Y Magazine #352, January 8, 2015 by SABCO Press, Publishing and Advertising

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JAN 08 - 14 / ISSUE 352 • WEEKLY

Breaking

PLUS!

WHY DIVORCE IS ON THE RISE

ASIAN CUP

NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

FOOD ALLERGIES

FIT FASHION

IN THE SPOTLIGHT The school holidays are over and it’s back to struggling with early morning routines, homework and school runs for many parents and kids. While the break was a welcome relief for many, Y is hoping to see an easing of gridlocked traffic, which can only mean less stress for all!

THE BAROMETER GOING UP

TAX DODGERS While the average person may not pay salary tax in Oman, companies are required to pay a flat rate of 12 per cent to the government. And herein lies the problem: according to government data, only 4,000 companies out of a registered 120,000 paid tax last year, prompting many to call for a crackdown on the dodgers.

GOING DOWN

RETIREMENT PLANS After reaching a remarkable 203 runs against New Zealand last weekend, Sri Lankan cricketing great Kumar Sangakkara is reconsidering his retirement plans. And no wonder – he is just one behind Australian legend Don Bradman for the most double centuries in the history of the game.

THIS WEEK… Team Y has been exploring the delights of Nizwa (Capital for Islamic Culture for 2015, see p12) and its beautifully restored fort, catching some rays on our roof terrace and snapping up some bargains in the sales at the malls

EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

Fast forward

s a child of divorce, I know all too well the heartache of a family breaking up. Of assets being split, homes being sold and the heartbreaking realisation that you will never again live with both your parents as a child, or share important milestones and memories as one family unit. Divorce is a sad, life-changing event for all concerned and, unfortunately, it is becoming more common these days. In our cover story this week, Y looks at the rising divorce rate in the Sultanate and discovers that the younger generation is less likely to work at keeping their marriage together, unlike their parents and grandparents. This can be put down to education, global influences and Oman’s rapid growth and shift to a more modern society, in which traditions such as the sanctity of marriage are coming under threat. But what is interesting is that Omani women are getting married later. This is due mainly to women realising that they want to establish a career before getting married and starting a family. Meanwhile, we look at the impact of the Government’s 2015 budget on our hip pockets, put the new Nissan X-Trail through its paces and head to Taiwan in Postcard. Have a wonderful week!

editor@y-oman.com

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EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi MANAGING EDITOR Felicity Glover

PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi CONTRIBUTORS Matt Blackwell Adam Hurrell INTERN Deeba Hasan

DEPUTY EDITOR Kate Ginn ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan

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contents

JANUARY 08 - 14 2015

Your Oman 06 Coffee With Deeba Penny Destro

This week 16 #FYI 5 Most Expensive Yachts And Their Owners

10 News Jump To It

17 Movie Listings Seventh Son

Week In Pictures Headlining Stories From Oman, The Region And Beyond

15 Gallery Iran Exhibition

26 Ali & Co Head Down Under AFC Asian Cup 2015

18 This Week Get Shrewd

18 Cars and Adventures

Food and Drink

38 Destination Qantab

29 Food Feature Living With Allergies 30 Taste Test Grand Fish Market

20 Torn Apart Marriage In Pieces 24 Money Talks Oman’s Budget Reviewed

08 Voice Of Oman Al Sayyida Mayya Al Said

14 King Of The Fighters Gaming Contest

Feature

Health and Beauty 32 Fashion Front Runner

40 Outdoors Underwater World 42 Postcard From Taipei 44 Y-Fi Smart Homes

34 Health 46 Car of the Week To The Barre Nissan X-Trail

NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE... FESTIVAL FEVER / JUDO MASTER / COFFEE WITH DEEBA / CARS / GADGETS / TASTE TEST / EVENTS / MOVIES

Penny Destro

Deeba Hasan sits down with Penn y author and teacher who lives life Destro, a British to the full and has her sights set on the best-seller list

oving life and from writer’s block at cancer is a women’s cause making the most of any point, she says she that is close to my heart. everything is perhaps she doesn’t believe in it. The money went towards the best lesson Penny “When your editor tells you a mobile mammography Destro – my own old tutor they need 1,000 words on unit, which could be taken – ever taught me. And som ethi ng, you to women in the Interior.” don ’t refu se, she certainly follows her but yes, there are some days Penny has lived in Oman own advice, releasing her when you are better than for the past 10 years, first novel, Year of the Decree othe rs. I sit at my desk and I but 2015 will see her say Absolute, last year at the age make myself do something goodbye to the Sultanate. of 70. rega rdless.” “I have loved living in this “For years I have lied Penny has already written beautiful country, I have a about my age, but now a third of the book’s sequel lot of friends here, but this I am finally admitting it. and attempts to work on year we will be moving to I am going to be a great it every day. “This was my Dubai.” grandmother in May and Although Penny has had my seventh grandchild will goal for 2015, but with five children and several two major operations since be born in around three grandchildren, I keep 2010 – including emergency weeks’ time,” she says. gett ing interrupted with gall bladder surgery in Despite receiving no family commitments,” December last year – she formal university degree, she tells me. “My family definitely looks fit and Penny has been able to is spread between Dubai healthy. do a lot with her life, and England and I move Having visited about 75 including freelancing betw een the coun two, tries in her 70 years, mak ing it for various international Penny is widely travelled, publications and teaching a hard to create a routine.” Penny’s inspiration comes but has plans for more yet. journalism course at Bayan from entertaining through “Before we came to Oman, College in Muscat, all words and she says she my husband was the chief while raising five children. feels a great sense of pride engineer on a commercial Penny’s novel tells the in joining her favourite cargo ship and I used to go story of a reluctant female author, John Grisham, as to sea with him.” divorcee in journal style a published writer. “I have It’s said that you’re only and was actually written seen my name hundreds of as old as you feel and 12 years ago. “I decided to times on features, articles Penny’s age doesn’t stop her do nothing with it because and news pieces, but I have from wanting to live her life I wrote it at a time when always wanted to see it on a to the maximum. “In the Bridget Jones’s Diary came boo k.” next 10 years, I am hoping out and everyone was Although Year of the Decree that I’ll be able to do all the writing in the same diary Absolute is Penny’s first fullthings that I want to do,” style, so publishers didn’t length novel, she released she says. “There are lots want any more of that.” a compilation of stories of places that I still want Years later, Penny and rhymes in 2012 in a to visit and I might still like decided to re-write some book titled Frothy Coffee, a to become a best-selling of the book and finally fundraiser for the Oman author.” get it published. Now Cancer Association (then that her goal has been Have you got a unique story accomplished, Penny plans known as the National Association for Cancer to tell or do you know someone to convert the book into a Awareness). “The idea who has? Contact us to have film script because of the beh ind this book was just coffee with Deeba and be comments she has received to make money for breast featured in Y Magazine. from fans. canc er. I wanted to do Email: editor@y-oman.com Asked if she suffered something and breast

JULY JAN 0803- -1409/ /ISSUE ISSUE352 327

THE VOICE OF OMAN AL SAYYIDA MAYYA AL SAID ON MAKING THE MOST OF PARENTING

correspondence DIRT DRAMA Dear Editor,

sometimes wish that there were an instruction manual that parents can refer to when it comes to raising kids. But as most parents will tell you, you learn on the job. As a mother of two girls (now seven and nine years old) I certainly did! I have come to realise that what kids want and need is our time, love, patience and undivided attention. Not the latest tech gadget to keep them away from us. As hard as it is, we need to raise kids that will respect their elders, speak when spoken to and are polite at all times. Above all though, we need to build a relationship with them that will hopefully last a lifetime. Many parents would agree that time is our enemy. Years seem to pass like days and our children often grow up way too fast and before we know it, they’ve flown the coop and are out leading their own lives and raising families. It is said that to be in your children’s memories tomorrow you have to be in their lives today and indeed we do. It’s challenging, but I bet you agree that there’s nothing more important than family and it’s guaranteed to to be worth it in the end, I promise.

NEXT WEEK: ALI AL BALUSHI

What’s the big deal about having a dirty car? I can understand when the level of dirt impairs the vision of the driver, or if the vehicle registration plate is no longer visible, but recently a friend of mine was given a RO35 fine at a Royal Oman Police (ROP) checkpoint for a car that really wasn’t that dirty at all. The fine was initially RO10, but after protesting his innocence – and the car’s cleanliness – the ROP officer more than tripled the fine my friend had to pay. After seeing his car, I agreed that it was barely dirty, which lead me to question the integrity of the officer’s decision. Shouldn’t he

DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED:

“Should expatriate workers who remain in Oman illegally be allowed to leave the country without facing legal action?” MHEL APRODA

They have to serve their sentence and should then be sent home, as their families also need them. Heavy fines should not be given before sending people home.

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be off fighting real crime somewhere as opposed to collecting money for the coffers of the ROP? Regards, Confused resident, Muscat

MUNA ZAYED

I think the issue shouldn’t be treated generally. Each case should be studied on an individual basis. Some people don’t have enough money to buy a ticket and leave, or their health conditions may be stopping them. On the other hand, those who are consciously staying here illegally would not accept the same situation in their own country and should have the same respect for Oman. As you love your country, you should love this country too.

RAZMEENA JEMSHEER

If they are staying in Oman illegally, workers should face the legal authorities before going back to their home country. The authorities should take the financial and physical condition of the workers into consideration, ensuring that they can bear the fines or punishments.

RABIYA NABEEL

It depends on the authorities and how they figure it out. There must be a mutual understanding between both parties.

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The laws in Oman are a bit complicated and sometimes they contradict other rules and regulations, which make it very difficult for companies to figure it out. Even fully Omani companies have problems with this and it makes it very difficult for any company to grow and help the economy in Oman. I believe that these regulations should be recalculated in order to help the economy grow.

SYED BOKHARI

Expatriate workers living here illegally should definitely be asked to leave the country after going through their cases. Many workers are illiterate and don’t fully understand the rules. They arrive through touring agents, who take full advantage of their illiteracy and push the poor workers across the border. These agents often accept large sums to bring workers here illegally and should also be investigated and prosecuted.

SYED QAISER JAFRI

Yes of course, it will be a positive step. In many cases, the workers arrive in Oman legally (by buying visas from local sponsors), but after some time build differences with their sponsor, or due to lack of funds or unavailability of sponsor they were unable to renew visas and remain here illegally. All those who enter the country illegally should be banned from ever re-entering the Sultanate.

BELINDA WALLINGTON ‬I think it depends on their

circumstances. Many are trapped here by no fault of their own, thanks to cheating agents and sponsors who brought them here on false promises. Workers may have borrowed money and found themselves in debt with no way to pay either their loans or their airfare home.

ANTHONY CARLTON‪ ‬

If expats have got issues like passports being seized by their sponsor and other things where the expat is not at fault, then the sponsor must be held responsible and made to bear the costs of any fines or penalties.

RAJ SHENOY

Providing an amnesty and allowing illegal expatriate workers to leave Oman without taking any legal action would unfortunately only

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encourage more workers to stay and work illegally, since they will assume there is nothing to fear, with amnesty schemes coming their way every five years or so. Only stringent laws that impose heavy fines and imprisonment can curb this problem.

MEHDI ALI

I think many don’t turn themselves in due to fear of legal action. An amnesty provides an opportunity for them to do this without consequence and would reduce the illegal activities in Oman.

MEHBUB MUSLIMAH ‬

Maybe the workers were fooled into thinking they would be well paid here, causing them to sell their belongings and move to Oman without even knowing or understanding the immigration rules properly. Thorough legal action should be taken to restrict the greedy agents who are often absconding.

