Y Magazine #411, March 10, 2016 by SABCO Press, Publishing and Advertising

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Y has launched another competition, this time for children to make a special Road Safety Pledge to their parents. Look out for the card in this issue and turn to P26 for more details!

THE BAROMETER GOING UP

OIL Is oil back on the road to recovery? Earlier this week, Brent crude futures hit US$41.04 a barrel, up from that historic 12-year low of US$27.10 in January. Let’s hope this is the light at the end of the tunnel!

GOING DOWN

POVERTY Good news: according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information, the Government has made inroads into eradicating poverty under its Millennium Development Goals indicator.

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

Fast forward

s an expat, I’d have to say that saying goodbye is one of the hardest things to do. And with more and more expats heading home because of the current economic climate, it’s becoming the norm rather than the exception these days. As adults, we tend to cope as best as we can. Yes, we miss our friends and the daily contact that we had with them, from a coffee and a chat to getting our families together for a day at the park or the beach. But what makes this experience even more difficult is trying to find a way to help our children understand that they’ve not lost their friend/s forever. I’ve experienced this first hand on a number of occasions, as either expats leaving a country or saying goodbye to our expat friends going home or to another posting. It’s heartbreaking to see my daughter so upset because she feels she won’t be with her friends any more. And worse, the older they get, the more difficult it is to recover from. In our cover story this week, life coach Tina Squires offers valuable advice on how parents can help their children during this traumatic time. Elsewhere, we bring you some amazing pictures from the storms that battered Oman this week, including our spectacular front page image of the lightning above Seeb Beach. At least one person lost their life in the treacherous conditions that saw wadis overflow, roads flooded, electricity cuts and rescue services stretched to the limit. Stay safe and take care.

THIS WEEK… Team Y has been exploring Muscat and its surroundings with visitors from Qatar, enjoying the cooler, rainy weather and is still feeling a little jetlagged after a very quick trip to the UK.

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EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi MANAGING EDITOR Felicity Glover DEPUTY EDITOR Kate Ginn ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst FOLLOW US ON:

SUB-EDITOR Matt Blackwell

PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan

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contents

Features 20 Farewell To Friends Helping Expat Kids Cope With Upheaval

MARCH 10 - 16 2016

Your Oman

This Week

06 Coffee With Y Vickki Byrne

16 #FYI World’s Biggest Cruise Ships

08 Voice Of Oman Jane Jaffer 10 News Bus Crash Prompts Change 13 Faces Of Oman New Photo Series 14 News Storms Hit Oman

26 Road Safety Pledge Competition - Make Our Roads Safer

15 Hyundai – Driven To Success Fatma Al Najjar

17 Movies London Has Fallen 18 This Week Young Talent

20 Cars and Adventures 38 Destination Mrkhah Park

Food and Drink

40 Indoors Pole Fitness

28 Food Feature Coffee Crazy 30 Taste Test Graffiti Burger Bar

Health and Beauty

42 Postcard From Newcastle, UK

32 Fashion 70s Icon

44 Y-Fi Throwback Tech

46 Car Of The Week 34 Beauty Infiniti Q50 Red Carpet Hair 35 Health Osteoarthritis

NEXT ISSUE... FEATURES / COFFEE WITH Y / NEWS / MOVIES / EVENTS / FOOD / DESTINATION / TRAVEL/ FASHION / OUTDOORS

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MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

to find work in Byrne’s house into IT for a co her field, she moved di you can probaband fferent func up ly “I also joined le of years. “You apply thtions,” says Vickki. passion in lifeguess where her th e T A [t he Territorial Arm working with e same principles to dogs and four lies. She has three horses as you combat medic y] and was a ca ts liv in g hu do with to mans.” alongside her in the Infantry gether R eg ei gh im ten ye t and really lik ar-old L daughter and ife br ought he ed th of teamwork. husband. It’s I wanted to bee ethos 2008 when her hur to Oman in at times chaotic a busy, so m do sband was , et ha in hi g pp ng y household. to help others with the Britis With seven pe ,” says h Army and sh sent Vickki. ts , it’ s cl vo ea lu e r has a deep affe that she nteered to wor Taking a pay k with horse ri di with four legs ction for anything ng cu t, sc she quit hools IT and joined . a month she wand stables. 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I then w e months befo or acho ld of cricket, bu re and and electrothe such as stretches t after spending walked funny, so the bo a fe ra w py m to inutes in her co dy adjusted rehabilitate and now they and give that m pa ’r yo e ny an la u , soon realise sh “I can feel chan me,” she says. chance to reco imal the best e’s more than capable of look ve th e in way a joint sitsges in the body, What you probr.” g after herself. A no or the tightne ab th ly er w ca of ou reer change ca ldn’t a muscle.” guess is the am ss when Vickki m me A Vickki took to azing route that ar ft er ri ed al l an he d r re di th al ff at ge ised with her ex t where sh experiences, V erent jobs and It’s a journey ic that has takene is now. a husband workitensive travel and fin ally found herkki believes she’s all over the wor her ng away in the military for up ld , do in g jo “There are lo true calling. most of us co bs that year, they had to nine months a uld only dream there needing ts of animals out Originally from of. he the sake of th to compromise for th e U I K can make a hu lp and I know that ei , Vickki wanted to be r marriage. a S he ve te le ri ft narian the says. “I just w ge difference,” she growing up, bu ant to help an of cricket behiglamorous world t af te r fa ili to imal ng be comfortable nd and traine into vet school to get eq d ui , in and free of s op ne te bo d dywork; massa to take a pa in degree in anim .” ge an th of how animal al science, the study th erapy for horses, utilising sk d at she already ills s function and Have you got a un After graduatin ea “Horses have had. g and strugglint. kn ow someone whoique story to tell or do you g has? Contact us muscles to hu many similar co ffe e with Y an to have mans, just for slightly Email: editor@y-d be featured in Y Magazine. oman.co m

THE VOICE OF OMAN JANE JAFFER ON CELEBRATING AND NURTURING DIFFERENCES

correspondence INCONSIDERATE CAMPING Dear Team Y,

uch as we all want our children to reach a high standard of education, I think we sometimes have unrealistic expectations. Children are judged on their ability and performance in their teenage years, just when they are at their most vulnerable to self-esteem issues. Very few of us can be good at everything. We are all different. One cannot force a square peg into a round hole or judge a fish on its ability to fly. When Mel Levine was a child, he had what he describes as a “specialised mind.” He excelled at language and social awareness, but was not very good at sports and gross motor abilities. Today he is a paediatrician, an author and the cofounder of the non-profit institute All Kinds of Minds. Levine is dedicated to expanding our understanding of differences in learning. “If we want to prepare kids for adulthood, we need to celebrate their strengths, those assets with which they’re going to find meaning in life and be able to make contributions,” says Levine. People change, abilities develop over time. There’s so much resiliency in the brain. On the other hand, if a weakness isn’t known about, if it becomes like a muscle that never gets used, the weakness gets worse. Levine argues strongly for having a handle on the strengths and weaknesses of children and then asking what needs to be worked on. Everyone can shine if they develop their strengths. It’s up to us as parents and teachers to help children to discover what they are good at and to help them work on their weaknesses. Mel Levine suggests: “In areas of strength, we should push students hard to make sure that the students’ strengths are getting stronger as they go through school.” I guess it’s all about focusing on the positive.

NEXT WEEK:

MATT BLACKWELL SAYS GOODBYE

MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

Over the weekend, some friends and ourselves decided to brave the elements and camp on a well-known beach. We established ourselves (four in total) in a secluded area and everything was fine. At 3am, when we had long retired to our beds, a huge caravan rolled up and parked within 25m of our friends’ tent and perhaps 35m from ours. They started up their generator, set off Chinese lanterns (which can be dangerous) and talked loudly as though they were on their own, never mind the others who were nearby. They were a mix of ages, from two younger men to two older ones. This noise disturbed our sleep until they finally went to bed themselves around or after 5am. One of our friends spoke with the people in the morning, to be told that they, like anybody else, could park where they liked and make as much noise as they wanted. For a start, they could have chosen one of the many other places in the area. It wrecked our visit and I wonder what can be done to

sort out this issue. We have heard of similar problems from other people. Oman is suffering at present from low prices in the oil industry and because of this, the Government might perhaps be thinking of expanding their leisure and tourism industry, but the kind of behaviour we experienced would turn visitors away. The Sultanate is a wonderful country with wonderful people; it’s a hidden gem in the tourist trade. It would be very sad if people such as those we met ruin camping for the people that desire a pleasant, relaxing weekend. All one asks is that people, whoever they are, don’t make others feel unwelcome and spoil what should be a nice visit for them. Kind regards, Unhappy Camper, Muscat

BE AWARE, BE AWARE!

Hello Team Y, Nowadays, technology is in full swing, as is the addiction of people towards it. Mobiles, tablets and iPhones have become part of a person’s life. This is an age of technology and so it isn’t

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wrong to be using these things in your daily life. There is a limit for everything and the problem comes when you exceed this limit. In certain places and at times, you are not supposed to use your technology. Last week, when I was coming back home and had to cross the road, a car was passing by at speed and next to me a person was glued to his phone and began crossing the road without noticing the car. I screamed at the top of my voice and alerted the man just in the nick of time. Sometimes, I see people driving their car in an odd fashion and when we pass by them, we see them engrossed on their phone. My advice to all my readers is that there is a time for everything, but use everything at its time. Regards, Irene Rose Bency, Class 8D, Indian School Wadi Kabir

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WE ASKED:

“Is obesity a disease or simply a lifestyle choice?” ‪KAMAL GANATRA‬‪ ‬‬‪ ‬‪

Obesity is one of the most pervasive, chronic diseases in need of new strategies for medical treatment and prevention. As a leading cause of mortality, morbidity, disability, healthcare utilisation and healthcare costs, the high prevalence of obesity continues to strain the country’s healthcare system. Each person has a choice. People eat for taste when rather they should eat to function effectively, energetically and efficiently in their day-to-day activities. The body is our best doctor; if one cares for their body, it will in turn care for him or her in the long run.

‪MANNAL MOHAMMED SIDDIQ A KARIM ‪

There’s no question that obesity is a result of a person’s daily lifestyle choices. However, one problem with outright blaming obese people for being so obese is that educational information on nutrition, foods, grocery store products, soft drinks, fast foods and other dietary sources simply aren’t readily available. There’s no easy way for most people to actually get the information they need to make healthier choices. As a result, they may have no idea that what they’re eating will cause obesity and chronic diseases.

‪TANVEER HUSSAIN MALIK‬‪‬‪

My point of view is that obesity is more than a disease, as it is the reason behind many other problems, such as heart diseases, high blood pressure and fatigue. People who care about themselves and want to live a better and healthy life, always try to get rid of it.

