 / ISSUE 347

Gallery

YOUR

OMAN

Interview

NEWS

The 2014 Motor Show Oman was opened on Tuesday (December 2) by His Highness Sayyid Tarik bin Shabib Al Said and Sayyid Aymen bin Hamed bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Vice Chairman, SABCO Group

KIDS WANTED – TO CLEAN UP OMAN Catch Them Young” is the new mantra of a drive to recruit environmentally conscious children to lead the way in keeping Oman clean. Involving the next generation – as early as possible – is seen as the way forward for a greener Sultanate in the future, according to experts who are tasked with charting a roadmap for a clean and environmentally safe Oman by 2020. The National Field Research Centre for Environmental Conservation (NFRCEC) believes children should be the focus, with local conservation groups helping at grassroots level with ecological projects across the nation. Sohar Port has also been doing its bit to encourage youth to get hands-on in cleaning up the country this week.

Schools and colleges took part in a two-day clean-up event at Harmoul Beach and the local mangroves. Students collected and bagged rubbish washed up by the tide or caused by littering. “It’s a chance to engage the local community and share a message of sustainability that we hope will be passed on to future generations,” said Sohar Freezone CEO Jamal Aziz.

OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY

Are you interested in a career as a trainer?

INTRODUCTORY AWARDS in Training Skills 2 & 3 December 2014, 8.30am - 4.30 pm For more information please contact: Diane Mitchell at 24-666610, or email her on diane.mitchell@polyglot.om

Polyglot Institute Oman llc Tel.: 24 66 66 66 | Fax: 24 66 66 00 Email: enquiry@polyglot.om

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DEC 04 - 10 / ISSUE 347

www.polyglot.om

t’s a chance to be part of something special and get your hands on perhaps some of most unique pieces of art on offer in Oman. But you’ll have to be quick as there’s only 44 available. These are the finalists chosen in Y Magazine’s historic event, “Portrait By A Nation”, which brought children from all over the Sultanate together to create a lasting tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said. More than 580 young artists displayed their talents and special styles using a pre-printed canvas of His Majesty. Their inventive ideas ranged from using traditional paints to wool, glitter and even egg shells as decoration. Presented by Bank Sohar, in association with Jotun Paints, Shell Oman Marketing and Markaz Al Bahja Mall, the competition took place over the weekend of November 14-15. Now the final 44 pictures, chosen by a panel of judges, will be on public sale at Markaz Al Bahja from today (December 4).

Each one has a minimum price tag of RO25, with all the proceeds going to the child artist. The pictures will be on display near the mall’s cinema area until December 9. Sale opening times are 10am-1pm and 4pm-8pm daily.

Gallery

IT’S THE PALM... IN MUSCAT

ith a huge aquarium set in a shopping centre, a skating rink and snowy alpine scenes, it looks like anywhere but Muscat. In actual fact, this is the capital. Or will be in the future. The Palm Mall, an Omani development worth RO90 million, has been unveiled this week and if the photographs are anything to go by, it promises to be quite an experience. Located in Al Mabella – a relatively undeveloped part of the city so far – the mall will feature the largest theme park in the Sultanate, an aquarium – the first and largest of its kind in Oman – a Snow Village with an ice skating rink and a 12-screen multiplex cinema with 4D. An ampitheatre, food courts and family entertainment area is also included in the plans, along with 70 branded hotel apartments. The aquarium will showcase Oman’s marine life usually only

visible by scuba diving. The Al Jarwani Group (AJG) is behind the Palm Mall Muscat and calls it a “milestone” project. “The vision is to create a destination that would bring all walks of people under one roof together to celebrate the everyday life, complimenting the vision of modern day Oman,” the company said on its website. The mall will cover a total plot of 180,000 square metres, northwest of Muscat International Airport. The foundation stone will be laid by the end of the year and construction is expected to take 24 to 30 months.

Interview

NEWS

CONSUMERS GET UPPER HAND

raders and shops that violate consumer rights will face hefty fines and jail as well as being named and shamed under a new law approved this week. After three years of debate, the Consumer Protection Law will come into force to crack down on the violation of people’s rights. It should be worth the wait. Under the new legislation, called “a new dawn for consumer rights”, a raft of heftier punishments with fines up to RO100,000 and long prison sentences can be handed down to traders. Previously, only a maximum fine of RO5,000 could be imposed. Companies flouting the new laws will be publicly named after being found guilty by the courts. Full details of the law have not yet been made public Handing greater powers to the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PCAP) will mean those who break the rules can be hit hard and fast. Consumers can also look forward to more choice and competition in the market thanks

to an anti-monopoly law given the go ahead this week as well. This should combat unjustified price rises by ensuring a supply of goods and services to meet demand. “Consumer protection is a key element in economic development,” Dr Said bin Khamis al Kaabi, chairman of the PCAP, is reported to have said. “The new law will provide economic freedom and give alternatives to consumers.” Maktoom al Mahri, a Majlis Al Shura member, told a local newspaper that the new consumer law would “force suppliers and traders to think twice before violating a rule”. Awareness campaigns about the new law will be run by PCAP.

For Appointments : 24496003,24496319 Location : Villa 973-A, Opposite Chedi Hotel, Next to Camel Racing Federation, 18th Nov.Street,Ghobra , Muscat DEC 04 - 10 / ISSUE 347

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Gallery

YOUR

OMAN Bite Sized OUR WEEKLY SLOT TAKES A LIGHTHEARTED LOOK AT A NEWS ISSUE OF THE WEEK. GROWING CRUISE INDUSTRY IN OMAN

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NEWS

GCC CONTRACT FOR MAIDS

aids and domestic workers in Oman would be guaranteed a weekly day off, annual leave and overtime as part of a proposed GCC-wide contract to unify conditions across the six-member states. More than 2.4 million foreign household staff would benefit from the bill of rights if it’s given the go ahead. Labour ministers from all GCC countries have already agreed to minimum contractual terms for domestic helpers, a move that has been welcomed by embassy officials and migrant workers’ rights groups. “The new contract entitles domestic workers to a weekly day off, annual leave and the right to live outside their employer’s home,” Jamal al Dossari, director-general of Kuwait’s Public Manpower Authority, was reported as saying. It would also limit the working day to eight hours, set out a fixed schedule of work, secure overtime pay – for a maximum of two hours a day – and outline end-ofservice benefits. Under the new rules, employers would also be banned from confiscating workers’ passports, a common practice in Gulf countries. “It ensures the freedom of housemaids to move or live outside the home of [the] employer or travel at any time, and commits employers to furnish their housemaids

with an air ticket in case of final termination of their contract,” said al Dossari. He added that the single contract would take effect after being approved by all the GCC countries. “It is a welcome move,” AKM Rabiul Islam, a labour counsellor at the Bangladesh Embassy in Oman, told a local newspaper. “A unified contract will protect the rights of domestic helpers.” However, some recruitment agencies in Oman specialising in domestic labour said the contracts could create practical problems, such as ensuring adherence to stipulated hours and the payment of overtime, with some employers unable to meet extra costs.

OMAN’S GETTING YOUNGER

man’s population is getting younger and people are living longer, according to a new report released this week. With almost half of the country now aged between 15 to 34 – 47 per cent in total – we are becoming a nation with youth on our side. Another 22 per cent of the population is aged below 15, the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) revealed. The 35 to 64 age group made up 28 per cent, while just 3 per cent of those living in Oman are above 65 years. These figures are based on Oman’s population as of June this year, which was 3.99 million. This has since tipped over the four million mark. In addition to these findings, the report also states that our young are becoming better educated than ever before, with a larger number of boys and girls going to school thanks to government initiatives and

Photo: David Steele

When I think of cruising, I tend to think of the Mediterranean or the Bahamas. Do people cruise around Oman? Yes. Admittedly it’s not the most obvious cruise destination, but the Sultanate’s coastline is increasing in popularity with cruise companies and holidaymakers. For example, the number of cruise ship passengers to visit Oman in 2003 was 3,500. In 2013 it was 300,000. That is an increase of 9,900 per cent in a decade and it’s predicted to rise again this year. Why do they come here? Oman has some of the most picturesque coastal waters of the entire Arabian Peninsular. Coupled with areas of enormous historical interest and a huge number of fascinating sites within an easy drive from the main port cities, suddenly Oman becomes a very attractive destination for cruises. Where do the ships call?? Salalah, Khasab and Port Sultan Qaboos. Muscat is the most popular stop, handling 174,482 passengers in 76 calls in 2013. Khasab had 32 calls and handled 91,739 passengers and Salalah had 24 calls and handled 90,919 passengers. Can anyone travel or is it just international passengers? No, any one can travel on these ships. Khimji Ramdas is one of the biggest shipping agents in Oman and company CEO, M C Jose, recently said in the local media that is was time for locals and residents of Oman to enjoy a cruise holiday. “You can enjoy travelling for seven nights from RO400, including food and stay. Don’t think you are going to Abu Dhabi or Dubai, but think of the ship as your destination,” he said. How long is the cruising season in Oman? The season in Oman runs from June through to October. For the 2014/2015 season, Khimji Ramdas alone is set to receive around 300,000 tourists from across the world, on 134 ships. It’s hoped that such an increase in tourists to Oman will work wonders for our tourism industry and economy as a whole. Don’t say: Woman and children first! Do say: Oman ahoy!

