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Fast forward
I
t seems that not a week goes by without reports of a horror smash or accident in which yet more people have lost their lives or been maimed on our roads. Many drivers see the streets as a racetrack or a place to intimidate other road users with their bullying and dangerous behaviours, such as speeding and tailgating. It’s little wonder that Oman has the highest death rate from road accidents in the GCC and third highest in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Only this week, five people, including two police officers, died after a teen driver allegedly with no insurance ploughed into stationary cars. And yet we have among the most lenient fines for speeding and other road offences in the GCC. In our cover story this week, Y takes a road trip in Muscat to see just how bad the driving really is. It makes for shocking reading with almost every kind of traffic offence committed by drivers during an hour-long journey. Many believe it’s now time for the government and police to get tough on offenders to put the brakes on bad driving for once and for all. We’d like to hear about your experiences of driving in Oman. Keep safe on the roads. Team Y Note: Our editor Felicity is on holiday this week editor@y-oman.com
EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi
ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi
MANAGING EDITOR Felicity Glover
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Write to us at Y Magazine, SABCO Media, PO Box 3779, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman. AUG 04 - 10 / ISSUE 431
03
contents
AUGUST 04 - 10 2016
Your Oman
20 The Offenders Y’s Road Trip Of Bad Driving 24 Pokémon Go! The Craze Hits Oman
This Week
06 Coffee With Y Dr Svetlana & Olga
Features
08 Voice Of Oman Alvin Thomas
16 #FYI World’s Most Expensive Countries
10 News Horror Crash Kills 5
17 Movies Jason Bourne
12 News Oman’s Population To Hit 8 Million
18 This Week Old Skool
26 Treasure Trove The National Museum of Oman
13 Faces of Oman
10
14 Gallery Burjeel Hospital Opens
24
15 Hyundai – Driven To Success Abdullah Al Busaidi
Cars and Adventures
17
Food and Drink 28 Food Feature Licence To Grill 30 Taste Test Charleys Philly Steaks
30
38 Destination Ras Abu Daud 40 Outdoors Night Play
Health and Beauty
44 Y-Fi Car Tech
32 Fashion Boho
46 Car Of The Week Nissan Maxima
34 Beauty Face Up 35 Health Gym-Free Workout
33
44
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They’re the two Russian wome n on a mission to help the an imals of Oman from their vet’s clinic in Mu scat. Kate Ginn meets Svetlan a and Olga nyone who
A
visits the PetCare scene after a divorce and decided Veterinary Clinic in Al Mouj ostriches, and Dr Svetlana has also to stay. Her first job was with an Muscat knows Olga and Dr trea ted snakes and other reptiles in Omani lady who had set up a clinic Svetlana. They are like a double the past . to help rescue stray animals, where act. Dr Svetlana, the vet, is usually Olg a also reveals that someone Dr Svet lana soon got to grips with dashing around in blue scrubs, the finer points of treating wild wadi approached asking if they could dispensing treatment to an array of board a two-year-old tiger. Not sick animals. Olga, the owner, can be dogs and cats. When the clinic closed, she moved surprisingly, they turned down the found in reception, often with her pet to another one but was unhappy. “It astonishing request. Shih Tzu dog, Paddy, trotting at her seemed to be more about making Cultural attitudes towards animals heels. money than the animals. I couldn’t are changing, the pair says. They are quite the institution in stand seeing 20 puppies full of ticks The Walk shopping centre. To be “Last week, we had two or three and diseases crammed into a small fair, it’s hard not to notice them with emergencies, with Omanis bringing box .” their booming Russian accents and in animals from the streets sick from It was during a trip out with Olga forthright personalities. Both are the flu or injured after an accident,” and friends that someone suggested strong, confident women, with huge says Dr Svetlana. they set up thei r own veterinary hearts who care passionately about “Th clini ey were willing to pay whatever c. animal welfare. money was needed. Even when there PetCare opened up in Azaiba in “With us, it’s that I think we prefer September 2012, before shifting to Al was very little chance of surv pets more to humans,” laughs Dr ival, Mouj Muscat, where they both live. they say do whatever you can.” Svetlana (I think she’s only half From here, the dynamic duo is on Olga chips in: “At the end of the joking). a crusade to improve the lot of the day, we are in Oman and our first I thought Dr Svetlana and Olga were related but it turns out that they nation’s animals. priority we should give to Omanis. “We have the same passion are good friends from year’s back The y own a lot of pets now. about pets,” says Olga. Her present who met by chance at the Russian “Ed ucation is still required for husb and , who is Omani, has become Embassy in Muscat. people to understand that a dog just as invo lved . I didn’t even know their surnames needs one owner. It is not like a car “He also now likes animals,” before now, I always call them