Y Magazine #484, August 24, 2017

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AUG 24 - 30 2017 / ISSUE 484 • WEEKLY

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EDITOR’S

NOTE

Welcome to Y Magazine – your top guide to the best of Oman every week.

Fast forward

E

very time you go out to a restaurant, it’s pretty much impossible to get out of there without seeing at least one table taken up by a family where none of them are talking to each other. Instead, their faces are directed downward at their respective smartphones or tablets, each of them there, but not really there.

A 2014 Boston Medical Center study confirmed this when they observed 55 families eating dinner together at a fast food restaurant. The parents in 40 of those 55 families were seen absorbed in their mobile devices, with one third of the parents spending the entire meal on their device of choice. 1. Another study found that 90% of people reported that their relationships have been damaged as their significant others were ignoring them in favour of their gadgets. 2. Yet another study announced that today’s college students spend between eight and ten hours using their cell phones in some capacity each day, with 60% admitting that they are addicted.

Obviously, that’s a problem. Our phones have created a disturbing subconscious reflex of escapism, causing our minds to wander from the conversations going on directly in front of our faces to some far off urgent event or interaction. By trying to be everywhere at once, we’re nowhere, and it’s damaging marriages and hurting parentchild relationships. How dangerous is this problem in Oman? Read our cover story to find out!

Have a great week!

editor@y-oman.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi SENIOR ONLINE EDITOR Nishad Padiyarath ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

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AUG 24 - 30 / ISSUE 484

03

contents

AUGUST 24 - 30 2017

Your Oman

This Week

08 Voice Of Oman

Alvin Thomas 10 News

Masdar to fund wind

farm in Oman 13

News Dr Hamed al Gheilani talks about the nuisance of littering during the Khareef Festival in Salalah

18 Cultural Fiesta

Celebrate Eid and the

Kerala festival of

Onam at the Al Falaj Hotel 19

Cars and Adventures 32 Destination

Wadi Arbaeen 34 First Drive

Cadillac XT5 36 Postcard From

Alappuzha 38 Y-Fi

Cycling gadgets

22 Cover Story

Are smartphones

making a generation unhappy?

28 In good hands

Miracle OP on boy

spreads a shine

Health Conference Join medical experts at the OCEC to find out more on the future of healthcare in Oman

20 Movies

The Hitman’s Bodyguard

10

Features

20 Health and Beauty 40 Fashion

No frills; no thrills 42 Beauty

Smells of the season

22 Food and Drink 44 Food Feature

Smart bakes 46 Taste Test

Mishkak Express

44

43 Health

Eye level

38

40

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AUG 24 - 30 / ISSUE 484

029

THE VOICE OF OMAN

ALVIN THOMAS TRIES TO PUT A SPIN ON THE DANGEROUS ART OF DRIFTING WITH AN IDEA THAT OFFERS THRILLS WITHOUT SPILLS—FOR BOTH THE YOUNGSTERS AND THE PUBLIC

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED:

S

ometime last week I came across a video of a Lexus LX570 SUV drifting somewhere in the heart of Dhofar. It was quite an amusing video. The sight of an SUV slithering about like a sports car isn’t something you get to see every day–no matter how wrong it is in the eyes of the law.

However, the video soon cut to an image of the SUV parked in the police station, with a sorrowful song playing in the background.

I cannot lie: I couldn’t help but chuckle at the juxtaposition of the two scenes.

This wasn’t the first case this year, either. A few weeks back, the Royal Oman Police impounded numerous supercars for blocking the roads and drifting hazardously in public.

And I’m with you all; this is the kind of action that must be punished, no matter how thrilling it may be for some.

But, is that—punishment—the only solution to such dangerous obsessions?

Well, we may have to take a more radical approach if we are serious about applying the brakes on such crazy acts being staged on the roads.

So, instead of locking them all up, why don’t we give them better, safer and exclusive options than they have at the moment to enjoy an adrenaline rush?

Currently, those seeking the thrills can head straight to the Oman Automobile Association for a time-attack, drifting or a session of go-karting. But that’s not enough. We need to have more of such initiatives from the Oman government.

By increasing the number of designated places where drifting and drag races could be performed, we will be helping youngsters to indulge in their passion without either putting their lives at greater risk or posing a threat to others.

This, in essence, will help them get rid of their frustration and which, in turn, will help use of public roads for the purpose they are meant for. Trust me, it deserves a try.

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The Royal Oman Police has called on parents to avoid putting their children at risk by allowing them to ride motorcycles. What are your thoughts?

NADEEM NOOR

Riding motorcycles without proper safety equipment and a proper licence pose risks to everyone including the driver and other road users. The Royal Oman Police will need to combat this situation by tightening their checks on motorcycle riders as they are not so easily caught. Quad biking on streets and trying to pull off cool stunts to post on social media have also become commonplace in Oman. This has led to an increase in the number of accidents over the years. Stricter regulations by the ROP may help keep down the number of accidents and the parents will need to supervise activities of their children. If not, injuries or even deaths could result.

ANITHA DINESH

The ratio of the number of motorbikes against the number of accidents in Oman is alarming.

The problem of teenagers driving rashly using unregistered bikes is a cause of concern.

Awareness among youngsters can help to reduce accidents. The youngsters should follow the rules and wear safety equipment such as helmets.

The speed of the high-powered bikes must be reduced. Speed thrills but when things fall in the wrong place it makes an irreversible impact on the lives of the people affected. Parents should educate their children on safety.

BENSON CRUZ

Quad bikes plying the streets or main roads should be apprehended. Firstly, no plate numbers

WRITE TO US AND YOU COULD WIN

(means no ROP vehicle registration); secondly, under aged drivers (means no driving licence); thirdly, they drive like maniacs (wheelies, drifting, racing etc).

YASSER MACKI

People ride quadbikes on the beach in Azaiba / Seeb. Police are there but nothing happens. It’s time to act and not wait for something to happen before any action is taken. All quadbikes must be registered (just like a car) and endowed with numberplates.

Quadbike users should wear helmets and protective gear and any reckless driver caught should be slapped with a fine of RO100 and have his bike confiscated for two weeks. Any repeat offences should be dealt with more harshly.

BILAL MOIN

It’s a good move that the ROP and society are taking the initiative in educating youth and parents that quadbiking and riding on motorcycles is dangerous and not just a bit of fun. I’m speaking from experience as my younger brother has had two bad accidents and we are lucky he is still with us.

PARUL JAIN

I agree with the suggestion given to parents by the Royal Oman Police. Cars and bikes have come to be associated with the epitome of masculinity and public racing as the public assertion of this masculine power. The response of young men thus becomes: buy a bike, drive recklessly and dangerously and then be entertaining by being watched as they race their precious lives away. While doing this,

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the adrenalin shoots up and makes them forget that they have a loving and caring family back home who are eagerly awaiting their safe return. Strict punishments and fines should be imposed on people found racing or without proper safety equipment. They should be counselled that they are not only risking their lives but also the lives of other people on the road. Traffic safety weeks should be organised more regularly in schools and public places to make more people aware of this problem. The joint effort of parents and police can to some extent bring the situation under control.

MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT

I fully support the suggestion of the Royal Oman police but it is the responsibility of the police too. Officers must caution bikers and not just fine them when necessary but prosecutors should impose some community service on them to teach them a lesson. However in the area around Wadi Kabeer, Muscat, Jibroo, Darsait and Sidab I see scooters without number plates being dangerously driven by teenagers who think that road safety is the responsibility of only those who are licensed. They not only risk their lives but also those of others. Many parents do not even know about these maniacs; some of them are children. An awareness campaign in all the schools must be regularly carried out to make children aware of the dangers of this careless pastime. Needless to say, the Royal Oman Police has to have the power to deal with issues on-the-spot, too.

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AUG 24 - 30 / ISSUE 484

09

YOUR

OMAN

MASDAR TO HELP BUILD

OMAN WIND FARM

T

he GCC’s first large-scale windfarm is to be built in Oman.

Masdar, the Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy firm, has signed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract with a global consortium comprising GE and Spain’s TSK to build the Dhofar Wind Power Project.

The project is the result of a development pact formed in 2014 between Masdar and the Rural Areas Electricity Company (Raeco).

Funding will be provided by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD).

The 50 megawatt (MW) wind farm takes its name from the southern Omani governorate bordering Yemen, the largest of the Sultanate’s 11 governorates.

It will electrify an estimated 16,000 homes and offset 110,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar said: “Oman has immense untapped potential in renewable energy,

particularly in solar and wind.