Interview

the building of new schools. As a result, Oman has made great strides in reducing the illiteracy rate. In 1993, 31 per cent of children in Oman were classed as illiterate. In 2010 this had fallen to just 13 per cent. With more girls being educated, the role of women in the workplace has also changed over the years. In 2010, females made up 27 per cent of the workforce in comparison to just 9 per cent in 1993. Life expectancy has also shot up dramatically in the Sultanate, with people living more than 10 years longer than before. The average life expectancy in 1990 was 65.5, but in 2013, that had risen to 76.5. The overall death rate dropped to 2.9 deaths per 1,000 people in 2013, down from 7.6 in 1990. The report found that infant mortality rates have also fallen. In 2013, there were 9.8 deaths per 1,000 compared with 20 per 1,000 in 1995.

Welcome to our new weekly feature, bringing you astounding facts from around the world

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DEC 04 - 10 / ISSUE 347

5 MOST EXPENSIVE HOMES Who owns the most luxurious residences in the world?

Source: CompareCamp.com

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 247 91641

Horrible Bosses 2

film was funny, but the jokes tend to run a little thin the second time around, while the big name stars of the original film are present only in fleeting glimpses.

The Homesman

Penguins of Madagascar I always wanted to see a film exclusively about the Madagascar penguins because I have always been fascinated with their leader, Skipper. My wish came true with Penguins of Madagascar, which was released just a few days back. The story is about the origin of the four penguins – Skipper (Tom McGrath), Rico (Conrad Vernon), Kowalski (Chris Miller) and Private (Christopher Knights), who now as grown-ups are on the run to save all the penguins captured by the evil octopus, Dave aka Dr Octavius Brine (John Malkovich), who has developed a serum that would turn all the penguins into hideous monsters. This

reminded me quite a lot of Minions, a film that I saw earlier this year. Dave is doing this in revenge for being replaced by the “cute” penguins at every zoo he went to. But hold on, the penguins face some competition from the elite undercover agency known as North Wind, whose leader, Classified, is voiced by the Sherlock hero, Benedict Cumberbatch. It was fun to watch how the penguins and North Wind together try and fight Dave and how little Private goes beyond his cute looks to save the penguin clan. This is the best cartoon movie I have seen this year. Guest review by Syed Bilal Hasan, aged eight

PR EV IEW

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) and his by now familiar cohort of living and breathing museum exhibits are back for their third outing. This time the motley crew must travel to the British Museum in order to preserve the magical powers of the Tablet of Ahkmenrah before they disappear forever, taking the security guard’s historical friends with them.

IN W O T E C N A CH R U O Y B A R S G T E K C I T A NEM I C Y T I C O TW

Fresh from their plot to murder their bosses, Nick (Jason Bateman), Dale (Charlie Day) and Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) decide to free themselves of the constraints of office work by starting their own business. Following betrayal at the hands of a ruthless retail mogul (Christoph Waltz), the trio embark upon a mission to kidnap the executive’s playboy son. The first

Bollywatch PK

Aamir Khan plays the title role in a political satire about an innocent and inquisitive man whose childlike questions bring catastrophic answers, transforming him into an unlikely social crusader in the process. It is a simple tale of love, laughter and letting go.

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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Mary Bee Cuddy (Hilary Swank) is a woman making her way in the man’s world that is the 1850s American midwest. She is a hard character eking a profit from even harder land and is chosen by the local farming community to transport three women who have been driven mad back east to a sanatorium in Iowa. As she is preparing to take the pioneer’s trail in reverse, she happens across George Briggs (Tommy Lee Jones) and enlists his help for the journey. A gritty film that doesn’t sweeten its subject, drawing exceptional performances from the two leads.

Brought to you by

THIS WEEKS QUESTION How many women must Mary Bee transport to Iowa? LAST WEEK'S WINNER Ritesh Kumar Popli

2014

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THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

It’s Bazaar MUSIC OF MEXICO

Dec

Feel the Latin vibe with the wonderful vocal talents of Eugenia León, known as “The Voice of Mexico”. A cultural icon in her own country, Eugenia is considered one of the best female singers in Latin America and will be showcasing her powerful voice with traditional songs spanning her 30-year career in a one-off concert at the Royal Opera House Muscat. Expect upbeat, energetic Latino spirit with a touch of romance and melancholy. Curtain up at 7.30pm. For more details and to book tickets, go to www.rohmuscat.org.om

WEEK

WHAT TO DO. WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

D E C E M B E R Dec 06 Sing and dance along with Bollywood’s Sunidhi Chauhan as her Dhoom Machale show comes to Muscat City Amphitheatre. The popular singer and performer will be on stage from 7.30pm onwards. Tickets are on sale now, priced from RO10-RO60 and are available at Lulu (Darsait & Ghubra), Foodland in Al Khuwair and the Indian Social Club Muscat event office. Book early to avoid disappointment. Gates open at 6.30pm. For more details, contact Maroof Khatri on +968 9579 8849 or 2478 9555. For online bookings, email eventful@docllc.org

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Rescheduled from November 15, the American Women’s Group in Oman (AWG) is hosting a Holiday Charity Bazaar at the Al Bahja Hall, Jungle Restaurant, in Qurum from 10am-2pm. Entry is just RO1, which leaves you plenty of money to spend at the craft, gift and food stalls. There’ll be lots of other great activities too, so you can have a laugh while shopping. For details, go to www.awgoman.com

SING WITH SUNIDHI

THIS

Dec

It’s not too early to start shopping for those seasonal gifts, so get off the present mark with the Winter Shopping Festival at Al Bahja Hall, Jungle Restaurant, in Qurum. Snap up some bargains, with clothes, jewellery, home décor, footwear and electronics all on offer. There’ll also be a food court and raffle draws. It runs from 10am-10pm so you’ll have a full 12 hours of shopping time. Brought to you by Dusk International LLC.

DEC

GET CRAFTY Whether you want to buy or sell, the place to be on Saturday (December 6) is the Teaching and Learning Communities (TLC) International School for a Craft Fair. Held on the Reception and Primary Campus, it promises to be three hours of family fun, with a children’s supervised play area (with climbing, sand and messy play), face painting, music, baked goods sale and much more. Entry is just 500 baisa for adults, while the little ones are free. If you fancy a spot of selling, it will cost you RO5 per craft stall (stallholders should bring their own stall/table). Go to www.tlcoman.com for more information or email info@tlcoman.com

Boss WINTER SHOP

Dec

11 Who says the boss has it easy? Book them a 7am meeting at Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club for the 10th edition of CEO Golf. It’s the ultimate blend of business and leisure – a chance to network with fellow corporate bigwigs while enjoying a round of golf on one of the best courses in the country. For more information contact Fidha on +968 9965 3581, or email fidha@umsoman.com. Participation by invitation only.

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019

The Royal Oman Police have launched a crackdown on reckless driving with increased patrols and stricter punishments, but is it working? Matt Blackwell, Deeba Hasan and Kate Ginn report

hmed ran a red light in a rush to get to work one recent morning. Instead of going home to his family that night, he had the rather less comfortable surroundings of a stark jail cell to look forward to. Meanwhile, Mohammed was caught committing the same violation, but with the jail at capacity, he had to return at a later date to complete his two-day stint behind bars. There have been dozens of similar accounts since officials from the Royal Oman Police (ROP) announced that motorists found jumping a red light would have to serve a jail

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sentence ranging from 24 to 48 hours, even for a first-time offence. It may seem somewhat draconian, but several experts are unanimous in their belief that harsher penalties are the only way to get the attention of road users in Oman and force them to alter bad driving habits. If drivers were expecting an easier ride in the future, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very much mistaken. In October this year, the ROP revealed a set of proposed amendments to Article 50 of the traffic law, which saw it triple fines for the worst offenders as well as introduce longer jail terms. There has been a noticeably increased

police presence on Muscatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major roads, such as the Sultan Qaboos Highway, in recent months and it certainly appears that random checks and on-the-spot fines are on the rise. However, considering that official statistics show that 70 people die every month on Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roads from 530 accidents, with speeding, texting while driving and general negligence forming the primary causes, many are asking whether the new measures are having an effect. Safety First Oman, a non-profit organisation launched in 2012 by former world rally champion Hamed al Wahaibi and professional footballer and Oman national

