Tackling The Trolls E-BULLIES ON THE RISE
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Your top guide to the best of Oman, every week
OCT 31 - NOV 06 • ISSUE 292 • WEEKLY
MEET FORMULA ONE’S
TALENTED YOUNG OMANI TIPPED FOR THE TOP
PLUS!
Business
PITCH PERFECT
01
NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258
Food
28
PARADISE FOUND
Feature
33
DRIFT EVENT
26
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
EDITOR’S
NOTE
As this week marks the Islamic New Year, may you all have a fruitful Hijri 1435.
TREND BAROMETER GOING UP
Tourist Friendly Taxis Tourists taking taxis around an unfamiliar city can often rely on drivers to offer advice on the best places to visit. Taking this on board, the Dubai Taxi Corporation is now officially training its cabbies to act as guides on the job, providing extra value to passengers with advice on sightseeing locations etc. Maybe Muscat’s taxis should take note. And while they’re at it – get meters!
Welcome to the new look Y Magazine your indispensable guide to everything modern Oman has to offer.
Fast forward
A GOING DOWN
Junk Unused toys, camping gear and mismatched shoes – one in four of us now have a clutter room, according to a new survey.
THIS WEEK
re we entering a new age of nasty? Not a day goes by without a story being told about someone or other being cyberbullied. And no wonder, when you consider how many millions of people are now writing on Facebook, Twitter, forums and blogs. It doesn’t take a maths genius to realise that a certain percentage of them are likely to be offensive, rude or even downright intimidating, especially since the anonymity of the Internet allows people to unleash the worst side of themselves on strangers. When faced with a computer screen rather than a human being, it’s easy to be cruel and cowardly. My view? If you have something to say, say it but be prepared to face the consequences of your words. If it’s negative, nasty or nonsensical – press delete. If you’re a victim, don’t be. Report it or take the higher ground. I love the story of Balpreet Kaur, a Sikh woman whose facial hair became a thread for ‘funny’ pictures. After a few unkind comments, the girl herself wrote: “Yes, I realise that I look different than most women [but] baptised Sikhs believe in the sacredness of this body – it is a gift that has been given to us by the Divine Being.” Just like that, the tone of the messages changed and the guy who took the photograph eventually left an apology. So come on Y readers – let’s put an end to online bullying.
Team Y has been reading the latest James Bond book, meeting Barney and exploring the Omani countryside.
Penny Fray MANAGING EDITOR
Ways to get your Y fix Online: Visit y-oman.com for even more inspiration. Smart device: Catch up with Y on the go at y-oman.com/current-issue
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EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Eihab Abutaha MANAGING EDITOR Penny Fray SECTIONS EDITOR Kate Ginn
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OCT 31 - NOV 06 / ISSUE 292
03
contents OCTOBER 31 2013
Features
20 E-Bullies Tackling the Trolls 24 The Karting Kid Oman’s Speed King 26 Need For Speed Red Bull Drifting
Your Oman
06 The Big Interview Eugene Coyle 08 Your Oman Jane Jaffer 1 2 News Cancer Walk
12
20
This Week
14 This Week Military Parades 16 Movie Listings Gravity 18 Gallery Barney In Concert
Business & Career 28 Pitch Perfect Closing the Deal
Food & Drink
30 Trend Dinner Party Divide 32 Food Spooky Treats 33 Food Review As Sammak
32
Cars & Outdoors
14 Health & Beauty 34 Fashion Opulence
37 Destination Bahla 40 Outdoors Park Life 43 Postcard From Komodo and Rinca Islands 44 Y-Fi Ghoulish Gadgets 46 Car of the Week Dodge Durango
44
34 NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE...
ROAD TO HELL SHOE ME THE WAY BRILLIANTLY BENEVOLENT JOIN THE WIDE AWAKE CLUB
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10/28/13 10:23 AM
YOUR
News
Gallery
INTERVIEW
OMAN
MANY STRINGS E u ge n e C oyle, Dean of the Military T echnological C ollege, Seeb
Words: Joe Gill
Image: Jerzy Wierzbicki
Tell us about your career until now. I’m from Ireland. The majority of my career was at the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT). I was head of the School of Electrical Engineering. I also spent a year in the US at Purdue University, Indiana, as a Fulbright scholar from 2011-12. My postgraduate work is a book on energy and climate change, which was the reason for my scholarship. How did you come to be the Dean of Oman’s new Military Technological College (MTC)? On behalf of DIT, I brought a number of students from Oman to Ireland, therefore I was familiar with the culture and education system and that was one of the reasons I was approached for this role. I get on well with Omanis and I care for the welfare of the students. They appreciate it. Is it a culture shock moving from Dublin to Muscat? It should be a big change for me coming here and working in a military college, but the strange thing is that, although we are part of the Ministry of Defence, they bring their organisational skills and support without interfering with the education side. Tell us about the significance of MTC? The college was decreed by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos as part of his vision for the modern military. Oman is in a strategically sensitive part of the world. How does its position affect the work of the military? Oman is a proud nation with a strong military but it is an extremely peaceful place. Through the vision and leadership of His Majesty, it is an ambassadorial country and there are diplomatic activities taking place all the time. It’s interesting to compare Oman to Ireland, which is also a neutral country. But both of them have armies – for example, Ireland is deployed as part of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon. As a professor of electrical 06
OCT 31 - NOV 06 / ISSUE 292
engineering, how did you get interested in climate change? Energy is a very important part of engineering. The challenge facing engineers is to come up with renewable alternative technologies that can have a significant impact – solar, wind, wave, tidal and biofuels. What are the current global threats from carbon emissions? We are pushing too much CO2 into the atmosphere through carbon-based fuels and an increasing population going past 7.2 billion people. It is almost universally agreed that the recent increase in global average temperatures and level of climactic changes are caused by human activity. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) are pushing to limit the global average increase in temperature to 2 degrees Celsius. Moving towards 2030, the world needs to greatly reduce our dependence on carbonbased fuels, because the level of CO2 being released into the atmosphere is impacting on average temperatures and the climate. The Gulf countries including Oman are producing oil and gas for the domestic and world market. Is this sustainable? My book is about acknowledging climate change and looking at coal, gas and oil and where things stand today. In addition to large gas reserves, Oman and other Gulf countries have tremendous resources in solar – all these countries are doing proper surveys and projects in wind energy and solar energy, for example, Abu Dhabi’s low
carbon city, Masdar. It’s not that food, healthcare, computers, people here are not interested in sporting gear and a military student renewables – it is just that they have uniform. We have excellent sporting an incredible resource in oil and gas. facilities including an Olympic-sized But they really have the potential swimming pool, football pitches and to wean off these fuels, particularly full indoor gym. through developing solar. There is a stipend of 100 rial What will students be per month, and at the end of the studying in their first year? course graduates are guaranteed We will lay the general foundations, employment. largely English language, ICT, maths Describe the main activities of and physics. On completion of the first-year students? foundation, students will commence The day starts with assembly at their engineering studies in one of 6.30am followed by breakfast at His Majesty’s services. 7am. Classes commence at 8am. Was there a lot of interest There is also an active military among Omanis in coming to training session later in the afternoon study at MTC? – running, marching and exercise. We had double the number of Eighty percent of study time is taken applications for 960 available places up with English though. at our brand new campus. The What do you like to do in your students are from all over Oman. spare time? What are the attractions of I am a guitarist and have completed studying here? the grades of the Associated Board We are going to be a very applied of the Royal Schools of Music. college with wonderful labs. We have I also like the outdoors, in particular a lot of very good equipment. walking. There will be aeroplanes and ships Eugene’s Tips for a Successful in our workshops. Academic Career Students have a • Work consistently from day one lot of very good • Attend all lectures and complete assignments benefits – full • Work in teams and support each other accommodation,
PRESENTING
NOVEMBER
PERFORMANCES
1 Nov, 7.30 pm 2 Nov, 2.00 pm 2013
7 Nov, 7.30 pm 9 Nov, 4.00 pm 2013
12 Nov. 2013 6.00 pm
mARIINSKY BALLET
mILITARY mUSIC oF omAN
NATIoNAL oRCHESTRA oF SpAIN
Famous and classic choreography presented by one of the world’s preeminent ballet companies
A family-oriented spectacle featuring Omani military bands marching in formation in the Maidan
Presenting an insightful concert of Spanish and Spanish-flavoured music
13 Nov. 2013 7.30 pm
16 & 17 Nov. 2013 7.30 pm
21 Nov. 2013 7.30 pm
JUAN DIEGo FLÓREZ
FLAmENCo JAZZ
LE TRIo JoUBRAN
The star tenor sings arias from opera and zarzuela, accompanied by the Spanish National Orchestra and maestro Miguel Harth-Bedoya
Jazz pianist-composer Chano Domínguez joins Vince Mendoza and the German WDR Big Band to perform jazz and flamenco
Arabic oud music masterfully presented by brothers Samir, Wissam and Adnan Joubran
28, 29 & 30 Nov. 2013 7.00 pm
THE mARRIAGE oF FIGARo
The prestigious Vienna State Opera with its exceptional orchestra present Mozart’s beloved opera classic
BOOK NOW
boxoffice@rohmuscat.org.om +968 2440 3332/3333/3334 www.rohmuscat.org.om
The Voice of Oman Jane Jaffer on the importance of the written word
correspondence Unsung heroes of Oman Dear Editor,
U
ntil Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1450, the written word was reserved for religious scholars and those in power. Even today, it is estimated that the adult literacy rate around the world is 84 per cent, which means there are 867 million people who are unable to read and write. The founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, has an ambitious plan to connect all seven billion of the earth’s inhabitants to the Internet. We live in a knowledge-based economy and he believes having access to the Internet is a basic human right. This is where it could get interesting. ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’. In 2012, 73 journalists were killed in action. Were they in the wrong place at the wrong time or were they killed to prevent them from telling us the truth? Writing can be a dangerous job. An investigative journalist takes certain risks researching crime, political corruption or corporate wrongdoing. They give a voice to those who are marginalised in society, however unpalatable that may be for the readers. Should they be penalised for informing us? Knowledge is power. It creates awareness and motivates us to act. Let us value the written word, our ability to read it, and those who write it.