“Masdar is proud to be supporting the historically close ties between the UAE and the Sultanate by providing our experience and expertise from delivering cutting-edge renewable energy solutions across the world.

“The Dhofar Wind Power Project will play an important role in supporting the diversification of Oman’s energy mix while providing a reliable source of clean power to serve its growing population and economy.

“We are pleased to be supporting this project and the construction of the Dhofar Wind Power Project.

“It represents a fundamental shift in clean

energy projects in the region and in the Sultanate in particular. It is the first project of its kind in the Gulf region and will offset 110,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.”

GE will lead the EPC consortium, and will provide the project’s 13 wind turbines powered by the company’s latest 3.8MW wind turbine generator solution.

Built upon the technology of its predecessors, the turbine represents the latest development in GE’s wind turbine platform, increasing both annual energy production and flexibility in operation. TSK will support the consortium partners with the construction of the balance of plant.

2,000 ITEMS SEIZED IN WATCHDOG CRACKDOWN

A

lmost 2,000 items have been confiscated and more than RO7,500 recovered, in the month of July, according to the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP).

“More than 1,950 items were seized and more than RO7,550 was recovered to maintain the health and safety of the consumer, and the restoration of his rights,” the last report issued by the Department of Market Monitoring said.

Fifty-nine notices were received in July, along with 294 registered violations, according to the authority.

Hilal al Ismaili, Director of the Market Monitoring Department, said: “The violations were of various ranges including differences in prices, misleading offers and commercials, lack of explanatory data, poor storage, prices and other irregularities.”

According to the Director, the inspection teams confiscated 347 Meher/Royal cigarette packs, 297 rotten and expired products, 249 chewing tobacco packages, 264 items containing skull and skeletal images, 444 nonconforming products and 346 imitated and fake items.

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AUG 24 - 30 / ISSUE 484

OMAN AIRPORTS TO IMPLEMENT NEW BAGGAGE POLICY FROM SEPTEMBER 1

A

new baggage policy is to be introduced across the Sultanate’s major airports, the Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) has confirmed.

In line with aviation industry standards and procedures, the OAMC will now set up the changes at Muscat International, Salalah and Sohar, on September 1.

Passengers will no longer be allowed to checkin round and irregular-shaped luggage, such as items wrapped in blankets, linen or tied with rope.

This change will apply to all passengers regardless of airline, cabin class or destination.

For travellers, the new policy should result in faster pickups, fewer baggage jams, and an overall smoother and hasslefree experience.

The new policy is also aimed at improving the safety of baggage handlers and increasing check-in

efficiency and security procedures.

An OAMC spokesman said: “We want to ensure that all airports in the Sultanate constantly achieve the highest overall quality performance, providing travellers with excellent facilities and service.

“We are telling travellers: ‘If the bag doesn’t lie flat, then consider repacking using appropriate suitcases and travel bags. Baby strollers, bicycles, wheelchairs, golf bags will still be permitted’.”

The company is currently working closely with airlines, travel agencies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the policy’s success.

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AUG 24 - 30 / ISSUE 484

011

YOUR

ALL SMILES

OMAN

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OMAN, ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE, SUCCESSFULLY ADMINISTERED THE TOEFL ITP EXAMINATION FOR JUNIORS AND TEENS AT ITS SCHOOL IN GHALA. TO CONGRATULATE THE STUDENTS ON THEIR SUCCESS ELES HELD THE GRADUATION CEREMONY, THIS WEEK [MONDAY, 21 AUGUST, 2017].

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GALLERY

NEWS

CLEAN SALALAH

B

lessed with a rich heritage and incredible biodiversity, Dhofar is a dream destination for tourists, with its cool, wet summer, rugged mountains, spectacular waterfalls, dramatic sinkholes and sprawling beaches with vast expanses of white sand. But, it’s not a pretty picture now with so much rubbish being left behind by people who flock to these nature’s gifts to relax and recoup. Hasan al Lawati talks to Dr Hamed al Gheilani, Community Outreach Manager at the Environmental Society of Oman, to get a view of the mounting eyesores and learn more about the campaigns being launched by the Environmental Society of Oman in association with government agencies and other nature lovers to preserve the pristine charm of the region. “Due to the high inflow of visitors to Salalah during the monsoon season, littering is a big problem,” Dr Al Gheilani says, adding that “the sooner the community is made aware of the threats of such behaviours, the better.

Excerpts from the interview: How long will it take to clean up tourist areas in Salalah?

ESO’s clean-up drives are ongoing throughout the year and across the country. As long as there is littering, clean-ups will be needed. Ultimately, we hope to encourage people to dispose of their waste appropriately so that we would not need as many clean-ups events.

A campaign was recently organised to meet the challenged during the Khareef season in Dhofar. Throughout the year ESO conducts beach as well as underwater clean-ups in different regions. The purpose of these clean-ups is to raise awareness among the community about the threat of inappropriate waste disposal on the beaches, in the seas, gardens and springs. The clean-ups aim at making people aware that we must not litter. It is, therefore, an ongoing activity and we cannot say how long it will take to clean up tourist areas in Salalah.

How many people are taking part in the current campaign?

The campaign is being supported by the Oman Scouts, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and some volunteers. About 150 people have been working on this campaign, including the ESO staff.

What kind of garbage do you come across more often?

The largest item of garbage that was collected was plastic items, including bags, caps and bottles. There were also a lot of metal cans that were collected by the team. This is usually the outcome of groups driving by or visiting the springs or even camping near the springs and littering the place.

Do you think tourists need to be more aware about the environment?

Oman’s rich biodiversity and its beauty could be or, in some cases, have already been threatened by irresponsible human behaviours such as littering. We must raise awareness levels in order to protect our natural heritage. The clean-up campaign in Salalah was also used to educate families visiting the springs, Ain Arzat, for instance, on the threats of plastic use. The team of staff and volunteers took the opportunity to talk to the families about the threats of using plastic bags and littering, while also pointing out how much a single piece of trash destroys the beauty of these springs. A total of 120 environment-friendly bags were distributed to the families.

OVER 526,000

VISIT DHOFAR, 75 PER CENT BY ROAD

T

here was a 6.9 per cent increase in the number of Khareef visitors to Dhofar from August 8 to August 15 compared to the same period

last year.

The total number of visitors during the period from June 21 to August 15 reached 526,874, including 97,633 visitors from August 9 to August 15, according to the latest statistics released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

Visitors who came by road this year comprised 75.8 per cent of the total, compared to 79.9 per cent during the same period last year.

Of the total, Omanis formed 76 per cent and non-Omanis 24 per cent, while those from all other GCC countries reached 91 per cent.

The number of visitors from GCC countries reached 94,323 during the eighth week, which comprised a 7.9-per cent increase, compared to the same period of 2016.

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YOUR

SALALAH BECKONS

OMAN

FRESH BIRD’S-EYE VIEW PICTURES TAKEN BY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER, ANAS AL DHEEB, IN SALALAH. HE AIMS TO CAPTURE THE GREENERY AND BEAUTY OF THE LAND THROUGH HIS LENS. THE YOUNG OMANI HAS WON MORE THAN 51 INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL AWARDS FOR HIS ARTWORK.

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GALLERY

NEWS

EIGHT KILLED IN ‘TYRE BLOW OUT’

E

ight people were killed over the weekend after a two-vehicle collision on the Muscat-Salalah

route.

Seven others were injured of whom two were airlifted to a hospital in Nizwa.

The two-vehicle crash happened on the road 30km south of Haima.

Of the eight casualties, six were Omani citizens, while two were Yemeni nationals, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) confirmed.

A preliminary investigation by the ROP said that the incident was likely to have been caused by a burst tyre.

The incident raises the number of fatalities on the road in the past eight weeks to 24.

Emergency contacts have been posted by police for six towns along the Salalah road as a result of the deaths.

The towns go as far as Adam, which is located 176km from Muscat, all the way to Thumrait, the last major city before the Dhofari capital of Salalah.

An ROP spokesman said: “For every Khareef (monsoon) season that begins in Dhofar, the only road that leads to Salalah is a little dangerous.

“We are providing assistance for those who drive to Salalah. Anybody can drive to Salalah, and so there needs to be some sort of assistance. It’s the tourist season, the number of people travelling will naturally be higher, and there should be immediate assistance if necessary.”

“There are five to six routes to Thumrait,” he added. “These six routes fall under the jurisdiction of the emergency vehicles and the police, while another four are under Civil Defence and Ambulance services. They also have air support through a helicopter that is on standby.”