‪RONNEIL SALES VALIENTE‬‪

In my opinion, obesity is both a disease and a lifestyle choice. However, it is more of a lifestyle choice. Obesity means having too much body fat and occurs over time when a person eat more calories than what is needed by the body. Factors that may affect obesity and weight includes genetics, overeating, eating fatty foods and not being physically active. Modern lifestyles often promote excessive amounts of cheap, high calorie food and a lot of our time spent sitting at desks, on sofas, or inside the car. To lose weight and keep it off, people should eat fewer calories than their body needs, exercise more and change unhealthy behaviours. We must discipline ourselves and always remember to live healthy and stay healthy.

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‪DR RAO SUDDAPALLI‪ ‬‬‬‪ ‬‬‪ ‬

Medically speaking, obesity is a disease and can’t be a choice per se. One just falls prey to it, by addiction of various kinds starting from overeating to sedentary living. That way, it is no different to alcoholism and smoking. The American Medical Association recently decided to classify obesity as a disease, having signs attributable to heredity, diet, infection or environment. After all, one does not have a choice about endocrine imbalances, genetic tendency to gain weight and the role of deficient neurotransmitters. However, emotional components and nutritional exhaustion can be choices to an extent.

‪AHMED AL BADAI‪ ‬‪ ‬‪ ‬‬‬‪ ‬‬‬‪

Obesity is not a disease or a lifestyle choice, it is a blessing. It alerts people to take good care of their bodies before killer diseases such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and heart attacks come. Obesity acts as a warning to care for your body while you still have a chance to, so please educate yourself and learn to be more careful with what you eat and how much physical activity you do.

‪‪SYED BOKHARI‬‪ ‬‪ ‬‬‬‬‪

I think in the present age, obesity can be termed both as a disease and a lifestyle choice, although it is a disease according to the WHO [World Health Organization]. Many people who are obese take each and every step and caution to get rid of their condition, yet on the other hand it is also a lifestyle choice and some prefer to pay no attention to it, falling prey to the fatal disease.

‪NAZEER M THAHA‬‪

Obesity is not a disease. It is a potential combination of a number of issues. Some people are genetically predisposed to storing fat more easily than others and so need to either eat a very low fat diet or increase their exercise. The problem is that many people are too busy trying to earn a living and look after their family to go out of their way to eat a healthy and nutritional meal. How cheap and easy do fast food outlets make meal times these days? Obesity needs to be tackled with knowledge and encouragement rather than the dismissive categorisation of calling it a disease.

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New Debate: “Are violent video games appropriate for children?” Tell us on Facebook or Twitter and be in with a chance of winning dinner for two. community knowingly or carelessly chooses to overeat and sit for long hours, which could be due to their career, and are not able to find time for physical activity. In a way, the obese community is powerless to make obesity a choice. In the end, it is probably the causative factor of obesity that forms a thin line to decide if it is a disease or choice.

‪USHA DEVI SUDDAPALLI‬‪ ‬‬‪ ‬‪ ‬‬‬‪ ‬‬ ‬‬‬‪ ‬‬ ‬‬‪ ‬‬‬‪

Though there are overwhelming indicators from the American Medical Association declaring obesity as a disease with a genetic etiology, I personally treat it as a lifestyle choice. My reasons are that you can prevent and control it. The best examples are my hubby and I. We have both lost more than 20kg over the past three years and have reduced our waist measurements considerably, just by following certain lifestyle practices. To become obese is a choice, to continue to be obese is a choice and to die with obesity is a choice. At the same time, not becoming obese and beating obesity are also choices.

QASIR SHAHBAZ AND HIS SON MUHAMMAD HARIS were

spotted with their favourite Y Magazine on Seeb Beach

‪‪ANTONY VETTIYAZHICKAL JOSEPH‬‪ ‬‬‪ ‬‬‪ ‬‬‪ ‬‪ ‬‬‪

When medical experts of the world, including those from the World Health Organization, declare that obesity is a disease, coming out with facts to prove it, I think one has little choice than accept it as a disease. The vast majority of the obese

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MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

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MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

NEWS

BUS CRASH

PROMPTS CHANGE

hree brothers who were among the 18 people who lost their lives in the fatal Ibri bus accident last week have been laid to rest in Dhofar. The bus was travelling from Salalah to Dubai when it crashed on the stretch of road between Fahud and Ibri in a collision that also involved a truck and a saloon car. More than a week after the accident, 13 bodies of the 18 deceased have been identified, although five still remain unknown. Sixteen people were also injured. Amazingly, considering the extent of the devastation caused to the bus, the vehicle’s driver, Shawkat al Balushi, survived, albeit with extensive injuries and several broken bones. He has since said that after 20 years in his occupation, he will not get behind the wheel of a bus again. “I feel sorry and sad for the 18 people who died in the accident. I am sorry for what happened, though it was not my mistake. I tried my best to save my passengers, but could not,” he told a local newspaper. The exact cause of last week’s crash is as yet unknown, with an investigation into the events that led to the accident ongoing. In the wake of the tragedy, the Majlis Al Shura held a meeting with the Ministry of Transport and Communications to discuss ways in which the stretch of road can be made safer. Some measures could include better maintenance, the introduction of a lighting system and the allocation of a wider area for road shoulders. Ali al Mashani, a member of the Majlis Al Shura, said that the implementation of such improvements would “definitely help save more lives” going forward. “We have discussed in particular this issue with the Minister of Transport and Communications and he has welcomed our suggestions. A team has been formed to study the road and come out with a report,” Al Mashani was quoted as saying. He cited the current financial crisis in Oman and the region as the reason an entirely new road could not be built, forcing them to focus on “quick solutions” instead. It has also been announced that the Ministry of Transport and Communications will be coordinating with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to expand mobile coverage, as well as organising bus transportation with the help of the Royal Oman Police to impose guidelines and regulations for vehicles and drivers.

010

Interview

ABANDONED BOYS

FIND A HOME T he story of the two brothers abandoned at the entrance of Qurum Natural Park at the beginning of August 2014 has been given a happy ending, as an Omani family has finally adopted them. Wearing identical outfits, the boys were found wandering around the park during the Eid holidays more than 18 months ago with no clues as to their identities. They were aged two years old and one at the time. A nationwide appeal and a huge social media campaign ensued, thrusting the siblings into the stoplight, and while this generated a great deal of public interest in the duo, the parents never came forward to claim their children. Being cared for at the Childhood Care Centre operated by the Ministry of Social Development, the pair lived with a foster mother in a special compound and started kindergarten in February 2015. Speaking to the media last year,

Abdullah al Zadjali a manager at the Childhood Care Centre, said that he had received numerous calls from families wishing to adopt the children, but had to hold back due to an ongoing Royal Oman Police investigation attempting to trace the parents. The Childhood Care Centre in Al Khoudh is home to 124 children, most of whom are Omani, but there are also other nationalities. According to the Ministry of Social Development, 190 children managed to find a home last year. In order to adopt a child, an Omani family must send a letter to the Ministry of Social Development, which in turn will assess their financial situation, family status, and medical history before approving the application.

NEWS

SHERATON RUWI

REOPENING

ith 14 storeys, it remains the highest building in Oman and was an iconic landmark in the Muscat area for many years. Then on January 1, 2007 it closed for a supposed six-month refurbishment, never to open again. It has sat empty – and rather forlornly – ever since. But now the Sheraton Oman Hotel is set to rise again with signs that it is getting ready to reopen its doors for business soon. The hotel, based in the main business district of Ruwi, this week began recruiting for a range of staff, from front office and kitchen to security and housekeeping, as well as sales and marketing. Y understands that the 230-room hotel has undergone an extensive refit both inside and out. Artist’s impressions of the inside show a sleek, modern interior with a luxury feel, including a beautiful marble lobby, four restaurants and an indoor swimming pool. There will also be an outdoor pool, health club, a Tea Library and, according to the hotel, one of the largest ballrooms in the country. On its Instagram page, the Sheraton says that it is “getting ready to shine again.” Sheraton is part of the Starwood Hotels and Resorts group. Y will keep you posted on any more developments.

JAMIE’S THE WINNER!

e gave you some food for thought with our latest competition. Up for grabs was the fantastic prize of an all expenses paid trip to the Dubai Food Festival, which runs from February 25 to March 12. It certainly proved popular with you. We were inundated with hundreds of entries from readers eager to snap up the chance to see some top international chefs in action. Our winner, drawn at random, was Jamie Hulme from Muscat, who correctly answered that chef Arda Turkmen would be leading the roster for the Fatafeat Kitchen event at the Dubai Food Festival. Jamie and his companion will be jetting across the border this weekend for the last two days of the festival. His prize includes two tickets to attend the festival with accommodation and flights thrown in, thanks to the organisers of the Dubai Food Festival. Congratulations Jamie and enjoy some great food! Many thanks to everyone who took part in the competition and we wish you better luck next time.

MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

011

YOUR

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

NATURE’S FINEST

A E B U O Y D L U CO ? D N E G E L R E C C SO

What’s this about? It’s about a bad decision by yet another supermarket chain, in this case the US-based Whole Foods, which is renowned for its organic range of products. So what did they do? It seems that in this fast-moving world, Whole Foods decided that it would make our lives easier if it offered packaged, pre-peeled oranges. Really? Yep. And we know: oranges already come with their own, perfect natural package known as the peel. What happened? Well, Nathalie Gordon, a clever Twitter user took a photo of the pre-packaged, peeled oranges at her local Whole Foods market and did what almost everybody does these days – posted it on her feed. What did she say about it? Her picture was accompanied by the following: “If only nature would find a way to cover these oranges so we didn’t need to waste so much plastic on them.” She does have a point! We agree. The good thing is that her tweet became viral and attracted more than 60,000 retweets. This meant that it didn’t take long for Whole Foods to hear about it. They promised to remove the product from their shelves ASAP. But there is one remaining issue: what about the food waste? Don’t say: “Easy peel.” Do say: “DIY peel.” 012

MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

inding fresh football talent has become a whole new ball game these days. In Oman, it could well be the beach where the next generation of footballing stars for the national team is discovered. This week, Oman Football Association (OFA), in partnership with Oman Oil, announced the launch of a nationwide talent search and community beach soccer tournament to be held in all the regions of Oman. Every legend has a beginning and for some lucky youngsters, this could be the start of their rise to soccer stardom. Called the “Oman Oil Beach Soccer Tournament”, regional matches will be played in the Sur, Sohar, Salalah and Muscat regions. Each leg of the tournament will be scouted by national beach soccer coach Talib Hilal. He will then invite the selected players to the camp to prepare for the Asian (AFC) Beach Soccer Championships, where he will select the best among them to compete. Oman won the last AFC Beach Soccer Championships in 2015, beating Japan on penalties. The tournament is open to all abilities and

is being played on the four separate dates listed below: ● Sharqiya region (Sur) – April 9 ● Batinah Region (Sohar) – April 16 ● Dhofar Region (Salalah) – April 23 ● Muscat – April 30 “Beach soccer is in the very fabric of Omani culture, one need only go to the beach every evening to see how much people enjoy the sport,” said Jaber Sulaiman al Busaidi, corporate affairs manager at the Oman Oil Marketing Company. “Through this tournament, we can take what is a recreational activity and turn it into an opportunity for a young person to represent his country at the highest level. The kind of impact that can create is monumental.” Talib Hilal, Oman’s national beach soccer coach and the man on the hunt for talent, added: “Beach soccer is a growing sport and the Oman side is one of its stronger teams. There are many young Omani players who are nurtured every day on the Sultanate’s beaches, but do not have the opportunity to achieve that potential.”