Next week: SAYYIDA MayYa Al SAid 08
OCT 31 - NOV 06 / ISSUE 292
Your cover story ‘Night Knights’ aptly depicted the unsung heroes who toil for the improvement of Oman’s infrastructure amid the heat and dust. What is most admirable is their indomitable spirit and cheerful attitude even in the face of various adversities, not the least being the separation from their nearest and dearest. It is not always absence of earning opportunities back home that bring them to such distant lands. For instance in India, plumbers and electricians often cost a bomb and it is nearly impossible to get their services for anything less than a major job. What perhaps remains unsaid is that many of these immigrant workers are, in my opinion, duped by nefarious agents (very
often their own countrymen) who charge heavy sums from them in return for the promise of a proverbial pot of gold which eventually turns out to be a mirage in the desert. By the time they discover the truth – that the work given to them is different from that promised – they are left with no other choice but to remain here until their dues are repaid. In spite of all this, these heroes do not wallow in self-pity nor do they let despondency get the better of them. They truly deserve our admiration for their ‘never say die’ attitude. Kind regards, Dr. K. Rajesh Nayak Director of Training, College of Banking and Financial Studies, Ruwi
HAPPY DIWALI TO Y READERS Dear Editor, With the Festival of Lights, Diwali, approaching, people can be seen busy buying earthen lamps, candles and other decorative items to give their houses a seasonal look. People are intensively cleaning their homes to welcome Lakshmi, the giver of health, wealth and prosperity. This festival carries the message of good triumphing over evil. Oman is a second home to many from India and by coming together we don’t actually miss our home country. We celebrated Eid in October, will celebrate Diwali in November followed by Christmas in December. Festivals provide an excellent time to relax, socialise, forgive, learn and share time with our family members and friends. It also
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offers an excellent opportunity to let future generations know about their traditions and culture and learn about living a meaningful and happy life. A very happy Diwali to all the readers of Y. May God fill your life with light and all the colours of rainbow. Dr Ritu Bali, Al Khuwair
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YOUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT TO US
Debate of the Week WE ASKED: ‘Following controversy over the Nobel Prize committee’s recent decision, who would you nominate for the Nobel Peace Prize?’ Venu G Nayer
No one – I’d only support the Nobel Peace Prize for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said.
Nikhat Ali
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the architect of the recent agreement with the US Secretary of State John Kerry to remove chemical weapons from Syria. Lavrov made clear that Russia is determined to see Syria remain unified but that it does not insist that President Bashar al-Assad remain in power. These two people have saved many innocent lives. I think these two great people deserved to get a joint Nobel Peace Prize.
LETTERS
E-MAILS
Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said, who is not only making great efforts in achieving and promoting peace in the Middle East but throughout the globe. If it has to be awarded, none other than His Majesty deserves it.
Rishikesh Chidhambaranathan
FA C E B O O K
would have found it easy to identify with such an individual and it would bring hope to many. Despite knowing the consequences of opposing the dreaded Pakistani Taliban, Malalah has raised her voice defiantly over the clamour for the rights of girls to acquire an education.
I suggest Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his great leadership and the spectrum of changes he has brought to India.
Andrew Catli Aludino
HM Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said definitely deserves this. A peace-maker and a peace-keeper.
PRABHAT CHANDRASHIL
I think the courageous teenager Malalah Yousafzai of Pakistan should be nominated, as she was the favourite option of many initially. Female Pakistanis
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Next week’s debate:
If there was one more hour in the day, what would you do with it? Tell us your views on Facebook.
THIS FAMILY was spotted with a copy of Y Magazine at the Barney in Oman concert – see p18
Rahul Chakraborty
I stand in favour of the Nobel Peace Prize committee’s decision to award the work of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which has been working for the last 16 years towards the cause of eradicating the use of mass destructive chemical weapons in the world. This prize not only acknowledges their recent work in Syria but also honours their decade-long struggle towards conducting thousands of chemical weapon inspections in several countries and declaring the use of chemical weapons a taboo against mankind. I am sure the prize money of US$1.2 million will also assist OPCW in planning and executing their work in other countries.
Sunil D’Cruz
I would nominate Mahatma Gandhi for the Nobel Peace Prize. Though he was nominated five times – in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1947 and 1948 – it is ironic that the ‘Apostle of Peace’ never won a Nobel Peace Prize.
Kuldeep Bhatt
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said.
Ateef Dafedar
None other then the one and only one His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said – no one will forget his dedication toward making Oman the most peaceful and friendly country.
Syed Bokhari
To be honest, in the conditions and atmosphere prevailing in the world today, nobody deserves it. All the leaders and rulers of different countries do want peace. But the only one who deserves it richly and honestly in words and deeds is His
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OCT 31 - NOV 06 / ISSUE 292
09
Gallery
YOUR
Interview
NEWS
GROOMING THE FUTURE LEADERS
OMAN
Encouraging youth leadership to help shape Oman
Words: Kate Ginn
They are the potential leaders of tomorrow but the work done today will give them the skills to steer the Sultanate onto the next level. At least, that’s the view of an organisation driven by youth, for youth, which aims to empower young leaders with the ability to one day make decisions on both the national and international stage. AIESEC Oman has just hosted the Gulf Conference 2013: Developing Young Leaders of the Gulf, bringing together promising talent in the region to share ideas and knowledge.
challenges to become an inspirational figure, and entrepreneur and designer Mohammed al Kindy of CNDY clothing. “They shared their stories with international delegates, inspiring young people all over the Gulf and showcasing the success of Omani youth,” said the AIESEC spokesman. Both Oman Oil and Ajwakh, which are driving forward youth development in the Sultanate and beyond, supported the conference. “One of the main reasons why I supported it is because I have seen my son grow through AIESEC and what better way to invest in the young leaders of tomorrow More than 70 young people from the Gulf by supporting an organisation that wants gathered in Muscat. On the agenda was defining the to develop the next generation of Oman’s future of the Gulf and developing the leaders and leaders,” said Fazil Kutty, managing director entrepreneurs the region will one day need. of Ajwakh. The event was the biggest annual GCC AIESEC AIESEC Oman has also signed a strategic conference. partnership with AIESEC Bahrain to share “The purpose of the conference was to amplify expertise and knowledge. the impact that we have on the lives of young An international internship program, people,” said an AIESEC spokesman. whereby young people from the Sultanate Among the speakers at the event were young are sent abroad and youth from around the artist Safiya al Bahlani, who has overcome physical world travel here, is also continuing.
UK expected to speed up visa process soon
Words: Joe Gill
The British Embassy in Muscat has denied reports that there will be any immediate easing of visa procedures for Omanis visiting the UK, although it did say that some visa arrangements were expected to change soon. The statement followed news reports from London that the British government was planning to make it easier for Omanis to apply for visas to travel to the UK for medical treatment or tourism. A British Embassy Muscat spokesman said: “Regarding reports of a change to the UK visit visa regime, the British Embassy wishes to stress that Passport holders from all Gulf Arab States require a visa to visit the UK for any purpose. “There is currently no change to these existing visa requirements. We keep all visa arrangements under constant review and we expect to announce changes to some visa regimes shortly.” The earlier report prompted much speculation on social media about the changes and when they would be announced.
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In response to this, Sayyid Badr Bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Secretary-General at Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed there would be changes to the UK visa system in a statement through his Twitter account, but he urged people to wait for an official announcement. “Yes it is true, but wait for the formal announcement by the British authority as there is a mechanism that will have to be followed,” he said. According to the reports, under the new arrangements, Omanis travelling to the UK for tourism or medical care would only need to send an email to the website of the British Embassy in Muscat and wait for approval within 48 hours. Those who want to study or work in the country would still need to follow the existing visa application process, the reports claimed. Currently the visa process takes approximately two weeks and involves an interview, biometric and document checks at the UK’s visa application centre in Ghubra.
omanis could get visas online within 48 hours of applying
A recent Omani visitor to the UK said: “It was terrible waiting for the visa – it took more than two weeks. You have to go to the visa office, you have to wait for a meeting time. “If you pay more money you get an express service, but you still have to queue sometimes. “They call you in with your whole family. One of my children is disabled, which made it difficult for us. “You have to have your flights, accommodation, bank statements, everything has to be brought with the application. It did feel very uncomfortable. It’s not necessary to put people through this.”
YTabloid 24x34 E.indd 1
10/22/13 4:08 PM
Gallery
YOUR
OMAN
Interview
STRIDING OUT
NEWS
Big turnout for cancer walk
With each step helping to change a life, the united effort was heartwarming to see. Hundreds of people turned up to take part in the tenth Annual Walkathon for Oman Cancer Association (OCA) this week. Donning colourful t-shirts and trainers, young and old walked side by side along the 2km route in Qurum Natural Park. Proceeds raised will go towards the vital work carried out by the OCA, which includes a mobile mammography unit. October is global Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
ITALIAN JOB
Exhibition showcasing the best of Mediterranean Fine food, sharp footwear, gorgeous porcelain, mosaic tiles and, of course, jars of fine olives. Yes, it could only be the first Italian Solo Exhibition at the InterContinental Muscat Hotel this week. The trade event was opened by HE Mohammed Al Khonji (pictured left), and was a showcase for Italian interior and outdoor design in the Sultanate.
Traffic safety event to highlight accident reduction efforts The statistics remain grim and there is a huge amount of work ahead to make Oman’s roads safe. Royal Oman Police figures showed a dip in the number of road accidents of 8.4 per cent from January to August, recording 5,221 accidents that killed 622 people and injured 7,000 others. In 2012, 1139 people were killed on the Sultanate’s roads. That equates to one death every eight hours. The number of people injured in road accidents was over 11,000, or around one 012
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an hour. In the face of such shocking figures, the ROP has stepped up its efforts to reduce dangers on the road with publicity campaigns and tougher policing of dangerous driving. Next week, the ROP hosts the Traffic Safety Exhibition at the International Exhibition Centre to highlight efforts to change the culture of dangerous driving by joined up efforts across all social sectors. Brig. Eng Mohammed bin Awadh al Rowas, director general of traffic, said: “The
exhibition will highlight the efforts of the Sultanate and the latest techniques in the field of road safety, involving the state’s institutions, the private sector and community organisations, and their role in working to reduce traffic accidents side by side with the ROP.” The event aims to promote a culture of safety among all segments of society and to disseminate techniques for safe driving. A large number of advanced fixed and mobile speed monitoring radars have
recently been installed on major roads across the Sultanate as part of the National Strategy for the Reduction of Traffic Accidents. Only last month, six Omanis were killed and seven injured in several accidents in a single day – September 9. Earlier this year, Y Magazine launched its own car safety campaign along with the National youth Commission of Oman to encourage parents to put their children into child safety seats.
More than 120 children died in traffic accidents in Oman last year. *See next week’s Y for our major feature on road safety.
MMC, Lancer Ex Y Magazine 34h x 24w.ai
1
10/21/13
5:36 PM
THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE
Nov 09
The treasure hunt is on at Riyam Park and Muttrah Souq, starting at 9am in the park. Registration is open until Nov 4 for teams of one to four players at RO25, which gets you a gift bag including maps of both sites and a chance to win the Grand Prize Draw. Visit www.centreofomanidress.com or go to the Facebook page of Museum of Omani Dress. Phone 9891 9809.
PINK POWER
Start Looking
Oct 31 -Nov 14
The date has changed for the Almouj Gold ladies charity lunch. Following a ninehole challenge on the championship course from 9am on Sunday Nov 3, the lunch is at 12 noon including buffet, bubbles, flowers, pink chocolate and more. RSVP 22032771 / 22032800.
Nov 03
Light in Life Higher College of Technology photography graduates are exhibiting a range of works under the title ‘Light in Life’ for their graduation show at Bait al Baranda in Muttrah this month.
WEEK
What to do.
OCT
NOV
-
What to see. What to hear.
November
07 + 09
Hear the Drums There’s nothing to stir pride and excitement quite like a good military band – the Omani men and women in uniform will be putting on free performances certain to enthuse all ages at 7pm on November 7 and 4pm on November 9, outside the west entrance of the ROHM, Qurum.
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THIS
His voice was made to sing Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini. Yes, the star tenor Juan Diego Florez, who is known for performing at all the world’s premiere opera houses, is appearing for one night only at the Royal Opera House Muscat. He will be accompanied by the Spanish National Orchestra.