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expatriates who want to go home, but who haven’t previously for fear of prosecution, a chance to leave.

FEROZ AHMED

Not at all, a chance should be given to only the genuine workers. The rest who have absconded intentionally and are roaming with fake documents must be penalised before allowing them to leave the country, so that others do not repeat this offence.

JORIM ELIEZER GETIGAN

In my opinion, the moment before their visa expires, they should leave. By doing that they will be free from legal charges mandated by law and if they fail to do so, they should be charged accordingly. It’s also for their own sake.

NOEL ADRIANO

Let them go. And then ban them from entering Oman again.

New Debate: “An improved Muscat Festival is set to open on January 15, what would your dream addition be?” Tell us on Facebook or Twitter and be in with a chance of winning dinner for two.

BIPIN BHATT was spotted with his favourite Y Magazine at home in Muscat

SYEDA KABIR

Expatriates must get a chance to leave the country within a limited time period. After this, legal action for those who remain should be reintroduced.

VINESH MANDALIA

This amnesty will reduce the amount of people staying illegally in Oman and also give them the chance to go back home when they are stuck here against their will.

SAMI BAKHOUR

Laws must be respected and people staying here illegally must leave the country unless they have an opportunity to resolve their situation.

MONIKA KAUSHIK

No, in my opinion, the legal consequences must remain so that these people can understand the importance of the rules and regulations of another country. It will also help the Government to make their country safe and secure.

ANNUU SINGH

If they have done illegal things they should receive the proper punishment according to Omani law and regulations.

SYNTHIA LLOYD

I think the amnesty is a good idea as it gives those

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JAN 08 - 14 / ISSUE 352

NEWS

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LOVE YOUR MOBILE! OMAN’S NETWORKS AMONG CHEAPEST

veryone loves a bargain and the good news for mobile phone users in Oman is that they are getting one. According to a report from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations’ specialised agency for ICT, mobile phone services in the Sultanate are among the most affordable in the world. The annual report, titled Measuring the Information Society, revealed that the average price of monthly pre-paid mobile phone services in Oman was $9.11 (RO3.51), or 0.43 per cent of gross national income (GNI) per capita. The GCC region as a whole fares well in the global rankings, with monthly pre-paid mobile phone services costing less than 0.3 per cent of GNI per capita in Qatar and the UAE, placing them in fifth and sixth place respectively when it comes to the most affordable countries. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain also appear within the top 26. The cheapest country was Sri Lanka, where monthly

mobile costs were just 95 cents (RO0.37), while the most expensive of the 166 economies examined was Brazil. Residents of the South American country pay a whopping average of $48.32 (RO18.6) or 4.96 per cent of GNI per capita on mobile phone services each month. It appears that mobiles are the method of communication of choice for many in Oman, with almost blanket mobile penetration, while fixed-line connections remain low, at only 3 per cent across the region. Another piece of good news revealed by the report was that Oman’s total international internet bandwidth has increased dramatically, making the colossal leap from 17,792 bit/s to 82,010 Mbit/s in the space of a year. This is largely thanks to the Europe-Persia Express Gateway that went live in 2013. The Gateway, which connects the UAE and Oman to Germany via the Islamic Republic of Iran, has served to greatly increase the international internet connectivity of the region. Internet penetration has soared in Arab countries, with around 137 million people online by the end of 2013, according to the report.

JUMP TO IT

t’s considered quite an honour and one that Oman Sail’s Ibtisam al Salmi enthusiastically embraced when called to take the fall. Ibtisam, one of the Middle East’s first professional female sailors, was invited to join the only all-female crew at the Volvo Ocean Race in Abu Dhabi and perform the traditional “Jump Off ” from the yacht as it heads out of port to start a new racing leg. Welcomed on board by her mentor and former Oman Sail coach, Dee Caffari MBE, she took her place in the exclusive “jump seat” position as the craft prepared to head off for stage three and the inshore course race. Without any hesitation, Ibtisam plunged off back first – wearing a headscarf and a lifejacket – into the sea as the yacht got ready to sail. “Today was such a great experience for me. Female sailing is growing stronger in the Middle East, and Dee and all the other Team SCA women are inspirational role models to all of us.

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This all-female crew is a wonderful stepping stone to get more women into professional offshore racing,’ she said afterwards. She stayed on board as Team SCA won the inshore race ahead of Team Brunel, representing The Netherlands, and Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, leaving the boat just before the fleet entered open water. “It is great that Ibtisam managed to find time to come and meet us here in Abu Dhabi and having her as our ‘jumper’ at the race start is just a great way to end our experience here in Abu Dhabi,” said Dee. Ibtisam was studying at the Oman Tourism College before joining Oman Sail’s women’s programme in its first year. The Volvo Ocean Race, considered the world’s toughest ocean race, takes place every three years and covers more than 40,000 nautical miles over nine stages in nine months. Seven teams must traverse the world’s largest oceans and tackle some of the most notorious seas in a variety of testing weather conditions. The finale is in Gothenburg, Sweden, in June 2015.

NEWS MUTTRAH GETS RO500 MILLION REDEVELOPMENT

massive redevelopment of Muscat’s historic Muttrah district has been planned, with Italian engineering company Sering International appointed as the design consultants for the project that is estimated to cost in the region of RO500 million. The aim is to redevelop one of Muscat’s most iconic areas to make it more modern, while retaining its current atmosphere and character. Plans to redevelop Muttrah were first proposed nearly five years ago when it became apparent that the narrow, winding streets and alleyways were unfit for the increased amount of traffic they were having to handle. Muscat Municipality is carrying out the project with the support of government-owned water company, Haya Water. The intention is to not only revamp Muttrah, but also improve the infrastructure in terms of sewage and water reuse. Said al Asmi, general manager – projects for Haya Water, said to a local newspaper, “We are cooperating with Muscat Municipality on the infrastructure redevelopment of Old Muttrah. This is an integrated urban development, covering not only sewage services, but also the wider facelift of this old quarter. It includes the beautification of the entire area, its architecture, car parking amenities and so on. In effect, the old city will be transformed into a modern city, but its Omani and Islamic flavour will be retained.” The areas falling under the redevelopment plan are Muttrah Souq and surrounding areas, the entire old Muttrah district from Bait Oman through to Souq al Lawatia and then on to the area from Riyam Park to the

roundabout at the entrance to the Port Sultan Qaboos. All those involved in the redevelopment project are keen to stress that the key cultural and historical landmarks in those areas will be preserved. At present, the project is still in the design consultancy stage, but once that has been completed the way forward and time-scale for the works will be finalised. The redevelopment concept is to restore the buildings and make the area more accessible to tourists, but also to provide a sewage system to the district and to improve other infrastructures such as storm drains, telephone lines, fibre optic cables and improved electricity supplies. These plans have been met with slight surprise and are proving to be controversial, as fears over the preservation of Old Muttrah and also financial concerns in light of the budget deficit issue both increase.

FESTIVAL TIME baisa and children 100 baisa to enter Naseem Park. Sporting shows will also make up a key element of this year’s festival with camel racing and equestrian, a cricket match between India and Pakistan and a triathlon race all planned among many others. In addition, there will be a Maritime Festival displaying exhibits of traditional Omani ships and boats. Muscat Festival was first started in 1998 and continues to be a popular event in the city’s calendar, with 1.6 million visitors in 2013. Since its inception, the festival has never failed to attract people from all over the world who come to marvel at all that the city and Oman has to offer.

he annual Muscat Festival is set to make its return this month for the 12th time, with festivities beginning on January 15 and running until February 14. In keeping with previous years, the festival shall have two main venues. This year they will be Naseem Park and Amerat Park, which will be open between 4pm and 11pm daily, while Azaiba beach will also host some events at weekends. A vast range of activities for all the family will be taking place in Naseem Park, including a fun fair, a recreation of Jurassic Park, an education and entertainment pavilion and a nature tent as well. The tempo at Amerat Park will be slightly slower, with an Omani heritage village, a snow village and an international exhibition of arts and crafts. There will also be a theatre in the park showcasing a wide variety of shows, including stunt performers, special performing artists and daily firework shows. Entry to Amerat Park will be free of charge, but adults will pay 200

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YOUR

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Gallery

Interview

NEWS

ALL EYES ON NIZWA

Bite Sized OUR WEEKLY SLOT TAKES A LIGHTHEARTED LOOK AT A NEWS ISSUE OF THE WEEK.

SLEEPING

Have you got any tips to help me stick to my New Year’s resolution? Yes I do as a matter of fact. How well are you sleeping at the moment? I’m sorry, but what has that got to do with New Year’s resolutions? Well, more than you may think actually. According to a study conducted by psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire in the UK, the more sleep people have, the stronger willpower they have. Seriously? How did he find that out? He conducted a survey of 1,000 people on the internet and found that 60 per cent of those who reported that they were sleeping well found it easier to achieve their resolutions, compared to 40 per cent of those who reported to be sleeping badly. Wiseman told a British newspaper that evidence from his survey indicated the easiest way to change your life is “simply doing nothing and spending more time in bed.” So snoozing is the way forward? To some extent yes, but it has to be put into context. It’s a well-known fact that those who get more sleep are more rested and are often less stressed than those who sleep badly. When we are calm and rested we are able to think more clearly and more logically. It therefore makes sense that those who get more sleep will have more resolve than those who are tired and stressed out. Don’t say: I’m giving up on my New Year’s resolutions. Do say: Back to bed for me!

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he Sultanate has entered 2015 on the right foot, as Nizwa begins its reign as the Capital of Islamic Culture, along with three other cities. Nizwa, which was the capital of Oman in ancient times and the seat of government for 1,000 years according to researcher Mohammed bin Abdullah al Saifi, will join Almaty in Kazakhstan and Cotonou in Benin as the focus of the Arab and Muslim world for the duration of 2015. The city is home to one of Oman’s most popular tourist attractions, Nizwa Fort. The fort dates back to the ninth century and is considered one of the most important military monuments in the Middle East region. British royals Prince Charles and Prince Harry both visited the fort in their tours of Oman in 2013 and 2014 respectively. The fort itself has been fully restored and now provides a fascinating insight into how Omani people used to live. It is unique among other forts due to the cylindrical shape of the main tower, which rises 30 metres into the air. Nizwa was chosen as the as the Capital of Islamic Culture by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISECO) for its strong historic influence throughout the ages. The new Nizwa Cultural Centre is currently in the process of being built and is due to open in May this year. Once open, it will begin hosting commemorative events that highlight Omani culture. A programme of events is being organised to mark a year of being in the spotlight, with the University of Nizwa, the College of Applied Science, the Youth Complex, the Higher Judicial Institute and the Nizwa Fort square all set to host festivities, according to Sheikh Hamad bin Hilal al Maamari, cultural affairs undersecretary at the Ministry of Heritage and Culture. A special logo has also been unveiled, depicting two long-standing landmarks of the city: the

dome of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Nizwa Fort. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos extolled Nizwa’s cultural significance to the country as far back as 1994 in an address to the nation. “The homeland of great leaders, scientists, scholars, intellectuals and literati. It occupies a big place in the hearts of the Omani people” Nizwa becomes the third city in the GCC to be named the Capital of Islamic Culture, following in the footsteps on Madina in Saudi Arabi, which was awarded the title in 2013 and Sharjah in the UAE, which claimed the honour last year.