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For inquiries and reservations, please contact +968 2423 6600 or send email to spacenvareecmo@chr.co.th

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YOUR

‘INDIA AT 70’

OMAN

THE 71ST INDEPENDENCE DAY OF INDIA WAS COMMEMORATED AT THE INDIAN SCHOOL DARSAIT (ISD), ON TUESDAY, 15TH AUGUST, 2017. THE EVENT WAS ATTENDED

BY SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE, TEACHERS AND ALSO STUDENTS.

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GALLERY

In a new series, we look for inspiration from a variety of influences around Oman, including its people, places and wildlife.

Today’s inspiration: Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. -Desmond Tutu

Photo: Shaquel Al Balushi

AUG 24 - 30 / ISSUE 484

017

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

CULTURAL FIESTA

Celebrate Eid and the Kerala festival of Oman at the ‘Aavani Raavu’ with the folk from the All India United Association. The event will be hosted at Le Grand Hall in the Al Falaj Hotel, and doors will open at 6.30pm. H.E. Indramani Pandey, the Ambassador of India to Oman, will be the chief guest. Ms Neena Kurup and Mr Raja Sahib are also among the VIPs expected to attend.

THIS

WEEK

SEP

02

FOOD & HOSPITALITY EXHIBITION WHAT TO DO. WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

AUGUST - OCTOBER Food & Hospitality Oman is an annual international exhibition that focuses on Oman’s food and hospitality industry. It showcases food, hotel equipment and supplies, kitchen and catering equipment, food packaging products, food processing technologies, and other related products and services. The exhibition will be held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Center.

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OCT

16

Gallery

Movies

The 7th Oman Health Exhibition and Conference is taking place from October 9-11 at the new Oman Convention and Exhibition Center.

The conference will feature government and industry experts, and leaders who will share their insights on the challenges, solutions, and opportunities accompanying the most critical issues surrounding Oman’s healthcare sector.

OCT

09

PROTECT YOUR SPINE

HEALTH CONFERENCE

Spinal health problems are on the rise in Oman. Over the past decade, the number of people with spinal health problems has gone up four-fold. What is particularly disheartening is to see young people in their 20s and 30s with spinal injuries. Stress and lack of exercise make the spine vulnerable.

Optimal Spine and Joint Center is organising a free health consultation from August 24 to 26, at the Muscat City Center , in Seeb.

AUG

24

THROUGH YOUR EYES

SHARE YOUR PHOTO WITH Y TO BE FEATURED IN OUR NEW READER SECTION

Y reader, Praveen Kangot, captured this beautiful image of the Sawadi Beach, at sunset, using his Nikon D5200.

Send your photo to editor@y-oman.com to be featured in our new section, Through Your Eyes. Include where it was taken, your name and a few details about your photograph, such as the camera used.

PHOTO: Praveen Kangot

AUG 24 - 30 / ISSUE 484

019

MOVIES MOVIES FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TIMES, GO TO: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net VOX Cinemas: oman.voxcinemas.com Star Cinema: Tel +968 24791641

conscience run-through but Rush is just too inexperienced to bring her part to life.

The father-daughter subplot falls about as flat as a speech by Theresa May, too.

Still, an appearance by Scottish actor Martin Compston (Metzer) is always welcome.

The Hunter’s Prayer

The Hitman’s Bodyguard If you’re like me and think Ryan Reynolds did some of his best acting in a TV commercial for BT (a British telecommunications company), the idea of him standing up to the mighty Samuel L Jackson on screen is a bit of a tall order.

And yet the Canadian actor pulls it off; no mean achievement against the effortlessly cool American superstar.

In this, Michael Bryce (Reynolds) plays a former protection agency boss who has blotted his copybook (well, if a client dies on your watch; that’ll do

it) and is recruited as a bodyguard to Darius Kincaid (Jackson).

Trouble is, his new client is not going to be an easy gig. Kincaid is an infamous hitman who is to testify at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands.

And to add insult to injury, Kincaid has tried to kill him no fewer than 28 times.

But business is business, as they say, and the mismatched pair have to work together. At stake is taking down an evil dictator Vladislav Dukhovic (Gary Oldman) who is accused of war crimes.

However, anyone who has dared to testify against him has wound up dead.

The drama is taut, the action is faultless, the dialogue snappy, and there are just enough humorous vignettes without descending into slapstick. If you took out the comedy, Jason Bourne would blend right in.

No one does bon mots better than Jackson but Reynolds squares up to him, and some of the banter rifles through the dialogue and off the screen.

Of course, mismatched buddy movies are nothing new. Some really fly; others not so much.

This action-comedy/ drama is a goer and is just great fun. Don’t take the children, though.

Review by Kevin McIndoe

Lucas (Sam Worthington) is just one hitman-for-hire who has his fair share of demons. When he can’t bring himself to carry out his next contract ie taking out the 16-year-old Ella (Odeya Rush), then it’s the latest ill-judged decision to blight his life. His would-be client Richard Addison (Allan Leech) is far from happy, and decides to take them both out. It’s another assassin-with-a-

Blind Suzanne (Demi Moore) is an upscale New York housewife who finds she has to slum it (relatively) after her billionaire husband is jailed for insider trading.

When she is found guilty of being complicit in his crimes, she is sentenced to community service. And that’s when she meets Bill (Alec Baldwin), a novelist who has been blinded by an accident and is in therapy trying to get his life on track.

It’s a pleasant enough middle-aged romcom but a tad on the tepid side. Baldwin seems miscast (too much of a bruiser to play vulnerable) and Moore is off her game. It’s good to see her back, though.

Long View HOME AGAIN Alice (Reese Witherspoon) is a separated mother-of-two who takes three young guys into her home (to help pay the bills, presumably). This has been touted as a romantic comedy, which is something Witherspoon fans will expect. It sounds like it’s about a woman who is nearing 40 and wants to find out if she’s still got it. I hope the three guys (played

by Pico Alexander, Nat Wolff and Jon Rudnitsky) aren’t irritating, over-confident college boys trying it on. I’m not really a fan of Reese, but surely she isn’t going to fall for that?

Still, Michael Sheen plays the estranged husband and should lend a bit of class to proceedings.

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021

The

smart

Smartphones have become a way of life that we simply cannot do without. But, there is more to it than being a device to get in touch with your friends and family on-the-go. Addiction is a real, serious problem—right here in Oman, too. Alvin Thomas gets connected to the experts and several victims to check out the alarm bells

I

t was renowned theoretical physicist Albert Einstein who wrote –in a letter to his friend and psychiatrist Otto Juliusburger –these words: “I believe that the abominable deterioration of ethical standards stems primarily from the mechanisation and depersonalisation of our lives–a disastrous byproduct of science and technology.

While Einstein’s words may have stemmed from speculation and doubt, his words were proven veracious once again, when 14-year-old Justin –a selfproclaimed “techie” –received a suspension from his school, in Oman, over his addiction to his smartphone.

It all began in March 2014 when young Justin first received a smartphone –a Samsung Galaxy S5 –as a gift from his parents for scoring well in his exams; he was ranked first in grade seven.

“The downward spiral,” as per his parents, didn’t take too long after that.

Justin soon became addicted to the smartphone. Games, texting on WhatsApp and watching videos for hours on Facebook, soon became routine.

Subsequently, his grades fell, too. Not only had Justin completely ignored his academics; he also cut his interactions with his family.

“It was upsetting for us that we had spoiled our own son by gifting him a phone,” his mother Bhavya says in a broken tone.

The smartphone, then –a device built to make our lives easier and connected –had “ruined Justin’s life (!)”

Justin is only one among a sea of students –and adults –who are addicted to their smartphones.

To get to grips with the situation, we contact psychiatrists, doctors and lifecoaches –most of whom are echoing the same –that smartphones are ‘slowly killing our generation’.

Life-coach and merchant-navy marine, Aaron Mathew Prince, takes a strict stance against the ‘smartphone generation’. He says: “Children and adults are not just getting addicted to their phones but also losing the ability to empathise with human beings.

“We are slowly turning into robots that are ever so reliant on phones. In truth, it’s become like a narcotic drug; the patient will seek out the drug – which is the phone –and use it until it is time to sleep.

“I have come across cases wherein people have got aggressive when denied access to their smartphones or social media.

Aaron’s statement is proven true when Justin’s mother narrates: “We tried confiscating the phone from him and locking it somewhere. But he would often lose his temper and come shouting at us.

“Moreover, he would always find it and sneak it out again.”