mber of road reduce the nu the year to s m ai , si ab cent by Ali al H team captain talities in Oman by 50 per ur taking a hard vo fa fa d to an r ld appea accidents ganisation wou 2020. T he or . rs ve aving dri Y: “It seems line on misbeh , Safety Fir st’s CEO, tells ly way forward ie Dar yle Hard are ‘unfortunately’ the on ehaviour in the es ti al en p ge drivers’ b har sher ly way to chan titudes of drivers will take on e th e b ay ble and m ge the at rying to chan the ROP and their noticea T . rm te t or t sh t or en p p em su rc e fully ty enfo a long time. W icle monitoring and penal h ve of n increase drivers who ru man.” ea throughout O all accidents are caused by ar an this is believes that ly One third of rm fi ie d ar Mr H hahirah hliyah and D red lights and sive targeting. ak t D , gh li at c sc fi u af d tr ten hools in M that needs ex n of speed an that targets sc particular. rs and ent of heavy e introductio em th rc , fo ly al en at most drive arch in b e th lo es th d at n “G h u or it in fo w l rn e g ee ve h av on go h ew stems, al . Global rese local studies reinventing th d tested monitoring sy “Global and in crashes are unrestrained th by 45 per cent . We are not an d d ke ie or tr w e as ar ea h d d lle her, these penalties says. t-seat ce the risk of passengers ki the pun). Rat fatalities,” he e seatbelts redu nt among drivers and fron at th d n Oman (excuse ucing road accidents and u ar fo as as of ce er h n m er ai p ca t rm 50 ai d gh i, ch ry by methods of re all speed radar s and red li ies that have d serious inju asser al Matan an N in b or m ot m m n u A said However, are merely d , some newspaper. to passengers,” ational, some er rent. In addition to this res, ing to a local ion with BP Oman, aims lk ta en h w , actually oper A su et S d at end ea R a ci e m O so as th t as ew by n ac in s e d to er th campaign, hel 5,000 students and teach hing them been installed nd their own way around e h T u ay, teac among drivers have fo “beat” the system. ise awareness only a matter of weeks aw straints. at, says: sc ra u M in to ed em as d re h is d expat b utes. enabling th of 2014, whic of using seatbelts and chil y Fir st , a 25-year-ol ound 20 min SA and Safet ce R n O ta g Charlie Breen om the of fice takes me ar meras I must or p in d im u e cl in in th s, ts p en fr ou ca e d ty gr nishm “My drive hom t location of the four spee down and speed any road safe for an overhaul of the pu posed, as M ac ow ushing I know the ex ay, so am easily able to sl haps mobile igher fines im Oman, are p to see even h -points system, with per ew ke li ld ou w d e pass along th ” He went on to add that b penalty place an the UK, may y. mmons and a a deter rent. su rt u co up accordingl nits, such as those used in ing down on as l wel u p om driving as ates are fortunate that speed camera ive when it comes to clam ualification fr q is d e Gulf st ts system, at throughout th troduced a demerit poin ng rs s ve a better altern . ri on ti “D la gu in rs d the re per son’s drivi of have not yet speeding drive y other drivers get aroun governments sult in the suspension of a mply hiding si by an g ic number m n , vi ly ri ar re d Simil while a would itting a specif assume this g h es n m ic on si h m h w as p co p e r il or te ob af ts n m licence Mr Hardie. “I ag ainst using g through police checkpoi in gements,” said r future.” go in fr en in h w em th the nea people will happen in is will do little to limit the police patrol. nisation that believes cal th lo e, to rs g kin Of cou Another orga are in order for those licence. Spea lated the a t ou h it w ve es re ti who dri ma al Lawati har sher penal ws is Oman Road Safety , ORSA’s Shai girl who bor rowed her c la ia fi an af ed m tr m O g n in ti ts ou is fl -year-old ly to RSA). “Motor stor y of a 17 ith their per mission – on not Association (O self-restraint. T herefore, w of – s r th ca e e dea parents’ ICTER hardly observ deter rent to stop such R resulted in th an and two T at S th H h IT as cr W a a the wom AS JAIL cause there must be CEO, Shaima al Lawati. LTIES, SUCOHNETARY only her brother, but althsoe car she hit. A ys e sa N iv E ” at s, P eg er n d e n fe ar of le DM iduals were in y, many peop TERMS AN children who a source at the ROP, indiv e LE WILL “Unfortunatel dments and actually think P O E P ar to , g S ce n in E d ce en FIN Accor FORE g without a li about the am d heftier fines are there to K TWICE BGE AN caught drivin and have their vehicle e IN an ar s H r o le T ei h ru w th e r th fo that not er y r 24 hours om them and COMMITTNIN imprisoned fo ever, not regarded as a “v E C milk money fr adds. E F ow F h O , e seized. It is reveals. own safety,” sh of the legal committee of r, the source te at se er m call for ea b ” cr ig em in b m e e On with th Lawati would ending that es al re rs ag M ra u e? h S on mm be d the Majlis Al local media as So what is to stray outside the box, reco to complete was quoted in es, such as at ed th rc ts fo e e en b or m in fines, and ti bef punis h nt NGOs fic laws should stricter penal l think twice in saying: “With onetar y fines, people wil who break traf unity work, helping releva k tactic, she ts e en os d th ci ac or aj m oc or comm ewhat of a sh jail terms and of fence. T his will reduce m social service oups. In som ould be exposed to the .” gr fe an li ty g r n fe ti fo sa it ed m ad m m ai sw co for such as ro this, of fender are killed or m Fir st Oman, le were fined ed that by doing s. Other s, such as Safety which people ROP records, 1,001 peop os es p gu im ar e er w nes in the UAE – tion According to rs of their ac nt system – already used fences and e 3,889,301 fi il ge h w an d s, al gn si c ack-poi idual of jumping traf fi c of fences in 2013. major argue that a bl are given points for indiv d the driver being e ROP has a af fi th tr s s ve rs ou an ie ve ri el d , ri b va et ke d e r ck vo sh fo in which onfiscating nces being re i tells Y that ding them a ti lt in their lice iod, is the way forward. C Mrs al Lawat ead of the police just han T he role of the su re n ca . nst ned r a set per results. role to play. “I lain why they are being fi or her mistake. disqualified fo t of fender s might also see going to be p is h ex ld of r ea ou ot p n ve sh ri re is they the d given cars from the situation d reckless is to educate preciate the information thing is clear: e. For tragic accidents an and e police of ficer on ap t u ld B ou w r drive gislation alon the past, common sense tly in future.” e end of T his way the e two rectified by le think dif feren s th to d t ar ar st ow s T e a thing of . ap are going to b h gh om rs ec ou se b u th n to g io ad and per g in at n ro n li vi ’s rm dri g that man ht silver and Info the part of O ately, this is not somethin an on T here is a slig nal Centre for Statistics m ce O n ie in at ts p n u Natio road acciden ctor s. Unfort October, the s showing that earlier re port released facilitating fa force. re gu fi ed as le n en (NCSI) re is year. A e any laws can 30 per cent th per cent of th had fallen by Januar y revealed that 12 lity, producing an in a fata by the NCSI ts resulted in en d ci ac ad ro ad accidents. Sultanate’s in ever y 10 ro up more than 40 per th ea d e on of make to average the age of 15 t there is no law in place er d n u n re d il ye t Ch s, as p ad r ro ei e ths on th rivers or th cent of all dea kg round of school bus d bac check on the y car s. rd for mandator co gn re ai p m ca driving a vehicles in an ck-started Last year, Y ki for children in the rear of A has recently belts istic. ORS seats and seat wor rying stat ck le Up” campaign is th le ck ta attempt to ing a “Bu cause, launch picked up the

DEC 04 - 10 / ISSUE 347

021

r deputy edito er Y d e n fi P O The R sing h st week for u g la n in G te a K in e while driv mobile phon

ccident that a d a o r a f o tim n was the vic less driving a s a H a b e e care Y’s D xting on s a result of a ause he was te t ec u b o e b m a to e in m ca crashed