Nov
Top Tenor
Gallery
Pedal Up
Movies
Forever Sarah
As the days get cooler, Muscat Cycling Club has announced its autumn schedule with road bike rides including Ladies Intro Ride of 20km this Friday, Millennium Hotel and Tour of Oman ride on Nov 15 and the tour of Jebel Akhdar on Nov 29. Mountain bike rides are scheduled for Saturday Nov 9 and 23. For more info email muscatcyclingc@gmail.com. Most Muscat rides start at 6.30am from Jawharat al Shatti car park.
Do you dream of a career in the leisure, food or tourism sector? The National Hospitality Institute is holding its annual exhibition in the atrium of Muscat Grand Mall. The three-day event runs from 6.30pm to 10pm and includes chef demos, waiters’ race, mocktail competition, barista challenge, language quiz, and a bed-making competition. For more info call 24816313.
Nov
06-08
FUTURE FOOD
After its official opening, the new Gallery Sarah at Bait Al Zubair Museum is now open to the public. The permanent collection of paintings and photographs commemorates the huge contribution made to the art of the Sultanate by the museum’s late director, Sarah White.
Nov
Audi3Oman
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THIS WEEK
MOVIES MOVIES THIS WEEK’S MOVIES
Gravity
With a 3D blockbuster released every week, it’s a rare thing to go to the movies and be visually and viscerally blown away by what you see up there on the screen. Alfonso Cuaron’s space thriller achieves this in spades, with a long, unbroken opening shot that sees garrulous astronaut George Clooney hurtle towards us over the curve of the earth until he is literally in our faces. This is amplified by the 3D effects – and will no doubt be even more breathtaking under an IMAX screen. The Muscat Grand Mall crowd contained its usual share of heckling, iPhone twiddling and popcorn munching irritants, but within a few seconds of the start of Gravity, a hushed awe descended. Clooney is full of easy charm, as if he’s down the bar with his buddies rather than on a NASA mission to repair the Hubble Telescope. By contrast, Sandra Bullock is the focused scientist who has been trained for this job but exhibits just the nervousness you would expect from a space virgin. This is cinema at its purest – transporting the audience into the stratosphere as we follow the fates of Clooney and Bullock amid an unfolding disaster caused by an
PREVIEW
016
For more information and times, go to: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net Star Cinema: Tel +968 24791641
exploding satellite. Once the jeopardy is established, it never lets go. The characters are only one false move away from a silent death floating above a stunningly recreated earth. With the Shuttle fatally damaged and communications with Houston lost, we experience their awe and fear as they try to find a way back home. “I hate space,” says Bullock in probably the film’s best line, as night gradually turns to day and the outlines of familiar coastlines appear many miles below. Toward the end, she has an epiphany, prompted by a very moving reunion – which is the film’s most powerful and surprising scene. It is the culmination of her conversation with Clooney about life and why it’s worth fighting for when all seems lost. There is a slight shift of tone into safe Hollywood territory in the final section, with swooning music telling us that we are at the point of resolution. While gripping, the script cannot quite match the sublime achievement of the cinematography. Gravity may be one small step in the history of space dramas, but it marks a giant leap in the art of creating something truly astounding on the big screen. Review by Joe Gill
Ender’s Game The titular character is a child prodigy who is selected by military leader Harrison Ford to join an elite academy where he is trained to fight Earth’s alien enemies. Based on a young adult novel, the screen adaptation is a humourless affair that explores themes of social engineering and the ethics of war. Ben Kingsley plays a tattooed hero who puts the kids through their paces.
OCT 31 - NOV 06 / ISSUE 292
Bad Grandpa
relative. Laugh-out loud funny and strangely uplifting.
Penthouse North Michelle Monaghan plays a photographer, Sara, who was blinded in Iraq and is now in grave peril from a couple of thugs, one of whom is the film’s biggest named star, Michael Keaton. They are looking for some diamonds stashed in Sara’s penthouse apartment by her boyfriend. It’s an efficient, low-budget three-hander with Keaton doing a passable impersonation of Jack Nicholson being scary.
Naked Soldier This Jackass production stars Johnny Knoxville as a slightly confused pensioner who takes his eight-yearold grandson on a disaster-filled road trip across Middle America. Because this is from Jackass, you can rightly expect a load of hilarious stunts with real-life people reacting in bewilderment and shock to the awful antics of this old man and his greedy, selfish young
Can you get a more obvious pitch from a film title than this one – every young bloke’s perfect mix of barely clad Asian babes and heaps of action. From the Hong Kong producers of earlier B-movie classics such as Naked Killer, expect plenty of fight scenes and daft plot twists but, with mainland China in mind, no actual nakedness.
Bollywatch - Dhoom 3 It’s been seven years since Dhoom 2, the sequel to the hugely popular Bollywood blockbuster that wowed audiences with slick action, chart-topping theme songs and memorable dance numbers. The long-delayed second sequel has a big star line-up - Abhishek
Bachchan and Uday Chopra reprise their roles as Jai Dixit and Ali Khan and are joined by Katrina Kaif. Kaif shows off skills in ballet, aerobatics and parkour for her role. Dhoom 3 claims to be the first Bollywood movie released in IMAX format.
Y’s Film Choice Captain Phillips
This reality-based action thriller from Bourne director Paul Greengrass hits fairly close to home. It stars Tom Hanks as a cab driver turned merchant seaman who comes to Oman to captain a cargo ship to Mombassa through some of the world’s most dangerous waters. Hanks perfectly captures the feeling of an ordinary man caught up in extreme circumstances when his ship is pursued and then boarded by Somali pirates. His opposite number is a poor fisherman, Barkhad
Abdi, leading a gang of desperados, looking for a fast way out of dire conditions. Greengrass brings his trademark mix of highoctane action within a complex scenario of small players being manipulated by bigger political forces.
News
Interview
MOVIES
Super Shockers It’s the spooky season for those of a witchy persuasion, and the perfect time to settle down to a good scary movie, writes Joe Gill. While I love to be terrified in the comfort of my front room with a bag of chips and a hot drink, some find it all too much. The key to enjoying horror is to remember that it is basically entertainment – yes, horrible things happen, but it’s – you know – not real. Amid the bumps and screams, a good chiller often has plenty to say about life and society. Of course, there is a subgenre of horror that is so gruesome it can give you nightmares. For this reason, the likes of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Saw are not on the list. Personally, good storytelling, atmosphere and genuine shocks all make for a great chiller. If you’re into torture, I suggest you see a shrink.
The Exorcist (1973)
I have to admit that when I first saw this cult story of satanic possession aged 20, I was terrified. Written by William Peter Blatty, who also wrote the novel, it centres on Linda Blair’s 14-year-old Regan, whose family run out of ideas on how to deal with her bizarre and frightening behaviour, until a Catholic priest suspects she has been possessed by the Devil. The special effects were incredible for the time, and it inspired countless similar movies, but none had its remarkable power.
lead actress. At the time it was the most shocking thing audiences had ever seen. The director’s cool control of the audience’s fears has never been bettered. Forever will the name Norman Bates send a tingle of terror through us as we recall Janet Leigh’s fateful arrival at the Bates Motel.
The Omen (1976)
Ringu (1998)
Children are not always cute – and the boy Damien is positively diabolical. Rather than a shocker, the film builds a sense of impending dread as the boy’s father, US ambassador Gregory Peck and his wife Lee Remick, begin to unravel a terrible Biblical prophecy that consumes the people around it. Tension is heightened with a terrific score from Jerry Goldsmith.
Poltergeist (1982)
A favourite suburban vampire movie in which an adolescent B-movie addict becomes convinced his new neighbour is a bloodsucker. He enlists the help of a washed up actor – superbly played by Roddy McDowall – to help flush out the smoothly unpleasant fanged one next door. Excellent blend of comedy and horror.
This truly creepy Japanese psychological horror combines traditional folk legends with modern anxiety around technology. A cursed video is doing the rounds, which, if watched, is followed by a phone call giving the viewer seven days to live. The ending is probably the scariest of any film I’ve seen. It broke all box office records for a horror film in Japan. A young family living in a new housing estate in Middle America are visited in an unexpected way by forces of the supernatural. Ingeniously, the nightmare begins when their youngest daughter disappears through the television. Steven Spielberg produced this terrifically entertaining horror classic.
Halloween (1978)
John Carpenter broke the mould of gore flicks in the mid-70s by almost single-handedly inventing the slasher movie. Set in suburbia on the night of Halloween, it follows the escape of a mental patient in a white Captain Kirk mask who hunts Jamie Lee Curtis and friends through those all-American streets of neat lawns and white picket fences. The pulse-like score, also by the director, still strikes fear after so many years.
Scream (1996)
A tongue-in-cheek wink at the slasher movies of the Halloween to Friday the 13th era, in which knowledge of the genre’s cliches become critical to the survival of the teenage victims of a masked killer. It’s a sharp, funny parody that also delivers plenty of genuinely chilling moments.
Psycho (1960)
The shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s proto-slasher is possibly the most famous in film history, but there is more to this suspense classic than the grisly end of its
Fright Night (1985)
The Shining (1980)
Jack Nicholson’s line ‘Here’s Johnny!’ as he puts his demented face through an axe-splintered door is one of the many unforgettable moments in Stanley Kubrick’s icy and disturbing psychological horror. A winter with wife Shelley Duvall and psychic son Danny in a deserted hotel gradually unravels into madness. Truly chilling.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) Wes Craven gave the slasher flick an imaginative makeover and created the unforgettable teen boogieman of the Eighties, Freddy Krueger. He is a child molester who was burnt to death by parents, only to return to exact revenge in their children’s nightmares. A rollercoaster of terror.
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
A wonderfully creepy nightmare set in a New York apartment block where young couple Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes move in, but their neighbours appear overly interested in Farrow’s pregnancy. Excellent performances and Roman Polanski’s mastery of mood build to a tremendous climax.