There was no stopping the young boy: Justin even began sneaking in the smartphone to his school, often getting caught by his teachers.

“Justin had three warnings to his name. I remember him promising me each time that he wouldn’t take his phone to school.

But in the November of 2014, Justin –who was then in grade 10 –was caught using his phone by his physics lab technician and was soon expelled from the school.

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bomb

>

“This was rock bottom for us, and we had to take a stand,” says Justin’s father, Jude.

Following this, Justin was sent to a boarding school (a pre-university level school where the students take up residence when school is in session) in Mysore, India.

The school does not allow mobile phones on the premises. But, Justin’s parents did one better: he was made to leave Oman without his phone.

The results? Two years and three months into his schooling, Justin completed his final high-school exams with a percentile of 95 –among the highest in his school.

While Justin’s story may have a happy ending, such is not the case with that of many others.

Currently, it is believed that a total of 2.32 billion people –of the total 7.5 billion people in the world –use smartphones. That is a smartphone penetration rate of 30.9 per cent.

And as per the latest report from Wireless Smartphone Strategies (WSS) services, the global smartphone user penetration is forecast to grow by 58 per cent, by 2022.

But the worries in Oman are on a whole different level, as Oman was reported –by the Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) –to have more mobile subscribers than the actual number of people in the country.

The statistics showed that by the end of 2016, the total number of mobile subscribers stood at 6,866,260 whereas the population of Oman was 4,546,332 in December 2016 (as per the National Centre for Statistics and Information [NCSI]).

The total penetration of mobile phone users in Oman (in 2016) stood at 150.9 per cent (!) and the numbers are only rising.

This has translated to a steady increase in reported cases of ‘addiction’, among many other mental and physical conditions.

But what is smartphone addiction?

According to welfare website, helpguide.org, smartphone addiction is colloquially known as “nomophobia” (the fear of being without a mobile phone), and is often fuelled by an internet overuse problem or internet addiction disorder.

It’s rarely the phone or tablet itself that creates the compulsion, but rather the games, apps, and online worlds it connects the people to.

Dr Atul Raj, a leading visiting psychiatrist to Oman, from India, is among those who condemn the reliance of society on connected devices.

“The use of smartphones and social media has completely destroyed the ability of a person to interact normally in a social sphere,” he says.

“Smartphones have effectively decreased one’s cognitive ability in socialising with other ‘real’ people. This often results in further withdrawing from society and increasing the likelihood of being a shut-in.

Dr Atul says he receives, on average, at least three cases of “socially retracted” patients, daily. Sadly, most of them are children in the age group of 10 to 17, and adults in the age group of 18 to 35.

“The issues can vary. For instance, I had a patient who was on the verge of divorcing his wife after she had completely taken into social media.

“She liked posing on Instagram and Snapchat, and her husband was tired of dealing with her compulsion towards it. This eventually led to them coming for therapy sessions.

He says the girl, aged 26, had completely shut down from her husband and son, after she started gaining followers and fans on her social media profiles.

“Over the course of my practice, I have come across several patients; some with narcotic addictions. But, I must tell you that smartphone addiction is very comparable, but it is more accepted, as everyone has accepted the device as a part and parcel of life.

“Today, if you go to a mall, you can see that many friends and family members sit around the table, fiddling with their phones.

“Where is the love? Where is the respect?” he asks.

To test the doctor’s theory, we head to one of the leading malls in the country.

It doesn’t take us long to realise that he is indeed right.

In order to understand the scale of the problem, we take 20 subjects who are present at the tables around the food court. Of the 20, a staggering eight subjects were using their smartphones during the course of their meal, completely ignoring their partner.

Of these eight subjects, we see that three have at least two devices at the table.

“Our reliance on technology is furthermore slowly impairing our photographic memory,” Dr Atul, then points out.

“One thing we humans can be proud of is our eidetic memory. The capabilities vary from person to person, but of late many people have been complaining that they are not able to memorise like they could before.

“Smartphones are great for capturing the best and most memorable moments in our lives, but it has led to an attention deficit disorder.

This is because we’re solely reliant on technology to remember things for us —we stop bothering to remember things by ourselves.

“Memories are digital photos now than internal memories,” he adds, before revealing that he is a victim of this very condition.

This is furthermore echoed by Dr Gordon Pennycook, a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Waterloo. He sheds light on another important topic: our dying logical skills.

The doctor says: “Our over-reliance on the internet has diluted our mental intelligence and abilities to logically solve and determine correct answers on our own.

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“This is because we are truly dependent on what the internet is giving us. Rather than reading about things and making conclusions analytically, we assume that the answers we garner from the internet are simply correct,” he adds.

But, that’s not all. Many experts are now saying that excessive smartphone usage can now hamper your physical well-being, too.

Aaron, who deals with numerous patients in the merchant-navy, believes that owing to our mental state, our physical state is deteriorating, too.

“How? The smartphone lets us access our favourite movies, games, and social media apps with just the push of a button,” Aaron says.

“We are able to do whatever we want with our phone. This worsens our already sedentary behaviour, which further contributes to factors such as obesity and the risk of developing other chronic illnesses.

Aaron then explains that excessive use of phones can also disrupt sleeping patterns.

He explains: “Smartphone screens emit a blue light that disrupts our body’s production of melatonin hormones.

“These hormones are the ones responsible for promoting sleep. This in turn can lead to insomnia and other risks.

“Can you imagine the condition of a sleep-deprived driver at the wheel of a car?” he asks.

But, Aaron confesses

Productive ways to take a break from your smartphone 1. Enjoy some outdoor activity Get out of the house more and re-establish your connection with nature. Go out for a walk or a run.

Invite your friends over and play your favourite sport. Or try something new, like mountain biking or camping.

Do all the outdoor activities that you love. This will also encourage your social interactions with your friends and colleagues.

2. Read a book

Instead of reading your favorite novel on your smartphone, head to the library or bookstore and get a physical copy. Nothing beats the relaxing feeling of reading a physical book beside a window with a hot beverage.

3. Get a pen and write Do you ever miss those moments of writing a letter to your special someone using a pen and paper? Or expressing all your thoughts and sentiments in a diary?

It’s time to bring them back. The old-fashioned way of writing is still the best way to convey your feelings.

4. Spend some time on your hobbies Do you love to cook, bake, or paint? Whatever you love doing, it’s time to get back to your hobbies and spend some time on yourself.

5. Bond with your pets There’s a reason why dogs are considered “man’s best friend.” Spending time with your pets is a great way to relieve stress and feel happier.

Source: lifehack.org

that he too is a smartphone user, and that it has several benefits.

“We must not simply gloss over the benefits of phones. I do everything on my phone.

“Today, they help people get in touch with each other by facilitating social media applications; it also helps us see people thousands of miles away, with the touch of a button; and furthermore, helps us access the internet on-the-go,” the life-coach points out.

“The key is to use it in moderation,” he advises.

In an interview with Y, Dr Sadian Farloos, the clinical psychologist at the Al Harub Medical Centre, says: “Condemning smartphones as an evil tool isn’t the right way to go about this topic.

“We must begin to understand that we are living in a very sophisticated society. Even I do everything on my phone.

“But I wouldn’t classify it as an addiction. I would say that if a person is having a constant urge to check his or her phone to check if they have a message or to post a photo online, it can be classified as an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

“The smartphone itself isn’t the culprit, here. It’s the internet and the appplications that it helps facilitate you to operate. For example, a wealth of people use apps such as Facebook and Instagram. Of these people, there will only be a handful who are completely hooked to it.

“Of course, I have heard stories

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where people want to post photos of every occurrence in their lives, or constantly check up on their friends and relatives. That’s a compulsive disorder.

“This can lead to depression and social anxiety,” he points out.

“If a socially able individual goes to a party, and cannot socialise as well as they would virtually, the person will undergo anxiety.

“It’s a serious concern,” he adds.

Speaking to Y over the phone, Justin, who is now preparing to enter medical university, says: “It’s connections to real people – making friends and discussing about the things that matter –that count.

“When I was presented with a phone, I thought that it was the world. Granted, I made a complete hash of my teenage years, too.

“It’s never too late to stop. When I was forced to put aside my life in Oman and go away for better, I thought I wouldn’t last a day.

“But you know what?–I changed.”

Pros and Cons of Smartphones Pro: Always Connected Smartphones are essentially pocket-sized computers.

The biggest difference, however, is their ability to access the internet through the same towers as a regular cell phone. This extends the reach of not only voice, but email and even video, to a much wider area. This can increase productivity and decrease response time for personal and work tasks.