● Support the Red Warriors! The Oman national football team are facing a big game on March 24 as they take on Guam in a Preliminary Joint Qualification Round match for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. You and a friend could be there to cheer on the boys. We’ve teamed up with the OFA to offer 10 lucky readers a pair of tickets to see all the action at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. Kick off is 7pm. To win, simply send your best football-related selfie to editor@y-oman. com by Sunday, March 20. The best 10 will win a pair of tickets, which includes a voucher for a free McDonald’s meal. Good luck!

aces of

Oman

Welcome to Yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new photo series that will profile the diverse characters that call the Sultanate home each week Name: Yassir al Mahari Age: 20 From: Salalah Occupation: Runs his family bakhoor business

Photo: Shaquel al Balushi

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WASHED OUT OMAN

Photo: Matthew Herbst

eavy rain and thunderstorms sweeping across Oman left one dead and caused widescale flooding during several days of torrential downpours. Storms hit Muscat several times over the past week, including an amazing display by nature on Tuesday morning captured by our art director, Matthew Herbst, as forked lightning lit up the sky over Seeb beach in the most spectacular fashion. Hail showers were also reported on Jebel Shams, Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest mountain at 3,009m, making it look as if it had snowed, with the ground covered in a white blanket. As water overflowed, a body was recovered from flooded Wadi Falaj in Al Rustaq and two more people were rescued. There were reports of further people trapped in swollen waters. Power cuts and blocked roads were seen in Muscat and around the country. High winds blew doors off and felled trees, causing chaos on the roads as rain lashed down. More thundery outbreaks were expected today (Mar 10) with unsettled weather into the weekend, but it looks like the worst could well be over.

Photo: Matthew Herbst

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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

DRIVEN TO

SUCCESS In association with Genesis

After her schooling in Oman, Fatma al Najjar studied business at university in the UK. Returning home, Fatma joined her brother’s landscaping and consultancy company, Finest Gardens, where she is the business development manager, overseeing operations to ensure smooth day-to-day running. She talks about her future while taking the new Genesis for a spin Q: What drives you to success? I’m half Omani and half Filipino, so have been exposed to different cultures all my life. When I came back to Oman, I realised the country was operating at a slow but steady pace. I feel like the traditional gender roles are especially prevalent, so what really drives me is the desire to become someone who spearheads change and blurs the lines between what an Omani man and an Omani woman should do.

Q: Who or what has been your inspiration in your career? His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said is my idol. He is a visionary and it fascinates me how one man can turn life around for so many people and carry the weight of building a new country so successfully. Q: What is your biggest career success to date? I worked as a social media consultant in San Francisco for a few months before moving back to Oman. I made a team and entered a competition to create a digital marketing plan, which we won, and our plan was adopted by one of the participating companies. Apart from this, I am still young and believe that the best is yet to come. Q: What are your career goals? I have three main goals. I want to promote food security in Oman so that we can be self-sufficient when it comes to fruits and vegetables. I recently started going to seminars at SQU and found that the soil in Oman is poor. I’ve been trying to find ways to enrich the soil and that is something I am working on. Finally, in terms of landscaping, I want to bring something completely new and exciting to the market that doesn’t exist currently.

THE GENESIS OFFERS AN ENGAGING DRIVING EXPERIENCE. IT IS A SUAVE MACHINE MACHINE, BUT SWITCH ON THE SPORTS MODE AND YOU DISCOVER ITS DYNAMIC PERSONALITY

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? Because most of our fruits and vegetables are imported, we are experimenting with new technologies and new ways to grow organically, with the aim of reducing the number of imports. Ten years from now I would like to be able to say that I implemented the most cost-effective and sustainable way to grow organically. I believe we have to maximise our resources to be more sustainable and self-reliant as a country and I believe this can start with having good and healthy soil. Q: What do you think of the Genesis, the premium series of Hyundai Motor Company? The Genesis offers an engaging driving experience. It is a suave machine, but switch on the Sports mode and you discover its dynamic personality. At the same time, it remains in control, feels safe and offers a real sense of luxury.

MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

015

biggest cruise ships in the world Allure of the Seas

The world’s largest by mere centimetres, it can carry 5,492 passengers at double occupancy or 6,452 when every berth is full. Features an ice rink, simulated surfing, rock climbing walls, basketball courts and an outdoor highdiving AquaTheatre. There’s also The Royal Promenade, a shopping area the size of a football field.

Oasis of the Seas The first of the new breed of megaships and sister to Allure of the Seas, she showed off some first-at-sea features such as Central Park, a foliage-filled area with more than 12,000 live plants. The 5,400 passengers can enjoy upmarket shops, the Solarium, a two-storey complex of loungers, hot tub and swimming pools, and a mini zipline on one of the decks.

Anthem of the Seas The 4,180-passenger ship features innovations like RipCord by iFly, a skydiving simulator; North Star, a jewel-shaped glass capsule that rises 91 metres above sea level, providing 360-degree views, and the SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea, with attractions from bumper cars to roller skating.

Quantum of the Seas Known as the “Smart Ship” for being the most technologically advanced, it features super-fast internet and an app so that the 4,180 passengers can book everything from dinner to trips online. It also features some amazing art installions, such as a giant nine-metre tall magenta polar bear sculpture (nicknamed “Felicia” by crew).

Norwegian Escape The Norwegian Escape boasts some amazing hull art, designed by renowned artist and conservationist Guy Harvey, of a marine wildlife scene spanning 304m. The 4,200 passengers can enjoy 28 bars and restaurants, an enormous LED chandelier, a sweeping glass staircase and four water slides.

Royal Caribbean International GT*: 225,282 Length: 362m (1,188ft) Height: 72m (236ft) above water line Decks: 16 Crew: 2,384 Launched 2010

Royal Caribbean International GT: 225,282 Length: 361.6m (1,186ft) Height: 72m (236ft) above water line Decks: 16 Crew: 2,219 Launched 2009

Royal Caribbean International GT: 168,666 Length: 348m (1,142ft) Height: 41m (135ft) above waterline Decks: 16 Crew: 1,500 Launched 2015

Royal Caribbean International GT: 167,800 Length: 347m (1,139ft) Height: 49.5m (162ft) above waterline Decks: 16 Crew: 1,500 Launched 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line GT: 164,600 Length: 326m (1,069ft) Height: Not available Decks: 20 Crew: 1,742 Launched 2015

*Gross Tonnage / Source: cruisecritic.com

P.S. When the Harmony of the Seas, a sibling to Allure of the Seas and 016

MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

Oasis of the Seas, makes her maiden voyage this year, she’ll become the new heavyweight of the ocean, tipping the scales at 227,000 GT.

1 2 3 4 5

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

Zootropolis

London Has Fallen After the worldwide success of 2013’s Olympus Has Fallen, a sequel was all but inevitable. The result is London Has Fallen. The premise? Basically the same, except that everything is going wrong in the British and not the US capital. Aaron Eckhart resumes his role as the most powerful man on earth with an uncanny ability for getting himself captured, while Gerard Butler is once again Mike Banning, former special forces agent and the man tasked with tracking down and rescuing the US president after he goes missing in a terrorist strike at the funeral of the British prime minister. In terms of spectacle and explosions, the action has somehow

has been cranked even higher in the sequel, which is no mean feat. And while seeing major landmarks explode into balls of flame and helicopters spin wildly out of control after being hit by ground-to-air missiles is impressive, it doesn’t necessarily cover for the fact that this is effectively the same concept regurgitated almost entirely, complete with sharp quips from main man Butler. London Has Fallen is for action films what The Hangover Part II was for comedies – namely a repetitive rehash of the same ideas. If anything, it’s trying just a little too hard to be Die Hard. Review by Matt Blackwell

P RE VI EW

TRIPLE 9 After being blackmailed by the Russian mafia, a group of corrupt cops find themselves with little choice but to attempt a heist that appears virtually impossible on the surface. Trying to use an incorruptible rookie officer (Casey Affleck) in their dangerous game, the group get more than they bargain for when he foils their plans and exposes their greed.

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 INE C Y T I C R U FO

Attracting an impressive cast of voices that includes Jason Bateman and Idris Elba, Zootropolis tells the story of Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin), a plucky young rural rabbit turned rookie police officer, who forms an unlikely alliance with a con artist fox (voiced by Bateman) to solve a series of disappearances and prove to her macho colleagues that size doesn’t always matter. This

anthropomorphic whodunit has achieved something special and will rightfully take its place among the likes of Toy Story, Wreck-It Ralph and Up on the prestigious list of animated films that surpass their live-action counterparts in characters, plot and emotional resonance.

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi Micheal Bay is back again, creating big explosions and generally missing the point of important real-life events. After his awful take on the Pearl Harbor attacks in 2001’s film of the same name, the latest military incidents to get the treatment are the US compound attacks that took place in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11, 2012. In the wake of a terrorist assault, a six-man team led by former Navy SEAL, Jack Silva (John Krasinski) disobey a direct order to stand down as they search for the American ambassador, who was present in the building, and fight off further waves. This could’ve been a seriously good film, but sadly, it isn’t.

Bollywatch KAPOOR & SONS

When the 90-year-old grandfather of estranged brothers Arjun and Rahul Kapoor (Fawad Khan and Sidharth Malhotra) expresses a wish to see the whole family together before he dies, the disgruntled pair have little choice but to comply. The problems start when the brothers fall in love with the same woman and old family secrets start coming out of the woodwork.

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 WEEK'S QUESTION What kind of animal is Judy Hopps? LAST WEEK'S WINNER Mohamed Hisham Mansoor

Contact: Movie enquiries 24607360

MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

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Be Serene

Mind Games Find out all about the technique of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) at this two-day foundation course in Muscat. It’s all about harnessing the power of the mind and changing the way you think and is said to be a proven tool to enhance personal and professional success. The course will be in English. For further details, email info@pgtraining.net or call 9618 3411/2443 2270. Limited seats only.

COFFEE & CHAT Catch up with old friends or make some new ones at one of the famous Coffee Mornings held by the Women’s Guild in Oman (WGO). The lovely ladies of the WGO will be at The Chocolate Room in Ghubra from 10am-12pm. Pop along for tea, coffee and cakes. You can also buy tickets to WGO events while there. Find out more about the WGO at womensguildoman.com

WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

Don’t miss a chance to see The Palestine Youth Orchestra appearing for one night only at the Royal Opera House Muscat. Being one of the most valued youth ensembles today, the orchestra brings together talented, young Palestinian musicians from all around the world. Ticket prices start from just RO3 and the show begins at 4.30pm. To book and browse future performances, go to rohmuscat.org.om

MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

Mar 25

WEEK

WHAT TO DO.