e police on as I saw th eavier traf fic ithout pp. he says: “As so er to my left side, I have been w ys: “Despite h s, most drivers WhatsA , sa ay ov e d h g at in h th as I ce fl light e. And t month “Ever sin her driver’s was in troubl fines in recen e to the rules. Away rol on wait for the ot ever ything out. I at p I knew that I as e r er ic h ca ol ad p a e ’t why th still don pany to sort l olice patrols, knew exactly hway in Muscat was insurance com w my dad’s car on severa e radar s or p th of ig om e H fr n s ti ro u oo or ro ab b a ot Q n to to l an k il ad lt w h ac u b I’ve the S revert the insurance e er. it seems they their mobile phones and sions because urtesy car in the ca oc pulling me ov g a call on my mobile phon g n si u g, rules. ith a co speedin “I was makin traf fic safety g along a provide me w g n ti ou fl ly al n ly basic eantime. o, I was drivi uires me while driving. it’s illegal and an incredib hree weeks ag ubra beach. I queued m he nature of my job req “T f, el ow ys kn m I , ly es “T “Y ot on l Gh s and press do, putting n r. reet close to A ghts and as soon as it was to attend events, interview ch a strugg le to st g in th id p u ge st fic li d it’s been su drivers in dan ly. T here fe up at the traf conferences an into the of fice because of to move slow hump in but also other gh, I consider myself a sa e an eg b e w , n gree even make it after a small “Funnily enou my driving test the first tim also a left turn rs to slow down when to unfortunate episode. d as se r, w as te p la I s – ar r ye is th g ca drive car who hit t 30 driver of the e road, causin 17 and almos e th th of r . e t. If I fo rd ag s e co “A th re at e out punishmen told emished m h bl it g. n of w u in t ly rn ed on p ve tu fr ti ca in la es the car me, he entially have a re the police, I’m at I risk such pot “T he driver of slowed down as well. ported him to ne, but I was too re ad “So why did uences, when I’m aware th I h d an e got a fi seq ake did just that behind me er. he would hav disastrous con for driving [whether to m ely, the driver in a boneat n u rt e time to both fo th n e il U at of g d en in te lt ra su st u re fr , as using a mob one of the main causes stop idea to wh is neg lected to estly have no he young man on h “I . calls or text] on r man? car back. T e shaking collisi shock, I got out of the ca one of I will get my accidents in O a case of needing to mak of e. e at ag st a am a graduate of d n e as ly “I p w th e m e t in si m se g e it as n h th w ei o t b to h m “I w und d not s in O an, bu siness call an and walked ro car seemed perfectly fine, rivate college wasn’t given p t es b e th an urgent bu ll over safely to the hard is it seems he pu It was bad. H unfortunately fety education. If only he a position to e being in the slow lane. e th . to gh er sa ov pit thou e the same enough road e both pulled shoulder, des oesn’t have th and driving at y car with “Of course, w d called the police. g r is old and d phone to make in ca xt l te ta t n n’ re as y w M em ad an visited sync with my ands-free kit , I would hav side of the ro ble and so we e I was time that day ld be well.” h technolog y to va a ri n d ow as I w r o d nor My ca one]. e station, wher old had me and all wou calls for me, l Sarooj polic e need to buy used my A th e lt th fe 25-yearer ev n [I’ve that I’ve lear n that the e to m ti ed t fi rs ri fi or e . h “It’s not th driving either Of or text while a neces sity. phone to call em hen it se s nothing is so w es m ti e ar T here ld say ty expert wou ng yourself or course, a safe lli ki y bl risk possi hine. important to ac m al et in a m someone else atistics and I know the ch “I know the st se, having re ported on su cau n I l ca il it st t e ye ag dam , and ng my career accidents duri r made the call. shoulder, the ROP of fice d with ar e h m e th ed n “O – and issu e’ on h ‘p – d e said one wor ld will cost m h I’ve been to a ticket, whic . ile around RO25 er me from using my mob ’t en et d av h it I l il l, w el “So eel? W I ehind the wh b rt e ea il h h w on e d on ph ce, but han n si r ca as e th ill, as much used it in that I never w ying so. can’t promise sa r berate me fo ly people might ped and fined will certain “Getting stop ice before picking up the k tw est make me thin ile driving, but to be hon clocked h w n ai wor se. I was .” t ag er lo th a ge n to phone ee al b e e hav a fixed to stop m , things could ich meant that I avoided ay at th g it’s not enough n yi sa h p then. Although e legal limit of 48kph, w ng ban, but I did have to th vi er ri d ov t a e. h h rs p or g u 6k u ce co 9. a n c at lice tion as points on my of attending the re-educa to the centre where Blackwell w talks of tt a fine, penalty n M re u r ow as d o le it p ay d e w e y th e an nd a 54) for made m K Y sub O d U (R an e k 90 ar room, wher th or £ in w f m in of se r g a sy e in n bu y a or t s m th in ver e seat “I took the speeding la in place there eld, finding a ilt hung thick in the air. O safety h g n ei b as w e gu s the course n a number of g of collectiv the measure brief British alpable feelin w speeder s and I were show ts and took part in a e p t th os of m s al ay d en rs, my fello the final few usic was sults of accid tested our next five hou e says: “It was . T he sun was out, my m ork for often grim re which the session leader e th g n ti en ar w m ted with videos, docu ractive activities, through summer last ye d I was driving home from spirits. be disappoin to n te of e, te h in od an ig C number of playing loud say, I was in h the Highway ft – needless to my left. Inconspicuously collective knowledge of f included, le the weekend ightly to people, mysel s of driving I sl . y it d an n ce u m a an s. as lt er gl s I su m es l n cc io d ca unti the re e session a su the law and the ramificat ry carefully that At least I was avement was a mobile spee d saw that I was would call th ve of “I p k s an e ic or er if th w et ec to on sp om k d d e parke rove bac as to th lied my my spee d p ed at e, ap n y ce on te kl r an gh ic fo li gl u I, q en . ed d legal limit shot a frenzi eed limit and . After a few e the legal sp above a safe an monitoring my speed. Probably not ever so slightly ? travelling abov t n y ru tl bu g l, an n st ve lo n le e co e g tabl day, y driving in th yself cree pin a more acce p ues tion: had I put brakes. id it change m resurfaced and I found m y destination that little bit q “D shot down to e le d on ee by n d e s h te m “T habit g to en’t haun found myself weeks, the old limit in the hope of gettin for the weekend. But I hav in r te nonetheless I in time? d e la ee om ks sp h ee e w ay th yw above t a few if I was on m the anchor s on e answer through the pos police, inviting me to er, especially g since.” on e th so ir ed sh iv er ce st “I re t time. e Leice speedin letter from th rse at a suitably convenien no been caught u the form of a g in co d s n es u d awaren tion was a reso attend a spee haunting ques y m to er sw So the an

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She’s a teacher during the week but when school’s out, Leona West heads off on her Harley-Davidson motorbike. She’s one of only a few female bike riders in Oman. Kate Ginn meets her Photos: Adam Hurrell and Kate Ginn

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ou hear Leona West long before you see her. A low rumble like that, she admits that her regular everyday vehicle, a Kia signals her approach before the distinctive “chop-chop pop- Sportage 4x4, can seem a little tame in comparison. chop” of a Harley-Davidson engine reverberates along the To her pupils at the American British Academy (ABA), where beach road in Shatti al Qurum. Leona teaches Grade 11 and 12, she’s simply “Miss”. But at the The thumping sound rings in your ears as Leona arrives with weekends, she becomes a biker riding with the Knights of Orion, a blonde pigtails sticking out from under her classic black helmet and Muscat-based MC (Motorcycle Club). She’s also a member of the her blue eyes visible above the black-and-white scarf protecting her Muscat Chapter of HOG (the Harley Owners Group). mouth. The ABA pupils must have one of the coolest teachers in town. She pulls up smartly on the kerb before parking in front of Leona says that a biker develops a relationship with their machine, Starbucks, watched by a little crowd of spectators drinking their similar to that of a horse and rider. “It’s all about mutual trust,” coffees al fresco and fascinated passers-by. she says. Dressed all in black, with huge biker boots, leather waistcoat, A Harley-Davidson demands a special sort of rider, one who t-shirt and skinny jeans, it’s fair to say that Leona doesn’t fit the appreciates the history in their hands. As Leona says, the brand “has stereotypical image of a motorcycle rider or, for that matter, a a culturally embedded mystique”. Harley-Davidson owner. But then, she Her male MC friends have accepted her as just doesn’t seem like the typical teacher either, another rider, but what of other drivers and road to be honest. users? “I just love to ride,” she says simply. “It’s “Reactions can vary from curiosity – I have so much fun. It’s an authentic and pure people tailgating me or coming up beside me WHEN YOU GO INTO THE experience. trying to take photos – to horror, often from older MOUNTAINS, YOU FEEL “When you go into the mountains, you feel men that a woman is riding a bike,” she admits. INTERCONNECTED. YOU ARE IN interconnected. You are in the mountains, “It’s awesome when girls in a car pull up next THE MOUNTAINS, RIDING WITH to me and give me big smiles or thumbs up. riding with people you trust, and it’s PEOPLE YOU TRUST, AND IT’S extraordinary. Your heart just expands with Equally, sometimes I can see disapproval in their EXTRAORDINARY. YOUR HEART eyes.” joy.” JUST EXPANDS WITH JOY Leona, who has been in Oman for eight Leona names a 530km round trip to Wadi years, grew up in Canada, near the Rocky Hawasnah, which offers kilometres of twisting Mountains, and was around motorcycles from a young age (her roads and curves, as her favourite ride. Sometimes she can be out all brothers all owned bikes). day, riding for eight hours with stops. “They would take me out for rides and I loved the feeling.” There was a recent tumble – falling off after riding through shallow It wasn’t until she was an adult that Leona bought her first bike – water made slippery by algae – and a fractured cheekbone early on, a Honda Shadow 750cc. For a while she didn’t tell her mother, who but nothing serious when it comes to accidents. wasn’t keen on her daughter riding a motorbike and wasn’t best There are endless anecdotes from her adventures, such as riding pleased when she did eventually find out. back from Jebel Shams in the summer and hitting Nizwa in 40The Shadow had a big engine, but was only half as powerful as the plus degrees, where the heat had melted the tarmac, making it as Harley-Davidson Street Bob she now rides. Leona admits that when treacherous as black ice. she first got it, she asked a friend to ride it home for her, so nervous When asked whether she’s ever been afraid for her safety, she was she of riding it herself. replies only once on a recent trip back from the mountains. She It’s a real beauty, “a work of art” as Leona calls it, with sweeping encountered three storms along the way, with rain and hailstones curves, chrome and purple metallic paint. New, it will set you back lashing her face like needles. around RO6,800. It’s also incredibly heavy, about 300 kilograms, “I couldn’t see a thing, I was pretty scared,” she says. “My boots which makes you wonder how Leona, who is quite slight, handles it. were full of water, my goggles were full of water. We were all shaking “Although you are exposed, I feel as safe riding it as when I’m in with the cold and riding like bats out of hell to get home. a car,” she says. “I’m like a fly when I ride. You develop a sense of “When the third one hit, I didn’t know if I could make it. When I everything that is going on around you. finally realised I was almost home, I was so relieved.” “Riding a bike is such a multi-sensory experience unlike a car, It sounds like a nightmare. But to Leona, it’s all part of the which is sanitised. adrenaline buzz of riding. She seems never happier than when “On a bike when you go through a village in Oman, you can smell hurtling into a head wind, hanging on for dear life. the barbecue, you can smell the goats or taste a sea breeze. “Riding is so therapeutic,” she says. “Teaching can be quite intense “Of course, you get some drivers who think it’s funny to ride too and when you’re out on the bike, the wind just blows everything away close to you or want to race, but I just hit the throttle and I’m gone.” and your mind clears. She can hit 155kph (the fastest she’s ridden) with ease. At speeds “That’s how you feel on a bike.”

ounded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1903, Harley-Davidson, often abbreviated to H-D or just Harley, has become an iconic symbol of the American Dream. Harley’s humble beginnings began in 1901 when 20-year-old William S Harley conceived a small engine (116cc) with four-inch flywheels. Over the next two years, Harley and his childhood friend Arthur Davidson worked on their motor-bicycle. The first prototype didn’t pan out well, but an improved version with a 405cc engine was unveiled on September 8, 1904. Harleys were used as combat vehicles in World War One and by 1920 Harley-Davidson was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, having turned out 28,189 machines. Harley produced more than 90,000 military motorcycles for World War Two. In the 1980s, the company fought back against Japanese competitors by exploiting its “retro” appeal and the rest is history. The famous Harley badge has adorned models from Fat Boys and Softails to Knuckleheads and the Sportster. The brand is recognised the world over. There is even a dedicated museum to all things Harley in Milwaukee.