A WEEK IN PICTURES

HEADLINING STORIES FROM THE REGION AND BEYOND

Lebanon announces it will impose visa restrictions on Syrians for the first time after being overwhelmed by more than 1.1 million refugees feeling the civil war

The trial of Boston Bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev opens with jury selection. Tsarnaev, 21, is charged with 30 criminal counts in the April 2013 bombings, which killed three people and injured 260 others near the finish line of the Boston Marathon

Ice leading to engine damage is now suspected as the likely cause of the AirAsia QZ8501 crash in which 162 people went down into the Java Sea, as reports from Indonesia claim the ill-fated aircraft veered onto an unauthorised course before disappearing off radar on December 28. A naval patrol vessel may also have found the jet’s tail section containing the crucial black box voice recorder and flight data recorders

A draft law that would have given greater powers to Iran’s police and volunteer militias to enforce women’s compulsory wearing of the veil has been ruled unconstitutional and rejected by the Islamic Republic’s Guardian Council

The tomb of a previously unknown queen believed to have been the wife of Pharaoh Neferefre who ruled Egypt 4,500 years ago has been unearthed by Czech archaeologists

Saudi Arabia is opening an embassy in Baghdad for the first time in 25 years as relations between the two countries appear to thaw. Saudi closed its office in the Iraqi capital in 1990 after Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait

Firefighters in Australia battle to contain the worst bushfire in decades when it spreads out of control east of Adelaide. Residents are urged to evacuate their homes

A volunteer British nurse who contracted Ebola while working in Sierra Leone remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital. Pauline Cafferkey, 39, had agreed to be treated with blood plasma from an Ebola survivor

ePassports with more security features such as a microchip for Omani holders will be launched by the end of the month says the Royal Oman Police

Police in Shanghai admit they underestimated the number of New Year’s Eve revellers on the city’s waterfront after a crush left 36 dead and 49 injured

A giant bluefin tuna sold for more than $37,000 (RO14,245) in the first auction of the year at Tokyo fish market. The 180.4 kilogram (380 pound) specimen was caught off Japan’s northern coast

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fierce on other players in are ke ta to an th e or ene nothing m anateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gaming sc lt Su Gaming fans love e th of s n gu g . The bi -wide event, contests to the end prepare to go head to head in a GCC n ey limbering up as th crown. Here, Y gives you the lowdow e battling it out for th What is the game?

King of Fighters is a series of fighting games developed by SNK Playmore in Japan that first appeared in 1994. It was the first game to introduce the team fighting style by allowing players to create a team of three and fight against opponents. Its global appeal has been put down to the format and the chance for players to play online against opponents from all over the world.

What is it?

The Gulf King Of The Fighters is a competition for die hard gamers from across the GCC, which will see players compete against each other in a game called King of Fighters. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll play on various platforms including PlayStation, Xbox and PC. Twenty-two players from all over the GCC will then compete against each other for the ultimate title.

Is gaming popular in the GCC?

Who is taking part?

Gaming has become immensely popular in the GCC, especially when it comes to fighting games. Other genres are growing in popularity slowly. Various gaming competitions are held in Dubai every year, which are hugely popular and highly anticipated by gamers living both in the GCC and beyond.

The competition will see 22 expert gamers from all over the GCC competing against each another. The youngest competitor is eight years old and the oldest one is in his 40s. Ten players from Oman will also be competing in this competition. All players have a lot of experience in the game and have been selected by the organisers.

Who is organising it?

The Omani section of the competition is being organised by Sultan Khalfan al Abdali and Saeed Abdul Ghafoor, both of whom have big plans for the event and are aiming to make it the biggest virtual fighting event in the GCC.

When and where is this all happening?

The Omani version will be played on PlayStation 3 at the Chef â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inn restaurant in Azaiba on Friday, January 9, from 3pm to 8pm. The event is sponsored by Ooredoo and Red Bull.

What happens?

Players will compete against each other and the top three will win prizes. Furthermore, the grand winner also stands a chance to enter and compete in the Evolution (EVO) Championship Series 2015, which will be held in Los Angeles in the US.

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How do I get involved?

If you are interested in gaming or simply want to catch all the action as it unfolds at the competition, make sure you are at the venue in good time as it can only accommodate up to 150 people. Spectators will also have the opportunity to play a few games themselves for free on the day. To find out more, check out the promo video on Facebook at: /events/639585906151803/

GALLERY

YOUR

OMAN

SEE IRAN

THE BEST OF IRAN IS SHOWCASED AT THE OMAN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTRE AS THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC HOSTS A SOLO COUNTRY SHOW

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

most expensive superyachts and their owners.

Owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, the Eclipse was purchased in 2010. She is 163 metres long and has a cinema, a hair salon, a disco and is also rumoured to have a special laser defence system to stop the paparazzi trying to photograph VIP guests.

At 179 metres long, the Azzam is bigger than some commercial cruise ships. She is owned by the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It took German shipbuilders Lürssen Yachts four years to build this vast vessel, which is rumoured to have up to 50 private suites able to accommodate seriously important guests.

Philippe Starck designed this oddly named superyacht and she belongs to the Russian oligarch Andrey Melnichenko. Among its super-luxurious features are bath taps worth RO15,400, staircase banisters worth RO23,100 and a bed that rotates at the touch of a button, allowing for perfect views of the sunrise and sunset. 016

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Making Waves

Another of Lürssen Yachts’ creations, the Topaz is 146 metres long and was built in 2012. She cost an estimated RO231 million to build and has a jacuzzi, helicopter landing pad, fitness centre and movie theatre. The Topaz is owned by Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates.

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said also owns a superyacht, the Al Said, which can often be seen moored at Muttrah. The 155-metre long yacht has space for 70 guests and 154 crew. It has a helicopter landing pad and a concert space that can reportedly accommodate a 50-piece orchestra.

The Russian vodka distributor Yuri Scheffler owns this achingly beautiful 134-metre yacht. The Serene has a combined 4,459 square metres of space over its seven decks, including indoor and outdoor pools, 12 staterooms, and an outdoor screening room. Scheffler purchased the Italian-designed yacht for RO127 million in 2011.

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

Honeymoon

Seventh Son Going head to head with the denouement of The Hobbit trilogy is no small feat. With an epic scale, along with just about every fantasy monster you can think of (as well as those you can’t), Seventh Son almost succeeds. The key word there is “almost”. Tom Ward (Ben Barnes) is the seventh son of a seventh son, which means he is blessed (or cursed) with the ability to see evil creatures that others cannot. When he leaves his childhood home, he is tracked down by John Gregory (Jeff Bridges), who informs him that as a seventh son, it is his destiny to join an order of noble knights called Spooks, who fight the forces of darkness.

The only problem is, the once proud Spooks have all either died in combat or succumbed to the dark themselves and, with the witch queen Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore), are amassing an army with the aim of destroying mankind. Gregory and his apprentice Spook are the only two who can stand in their way. The plot is at once familiar from innumerable similar fantasy flicks and with leading cast members – Bridges included – guilty of slightly below par performances, the end product is a palatable, but largely mediocre affair. Review by Matt Blackwell

P RE VI EW

BLACKHAT Nicholas Hathaway (Chris Hemsworth) is a convicted hacker released from prison to aid the authorities in their hunt to bring down a highlevel cyber crime group intent on exposing the vulnerability of a world that relies on shared networks. The chase takes them from the streets of Chicago, all the way to Hong Kong and Jakarta.

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

Bea (Rose Leslie) and Paul (Harry Treadaway) are two newlyweds whose romantic honeymoon in a remote cabin soon turns into a nightmare when Paul finds his new wife sleepwalking in the woods. After this, Bea’s psychological and physical condition both deteriorate as

it becomes clear she’s not entirely the same person that Paul married. While Honeymoon will by no means set any box office records, it is likely to prove popular with those fond of films with a creeping sense of dread.

Poker Night After finding himself kidnapped by a crazed killer in a leather mask, newbie detective Stan (Beau Mirchoff) desperately tries to stave off the inevitable, stalling his kidnapper by relating police stories shared at his weekly poker game as he attempts to come up with an escape plan. Ultimately, Poker Night becomes a frustrating blur with the multiple flashbacks, voiceover narration and non-linear structure making proceedings confusing and hard to follow.

Bollywatch BABY

Akshay Kumar plays the role of Ajay, a covert counter intelligence agent and part of a unit responsible for fighting terror in India. The film, directed by Neeraj Pandey promises to be hard-hitting with no holds barred action sequences and, surprisingly, no songs. Shooting took place in Nepal, Turkey and the UAE.

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

Brought to you by

THIS WEEKS QUESTION What is the name of the Witch Queen? LAST WEEK'S WINNER Vembu Kumar

Contact: Movie enquiries 24607360

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THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

GET CONNECTED

UNTIL

JAN 10

Welcome 2015 and meet new friends at the first InterNations gathering of the New Year. An evening of socialising, music and great food and drinks will be held at The Academy Restaurant at Almouj Golf, beside The Wave, Muscat, from 7pm. Free welcome drink on arrival. www.internations.org

DISCOVER IRAN Explore possible business opportunities with Iran without having to leave Muscat with this event at the Oman International Exhibition Centre. The Iran Country Solo Exhibition 2015 offers a great trade and networking platform to forge alliances with the Islamic Republic. www.omanexhibitions.com

WEEK

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

J A N U A R Y

One of the great comic ballets of the 20th century, John Cranko’s The Taming of the Shrew, based on the Shakespeare play of the same name, is coming to the Royal Opera House, Muscat. This performance by Stuttgart Ballet brings the story vividly to life through ballet and is suitable for the whole family. The show starts at 7.30pm, tickets from RO8. To book and for details, check out www.rohmuscat.org.om

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GET SHREWD

THIS

JAN 08

JAN

16&17

Be Mindful

Jan 14 + 15

Enjoy a unique meet-up filled with humour, knowledge and learning. In a few short hours, you’ll be able to use techniques to transform your life and the way you think. Rajesh Jagasia, senior international art of living teacher, will be leading the evenings. The first session will be held on Jan 14 at the Art of Living Centre near Zakher Mall in Al Khuwair, while it moves to the centre’s Muttrah branch on Jan 15. Contact +968 9328 2435/9884 0456/9980 2799/9921 4706

JAN

This is one for adults and children with a passion for nature and a keen artistic eye. Entries are still open for the Oman Wild Art competition to find the best depictions of wildlife in the Sultanate. It’s open for paintings and sculptures and the theme is Arabian Wildlife. Adult categories are mammal, bird, wild flora and marine, with an award for Oman Wildlife Artist of the Year at stake. There’s also an Oman Youth Wildlife Artist of the Year for the10 to 18-year age group. Artwork should be handed into the Omani Society For Fine Arts. For more information, visit omanwildart.blogspot.com

There’s nothing better than watching a great family film al fresco on a cool Omani winter’s evening and if you like Tintin, then you’re in luck. The Women’s Guild in Oman is holding a Family Movie Night featuring The Adventures of Tintin at the Golden Tulip Hotel playing field. Doors open at 6pm and the movie starts at 7pm. Advanced tickets are priced at RO8 for adults and RO5 for children, or can be bought at the door for RO10 and RO6. Ticket price includes food coupons that can be redeemed at stalls. Bring your chairs and blankets, sit back, relax and let the credits roll. Tickets can be bought beforehand at the WGO’s Wednesday Coffee Mornings at Kargeen Café in Madinat Qaboos from 10am-12noon. www.womensguildoman.com