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MAR

Young Talent

THIS A

Need to de-stress or find some inner peace? Then this introduction to meditation could be just what you’re looking for. Running for five days, the Rajayoga Meditation Basic Course will give you an insight into the practice and the benefits. The course will be at the Rajyoga Centre for Self Development in Ruwi, Muscat. For more details, email meditate@ rajayogaoman.org or call 2478 2924. Check out rajayogaoman.org for further reading.

Mar 13

MAR

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

Health Aware

Gallery

Movies

DESERT DREAMS

MAR 13 - 15

Find out about the latest medical advancements at ELAJ Expo â&#x20AC;&#x201C; International Health and Medical Treatment. The annual three-day event brings together prominent local, regional and international hospitals, medical centres, specialised clinics and pharmaceutical companies to showcase cutting edge technologies, innovative products and new treatments. Information on general health and wellness and weight loss will also be available. Open daily from 10am, the venue is the Oman International Exhibition Centre in Seeb, near Muscat International Airport. For more info, check out eventbrite.com

Mar

24&26 Escape to the sand dunes while the weather is still cool enough with the penultimate trip to the desert with The Guide Oman. Staying overnight, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll experience all the fun, challenges and adventures that being in the sands offers. Desert safari fees are RO45 each and children seven to 12 years are RO20, while children under six are free. For more information or to book, email info@theguideoman.com or Rmayston@theguideoman. com. Otherwise, call Abdul Rahman on 9228 5813 or Rebecca on 9803 8820.

MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

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FAREWELL TO 020

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FRIENDS SAYING GOODBYE IS ALL PART OF THE EXPAT LIFE, BUT WHEN YOU’RE A KID, IT CAN BE A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE. LIFE COACH TINA SQUIRES GIVES PARENTS SOME TIPS ON HOW TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILD

ow often do we hear from green-eyed friends back home who have been looking through our Facebook pictures and say that we are “living the dream”, with the Omani sunshine, miles of beaches and a close-knit, supportive network around us? In reality, however, it’s not all blue skies. One of the only downsides of living an expatriate life is the constant upheaval of our friendships. You make a great friend, your husbands and children meet and you all like each other. You swap birthday presents, make holiday plans, and then she and the family leaves Oman. Suddenly your new best friends have gone and you have to bounce back. In the current economic climate we’re facing in Oman, this will be the case for a number of families over the next 12 months. For many of us,

this is the truth of living an expat life and we accept it as one of the big negatives in an otherwise pretty enviable lifestyle. However, for children, many of whom can’t articulate how they feel about a friend moving away, it can be an upsetting time. As a mother of two daughters myself, I’m only too aware of the effect it can have. So how can we as parents help them through this emotional process? Dealing with the loss of a friendship is painful at any age and, as parents, it is our job to recognise and support our child through the process and more importantly, show them that we’ll always be there for them. The impact of a friend leaving very much depends on the personality of the child and their age. An outgoing child is likely to accept the loss of a friend more easily, while a more sensitive or more introverted child will take the change harder.

PRESCHOOLERS

ore often than not, kids of this age bounce back from the loss of a friend pretty easily. Up until the age of three or so, kids have a “peekaboo” attitude to friendship. One minute the friend is there, the next they’re not, so move on and find another friend!

CHILDREN UP TO 8

hildren of this age are likely to feel the loss more. By this stage, kids make friends based on similar personality traits, likes and dislikes and therefore there’s an emotional attachment. Remind your child that they’re not losing the friendship; that it will just be changing. Encourage them to make a present or photo album for the friend – my daughter has a picture a friend made for her that is still proudly hanging on her wall. Show them where their friend is moving to and research the city or country they’re going to so they can share their insights with their friend. Above all, encourage your child to ask questions and express how they’re feeling – why are they moving, will they be able to see them again, can they talk on the phone? Depending on where the child is moving to, and your relationship with the parents, arrange to see them if you are in that country.

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EARLY TEENS/ TEENAGERS

y this age, children have a strong emotional attachment to their friends, and very often these friendships have “badges”, especially as the kids grow older. For example the popular group, the intellectuals and the sporty ones. For teens in particular, it becomes harder to organise play dates. But you can support your child to take up a new activity or sport to meet new people. Encourage your child to keep in touch with their friend – everyone loves to receive a letter or email! FaceTime, WhatsApp and other communication methods now make it so much easier to shorten the physical distance.

HERE ARE SOME OTHER POINTS TO BEAR IN MIND:

As a parent, recognise the loss. Acknowledge their sadness, fear of making new friends and uncertainty in losing a friendship and understand that they may not know how to express their feelings. Encourage your child to speak to you about the loss and to ask questions, especially about their fears. Talk about how a move affects you as the parent – kids love to know they’re not alone in their feelings. Perhaps more appropriate for children aged 10 and older, but ask your child how they want you to help them. We so often think we know what our kids need, but their answers can sometimes surprise us. Keeping the lines of communication open at this stage is critically important. Encourage your partner, grandparent or older sibling to talk to them about the situation as well. This is an important stage for the kids to learn a life lesson – that life changes, and we have to adapt to that change. Remind your child that everyone will at some stage go through the loss of a friend to another country or school, and that every child at their school will at some time go through the same situation they’re going through – some more often than others. And with the current situation in Oman, almost every expat child living here will experience this a number of times over the coming months or years. Busy children and adults find less time to worry or feel lonely. While you don’t want to overload your child with activity after activity, start them on a new hobby or interest, particularly if it’s in a class with other children of their age. Activities like Brownies or Scouts are wonderful low-cost, high reward activities, which foster a feeling of belonging and friendship. Many schools in expat communities will mix around classes every year to encourage kids to form friendships with others in their peer group. In older years, this helps to break up “cliques”. This also reinforces the idea of change and loss to children, and makes kids more adaptable and equipped to deal with this, a great skill for future life. Encourage your child to broaden their friendships. Often kids stick together with a best friend or best friends because it’s the easiest thing to do. Ask your child if there’s someone else they might like to play with – organise a play date or invite a small group of kids over. Often, these interactions can spawn new friendships that just need time to grow.

2 DEALING WITH THE LOSS OF A FRIENDSHIP IS PAINFUL AT ANY AGE AND, AS PARENTS, IT IS OUR JOB TO RECOGNISE AND SUPPORT OUR CHILD THROUGH THE PROCESS. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, SHOW THEM THAT WE’LL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR THEM 022

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6 7 8 9

Don’t downplay the situation with comments like, “don’t worry, you’ll find a new friend”. They will, but it doesn’t mean the loss of time with the old friend isn’t important. Talk to your child’s teacher. In our expat society, your teacher will hopefully understand the situation and can look out for your child or “engineer” different social situations in the classroom so that your child can foster other friendships. Be aware of the changes in their behaviour – so much of what kids feel is expressed non-verbally. They may show signs of worry, erratic sleep, changes in eating behaviour or moodiness. Even before a move happens, your child can start to feel disconnected and isolated. Remind them that you’re there for them; that the summer holidays are coming up, during which time they’ll do some wonderful things and that they have a large support network around them. Though your child almost certainly won’t understand the meaning, remember the old adage: “It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.” Above all, recognise that children are resilient, often more than we are as adults! They will bounce back and with your support it will be an easier process.

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* Tina Squires is a certified human resources manager and trained life coach currently living in Muscat

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COMPETITION

e g d e l P e h T e k a T Help improve safety on Oman’s roads and win a share of cash prizes worth a total of RO225

his week, to coincide with the start of GCC’s Road Safety Week today (March 10), Y Magazine is launching a very special competition to help all children across the Sultanate understand the importance of road safety. With accidents on the roads of Oman reaching alarming levels – there were 382 road accidents in January this year alone, killing 58 and injuring 237, statistics revealed this week – there’s never been a better time to start making a change. And you and your children can play a part in making Oman’s roads safer for all of us. Sponsored by the Oman Automobile Association, our Road Safety Pledge will help promote the message of road safety to parents through their children. We

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MAR 10 – 16 / ISSUE 411

hope it will also foster good driving from a young age in the youngsters of Oman, the next generation of drivers to take to the roads. With road fatalities in the GCC considered some of the highest in the world, this is an important initiative that we hope will help to help save more lives on the Sultanate’s roads. The GCC Road Safety Week, which runs until March 17, is a coordinated effort around the six member states to highlight issues and raise awareness among road users. You will find a card inserted in this issue of Y, which will enable children to make their pledges about road safety. These could include promising to wear a seatbelt at all times, not jumping around the car unrestrained or even asking mum or dad to put down

O A A

‫ﺍﻟﺟﻣﻌﻳﺔ ﺍﻟ ُﻌﻣﺎﻧﻳﺔ ﻟﻠﺳﻳﺎﺭﺍﺕ‬

Oman Automobile Association

their mobile phones and stop speeding. There’s lots of ways you can make a difference. This is YOUR pledge, so be creative and think about what you would like to change. And when you are done filling out the card, all you have to do is get your mum or dad to sign it so we know you will be making a huge effort to help you and your family to stay safe while driving. Then ask your mum or dad to help you take the card to one of the dropboxes located around Muscat. The best three pledges – don’t forget, you can also add your own drawings or other designs to the card – will share in a total cash prize of RO225. The closing date for entries is March 24. Good luck and we look forward to receiving all your entries. In the meantime, stay safe on the roads.

PRIZES: ● The best three pledges will win a cash reward of RO100, RO75 and RO50 respectively. ● The winners will receive their prizes at a special ceremony at the Oman Automobile Association in Seeb, Muscat, on March 31.

DROPBOX LOCATIONS: ① Al Ghad Al Mushriq School (Beaconhouse School), Qurum ② V-Kool, Al Khuwair ③ Jawharat Al Shatti Complex ④ Gulf International School, Madinat Sultan Qaboos ⑤ Oman Automobile Association, Seeb

BUCKLE UP FOR LIFE

As many as one in two of the thousands of lives lost or shattered by lifelong injury every year on Oman’s roads could be saved by the simple act of buckling a seatbelt. A crash can happen anytime. When it does, make sure you and your loved ones are protected.

SPEED

Speeding remains the biggest killer on our roads. In Oman, speeding is a factor in more than 70 per cent of road deaths. On average, 650 people die each year in speedrelated crashes.

DISTRACTED DRIVING

It’s easy to get distracted when you’re driving. Adjusting a stereo, talking to passengers and in-car technology all cause a driver to lose concentration, with potentially fatal consequences. The most deadly distractions of all are texting and talking on the phone, which dramatically increase the probability of a crash involving death or injury. Every single time you take your eyes off the road, even for a few seconds, you put yourself and others in danger.