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GALLERY
Young fans and families enjoy the cuddly dino’s MUSCAT SHOW
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Images: Jerzy Wierzbicki
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I
t all started with an innocuous friend request on Facebook. For a while, it was just harmless messages but gradually it began to escalate until it was full-on cyber abuse. Four years on and it hasn’t stopped. “You don’t have any idea how it makes me feel,” says the victim. “I blocked and deleted him from my contacts because he keeps bullying me. “Being bullied by the same person for more than three years is pretty bad.” These are the words of a 15-year-old boy from Muscat, who posted his frustrations on a forum board of an American site researching the phenomenon of cyberbullying. Online abuse has become a global problem, fuelled by the spread of social networking sites and children as young as six with smartphones and the whole of cyber space at their fingertips. Keeping track of activity in these virtual worlds is almost impossible to police – Facebook alone had one billion users as of September 2012. Identities can be concealed or faked, cyber footprints hidden, IP addresses changed and even countries of origin altered. For the trolls (the name coined for those involved in online harassment) scouring the Internet for victims, the possibilities are endless. Anonymity is power, as they say. In a hotel room in Muscat this week, however, a small fightback of sorts has begun. Around a conference table, a group of men and women have been plotting how to stop the cyber bullies of Oman in their tracks. Organised by Oman’s National Computer Emergency Readiness Team (OCERT) – chosen last year to act as the Regional Centre for Cyber Security – the workshop has the serious task of putting together a national strategy for the protection of children on the Internet. “Statistics show that 60 per cent of children and teenagers talk in chat rooms every day and that three out of every four children are willing to give personal information about themselves and their families for goods and services,” says Eng. Badr bin Ali al Salhi, director general of the National Information Security Centre at the Sultanate’s Informational Technology Authority (ITA). “Risk-taking behaviour on the Internet is part of the growth process faced by parents. We have a duty to take a lead and guide children between the corridors of this vast world of the Internet.” Cyberbullying is defined as ‘willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, mobile phones and other electronic devices.’ This can include sending text messages, posting rumours or embarrassing pictures and videos online. Under the Law for Combating Cybercrime in Oman 2011, cyberstalking and cyberbullying are both classed as criminal offences. While the rising numbers of young children and teenagers driven to suicide by cyberbullies seen
in the West has not yet reached Oman, the signs are that the menace is heading this way. Only recently, it was revealed that one-fifth (18 per cent) of children in Saudi Arabia had been the victim of cyberbullying – higher than the US (15 per cent) and the UK (11 per cent). The kingdom was the only Middle East country to be included in the poll. “The risk of cyberbullying is higher in Oman as Internet usage is very high,” Dr Nishat Shams, a psychologist who works with the Ministry of Health and Starcare Hospital in Muscat, warned. “I had a patient, a small kid, who had suddenly become very sad and depressed. He was frequently entering chat rooms and talking to people who were teasing, defying and even threatening him. The more time he spent chatting, the more depressed he became.” Parents need to control children’s Internet activities and inform the authorities of any concerns, she advised. Recent psychological research found that social networking sites such as Facebook are linked to depression because they can inspire envy and feelings of low self-esteem. “Unhappy people can carry out cruel acts through cyberbullying to hurt other people or make other people’s lives miserable in order to feel better about their own lives,” says Sara Hassan, a psychologist at Al Harub Medical Centre in Muscat, who has studied bullying and worked with victims. “Social networking sites have made it really easy to perform these acts behind anonymous profiles, which is why cyberbullying has become more prevalent in recent years.” She believes the nature of bullying will evolve again as social media plays an increasing role in children’s lives. “It is important to lessen time spent on social media and engage (children) more in sports and other activities. It is also crucial to monitor their time spent on social media and various Internet sites.” Schools also play a big part in educating and protecting children. Most schools in the Sultanate are required to have some sort of filter in place to restrict access to certain sites. The American International School of Muscat (TAISM), for instance, blocks Facebook for pupil use on its network. All students also have to agree to be a good ‘digital citizen’ in that they will use the Internet in a ‘respectful, honest, legal and responsible manner.’ “We also work with parents and give them some resources to use at home and talk about the issue with their own children,” says Douglas Irish, IT coordinator at TAISM. “We haven’t had any major problems but it’s something that we address. It’s an extremely important issue and it’s reality. You can’t just ignore it.” A spokesman for The Sultan’s School told Y that it also had a ‘very strict’ policy in place to deal with cyberbullying. “There was something with an email a while back but we dealt with it very quickly,” he said. Oman is sending out a message into cyberspace that there will be zero tolerance towards ebullying of any kind. Whether it’s too late to prevent any tragedies remains to be seen.
60 per cent of children and teenagers talk in chat rooms daily in Oman (according to the ITA) 3 out of 4 children in Oman are willing to give personal information about themselves or their families on the Internet (according to the ITA) 11-12 is the average age for kids to start using mobile phones, texting and social networks, according to Microsoft 51 per cent of parents believe that teaching online safety is the responsibility of teachers (according to a recent study in America) 1 in 10: the number of teenage victims of cyberbullying who tell their parents (from the i-Safe foundation) 1 in 3 young people have experienced cyber threats online (from the i-Safe foundation)
Fortunately, cases of this type of Internet abuse are quite rare but if you’re affected, here are some tips on how to deal with it: Don’t try to deal with an Internet troll on your own. Tell your friends and family what’s going on and always report abuse or intimidation to the social network, site owner, or if it’s really serious, the police. Ignore the temptation to reply or retaliate, as it is only likely to make things worse. Consider blocking users that send abusive messages, or adapt your social networking settings to prevent the troll from accessing your profile. Keep a record of any aggressive or intimidating messages, posts, pictures or videos you receive or see. Save or print them, making sure you keep a record of any details you have about the sender. Never forward on videos or messages attacking someone else. Report trolling abuse on social media sites Source: www.knowthenet.org.uk
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Muscat teenager makes stark film about consequences of cyberbullying
D
istressed and alone, a young girl reaches for a bottle of pills in a desperate act to end the pain. In a similar scene, a teenage boy reaches for a knife with a look of resignation. After suffering relentlessly at the hands of cyberbullies in their school at Muscat, they feel there is no way left to escape the persecution. It’s hard to imagine being driven to such extremes. Thankfully, this sad story didn’t really happen. It’s all in the imagination of Jack Maclean. Jack, 16, a pupil at British School Muscat (BSM), decided to capture the stark consequences of cyberbullying in a hard-hitting video, Torment – A Cyber-Bullying Film, which he wrote, directed and also starred in. Fellow pupils took other roles and even the school principal, Kai Vacher, was persuaded to take a cameo part. Starkly shot, the film follows the story of four teenagers whose lives are invaded by cyberbullies in their school. Not only is their online life affected but their offline one too with devastating consequences. The result is a bleak look at the psychological impact of bullying in cyberspace, which has been called the ‘silent killer’ because, unlike physical or verbal bullying, it cannot always be heard or directly seen. “Cyberbullying has a big impact on lives. Teenage victims often feel neglected and quite lonely,” says Jack, who was just 15 when he made the film as part of his GCSE film studies course. “Often the victims are too embarrassed or afraid to tell anyone about it, they keep it a secret. “It was a subject that I felt needing highlighting. It’s hard for people to understand the effect that it has.” Jack, who has not personally experienced cyberbullying, drew on research and victims’ stories for inspiration, taking account of his own interaction online. “My friends and I use things like Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp all the time,” he says. “It does take over your social life because it’s easy to talk to people. But it does leave you vulnerable in some respects.” Filmed mostly on location at the school during August, the majority of the cast was picked from BSM’s drama society. Deliberately shot in a watery tinge, there is no actual dialogue with actions speaking louder than words. The whole process, from filming to editing, took one-and-a-half months. “I wanted to say to people watching the film that this could happen to you,” says Jack. “Cyberbullies can be anyone, any age, male or female, high or low social status and from any background,” says Jack. “Sometimes they don’t see it as bullying, they see it as banter but they might think twice if they realise the effect that they are having.” As the film dramatically portrays, it can be difficult to switch off the cyberbullies. School might end at 4pm but cyberbullying can be endless. The film ends on a high note of sorts, with Jack’s character taking control and seeking help from his principal to tackle the bullies. Sadly, the other three victims take a different path. The message is clear: do not suffer in silence. “If you are in a situation where bullies are tormenting you, talk to someone,” says Jack. “Don’t bottle it up or pretend everything is fine. Don’t try to deal with it by yourself. Get help.” Watch Jack’s film www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gP7TJzQ_xA
Still from Jack's film
Average age parents first allowed unsupervised use of technology Respondents: Parents who allow child to use technology
8 yrs old 9 yrs old
Computer n = 486
Apps
n = 349
10 yrs old
Internet
11 yrs old
Mobile Phone
8 yrs old
n = 394
n = 326
Gaming Console n = 300
11 yrs old
n = 284
10 yrs old
Online Gamers
11 yrs old
Texting
n = 267
n = 253
Social
12 yrs old Networking n = 249
Still from Jack's film
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The story of Amanda Todd has become the most infamous case of cyberbullying. The 15-year-old committed suicide on October 10, 2012 at her home in British Columbia, Canada, after suffering years of online abuse and bullying. Before her death, she posted a nine-minute video on YouTube using a series of flash cards to tell of her experiences (which has since been viewed more than 17 million times). Ironically, since her death more than 1 million people have ‘liked’ her Facebook memorial page. Proposals to criminalise cyberbullying are under discussion. Rebecca Sedwick was just 12 when she killed herself in Florida last month after alleged continued harassment on the Internet, including a message telling her to ‘drink bleach and die’. Even after her death, one of the alleged bullies boasted online about the abuse. Controversial social networking website Ask.fm was forced to introduce stricter monitoring after the death of Hannah Smith, 14, in the UK. The teenager took her own life in August after enduring months of online abuse. Ask.fm, a question and answer site based in Latvia, has been linked to other similar cases. Ciara Pugsley committed suicide in the woods near her home in Ireland last September after incessant bullying on her Ask.fm page. Users would call her things like 'ugly' in the months leading up to her taking her own life. Her last post, a reply to a question: ‘Whats been up with u’, was ‘U’ll see soon!’ A month after Ciara's death, Erin Gallagher, 13, another Irish teenager, took her own life after being bullied on her Ask.fm page. Erin warned anonymous bullies on her page that she would take her own life, but the harassment about things like her weight and how she looked didn’t stop. Two months later, her older sister Shannon, 15, killed herself in apparent despair at the death of her sister.
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Responsibility to give children the guidance they need to safely use devices and online services Respondents: Parents/ non-parents
Parent
51%
Teachers
28%
Tech Companies
28%
Relatives Friends Government Community Other None
4% 2% 9% 2%
25% 27% 22% 26% 20% 19%
87%
19% Twitter
13% BBM
(Blackberry Messenger)
89%
60%
35% 38%
Parents n = 660 Non -Parents n = 365
Trolling Hotspots
74%
The Knowthenet survey reveals the most popular sites and services for online trolling or bullying
9%
Ask.fm
8%
4%
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THE KID He’s fast, hungry for success and is tipped to be the next big thing. Kate Ginn meets the rising little star of Oman’s racing track Images: Jerzy Wierzbicki
W
ith an explosive burst of speed from the engine, the gokart screeches round the corner and then roars off down the straight. At the wheel, the driver is calm and focused, intensely concentrating on the next line and the upcoming lap. Crossing the finishing line, he screeches to a halt and jumps out of the kart, pulling off his helmet with a satisfyingly showmanship flourish. Meet Shihab al Habsi, who may still be at junior school but is already being hailed as the potential future golden boy of racing in the Sultanate. If the surname is familiar, it’s because his father is a distant relative of footballer Ali al Habsi, the first player from the Arabian Gulf to play in the English Premier League. So little Shihab has a lot to live up to. Not that he seems the least bit fazed about the pressure of keeping up with his family name. Despite his tender age – he doesn’t turn ten until next month – he is leaving go-kart drivers years older than him trailing in his tyre tracks with his already legendary turn of pace. “I like to go fast and I like to win,” he says, with all the seriousness of a top racing driver. In his child-sized authentic black racer overalls, he looks like a 024
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miniature Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian Formula One racing driver who won three world championships. Indeed, despite his tiny stature, Shihab already displays the sort of fearless driving and steely determination to make it all the way to the top. “My future is F1,” he says, without a hint of doubt. (His heroes are Formula One champions Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso). This self-belief is not without foundation. In his first race in the UAE earlier this month, he finished first and regularly beats boys in their teens during practice sessions. Just this weekend he won every race he took part in at the UAE Rotax Max Challenge in Dubai. “He’s very confident. This is his dream and we have to help him follow it,” says his proud father, Hamad, who seems slightly bemused at where his son’s prodigious talent has come from. “They have told me that he is a natural. It is a gift.” Astonishingly, Shihab only got into the seat of a go-kart four months ago when his father decided to feed his fascination with cars by taking him to the track at the Oman Automobile Association in Seeb, with his younger brother, Mohammed. “After watching some racing, Shihab turned to me and said ‘Father, I am going to drive these karts’,” says Hamad.