he list of famous Harley riders past and present is almost as long as the motorcycle brand’s history. Here are just a few: Brad Pitt, Sylvester Stallone, George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elvis Presley, Steve McQueen, Harrison Ford, James Dean, Bruce Springsteen, David Beckham, Pamela Anderson, Brigitte Bardot, Clark Gable, Marlon Brando, Jasper Conran, Elizabeth Taylor, Mickey Rourke and Nancy Sinatra. Make tracks to Oman’s local dealership of HarleyDavidson Middle East and North Africa region: Harley-Davidson Muscat Bulding 3221A, Dohat Al-Adab Street, Al Khuwair Tel: 2448 9428

Join the Harley Owners Group Muscat Chapter www.hog-muscat.com

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Lend y JOIN US: Swim our voice t Post y 4Life camp o Y’s Faceb our comme aign. tweet ook.com/y nts on us @ ta editor ytabloid obloid, @y-om re an.commail

As Y’s campaign to raise awareness of the importance of learning how to swim continues, we invite you to jump onboard and help us to spread the message

T Stuart’s top 5 tips for parents ① Be vigilant with children around water ② Teach your children to always ask permission before entering the water ③ Never allow children to swim alone – always use the “buddy system” ④ If you have a childminder or maid, ensure that they can swim, as well as know what to do in an emergency situation ⑤ Every parent and caregiver should complete a simple course in first aid and CPR, as well as know the contact details of nearby emergency services

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he ability to swim is a skill that lasts a lifetime. So in this day and age, it is difficult to understand why so many people in Oman don’t know how to swim. Yet, it is these very people – weak or non-swimmers – who head to the beaches and wadis at weekends and holidays to enjoy the water, putting not only themselves in danger, but also the lives of others who try to save them if they get into difficulty. Learning to swim and having confidence in the water, coupled with safety and self-rescue skills, go a long way in protecting not only our children, but also many adults and parents. And the statistics back this up. According to the World Health Organization, Oman has one of the worst death rates for drowning in the GCC – second only to Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Between July and November this year, at least 14 people have drowned in Oman, while in 2011, a total of 226 drowning cases were reported.

Y’s #Swim4Life campaign aims to raise awareness of this serious issue – and to call on the authorities to introduce mandatory swimming lessons in schools across the country. Stuart Martin, of Lua Lua Diving and Adventure, which he set up with business partner Tegan Randall earlier this year, is a huge advocate of everybody – both young and old – learning to swim. He says the lack of swimming safety and skills in Oman can partly be put down to a lack of public facilities. But he believes parents are also to blame. “I think the fact that swimming pools aren’t readily available in Oman definitely has something to do with it,” he says. “But I think the main reason is that parents who don’t know how to swim have a fear of it and therefore transfer that fear to their children and keep them away from swimming.” Like Y, Stuart also believes that swimming lessons should be made mandatory in every school in Oman. “I am not saying that every child needs to be an Olympic swimmer, but I strongly believe that every child should learn to be able to swim themselves to safety in the event that they were to fall into a swimming pool. “Swimming in a pool and swimming in the ocean are two very different environments. Even good, strong swimmers can find themselves in trouble if caught in a rip current at the beach. So part of learning to swim should also involve some basic awareness and understanding of swimming in the ocean.” In addition to running scuba diving trips, Stuart and Tegan offer a learnto-swim programme via their PADI Swim School since joining the US-based Starfish Aquatics Institute (SAI) as a training centre. SAI is one of the largest lifeguard, swim instructor and pool operator certifying agencies in the US. In the meantime, Stuart says nobody is too old or too young to begin learning how to swim – and stresses that the involvement of parents is crucial for children learning the basics. “Our curriculum allows children as young as six months to start learning to swim. That being said, at this age, it is more about teaching the parents how to be responsible and encouraging to their children when they are away from lessons. “We want mums, dads, or both, to be part of the lessons. What we have witnessed are some parents who just want to drop their infants with us and watch from the side of the pool, which is something we do not encourage.” * Next week: Team Y takes a CPR course with Lua Lua Diving and Adventure

TOP GEELYS I

t’s been a great journey with the Geely gang and one that we hope you’ve enjoyed as much as we have. Over the past month, we’ve found out just why Geely has become the brightest new star in the automotive market, with a name that has become synonymous with quality, durability and, most of all, affordability. The Chinese brand is making inroads into the Sultanate’s car sales, with a growing fanbase spreading across the country. Being a member of the Geely gang is so much fun and because they offer incredible value for money, it’s not exclusive either. Anyone can join, whether you go for the cute GC2 Panda, one of the sedans (Emgrand 7 or 8) or the 2.4L Emgrand X7, a rugged SUV for urban or rural driving. All Geely models are designed and made in line with European safety standards and have a five-star China – New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP) rating across all models. We’ve heard from Geely owners about their love affair with the brand and why they wouldn’t settle for anything less. Now we can reveal the two

The lucky winners of an iPad in our cool competition are revealed

lucky winners of our competition held in association with Towell Auto Centre, the sole distributor of Geely Emgrand in Oman. We asked Y readers to submit questions about the brand, which were then put to registered Geely owners to answer. Each week, we’ve been publishing four of the best Q&As It’s been a hard job choosing the top two – we’ve had some great questions and informative answers. But in the end, we went for Adil Nasser al Jabri and Abul Hashem Muhammad. The separate winning question and answer is printed below. Congratulations! Well done to both of you and we’ll be in touch about collecting your prize of an iPad. Thanks to everyone who took part, both asking and answering questions. You’ll always be members of the Geely gang. * To join the Geely gang or keep up with the latest deals and information from Geely Emgrand, searched for Geely Emgrand Oman on Facebook, or follow @GeelyOman on Twitter

The Emgrand X7 is a best-selling SUV with excellent safety features but can we compare it to a Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4 and other SUVs? Some people think a Chinese brand is inferior without knowing the true features. From Adil Nasser al Jabri (November 13 issue) I am proud to say that my brother owns a Geely Emgrand 7, which both he and I drive. Most people are dumbfounded when they see our car. They always seem skeptical about Geely as a legitimate and quality brand of car. However, once they get to ride in it, boy, do their opinions change! I’ve always found the Emgrand to be one of the best cars I’ve ever driven, if not the best. I love absolutely everything about it – comfort, daily drivability, the interior and exterior, you name it! I definitely wish to see more and more Geely vehicles gracing Oman’s highways in the very near future. Answered by Abul Hashem Muhammad (November 13 issue)

Grab a Geely

Whatever you want from a car, Geely will have the answer for you. The full range in Oman is the GC2 (Panda), a hot hatch with heart, cuteness and a 1.5L engine, the trendy GX2 crossover with vibrant colours, the suave Emgrand 7 sedan with a 1.8L engine, its bigger brother the 2.4L Emgrand 8 and the daddy of the gang, the Emgrand X7, the first SUV to receive the five-star star rating in the China – New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP) test.

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TREND New Restaurant

News

VEGGIES IN VOGUE

Vegetables are coming into fashion in a big way, giving you more reason than ever to eat those greens, finds Matt Blackwell

one are the days when vegetables formed merely the boring boiled additions to a meal. Recent trends in global gastronomy have seen them elevated to new heights, as they become the stars of the dish. Indians constitute about 70 per cent of the world’s vegetarians and with a large expat population in Oman, it’s not hard to find restaurants that offer an extensive vegetarian selection to cater for this market in larger cities such as Muscat. “The demand for quality vegetables is growing worldwide,” says Neil Sequeira, executive chef at Golden Tulip Seeb Hotel. “Vegetables are being used as a face lift for signature dishes to make them more enticing. The proper use of different kinds of vegetables adds beauty to the plate. Traditionally, vegetables have been cooked in various combinations with meat, fish, seafood and poultry, but nowadays many chefs use vegetables in their freshest form using very little heat time in order to retain their freshness as the modern foodie is used to eating with the eye.” Vegetables are being used in increasingly inventive ways, including all manner of savoury dessert dishes such as avocado mousse. Meat eaters will often deride vegetarian dishes as tedious and less satisfying, but with creative options such as beetroot and carrot hummus, buffalo cauliflower, spinach “burgers” and courgette “pizzas” beginning to sprout up, perhaps this is no longer the case. The heightened focus on produce from the earth is not just a fleeting fad; increasing our vegetable intake can also offer numerous health benefits. The advantages of superfoods and supergrains such as kale and quinoa have been well documented over recent years, 028

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but lentils are also beginning to find fame. Already a staple of Middle Eastern diets, these pulses are easily found on supermarket shelves and can form the basis of a cheap and quick meal. They are packed with both fibre and iron, and three quarters of cup provides double the amount of protein of an egg. According to a recent report published in the journal Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy, researchers found that, “Vegetarian [including vegan] diets have benefits for cardiovascular health, hypertension, body weight and plasma lipids, and also provide nutritional advantages compared with omnivorous diets.” The same report found that switching to a vegetarian diet could be an effective way to reverse diabetes, a growing health concern in the region and in Oman particularly. Scientists claim that removing animal fats can improve insulin sensitivity and that a diet change could form an alternative method of treatment for type 2 diabetes. Speaking to a British newspaper, Dr Neal Barnard, of the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, said: “We now know that type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance. Getting the animal fat – and fats in general – out of the diet helps repair insulin’s ability to function. “We tell patients they can eat as much as they want – and as much whole wheat pasta, whole grains and brown rice as they want – as long as they’re not eating animal products or lots of added oils.” When you consider the United Nations report stating that the world’s cattle herds do more damage to the environment than all our cars and planes combined, maybe it is time to go green and let vegetables enjoy their time in the limelight.