TRACK BACK

JAN 24

Until Jan 31

Wild At Heart

Whether you went to the last session and loved it so much that you want to go again or are new to the idea, get on your bike for the first Muscat Track Cycling Club meet of 2015. Enjoy the sunshine as you cycle round the circuit at the Oman Automobile Association’s track in Seeb. Ride in a safe environment for up to three hours, from 8am-11am. RO3 for adults and RO2 for under 18s. Y’s had a go and it’s great fun! For more information, email muscattrackcycling@yahoo.com, like MuscatTrackCycling on Facebook or follow them on Twitter @muscattrakcycle JAN 08 - 14 / ISSUE 352

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Ripped

APART Divorce is on the rise in Oman as more couples walk away from marriages. With support groups and religious leaders trying to save unions, Deeba Hasan looks at why love is hitting the rocks

ajid al Balushi*, a 24-year-old Omani man, is almost in tears as he narrates the story of his divorce to Y. “Only a few months back I was in the process of choosing a girl for myself because I wanted to get married. My sisters then came up with a girl who I thought was nice and we went ahead with the marriage. There was a big wedding ceremony with no expenses spared. Altogether, it cost me around RO16,000 including the mahr [dowry] amount.” Within months of his wedding, however, the marriage was falling apart and with it, Majid’s hopes of a life partner and family. “From day one it felt like she didn’t love me and was just doing a duty by being with me. One day when I returned from my office, she demanded that I drop her at her parent’s place, which I did, and within days of that, she decided to divorce me.” Now Majid has been saddled with debts from loans taken out to fund the wedding and the idea of having enough money to get married again is currently a distant dream. What happened to Majid is not an isolated incident, as the number of divorces in Oman continues to grow steadily. According to the latest statistics available, the number of divorce cases rose by 12 per cent between 2010 and 2013, when 3,550 couples divorced (3,409 of which were Omani). Various theories as to the cause of disintegrating marriages have been suggested. Some see divorces as one of the disadvantages of modernisation and the rapid change in the Sultanate since 1970. Others point to the influence of the internet or the increase in women entering education and employment, leading to greater independence. What is clear is that men and women seem less willing to work at their vows, than perhaps their parents and grandparents once were. And as Majid’s story shows, men as well as women can suffer when marriages collapse. “Divorce is especially increasing among the younger generation because they don’t understand the value of marriage,” says Sheikh Hilal al Rashdi from the Islamic Information Department at the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, in an interview with Y. “To me, marriage is a holy and precious relation between man and woman, if the couples cannot realise this, then to them divorce is like the relationship between an employer and employee.” The Sheikh also believes women’s increased financial independence is a factor. 020

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In March last year, the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) revealed another interesting trend that may also shed some light on the rise in divorces. Studies showed that increasing numbers of Omani women are choosing to marry in their late 20s and put childbirth on hold, with the number of women having children under the age of 25 declining. The NCSI has also discovered that more Omani women are enrolling in higher education and entering the workplace, making them emotionally and financially independent and more capable of leaving a marriage if they are unhappy. “Because more women are now financially independent, they know that they can be on their own and do not need the man for their expenses. Someone told me the other day that his neighbour’s wife asked her husband for a divorce as soon as she got a job,” explains Sheikh al Rashdi. Differing aspirations and backgrounds can also cause problems between couples, he claims. “Sometimes if the educational backgrounds and upbringing of the husband and wife is different, it can lead to a clash, at times resulting in a divorce.” With marriage breakdowns often still stigmatised, the rise in divorces brings the need for support outside the family. Sayyida Basma al Said, mental health counsellor, psychotherapist and owner of mental health wellness clinic, Whispers of Serenity, started divorce counselling sessions last year, offering help for the increasing numbers of women who are becoming divorcees. The sessions are being expanded; such has been the demand for them. “We have started this group because we know that this is the need of the women today. They need to know that their life is not over with the divorce and that they are not alone,” says Sayyida Basma. “Women narrate their stories and support each other emotionally at these sessions. Because of high demand, we plan to hold these sessions at our clinic regularly.” When Sayyida Basma launched the divorce sessions she asked Sayyida Mayya al Said, also a divorcee, to moderate the sessions. “I have been very open about my divorce and have mentioned it on my blog and made a video,” says Sayyida Mayya. “As a divorced woman, I wanted to share bits of my experience and help educate women that this is not the end of their lives.” She adds: “Sadly, divorces are on the rise in Oman – when I hear that it always takes me by shock. It’s a sad thing to happen and I hope that as a community we can deal with it and minimise the divorce rate, because not only are the couples affected, it affects the whole family on both sides.” Sayyida Mayya underwent a divorce two years back. Writing on her blog, Sew Chic & Unique, she, describes the intense emotions that a divorced women often goes through. “As a divorced woman you go through a lot of negative emotions all at once,” she says. “You feel alone, depressed, hurt, angry, confused and doubtful. But with time after you have come to accept it, you discover a new side of you that you never knew existed. At least that is what happened to me.” To gauge other people’s experiences and reactions to divorce, Sayyida Mayya posted a statement on her Instagram account in November last year for comment. “When a marriage ends in divorce it is a sad and painful experience for all involved. However it is harder for women especially in the Arab society.” Some of the points raised included that when a marriage ends, many automatically blame the woman (without knowing the real issue).

AS A DIVORCED WOMAN YOU GO THROUGH A LOT OF NEGATIVE EMOTIONS ALL AT ONCE,” SHE SAYS. “YOU FEEL ALONE, DEPRESSED, HURT, ANGRY, CONFUSED AND DOUBTFUL. BUT WITH TIME AFTER YOU HAVE COME TO ACCEPT IT, YOU DISCOVER A NEW SIDE OF YOU THAT YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED. AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME

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Additionally, society gives the responsibility of a successful marriage to the woman; if it ends then she must not have been a good wife. A divorced woman is seen as a shameful thing to be; once a woman is divorced she carries the label divorcee or “mutalaqa” [Arabic word for divorced] until she gets married again. Sayyida Mayya responded: “As shocking as those statements are, they are sadly true, but as many stated in the comments on Instagram, society is slowly changing their views. “Divorce is a horrible thing to go through and kids are affected the most, since they are caught up in the middle of it. It is indeed an option to a couple going through problems, but it should be the last option and not the first option to solve a problem. “We now have various marriage counsellors (I know of three in Oman) where you can seek help from. I have used all three of them, which is why I know they exist. Now, two years on, I have the opportunity to help other women who are divorced or thinking of getting a divorce.” Despite taking two years to complete, Sayyida Mayya’s divorce ended amicably and the custody of the children is shared between her and their father. However, this is not always the case and when a marriage involves children, the question of who gets custody also needs to be considered. “Though it may differ, in most cases a judge makes a decision on the custody of children. It so happens that if the father is the one in the wrong – either in his moral conduct or not being a good Muslim – the custody is given to the mother and if the mother is not acting right, the custody of the children is given to the father. However, when the child is under the age of eight, the custody is

THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER STEPS THAT YOU CAN TAKE – COUPLES CAN GO TO THE SHEIKH FOR MARRIAGE GUIDANCE OR GO TO A PLACE LIKE WHISPERS OF SERENITY, WHICH OFFERS MARRIAGE COUNSELLING.

given to the mother and when they are over this age, they are given the right to choose if they want to stay with the father or mother,” explains Sheikh al Rashdi. The Sheikh emphasises the bonding that in his view, a husband and wife need to have in order to have a fulfilling marriage. He believes that pre-marriage counselling sessions will benefit the younger generation. Sheikh al Rashdi practices what he preaches and is an example of how to make a marriage work over the years. The Sheikh has been married for almost 30 years now and has three children. He relates the story of a time when his wife was upset with him and spent a month with her mother and sisters. “She came back to me after one month and said she didn’t want a divorce from me because marriage is all about understanding the other person, even their flaws. We know no one is perfect.” Sayyida Mayya also urges couples to work on their marriage and to think of divorce as the last resort, “There are so many other steps that you can take – couples can go to the Sheikh for marriage guidance or go to a place like Whispers of Serenity, which offer marriage counselling. “Divorce is not the end of a woman’s life. It’s not going to be easy, but it can be managed.” *Names changed to protect privacy

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GETTING UNHITCHED

BROKEN PROMISES

common myth is that, in Islam, a man can simply end his marriage by telling his wife: “I divorce thee” three times. In fact, he would still need to seek legal help to dissolve the union. In Islam, the husband would also be given three chances to rethink divorce until the parting is complete. If the man decides he wants a divorce, the couple will then have a three-month window in which they can get back together. If they don’t, the divorce is considered absolute. The same process is repeated for the second time. However, if the man calls for a divorce a third time it is immediately passed. Should they later have second thoughts, it’s a complicated process. If the man and woman are officially divorced and want to get back together, the ex-wife has to get married to another man and if this second man dies or divorces the woman at any point, her former husband can go to the woman’s house and propose to her and then repeat the process of the marriage (with the mahr) again. This law exists in Islam as a lesson for divorce. For a woman to divorce, the options are more limited. She can ask her husband for a divorce, but if he refuses, her only hope is to consult a Sheikh and ask him to act as mediator by speaking to the husband. Another alternative is to try the legal route by going through a lawyer. # As explained to Deeba Hasan by Sheikh al Rashdi

FAILED LOVE

sma*, a young woman from the interior of Oman had a traditional wedding. She had a romanticised image of how marriage would be, but it didn’t take long for the bubble to burst. On the first night after their marriage, her new husband went out with his friends and left her alone in the house. On their honeymoon, he went out alone again, leaving his new wife on her own once more. When Asma returned to Oman, she told her family that she wanted a divorce, but they discouraged her, considering that it was a shameful step to take. She had no option but to continue with the life she had chosen. She had two children with her husband and while he took care of them, he showed little love for her. After a while he told her that he loved another woman and was going to marry her. After that he totally ignored Asma and she asked for divorce. The husband threatened to take the children away from her, but finally agreed to divorce. Five years since the divorce was made final, the children remain with Asma.

mira* from Muscat got engaged to a man who didn’t have much money. The husband paid a RO3,500 mahr, but it was Amira who paid for the wedding ceremony with some help from her family. After a few weeks, the husband explained that he had loved his cousin before they got married and that he now wanted to marry her and keep her as his second wife. He also mentioned a divorce. Amira confided in her sisters first, but eventually the rest of her family found out and her father intervened. When the divorce finally went through, the husband demanded that Amira gave some money back from the mahr. Amira had to suffer for the next four years to pay her ex-husband back.