SEATBELTS AND CHILD SAFETY

In a crash, most people die from brain or spinal trauma or ejection from the vehicle. A person who is not wearing a seatbelt is twice as likely to die or suffer injury as a person wearing one. Babies and children are most vulnerable. They stand little chance of survival if they are not properly restrained in a child safety seat or seatbelt for older children. In Oman, seatbelts are only mandatory for the driver and front passenger. * Source: salimandsalimah.org

COMPETITION RULES:

● The competition is open to children aged 16 and under. ● Cards must be completed by children only and then signed by a parent or guardian. Entries will be disqualified if there is evidence of parental involvement. ● Entries received after the closing date, March 24, will not go forward to the judging stage. ● Children of employees of SABCO Media or associated companies are excluded from taking part in the competition. ● The editor’s decision is final. ● Winners will be notified by email or telephone. MAR 10 – 16 / ISSUE 411

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FOOD AND DRINK

Trend

New Restaurant

Reviews

PERFECT COFFEE

No matter what your coffee of choice is, adding milk provides a great nutrient boost.

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MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

COFFEE

CRAZY

Nearly all of us love a strong hit of caffeine to get us going in the morning, so why not learn how to make your own?

illions of people drink at least one cup of coffee per day and many get their caffeine fix with a specialty coffee drink. Dairy milk is a great complement for any cup of coffee; it’s both a tasty addition and a way to add essential nutrients to your mug. Every type of dairy milk, whether low-fat, fat-free or organic, contains nine essential nutrients, including high-quality protein, calcium, potassium and vitamin D. If you enjoy coffee, here are a few ways to create gourmet drinks at home. How to Make a Cafe au Lait A cafe au lait is simply a strong-brewed coffee drink mixed with steamed milk. The best way to make one is to brew a dark-roast blend in a cafetiere and mix with equal parts steamed milk. There are a few easy ways to froth milk at home. Use a milk frother or try this DIY tip: shake your favourite type of milk in a jar until it froths up. Remove the lid and microwave to desired temperature. Now you’ve got warm milk for your coffee and foam to top it off. How to Make a Latte Lattes are two parts milk to one part espresso. Starting your day with a morning latte is a wonderful way to enjoy the buzz of coffee, as well as milk’s nine essential nutrients, including eight grams of high-quality protein per 235ml. How to Make a Cappuccino A cappuccino is an Italian coffee drink made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk. A “dry” cappuccino has more foam, while a “wet” cappuccino is closer to a latte in consistency. Whether you prefer a cappuccino, latte or cafe au lait, adding milk is a delicious and nutritious complement to your coffee beverage of choice. From espresso to strong-brewed coffee – adding dairy milk only adds to the enjoyment. For more tips, tricks and recipes, visit milklife.com * Family Features

Servings: 1 Ingredients: § 2 tsp instant espresso powder or instant coffee granules § 2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder § 1 1/2 tsp sugar § Pinch of ground cinnamon § Pinch of ancho, chipotle or cayenne chilli pepper § 1 cup fat-free milk Method: § In a serving mug, stir together espresso, cocoa, sugar, cinnamon and pepper. Stir in two tbsp milk to make a paste. § In a saucepan, heat remaining milk until very hot. Pour milk into mug and stir to blend with paste. Serve immediately. Nutrition information per serving: 120 calories, 0.5g fat; 0g saturated fat, 5mg cholesterol, 9g protein, 22g carbohydrates, 1g fibre, 105mg sodium, 309mg calcium (30 per cent of daily value).

.‫ ﺷﺎﻧﺪوﻳﺘﺶ اﻟﺸﺎورﻣﺎ اﻟﺘﻲ ﻻ ﺗﻘﺎوم‬.‫ﻧُﻘﺪم ﻟﻜﻢ اﺛﻨﺎن ﻣﻦ أﻃﺒﺎق اﻟﺸﺎورﻣﺎ اﻟﺠﺪﻳﺪة‬ Introducing our two new shawarma dishes. Shawarma with a tangy twist.

Saj Shawarma

www.semsom.com Call: 24398718

Shawarma Platter

Semsom is celebrating Mother’s Day on 21st March and we would like to invite all Mothers to participate in our competition to win a 20 RO Gift Voucher. Think of an ingredient of your choice that would give the Shawarma a Tangy Twist. Please send us your answers to info@y-oman.com by 15th March.

MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

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FOOD AND DRINK

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

al u s Ca ning Di

REVIEWS

Info Box

GRAFFITI BURGER BAR

Next to City Cinema Shatti, Al Shatti Plaza, Shatti Al Qurum Tel: 2460 4143 (bookings and takeaway) Opening hours: 12pm-12am daily Price: RO27.4

URBAN EATING

Verdict : 7 / 10 Service 7 / 10 Food 8 / 10 Ambience Classy food – lost point for cold – but a unique experience, if a bit pricey Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

GRAFFITI BURGER BAR PROMISES A UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE, BUT IS IT STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE? KATE GINN TUCKS IN

’m a strong believer in the old adage to let the food do the talking. I like unusual surroundings, but it’s usually the things on my plate that will capture my attention. Graffiti Burger Bar was clearly going to test my resolve on this. Even from the outside, I could tell that I was in for something different. It’s lit up like a theatre or Hollywood cinema with the words “Now Showing” shining with a star above it, and a mini red carpet on the small steps leading up to the entrance. I felt like a minor celebrity walking in. Inside, it gets even more surreal. The wait staff are clad in outfits that wouldn’t look out of place in a Zorro film, with bolero jackets and Spanish hats, like a sort of Gaucho chic. With dark walls, a low ceiling and UV lighting, it has a gritty, almost subterranean feel, while none of the two chairs are the same, ranging from utilitarian to plush red velvet. This eclectic interior features customised materials, premium fabrics and limited-edition pieces. There’s also funky wall art, photographs and words on the walls. It’s certainly intriguing. Graffiti Burger Bar, which opened two months ago, is the latest creation from Khalid al Suwaid, the twentysomething restaurateur also responsible for Bite in Shatti al Qurum, and there’s a long personal message from him framed on the wall explaining the restaurant’s ethos. Graffiti’s menu is elegant and simple. It’s all about the burgers, but not your standard patty in a bun. These are far superior creations, with great names such as “Glad-He-Ate-Her”, “What Lies Beneath” (brown mushroom stuffed with sundried tomatoes), and “Chick Flick” (chicken burger), all clever twists on film names. My fellow diner, the grumpy Welshman, had his eye on the “Beauty & The Beef ”, while I opted for the “Gold Digger”, the lobster burger, which I’d already heard about. There are also salads, including the wonderfully named “Alex in Wonder Lamb”. Fries have to be ordered separately. Again, 030

MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

we’re talking gourmet chips, five-star versions. “Moulin-Rage”, topped with shrimps and a creamy trio-cheese sauce, was tempting, but we went for “Parmesan Dreams” (truffe-oil drizzled fries with Parmesan shavings topped with crispy onions) and the “Nero” (shoestring fries with black vanilla ice cream). You can order simple fries if you want, but where’s the fun in that? For drinks, the Welshman went for mint and lemon, which was pronounced “awesome” and very sharp, while my popcorn-salted caramel milkshake was exceptional. We also tried the black mineral water just to see what it was like. Its colour comes from being infused with an alkaline trace, but it tastes the same as any other water. Our mains arrived quickly. Not before we’d had time to take in the place, which was packed mostly with local clientele. We also realised that the music, which is also playing outside from exterior speakers, is live, coming from a duo of a young women singing and accompanied by a hiplooking guy on a guitar. I quite liked it, but my companion wasn’t so keen, saying it was like two kids messing about in their bedroom.

Back to the food. Black, we discovered, is a theme at Graffiti. Along with the water, there’s black burger buns and black ice cream. The Welshman’s “Beauty & The Beef ”, a beef burger with sautéed fresh mushrooms and herb cheese, came in a black bun, which might not be to be everyone’s taste, but we liked it. Unfortunately, the dish was cold. We sent it back. My lobster burger turned out to be small slider version, which I hadn’t realised. My fault, but at RO3.1, it’s a little steep. It was also cold. While we waited for new burgers, I ordered a slider version of the “Glad-He-Ate-Her”, which was delicious, a beautifully cooked smoked cheeseburger with a signature chipotle sauce. We also demolished the “Parmesan Dream” fries, which were excellent. The Welshman wasn’t so keen on the Nero, served with a side of black vanilla ice cream, which you dip your fries into, but I liked the cold, sweet and hot savoury flavours fighting for attention on the tongue. When our new burgers arrived, the lobster was piping hot and the star of the show, deserving of an Oscar. It was moist and juicy, with just a hint of mildly spicy red Deutsch cheese. The meat of my fellow diner’s second burger was also hot, but he said the mushrooms were lukewarm again. When you’re paying almost RO4 for the burger alone, you may expect better, but then, the actual taste was superb. As for the black bun; it tasted no different from my golden bun, which is good for those who might be put off by the colour. We were full but tried the “Lotus Lick”, a shot glass of Biscoff Lotus homemade spread and very tasty, and the “Texas Chocolate Massacre”, a faultless chocolate, lotus and caramel soufflé, worth every baisa of the RO4.1. Graffiti, in my view, is trying a little too hard, but the food can do the talking (cold dishes aside) and there really is nothing else quite like it in Muscat. Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com

HEALTH& BEAUTY JUMP RIGHT IN

That 1970s fashion icon, the jumpsuit, is back on the catwalks and already making its way into malls across the Sultanate. By all means, stay a jump ahead of the fashion pack, but ensure it has a modern-day twist to it, such as this outfit from Long Tall Sally.

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

k o o L e h

licity e F , reet t s igh ok h e to th t the lo This stylish gun-metal grey jumpsuit from d n e Next looks like it was inspired by the Top gh eou to g i h e Gun movie and will have you flying from day y th lps m to night with little effort. From RO21.8 e o r F ver h Glo Have a little fun in this 70s inspired

T t Ge

“cold-shoulder” jumpsuit from Matalan, which is perfect for a day at the beach or an afternoon in the park. From RO13.6

If you are looking for something a little different from the usual long-trouser jumpsuit, then perhaps this black floral print culotte outfit from New Look is what you are looking for. From RO12.5

Deciding between high heels or flats to go with a jumpsuit is easy – heels for night, such as these strappy black Dune sandals (left) from RO48.6, or these toe-post flats from Matalan (below) from RO3.2

Oman’s bright sun means it’s vital to pick the right accessories for your eyes, like these aviator sunglasses from Next. From RO8.2

When you’ve got the retro jumpsuit trending on catwalks, it’s hard to resist another 70s influence: the fringed bag, such as this one from Matalan. From RO6.5

MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

BEAUTY

Health Fashion

RED CARPET

HAIR

Style your tresses like the stars and create your own award-winning look

he Oscars may be over, but now is the time for you to recreate your own touch of stardust and go for glamour. With the latest hair trends recently on show at catwalks and award ceremonies around the world, hairstylist to the stars Asgar Saboo, who has styled red-carpet regulars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif and Eva Longoria, takes at look at some classic ceremony styles and shares his tips on how to recreate them with ease. Let your inner star shine and be red-carpet ready for your moment in the spotlight.