just or something that can be passed on laug hs Dr Svet lana . “Be fore he was Dr Svetlana and Olga. For the typical Omani; he likes animals but to person after person.” record, it’s Egorova and Titorenko he never thought you could be too There is no doubting their respectively. close. Now we are united and we all commitment to the cause. Olga has It’s Dr Svetlana’s day off when have the same idea about pets.” spent a lot of her own money on the we meet in a coffee shop next to her It’s not an easy job and the clinic and paying to look after the clinic but she’s been working, helping numbers of stray animals are Olga take a cat to the airport to be stray cats that no one wants to adopt. increasing with cases of leaving flown to France for its departing Rec ently, nine cats were transported expats simply abandoning their pet owner. to thei r new farm near Mussanah, dog or cat on the streets. “We are always working,” says Dr whic h they hope to turn into an “Yo u cann ot help all of the stray Svetlana. animal centre and retreat. anim als here ,” says Dr Svet lana . Olga, dressed in her usual “You can help neuter them, vaccinate All their free time seems to be flamboyant style with a green shawl them eate and n up by animals. Both of them relea se them but with flung around her shoulders, adds: abandoned pets, I think it will be are workaholics who pour their heart “Everything is about the animals.” and soul into caring for animals. Both are a little eccentric, or as Dr a huge problem in Oman in a few years.” If all goes to plan, their farm, Svetlana jokes “slightly crazy”. Dr Svetlana adopted her own pet which is around 50 minutes from Dr Svetlana grew up in Saint dog, an Italian Greyhound called Petersburg, Russia, where her Muscat, will also house a petting zoo Das h, from an Omani family who mother was managing director of an for children (presumably not with didn’t want him any more. She later orphanage for young children with tiger s) and schools to visit. There will took a Bengal Cat from the same physical and mental disabilities. also be an Agility Centre for small family. “Mum had the children so I had to Cases coming into the clinic range dogs and they hope to offer weekend take care of the animals,” she says. from the mundane to the downright packages for pets and their owners to Among her first patients as a chill out in a safe environment. trainee vet were the orphanage’s pet bizarre. They recently had a pony being treated for maggot infestation It’s time to go. They want to rats, hamsters and rabbits. staying for a week in one of the dog look in at the clinic to make sure Olga’s family is also originally from kennels, which had been turned into everything the port city of Saint Petersburg, is running smoothly. a makeshift stable complete with hay. although they settled in the Far East. It is, as Olga says, all about the Then there was the goat from She moved to Muscat more than 25 animals. a scho ol in Sohar, which needing years ago with her ex-husband. Have you got a unique story to tell or do you castrating and a poorly lemur Dr Svetlana arrived in Oman 10 know someone who has? Contact us to have brought in Dubai. Among the more years ago looking for a change of coffee with Y and be featured in Y Magazine . exotic have been a monkey and mail: editor@y-oman.com
06
AUG 04 - 10 / ISSUE 431
THE VOICE OF OMAN ALVIN THOMAS ON LEARNING TO DRIVE IN OMAN
correspondence AN UNHAPPY NIGHT FLIGHT Dear Y,
H
ow hard can it be? That’s exactly what I asked myself as I started lessons to get my driving licence here in Oman. I was confident, as I was all set to undergo the test - or so I thought. I’ve been driving for over five years now, and my previous job description as an automotive journalist allowed me to drive some of the most desirable cars in the most exotic locations across Asia. I mean, how often does one get to drift a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi; roar across the Sheikh Zayed Road (E11 highway) in a Ferrari 458 Italia Spyder with the top down, or go tearing down the East Coast Road of India from Chennai to Pondicherry in a Volkswagen Polo GT? So, I thought I was bestowed with the skills and charms of a racecar driver; heck I’m sure at some point I must’ve thought I was as good as Lewis Hamilton. Thus, climbing into my designated Toyota Echo for my first class, I was very relaxed (you can see why). However, all my ego and smugness lasted a mere ten minutes, before my instructor wiped it all off me. He told me that I wasn’t handling a traditional clutch as well as he wanted me to, and about myy “safety” sense on the road - he said that I had “none”. Still, I was allocated my first driving test at Qurum after only seven days of training. The test was fairly straightforward: A Royal Oman Police (ROP) officer sat beside me and I had to follow his instructions. Ten minutes of driving later, I was anxious to hear his verdict. He looked at me and said: “Brother, I want you to come back and try the test again. You need to control the car a bit more efficiently and also maintain the safety rules”. His words, although issued in the best interest, were sharper than the sharpest of swords. As of today, I’ve failed two tests (yes, I flunked another one), and cannot bear, for now, to look at an instructor’s car.