Buffalo Cauliflower and Blue CheeseYoghurt Dipping Sauce Ingredients § 1 head cauliflower § 3/4 cup buttermilk § 1/2 cup all-purpose flour § 1/2 tsp garlic powder § 1/2 tsp coarse salt § 3/4 cup buffalo sauce § 1 tbsp butter, melted § 1 container plain yogurt § 1/2 cup blue cheese Preparation method

● Preheat oven to 230°C/Gas mark 8. ● Break the cauliflower into florets. ● In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, buttermilk, garlic powder and salt until mostly smooth. Gently add the cauliflower florets to the bowl and toss to combine. ● Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 18 minutes. Check at the 15-minute mark. ● In a different bowl, whisk together the melted butter and buffalo sauce. Once the cauliflower is baked, pour the buffalo sauce over the cauliflower and lightly toss to coat. Place back in the oven for five to eight minutes. ● In the meantime, in a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt and blue cheese. Add a tablespoon of water to thin out, if needed. Season with a small pinch of salt and pepper. Source: www.tablespoon.com

31 81

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FOOD AND DRINK

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

REVIEWS

al u s Ca ning Di

Info Box

BAR B Q TONIGHT

Shatti Telephone: 9724 9769 Opening hours: Saturday – Thursday: 12pm to 4pm, 7pm to 12am Friday – 1pm to 4pm, 7pm to 12am Dinner for four including water: RO 25.60

FLAMING SUCCESS

Verdict : 8 / 10 Service 8.5 / 10 Food 7.5 / 10 Ambience Authentic food and a serene ambience Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

WITH A CALM AMBIENCE, MOUTH-WATERING VEGETARIAN AND NON-VEGETARIAN VARIETIES AND AN AUTHENTIC FEEL OF THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT, THIS NEW EATERY IS DEFINITELY WORTH A VISIT, SAYS DEEBA HASAN

was heading for some food in Shatti al Qurum and a friend suggested that I try the recently opened Bar B Q Tonight. After learning a little more about the chain of restaurants from Karachi in Pakistan that now has branches in seven countries, I must admit I grew a little curious. The food from Karachi is very similar to that of my hometown of Lucknow in India, and so I decided to try the place everyone was talking about. On reaching the restaurant, which is located by the Ramada Hotel, I noticed that it had a very tranquil atmosphere. With the welcome arrival of cooler evenings over recent weeks, we decided to make use of the restaurant’s somewhat limited outdoor seating. A waiter emerged from within and informed us about the buffet available inside, which came as something of a surprise. I wasn’t complaining though – buffets are a great way to try a little bit of everything. Inside the restaurant, things were a lot noisier because it was very close to capacity, with a mix of Indians, Omanis and Pakistanis all dining. I approached the buffet area to scout out what was on offer. The various salads, soups, chicken bihari, kabuli pulao, biryanis, malai chicken tikka,

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IF BAR B Q TONIGHT IS ABLE TO FORGE A REPUTATION SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE BRANCHES IN OTHER COUNTRIES, I THINK IT WILL DO JUST FINE IN MUSCAT AND I WILL CERTAINLY BE BACK FOR MORE breads and chutneys to name just a few, were a real feast for the eyes. Eager to sample as much as possible, I started with the salads and soups. The Russian salad was just amazing with its creamy dressing and the fatoush, though not terribly authentic, was delicious too. The chicken corn soup was a slight disappointment, however, owing to an overabundance of salt. For the mains, I picked up chicken bihari (a creamy chicken tikka), malai chicken, the seekh kabab, roghni naan and some chicken biryani. This time, everything was fantastic. The chicken in all the dishes was cooked to perfection, with an almost melt-in-the-mouth texture and a wonderful taste. The roghni naan was warm and fresh and I found that I’d eaten two quarters before I’d even realised. The rice in the biryani was long, plump and slender, just how it’s supposed to be. I was in food heaven. I’ve never been much of a seafood person, so I skipped over the seafood that was on offer, although my father seemed to be enjoying the prawns he had gone for. When I asked him, it turned out that they were tasty but not truly

exceptional, but then again, Bar B Q Tonight is not the kind of place you’d go specifically for its soup or seafood selection. This is a restaurant that specialises in grills and kebabs. I felt dangerously close to full after such a hearty meal, but had kept some space in reserve for some of the desserts I had spied on a previous trip to the buffet table. Mini gulab jamuns, custard fruit trifle, shahi tukda and gajar ka halwa were on offer and I sampled a little bit of everything. I enjoyed the gulab jamuns immensely – the little dumplings were warm and soft, didn’t fall apart and weren’t too sweet. The fruit trifle was good too, as was the shahi tukda, which perhaps could’ve done with a dash more more sugar, while the gajar ka halwa, which is made using grated carrot, milk and sugar, was faithful to the original and tasted delicious. In terms of the service, I think they are doing relatively well, but maybe the seating could be a little more spacious. In all honesty though, these are probably just teething problems in a restaurant that is barely a month old. If Bar B Q Tonight is able to forge a reputation similar to that of the branches in other countries, I think it will do just fine in Muscat and I will certainly be back for more.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

Beauty

WINTER WEAR

FASHION

And just like that, December has arrived, bringing thoughts of parties, parcels and cooler temperatures. Thankfully, luxury meets practicality for outerwear this season. A palette of brown or grey lends a classic edge to tailored separates.

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SUITS YOU,

Neil Barrett has created an exclusive capsule range for the designer e-tailer Mr Porter, and this wool-blend blazer is a stand-out piece. Patterned with a dégradé effect, which graduates from ebony through to charcoal and softer grey, it’s a dramatic design that looks best teamed with the matching trousers. From RO745

SIR

Bottega Veneta is already renowned for its fine leather accessories, but these luxurious cotton and woolblend sweatpants prove the brand can master casual craftsmanship as well. Featuring a ribbed waistband and a subtly tapered leg, they’re perfect for when you want to look good but keep comfortable. From RO320 available at Mrporter.com

Smarten up your act in this season’s tailoring, says Penny Fray

hen it comes to suits, men don’t generally experiment. But some rules are meant to be broken. And that means having the confidence to shake up the classic concept of tailoring. Okay, so not everyone can pull off a bright tartan two-piece or go sans shirt, but that doesn’t mean you can’t play with a skinnier silhouette or mismatch your pieces à la Prada. Tailored separates for work, rest and play are big news this season, so why not embrace the traditional tweed blazer? Once associated with history professors and scruffy aristocrats, old school fabrics like herringbone, corduroy and tweed have been given a shot of vitality with modern cuts and quirky styling. Ring in the changes with a fine knit or slogan t-shirt instead of a shirt. Personally, I love the idea of adding a neat velvet smoking jacket to a pair of jeans. Clashing interesting textures is so cool right now. In fact, Calvin Klein, Burberry and Christopher Raeburn were just some of the designers championing thought-provoking fabrics for winter. The catwalks were awash with leather, quilting and high shine materials – the key is to combine different finishes.

Who needs boring brogues when there’s Lanvin’s futuristic black leather sneakers? Designed with functional treaded rubber soles, they’re defined by zipfastening elasticated vamps that cleverly conceal the lace-up construction. Wear yours to cap off a printed sweatshirt and slim trousers. From RO273 at Mrporter.com

TWISTED

TAILORING

Penny’s tips to doing it differently:

Ditch the shirt for a fine knit merino wool jumper. This one is by John Smedley at RO75, but you can buy similar versions from most of Muscat’s malls

Beautifully woven with a jacquard design, this Zara suit is right on the pulse of modern tailoring. The affordable online price tag of around RO80 is certainly a plus

You must be living under a rock if you haven’t heard that H&M have collaborated with one of fashion’s most exciting young designers this season. This Alexander Wang rucksack beats the bashed up briefcase for city cool. From RO50 1. The new appetite for sports-inspired designs means that wearing sweatpants with blazers is finally acceptable. If your workplace is fairly conservative, try wearing a pair of cuffed trousers instead. 2. For formal tailoring, the revival of the three-piece continues. Just make sure everything matches, otherwise you’ll look like a snooker player – and that’s never a good thing. 3. Vintage brown is the colour du jour when it comes to tailoring, especially in heirloom fabrics like tweed.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

BEAUTY F a s h i o n

Keep it simple With the fast pace of modern life, it can be hard to find the time to look after yourself. Make it easy with Y’s tips to replenish your body

e all know that natural elements can take a toll on the body, particularly in Oman where the extremes of temperature and humidity can be a real challenge. With work, school runs and errands to fit into a busy life, keeping on top of your appearance is not always the first priority. However, taking time to refill what has been depleted from your body, such as moisturising skin and hair, can make you feel healthier and more beautiful. A similar approach can also help make your teeth stronger, giving you a healthier smile. Though busy days may make extensive health and beauty routines feel unrealistic, here are a few simple ways to make them much more manageable: ● Think of the time you dedicate to taking care of yourself as an opportunity to unwind, relax and regain composure, rather than a chore or another item to check off that never-ending to-do list. ● Look for activities that deliver in multiple ways, such as yoga, which helps tone your body while giving your mind a chance to slow down and rejuvenate. Try a yoga class at hotels such as the InterContinental Hotel Muscat or get away from it all at the Al Nahda Resort & Spa. ● Instead of trying to cram a full body wellness session into a single day, schedule activities that don’t need to be performed daily over the course of a week. Not only does that spread your “you-time” further, it makes fitting it all in more doable. 034

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While a hectic lifestyle can dictate the specifics of your health and beauty routine, the tips below are great ways for nearly everyone to get started:

EXFOLIATE: Scrubbing away the dust and grime

of daily life or that desert trip from your face and body allows fresh, healthy skin cells to grow in place of the dead ones. After exfoliating, make sure to follow up with a quality moisturiser to smooth and replenish the moisture in your skin. To give tired skin a lift, try L’Oreal Revitalift Repair 10 Multi-Active Daily Moisturiser. Available at some supermarkets.