“We came a few times and people at the track started noticing how quick he was.” It wasn’t long before Oman’s former world rally champion, Hamad al Wahaibi, got to hear about this new whizz kid. He was so impressed that he took Shihab under his wing and is now mentoring the youngster. As well as supplying Shihab with his own small child go-kart – which can cost up to RO3000 – he is helping out with training, both on and off the track. “Shihab is a real prospect for the future. I am very excited about him,” says al Wahaibi. Shihab certainly seems to already have the full package: the driving skills, the bearing, future good looks, a touch of arrogance and intelligence – he’s a straight A+ student. In between school lessons and homework, he can be found zooming round the circuit at least three times a week. His fastest lap so far is 44.56 seconds. “I like the noise and going fast,” he says. “I like smooth lines because then I win. “When I go fast, my mother sometimes cannot watch as I go round a corner but I am not scared.” Make no mistake; this is not child’s play. These six-geared go-karts are capable of going up to 90kph with a 125cc two-stroke engine. Professional karts for adults can hit a top speed of 180kph. “Shihab tells me all the time that he wants to go faster,” says his father. “I am not worried. I trust him. He knows what he’s doing and he knows how to handle the kart. “He’s more worried about his school work being affected. He said he didn’t want to drop down to a B-grade because of the karting.” As for his famous relative, they have already met. “Ali heard about Shihab and asked ‘who is this boy? His name is famous, I want to meet him’. “He told Shihab to keep practicing and one day he could be like him.” There is, of course, a long way to go. When Shihab turns ten on November 5, he will move up to the Mini Max class of go-kart racing to compete against the ‘bigger’ boys. Watching him tearing round the track in his No. 34 kart, it’s not a giant leap of imagination to see him one day standing on top of an F1 podium. There’s no doubt that he is in pole position to one day make his name as famous as the other al Habsi.
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE Karting has been the stepping stone to the top for many Formula One drivers over the years, helping to nurture young talent. These include: Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel (the reigning F1 champion), Jenson Button, Mark Webber, Mika Hakkinen, Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, Kimi Raikkonen and Robert Kubica.
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CALLING ALL
SPEED FREAKS
YM ag is m azine e spon dia sor
It’s loaded with burning rubber, flying dirt and an ample dose of adrenaline-pumping manoeuvres from a dozen or so talented drivers – Penny Fray gives you the lowdown on the Red Bull Car Park Drift in Oman
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R
emember when you dared your school friend to ‘borrow’ your Dad’s car and drive at full speed around the supermarket car park? It was incredibly foolish but fun (after he left hospital and you got grounded for nearly a year for burning out the break pads). Now imagine that, only much bigger, much better and without the threat of legal action or injury. Red Bull has announced the return of its Car Park Drift to Oman for the fourth consecutive year. It may not have the glamour (or money) of Formula One but it certainly has all the adrenaline and excitement of a sport that calls for speed and driving skill. Earlier this year, drifting shows and exhilarating performances kicked off across the region in Kuwait, KSA, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Bahrain, opening a whole new season of heightened challenges, concluding with an outstanding regional final in Dubai on November 8. Oman will be the final stop before this. Want to know more? Read on…
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?
A cool car race that pushes people’s driving skills to the max. Participating competitors will display exceptional car handling skills by navigating narrow tracks at high speeds and deploying oodles of courage to push their engines to the limits, all while maintaining immaculate road control.
THE HISTORY OF DRIFTING
Just like most things, the history of drifting has many different versions, some more likely than others. Pinpointing exactly where it began is as easy as finding Formula One’s Bernie Ecclestone in a crowd of giants, especially when you consider that, technically, the act of drifting has been around since about the mid-1950s. What we do know about its origin, well Wikipedia does, is that the Japanese played a very important role in ushering in the technique’s popularity – so much so that it has become one of the most popular forms of car competitions. Unlike other forms of ’racing’, drifting is different in that it’s not so much about who comes in first as it is about who can smoke their tyres the most.
THE VENUE
The Sultanate’s qualifier will be held at the Oman Automobile Association (OAA), where the track will consist of a winding course featuring columns and chicanes. Sudden twists and sharp curves will add to the challenge.
THE DATE & TIME
Nov 2, 2013, 2:00PM
THE COMPETITORS
Preliminary rounds will take place on November 1, selecting elite Omani drivers who will battle for the local drifting title the next day before moving on to the regional final in Dubai.
THE JURY
The jury will consist of a panel of experts, including Red Bull athlete and rally champion Abdo Feghali, Oman’s acclaimed circuit driver Ahmad al Harthy and local rally driver Khalid al Manji. The terrific trio will evaluate the drivers’ performance in their modified cars, through the use of hand brakes and skills to take on turns in the most dazzling and accurate way. In addition, judges will consider the engines’ sounds and car appearance, the smoke produced by the friction of the tyres and the crowd’s reactions measured by the loud and exciting cheers. The judging system for 2013 has been modified slightly and new criteria have been added to include front and rear clipping points. Confused? Me too. See the infographic to make it simpler to understand.
WHAT’S THE ENTRY FEE?
It’s free! Now how often do you get the chance to watch something this amazing in Muscat without having to pay a baisa?
WIN A PAIR OF VIP TICKETS
Don’t fancy joining the hoi polloi in the main arena? Don’t! Get the best views and treats at the VIP section. Luckily for you, you don’t have to be rich or famous to rub shoulders with the Sultanate’s good and the great. Simply tweet Red Bull Car Park Drift to @ytabloid and @redbulloman by midnight on 31.10.13 and get a chance to win a pair of VIP tickets.
HOW DO I SPREAD THE MESSAGE? Simply Tweet RedBullOman @redbullmea #CPDRIFT
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BUSINESS & CAREER
Trend
Networking
Minute Mentoring
The elevator pitch is the classic 30-second movie sell – if your idea is good enough, that’s all the time you need to close the deal
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Trend
Networking
Minute Mentoring
PITCH Perfect You’ve got to convince some hard-nosed money men to part with their cash and put it into your dream project. Joe Gill knows how tough it can be – he stood in front of TV’s Dragons’ Den
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o you’ve reached the moment of truth. It’s your big chance to make your dream project – be it a small business, new product or service – a reality, if you can just convince the people in suits that you’ve got what it takes to make a success. And make no mistake about it, however beautiful the plans are, however impressive your financial forecasts look – and they better be impressive if someone is going to put hard cash behind it – in the end, you are selling yourself. You may have the best thing since sliced bread on the table, a golden goose that any investor would be an idiot to turn down, but if they don’t like your pitch – or you – they may still walk away. That’s the strange thing about pitching, which I discovered in my own attempts to convince investors to back a games business. The figures really do need to show something positive at the end of all your efforts, but at the same time, canny investors are sometimes looking for something exciting, or socially useful, to be associated with. And if you can promise them some of that, with a reasonable chance of a good return, you could be onto a winner. But as my own Dragon’s Den experience showed me, you can have a good pitch, and a successful product demonstration, but if you can’t show a healthy return in a reasonable timespan – maximum three years – you are on a hiding to nothing. We did well until they began to interrogate our forecasts. “Do you think I’ve got a sticker on my forehead saying ‘mug’?” was one of the more memorable lines I remember from Dragon Theo Pathitis – and he was probably the most sympathetic man in the room. Admittedly we were trying to pitch an old-fashioned board game called ‘About Time’, which, in the age of Angry Birds, is a tough sell. “No venture capitalist wants to put money into a project that doesn’t return what they have put in,” says Tariq al Barwani, who has worked as an independent project manager for many large corporations in Oman. A couple of years after we were ejected from the Den, we pitched to a wealthy Englishman from Qatar for new investment. On that occasion our project was already in the market and selling moderately well, so it should have been a better prospect. The investor had flown in to make his decision – between us and a new restaurant business in Brighton. Just as with the Dragons’ Den selection process, my written pitch had done the groundwork. Now came crunch time. We came to the hotel lobby to meet him mob handed – a team of five – with the best financial forecasts we could muster at the depths of the recession. In hindsight, the team approach was not the best one – the more people in the room, the harder it is to keep your pitch disciplined and focused One person going off message can create doubt about the project and the person leading. The lesson learnt? Put your best man or woman forward – not everyone is suited to creating confidence in a potential investor. You need passion, conviction, a mastery of your project and someone who can answer very specific questions about your financial projections and the market you are operating in.
WHAT THE EXPERT SAYS: KNOW YOUR PROJECT INSIDE OUT “The first thing is to know your project from A to Z – why is it unique, why is it important, how will it generate returns for the investor, and even better, double or triple their money. No venture capitalist or funder wants to put money into a project that doesn’t return what he or she has put in.” Tariq al Barwani, founder Knowledge Oman
REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE PITCHING TO “Be mindful of who you are pitching to. If you are approaching a company, you could have finance, PR, marketing, and CSR/human resources involved in the evaluation. So you have to make an all-round pitch with all three elements. Try different departments – you never know who is going to make the final decision.” Bader al Lawati, environmental campaigner
Tariq’s Tips for Successful Pitching 1. Know your project from A to Z so you can answer any questions 2. Show how your investor will get a good return on their money 3. Show why this project is unique and unlike anything similar in the market 4. Show how your own experience and track record proves that you can achieve your plans 5. Use visual or physical prototypes. Seeing, touching and experiencing the product or service will really help to convince investors that you have something worth funding. In the end the Brit from Qatar went for the restaurant – which folded a year later. No schadenfreude intended. Good old hindsight. If we had brought our financial director to the Den, the outcome might have been very different. But we didn’t – we were not prepared for the kind of detailed interrogation we received. From his early days, Tariq al Barwani had to convince funders to back his IT concepts. He says: “You need to show that it’s unique and not like any other project of its kind. Otherwise, the investor will ask why should I invest in your project and not another one. “I would also want them to invest in something interesting and unusual – after all, there are non-financial reasons people invest too. “You need to have a track record. Tell them how you have done similar things already – to show that you can do this successfully. “I used to go with a USB stick and ask them if I can show the structure and outline of what I was proposing – show them the whole thing. Facts and bullet points are fine, but it makes it real if they can see it with their own eyes.” OCT 31 - NOV 06 / ISSUE 292
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food and drink
Trend
New Restaurant
CUT CORNERS IN FAVOUR OF CONVERSATION
The better the food, the more uncomfortable the guest. That may sound like watered-down Zen wisdom, but it’s true. If you’re too busy in the kitchen to laugh at a joke, let alone hold a conversation, then what’s the point of holding a dinner party? A great cook is more than just a skilled technician; he or she is a good host as well.