NEXT WEEK:
FATIN AL ZADJALI
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AUG 04 - 10 / ISSUE 431
If you are a parent who feels offended when somebody criticises your “irritating” and “annoying” children, stop right here. But if you’re an airline that likes to have happy customers willing to pay for peace and quiet then I hope you do carry on reading. We recently encountered one of our worst flights ever. It was after a long working day during Ramadan, and we had gone without a proper meal all day. All we had was a sandwich a few hours before boarding an IndiGo flight from Muscat to Mumbai on July 3 at 10.45pm. We had bought our ticket weeks earlier but it seemed such a useless move during peak season. Although we arrived three hours ahead of the flight, the plane was already full as it was overbooked. The rule of first-come, first-served was applied. We tried to sleep during the trip but we were woken by the unruly three-year-old child seated behind us who refused to sit in her seat and started kicking the seat in front, throwing things and shouting at the top of her
DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: “Should speeding fines be increased to deter reckless drivers?” AKSHATHA PUDKETHOOR
While the government and police force do a tremendous job to bring the number of road accidents down, it’s our responsibility to follow traffic rules. For every extra kilometre per hour of speed we increase, the greater the chance of an accident. So an increase in speeding fines will be a step towards putting the brakes on reckless drivers.
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voice. There was no effort made whatsoever by the parents to calm her down. As the flight was due to land in Mumbai at 3am, we wanted to sleep as we had appointments during the day but the child made sure that we could neither sleep nor take any rest. The parents then changed the child’s diaper and threw the used diaper in the front so that we had to endure the smell for the rest of the flight. When we made a polite request to the flight attendants to ask the parents to calm the child down, they said they were busy as they wanted to make their sale of food and refreshments. It’s time that the airlines came up with a policy of allotting seats separately for families so that people who purchase tickets with their hardearned money get some peace, and peace of mind, on the flight. Regards, Kumar, Ruwi SUNIL D’CRUZ
Definitely. Speeding fines must be increased to make drivers more cautious. Speeding kills so it should be taken more seriously.
SYED BOKHARI
Speeding fines must be increased at once in Oman. The Royal Oman Police should issue orders without further delay because the fines here are much less compared to those levied in some neighbouring countries. Furthermore, offending motorists should have their licences cancelled and their vehicles impounded. An increase in the amounts levied as fines must be undertaken to avoid serious accidents.
AARTI VATS
Speeding cars and reckless drivers are nothing but monsters on the loose. An accident does not
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just result in damage to the vehicle but can cause unimaginable distress to the families of the victims. It’s high time that tough rules were imposed to stop this nuisance.
RONNEIL SALES VALIENTE
Increasing speeding fines is only one way to deter reckless drivers but I think it is not the most effective way. If I may suggest to the ROP that the first offence should include not only paying the fine but also the confiscation of the driver’s licence and imprisonment for a week. For the second offence, the reckless driver should pay a higher fine, the licence should be confiscated and the driver should be imprisoned for a month. By the third offence, the driver should pay an even higher fine, have his or her licence confiscated and be imprisoned for a year. If the speeding results in an accident and death, the licence should be declared null and void or cancelled, a maximum of five years imprisonment given, and the reckless driver should pay damages to the family of the victim(s). However, it should be properly and equally implemented on both Omanis and expatriates.
HEETRAJ CHAVDA
No, speeding fines do not affect Omanis so much but it does affect expats. Instead of increasing speeding fines, the licence and vehicle of the motorist must be seized for at least 10 months if they are caught a third time.
DEEPAK PAI
Yes. Speeding fines should be increased in comparison to those of other GCC countries as Oman’s fines are on the low side. Once the fines are increased people will drive their vehicles more carefully to escape the heavy fines. You can take the recent example of a new rule enforced; say RO500 and a one-year jail term if you jump a red light. So many people jump red lights now. We need to educate people not to break the law with a system of heavy fines, which directly hit people where it hurts – in their pockets.
ZAHID SAEED
A fine cannot solve excessively fast driving. The driving permit should be cancelled after a third warning, as well as increasing speeding fines for safety. I hope we get a revised system of fines, a programme of safety rules and more prominent road signs warning of the dangers.
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SUNIL JOHN MARTIN
does not deter people from driving irresponsibly then how would increased speeding fines be effective in deterring reckless drivers? It’s better to educate people rather than increase the penalty for speeding. The more people are aware and educated about road discipline, the better the results will be.
NENZ T. MACATO
Since car accidents are the only enemy that our Oman faces, they should be reduced as much as possible by attacking its causes. However, I see that increasing the speeding fines would not deter reckless driver at all. A lot of drivers do not mind spending money for the sake of enjoying speeding without paying any attention for the damage they can cause for others’ lives. I strongly believe that this group of people should be punished by more powerful ways like blocking their cars, licence confiscation, or prison for a period of time. Also, one effective way could be to make offenders pay higher insurance for their cars as punishment. This can be done through the statistic and reports the police send to the insurance companies.
Speeding is one of the main causes of accidents. It is a nuisance to those who maintain the speed limit to have a speeding car race up from behind. Very often we see cars speeding towards signals, even if there is a red light in front. It is better to be five minutes late than never to arrive at all. I think it’s much better to increase the fines and put people in jail for two weeks so that they will learn a lesson and they will be more cautious next time.