Con: Always Connected Those “dings” and “beeps” from your smartphone can turn you into Pavlov’s dog. Since the phone is always on, always within reach, many smartphone users find themselves always at the mercy of its notifications, especially when they shouldn’t.

Pro: More Than Phone Calls

A regular phone makes calls. A mobile phone makes calls and receives text messages. A smartphone does even more. With the advent of apps, programmers can build functionality into a phone that goes far beyond merely talking.

Cons: More Than Phone Calls You can’t efficiently receive updates on your favourite football player through a phone call. You can’t really receive celebrity gossip via text message. You can, however, get all of this and more through smartphone apps.

Although smartphones can spur innovation, they more often breed a whole new means of time wasting. Games and apps for virtually every small interest are available, each one vying harder than the last for your attention.

As a result, smartphones consume more time with unproductive activities than with productive ones.

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027

IN GOOD HANDS The 14-year-old boy with a metal rod piercing his eye and lodged 7cm deep in the skull faced life-threatening bleeding or loss of sight if the risky surgery went wrong. Hasan al Lawati meets the doctor who did it to learn that it’s just routine for them at Khoula Hospital to do groundbreaking surgeries

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I

t was the night before Eid Al Fitr when a 14-yearold child was taken to Khoula Hospital with a metal rod stuck 7cm deep inside his skull. The panicked family waited outside the emergency room with prayers on their lips and tears in their eyes, hoping that the life and vision of their dear one will be saved somehow.

The man who turned up in answer to their prayers was Dr Taimour al Balushi who skipped his Eid prayer to perform another sacred obligation, a lifesaving surgery.

“The ailing kid was transferred from a hospital to another before the Director-General of Khoula Hospital, Dr Hamed al Kindi, saw the case in the emergency room and decided to call me,” Al Balushi said.

“When the boy was playing in the backyard of his home in Barka, a rusty, rugged rod penetrated his eyelid, passing through the orbital roof and apex of the orbital cavity to reach a very sensitive part of his skull,” Al Balushi said.

SM (name changed) is the only son of his parents and any complication during the twohour surgery could have caused lifelong sorrow to the family.

“The tip of the rod was very close to a major artery inside the skull which, if torn, would have caused life-threatening bleeding,” Al Balushi told Y magazine.

“Any hasty move could have resulted in loss of sight,” he added.

The risk of death was less than 5 per cent, but “we were ready in case the optic nerve or any other artery got torn”.

“Bismillah,” the 50-year-old sergeant said before deftly pulling out the 13cm rod from an entangled tissue.

After spending two days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and three more days in the hospital, the boy was discharged.

“The medical team did a fantastic job. We cannot thank them enough for helping us,” said Omar al Harthi, a relative of the child.

While the case caught the media’s attention in the Sultanate and was published in almost all the daily papers in Oman, Al Balushi said Khoula Hospital medics at the plastic and craniofacial surgery department performed groundbreaking operations every now and then.

Dr Al Bulushi said: “We have performed at least 150 serious craniofacial (skull and face) surgeries since the establishment of the craniofacial surgery unit in 2008. Among them, 35 were children aged between four months and two-and-a-half years with serious skull deformity,” he added.

Each surgery costs between RO25,000 and RO30,000, according to Al Balushi. “Some can cost up to RO50,000,” he added.

Before 2008, the Ministry of Health used to send craniofacial cases, specially craniosynostosis patients, to Germany and Australia for treatment but now they are being treated locally at public hospitals, according to Al Balushi. “Zero cases were sent abroad from Oman after the establishment of craniofacial surgery unit at Khoula Hospital,” he added.

Dr Al Balushi graduated from Karachi University before he got a scholarship to Ireland and then to Australia to work under Prof. David J David, head of the Australian Craniofacial Unit and president of the Australian Craniomaxillofacial Foundation.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to the Ministry of Health and to the Director General of Khoula Hospital Dr Ali Al Mashani for their continuous support to develop the department,” the doctor said.

We have performed at least 150 serious craniofacial (skull and face) surgeries since the establishment of the craniofacial surgery unit in 2008. Among them, 35 were children aged between four months and two-and-a-half years with serious skull deformity

AUG 24 - 30 / ISSUE 484

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The directions are clearly marked, and it is unlikely you will get lost.

As with most wadis, the road that leads to the wadi is harsh, and you would require an SUV to cross it.

Thankfully, my trusty Jeep could take on the perils without too much stress.

Once there, my friend and I quickly settled down in our chairs and soaked in the sunrise and the octaves (sounds) resonating when the water hit the surrounding rocks.

This made me ponder upon the hypnotic capabilities of our Mother Nature, and how it all ties into one, to make life a harmonious and lyrical place to live in.

The beauty isn’t just auditory, though. It extends visually, too: the sights are beyond what the camera can ever capture.

I quickly snapped a few photos, just to get started with work for the magazine. But, in a few moments, I realised that these few photos had started turning into many hundreds of images.

If you look at the photos, you can see that the rocks at Wadi Arbaeen are smooth, and there are plants growing in between the crevices – giving the area a tropical feel.

Giving us company on the trip were a few donkeys and goats, who, much like us, wanted to soak in the various offerings of Wadi Arbaeen.

Of course, they were more in line with grazing on the grass and sipping on the water.

Oh, and the water… it was crystal-clear, and I was loving every bit of it. We took a dip in it to refresh ourselves.

The wadi at Arbaeen is known to accommodate some of Oman’s most stunning waterfalls during the rainy season. However, that was not the case, this time.

But, all of this meant there was less turbulence. Therefore, I could replicate some stunning reflections of the rocks and grass on the water.

Wadi Arbaeen really is a dream location for photographers.

While I’m at it, I must also thank

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

Y

ou know what they say about Mother Earth; to walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles. While that statement may be open to question in today’s fast-paced world, it must be noted that I am still a believer, and not a day goes by during which I do not appreciate the “miracles” of nature.

One such location is the beautiful Wadi Arbaeen that I had headed to in the autumn of 2016. It was mesmerising, to say the least. But, of late, I was itching to go back there.

So, last week, when one of my closest friends stopped by Oman for a vacation from South Africa, I decided to head to Wadi Arbaeen once again; you know, with the intention of showing off the beauty of my country.

There are plenty of images of the wadi up on the internet, and there’s no denying that it is by far one of the busiest tourist destinations in Oman.

To avoid the rush of visitors, and get a chance to experience the wadi at its quietest, we decided to head there early.

So, we drove down there in the wee, small hours of the morning – 4am to be precise.

The drive to the wadi is straight forward: if you start from Muscat, you must proceed across Route 17, to Sur. Roughly 120kms into the journey, take the exit – that is clearly sign-posted – towards the wadi. You will then see a T-junction, where

the Municipality for setting up toilets in the vicinity. It promotes cleanliness at the wadi.

Sadly, despite the toilets and dustbins, people still dump their rubbish in the waters. I really pray the day will come when everyone will respect the environment, and start acting a bit more responsibly.

Wadi Arbaeen – after a day of adventure – I can boldly state is a perfect place for tourists and locals to spend some quality time away from the city.

This is probably why it is a haven for campers (providing there is no rain, of course).

In all, we had a really nice time relaxing, here. It’s funny how malls and shopping have taken over our lives. But come to think of it: why would anyone spend money to buy happiness when they can simply head to Wadi Arbaeen?

From Muscat, travel on Route 17 for 120km and then exit right. Follow the road until it turns to a dirt track. When you reach a T-junction, take a left turn, following the sign to Wadi Arbaeen.

GPS location of Wadi Arbaeen: N23° 2’ 42.665” E58° 59’ 2.582” AUG 24 - 30 / ISSUE 484

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CARS ADVENTURES

FIRST DRIVE

CADILLAC XT5

An American giant is back in the driving seat of the luxury crossover market, says Y’s motoring expert Alvin Thomas

W

hen people are asked about the USA in the 1960s, they usually focus on the Cuban missile crisis, the assassinations of John F Kennedy, his brother Bobby and Martin Luther King, the Vietnam War, and putting a man on the moon (allegedly).

But, for us car enthusiasts, the 60s seem to typify better times; when colourful hot rods and sleepers – mostly Fords and Cadillacs (or “Caddies” as they were called by aficionados) – ruled the freeways with The Beach Boys, The Mamas & The Papas or Jefferson Airplane blaring out through their tinny radios.

It was a blissful time, by all accounts.

However, as time flew by, the mindset of the average American began to drift, and so did those of American car manufacturers. Thus, began the inception of the crossover – a cross between

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a sedan and an SUV – the ideal vehicle for an “adventurous” nuclear family.