HYDRATE: Keep skin looking healthy and in tip-top

condition by making sure it’s hydrated. The easiest way is to drink water. Beauty experts recommend eight glasses or 1.5 litres of water a day. To maintain hydration, spread your intake throughout the day. Remember, the skin can get very dehydrated with the strong Omani sunshine, so be extra good with your water consumption. Mineral water can be bought for as little as 200 baisas per bottle.

REJUVENATE: Using a hair mask gives your hair a smooth and glossy appearance, making it feel strong. Similarly, regularly applying facial masks also gives the skin a healthy glow and smoother complexion. Neutrogena do a good Deep Recovery Hair Mask. Or make your own (see our suggestion on the right). PROTECT: In between visits to the dental hygienist,

you can continue to polish and strengthen your enamel at home. One option is Colgate Enamel Health Toothpaste, which helps replenish the natural calcium in your teeth and gently polishes for stronger, healthy enamel. To learn more about how to help maintain the work your hygienist does in between visits, visit www.colgateenamelhealth.com

MAKE TIME FOR MEDITATION:

Take time out of your busy day to sit quietly and meditate. Focusing the mind can help relieve stress, improving your overall mental wellbeing. Alternatively, take a walk on the beach to unwind. Ultimately, setting aside a little time each day to concentrate on yourself can result in a happier, healthier and more beautiful you.

DIY HAIR MASK Coconut Oil and Honey You’ll need: § 1 tbsp Coconut Oil § 1 tbsp Raw Honey § Saucepan § Mixing Bowl § Spoon § Towel § Shower cap (optional) Mix ingredients together and, as an extra step to help your hair follicles open up, heat the mixture in the saucepan on a hob. Be careful not to make it too hot, though. The mask can be applied to dry or wet hair, but wet hair is better. Apply generously from top to bottom, focusing on the ends. Wrap your hair in the towel and leave for 30-40 minutes. Wash out the mask in the shower using your regular hair products. And voila! Soft, smooth and healthy hair. Excellent for hair damaged by blow dryers, products and the sun.

Postcards from

Outdoors

Y- F i

Cars

CARS AND ADVENTURES

MAGICAL ISLE

The dark shape of Masirah Island looms dramatically in the distance shrouded in black clouds as day begins to break.

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

D E S T I N AT I O N P o s t c a r d s f r o m

Y- F i

Destination

MASIRAH ISLAND THIS WEEK, WE HEAD WAY BACK IN TIME TO 2009 TO CHECK OUT THE BEAUTIFULLY TRANQUIL MASIRAH ISLAND

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Outdoors

Cars

“After six hours of driving along the highway we only passed three cars. The heavy rains that can fall over the mainland during the winter are often only light showers on the island, contributing to its overwhelming sense of stillness. Our nights at Masirah were spent in utter silence. “There is no need to explain why Masirah makes the perfect spot for romantic getaways, family excursions, or simply a bit of ‘me time’, but complete peace is certainly one of its key points. The waters on the island’s coast provide long shallow stretches, ideal for those with small children who want to explore the waters and the sea life in a safe environment. In other places deep wells puncture rocky waters, creating ideal spots for fishing. “The stillness of the island’s interior provides experienced offroad drivers with some challenging, unspoiled trails, where civilisation will appear a million miles away, with only small clumps of populated shelters to break up the sand and rocky terrain of the island.”

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

n tribute to former Y photographer Jerzy Wierzbicki, who left the magazine in September after five years of service, we’ve been rifling through some of his best trips around the Sultanate, printing his thoughts and images in a retrospective series. This week, we go back to 2009 and one of the first of over 200 journeys Jerzy made, when he experienced the beauty of Masirah Island, located off the east coast of Oman, just over 450km from Muscat. Here’s Jerzy’s take on it: “A graveyard of sunken dhows surrounds the picturesque island of Masirah, which lies just off the coast of mainland Oman. “From the moment you land on the island, a sense of forlornness permeates the air. Apart from a scattering of villages in the north, the territory remains largely isolated. Large parts of the population were evacuated during turbulent weather back in 2007, when Cyclone Gonu struck and much of the island retains an eerie stillness, as if it has not quite forgotten this desertion.

Travel from Muscat to Sinaw and then on to Mahout. From here you must take the road to Shannah port, where you can get a ferry to Masirah Island. Once you arrive, explore it for yourself.

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

The tombs around Bat are some of Oman’s most renowned historical sites. Ever fascinated with the past, Laura Dyson went to experience one of the archaeological digs first hand

kay, so I’m no Lara Croft. I’m not a qualified archaeologist you see, but I do share her spirit of adventure and passion for the past. It was this spirit that had me standing in the searing summer heat 30km northeast of the village of Bat, watching a team of highly skilled men and women painstakingly work on some of Oman’s most famous archaeological wonders. The beehive tombs located near Ibri, close to the village of Bat, form the most complete collection of settlements and necropolises from the third millennium BC in the world and are recognised by Unesco as World Heritage sites. These stone tombs originate from the Hafit period, also known as the Copper Age, and are estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. Originally used as

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burial chambers by the society living in the area, I was informed by the knowledgeable professionals that over time, these people mined the limestone that these tombs are made from and had workshops to dress and shape the stone. They also mined and exported copper and there is evidence of flint working to make basic tools and pottery, showing the signs of an organised society. The fact that these stone structures have survived for thousands of years in unforgiving environmental conditions stands as a testament to their creators and make this area a must see on the itinerary of anyone interested in the history and culture of Oman. In actual fact, relatively little of the Sultanate’s archaeology has been explored, meaning that observing or joining one of the organised digs provides you with

Postcards from

a real opportunity to witness history in the making, quite literally. Stopping at a petrol station on the outskirts of the village, I took my final drink and comfort break before venturing on. The first tomb I saw as I entered the village was on my right, directly in front of a modern house. Unfortunately, it was surrounded by building refuse and household waste when I visited. The untidiness of such areas is always a great upset for tourists and history lovers alike, but with a little care, I was able to climb right up close and have a look around. Being able to get so close to thousands of years’ worth of history was a fantastic and, at the same time, incredibly humbling experience. Driving through the village of Bat, which sits alongside a dry wadi, there are two main groups of tombs; one on each of the ridges to either side. As I explored the village, the road bent sharply past the graveyard and you can see a row of the smaller Cairns on the ridge on the other side of the wadi. A little further on I was able to cross into the wadi itself, although the terrain did get a bit bumpy from here on in. I followed a well-driven dirt track around the edge of the village and arrived at a tomb that was being reconstructed. I was able to get a fascinating glimpse of how the structures may once have looked and couldn’t help but feel that the bright white of the newly dressed stone must’ve made them quite a spectacle to travellers approaching the area to trade. Although I couldn’t take part in the dig itself because I wasn’t qualified in the necessary preservation methods and techniques, following recent discoveries, the current project directors are now calling for help from students and volunteers all over the world, giving anyone the fantastic opportunity to get hands on with history.

Y- F i

C a r s OUTDOORS

● The next fieldwork course will take place from January 14 to February 26, 2015. No previous experience is required, as you will be working under the guidance of instructors from institutions around the world. ● For further information on how to get hands on with the Bat project, go to www.ifrglobal.org/ programs/me/oman-bat

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CARS AND ADVENTURES HARD HITTING

Americans are passionate about sport and witnessing a game first hand can be a thrilling spectacle.

TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO: 1. Visit the Grand Canyon 2. Sample the country music in Nashville 3. Check out San Diego Zoo 4. Enjoy the view from the Empire State Building 5. Go to a sports game

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Destination

Outdoors

Y-Fi

Cars

POSTCARDS FROM

Matt Blackwell recommends

ROAD TRIP, USA A

merica - the land of the free and the home of the brave. F r o m t h e b u s y s t r e e t s o f M a n h a tt a n o n t h e e a s t e r n seaboard, to the surfers that ride the waves on Venice Beach in Los Angeles nearly 4,000km away, the US is a vast and varied country with almost every kind of climate and landscape imaginable. Perhaps it’s no wonder that nearly two thirds of the population doesn’t own a passport - they’ve got everything they could ever need right on their own front doorstep. Ever since the first North American transcontinental road t r i p w a s s u c c e s s fu l l y c o m p l e t e d i n 1 9 0 3 , t h e c o n c e p t o f travelling from coast to coast has captured hearts and minds. It is a journey that has been immortalised in literature by authors such as Jack Kerouac and in film, with movies like Easy Rider and Thelma and Louise. I was lucky enough to complete my own once in a lifetime trip, m a k i n g t h e j o u r n e y f r o m L A t o N e w Y o r k C i t y o v e r fo u r w e e k s towards the end of a six-month travelling stint around the world.

K IL L E R WHALE SEAWO SHOW A RLD S T A N D IE GO

My favourite place

San Diego is a vibrant Californian city, just north of the US-Mexico border that offers visitors a mild climate year round and extensive beaches, as well as plenty of attractions inland. Its proximity to Mexico has lent the city a unique vibe and a slightly slower pace of life that instantly makes you feel at home. During our stay, we visited the city’s zoo, which is one of the best in the country, with over 100 acres of habitats that home more than 3,700 rare and endangered animals. A visit offers a great opportunity to learn about hundreds of species, just make sure you have a full day spare if you really want to do it justice. The Gaslamp Quarter is the historic heart of the city, with Victorian-era buildings and some of the city’s finest cafes, restaurants and shops, forming a veritable playground for those with a taste for the finer things in life.