M SUBBASHINI MEENAKSHI SUNDARAM
Of course fines have to be increased. There’s nothing wrong in severely punishing the people who are doing wrong especially as they know it’s wrong.
MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT
Increasing speeding fines alone would not serve any kind of useful purpose unless a massive public awareness campaign warning of the risks of over-speeding and other traffic offences is launched. Offenders would then be motivated to follow traffic rules religiously to reduce accidents due to erratic driving. At the same time, those repeating the same offences time and again would be fined heavily, subjected to jail terms and suffer the suspension of their driving licences. It is better to catch drivers young so that once they are in college or university, driving within the speed limit becomes part and parcel of their daily lives when they are behind the steering wheel.
SALEHA HAROON
When the number of deaths happening daily
BADRIYA AL BUSAIDI
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A legal stopping distance should be made clear, and observed to stop tailgating. What is the legal stopping distance in Oman? Does anyone know?
SURAJ CHANDRAKANT
Definitely not. Increasing fines will dig a big hole for the middle classes, who are by chance caught in the web, but the ones who are the culprits and commit the mistakes are from the upper classes, generally. I think Oman must start with a points system to catch these offenders. If they are caught three times their licences should be suspended for three months. With their licences gone, they will learn to understand the importance of driving carefully and follow the rules, which are laid down for the safety of citizens.
AUG 04 - 10 / ISSUE 431
09
YOUR
OMAN A
Gallery
T
he chairman of the Oman Football Association (OFA), Sayyid Khalid al Busaidi, this week announced he would not running for a fourth term. Sayyid Khalid, who has led the OFA for nine years, said he would not seek reelection when the football governing body votes for new board members in September. “It was a privilege to lead the OFA and I strongly believe that this is the right time to move aside and let the OFA move forward under a new head,” said Sayyid Khalid. First elected chairman of the OFA on August 30, 2007, his second term began on August 25, 2011, before he was reelected on August 16, 2012. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as the OFA Chairman, and it has been a tremendous honour for me to
wasalat is turning out to be a hit among passengers, as the company announced reaching its personal milestone, after ferrying 2.1 million
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AUG 04 - AUG 10 / ISSUE 431
NEWS
UNDERAGE TEEN DRIVER INJURED IN CAR CRASH. FIVE DEAD
17-year-old teenage boy is said to have caused an horrific crash, which killed five people, including two Royal Oman Police (ROP) officers, in a accident that stunned the public earlier this week b [Sunday]. The underage offender was said to be driving without a licence, but first caught the eye of the two ROP officials when he was reported to have fled the scene after knocking a food delivery driver from a local fast-food restaurant off his motorbike in Al Khoud, Muscat. When the teenager was contacted and asked to return to the scene of the accident, he lost control of his vehicle and ploughed into two police officers and another delivery driver who had arrived at the site, killing all four, and a passenger in his own car. The young driver, who is alledged to have been drunk behind the wheel, is in hospital and said to be in a serious but stable condition, by the ROP. According to the ROP Traffic Law, the youngster was openly flouting Article 23, which states that an applicant must be at aged at least 18 before being issued a licence; and should be tried in accordance with Article 49, which states imprisonment for a period not more than three months and a fine of not more than RO300 or either of these two punishments. If the driver was found to be intoxicated, he will also be charged with violating Article 50 of the Traffic Law, which states that the person shall be sentenced to imprisonment for no more than a year and a fine not more than RO500 or either of these punishments if that person is speeding, negligent, under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, overtaking a vehicle in a dangerous area or a no overtaking zone, or imposing danger to an individual and his property.
M
Interview
According to the law, if the act results in the death of a person or causes harm which forces the victim to miss work for more than 10 days, the offender will be imprisonment for a period not less than one year, and not more than five years. He will be tried in the juvenile court and is expected to face multiple charges. * Road Trip: exposing bad behaviour by Oman’s drivers p20.
be able to fulfill the role for the nine years,” said Sayyid Khalid, in an interview. “I strongly believe that the Association has made great progress in that time, and I see now as the right time to move on. I would like to place on record my thanks for all those that have helped me deliver that progress.” His tenure will always be remembered for Oman winning the 2009 Gulf Cup on home soil. The Under 16, Under 19, Olympic Under 21 and Beach Soccer National teams also tasted similar success during his time. passengers across various routes in the Governorate of Muscat since its inception in
November last year. An average of 10,000 passengers use the bus services each day, with 300,000 passengers opting for buses in July 2016 - another milestone for the company. The Ruwi–Al Mabelah route has been ranked top, with more than one million passengers; followed by the Ruwi–Wadi Al Kabir with more than 600,000 passengers; and Ruwi– Wadi Adai with more than 200,000 passengers.