① Retro Curls

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This classic and beautiful style has been seen at the Oscars for decades and shows no sign of going out of fashion. It oozes maturity and elegance and is a perfect hairdo to radiate red carpet glamour. As demonstrated by beauty Sonam Kapoor, it emanates confidence, class and beauty and when secured, needs very little maintenance. Start by adding a volumising mousse to wet hair then blow dry with a paddle brush to lift the roots. Section the hair then use a curling wand to create tight curls, ensuring each curl is secured with grips and set with the low setting of a hairdryer after spraying. Brush out, arrange and spray again to create beautiful, bouncy retro curls.

② Up-dos

Up-dos are often understated, yet the different variations of this chic style can beautifully complement a red carpet gown. Polished to perfection, the look is adorned by many stars on the red carpet and enables natural beauty to be shown off with a detailed yet low-maintenance do. Deepika Padukone stole the limelight with her charming chignon. To give an up-do lift, use a mousse and blow dry your hair upside down to add volume. Take time to secure your up-do with spray and grips and it will be guaranteed to last all night long.

③ Slick and Sultry

This fuss-free yet equally exquisite look requires minimal effort, but can make a huge impact. When paired with a simple gown, it oozes glamour and charm and again needs little maintenance throughout the evening. Queen of grace and poise Kareena Kapoor Khan keeps this as her signature look, proving that you don’t need to spend hours on your hair to make a bold statement. This look requires straight and sleek hair, which can be achieved by using an oil before blow-drying. Brush thoroughly, then run a small amount of oil over the hair after drying to hold in place and create a smooth sheen. Tip: don’t overdo the oil as this can make your hair look greasy.

④ Pixie Crop

The pixie crop is a winner for those who are willing to brave the bold look. A newer trend on the red-carpet scene, this dainty and charming style radiates confidence and promotes the wearer’s natural features. As demonstrated by actress Mandira Bedi, this style shows off her dark roots, giving an edgy take on the style. Minimal prep is needed to perfect this look, just find a waxy product and run it through the hair to enable you to style and hold it in place.

⑤ Perfect Ponytails

The ponytail is another classic red-carpet look that won’t be disappearing anytime soon. The beauty of this style is that it can be adapted for whichever outfit you go for and will ensure the embellishments of your dress remain on show. Priyanka Chopra rocks the messy pony as seen here. Tip: backcomb the hair slightly at the roots before tying to create even more volume, but ensure you tame the stray hairs to avoid a look of frizziness.

Beauty

HEALTH

Fashion

by the wear and tear of joints resulting from damage to the cartilage,” explains Dr Mohamed M Aboyoussef, consultant of rheumatology, at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi. “The symptoms of the condition include pain, stiffness and swelling caused by the bones rubbing or grinding against each other. This condition generally affects the knees, hips, neck, back, big toes and hands. Some of the risk factors for the condition include increasing age, genetic factors, obesity, overuse of joints, or previous joint damage caused by sports injuries.” According to Dr Aboyoussef, osteoarthritis is common in the UAE and wider Gulf region, especially in patients in their late 40s, and increases significantly with older age. “The reasons range from obesity to genetic factors, smoking and lack of adequate exercises. Younger people who start exercising without proper instruction may also hurt their knees or back, as they are unaware of how to protect their joints [or] have poor posture,” he adds. Considered a chronic condition, osteoarthritis doesn’t have any cure. However, there are many options to control the symptoms and limit progression:

One in two adults will develop symptoms of osteoarthritis during their lifetime and there is no cure

xperiencing stiffness and pain in your low back, hips and knees, fatigue after exercise, or have inflammation in your hands? These all could be a sign of osteoarthritis, which affects millions of people across the world. Some of the world’s most famous athletes, including Olympic figure skater Dorothy Hamill and Olympic cyclist Kristin Armstrong, have been afflicted with this debilitating condition. According to the US-based Arthritis Foundation, one in two adults develops symptoms of osteoarthritis during their lifetime; with one in four adults manifesting symptoms of osteoarthritis in the hips after the age of 85. Statistics also show that one in 12 people over the age of 60 have osteoarthritis in the hands. “Osteoarthritis is the most common forms of arthritis, and is caused

● Lifestyle modifications, including regular exercise, nutrition, weight management and anti-inflammatory medications, can keep the symptoms in check. ● Doctors often prescribe analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen, corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid injections to lubricate the joints, according to Dr Aboyoussef. ● Exercise and physical therapy is especially important to help improve flexibility, maintain range of motion, strengthen the tissue around joints and aid overall fitness. Doctors or therapists may also prescribe the use of devices such as canes, splints, shoe orthotics and knee braces to aid mobility and provide support. Cold and heat therapy can also be used to alleviate pain in patients. ● Surgery may be recommended to increase range of motion and pain relief, especially if joint pain from osteoarthritis is unmanageable. The type of surgery is also based on the patient’s age, fitness levels and overall health of the joint. “Some of the surgical options include arthroscopy, which is surgery to fix small tears in the tissues around joints such as the knee, hip, shoulder,” says Dr Aboyoussef. “The surgery is done using tiny incisions, a small camera and specialised equipment to repair, or remove damaged cartilage. Joint resurfacing, also called partial knee replacement, is an option where doctors replace only a part of the knee, or hip with an implant. More severe joint damage is treated with arthrodesis, which is also called “fusion” surgery. Pins, plates or rods are used during surgery to join bones in the ankles, wrists, or spine, to form a continuous joint. In time, the bones grow together and set the joint in place. Damaged joints can also be replaced with implants made from metal, plastic or ceramic during a total joint replacement procedure. Joint revision surgery may also be required to replace old or worn implants. Minimally invasive total joint replacement is also preferred, as it offers quicker recovery time and less pain compared to the conventional procedure. Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi has a state-of-the art orthopedic centre that specialises in a multi-disciplinary approach to treating joint and bone diseases. MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

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GRAB IT BEFORE IT’S GONE GET YOUR FREE COPY OF Y AT THE FOLLOWING DISTRIBUTION POINTS… Capital Region Azaiba • Amara Dermatology Clinic • Audi showroom • Bentley showroom • Costa Coffee • Al Fair • Jaguar Showroom • Jeep Showroom • Al Maha Petrol Station • Mazda showroom • McDonald’s • Mitsubishi Showroom • Oman Arab Bank • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Peugeot Showroom • Range Rover Showroom • Sayarti Auto Care • Shell Select • Skoda Showroom • The Sultan Center • Volkswagen showroom • Volvo Showroom • Yamaha Showroom Bawshar • College of Banking and Financial Studies • Dolphin Village • Modern College of Business and Science • Muscat College • Muscat Private Hospital (Emergency and Outpatients) • Oman Medical College CBD • Al Maya Hypermarket • Alizz Islamic Bank • Bahwan Travel Agencies • Bank Sohar • Copper Chimney Restaurant • Costa Coffee • HSBC • Lama Polyclinic • NBO • Oman Arab Bank • Standard Chartered Bank • Woodlands Restaurant Darsait • Indian Social Club • Khimji’s Mart

•

KIMS Oman Hospital • LuLu Hypermarket • Muscat Bakery • Shell Petrol Station Al Falaj/Rex Road • Al Falaj Hotel • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Golden Oryx Restaurant • Kamat Restaurant • Toshiba Showroom Ghala • National Mineral Water Ghubra • Al Hayat International Hospital • Al Maya Hypermarket • Bank of Beirut • Costa Coffee • Crêpe Café • GMC Showroom • LuLu Hypermarket • Moka & More • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Park Inn • Porsche Showroom • Al Raffah Hospital • Stationery Hut • The Chedi Muscat Al Hail • Burger King • Caledonian College of Engineering • Markaz Al Bahja Mall • McDonald’s • Omantel • Starcare Hospital Al Khoudh • Al Fair • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Pizza Hut Al Khuwair • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Bait Al Reem Mall • Caffè Vergnano • Centrepoint (Splash) • Diplomatic Club • Grand Hyatt Muscat • Harley-Davidson Showroom • HSBC • KFC • Khimji’s Mart • Khimji’s Watches • KM Trading • Landmark Group

• • •

McDonald’s Muscat Bakery Oman Bowling Center • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Oman United Insurance • Omran • Pizza Hut • Radisson Blu • Shell Petrol Station • TGI Friday’s • The Great Kabab Factory • The Tikka Place • Zahara Travel • Zakher Mall Mabela • Gulf College Oman Mawalah • Chili’s Restaurant • Costa Coffee • Al Makan Café • The Noodle House • Starbucks • Tim Hortons • VLCC Wellness MBD • Bank Dhofar • Centrepoint (Splash) • Khimji’s Mart • NBO • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Pizza Hut • Pizza Muscat • Shell Petrol Station MGM • Caribou Coffee • Gloria Jean’s Coffees • Just Falafel • Ooredoo • Paul • Tim Hortons Al Mina • Bait Al Baranda • Bait Al Zubair MQ • Al Fair • Arab Open University • British Council • Costa Coffee • D’Arcy’s Kitchen • Hana’s Slimming & Skincare Centre • Kargeen Caffe • KFC • MacKenzies Café & Deli • Mood Café • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Papa John’s Pizza

• •

Pizza Hut Saharz Beauty Salon • Starbucks Al Murtafa’a • Bank Muscat • KFC • Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club Muscat International Airport • Caribou Coffee • Majan Lounge • Plaza Premium Lounge Mussanah • Millennium Resort Muttrah • Shell Petrol Station Qantab • Al Bustan Palace • Marina Bandar Al Rowdha • Oman Dive Center • Shangri-La Qurum • Al Araimi Complex • Balance Health & Fitness • Bank Nizwa • BMW showroom • Burger King • Chili’s Restaurant • Crowne Plaza • Finland Eye Center • Fun Zone • Gloria Jean’s Coffees • The Jungle Restaurant • Left Bank • McDonald’s • Mercedes-Benz Showroom • Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant • Nandos • Nissan Showroom • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Pizza Hut • Qurum Commercial Complex • Ras Al Hamra Club • SABCO Centre • Second Cup • Starbucks • The Sultan Center • Tche Tche Café Rusayl • Knowledge Oasis Muscat -1 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat -2 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat -3