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Amid a climate of falling oil prices and grand Government projects, Oman’s 2015 budget has been revealed. Adam Hurrell and Matt Blackwell look at what it means for The sultanate

man’s Ministry of Finance has announced its fiscal plan for 2015 and it looks set to be an expensive year. Public spending has increased 4.5 per cent compared with 2014, up from RO13.9 billion to RO14.1 billion, as the Government intends to plough on with ambitious infrastructure projects. If some were expecting Oman to tighten the financial belt, they were wrong. Reports point out that the Sultanate is due to spend more per head of population than its flashy neighbour across the border Dubai, which while smaller has a reputation for being a far bigger spender. About RO9.6 billion of the Sultanate’s new budget has been allocated to social sectors such as education, health and housing – the same level as last year, while subsidies and exemptions on things such as electricity, water and petrol stand at an estimated RO1.8 billion. Oman’s budget is primarily based on revenues from the sale of crude oil – 79 per cent to be exact – and the amount the Government can spend each year is based on how much it can sell the oil for. But the problem is that the price of crude oil has plummeted over the past seven months – from a high of just over US$100 per barrel to a current low of just under $50 per barrel (January 6). “High oil prices and increased crude oil production supported economic recovery after the global crisis,” says Simon Williams, HSBC’s chief economist for Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “While Oman’s growth story

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still has substance, a falling oil price indicates that story has passed its peak. Public spending has trebled since 2005, but revenue remains dominated by oil, which delivers 90 per cent of total receipts. “With oil prices hovering around $55 [January 5] a barrel, a five-and-a-half year low, Oman’s budget, in line with that of other major oil producers in the region, looks set to be tipped into the red next year for the first time since 2009.” Oman is predicted to close 2014 with a defecit of RO600 million thanks to the drop in oil prices and a 7 per cent increase beyond the public expenditure approved in the previous year’s budget. According to local reports Oman’s 2014 budget was based on an annual average oil price of $85 per barrel. For 2015, the Government estimates it will spend RO14.1 billion, but is forecasting that the country’s income will be RO11.6 billion. The drop in oil prices leaves Oman is facing a budget shortfall of RO2.5 billion. Speaking to local media, Abdurrahman al Faisal, a financial consultant at the Kuwait-based Urban Planning and Infrastructural Projects, believes a deficit could easily become crippling. “In 2015, Oman must freeze big projects like the railway, the airports expansion plans, stop awarding road projects, reduce spending on defence and the construction of expensive government buildings. “Anything short of that will simply leave a big hole in the budget and widen the deficit to unsustainable levels,” he says. Elsewhere in the world, budget deficits in European economies have historically been met with public spending cuts. However, Oman’s recent budget shows no sign of a let up in spending, which means that money will have to be raised in other areas. Tax and remittance schemes previously explored in Oman have been rejected and instead of cutting subsidies, the Government is determined to focus on other revenue streams, such as investment in tourism. With the announcement of the budget, the Ministry of Finance also released a statement in which it said that the non-oil sector was expected to grow by 5.5 per cent this year. “National economy is expected to continue growth at an acceptable rate, driven by the growth of nonoil activities and effective strength of domestic demand and high oil production,” the Ministry

said in the statement. This fits with Simon Williams’ assessment of the deficit. He believes it “is unlikely to trigger direct cuts in the large public investment programme given the years of plenty across the region”. However, he added: “It does bring questions of future spending restraint and accelerating non-oil revenue growth firmly into view.” Maggie Jeans, coordinator of the British Business Forum in Oman, agrees that the spending outlined in the budget is necessary. “I personally think that Oman is at a stage in its development where it cannot afford to cancel major infrastructure projects, even if this does involve borrowing large sums of money from various sources,” she says. “One cannot really question spending on education, health, housing and social insurance but maybe the recipients of this funding have to be made more accountable. I am not an economist, but I am an optimist and believe that the price of oil will eventually rise again. The big question is when.” While Oman’s GCC neighbours have stockpiled huge fiscal reserves from years of oil production, the Sultanate’s reserves are comparatively low, which brings the need to diversify the economy beyond oil into even sharper focus. “Any cutbacks now will be counter-productive. As an ex-oilman, I would hope that the government is analysing its economic policy along both a low [$55] crude line and a high [$100+] crude line and doing the ‘what-ifs’ so that they can test their

strategies against both eventualities,” one businessman told Y. The drop in oil prices has been caused by a variety of factors. The two major economies that have experienced explosive growth in the past decade, China and India, are currently experiencing a slowdown and reducing their consumption of oil. In 2010, China’s economy grew by 10 per cent, but come 2014, growth had slowed by 3 per cent. Coupled with the fact that petroleum-exporting countries – Saudi Arabia, in particular – are refusing to cut their production, there is now too much supply and not enough demand for oil. With the US ramping up its own oil production through fracking, decreasing its reliance on Middle Eastern and Russian oil in the process, the Gulf may not see an increase in prices in the near future. While assurances have been made that the living standards and employment of the public will not be affected by the short-term measures taken by the Government to maintain the integrity and stability of the economic situation in the light of oil prices, Maggie Jeans believes there may be a knock-on effect for businesses. “Doing business in Oman is a challenge with increased bureaucracy and decreased efficiency, particularly delays in decision-making and payment, which may be further exacerbated by the falling oil price.” This financial year for Oman is looking uncertain and the Government’s plan relies on several factors falling into place. Whatever happens in 2015, the nation’s economy is likely to be a topic of hot debate over the next 12 months.

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ALI & CO HEAD DOWN UNDER

fter 60 qualification games, 103 goals, 84 saves, and eight red cards, the wait is over – the AFC Asian Cup 2015 is finally here. The time for tactics and team talks has finished. It’s all about putting words into actions. The five stadia are being prepped and the 16 teams are ready for the kick-off tomorrow (January 9), as host country Australia take on the Sultanate’s fellow GCC nation, Kuwait. The final will take place at Stadium Australia in Sydney on January 31 in front of an 84,000 capacity crowd. For only the third time in its history, Oman will be one of the teams bidding for glory in the Australian sunshine. The tournament’s history can be traced back to 1956 and it has since grown to become the continent’s biggest football event. This year marks the first time the competition has been held outside of Asia, but Australia joined the Asia Football Confederation (AFC) in 2006 and was the sole country to bid for the right to host this year’s tournament. After coming so close to the final in last year’s Gulf Cup of Nations, hopes will be high that Oman’s national team can build on the momentum generated and translate it into success on the pitch. It’s not going to be an easy ride though, as only the top two teams from each group will progress and Oman has been drawn with Australia – known as the Socceroos – South Korea, which has already

Oman’s fixtures: January 10:

Oman v South Korea

January 13:

Oman v Australia

January 17: Oman v Kuwait

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2015 may have barely begun, but Oman’s national football team are already in the thick of the action. The Red Warriors are taking part in the Asian Cup competition, with more than just pride at stake. Matt Blackwell assesses our chances

won two Asian Cup titles (1956 and 1960), and Kuwait, the 1980 champions. Despite this, head coach Paul Le Guen remains confident of Oman’s chances. “We have improved. We had a good tournament in the Gulf Cup and I think we can create trouble,” the 50-year-old Frenchman, who has managed the national side for the past three-and-a-half years, said recently. “Compared to Australia and South Korea, we are not a strong nation of football, but we have many good players. “They are not experienced enough, but they are on the right way and are getting better and better.” Oman missed out on qualification for the 2011 tournament, meaning that the last time the Red Warriors were in contention to be crowned the best team in Asia was back in 2007. The road to the Asian Cup began way back in February 2013, when Oman opened its qualifying campaign with a win over Syria. The team breezed through qualification with relative ease, booking their place in the finals in Australia with two games remaining. Four wins and two draws meant that the Red Warriors went undefeated through the qualifying process, beating Syria, Jordan and Singapore to the top spot in the group. Oman begins the tournament with a tough clash against South Korea, a team that has appeared in several World Cups, including in Brazil last year. If the Red Warriors win, the cheers of the travelling Omani fans will be heard all the way back in Oman.

Bigger and better is an overused cliché, but it certainly seems true of the 2019 edition of the tournament. The AFC is planning to expand participation from 16 to 24 teams, with the qualifying process also doubling up as part of the qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Russia.

Did you know?

• The winner of the tournament earns the right to participate in the Confederations Cup • Forty-four teams competed for the right to play in the tournament in a qualification process that ran from February 2013 to March 2014 • Japan is the most successful nation in the tournament historically, having won the competition four times • After 2004, the tournament was moved to an odd year cycle so as to avoid clashing with the Summer Olympics and the European Football Championships • Ali Daei (Iran) holds the record for most goals scored in a single tournament (eight)

FOOD AND DRINK

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New Restaurant

NO NUTS

An allergy to nuts is one of the most common food allergies in children and adults. Reactions can be severe, but as with all allergies, a diet can be moulded to fit around it.

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Reviews

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LIVING WITH

ALLERGIES Food allergies affect millions globally, but it doesn’t mean your diet has to be boring, says Deeba Hasan

oods such as nuts, seafood and dairy products are often touted as integral to a healthy and balanced diet, although millions across the world and almost 2 per cent of the population in Oman find themselves living with severe allergies, around which their nutritional intake must be carefully planned. Children are able to grow out of some food allergies, such as eggs, milk, wheat and soya, whereas others remain with them into their adult lives. Reports from CBS News in America have suggested that scientists may be on the brink of coming up with a way to cure some food allergies through tricking the immune system, but for the time being, those suffering from allergies will need to exercise patience. Siam Hussain, a 19-year-old student at the Caledonian College of Engineering in Muscat has been allergic to seafood and wheat flour (gluten) since he was 15. “One day I noticed rashes all over my body and a few hours later my blood pressure dropped and I passed out. When I woke up, my blood pressure was still very low.” After consultations with a doctor, it was confirmed that Siam had experienced an allergic reaction. In order to find out what he was allergic to, he had to isolate what he had eaten. “I ate some egg and then waited for a few hours and then moved on to the next thing.” Doctors struggled to locate exactly what had triggered the reaction, but as a precautionary measure, Siam now avoids all types of seafood and wheat flour. Mistakes can happen though and the results can be dangerous. “Last year I accidentally consumed them twice. When this happens, I get rashes all over my body and acne as well. I develop difficulty in breathing and experience a sudden drop in blood pressure.” Siam also has to be careful to avoid cross contamination. “If a cutting board was used for preparing fish, I can’t eat anything that was prepared on it later on,” he says. Siam doesn’t take any medication for his allergies but in case of a reaction he takes antihistamines. According to Siam, it is slowly becoming easier to live with his allergies. “Since last year, Carrefour has been importing gluten-free products. So that has filled the gap in my diet to a certain extent and as for proteins, I like chicken.” Here, we look at some of the most common food allergies and how to live with them.

Eggs An allergy to egg is one of

the most commonly found allergies in people. Most children under the age of five who suffer from this allergy will often grow out of it, but there are others who carry it into adulthood. Substitutes for eggs, which are an excellent source of protein, are wide and varied, including everything from cornstarch to flaxseed oil and even tofu.

Milk Milk contains calcium, which is essential for strong and healthy bones. Although this allergy is generally found in infants, those who carry it through to adult life need to be careful of many processed foods because of milk’s high protein content. When searching for a substitute, it is best to consult a doctor as sometimes the allergy is not only confined to cow’s milk. Nuts A salty and tasty snack for most, peanuts can also be responsible for some life-threatening allergic reactions, with sufferers entering anaphylactic shock. The best way to avoid a reaction is to read all food packaging carefully and avoid nuts altogether. SunButter Natural Crunch is a nut and gluten-free alternative to peanut butter. Wheat Wheat is another common allergy, with sources including

bread, pasta, crackers and similar products. The chief protein attacked by the body’s immune system when allergic to wheat is gluten. Thankfully, it is one of the most widely acknowledged allergies and many of Oman’s supermarkets offer specific gluten-free aisles.

Fish Fish is a staple of the Omani diet, but along with shellfish, it is known to trigger reactions in people. Cross contamination easily occurs, especially in restaurants and other public places. Sometimes it is only a certain type of fish that the body is allergic to, making it safest to consult doctors when dealing with a fish or shellfish allergy.

Flourless Chocolate Cake Living with an allergy doesn’t mean you have to miss out on fun food. Try this recipe for a tasty chocolate cake, made without flour. Ingredients § 28 grams semi-sweet chocolate, chopped § ½ cup butter § ¾ cup white sugar § ½ cup cocoa powder § 3 eggs, beaten § 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Method § Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Grease an 8-inch round cake pan and dust with cocoa powder.

§ Melt the chocolate and butter, remove from the heat and stir in sugar, cocoa powder, eggs, and vanilla. Pour into prepared pan. § Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Leave it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and allow to cool completely.