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Reviews
TREND New Restaurant
News
DINNER PARTY DIVIDE It’s that time of year again. As Halloween descends, Muscat’s dinner-party circuit lurches into life. But do you love or loathe it? Penny Fray and Tanushka Marah take their stance DON’T BOTHER GETTING TRAPPED INTO THE ‘COME DINE WITH ME’ CIRCLE OF DANTE’S INFERNO. EAT OUT, SAYS PENNY FRAY
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he best number for a dinner party, as far as I’m concerned, is two – a mute chef and myself. In fact, I’d rather dig a ditch with my bare hands than cook, converse and clean for a whole heap of people – some of whom I probably don’t even like. Of course, it doesn’t help that I’m not naturally extroverted or domesticated. I once served blue soup to everyone à la Bridget Jones and passed out when faced with a chicken carcass to stuff. That was in my twenties. By the time I hit my early thirties, I’d miraculously morphed into a blonde Nigella, owning LSA crockery and rustling up Jamie Oliver recipes sans melt down. I didn’t enjoy it though. I was just following a tiresome trend. In fact, every time I issued a handmade dinner invitation, two solid days were spent cleaning the house, scouring the supermarket for organic ingredients and decorating the table with carefully curated roses. The to-do list seemed as endless as the bills. (Diptyque candles, bubbly and goody bags don’t come cheap, you know!) In fact, the need for perfection sucked the very joy from entertaining at chez Fray. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike dinner parties per se – they always guarantee you the best and only table in the house – it’s just they take a huge amount of effort when you work and don’t particularly enjoy making small talk about property portfolios or holiday plans. These days, I don’t even bother getting trapped into the Come Dine With Me Circle of Dante’s Inferno. I eat out. Or if cajoled into playing hostess, I hide all the clutter in cupboards and get everything pre-prepared from M&S or Al Fair’s Waitrose collection. That way I’m ready to meet, greet and re-heat without falling asleep halfway through pudding.
AFTER A DINNER PARTY, OUR HOME IS LEFT WITH HAPPY MEMORIES AND I’VE LEARNT SOMETHING NEW, SAYS TANUSHKA MARAH
I
tend to throw dinner parties for two reasons – to thank people or to get to know people. I’m not one for sending cards or neatly wrapped presents, so cooking a big meal with lots of love is my way of showing that I care. In fact, at nine months pregnant, I was so determined to acknowledge the friends and family who helped my husband and I move into our new home that I cooked a three-course Jordanian meal, topped with a piano recital for ten people just as my contractions began. When my sister-in-law realised I was having a home birth and had lost the pump for the birthing pool, she led the way as all of our guests, full of vigour from their meal, got down on their hands and knees to blow up my pool. As far as I’m concerned, a dinner party is a way to get up close and personal with friends and family. There’s no need for hushed conversations or feeling uptight. The idea is to kick back and relax. My number one priority is that people feel comfortable and happy. But it’s not just about the guests. After a dinner party, or rather, the washing up, I’m usually left with a buzz from all the intellectual conversation as well as a deeper bond with the people invited. Our home is left with happy memories and I always expect to have learnt something new or to have laughed. Guests tend to want the same, and the good food is there to enhance and inspire that, even if there is a scary silence as people first tuck in and – hopefully - enjoy the meal you’ve lovingly prepared for them. And yup, there is a lot of work involved – I may protest loudly when someone offers to wash up, but secretly I’m deeply thankful. Just remember dear guest, I’m a sucker for a compliment – it makes all the serious effort of putting on a good spread worth it.
Penny’s Top Tips:
Tanushka’s Top Tips:
❖ Invite people around on the day your cleaner’s
❖ Stop everything and get your ‘lippy’ on. It’s better that
due. That way, you don’t have to spend half the day frantically vacuuming and looking for dust. ❖ Send out a proper invite. A handwritten one is preferable, but the online versions at Paperless Post are also acceptable. ❖ Keep the hors d’oeuvres simple. You are not aiming to meet Michelin-starred perfection. Set out a platter of store-bought olives, some cured meats, fresh bread and a selection of quality cheeses. Then, call out for pizza. No one will mind so long as the ambience is good and the drinks are flowing. A low-lit atmosphere with candles and your best china can give a takeaway some much needed glamour. ❖ A DIY mocktail bar for guests to mix their own tipple.
guests wait an extra five minutes for their food than you answer the door with chicken fat in your nails and flour in your hair. ❖ Prepare enough food in case extra guests arrive or someone feels particularly hungry. And remember, if you have cooked with love and host with joy, it will only follow that the night will be wonderful - unless you’ve got really weird friends. ❖ Yes, you’ve done all the cooking but the conversation is your responsibility too. I’m afraid you can’t sit in stunned silence. You need to subtly tease and nudge the chat without appearing neurotic. It can be an exhausting job, so make sure you invite people who enjoy talking!
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food and drink
REVIEWS
THE FOODIE
FILES Ajay Dhoundiyal, executive chef, Radisson Park Inn Muscat
TRICK OR TREAT
Eye of newt and toe of frog; wool of bat and tongue of dog. Like Shakespeare, Penny Fray has the recipe for a ghoulishly good time with these Halloween cupcakes RECI
PE
What was the first dish you ever prepared?
As an Indian national, my first ever dish was homemade vegetable stuffed bread. I was home alone at that time so I had to cook for myself.
What is your food philosophy?
Buy fresh and locally, cook it with care and serve proportionally to eliminate waste. I also cook, serve and eat healthily to live healthily. Preparation time: 3 0 minutes Cooking time: 2 0 minutes to 25 minutes. Makes 22 cakes
What are your three must have ingredients? Garlic, olive oil and black pepper.
Ingredients:
What is your ultimate culinary ambition?
To become a well-known chef and to set high standards in the culinary world.
What’s your ultimate ‘feel good’ dish after a hard day’s work?
Any light salad with spring vegetables and citrus fruit.
If time, money and waiting lists weren’t issues, where in the world would you most like to dine?
50g butter or margarine 2 tbsp milk 250g icing sugar, sifted 500g pack ready-to-roll coloured Icing 75g pack writing icing
Who would be your dream diner and why? My family. I want to spend each meal with them.
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To decorate:
Method
One of the Caribbean restaurants in Paris, France - I have no particular place in mind.
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150g softened butter or margarine 150g caster sugar 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract 3 medium eggs, beaten 150g self-raising flour 1 tsp baking powder 50g cocoa powder
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3
4
5
Cook’s tips
These cupcakes will keep for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container. If you prefer, you could use ready-prepared decorations or make a simple cobweb design using writing tubes. The chocolate icing can be made 2-3 days in advance, then warmed in the microwave or in a bowl placed over hot water, to soften again. T o save time, simply melt chocolate and spread over the cakes instead of icing.
Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. Place 22 paper cake cases in bun tins. Using an electric hand whisk, beat the butter, sugar and vanilla together for 4-5 minutes or until very pale and creamy. Gradually add the beaten eggs then sift in the flour with the baking powder and half of the cocoa. Using a metal spoon, fold in carefully. Half fill the paper cases with the mixture. Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cakes have risen and the tops spring back when pressed lightly with your finger. Cool on a wire rack. To make the chocolate icing, melt the butter with the remaining cocoa in a bowl placed over a pan of simmering water, or microwave on high for 1 minute. Add the milk and 225g of the icing sugar and beat until smooth and glossy. Place a little of the icing on each cake and smooth with a round-bladed knife dipped in hot water. Decorate as required with spiders and other spooky stuff.
Trend
New Restaurant
REVIEWS Info Box
AS SAMMAK RESTAURANT Sifawy Boutique Hotel Jebel Sifah, Muscat Tel: +968 24749111 Serving fresh seafood daily, from noon to 6 p.m. Lunch for two, including drinks: RO48
Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals
SHELL SHOCKED
Penny Fray discovers a real pearl of a place that sits alongside 8 a stretch of beautiful beach, serving, among other things, freshly caught fish, luscious lobsters and perfect prawns
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ost of us love secluded beaches. There’s something very special about them. The magic of being cut off from the rat race, azure waves lapping on the shore and palm trees waving in the breeze. The only problem is people. They always seem to pop up with picnics and screaming kids, spoiling what would otherwise be a serene spot – or at least that used to be my experience of Muscat during the weekend until I stumbled on As Sammak. Sitting under the semi-shade of palm trees with nothing to see but turquoise waters, crystal white sand and the odd wandering donkey, this unspoilt beach eatery is the ideal place to unwind and tuck into some of the freshest fish fare you’ll ever taste. Only a short drive from Muscat through the Hajar mountain range, this rustic hideaway is part of the Jebel Sifah Resort. It sounds simple to find but in fact what should have been a 40-minute drive from Muscat airport turned into a two-hour long, argument fuelled excursion through mountainous terrain, rough roads and sleepy villages. My other half and I had followed the wrong coordinates on the car’s GPS system. It was only later that I discovered that we could have reached the newly developed marina by boat, taking in breathtaking views along the Bustan coastline and beyond. Argh! Next time. And there will be a next time because the Jebel Sifah development is amazing. I’d booked a suite at the Sifawy Boutique Hotel online in lieu of the Six Senses being full. A resident discount meant that we could enjoy fourstar splendour overlooking the marina and a world of pristine beaches for less than the price of a luxury spa treatment elsewhere – a fact worth remembering if you’re a local. A short drive from the hotel was a bright blue fish sign leading us to what looked like a rustic crab shack. Of course, this is mainly artifice and the restaurant made the most of its beachfront location with a decked terrace, hammock and a couple of scrupulously clean al fresco tables. Inside, we found simple wooden furniture and a smattering of sea artifacts. It may not offer the curated luxe of The Chedi or The Al Bustan’s beach restaurants but it boasted a laid-back vibe reminiscent of the ‘Limey holes’ found in Barbados. And then there’s the food. Literally meaning ‘fishermen,’ As Sammak owes its success to the daily haul
VERDICT
:
10
Ag restaurreat little nt worth comina for the view galo ne.
of Muscat’s fishermen. The restaurant not only provides them with a livelihood but also emphasises the pride that they take in their heritage. The carte du jour offered an impressive range of fresh, locally sourced seafood such as Hamour, lobster, prawns and squid, alongside a variety of mezze starters. My aversion to shellfish made me a cheap date as I opted for the RO9.5 fixed price menu with no other sea critter in sight except a grilled Hamour fillet. Mark, on the other hand, went for the Al Sifah collection (RO20) with a feast of Omani lobster, jumbo prawns and catch of the day. After gulping down our complementary glasses of mint water and cooling down with a lightly perfumed wet flannel (as I said, rustic shacks can be deceptive), we tucked into a feast of salads, baba ghanoush, tahini and Arabic breads. The mezze was tasty and beautifully presented. I especially loved the fact they served enough pita bread to scoop up every last drop of dip. The service was efficient, then again once the other guests had left, we had the place to ourselves, which was tres romantic. Despite the warning that there would be a bit of a wait for our mains, both dishes came out of the kitchen fairly fast. My Hamour was fresh and carefully filleted but the heavy orange sauce on top drowned the delicacy of the fish. It was okay though and the chips were perfectly cooked and helped lift an otherwise average dish. My other half, however, loved the rustic plating of his freshly caught Shari before cooing over the beautifully dressed lobster and tasty sayyadiya fish rice. “This dish is as spectacular as the scenery,” gasped Mark, a British newspaper editor, with little interest in the usual restaurant flourishes. I wish the same mouth-watering minimalism had been applied to my platter. For pudding, I was looking forward to something sweet and calorific. Unfortunately, there were only healthy options left in the form of fruit. While my cholesterol conscious boyfriend was delighted with the news, I was not. Still ‘peckish’, I opted for the fruit platter, which to be fair, was fresh, plentiful and prettily presented. All in all, this is a ‘must visit’ restaurant thanks to the winning combination of fresh seafood and lovely location. It was certainly worth coming all the way from cold, rainy England for, according to Mark. But remember, if you’re planning to visit, come by boat. Friends say it adds a certain je ne se quoi to the experience.