•

Knowledge Oasis Muscat -4 (ITA) • Middle East College • Omantel • Waljat College of Applied Sciences Ruwi • Apollo Medical Centre • Kamat Restaurant • KFC • Khimji’s Mega Store – Swarovski Showroom • Khimji’s Watches • KM Trading • Oman Air • Oman UAE Exchange • Oman Trading Establishment • Saravana Bhavan Sarooj • Al Fair • Al Masa Mall • City Cinema • Ayana Spa • Cosmeclic • Emirates Medical Center • McDonald’s • Shell Petrol Station • VLCC Wellness Sawadi • Al Sawadi Beach Resort Seeb • Golden Tulip Hotel • McDonald’s Shatti Al Qurum • Bareeq Al Shatti Complex • Caribou Coffee • D’Arcy’s Kitchen • German Eye Centre • The Indus Restaurant • InterContinental Hotel Muscat • Jawharat Al Shatti Complex • Kaya Skin Clinic • Muscat Eye Laser Center • Oasis By The Sea • Second Cup • Starbucks • VLCC Wellness Sifah • Sifawy Boutique Hotel SQU • Diplomatic Club • College of Economics and

Political Science Students Banking Area • Reception/ Canteen Wadi Kabir • Al Maya Hypermarket • LuLu Hypermarket • Muscat Pharmacy • National Hospitality Institute • Pizza Hut • Shell Petrol Station Wattayah • Ahli Bank • Best cars • BLS International Services • Chevorlet/GM showroom • Ford Showroom • Hatat House • Honda Showroom • Hyundai showroom • Kia Showroom • Lexus Showroom • National Travel & Tourism • Passage To India Restaurant • Shell Petrol Station • Subaru showroom • Suzuki Showroom • Toyota Showroom The Wave • Almouj Golf • Costa Coffee • Oman Sail • Shakespeare & Co. • The Wave Head Office •

Other Regions Barka • Al Nahda Spa and Resort • LuLu Hypermarket Nizwa • University of Nizwa Sohar • Centrepoint (Splash) • Crowne Plaza • National Gift Markets • Ooredoo • Pizza Hut • Safeer Mall • Sohar Beach Hotel • Sohar Port and Freezone • Sohar University

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Postcards from

Indoors

Y- F i

Cars

CARS AND ADVENTURES

CALM AND QUIET

The welcoming waters of Mrkhah Park make for a quieter alternative to the popular Wadi Bani Khalid.

MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

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CARS AND OUTDOORS INDOORS

Postcards From

Y-Fi

Indoors

Destination

Mrkhah Park SOMETIMES GETTING LOST CAN LEAD TO THE BEST ADVENTURE, AS SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI FINDS

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MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

Cars

ur intention was to hit Wadi Bani Khalid, one of the Sultanate’s best-known wadis and a place I’m ashamed to say I’ve never visited, but my friend and I accidentally missed the turning and ended up driving straight past it. I don’t mind though, because if we had never lost our way, we wouldn’t have stumbled on Mrkhah Park. While we were trying to get our bearings following a three-and-a-half hour drive from my home in Amerat, we came across a brown Ministry of Tourism signboard denoting a place of interest and stopped to investigate further. The sign announced that we had arrived at Mrkhah Park and listed a couple of safety points about taking care in the area following periods of rainfall. The scene ahead of us looked quite nondescript to begin with, but once we passed a small farm, the landscape began to morph before my eyes, becoming a different environment altogether. The mountains were visible in the distance, but the majority of the park is incredibly flat. The rocks came in

different shapes, sizes and textures, lending the terrain of Mrkhah the air of another planet. In between the rocks ran a slow-moving current of water that opened out occasionally into wide, flat pools. I decided not to take the plunge, but several of them looked deep enough to swim in. It was just before midday on a Friday and the best thing about Mrkhah Park was that it was almost completely empty. The nearby Wadi Bani Khalid is invariably packed with tourists at the weekend, but the only people I saw during my entire visit to Mrkhah were two locals who were studying the water intently. I don’t quite know what they were doing, but perhaps they were appreciating the marine life that teemed in the pool below them. I also noticed a couple of deserted huts and, again, I am not entirely sure of their purpose, but it looked as if they had been damaged by high and fast flowing waters at some point in the past. We followed the water at a meandering pace for a couple of

hours, enjoying the sense of serenity and quiet, and one of my favourite images I captured was of a wadiwashed wall that looked like it went on forever [above left]. Mrkhah Park is a beautiful place for a walk before temperatures get too excessive again and thanks to the relatively flat terrain, it is an area that is accessible to people of all ages and abilities. It may be antisocial, but Mrkhah Park offers you the opportunity to be away from people and close to nature. I think it would be a good place to camp, have a barbecue with friends and generally chill out. I’d recommend staying overnight and using the next morning to tackle Wadi Bani Khalid early, before it becomes swamped with visitors. I wish I could’ve stayed longer at Mrkhah Park, but after a couple of hours it was unfortunately time to move on. I had other places on my bucket list that day, one of them being the wadi we had initially set out to see. The find was a complete accident, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Mrkhah Park is a true hidden gem in the Sultanate’s wilderness.

TRAVEL GUIDE HOW TO GET THERE

From Muscat, travel along Route 15 towards Nizwa, taking the turn for Route 23 just after Bidbid. Stay on this road for 182km and then take a

left turn. Turn right after five kilometres and continue straight to Mrkhah Park.

GPS Coordinates: N22° 26’ 53.299” E59° 6’ 32.009”

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR NEW ADVENTURES, HEATHER DUNCAN TRIES A VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF WORKOUT THAT’S STARTING TO GET NOTICED IN OMAN 040

MAR 10 - 16 / ISSUE 411

INDOORS

FACT BOX

ressed all in black with a hijab covering her hair, Nusaiba thing in the morning,” she tells me proudly. “Whenever al Maskari is hanging upside down on a pole and has inspiration strikes and I think up a new move, I am manoeuvred her body into an impossible-looking situation. desperate to try it out.” I’m about to find out how hard it is. I’m here to learn all Being a pole instructor isn’t a common hobby for about pole fitness, a health craze that is already hugely popular around most Omani women, but Nusa beams that her family are the world, but is still relatively unheard of in Oman. incredibly supportive and make it all possible. She is especially No longer relegated to the world of adult entertainment, pole thankful to her mother, who helped with funding the dancing has spread to the fitness market and has come into a whole equipment, and her husband. sport of its own. Using exercise and gymnastic moves, incorporating “My husband has been with me from the very first day the use of a pole, it improves flexibility, muscle tone and general with this and has helped me through all the pains and fitness among other things. complaints along the way,” she adds. With the potential for a full body workout, it is a great Don’t be fooled into thinking this is an easy sport. way to shape up, have fun, develop strength and boost While anyone can join as a beginner, it requires self-confidence. skill, discipline and strength to make the moves It’s already been in Dubai for a while, appear so effortless. but has only recently reached Oman’s You will use almost every part of your shores. So, when I heard that there body when doing pole – from holding up were classes in Muscat, I was your entire body weight with just your up for the challenge arms or legs to keeping yourself upright and booked in for and stable by engaging your core and the very next gripping onto the pole using session. your skin. The first It’s a hardcore, and surprise was to sometimes painful, workout. ● It can improve strength, see that our instructor was an Omani lady. There was no room for fears, coordination, stamina and An auditor by day, Nusaiba – also known however, and within the first 15 improve self confidence as Nusa – seems an unlikely person to minutes of the lesson, Nusa has my ● Pole fitness doesn’t actually body upside down on the pole. She was embrace the world of pole fitness. But it’s involve dancing, it is a soon clear that the “pole” is her passion throwing me in at the deep end, but and any thoughts that her gentle, calm her faith pushed me to try harder and sequence of gymnastic nature might not be suited to the sport are not give up when my confidence was moves pieced together dispelled when she shows off her moves. wavering. At first it was scary, but also ● It can burn around 250 Nusa seems at home in her studio, empowering that my body was capable calories in one hour of which has several poles. Barefoot and in of achieving this on my first lesson. class time black jumper, leggings and scarf, she’s Pole class doesn’t actually involve incredibly nimble and lithe. ● You’ll develop greater balance dancing like some may assume; think Her friendly personality also more of gymnastics, using only a pole and body awareness immediately puts me at ease and calms as apparatus. It involves a series of ● To find out more about Pole moves and positions pieced together to my nerves. Nusa has made it her mission to get make a beautiful athletic performance. Fitness, contact Nusa on the word out about pole fitness in Oman As Nusa demonstrates moves on the 9857 7728 and is keen to dispel any myths still pole with names like Gemini, Scorpion, surrounding the activity. Umbrella and Butterfly, I was intrigued Even with a full-time job, a young child, a husband and her studies, and amazed at how graceful and effortless she makes it look. she still finds the time to practice her poles skills. Her dream is to encourage other Omani women to take part and “I practice every single day, sometimes late into the night or first join in the fun. She’s also thinking big and one day hopes to open a pole studio, where she will teach pole, aerial hoop and aerial silks (think the impressive stunts of Cirque du Soleil). By the end of my session, I’m elated, sore and my limbs are covered in bruises, but that won’t deter me; I’ve been bitten by the pole fitness bug and have already made plans to go back again to learn some new moves.

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CARS AND ADVENTURES RIVERSIDE VIEW

Running along the banks of the River Tyne, Newcastle’s quayside is where you’ll find the city’s most fashionable movers and shakers.

TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO: 1) Catch a football game at St James’ Park 2) Enjoy the vibrant Newcastle nightlife 3) Explore the Life Science Centre 4) Appreciate some art at the BALTIC 5) Get your shopping fix at intu Metrocentre

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Destination

Y-Fi

Cars

POSTCARDS FROM

Matt Blackwell recommends

NEWCASTLE, UK A

ff e c t i o n a t e l y r e f e r r e d t o a s “ T h e T o o n ” b y r e s i d e n t s , the city of Newcastle is situated way up in the North East of England on the River Tyne, just under 450km f r o m t h e c a p i t a l , L o n d o n . I l i v e d i n N e w c a s t l e fo r t h r e e y e a r s d u r i n g m y u n i v e r s i t y y e a r s a n d c a n a tt e s t t h a t t h e l o c a l population, known as Geordies, are some of the friendliest people you will meet in the country. Their hometown has b e c o m e a p o p u l a r c i t y b r e a k d e s t i n a t i o n fo r B r i t s l o o k i n g t o e s c a p e t h e s t r e s s e s a n d s t r a i n s o f w o r k a n d l e t l o o s e fo r t h e weekend, thanks to a thriving nightlife scene and no shortage o f a c t i v i t i e s . B e fo r e t h e s u n g o e s d o w n a n d t h e p a r t y b e g i n s , t h e r e ’ l l b e p l e n t y t o k e e p c u l t u r e l o v e r s a n d h i s t o r y b u ff s e n t e r t a i n e d , f r o m t h e B A L T I C C e n t r e fo r C o n t e m p o r a r y A r t , which is the largest gallery of its kind in the world, to a castle keep that dates back to 1178.

FOOTBA LL GAM E AT ST JAM ES’ PA RK

My favourite place

The quayside that runs along the banks of the River Tyne is dotted with stylish restaurants and bars and it is this area that has provided the iconic image of Newcastle and the neighbouring town of Gateshead, just across the water. Some of the city’s most fashionable eateries are located on the quayside, including the Michelinstarred House of Tides, set in a 16th-century Grade I listed building, that will have you snacking on oysters before tucking into Cumbrian hogget (sheep). Close to the quayside, you’ll find the Life Science Centre, which offers a great day out for kids, families and adults thanks to live science shows, a 4D-motion simulator ride and the biggest planetarium in the north of England.