Needless to say, everyone wanted one, and today, crossovers are not only popular in the US, but all over the world.

But, the then leading light of the automobile industry, Cadillac, could never quite grasp the concept of a crossover SUV, and thereby lost out (quite drastically) on sales, worldwide.

Still, 13 years into the sale of their first crossover – the Cadillac SRX – the brand has taken another shot at the segment. And you know what? This time around the “Muricans seem to have got things right”.

For starters, it’s not called the ‘SRX’ anymore; it’s the XT5. And unlike its MPV-like predecessor from 2004, the XT5 now embodies a more conspicuous crossover body that many of us would actually desire.

This then, is the return of the Caddy.

Rebranding and redesign has done wonders for the brand: the XT5 now comes with headlights from the ATS and the CTS sedans; only this time the LED light blades are attached to the headlamps as you would find in the brand’s stylish CT6 limo.

These lights, furthermore, extend all the way to reveal another set of LED fog lamps. The fascia of the car is flanked by a large chrome heptagonal grille and large air intakes. Meanwhile, the hood has strong, bold lines, which add to the muscular character of the SUV. The underside of my test-car consisted of black plastics, which broke the monotony of the white paint it was finished in. The sides of the XT5 remain bare, but clean, with only a chrome strip

and window linings. On the plus side, the windows are large and allow great visibility when driving.

The posterior of the XT5 remain true to the futuristic Evoq “concept” car that was revealed back in 1999; but it works.

The rear looks unlike that of any crossover you can currently buy.

Destination

P o s t c a r d s Fr o m

Y- F i

The long, wedge-shaped tail lights shimmering alcantara-finish dashboard for a few extra contribute to the character of the SUV, bucks, too. while the moustache-like satin-finish In the middle of the dashboard lies a responsive and metallic strip on the tail gate; the easy-to-use 21cms wide infotainment screen running bumper-infused dual-exhausts; and Cadillac’s CUE system. The colours are vibrant, and the mid-mounted reverse light give the the processor is quick in organising tasks (eg: setting the XT5 its snazzy guise. navigation system).

Oh, and before I forget, my tester Other features that my XT5 was fitted with include XT5 came fitted with mammoth Lane Keeping Assist; Rear Cross Traffic Alert; and a multi-spoke 51cm smoked rims, 360-degree bird’s eye view camera, which comes to life which rounds off the car’s seemingly with the push of a button. aggressive form-factor.

Space within the cabin is in plentiful, and is up, in After spending a day with the XT5, terms of dimensions, with its competitors from Europe: I grew to admire the new cabin layout. leg and head room is abundant up front as well as in the Granted, at first I was a tad rear; and the boot is sizeable, with a useful cargo circumspect about it, but over management system that slides back and forth time it grew on me. to reveal more space for your luggage. Sadly, the In short, loading height of the XT5 is high, IT MAY HAVE TAKEN the interior is meaning you have to expend more CADILLAC 13 YEARS TO GET energy to load heavy goods in the elegant and THE RECIPE RIGHT. BUT, sophisticated: car.

LOOKING AT THE XT5, YOU there are no Underneath the hood lies a REALLY CANNOT FAULT THE tried-and-tested 3.6-litre V6, physical buttons on the dashboard; BRAND FOR TAKING ALL THIS which pumps out 310 horses and instead, you’re greeted with TIME. THIS TIME AROUND, 366Nms of torque, which is mated numerous light-sensitive buttons THEY’VE GIVEN IT THEIR ALL, to a potent eight-speed automatic that come to life when you start AND EVERYTHING HAS ALL transmission. the car. It will take the average user FALLEN INTO PLACE some time to adjust to, but it’s easy Power is put down either through to play around with even while the front wheels, while driving on driving. In contrast, the chic four-spoke steering wheel ‘Normal’ mode, or through all four wheels, while driving packs in 18 physical buttons (!) in ‘AWD’ or ‘Sport’ modes.

But, it must be noted that the hazard button – which All of this still only resulted in a 0-100kph time of eight is also light-sensitive – is placed far from the reach of seconds, during my summer run. There’s plenty of grunt the driver. available from a standstill, but while on the move you may The boffins have also chucked in beautifully stretched have to slam the throttle past its tipping point to get the and sewn black leather surfaces on the dashboard and gearbox to kick down. side panels. The seats are covered in leatherette, but The latter could be because of the engine’s ‘Active Fuel it’s soft and smooth. I hear that Management’ feature, which cuts out two cylinders to customers can opt for a reveal a V4 mode for extra fuel efficiency.

With the use of a twin-clutch design, the AWD system can transfer up to 100 per cent of available torque to either the front or rear axle, and the electronicallycontrolled rear differential on the rear axle can direct up to 100 per cent of available torque to either wheel laterally (!)

This translates to the XT5’s excellent cornering

Gaming

CARS

Cadillac XT5 Specifications: Engine: 3.6-litre V6 Transmission: Eight-speed automatic Horsepower: 310hp Torque: 366Nm Top speed: 220kph All-wheel drive Rear parking sensors Leatherette upholstery 360-degree camera Traction control Stability control Cadillac CUE infotainment system Lane Keeping Assist Rear Cross Traffic Alert 51cm smoked alloys Active fuel management system

capabilities. The car grips to the road like a toddler grips onto his or her mother in a crowd. At no point did I feel that the car would step out of its line. Even understeer is masked well under normal driving conditions. But, it will reveal itself if you flirt with the limits of the grip from the otherwise sticky 235/55 Continental front tyres.

The tyres are also admirable in ironing out road bumps and imperfections. This, coupled with the layered glass and sound-deadening materials, means that the cabin is quiet, while there’s very little road and wind noise penetrating the cabin.

Tie all of this together and the Cadillac XT5 has steadily risen as one of the notable contenders in the luxury-crossover segment, which was previously dictated by the MercedesBenz GLC, Lexus RX and the Audi Q5.

It may have taken Cadillac 13 years to get the recipe right. But, looking at the XT5, you really cannot fault the brand for taking all this time. This time around, they’ve given it their all, and everything has all fallen into place.

This is no longer fat boys in low-riders and hogs; this is scientists in white-coats with goggles and test-tubes.

AUG 24 - 30 / ISSUE 484

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CARS ADVENTURES GOD’S OWN COUNTRY

Alappuzha’s bucolic way of life has long fascinated visitors. This means more people are opting to stay in house boats than ever before.

1. Take a relaxing cruise down the backwaters in a house boat.

2. Cheer with the crowds at the annual Nehru Boat Race.

3. Take a stroll down Alappuzha beach.

4. Visit the churches and temples in the city.

5. Go fishing in the backwaters.

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Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Alvin Thomas recommends

ALAPPUZHA, KERALA

emperate climate, beautiful landscapes, serene backwaters, relaxing resorts, T and to top it all; friendly people: what more can you ask for when you’re heading out for a vacation? I’m not implying that Alappuzha is one of the best

destinations to visit in Asia; I’m telling you that it is up there with the very best.

They don’t call it the “Venice of the East” for nothing, either. Much like Venice in Italy, Alappuzha is home to several canals, lakes and lagoons. Oh, and if that isn’t enough, there are beaches (!), on which you can lie and detox from your work stresses.

The city is flanked by the Vembanad lake, which splits into six major tributaries that spread out before joining the sea. Each of these is a separate source for tourism; some serving as areas for recreational boating while others are home to off-shore floating resorts (better known as houseboats), and fishing hubs.

The latter have gained traction in the city. Alappuzha has long been a source for the state’s fish and prawn farming (yes! it’s now termed farming). The city also boasts an annual marine phenomenon when the coast deposits shoals of fishes (mostly large mackerel and seer fish) and prawns on the shores. This phenomenon is called “Chakara”.

Chakara is a festive season for the people of Kerala, and tourists prefer visiting the city during this period. The price of food and other commodities drop sharply. The Alappuzha ‘neymeen polichathu’ (fish roast) and duck roast are renowned worldwide.

Reports of restaurant chefs from the US and Canada visiting Alappuzha for learning the trade of preparing these dishes surfaced a while ago.

But, fret not, for Alappuzha is more than just backwaters and fancy cuisines. It is one of the oldest inhabited cities in India, with settlement recorded from as early as the first century.

Due to its Portuguese and Dutch roots, Alappuzha is also deemed as one of the originating sources for Christianity in India. The results are a wealth of churches and basilicas, which are of great value to the residents and visitors, alike.