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HEALTH& BEAUTY
Health
Beauty
GOTHIC GLAMOUR
fashion
Amid the powder pinks and power greys, designers exhibited an affinity towards the dark side this season with gothic-style gowns, Vampiric capes and spider web knits. For a more wearable take on the Morticia Addams look, try this dress from Monsoon.
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EXCESS ALL AREAS
This black satin box clutch from Alexander McQueen with dozens of Swarovski crystals and gold beads. Gorgeous. RO987
Minimalists may want to avert their eyes from this week’s fashion pages because opulent textures, grand silhouettes and over-the-top accessories are back, says Penny Fray
T
here is an extravagance to autumn that is as opulent as it is fabulous. The revival of faux fur, feathers and lavish embellishments hark back to a bygone age but designers like Erdem and Jason Wu gave them a contemporary feel with bright brocade and marabou plumages. Meanwhile, Gucci and Marc Jacobs embraced full on glamour using sequins, beading and fringing – ideal for extrovert Omani damsels to dazzle in. But when it comes to full on drama, few can top Dolce & Gabanna’s astonishing designs. Inspired by the golden splendour of a Sicilian cathedral, metallic corsets, medieval crowns and heavily gilded gowns demanded attention. Thankfully, you don’t have to spend couture prices to copy the look as Middle Eastern markets excel in excess. Just visit any Muscat boutique and you’ll find enough bling, beads and brocade to make most minimalists feel positively queasy. Even high street stores like M&S and Next are embracing the high-octane look with rich textures and metallic detailing. Want to dip your toe in the trend without looking like one of Henry VIIIs wives? Try accessories. Statement clutches, like this exquisite number from Alexander McQueen, look amazing set against ebony gowns for that nouveau Goth look. But this sumptuous trend isn’t restricted to evening. Brocade pants and dresses take you from day to night, just make sure you offset more exuberant pieces with a plain, black palette. Alternatively, pair a feathered skirt with a leather jacket for a quirky take on the look. This gothic masque from H&M is perfect for Halloween and mystery moments. RO6
TRY TEXTURE: Penny’s guide to opulence
Temperley London’s wave embroidery dress has a distinct 1920s air. RO1050
Black jacket, RO90 from La Redoute.com
Work the tailored look after dark in Balmain’s gold and black jacquard trousers. A sharp jacket and a simple silk tee will ensure this high-octane pair stays in full focus. RO842
These brocade shoes from Next are on several fashion editors ‘wanted’ list. From RO20
Indulge in the iconic glamour of Gucci with these darkly chic earrings set with black onyx and 0.8-carats of sparkling diamonds. RO4320
1 Super glam golden-hued cover-ups are perfect for evening. Wear over an all black outfit to let them shine. 2 A maximalist outfit calls for minimalist hair and make-up. 3 Don’t like heavily embellished pieces? Embrace velvet and lace instead.
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My Hood
CARS AND OUTDOORS
Cars
Wi-Fi
Outdoors
ghost town
The old fort town of Bahla, in the shadow of Jebel Akhdar, casts a powerful spell on visitors
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CARS AND OUTDOORS
My Hood
Cars
Wi-Fi
Outdoors
Destination
Bahla
There are few places that evoke times past quite like this town and fort in the shadow of the mountains, finds Jerzy Wierzbicki 038
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there are many finely carved wooden details in the doors, beams and window frames, attesting to the great skill of the craftsmen who made them. Life unfolds slowly and quietly in Bahla. After an hour walking around the ancient part of town, I drove to the bazaar with its very narrow streets, just an inch wider then my car. There are many very high palm trees in and around the bazaar, hiding old houses in the shade of their branches. In one of the streets, I smelt burning wood. I stopped my car and followed the smoke. Suddenly, I witnessed a view that immediately reminded me of the black and white photographs I have seen in books about the Oman of old. I had the sensation that I was back in the past. An Omani man was smoking dried palm leaves and the entire area was covered by the greyish fumes and pungent aroma. The smoke wafted through the palm trees, creating a magical atmosphere. Slowly, I changed the lens on my camera to capture the moment. I did not want to disturb the scene, so I stayed in the background. I was greatly affected by it all and I wanted to savour the feeling for as long as possible. Reluctantly, I headed back to my car. Inside, I poured some strong, sweet tea into a mug and filled my briar pipe with some good tobacco, lighting up under a colourful Bougainvillea tree. For the next half hour, I listened to the whispers of this remarkable place and felt myself entranced by the spirit of the moment and location. In the evening it was too dark to take photographs but, inspired by my experience, I vowed to return soon with a medium format camera and tripod and take some black and white pictures. Without doubt, Bahla had cast its powerful spell over me. It is a must visit for anyone who claims to be seriously interested in the history of Oman.
travel guide
A
s I wandered through old Bahla, the glowering sky with its dark, foreboding clouds gave the mud-brick houses an added tinge of eeriness that sent tingles down my spine. I am not easily influenced by the idea of haunted places, ghosts or spirits, but there is something about the ancient fort town that takes hold of you as you explore its abandoned streets. Like all the most impressive archeological sites in Oman, it benefits from the dilapidated condition of its buildings – mercifully, they haven’t been spruced up to make them tourist-friendly but are like petrified ghosts of a lost civilisation. I say lost, but make no mistake – as you walk among narrow passages peering into empty, crumbling houses, it feels as if the spirit of this place is as strong as ever. Bahla, more than any location in Oman, is shrouded in legends of occult forces, and it is known as the place to go to find expertise in the casting out of evil spirits. On this visit, though, I was in no need of such services – all I wanted to do was soak up the unique atmosphere and capture the mood on camera. I was assisted by the weather, with threatening clouds adding to the sense of something ominous. For photography, the conditions were perfect. I took one camera with an ultra-wide angle lens, moving slowly between the ruins and the palm trees. There was almost no sound and the silence was of a special quality, something I always crave after being in the big city. Like other towns located beneath the Jebel Akhdar highlands, it is in a very fertile area with many date palm orchards and farms watered by mountain springs and a network of falaj. With a storm brewing, I was taken back many years to when I was an archeology student travelling with a group to southern Poland, where there are a lot of ruined medieval castles. Invariably we were accompanied by the wind and rain. When you look closely at the old houses,
Bahla is around 200km from Muscat. Head to Nizwa and continue on the same road for 40km to reach it. The UNESCO-listed medieval fort, made of unbaked brick and stone, originally dates back to the pre-Islamic era. The defensive wall is the oldest in Oman. It is huge and impressive, stretching 12 kilometres around the old town. A restoration has preserved the authenticity of the architecture and, after years of being closed to the public, it is now open on some days.
GPS location of the old town: E57°18’4.41 N22°57’45
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CARS AND OUTDOORS outDOORS
My Hood
Cars
Wi-Fi
Park Life
Cooler autumn nights means one thing – heading out to the park for picnics, walks and a chance for the kids to run free Words: Tanushka Marah
B
efore having my daughter, I imagined my child would be brought up on organic food, with no TV, home-made play dough and non-stop healthy activities. But as I watched her munching a packet of Doritos, eyes glued to the television set, I felt disappointed in myself. Playing outdoors is not an option through the summer, so we made cakes, read books, did paintings and even crafts – but the days are very long with a preschooler cooped up indoors. Mercifully, autumn is finally here and we can head back out doors, and there is no better patch of open green space in Muscat than Qurum Natural Park. No matter how many “I wants” a child throws at you throughout the day, give them a large expanse of grass and they are happy. We rolled up as families began arriving in the early evening for picnics, a stroll or just to let the little ones tear around before bedtime. I bought a cup of tea from one of the many kiosks close to the entrance as my daughter ran around in circles and bounced a ball. The birds are singing, the light is starting to dim, my tea is extra sweet with condensed milk, I am happy, my daughter is happy – alhamdulillah. We walked through the large, tiled fountain plaza with its beautifully styled
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Images: Jerzy Wierzbicki
Outdoors
Islamic tile paving, creating a feeling of serenity and relaxation. Light reflects off the ground and other people start to look like elegant silhouettes in an impressionist painting. For children learning to ride a bicycle, this is a great place to practice. There are two play areas, one for older kids and one for the younger ones. The last time we were here my daughter needed help getting up onto the climbing frame, but this time she could manage it without my help and so I was free to relax. So, like a guilty secret, I reached into my handbag and produced my book, yes – after nearly four years of motherhood, I can actually read in the daytime. This is my reward for childbirth, feeding and sleepless nights. I looked up now and again, though I didn’t need to because I could hear her making friends with other children and loudly bossing them about. There is one overwhelming attraction next to the park that I was doing my best to distract Amali from noticing – the Marah Land fun fair. By 6pm there were groups and families sitting down to enjoy picnics, snacks or just chilling. There was a group of British mums, Omanis and other expats, all together, enjoying the surroundings. The grass is a great equaliser in society. Now I was definitely in a Manet painting. Parks, unlike the beach, bring a sense of sophisticated relaxation – people look happy, food has been prepared, books are out, conversation is gentle, you can sit on your backside feeling happy with yourself as joggers come and go. And yes, people do jog around Qurum Natural Park in the evening. There is enough space in this huge elegant park to walk properly, or run, if you insist. Exercise is completely acceptable here, in fact you are actively encouraged with poetic signs ordering you to ‘Move your body – lose your fatty’. The flowers are beautifully arranged, with rich colours like magenta helping to lift your mood. Nearby is the impressive rose garden, with a huge selection of variants from around the world. I am no horticulturalist – roses are something I love when they arrive in bunches with a note attached – but this is a gardener’s paradise. You can also spend some time at the spectacular walk-in fountain, also created with a classical Arabic design. After sunset, it’s funfair time. There is just no avoiding it any longer. I don’t have to deal with nappies any more, but I have to deal with garish lighting, awful music and the expense of every ride – though at between 700 baisa to one rial per ride, these aren’t extortionate. I almost wish it wasn’t there, but as I watch my daughter sit by herself on a train going slowly round in circles, she seems happy. She is even happier rowing a mini boat in the mini lake, and flying down some very steep slides. When my RO3.5 card ran out, we came out, just as all the families started pouring into the park with picnic bags and mats. We too sat down and ate our dinner outside. What a special moment to see other people, say good evening, enjoy the gentle breeze, look at the moon, and after our dinner of sandwiches, dips and a few naughty sweets, go for a gentle constitutional around the boating lake. One of the great things about parks in Muscat is how busy they are at night, with the sense of security that would be hard to find in other countries. On the way home we drive along Al Shatti Street corniche, which looks across to the high reeds of the park’s adjacent nature reserve with its wetlands and mangroves. Once home, I picked my sleeping daughter out of the car. Her body felt heavy, relaxed and utterly content. I was all those things too. Happy autumn. Qurum Natural Park is open from 9am till midnight.