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FOOD AND DRINK

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

REVIEWS

et g d Bu ning Di

Info Box

GRAND FISH MARKET

Al Mawaleh (south), before City Centre Muscat Tel: +068 9519 9995 Opening times: 12pm–12am daily Dinner for two plus drinks: RO17.5

FISHING FOR COMPLIMENTS

Verdict : 8 / 10 Service 7 / 10 Food 7 / 10 Ambience Misleading menu, but tasty nonetheless Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

AFTER INTENDING TO VISIT FOR MONTHS, MATT BLACKWELL FINALLY MAKES IT TO DINNER AT THE GRAND FISH MARKET, BUT FINDS THE MENU CAN BE HIT AND MISS

friend of mine recommended the Grand Fish Market to me towards the end of last year. I took the suggestion on board, but with work and life taking precedence, I never found the time to act on it. Located close to City Centre Muscat and easily visible from the highway, I would often glance across and see the restaurant as I drove to the Y office in Seeb in the morning. Each day I would resolve to sample it, only to forget come home time. Entering 2015 with the best of intentions, I finally decided to take the plunge and walked through the doors of the Grand Fish Market early last Saturday evening. The steps that lead up to the restaurant brought us to a red carpet and the smartly dressed waiter who opened the door and welcomed us in only served to enhance this semi-VIP feel. A quick scan of the tables revealed the reason that the staff had time for such attentive details – my friend Erwin and I were the only customers. It was early though – just after 6pm. The décor is light, spacious and airy. An aquarium fish tank, soft blue tint to the lighting and decorations such as a ship’s wheel, give it a fittingly nautical theme and creates a pleasant atmosphere in which to scan the menu. The starters available lacked in variety slightly, but luckily we were both taken with the idea of soup. Erwin opted for the seafood soup, which included shrimp and squid, and came served with a flamboyantly decorative crab’s leg hanging over the side. The creamy soup was flavoursome, with distinct hints of the seafood coming through, although we both felt that the addition of the crab leg on the side was unnecessary and only really served to get in the way. I on the other hand, had opted for the shrimp soup, which when it arrived resembled and tasted more like a lightly spiced oxtail soup. With each mouthful, I was struggling to find the link to shrimp until one fateful journey into the bowl brought my spoon into contact with something solid. It was

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THE GRAND FISH MARKET OFFERS LOCALLY SOURCED FRESH SEAFOOD THAT THE CHEFS USE TO CREATE SATISFYING DISHES shrimp! It was somewhat a relief to finally find a shrimp in the rather large bowl of so-called shrimp soup. Moving on to the next course, the mixed grill (shish taouk, chicken kebab, meat kebab, meat tikka and lamb chops) looked appetising from the high resolution photo in the menu but in the end – deciding it might be quite remiss to visit a fish restaurant and neglect to try the fish – Eriwn chose the grilled hamour fillet with lemon sauce while I settled on the fish fillet casserole with chili

sauce. Choice is once thing that the menu at the Grand Fish Market offers in abundance, with everything on offer from grilled squid fajitas to stuffed lobster. When each plate had arrived we decided to place them in the middle and share. The two fillets that made up Eriwn’s selection were topped with finely diced peppers, onion and grilled mozzarella. But the lemon element was lacking. Despite arriving nothing like the menu had lead us to believe, the food was pretty good, with the hamour white and flaky, as it should be, although slightly salty to taste. It was my selection that was to prove the star of the show. Selected from the tagine section of the menu, my casserole didn’t look especially impressive when it arrived on the table, but tasted great. The hamour was once again white and flaky and full of flavour. The chunky red sauce that made up the casserole was infused with complementing spices that generated a wonderful overall taste, although personally I would have liked a little more chili. However, this was rectified with a few generous dollops of the hot sauce that stood next to the salt and pepper. The casserole was also served with some flat bread to mop up the remaining sauce. Not particularly interested by the choice of either fruit or mixed Middle Eastern sweets for dessert, we decided to just order the bill. While several tables had filtered in since we arrived – a healthy mix of Omanis and Filipino and Indian expats – the entire experience, from ordering the food to ordering the bill was all over so quickly. Half an hour to be exact. It felt a little rushed – granted we were the only people in there to cook for at the start, so no surprises things arrived quickly, but we still felt hurried. The Grand Fish Market offers locally sourced fresh seafood that the chefs use to create satisfying dishes. Just don’t take the menu at face value and don’t expect to make a long evening of it as the service can be alarmingly fast.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

FIT FOR FASHION

Most New Year resolutions include an intention to eat like a rabbit and pound the pavements in the name of health. For those who require extra motivation to get fit, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s malls and e-stores are full of cool leisurewear that look as good on the runway as they do in the gym. Make sure you check out the latest leisure collection from Lipsy [pictured], H&M and Splash.

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

You need more than a mat these days to become a yoga bunny. Try these brightly coloured blocks from Tiger Stores. A bargain from RO1.5

FRONT

Bright colours are hot this season, so full marks to H&M for this pink exercise top. From RO7

RUNNER

Heave yourself off the sofa and get gym ready with these sporty must-haves, says Penny Fray What does the beginning of a new year mean to you? For many of us, it is a time to refocus, make a fresh start and attempt to like lycra. Thank heavens that fashion has just put the fab factor into fitness. Taking its inspiration from the catwalk, the latest workout wear is too stylish to be left in the changing room. Think graphic prints, faux leather panels and performance engineering. Blazing a trail for high-end lines that embrace fashion as well as fitness technology are Stella McCartney for Adidas, Live The Process and Richard Nicoll for Sweaty Betty. But mall stalwarts like H&M are fast catching up. Their latest sports collection is a revelation in terms of both technical performance and design. We’re talking leggings made for ease of movement and windproof jackets – all in bold colours and prints. Oh, and did I mention that this is the year where you are what you wear on your wrist? Activity trackers will be a must on the treadmill or in a spinning class, so make sure yours is über stylish.

With a reduced waistband width and a more generous fit around the knees, these smart leggings from Nike are perfect for wearing during strenuous exercise. Nike’s Dri-Fit technology will also keep you dry while working out. Available from Sun & Sand Sports starting at RO15

Nike’s Zoom Fit Agility teal mesh trainers are designed for performance. The super-lightweight upper shoe foam backing is held together by Flywire cables for maximum support, while hexagon-shaped treads at the sole cushion your feet on impact. Wear them on long runs with a shell top and leggings. From RO59

TOP GEAR

Tips on sporting the right workout wear:

Jawbone’s UP24 Bluetooth activity tracking band is the latest innovation to monitor your holistic health and wellbeing. Precision motion sensors pick up on daily activities, including active and idle times. You can customise the band to wake you at the perfect moment of your sleep pattern and sync data to your smartphone to count your calorie intake and log workouts. From RO59

Marc by Marc Jacobs’ colourful canvas backpack is accented with neon-pink leather trims. This fun accessory boasts two zippered front pockets and a fully lined interior. Plus, the shoulder straps are padded for comfort. From RO90 at Net-aPorter 1. When it comes to working out, motivation is vital. Gorgeous gym wear will inspire you to get off the sofa and get active. 2. Saying that, choosing function over fashion is key for a safe, effective exercise session. Make sure your trainers are right for your chosen line of activity. 3. Loose-fitting clothing is for lounging, not lunging. Not only can it get caught on gym gear, but it’s also harder to see your body’s alignment, posture and movement.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

HEALTH

Beauty

FIND YOUR INNER BALLERINA You’ll need a sturdy, straight-backed chair and a stopwatch for this routine designed by Melissa Ramsey and Gina Parisi Williams, co-owners of the Bar Method. Do it once through (preferably to up-tempo dance music) three to five times a week.

A staunch commitment to promoting a better lifestyle through regular physical activity, healthy diet and a positive mental approach has been the ethos of Technogym for over two decades now. Embracing products, software and services, Technogym creates the Total Wellness Solution for both operators and private users. Starting this week, Technogym will provide articles on Wellness to educate readers of its importance. These days, we increasingly hear about the concept of Wellness, which is usually defined as a “lifestyle oriented towards well-being”. But what does this actually mean? To understand better, let’s take a closer look at the essential components of Wellness.

Physical Activity and Exercise

Without any of these, it’s impossible to achieve mental and physical well-being. The World Health Organization (WHO) says sedentary lifestyles are a leading risk factor for heart disease and other serious illnesses, such as diabetes and certain types of cancer. Physical activity is a natural medicine to help ensure good health and a long life.

Diet

A combination of physical inactivity and poor diet increases the chance of obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol, all of which can lead to the onset of a number of illnesses.This is why Wellness is based on a complete and well-balanced diet. To be healthy, our body needs the right mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, mineral salts and water.

Lifestyle

A few hours of physical activity and exercise each week will not achieve Wellness if the rest of the time the body is subjected to excessive smoking or insufficient sleep. Regular exercise or physical activity are great ways of kicking bad habits and quickly seeing the positive benefits of a healthier lifestyle.

Relationships with Others

Achieving a state of emotional well-being is an important part of the Wellness philosophy. Developing and maintaining meaningful friendships and loving relationships can help release positive energy and creative feelings of happiness.

Official Representative in The Sultanate of Oman Tel: ( + 9 6 8 ) 2 2 3 4 3 3 3 0 , GSM: ( + 9 6 8 ) 9 4 6 5 4 5 0 7 Email: enquiries@healthworld-international.com service@healthworld-international.com www.technogym.com/om

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To The Barre

THE FUNDAMENTALS

OF WELLNESS

Warm-Up: Leg Lifts

Stand with your feet together with abdominals drawn in. Raise your arms in front of you to shoulder height and bend your elbows to 90 degrees. In one motion, lift your right leg to hip height and lower your arms. Switch sides. Repeat 20 times without pausing. Calf Raises

The latest fitness trend to hit studios the world over uses ballet moves. It won’t quite give you the body of a ballerina, but it could tone you up, says Kate Ginn

o the accompaniment of some gentle music, a roomful of people are warming up with stretches before starting to exercise. Graceful, they move with a fludity of motion rather than raw power – and it becomes clear that this isn’t your usual type of fitness regime. Welcome to the hottest new exercise fad, ballet-inspired workouts. It’s not the first time that ballet has been big in the health business. It was hugely popular a few years back – riding on the success of the 2010 hit film Black Swan – and then disappeared, as fickle exercise addicts moved on to the next big thing. It’s now enjoying something of a resurgence, with ballet fitness classes appearing on gym schedules once again as people seek an alternative adrenaline high. Ballet-inspired workouts combine small, isolated movements with lots of reps to burn calories and sculpt muscles, using a mix of classical ballet moves and athleticism. Don’t expect to end up as the next Margot Fonteyn – widely regarded as one the greatest clasical ballet dancers of all time – or be good enough to appear in the next ballet production at the Royal Opera House Muscat. This is more about learning basic

Fashion

ballet moves to improve flexibility and strength. Some experts say releasing your inner ballerina can yield dramatic results, but on the whole you’re looking at a gradual increase in fitness levels and muscle tone. “Ballet targets smaller muscles that you don’t often use,” says Mary Helen Bowers, a former dancer with the New York City Ballet and founder of the Ballet Beautiful fitness method. “Instead of working your quads, it works the inside and the back of your legs. It also raises your centre of gravity – when you’re standing in first position, you’re pulling up through your stomach and opening your shoulders so that you’re working your back and upper body.” The result should be a leaner physique, says Bowers, who trained actress Natalie Portman for her physically demanding role in Black Swan. While the ballet craze has yet to fully hit Oman’s shores, the Hayati Spa & Studio in Muscat does offer ballet classes for children and private sessions, which could offer a chance to learn a few of the basics before setting out a home routine. Working out at the barre – the handrail that ballet dancers use during practice routines and exercise – can even be replicated by simply substituting it for a chair.