Furthermore, the Ruwi–Al Amerat and Ruwi-Muttrah routes ferried 122,000 and more than 72,000 passengers respectively since its introduction in April 2016. Starting Eid, the company also increased its trips to Salalah for the Salalah Tourism Festival, providing three to five trips and a total of 225 seats daily, during the Khareef Festival 2016. The company’s next venture will be routes from Al Khoud-Sultan Qaboos University–Burj Al Sahwa trisection and Muscat-Duqm. The routes are expected to open by the third quarter of 2016. Speaking to Y, Ken Jackson, Engineering Manager of Mwasalat revealed plans to strengthen their fleet with 118 new buses, including double-deckers for easy passenger commute. He also stated that the company plans to introduce an e-ticketing system and wireless internet on the buses.
E-CLASSY
NEWS
CAR ENTHUSIASTS WERE TREATED TO A SNEAK PEEK OF THE STUNNING NEW MERCEDESBENZ E-CLASS DURING A PRIVATE PREVIEW IN THE QURUM SHOWROOM HOSTED BY CEO OF MERCEDESBENZ OMAN, CLIVE HAMMOND, THIS WEEK.
Photos: Shaquel al Balushi
AUG 04 - AUG 10 / ISSUE 431
011
YOUR
OMAN Bite Sized OUR WEEKLY SLOT TAKES A LIGHTHEARTED LOOK AT A NEWS ISSUE OF THE WEEK.
TOO KOOL FOR SKOOL
Is this a joke? No, just a nudge to a school in the US that seems not to know how to spell the word “school”. Really? What happened? Well, many roads in front of schools in the US have a “school zone” warning for motorists, which is painted onto the road. As you can probably guess, somebody didn’t know the correct spelling of school. How do we know this? A local resident posted a picture of the misspelt word on – you guessed it – Facebook, for all the world to see. That’s embarrassing! Very. According to a report from UPI, Volusia County recently painted the road outside of Pine Ridge Middle School in Deltona, Florida, to read “SCOHOL” – twice! Ouch! Exactly our thought, too. It’s unclear who is responsible for the error but it is one of three divisions. And they are? Either the school district, the county or an independent contractor need to get a personal spell checker. Whichever way, though, it’s seriously embarrassing! Has it been fixed? Thankfully, yes – but not until a few days later. Don’t say: “S-C-O-H-O-L.” Do say: “S-C-H-O-O-L.” 012
AUG 04 - 10 / ISSUE 431
OMAN’S POPULATION TO HIT EIGHT MILLION BY 2040
T
he Sultanate’s population could almost double in the next 20-odd years, swelling to eight million by 2040. At least that’s the verdict of the National Centre for Statistics & Information (NCSI), which released the results of a study this week. The study envisages three scenarios with regard to population growth: high, medium and low increase. Assuming a high increase scenario - based on a fertility rate of 4.5 births per woman - the number of inhabitants of the Sultanate will reach 8.17 million by 2040 if expatriates account for 44.5 per cent of the population. Meanwhile, the number would stand at 6.7 million, if expatriates only account for 33 per cent of the total population. This boom in population will also result in a number of development projects in the housing, electricity, water, health and education sectors, which will entail an aggregate spending of over RO2.9 billion, the study said. Annual increase in GDP is estimated at RO19.8 billion if the percentage of expatriates remains lower. Assuming a higher annual growth in per capita gross domestic product at RO37,545 (according to a World Bank study), the increased output will reach RO269 billion (keeping expatriates at 44.5 per cent) while it will be RO216 billion if expatriates make up 33 per cent of the population. Oman will also require 576,000 new
A WEEK IN PICTURES
housing units consuming 11,120,000 GigaWatts per hour of extra electricity and an additional RO336 million to cover the costs of maintaining electricity production. The Sultanate will also require 63.8 billion additional gallons of water entailing an additional spending of RO377.2 million for the production of household water. This flux in population will also mean the health sector will have to be revamped. An additional 13,115 doctors, 2,146 pharmacists and 25,832 nurses will be required to tend patients. This translates to a spending of RO758.6 million. During this period, 2.2 million students are expected to join the school education system. 64,242 additional teachers and 21,796 classrooms with an estimated expenditure of RO1.428 billion will be required to meet the rising demands.
HEADLINING STORIES FROM THE REGION AND BEYOND
Hilary Clinton makes history as she becomes the first woman to receive the presidential nomination from a major political party. Clinton, 68, will now go head-to-head with Republican candidate Donald Trump on November 8 to become the next President of the United States
In another show of girl power, Tokyo has elected its first female governor. Yuriko Koike, 64, an Arabic-speaking environmentalist and the former Japanese defence minister, won by a landslide with a million votes more than her nearest (male) rival
The Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Olympics is only a day away on Friday (Aug 5) as Rio de Janeiro prepares to welcome the world and 10,500 athletes. The highly anticipated spectacular inside Rio’s famous Maracana stadium is said to include an appearance from Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bűndchen
A daredevil skydiver became the first to jump from a height of 7,620m without a parachute. Luke Aikins, 42, who has 18,000 jumps under his belt, used an oxygen mask to free-fall for two minutes before flipping onto his back and landing on a net suspended 61m about the ground in southern California
f
aces of
Oman
Welcome to Y’s weekly photo series that profiles the diverse characters who call the Sultanate home Name: Mustafa Rahim Hamidi Age: 25 From: Iran Occupation: Photographer and Videographer
Photo: Shaquel al Balushi
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YOUR
GALLERY
MODERN CARE
OMAN
BURJEEL HOSPITAL OPENED IN AL KHUWAIR, MUSCAT, THIS WEEK BRINGING PREMIER SEVENSTAR HEALTHCARE TO OMAN. CHIEF GUEST HH SULTAN SALIM SAID AL HABSI, SECRETARY GENERAL, SUPREME COUNCIL FOR PLANNING, WAS JOINED BY A HOST OF OMANI DIGNITARIES.