Keeping fit with an evening run
All the fun of the fair
Fairground ride
Adventure play
Waterfall feature
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CARS AND
OUTDOORS
BLUE LAGOON
The islands of Komodo and Rinca in the remote archipelago of Indonesia are homes to the world's largest lizards, the Komodo dragon. It is a protected paradise with stunning coral seas far from the tourist crowds.
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Cars
Wi-Fi
O u t d o o r s postcards from
Bashia Golachowska,
an animal protection worker from Seeb, recommends:
Komodo and Rinca Islands
Greetings from Rinca and Komodo Islands in Indonesia, an unspoiled tropical paradise that is home to the largest lizards on the planet. Komodo dragons are aptly named as they can grow to three metres, and kill and eat buffalo. As someone who works with endangered species, I am passionate about wildlife and so it was always my dream to come here and see these fearsome creatures in their natural environment. There are only about 4000 Komodo dragons in existence, with about 2500 on Komodo and the rest on Rinca. They only live on these two islands, which are remote from the tourist hotspot of Bali. Local people are rightly scared of the lizards because their bite is poisonous and can kill. In earlier times they were something of a curse but now they are a blessing as they bring many tourists. Fortunately, this place is still too inaccessible to attract large numbers of visitors. You have to fly from Bali to Flores on a small plane before taking a boat to the islands. The flights are not that expensive and it’s more than worth the trip.
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My Favourite Place: Of the two islands, Rinca is the most beautiful and untouched. It is part of the Komodo National Park and has the most amazing flora and fauna. The islands are protected by rangers who take care of the lizards and other protected species, and show people how they live in their natural environment. After the madness of Bali, which has sadly become something of a tourist trap, for me Rinca is the perfect escape. There are breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, stunning scenery and incredible species like boars, buffalo and lots of tropical birds – and best of all, almost no people. Because it is a national park, the animals are everywhere, and you can get pretty close to them. Unlike most of Indonesia, which is jungle, the landscape is actually savannah. Highlights: The seas are a diver’s paradise, with the most gorgeous coral reefs around the islands. I saw some of this when I went snorkelling – if you are more adventurous, the diving is amazing. There are only a few boats plying the waters around the islands so you get an incredible feeling of peace and silence. I do worry that the unspoilt beauty of these islands will be lost if more tourists come here. To get onto the island you usually take a small motorboat attached to the main boat. In our case, the engine broke so we had to paddle with flipflops.
Komodo dragon
Lowlights:
You have to be careful about the travel company you choose, because once you step onto their boat in Flores, you are at their mercy. On the islands there are no places to eat or stay. Some of the boats can be overcrowded and the standard of cuisine may vary, although we ate fresh fish caught the same morning from the sea, which was fantastic. Good boats offer cabins and en suite bathrooms while on others you sleep on the deck under the stars, which is fine until you need to go to the bathroom. Some of the prices of these boat tours are crazy too. We were lucky enough to travel in September, which is probably the best time to go. Between November and March it rains and there can be storms, while in the summer it gets very hot.
Souvenirs:
Fishermen will come up to your boat and offer to sell trinkets and wooden crafts, usually carved Komodo dragons. Out here there is very little to spend your money on once you have left Flores. Don’t even think about taking shells or pieces of coral home with you – the Indonesians take environmental protection very seriously.
Where to stay: Forget about five-star hotels – you can find some hotels in Labuan Bajo, but they are generally of a low standard and expensive. The Golo Hilltop Hotel and La Prima Hotel are probably the best. There are some lovely restaurants in Flores worth visiting, including an excellent Italian. Otherwise you can stay on the boat for your whole trip. The boat owners know the best places to stop for the night in the bays and coves around the islands.
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-FI THE TECH IN YOU
Postcards from
Cars
Outdoors
WI-FI
GHOULISH GADGETS
Planning on putting the frighteners on friends and family this Halloween? Matt Herbst makes you jump with this year’s trick or treat SKIN DEEP
This Halloween kitchen essential is not quite as gruesome as its name implies. However, the Voodoo Knife Block, crafted in rich red or black ABS plastic, has five strategically positioned slots in which to place quality knives, which are also included. Designed by Raffaele Iannello, it’s not for the sensitive or faint hearted. So what are you waiting for? Chop chop! RO26 www.amazon.com
COLD BITE
Square ice cubes too dull for you? This Cold Blooded Ice Cube Tray freezes water into vampire teeth, adding a touch of sharpness to your favourite drink. It is made from flexible silicone rubber, so you can use it over and over. It makes up to five vampire teeth,not quite a mouthful but certainly enough for a bloody cocktail. www.coolstuffexpress.com - RO4
EDITOR’S PICK SHOWER SHOCKER
This SHOWER curtain will certainly make your guests nervous. The grey shadow with words scrawled in ‘blood’ will send shivers down anyone’s spine. Other styles available are bloody hands Being DRAGGED down a white curtain, and a shadow of a man holding a knife standing behind a blood-smeared curtain. Scary! Available at www.amazon.com from RO5
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IDLE THUMBS
Here’s a trick – we usually take the thumb drive for granted but no more. A lone thumb sticking out of your laptop will definitely cause heads to turn and perhaps even elicit gasps of horror. http://usb.brando.com RO15
FIND OUT WHAT’S HIP & HAPPENING IN GADGETS
MINI MONSTERS
Halloween isn’t Halloween without dressing up. Imagine a mini dragon crawling around your house, better still an escaped convict baby. A variety of adorable outfits each come fully lined with a zippered jumpsuit including character hoods, snap-leg closures for easy nappy changing and slip-on booties with skidresistant bottoms. Price depends on size according to age for 6-12 months, 12-18 months and 18 months to 2 years. RO10.20 - RO36 at www.amazon.com
NEW! LG- Google Nexus 5 Google accidently revealed that the Nexus 5 (16GB) smartphone (or as tech geeks term it – the phablet) which is due for release on October 31, will cost RO135 on the Google Play store. As of now, there is no official word on the 32GB model price, however as it stands, the bigger the variant, the bigger the price. Read more about this phablet on Google Play. Display - 4.95-inch full HD display with 1080x1920p resolution having pixel density of 442 ppi (pixels per inch)
APP OF THE WEEK
Before you go out trick-or-treating, you’ll certainly want to hear some ghost stories. Telling, reading and listening to spooky tales is a Halloween tradition. True Ghost Stories From Around the World are usersubmitted, so if you have a good one that’s not already there, submit it. Find this chilling App at itunes.apple.com for 600Bz
OS - Android v4.4 Kit Kat (build version KRS74H), Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 series quad-core processor. Storage - 32GB and16GB, Battery - 2,300 mAh (16GB) and 3000 mAh (32GB). Add-ons: Dual-band wi-fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth v4.0, NFC, GPS, wireless charging ability. Network - 4G/LTE. Camera - Main: 8.0-megapixel camera with LED flash, Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) technology, BSI sensor, f/2.4 aperture. Front: 1.2-megapixel camera.
THE GIRLY GADGET
Not a fan of dressing up for Halloween? That’s okay – wear a trendy yet ever so slightly ghoulish watch instead. This piece shows one of Ed Hardy’s most well known tattoo artworks and is encircled by 12 Swarovski crystals alternated with enameled stones that match the band. It also features an easy-open butterfly clasp. Quite beautiful actually. See it at edhardywatchesla.com for RO126 OCT 31AUG-NOV 15 –0621 / / ISSUE ISSUE292 282
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CARS AND OUTDOORS
Postcards from
Wi-Fi
Outdoors
C ars
Dodge Durango 2013
Engine: 3.6L Pentastar V6 24 valve Horsepower: 290 Transmission: Five-speed shiftable automatic Towing power: Up to 6,200 pounds
Car of the Week
The new Dodge Durango is a nimble powerhouse with a ruthless safety streak, discovers Kate Ginn
W
e already knew that the Dodge Durango was a rugged, hardnosed car capable of dealing with just about any terrain or given situation placed in its path. So perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that in the US, a beefed-up version of the SUV is being offered to police and fire departments as an emergency response vehicle. Still, it won’t do any harm to the Durango’s reputation as being a serious heavyweight in the large utility market. For such a big heavy car, however, it has unexpectedly nimble handling. A big plus for me was the driving position, with the gear shift nicely to hand, enough room in the footwell to satisfy even the leggiest of drivers and a lofty vista of the road. There’s enough power in the 3.6L V6 engine to please speed enthusiasts, as will the athletic handling. It’s a satisfyingly chunky car, though not one that perhaps necessarily stands out in a crowded highway. No, for me, the Durango’s personality is more about understated elegance and simplicity of design. 046
OCT 31 - NOV 06 / ISSUE 291
Since the last major redesign in 2011, there has only been minor tinkering on the outside with little change to write home about. It is perhaps due for an update in the near future. Inside, the first thing you notice is the roominess. With seating for up to seven, it’s obviously pitched for the family market, although the third-row is not just for the little ones, coming with adult-friendly seating. Despite being a singleton without children, I would be more than happy to have a Durango with my name on it parked outside my apartment block. Tech wise, it has all the bits in the right place such as a touch screen in a functional dash. Just don’t expect anything too ostentatious. This is a mature, sensible car for grown-ups. It also has the obligatory keyless start. A word of warning here. Do not pop out of the car to go to the ATM and leave the keys in the car. You will be locked out. As indeed I was. As soon as I heard the door click softly behind me, I knew that I was in trouble. I could see the key fob almost mocking me as it sat in a plastic tray. There was no way in – all the doors were shut tight and my frantic tugging
and pacing around the car were fruitless. I know the idea is to have a foolproof safety device to prevent someone jumping in your car when your back is turned and driving off, but it’s a pain when it happens. Judging by postings on Dodge Durango forums (yes, they do exist) it’s not an uncommon occurrence. In the end, it was sorted and I was back on the road. Apparently, there is a way to prevent this happening if you consult the owner’s manual beforehand (which, of course, I didn’t). Anyway, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the test drive. If anything, it made me appreciate the hardcore safety features that come as standard, such as rear head air bags, stability control and the driver whiplash protection system. It also has an awesome towing power. This baby could pull an elephant perched on top of a house behind you with ease should the need arise. All in all, this is a mighty machine. Sure you can buy grander looking cars with flashy interiors but what the Durango may lack in frivolous appeal, it more than makes up for with its heavyweight punch.
They say: ‘Top of the line. And feels like it’ We say: ‘Gets you to where the crowds can’t follow’
Check this out
4-wheel ABS Dusk-sensing headlights Rear door child safety locks Front, rear and third-row head airbags Overhead console with storage Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel Six-speaker stereo All-terrain tyres
GIVE YOUR WALLS AN INSPIRING NEW LOOK
Bring new life into your home with Lady Design from Jotun. Choose from our brilliant new collections to create stylish wall designs—each paired to a range of décor options by interior designer Mona Hussein.
pick up the Jotun Lady design book at your nearest Jotun shop. to find out more visit facebook.com/jotunarabia or jotun.com/me
cHanGe tO BriLLiant desiGns cHanGe tO tHe nO. 1 in paints