Stand at forearm’s length from the back of a chair with your right hand resting on the chair for support. Move your feet into a V position, facing outward. Lift your arm overhead, bending slightly forward at the waist. Raise your heels about two inches. Lower to the floor. Repeat 60 times on both sides Thigh Work

Stand at forearm’s length from the back of a chair, with your right hand resting on the chair and your feet hip-distance apart. Raise your heels as high as is comfortable. Keeping your back straight and your heels lifted, lower down a third of your height. Lower your body one inch and raise up one inch at varying speeds. Repeat 50 times. Fold-Overs

Stand behind the back of a chair at arm’s length, with your feet hip-distance apart. Bend your knees slightly and bend forward so that your torso is parallel to the ground. Hold on to the chair with both hands and point your elbows down. Raise your right leg as high as is comfortable behind you (no higher than hip height). Lower and lift your leg one inch from this position. Do 60 mini-lifts of varying speed. Switch sides and repeat. Back Dancing

Lie on your back with your kness bent and your feet flat on the floor. Step your feet apart as wide as possible. Rest your arms on the floor at your sides. Press your rib cage into the floor and tilt your torso to raise your bottom about five inches off the floor. Lower back down to starting position. Repeat for three minutes, varying your speed. www.balletbeautiful.com /hayatispa (email hayati@mutrahoverseas.com)

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Postcards from

CARS AND ADVENTURES

Outdoors

Y- F i

Cars

QANTAB BEACH

So close to bustle of Muscat and yet such a peaceful and tranquil spot, with opportunities to visit secluded coves and beaches.

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

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

Y- F i

Outdoors

Destination

QANTAB YOU DON’T ALWAYS HAVE TO TREK OFF INTO THE MOUNTAINS OR DESERT FOR A GREAT TRIP. Y’S PHOTOGRAPHER SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI WAS REMINDED THAT BEAUTY CAN OFTEN BE FOUND RIGHT UNDER OUR NOSES ON A RECENT VISIT TO QANTAB. 038

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Cars

t only 15km from the centre of Muscat, the quaint village of Qantab can be reached in about 25 minutes on a good day with little traffic. Directions are well signposted and as you approach, the road climbs a hill. As I reached the crest, I was rewarded with a fantastic view of the village spreading out beneath me and began my descent. Set amid brown, craggy hills that taper down into the sea, the village itself is quite small, dotted with quaint houses that face out to the sea and give their occupants uninterrupted views of the water. As I parked my car and made my way towards the beach – a mix of shingle and sand – one of the first things I noticed was a sign saying “No Camping”, hinting that the spot had once been popular with weekend revellers. The small boats that were pulled up and dormant at one end of the beach suggested that the community relies on fishing as one of its sources of income. It was while I was capturing some images of these boats that I came across an amazing old anchor that had long been discarded by one of the fishermen and was heavily rusted. There were also several piles of ashes; evidence of campfires that people had no doubt sat around one evening. Whether they had obeyed the “No Camping” sign or not, I couldn’t tell. Taking a walk to the rocky end of the shore, I met a small local boy playing in the shallow pools. I also managed to get some great shots of birds taking flight from the water and sand. As I walked along the beach, a man approached me and offered me his boat to charter, telling me I could go wherever I fancied. I was unprepared for this, but with a little forward planning you could have a wonderful day. If you ask one of the local fishermen, they will happily be your water taxi for just a few rials and take you to some of Qantab’s hidden gems, the secluded coves only accessible by

TRAVEL GUIDE

boat along the shoreline towards Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa. This enables you to find your very own private beach that is perfect for a picnic and a dip in the sea. Just remember to let the fisherman know what time you want to be picked up. They will know the tides well and will be able to advise on the best times to return (you don’t want to leave it too late). The village of Qantab is a popular spot for visitors and residents to unwind after a busy week. During my relatively short time there, I met three female tourists who were enjoying a stroll along the sand, as well as a family playing on the beach. On the other side of the mountain is Old Qantab beach. In this now dormant area you’ll find only the ruins of old houses, long abandoned, and a curling stretch of beach. This section is no longer accessible to the public due to the work that has started on the new Saraya Bandar Jissah resort, which will transform the area into a residential complex and spa, complete with a sports club and resort hotels, all overlooking the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Part of the project includes the rejuvenation of the abandoned fishermen’s village located close to the beach. I shall watch the development of this part with a keen interest as it shall be fascinating to see how the area changes as the development progresses. When I was a small boy, I used to play on the beach here and, naturally, it holds a lot of memories for me. I hope the beach will once again be open to the public so that others may enjoy it as I once did.

HOW TO GET THERE Take An Nuzhah Street village. The route to Qantab is through Al Wadi Al Kabir in well signposted. the direction of the Al Bustan Palace. Take the exit to Qantab GPS location of Qantab road before you reach the hotel. beach: Stay on this road for 4km and N23° 33’ 43” E58° 37’ 45 then take a left towards the

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

FINDING There’s a whole new world waiting to be discovered underwater and Oman offers clown fish, turtles and reef sharks to those willing to take the plunge, says Kate Ginn

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xploring the sea off the coast of Muscat, Bryan Richards was swimming under water at a depth of around five metres when he suddenly spotted movement below. There, resting on some coral – perhaps taking a breather before moving on – was a young turtle looking inquisitively up at him. Floating down for a closer look, Bryan reached out and saw a blur of green and a flash of shell as the turtle powered away from his outstretched hand and off into the distance. It was a magical moment and just a glimpse into the world below the waves. Oman, with its 1,700km of shoreline and warm waters, is a magnet for marine life, making it a great spot for divers keen to explore the Sultanate from a unique perspective. “It’s going somewhere you’ve never been before,” says Bryan, explaining the appeal of diving. “You only have a short time down there and you never know what you’ll see. Each dive is different and that’s what makes it such a fascinating sport.” He’s been diving since 1983, after taking a basic course through the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) and has dived all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Egypt and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. And he’s been exploring Oman’s waters since 1995, when he first moved to the country to work in the oil industry. “When I first came here, we used to dive directly off the beach at what is now the Shangri-La. There was nothing there then, it hadn’t been built,” recalls Bryan, who is a qualified master diver and instructor. Opportunities for diving in Oman are as plentiful as the fish, with local divers, groups and clubs and places such as the Oman Dive Center (ODC), near Qantab beach. A mere half an hour away from ODC and below the waves is the wreck of the Al Munasir, a 3,000 ton vessel intentionally sunk by the Royal Navy of Oman in 2003, which has developed into a beautiful dive site. Large shoals of snapper and goatfish can be found there, along with moray eels and the occasional shark. “Oman has some pristine coral reefs and nearly all of them are nature reserves,” says Stuart Martin, general manager of Lua Lua Diving and Adventure, based in Muscat. “There is loads on marine life on offer for divers. You have

whale sharks passing through and on a daily dive we’ll see turtles, rays, sharks, cuttlefish and a wide variety of reef fish.” Bryan’s amazing underwater photographs (left, below and previous bottom page) show him coming face to face with a clown fish (which can, apparently, be quite aggressive if they feel threatened) and the incredible looking but venomous lionfish with its spiky fins. The coral is also pretty spectacular around Oman. It’s best viewed at shallower depths when the vivid colours can be seen at their brightest. The deeper you go, the less sunlight is filtered through the water and everything is turned a shade of blue. “All of our diving takes place at the Damaniyat Islands where there are 26 different dive sites to choose from,” says Stuart. “We are literally spoiled for choice, as every single site is different. It depends on the conditions, but we can always find a dive site that has got very little current, great visibility and loads of marine life.” Diving in twilight adds another dimension. “Night diving is something else,” says Bryan. “You see a whole different ecosystem at night than you do in the day. Some of the fish are semi-comatose so you can see them very close up. “Some of the fish and coral are fluorescent, so the colours are wonderful with deep purples, greens and blues.” Diving can also, sadly, highlight some of the more unpalatable facts of underwater life, such as discarded rubbish. Divers see tins and cans thrown overboard from pleasure craft and plastic bags, which turtles eat thinking it is food, only to suffer an agonising death. Clearing up any rubbish you may encounter underwater is one of the unofficial rules of the diving community. Diving is not without its dangers either. Bryan once suffered an electric shock while diving in Saudia Arabia after putting his hand down on

● Never dive alone. Always go into the water with a dive buddy. ● Ask your buddy to check your equipment thoroughly before diving and then check theirs. ● Never attempt to dive without undertaking a professional course. ● Plan your dive and dive your plan. ● Never touch or handle anything you may encounter in the water. It could be poisonous or you could damage the delicate marine ecosystem. ● Never break off coral to take back to the surface. You are killing a living animal. ● Do not pollute the sea. If you find rubbish underwater, collect it and take it back to the surface with you.

the seabed on top of an electric ray. Luckily, he didn’t suffer any serious injuries. He also once came face to face with a sea snake in the Red Sea. It swam straight into his facemask in poor visibility, but thankfully just moved on. “It’s a wonderful and very safe sport, as long as you listen to instructions, go down with a more experienced diver and always dive your plan. “You have to always remember that you’re in a hostile environment and that you are a guest there for only a certain amount of time.” Novices must always take a recognised course before they are allowed anywhere near the open water alone. How deep you can dive and for how long depends on factors such as fitness, experience and water conditions. Bryan, who has more than 2,000 dives under his belt, has been down to around 50 metres. Trips can last from as little as 15 minutes to over an hour. “I’ve never been scared underwater,” says Bryan. “The training that you do will covers just about any eventuality.” As to what draws them to the sport, Stuart Martin and his assistant manager, Tegan Randall, agree. “I think it’s like an escape,” says Tegan. Stuart adds: “You kind of shut off. Your mind switches off from everything that’s going on above the water. All your day-to-day issues are pushed to the side and you’re able to just concentrate on nature and enjoy it.”

For more information on scuba diving, go to ● /lualuadiving, www.lualuadiving.com or call +968 9691 7330 ● /odcqantab ● www.euro-divers.com ● www.padi.com

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CARS AND ADVENTURES THROUGH THE GATE

Taipei is a fascinating city where old meets new. A wonderful monument to Taiwanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history is the front gate of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.

TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO: 1. Visit Taipei 101 and its observation decks 2. Visit the National Palace Museum 3. Browse for bargains and get something to eat in the night markets 4. Take a trip to Taipei Zoo 5. Discover the history of Taipei before the Japanese and Chinese occupation at Fort Santo Domingo

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Destination

Outdoors

Y-Fi

Cars

POSTCARDS FROM

Shaquel al Balushi recommends

TAIPEI, TAIWAN T

h e i s l a n d o f T a i w a n l i e s r o u g h l y 1 7 0 k m o ff t h e s o u t h e a s t coast of China and its capital, Taipei, is a city of skyscrapers that is home to roughly seven million people. The economy has undergone rapid growth in recent years and Taipei, along with the special municipality of N e w T a i p e i a n d K e e l u n g c i t y t o g e t h e r fo r m t h e T a i p e i - K e e l u n g metropolitan area, which collectively makes up the 40th most populous urban area in the world. Taipei is a huge city with s e v e r a l d i s t r i c t s t h a t w o u l d t a k e w e e k s t o e x p l o r e i n fu l l . A t the heart is Taipei City, a bustling hive of activity surrounded on all sides by the more modern New Taipei. Situated on the northeastern tip of the island, Taipei lies on an ancient lakebed called the Taipei basin, surrounded by two narrow valleys of the Keelung and Xindian rivers, which join to fo r m t h e T a m s u i R i v e r a l o n g t h e c i t y ’ s w e s t e r n b o r d e r . Taipei is an intensely modern city, but the sprawling nature of the wider metropolitan area means that there are plenty of o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o g e t i n t o u c h w i t h n a t u r e , w i t h a c t i v i t i e s o n o ff e r ranging from visiting hot springs to hiking.