Photos: Shaquel al Balushi
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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE
DRIVEN TO
SUCCESS
Abdullah al Busaidi, 31, is Head of Media at Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) and deals with corporate communications. After graduating with a degree in English for Education from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in 2009, he got a Brand Management Diploma at the London School of Public Relations in the UK. He worked in the Deanship of Postgraduate Studies at SQU for three years as a marketing and outreach offier before moving to OAMC where he has worked for the past four years. He is married with two children, a son and a daughter. Q: What drives you to success? Passion: the passion to be the first and to always offer something creative and innovative. I always believe that giving something new to people or what they need is something that can propel you to success. This is the benchmark for every project in one’s field. I like to create joy and happiness. It’s about liking what you are doing and being unique in what you are doing; at work, with your family, at home, with your friends. Q: Who or what has been your inspiration in your career? Successful people like Steve Jobs always inspire
me. Sheikh Khalfan al Esry (the noted Islamic scholar who passed away in May last year) and the way he made himself as an influencing force also reassures me. I am also inspired by Prophet Mohammed and his dealings with his family and people, and how he influences people to improve their lives. Also from the other side, I am inspired by creative ideas – I like to see creative designs, buildings, and services. Q: What is your biggest career success to date? After I left SQU, I got an offer from OAMC in 2012 and I was the first employee in the field of media and PR, so that was very challenging. Now I have a creative and standout team and we are giving OAMC a very prominent profile. We have arranged a number of big events – organised and accomplished in-house – such as the OAMC annual awards and ‘The HIVE’ conference (the first international conference to OAMC to focus on operational readiness and airport transfer). These have been two of our biggest successes and I was involved in the transition to the new Salalah airport. What was important was how to communicate this to the local community and make people aware of it. Q: What are your career goals? Our goals are to convey messages to different stakeholders and to make sure that what we are doing is projected very well, very clearly and at the right time. If we have excellent with operations in our Oman airports, we will ensure the world knows about it. We want to make Oman’s airports among the world’s best 20 airports by 2020. As head of media and PR,
IT HAS THE RIGHT BLEND OF ELEGANCE, COMFORT AND REFINEMENT, AND ALL THESE ELEMENTS COME TOGETHER IN A PERFECT MIX TO CREATE A CAR THAT IS ALMOST MAGICAL IN ITS APPEAL. I handle and manage these stories. I think Oman’s airports deserve better positioning in the global rankings, particularly the new Muscat airport, and I am looking forward to help make this happen. Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? As CEO of one of the leading companies in Oman. The communications field is about how you make things work efficiently, and for the past seven years, I have been working on my career development to achieve my vision. In 10 years, I want to be leading an Omani company with pride, and passing on all the creative ideas that I have gained from my experience in OAMC and my previous workplace. Q: What do you think of the Genesis, the premium series of Hyundai Motor Company? Genesis is a true luxury car and, in my opinion, it is really “inspirational”. It has the right blend of elegance, comfort and refinement, and all these elements come together in a perfect mix to create a car that is almost magical in its appeal. I loved my drive and it is an experience that will stay with me for a long time. AUG 04 - 10 / ISSUE 431
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Top 10 most expensive cities to live in Kinshasa, Congo ❻
❶ Hong Kong
❷ Luanda, Angola
Shanghai
❼
Zurich
Geneva
❽
❸
❹ Singapore
❺
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Muscat, Oman ❾❹
Beijing
❿ Source: Mercer's annual 2016 Cost of Living Rankings
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Tokyo
N'Djamena, Chad ❾
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
The Conjuring 2
Jason Bourne An in-form Matt Damon returns to the title role in this gritty, hi-tech spy action thriller that seems to take on more of a personal journey than its predecessors in the franchise. Ten years have passed since the amnesiac former CIA assassin Jason Bourne went off grid but he’s tracked down by former colleague Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles) who finds him scratching out a brutal living as a bare-knuckle fighter in Greece. What ensues is a high-speed, cat-andmouse game that takes us through an emotionally-charged wave of austerity protests in Athens, and speeding through the streets of London, Rome and Las Vegas in a bid to combat the frightening spectre of cyber warfare as another CIA
WIN CHANCE TO R U O Y B A R G TS EMA TICKE IN C Y IT C R FOU
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION Who plays Jason Bourne? LAST WEEK'S WINNER Cycil Abraham
killer closes in on Bourne. Of course, the franchise is based on thriller writer Robert Ludlow’s Jason Bourne trilogy – The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum. But this latest action-packed sequel is firmly entrenched in the 21st century, with numerous nods towards Edward Snowden and a character based on Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. Interestingly, Damon only has about 25 lines in the entire film, which director Paul Greengrass says was deliberate as Bourne had become increasingly isolated, cementing him literally as the strong, silent type whose actions speak louder than words. A definite must-see. Review by Felicity Glover.
TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN, just answer a question based on the week’s cinema reviews and send your answer to info@y-oman.com, along with your name and contact information. Tickets must be collected from Y’s Seeb offices in person only. For the rest of the terms and conditions, see voucher. Contact: Movie enquiries 2460 7360
The Conjuring 2 is a chilling movie based on the 1977 true story known as the “Enfield Poltergeist” – supposedly the UK’s answer to The Amityville Horror in the US. This sequel sees paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) head to Enfield in the UK
to help a single mother of four children, Peggy Hodgson (Frances O’Connor), who claims there are demonic spirits in their council house. As the poltergeist activity worsens and the family comes under serious threat, it’s up to Ed and Lorraine to protect them. A classic edge-of-your-seat horror movie with some great special effects.
Star Trek Beyond Beam me up, Scotty! “Trekkie” fans will be delighted to hear that the next instalment of the Star Trek franchise is out. This time, a badly-damaged Starship Enterprise, which came under attack by evil dictator Krall (Idris Elba), has been forced to land on a hostile plant, leaving the crew to battle an alien race intent on destroying them. Starring Chris Pine as Captain Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Spock, the movie stays true to the brand, and hard-core fans should have no complaints, hopefully going where no Trekkie has gone before.
Bollywatch DISHOOM Any Bollywood movie that combines song and dance, a touch of comedy and a cricketing backstory is sure to be a hit – and Dishoom doesn’t disappoint. When India’s star batsman Viraj (Saqib Saleem) is kidnapped shortly before an important match against Pakistan, two special agents – Kabir (John Abraham) and Junaid (Varun Dhawan) – have just 36 hours to track him down. What follows is a race against time to find Vijay and put India back on track as the favourites to beat Pakistan. Filmed against the backdrop of Abu Dhabi, Dishoom is directed by Rohit Dhawan and also stars Jacqueline Fernandez, while action superstar Akshay Kumar makes a special appearance.
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THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE
Warm glow
AUG
6
Buen provecho!
If you’re staycationing in Oman this summer but still want to get a taste of other countries, Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club has the answer. Its restaurant, The Club, will be running an International Day Menu each Saturday in August with a variety of specials not currently on the usual menu. First up will be a flavour of the Mediterranean, with Spanish tapas served from noon10pm on the day. To book a table or a private group dinner (you can hire the first floor restaurant), call 2451 4082 or email fb@muscatgolf.com
THIS
WEEK
AUG 4
On The Rocks restaurant and bar near the Golden Tulip Seeb Hotel is holding another one of its renowned Glow In the Dark nights. DJ Vinyl will be on the decks from 10.30pm. Ladies, couples and cabin crew have free entry all night. Stag entry is RO15, inclusive of three drinks. For more info, please contact 9798 3333.
AUG 25-27 WHAT TO DO. WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.
A U G U S T
Hospitality know-how 018
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Looking for a fun event for all the family to enjoy? Then put this one in your diary. The National Hospitality Institute (NHI) is hosting its annual hospi-expo at Oman Avenues Mall over three days. The event aims to encourage young people to consider hospitality as a career. However, a host of fun activities are on offer for all ages. The event starts on August 25 with the official opening at 6.30pm, followed by a Chefs Demonstration, Mocktail Competition and more. Other days will offer bed-making, a barista competition and a waiter’s race, as hospitality staff go up against each other. All three days run from 6.30pm-10pm. For more info, check out nhioman.com, email businesscentre@nhioman.com or call 2481 6313.
Gallery
Movies This promises to be quite a special evening, with an audio-visual never seen before in Oman. Wunderground at On The Rocks bar and restaurant near the Golden Tulip Seeb Hotel promises a mixture of music and artistic visuals to make for a unique clubbing experience. Featuring Pixtron, an artist who uses 3D mapping skills to work with famed Bollywood stars, and visionary DJ Maitrai and the homegrown talent of Faizan with San Valentine, one of the youngest producers in Oman. From 10pm onwards. Cabin crew and women can enter free all night and cabin crew can also enjoy 30 per cent off all drinks. RO10 entry for men. Club rules apply. For more details, call 9798 3333.