There are also several must-see museums, in the city. But, if you’re really interested in the history of Alappuzha, it is best you travel around in the local buses and boats along with the commuters. Most Alappuzha residents are educated (the city has the third-highest literacy rate in Kerala [Kerala has the highest literacy rate of any other state]), and can speak English.

That said, there are an array of shops, street markets and galleries; some selling valuable Indian handicraft for cheap prices. And if you’re missing home, you’ll always be able to find a European or American food at your fingertips. Surprisingly, the city is one of the largest producers of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) ingredients for Asia. Weird, but true.

THE NE HRU

My favourite place I hail from Alappuzha, so it’s hard not to be lenient towards this city. But, my favourite spot has to be the backwaters of Kuttanad (an administrative colony of Alappuzha). I’ve spent hours on the boats, here, and my time has been nothing short of blissful. The lakes are calm, and the silence in the air is only broken by the occasional sound of a house boat passing by you, and the waves smacking your boat, as you rock from side to side.

Highlights

It’s hard to pick one highlight. But, because Alappuzha is a coastal city, the temperatures are quite stable, albeit a bit on the hot and humid side. But, couple that with the monsoon season, you’re left with a cool and nonchalant city to spend your vacation in. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about the food. Oh my lord, the food’s great: the duck roast, chicken and fish curries are beyond what you will find in any other state in the country. If Yorkshire in the UK is known for its fish and chips, Alappuzha is known for its delightful curries. Then you have the ‘Nehru Boat Race’, an annual race to crown the fastest boat in the state. Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen can only dream of such rivalry.

BOAT R ACE

GED P A L M -F R IN BLUE SKY D N A ERS BACKWAT ZHA OF A L A P P U

Lowlights As is the case with most cities, tourists will be overcharged. So, make sure you bring one of your ‘malayali’ friends along. Pay for his or her meals and accommodation and you’ll still end up spending less than when you’re travelling with a tour guide or alone. That said, you can tour Alappuzha for a month for less than RO500.

Souvenirs The street shops are known to sell some beautiful Indian handicrafts such as churches and temples, or even elephants and boats carved on stones or wood. If that doesn’t cut it, ask one of the hotels to freeze a packet of duck or prawn curries for you to take back home (trust me, I do it all the time).

Getting there Alappuzha is a mere two-hour drive from the city of Kochi. All major buses stop at the city, if you’re travelling from afar. Meanwhile, Kochi also has one of the largest and busiest airports in Asia. You can fly in with British Airways or even Air India Express (if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, as the flight has been known for being delayed for days).

Where to stay Two words: house boats. The charge for a houseboat can range anywhere between RO20 and RO50, for one night. You can haul in as many as 15 passengers for the same rate. If you’re not into boats, then there are numerous four- and five- star hotels, or even inns in the vicinity. Last I checked, there’s also a YMCA and YWCA for those looking for cheap accommodation.

A POPU LAR T R A D IT KERAL IO N A L A BRE AKFAS W IT H M T BREA ASALA D C H IC K EN CUR RY

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Destination

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

ON YOUR BIKE

The weather is cooling down and this can only mean more bike rides. Why not add some cool gadgets to make it more fun and safer? Matthew Herbst has scoured around for some awesome ideas to suit everyone in the family

IN-SIGHT If you want to go super-cyborg with cycling, then check out these Recon Jet Smart glasses.

This super-cool piece of kit displays training metrics, maps, and other data directly on your eyes and has an integrated dual-core processor that connects to smartphones and other fitness sensors. That’s not all folks; it also sports a camera for videos and pictures that can document your races. Very nice. At amazon.com from RO115.50

TRACK IT Cycling can be a cost-effective way to keep fit. We at Y think the Garmin VivoActive is a great gadget to track your fitness, as it boasts many built-in sports programs that include biking.

The ultra-thin and highresolution touchscreen display is easy to read even in bright sunlight and with its built-in GPS you won’t get lost, either.

Furthermore, to keep track of your heart rate during the workout additionally hook it up with a Garmin Heart Rate strap. At amazon.com from RO45.50

ON THE HEAD Protecting your head is a must. So why not invest in a LIVALL BH60?

It’s a smart helmet with great safety features like lights, an SOS warning alert, and communication.

If the gravity sensor senses impact, the LED lights will auto-display SOS signals and your emergency contacts will be notified immediately. The smart lighting system contains six red safety lights at the back of the helmet for visibility and also has eight LED lights that serve as direction indicators. Other cool features are built-in Bluetooth speakers for music, a built-in microphone for phone calls, and walkie-talkie for communication with others in your riding team. At amazon.com from RO45.50

INDICATE

EDITOR’S PICK

MEET THE LED TURN SIGNAL GLOVES FROM ZACKEES. IT’S THE PERFECT CYCLING COMPANION AND AN AWESOME AND SAFE WAY TO SIGNAL TO OTHERS THAT YOU ARE CHANGING LANES OR TURNING, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. THE GLOVES HAVE BRIGHT LUMEN LEDS ARRANGED LIKE ARROWS AND ARE MADE OF DURABLE LYCRA SPANDEX WITH REINFORCED LEATHER PALMS THAT ARE MACHINEWASHABLE. AT AMAZON.COM FROM RO38.50

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Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice App of the Week

Mind games make this latest offering a cerebral challenge, says Alvin Thomas

T

Info Box

Developers:

NINJA THEORY

Publisher:

NINJA THEORY

hey say that the best movies are those that the Engine: actors can most relate to. Such was the case with UNREAL ENGINE 4 the Joker, from The Dark Knight.

Platform: Heath Ledger, the actor who portrayed The Joker, MICROSOFT for instance, was known to keep a diary containing dark WINDOWS, PS4 secrets, sleep for two hours each day, and take medicines Genre: ACTION-ADVENTURE, to keep himself awake; in order get in character for the HACK AND SLASH movie. This eventually led to numerous (posthumous) awards, which included a Golden Globe.

Unsurprisingly, this is also the case with most games of today: numerous directors seek out method and voiceover artists to get their game into shape.

This is the very idea behind the all-new Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice game.

The developers – Ninja Theory – consulted leading neuroscientists and nonprofit organisations like Wellcome Trust to properly capture the experience of psychosis and its devastating effects on the human mind.

In short, what you see on screen is what those that are deemed as “psychotic” experience in their daily lives. The game is beautiful and terrifying at the same time, yet ever-so- distinguished from the sea of other titles out there.

The story revolves around Senua, a warrior from the Orkney Islands who has left her burned village for hell (or Hel, in the Norse mythology) in the hope of saving the soul of her murdered dead lover, Dillion.

Oh, and she suffers from psychosis, so the world you visit is a manifestation of her mind. It’s truly intriguing.

The game’s combat mechanics, graphics and the puzzles are strong, but the game’s ability to narrate a story is the icing on the cake.

If you’re looking to buy the best psychological thriller game out there, look no further. This really is the best of the best. It’s a 10/10, in my books, folks!

VIEWRANGER With the ability to browse from anywhere in the world, ViewRanger users can add routes at any given time on any adventure. The inapp purchases allow users to buy premium maps provided by the Ordnance Survey.

A big positive of this app is its versatility, which can be used for road-riding, mountain biking, walking and hiking. Available on iTunes and Google Play for free

JULY AUG 03 24 - 30 09 / ISSUE 484 327

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

FUN FRILLS

Frills can be a stylish add-on to any party attire that will surely engender some great fun and zeal – like this intense red ensemble from Marks & Spencer.

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

k o o L e h

aran K e tin hris C , t ry tree esto s o h h g s e hi rmy h a t e o t H end e look. ram h g g hi th the to get n Insta m Fro s you tine o is help w Chr o Foll

T t Ge

The generous frills on this shirt make it very different from a regular white shirt and it’s fashionable too! Pair it with light blue jeans and you’re ready to hit the mall.

Buy it from Debenhams at RO22

We absolutely love this frilly wrap red top from Miss Selfridge.

Wear it with crisp formal pants or casual denims and it will immediately and fashionably edge out your ensemble. Buy it at RO19

Fashion is all about striking the right chords. This bedazzled, red and gold handbag from River Island is a must-have. It costs RO16.

This red frilly skirt from Debenhams has such a Tango-dancer feel to it that it will surely make you and your friends dance to the next beat!

Buy it at RO12 Nude lip colours are a staple in every beauty lover’s kit. Does your kit have this creamy and defining lipstick from Clarins?

Yes, we know its not boots season yet but for all of us fashionistas and shoe lovers, we know that you will want these pull-up, suede boots in your shoe cabin already.