A NY ON TH E GR A ND C

Highlights

America has so many it’s difficult to know where to begin. The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona was one of the most breathtaking sights of the trip. The natural wonder that is 446km long, 29km wide and 1.6km deep, really has to be seen to be believed. With 58 additional National Parks spread across the country, there’s plenty of natural beauty on offer, from deserts to volcanoes and everything in between. We also visited the Joshua Tree National park in California. For music fans, stops at Austin, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana and Nashville, Tennessee are all a must. The three cities all offer live music in abundance at the ample bars and eateries that line their busy streets. Philadelphia is often referred to as the “Birthplace of America”, as it was here that the Continental Congress convened to write the Declaration of Independence and later the United States Constitution was drafted here as well. Consequently, history lovers are well catered for with tours of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Centre. New York is the city that famously never sleeps and with world-renowned attractions such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Central Park, it is a must-visit on any trip to the US. With my travel partner and I having both visited Manhattan before, we decided to focus on the underground cool of the city’s most populous borough, Brooklyn.

Lowlights

America is vast and a road trip requires a lot of driving. For every fantastic city, park and attraction you visit, there will be hundreds of kilometres of tedious and tiring roads that will need traversing before you arrive at your next stop.

Souvenirs Americans are a patriotic nation and it can be fun to get decked out in the colours of red, white and blue to join in the celebrations, especially for national events such as Independence Day, celebrated on July 4, which is similar to Oman’s National Day.

NEW Y ORK

CITY

Where to stay If you’re undertaking a cross-country road trip, there will be dozens of budget-friendly motels, hotels and hostels along the way, many of which will not even require prior reservation. DEC 04 - 10 / ISSUE 347

043

-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Postcards from

Cars

Outdoors

Y-FI

MODDING THE MOTOR We all like to make our cars that little bit more unique. With these upgrades and modifications, you’re sure to stand out from the crowd, as Adam Hurrell explains

SAFE AND SECURE Ever wanted to start your car remotely from a distance so by the time you get there the air con will have the internal temperature just the way you like it? If so, the AVITAL 5303L Security/ Remote Start System is for you. It allows you to lock and unlock the car from a distance and the remote sensor sends security updates, so you'll know if the doors have been opened in your absence. The perfect tool for keeping your pride and joy safe, sound and wonderfully cool on the inside. Available from amazon.com for RO174

KEEPING COOL ON THE MOVE

FRESH AIR

EDITOR’S PICK

Occasionally, the interior of cars can harbour obnoxious odours, with the potential to slightly sour long journeys. Luckily, the Sharp High Density Plasmacluster Ion Generator for Car Use air purifier removes these smells and rids the air from bacteria at the same time, leaving your car with a much fresher and cleaner aroma. Available from amazon.com for RO26

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On a long journey, it’s great to pull over for a break and a cold drink. It can be thoroughly annoying though when that cold drink in the glovebox is now warm. This frustration need no longer make you boil over as the brilliant Koolatron P65 Kargo 12v Portable Cooler will keep your Coke cold and your chocolate solid. Simply plug it into your 12-volt socket and hey presto, no more warm fizzy drinks or soggy sandwiches. Available from Amazon.com for RO52

PARKING PERFECTLY BOLLARDS AND CURBS CAN BE TRICKY TO SPOT WHEN PARKING, AS CAN THE ANIMAL OR CHILD THAT HAS JUST RUN BEHIND THE CAR. PARK YOUR REVERSING FEARS WITH THIS BRILLIANT AFTERMARKET YADA DIGITAL WIRELESS BACKUP CAMERA WITH 4.3" DASH MONITOR. EASY TO INSTALL ABOVE THE REAR NUMBER PLATE, THE IMAGE IS DISPLAYED ON A SCREEN PLACED ON THE DASHBOARD. IT’S WATERPROOF AND USABLE AT NIGHT, MAKING IT THE IDEAL ACCESSORY TO PREVENT ANY NASTY ACCIDENTS, DENTS OR SCRAPES. AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON.COM FOR RO48

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FIND OUT WHAT’S HIP & HAPPENING IN GADGETS

App of the Week

GLOWING HANDLES Take your exterior aesthetics to a whole new level with this very snazzy Plasmaglow 10347 Aqua LED Door Handle Kit. Make the doors really stand out in dark car parks with these LED strips that can be installed behind the handle, making them invisible once fitted. They can also be wired into your security systems to make them illuminate when the car is unlocked. Available from Amazon.com for RO17

TRAK MANAGER

For those of us who enjoy analysing the details when we travel, Trak Manager is ideal. It will record your speed, distance, altitude and give you information on your rate of acceleration via its accelerometer to name just a few of its nifty tricks. Available for FREE from the app store.

NEW GARMIN NÜVI 2577LT Driving with a map is so last century. A sat nav is the way to go. Mounted easily on the windscreen and powered through the 12-volt socket, this brilliant five-inch Garmin sat nav, is the ideal travelling companion. This little gem also gives lane guidance, which will make exiting multi-lane highways much easier. Those dreadful moments of panic can be banished to the mists of driving history. Lifetime map updates are also included with this model, making it completely future-proof. The Garmin nüvi

2577LT 5-Inch Bluetooth Portable Vehicle GPS is available from amazon.com for RO77

FOR THE KIDS

“Are we nearly there yet?” Transform your rear seat passenger’s journeys from a bore to a score with these DVD players. Mounted on the head restraint of the front seats, they come complete with separate wireless headphones and remote controls for each unit. Each system can play separate DVDs, meaning your little ones don’t even have to compromise on what film they would like to watch. You can also play films and TV programmes via USB and SD flash card input. Perfect for keeping your rear seat passengers occupied while you get on with the driving. The Power Acoustik HDVD9GRDK 8.8-Inch Pre-Loaded Universal Headrest Monitors with Twin DVD Combo and Headphones is available from amazon.com for RO193 JULY DEC 03 04 -- 09 10 / ISSUE 347 327

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CARS AND ADVENTURES

Destination

Postcards from

Outdoors

Y- F i C A R S

Aston Martin Vanquish Specifications: Engine: 6.0L V12 Horsepower: 568 Transmission: Touchtronic III 8-speed semi-automatic 0-100kph in 3.6 seconds Top Speed: 323kph Priced from: RO117,500

They say: “Unmistakably an Aston Martin.” We say: “World-class GT car.”

Aston Martin says it’s the greatest car they have ever produced. It was certainly love at first sight for Barbra Young when she tried out the Vanquish Luxury is attention to detail, originality, exclusivity and above all quality.” So says Angelo Bonati, who, as CEO of Officine Panerai, the exquisite watchmakers, knows a thing or two about owning the best. This context brings me nicely on to the Aston Martin Vanquish. In the interest of fair reporting, an Aston Martin of any model was always my fantasy “other” car. In my perfect driving world, a Porsche would be my every day car and the Aston Martin supercar, my weekender. That is a fair description, as the Aston Martin costs as much as a weekend house. My fantasy was to become my reality, as the 2015 Vanquish was loaned to me to test drive for a day. I drove to the showroom excited, yet apprehensive. Was I going to be disappointed? After all the pouring over photos of Aston Martins and dreaming, what if it’s a dud? But from the moment I laid eyes on this magnificent machine, I knew that dreams do actually come true. The rear end puts the Kardashians in the shade, with wide, sinuous curves and above all, originality. 046

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After a briefing on the controls, I was off. Steering into Muscat traffic, I had no need for the excellent Bang & Olufsen sound system, all I wanted to hear was the music of the six-litre V12 engine. What a car this is – a calm responsible adult in traffic with fantastic visibility and a responsive, smooth shifting 8-speed Touchtronic III gearbox, capable of 0-100 kph in 3.6 seconds. Yet despite all this, the car is extremely refined; there’s no pulling on the leash and no angry outburst because we were only able to drive in first and second gear. Cornering was a joy as the Vanquish hugged every curve. The controls all made sense, no gizmo gadgets, just clean lines and intuitive functionality. The interior is sheer leather luxury and comfort and the cockpit connects you perfectly with the car. Let loose, the Vanquish is the super GT of the 21st century. A real thoroughbred of a car. Power is up to 568bhp at 6,650rpm to ensure the fireworks you would expect. Raw numbers are great, but cannot convey the sense of exuberance

and the noise. The sheer force of the Vanquish is unforgettable as you move from idle to its rev limit in one mighty wave. This is not a car for everyone though; it’s a true two-seater, with perhaps room for a small child in the back seat. The makers of the Vanquish say it is the very essence of Aston Martin. I wouldn’t argue with that. With its British craftsmanship, the Vanquish has an understated glamour, perfect for those who want to enjoy sublime driving, safe in the knowledge that their choices in life are impeccable. If you are in the market for a GT supercar with charisma, run, don’t walk, to Aston Martin to preorder the best car I have ever driven. It was a teary parting when I returned the Vanquish. We had only just got to know each other. Although I knew all along that we would have only a short time together, I had hoped for more. Like Cinderella, my chariot was about to turn into a pumpkin. Perhaps we will drive together again, who knows, after all, dreams do come true, sometimes. Sigh.

20” alloy wheels with unique 10-spoke design structure Advanced infotainment system Dynamic Stability Control Full-grain Luxmill leather interior Electrically operated front seats with side airbags Front and rear parking sensors Cruise control Automatic temperature control Trip computer Aluminium front grille Rear parking assist camera Chrome tailpipe trim