My favourite place As a lover of architecture, my favourite place has to be Taipei 101. Standing at 508 metres tall, the 101-floor tower, which is officially known as the Taipei International Financial Center, was crowned the world’s tallest building when it was completed in 2004. It held the title for six years until the 829.8-metre tall Burj Khalifa claimed the honour. One interesting thing that I learned during my visit was that Taipei 101 has no fourth floor. The number four in Chinese culture is considered to be unlucky and so the fourth floor has been labeled the 43rd, while the 43rd floor is called 42A. There are two observation decks, an indoor one on the 89th floor and an outdoor one on the 91st. Needless to say the views from up there are breathtaking – you can quite literally see for miles. The indoor observation level is also home to regular art exhibitions and it can be really exciting to see work displayed in such a novel environment.

T A IP E I

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D OM IN GO FO R T S A NT O

Highlights With bright neon lights and oriental aromas wafting from food stalls, Raohe Street Night Market is a feast for all the senses and a must for any tourist in Taipei. The 600-metre long market runs along a pedestrianised walkway that is bookended by two ornate gates and offers all sorts of culinary delicacies as well as souvenirs. The clusters of small cafés and restaurants can be judged by their queues (tip: join the longest) and make sure you sample the various flavours of broth and noodles, as well as spare ribs stewed in herbal soup. Foodies on the hunt for authentic oriental fare really are spoiled for choice in Taipei. Another top place to visit is the National Palace Museum, which is home to arguably the greatest collection of Chinese art in the world, including calligraphy, porcelain and paintings. The impressive exhibits make essential viewing for any with an interest in Far Eastern heritage and culture. Lowlights The air quality in Taipei is rated excellent compared with a lot of Asian cities, but it can still feel quite polluted at times. Souvenirs There are plenty of places to buy souvenirs in Taipei, whether it’s at one of the many night markets or at the fantastic mall found in Taipei 101. Where to stay The Grand Hyatt Taipei is certainly one of the best places to stay if you’re after a bit of luxury, as is the Mandarin Oriental. Alternatively, if you are on a tighter budget, there are numerous hostels to choose from.

HUNGR Y CRO WDS E SHILIN AT AT NIGHT THE M ARKET COURT FOOD

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Postcards from

Cars

Outdoors

Y-FI

SMARTER HOME

You don't need to confine gadgets to your office or car. There are plenty of little high-tech helpers to use at home, finds Matthew Herbst

UP IN THE AIR You come home to what has become a sauna and then blast your AC at its highest speed – which is the most inefficient and expensive way to cool your home. Instead, why not turn on the AC via an iOS or Android Wink app to gradually cool your home before you get there? You don’t even have to save your preferred temperature settings, as the Aros is able to automatically learn your habits and adjust itself accordingly. Now that is cool! amazon.com for RO95.8

WISE COOK

LIGHTEN UP Philips has made smart lighting accessible to every household with their Hue Lux range. These bulbs are LED lights that communicate over Wi-Fi to the Philips hub so you can control them with the accompanying app. On approaching your house you can turn your lights on and off and, while at home, adjust brightness. Create preset settings so that it also learns your behaviours. You can also set and control the lighting while you're away on holiday so that your villa or apartment isn't left in darkness. Available at amazon.co.uk for RO34.6

MAKES SENSE

EDITOR’S PICK 044

Cooking can be much easier and less time consuming with Belkin's Crock-Pot, the first smartphonecontrollable slow cooker. The WeMo iOS or Android app enables busy budding chefs to cook while they're not actually in the kitchen (provided there’s food in the pot of course). Adjust the crock pot's settings from anywhere, receive reminders, change the cooking time, adjust the cooking temperature, use the timer to calculate cooking times, or check the status of your dish so you can come home to a perfectly cooked meal. Now there really is no excuse for not cooking, even when you're working late. Priced from RO49.6 at amazon.com

THIS IS A SUPER-CUTE WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF YOUR HOME AND LIFE. BASED ON A RUSSIAN DOLL, SENSE MOTHER IS A HUB THAT COLLECTS INFORMATION FROM MOTION COOKIES YOU PLACE ANYWHERE AROUND THE HOUSE OR EVEN ON YOUR BODY. THE HUB WORKS THROUGH AN APP, ALLOWING THE USER TO ASSIGN ACTIONS TO THE DIFFERENT COOKIES AND BEGIN TRACKING THEIR DATA. BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT AND PUT A COOKIE IN YOUR POCKET FOR A MAKESHIFT PEDOMETER, OR PLACE ONE ON YOUR DOOR TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS WHEN SOMEONE ENTERS OR LEAVES YOUR HOME. TO GET AN OVERVIEW OF THE DATA, THERE'S A SENSEBOARD THAT ALLOWS USERS TO CHECK ALL OF THE ACTIVITY FROM THEIR COOKIES AT ONCE. READ MORE AT SEN.SE/STORE/MOTHER PRICED FROM RO115

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FIND OUT WHAT’S HIP & HAPPENING IN GADGETS

App of the Week

SLUMBER TRACKER Instead of using fitness monitors to keep tabs on your sleeping patterns, how about having your actual bed do the work? The Sleep Number c2 Bed with Sleep IQ, monitors your breathing, heart rate and movement while you get your shut-eye. With that data, the smart bed is able to give you pointers on how to improve your sleep quality and enjoy longer snoozes. Your smart Sleep Number c2 Bed also comes with an adjustable mattress, allowing you and your partner to customise your individual sides of the bed for an even more comfortable night's sleep. From RO384, check out sleepnumber.com for more information.

NEW

KWIKSET 925 KEVO SINGLE CYLINDER BLUETOOTH ENABLED DEADBOLT

Most of us have done it at some point: lost our keys. Not only is it a task just getting in, but the thought of having to change locks can also be daunting. Thankfully, Kwikset's bluetooth enabled deadbolt signals the end of such worries. With a mere touch of your finger you can lock and unlock what looks like an ordinary front door. Monitor comings and goings at your home remotely and receive activity alerts via the Kevo app. For those who still like the traditional way of unlocking a door, the lock can still be opened with a regular key. With virtual keys, though, you'll never have to worry about being locked out again. Find out more from kwikset.com and get peace of mind starting from RO76

IN CONTROL

SmartThings isn’t just an app, but a kit to make your entire property a smart home in one easy step. Simply get going with a starter kit, which has all the necessary bits and pieces for ease, such as switches and plugs. Then download the SmartThings app to control everything you need to around the house, from switching on lights to locking doors. As your needs change, you can simply customise SmartThings or add more devices to create an even smarter home that reacts to your unique patterns. Last, but not least, the app doesn't require any monthly fees or contracts, just an easy DIY set-up completed in as little as 15 minutes. Shop at smartthings.com for your preferred kit and app at a budget that suits you.

BACK CHAT If you have an iPhone, then you’ll be familiar with Siri, your digital PA. Amazon has now introduced Echo into the smart automation market. A cylindershaped speaker, it can be placed anywhere in your home. This smart device can play music, tracks the news, tell you the weather, and even regale you with jokes when you're having a bad day. Don’t be surprised if Amazon eventually uses a voicecommand that enables items to be purchased directly from its site. Who knows, one day you may be able to control everything in your house just by speaking commands. Get the Echo at amazon.com for RO76 JULY JAN 03 08 -- 09 14 / ISSUE 352 327

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CARS AND ADVENTURES

Destination

Postcards from

Outdoors

Y- F i C A R S

Nissan X-Trail SL Specifications: Engine: 2.5L, 16-valve, 4-cylinder Transmission: CVT Auto 6-speed with 4WD Horsepower: 170 Price: From RO10,950 (base 2WD model)

The all-new Nissan X-Trail has had a complete facelift inside and out, but does it hit the spot? Kate Ginn finds out

y current car is a first generation Nissan X-Trail and it’s no exaggeration to say that it has changed my life on the road. I used to rent a saloon and never felt safe on the suburban racetrack that Muscat can sometimes feel like. I was fed up with SUVs and minibuses bullying me out of the way. Then I switched to renting an X-Trail and overnight everything changed. Tailgating still happens, of course, but nowhere near as much, while minibus drivers give way to me now. I was very interested to see how the latest incarnation of the X-Trail would compare. For starters, the look is a dramatic change. While the second generation saw a slight reworking in 2007, this new version is an altogether different beast. The boxy look and sharp edges have been softened with rounded, flowing curves, to bring it much more in line with other SUVs. Some may justifiably argue that by doing so, the X-Trail has lost the rather unique look of its predecessor, but I side with the camp that says a major revamp was long overdue. The angular headlights (with LED daytime running lights) integrated into a sleek version of the traditional three-piece grille,

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are striking and more modern looking, while the body lines flow like never before. There are different variants available and Oman has three – the S, SV and SL. I was driving the top-of-the-range, which comes with a leather interior and all sorts of treats including a navigation system. It’s also a seven-seater, with a third row, which can be stored down and simply pulled up from the boot when needed. It would be a very small seven-seater and only children could be accommodated in the third row seats. Even the second row looked a bit of a squeeze for more than two adults. Inside is where you really notice how much the X-Trail has come on. My own X-Trail is about as basic as you can get with just a few dials and only tape deck, while even the base model of the new generation offers a plush looking interior. Best of all, the instrument cluster has been moved from the centre of the dashboard to immediately in front of the driver, which works so much better. I’m not a fan of having to take my eyes off the road to check the dials. The leather upholstery gives it a premium feel and the power panoramic moonroof gives you that “wind in your hair” feeling. I had no problems finding my way around the navigation

and entertainment system, and NissanConnect puts a range of music, social media and networking apps at your fingertips. This can be controlled via buttons on the steering wheel, as can the handsfree telephone system. So what’s the drive like? The steering is a little heavy for my liking and a stamp down on the accelerator is followed by a slight pause before the engine kicks in. When it does, though, there are no complaints with a smooth, quiet ride and excellent handling round corners. One niggle is that the moonroof seemed to vibrate when travelling at speeds less than 100kph, which could be annoying on a long journey. Practicality has been improved and the intuitive 4WD means the car is as capable off-road as it is on. You can choose full-time 2WD for maximum efficiency or Auto Mode, which constantly monitors conditions and adjusts the balance of power between front and rear wheels for best traction. When conditions get challenging, the 4WD Lock Mode is on hand. There’s also a hill assist button, which will guide you down a slope without the need to use the brakes. As a cheaper crossover SUV for a family wanting a good city car and some off-road thrills from time-to-time, the X-Trail could be a front runner.

They say: “As open to adventure as you are.” We say: “Great budget compact SUV.” Old m

odel

Push button start (only 4WD) AC with rear vents Bluetooth with music streaming Cup holder with cooling vents Rear camera ABS Hill Start Assist 7-inch LCD screen with navigation system 18-inch alloy wheels Audio system with CD Dual airbags (side and curtain airbags with 4WD) Smartphone connectivity