Highlights

Although Newcastle United, the local football team, may be struggling for consistency and form in the Premier League, Geordies are football mad, meaning that you can always be assured of an electric atmosphere at St James’ Park, with the noise on match day audible almost anywhere in the city. Hop on the Metro, the cheap and convenient light rail network that serves Newcastle and surrounding areas, and you can be at Tynemouth, Whitely Bay or South Shields – all of which have beaches – for a day of sand and (hopefully) sun. The Angel of the North is a 54-metre wide, 20-metre high piece of public art that receives 150,000 visitors a year and is set just on the outskirts of the city – and was always a sign that I had arrived in the North East and the city that had become my second home.

E CE CENTR L IF E S C IE N

Lowlights

The North East region of England borders Scotland and this far north, the weather can get bitterly cold. If you’re used to warm climes, it’s advisable not to visit during winter, when you can expect lows below zero and frequent snow. Even in summer, the weather is never guaranteed, with average highs of just 18°C. A good plan is to always have an umbrella on standby and wear multiple layers. Geordies have developed their own dialect over the years and with a strong accent, it can sometimes be hard to understand for untrained ears.

Souvenirs If shopping is your thing, you’ll be in your element at intu Metrocentre, Europe’s largest indoor shopping and leisure centre, which offers more than 300 shops as well as 60 restaurants, cafés and coffee shops. Not only will you find all your favourite high-street brands, the shopping centre is also home to a number of one-off boutiques where you’ll be able to pick up a unique gift. Unusual science-related souvenirs can be found at the Life Science Centre gift shop, while key rings, mugs and T-shirts printed with phrases in Geordie slang are also popular choices. Where to stay There are a host of accommodation options, from quaint bed and breakfasts to funky hotels along the fashionable Osborne Road, which is just a short walk or an even shorter Metro ride from the centre of town. Many of the most affordable and centrally located hotels belong to large chains; keep your eye out for Staybridge Suites Newcastle and Metro One Newcastle, in particular.

ART A T THE B A L T IC

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Indoors

D e s t i n at i o n

Y-FI

THROWBACK TECH

Proving that old is gold, some technology developers are taking inspiration from the past, producing gadgets with a distinct retro feel. Felicity Glover and Matt Blackwell bring you their favourites CALL ME BACK If you remember the days when phones came with cords and you’re feeling a bit nostalgic, then the Native Union Pop Phone Retro Handset could be the gadget for you. With a 3.5mn jack, it will plug into any smartphone, laptop or tablet and with noisereducing technology, you can be assured of crisp sound. Perhaps the best thing about this retro gadget is that it reduces up to 99 per cent of the radiation absorbed through direct use of your mobile phone. Check out the range of funky colours at amazon.com, where prices start at RO3.85.

POINT IT OUT GOOD MEMORY

EDITOR’S PICK

Don’t get your hopes up; no, it’s not a copy of the beloved video game from 1987, but it’s almost as cool. What you’re looking at is actually a Retro External Hard Drive housed in an original Nintendo Entertainment System game cartridge. There’s a range of games to choose from, with 500GB, 750GB and a mighty 1TB of storage capacity available. Prices start at RO34.64 and you can check out the options at etsy.com

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Unless you’re into hardcore PC gaming, the chances are all you require from your mouse are the regular left and right buttons and a scroll wheel. If this is the case, then you’re free to have some fun with the tool you use to navigate your desktop. Enter the Retro Pointer Finger Cursor Icon Pixel Mouse. Connected via USB, it is a fully functional mouse with added retro flare, compatible with both PC and Mac. Just plug it in and you’re ready to play. Perfect for the vintage lover or geek in your life. Available at amazon.com for RO8.66.

SHOOT TO THRILL IT MAY LOOK LIKE A STUN GUN FROM STAR TREK, BUT THIS HANDHELD GADGET IS ACTUALLY THE DIGITAL BOLEX D16 C MOUNT CINEMA CAMERA. THE DESIGN IS RETRO, BUT THE TECHNOLOGY INSIDE THE BOLEX D16 IS CUTTING EDGE, OFFERING A SUPER 16 SENSOR, A BUILT-IN LCD SCREEN AND 1TB OF INTERNAL STORAGE. IT CAN SHOOT AT 23.98, TRUE 24 AND 25 FPS, PRODUCING BROADCAST AND CINEMA-QUALITY FOOTAGE. WITH A PRICE TAG OF RO1,540, HOWEVER, YOU HAVE TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING TO JUSTIFY THE INVESTMENT. FIND OUT MORE AT DIGITALBOLEX.COM JULY MAR 1003 -- 1609/ /ISSUE ISSUE411327

App of the Week

GAME ON

Old-school gamers will be happy to hear that their favourite arcade game maker, Atari, has launched the Atari Flashback 6 Classic Game Console. From Space Invaders to Millipede, Pong, Frog Pond and Asteroids, 100 Atari classics have come back to life, but this time in the comfort of your living room. And the modern-day twist? The controllers are wireless – all you have to do is plug the console into the back of your TV. This is an updated version of Atari Flashback 5 and the only difference between the two is an extra eight games. Available at amazon.com from RO13.4 (also available at the new Virgin Megastore in City Centre Muscat). Happy gaming!

NEW QWERKYWRITER As the saying goes, what’s old is new. And with that in mind, Qwerkytoys has come up with a novel way to type on the likes of your Android tablets and Apple devices, including the iPad, a variety of Mac laptops and iPhones. The Qwerkywriter is perfect for those feeling nostalgic for the days of yore, when the clickety-clack of a typewriter was the norm in offices and many homes. The Qwerkywriter, however, is built for the 21st century, connecting to your devices via Bluetooth, while the return bar functions as the enter key. The keys are reminiscent of a typewriter, but best of all it’s programmable and able to “remember” up to five characters. Available at qwerkywriter.com from RO134.3.

VINTAGE LOOK Lovers of vintage photography who lack the right camera equipment may want to take a look at the Vintage Scene app. Forget about Polaroids; this app allows you to create “antique” looking photos that will get you noticed quickly on the likes of Instagram. From creating aged and "faded" photos to turning a new picture into a oldfashioned sepia tone, there’s a range of special effects to give your album that hip retro look, albeit in 2016. Available on the App Store and Google Play for 770 baisa.

RETRO RADIO Go back in time, or at least to your grandparent’s house, and discover the classic beauty and sound of the Wolverine Retro Style Bluetooth speaker with AM/FM radio. The handmade wooden cabinet harks back to when the radio was the centerpiece of many a living room around the world. The only difference is that the Wolverine boasts that all-important Bluetooth wireless streaming, as well as AUX audio functionality. Available at bhphotovideo.com from RO34.6. JULY MAR0310- -0916 // ISSUE ISSUE 327 411

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CARS AND ADVENTURES

Destination

Postcards from

Indoors

Y- F i

CARS

Infiniti Q50 Specifications: Engine: 3.7-litre petrol Transmission: 7-speed automatic Horsepower: 326 Torque: 361 Nm @ 5,200rpm

The Infiniti Q50 is a car that will get you around the city in style and comfort, says Matt Blackwell

t may be classed as a compact executive sedan, but from the moment I positioned myself into the low-slung driving seat of the Infiniti Q50, there was an unmistakeable feeling of sportiness. From the outside, long, sleek lines provide an athletic appearance, while inside, lavish comfort is the order of the day from the leather steering wheel and gear-shift lever to the welcome lighting system. Infiniti surveyed 360 people from six countries just to find the most pleasing tactile feel for the interior materials and if that isn’t attention to detail, I don’t know what is. Adding to the overall sense of luxury was not one, but two screens on the central console. Measuring eight inches (20cm), the top screen is a touch-activated navigation system that offers a 3D view of your surroundings, while the seven-inch (17.7cm) bottom screen puts you in complete control of the car’s systems and settings. You’ll find all the usual suspects like Bluetooth connectivity and vehicle readouts, but the Q50 also goes one step better, allowing you access to your favourite social media platforms and even Google searches. In fact, technology is an area in which the Q50 constantly pushes boundaries. Driving aids can be activated or deactivated via a button on the steering wheel and in addition to the handy lane departure warnings, and blind-spot assist, I found that it had another trick up its sleeve.

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As I took a turn off the highway and headed into Azaiba, I suddenly found that Q50 was rapidly losing speed, having put the brakes on all by itself. I initially thought that I must be experiencing some sort of technical fault and scanned the driver display in front of me. Everything was clear on this front, so I carried on my way. A few kilometres down the road and the same thing happened again, except this time I figured out why. It was the Q50’s Predictive Forward Collision Warning system that uses radar to monitor the speed of not only the vehicle directly ahead of you, but also the car in front of that one as well. The sensors had detected that I was too close and automatically applied the brakes as soon as I let off the accelerator until we were at a safe distance. Oops, naughty me. Factor in the intuitive cruise-control system that automatically detects the distance between yourself and the car ahead, braking and accelerating accordingly, and the Q50 all but drives itself, which is impressive. If only all cars implemented such technology, the Sultanate’s roads would be a much safer place and there might be fewer accidents. The Q50 feels like the perfect marriage of technology and muscle. The safety systems are right up there, but make no mistake, this is a powerful car that is designed to go fast and look good while doing it. With an open road ahead of me and Sport mode engaged, the Q50

got up to 120kph in a flash. What’s more, the drive remained smooth and comfortable the whole time. The 3.7-litre engine was barely audible, but the rapidly rising needle on the speedometer told me that it was doing its job just fine. It was a slick and stylish ride as I cruised the city in the air-conditioned and leather luxury of the Infiniti Q50 and I felt the need to show it off. Where better to go, I thought, for a spot of automobile peacocking than the beach road in Shatti al Qurum, affectionately known as “Love Street”? Sure enough, the boys (and girls) had their toys on display and the Q50 was able to turn heads despite stiff competition. Although saying that, I’m not sure whether it was the car’s looks or the incredibly loud music emanating from within that was drawing all the attention. If you consider yourself a connoisseur of all things aural, the Q50 should be able to fulfil all your fantasies and then some. Crank the volume right up and you will be treated to impeccably crisp sound, along with mirror-shaking, chairvibrating bass. I was in paradise. The car handled the twisting turns of the Qurum Heights area with ease, displaying considerable agility and manoeuvrability until, unfortunately, our time together came to an end. The day had shot by and that stands as testament to just how enjoyable driving the Infiniti Q50 is.

They say: “Object of attraction” We say: “I’ve got a crush”

Active Noise Control Dual-touch screens Rear-view camera Welcome lighting system Infiniti InTuition Push-button ignition Electric sunroof Automatic headlight activation Front and rear-parking sensors with display Bluetooth audio streaming Heated front seats