They are classic and very edgy. Buy from Dune at RO62

No matter what the season is, pullovers are never out of fashion.

This grey, rimmed red pullover from Topshop is a stylish piece that you just need. Buy it at RO15

AUG 24 - 30 / ISSUE 484

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Health

HEALTH& BEAUTY

SMELLS

of the

How to match your fragrance to the time of year

Spring

This season represents a time of change when buds bloom. To complement the sweet smell of freshly-mown grass in the air, soft and floral fragrances with a light citrus note and stronger minty nuances are preferred during this time of year. Avoid strong, oriental and fruity fragrances and embrace a softer scent for the onset of spring.

Fragrance family: softs florals and greens Recommended fragrance: Rumz Al Rasasi 9453 - (Croco), Folklory

BEAUTY

Fashion

W

ith the captivating Khareef season taking storm in Oman, there are crisp, earthly scents in the air. While it’s important for your perfume to match your taste and mood, not many people consider the season when choosing what fragrance to wear.

When particular notes from one’s natural surroundings combine with the wearer’s perfume, it can either complement or clash. On a practical level, temperature has an impact on how scents are noticed – hot weather enhances floral notes and causes fragrances to evaporate faster, while cold weather will allow fragrances to linger for a while.

Interestingly, each scent belongs to a fragrance family – here are some tips for perfumes to wear in Oman’s variety of seasons:

Summer

Summer is the season for holidays and long days at the beach. As the heat tends to highlight floral notes before evaporating quickly, try white florals with a fruity combination, fougere (a lavender blend), yellow florals and marine accents to evoke the fresh spray of the Arabian sea in the day. For an evening perfume, go for dry and musky tones.

Fragrance family: Fourgere, florals and marines Recommended fragrances: Junoon Satin Pour Homme, Junoon Satin Pour Femme or Ramz Al Rasasi Zebra

Monsoon Winter To complement the Khareef season in Salalah, try fragrances with woody, mossy facets. The dry, woody retentions with lingering smokiness will accentuate the green scents at the forefront. The saturated earthiness of the fragrance will therefore project an aura of oriental mystique in this enigmatic season.

Fragrance family: Green, woody, mossy, leather and suede Recommended fragrances: Hawas Men, Hawas Women, Junoon Velvet Pour Homme or Junoon Velvet Pour Femme

At the other end of the seasonal spectrum is winter. It is the ideal time for oriental notes. The cold temperatures allow the delicate and sophisticated notes to fully develop throughout the day. The finest scents to embrace the mixture of both cooler outdoor and cozy indoor weather are fruity, balsamic, gourmand, smoky, and wet woody. To provide a feeling of warmth around the fireplace, lingering notes include amber, wet musks and smoky oud with berries, zesty, tart and cocoa.

Fragrance family: Oriental, Gourmand, Aromatic, Chypre Recommended fragrances: Attar Al Mohabba (Men & Women), La Yuqawam Women or Shuhrah Men 042

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Beauty

EYE

LEVEL

Fashion

HEALTH

D Keep your eyes sparkling, hydrated and healthy with these handy tips

ry eye is a common and progressive condition affecting millions of people. It prevents them from doing the things they love, whether that’s reading, watching movies or doing leisure activities like hiking or bike riding. Fortunately, dry eye symptoms can be treated with remedies such as over-the-counter eye drops.

Causes Dry eye can be caused by a variety of factors. The first is the production of tears, which plays an important role in eye health by spreading across the cornea, keeping eyes lubricated and helping to push away potentially harmful debris. Dry eye can occur when you don’t produce enough tears, or the tears you do produce either evaporate rapidly or are of poor quality.

Numerous environmental factors can also contribute to dry eye, as well as the use of digital devices, air conditioning, heat blowers and fans.

Certain health conditions like diabetes, thyroid-associated diseases and immune system disorders can also play a role, along with extended contact lens use, refractive eye surgery and certain medications.

Symptoms The symptoms of dry eye can run the gamut from being a minor inconvenience to having a major impact on your daily life and favourite activities. The five key symptoms of dry eye include: dryness, irritation, grittiness, burning and stinging. Other indicators include itchiness, tired eyes, blurred vision, excess tears and redness.

Treatment One way to help restore moisture to the tear film and reduce the effects of dry eye is with a fast-acting, over-thecounter eye drop like Rohto Dry-Aid, formulated with LiquidshieldTM technology, which works on all three layers of the tear film to imitate a stable, natural tear while providing soothing relief for up to 12 hours.

“Dry eye sufferers can enjoy their daily lives with Rohto Dry-Aid, which delivers all-day relief from irritating and distracting dry eye symptoms in a refreshing, non-blurring eye drop,” says Erick Estrada, Senior Director of Marketing at The Mentholatum Company, which makes Rohto DryAid. If your dry eye symptoms persist and you find yourself using lubricant eye drops several times a day, consult your eye doctor as this may be an indication you have chronic dry eye.

Learn more about dry eye and potential treatment options at rohtoeyedrops.com.

Source: Family Features AUG 24 - 30 / ISSUE 484

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FOOD DRINK

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

REVIEWS

get d u B ndly Frie

Info Box

MISHKAK EXPRESS

Near Higher College of Technology Al Khuwair, Muscat Opening Hours: 12pm - 12am Contact: +968 9735 0111 Dinner for three: RO16.5

MISHKAK EXPRESS

S

Good food at affordable prices Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

ALVIN THOMAS AND HIS PARENTS JUMP ON BOARD FOR SOME SCRUMMY STREET FOOD THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY ENJOY SITTING DOWN

treet food in a hygienic restaurant: now that, my dear friends, is the dream. I’ve always had an affinity towards food that is sold in the open; barbecues, burger joints and juice corners – MISHKAK EXPRESS MAY BE FAR they’re all aces in my book.

FROM A STREET OUTLET, BUT Maybe that’s because they take away the IT AIMS TO REVOLUTIONISE snobbishness of paying a large sum of money MODERN STREET FOOD. AND for food, and partly because such spots are easily FUNNILY ENOUGH, IT WORKS! accessible during one’s daily commute.

Of course, throughout the course of my study – three years to be precise – in the city of Chennai, India, I had grown accustomed to street food.

But, times change, and after taking up a job (at Y, duh!), it has been restaurants and posh hotels.

So, it was time for a change; a reminisce into the past, all without the gaudiness of being a big spender.

And you know what? I seem to have found the perfect location for that: Mishkak Express.

You see, Mishkak Express aims to provide street food in the cleanliness and hygiene of a restaurant.

Situated in a cozy spot in Al Khuwair, it’s a simple setting: the seats are cozy and the tables The waiters are proficient, and give me the seem straight out of a Harry Potter movie (The menu quickly. It isn’t cluttered with too many Sorcerer’s Stone, if I remember correctly).

Oh, and there are blackboards where customers options like what you would find in most Arabic restaurants, so my choices are quick: three lamb can doodle art. mishkaks, one beef burger and a full-chicken platter (for my parents).

In about 10 minutes, my burger arrives. Both the bun as well as the beef patty is fresh and soft.

The latter is also freshly ground, and succulent despite being chargrilled.

Meanwhile, the burger also comes with a firm but juicy slice of tomato, a slice of cheddar cheese and a crunchy piece of lettuce – it’s top notch (!)

The grilled lamb is the next to arrive.

The lamb is fresh and soft, while the insides are cooked to perfection. I am also glad that they didn’t add oil to it like most Arabic restaurants in

046

Verdict : 6/10 SERVICE 7/10 FOOD 8/10 AMBIENCE

AUG 24 - 30 / ISSUE 484

the capital do. The mishkaks are dipped in special chutney to add to the flavour.

After a good 20 minutes, the chicken is brought to the table. It’s presented neatly in an orange grill box, which I presume is aimed at keeping the chicken fresh, and also let the chicken steam from within.

The chicken has a nice, tangy flavour, and is garnished with a hint of fresh herbs. The chicken – as is the case with most grills – is just perfect; not too tender, not too tough.

It is also served with a side of thin Arabic bread, pickled vegetables and freshly-made hummus.

We devour the platter in less than 10 minutes.

Following this, I also order a lemon-mint chiller.

It’s textbook closer for my heavy dinner.

After the meal, I cannot help but smile, thinking about the times I spent pigging out from street food joints in India.

And while Mishkak Express – with its hygienic setting and closed environment – may be far from a street outlet, it aims to revolutionise modern street food.

Funnily enough, it works!

Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com

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