AUG
5
AUG
11
Old skool
It’s time to go back to school on a musical journey of your old favourites. Old S’Cool Party at On the Rocks restaurant and bar near the Golden Tulip Seeb Hotel will feature not just Hip Hop but also House, Pop and chart hits from the past. Get ready for a fantastic odyssey through your golden years! Party from 10pm-3am. Entry is free for ladies and for men, it is RO10.
WUNDERFUL!
AUG
8
Fun route
If you’re new in town or simply want to meet up with old friends, head to the next InterNations event. An evening of socialising, music and great food will be served up at Route 66 at Al Qurum Beach Resort at Jawharat Shatti in Shatti Qurum. A free selection of delicious snacks will be on offer between 8.30pm-9.30pm. Find out more at InterNations or sign up, go to Internations.org/muscat-expats
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THE OFFENDERS With accidents associated with speeding at an all time high and deaths on roads still a concern, is it time to toughen up and put the brakes on bad drivers?
O
man: On one side of the coin is known for its beautiful mountainous backdrops, charming citizens and harmonious living standards, and on the other side its terrifying highways. But why has it come to that? Why is it that Oman sees more deaths on the road than any other GCC country? Yet our speeding fines are among the most lenient in the entire GCC. Calls are now being made for the the
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Royal Oman Police (ROP) to take control of these situations that continue to haunt the roads across the Sultanate. Just this week, five people, including two ROP officers, were killed in one smash. The driver involved was a 17-year-old minor without a licence. Is it possible to have safe roads in Oman? Or is that a notion far beyond anyone’s control at the moment? Y investigates and learns that there’s a long way to go.
From speeding and tailgating to dangerous manoeuvring and illegal parking, Alvin Thomas and Shaquel al Balushi saw it all during an hour-long drive in Muscat from Muttrah to our offices in Seeb.
F
or most drivers, cruising along the Sultan Qaboos Highway at midday in a heavy-duty Jeep Wrangler would be a dream come true. And despite the August heat, we were even enthusiastic enough to have our top down to help us soak up the true spirit of driving – feeling the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. Our route was fairly straightforward – starting from the newlyopened National Museum of Oman opposite Al Alam Palace, all the way to Y’s office on the Seeb beach road. However, little did we know that our 53km journey would be more of a battle for survival than the scenic drive we had initially hoped for. Our ordeal began at the Muttrah Corniche road, when a taxi van quickly cut in front of us, nearly taking off our engine and his front bumper. A quick braking manoeuvre by Shaquel averted any further incident. We also spotted numerous cars parked illegally across the parking spaces next to the Muttrah Souq – one of the prime spots for shopping in the locality. Our idea was to capture images of various traffic offences we might pot on our way back to the office.
This soon led to a game of ‘I Spy’ of traffic offences. We could spot everything from tailgating, aggressive overtaking, texting and chatting on the phone while driving, illegal yellow line parking and the most dangerous offence of them all: speeding. As a matter of fact, there were way too many cases of speeding. We lost track of the number of cars zooming past us at mindboggling speeds. And by the time we reached Qurum Heights, we saw ourselves playing cat-and-mouse (we remained within the speed limit of 100kph) with the multitude of speeding cars as we tried to click pictures of these cars whizzing by. This brings to light a major worry. In a recent study carried out by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), a staggering 84 per cent of road accident deaths in Oman were caused due to speeding, overtaking and negligent driving in 2015, of which 57.9 per cent were from speeding alone. Meanwhile, negligent driving accounted for 14.7 per cent and caused 11.2 per cent of road accident deaths last year. Speaking to Y about the alarming rate of deaths due to accidents in Oman, Sulaiman, a driving instructor in Muscat, expresses his palpable sorrow and disappointment, saying: “It breaks my heart to see so many people losing their lives on the roads here. “Only the Almighty knows how many children I have taught to drive who have lost their lives in accidents. It makes me sad. “During driving lessons, all these young men that I teach are perfectly disciplined, obedient and law- abiding as they keep within the speed limits and lane markings. “I guess it is a way of life. People who have been driving on the roads for a long time develop a sense of ego – as they drive big and fast cars – driving like they own the road “Of course, as a driving instructor, there is very little I can do after a student has completed the classes. But I am very strict AUG 04 - 10 / ISSUE 431
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during lessons and I make sure that they know the dangers of the speeds they are going to be driving in. “At the end of the day, they make their own decisions, and that decides their fate.” Further analysis by the NCSI show that the number of victims of road accidents stood at 4,299 last year and that the overall number of accidents, despite a substantial fall of 23.5 per cent, still stands at 6,279 from 8,209 in 2012. Most of these victims were also identified to be in 20-34 age group. During our journey we felt that one of the main reasons why drivers like to speed is because of the low fines issued to offenders by the Royal Oman Police (ROP). As of today, motorists who exceed the speed limit by 15kph to 35kph face an ROP fine of just RO10. The fine rises to RO15 for violations between 35kph and 50kph, and RO35 for those breaking the speed limit by 50kph to 80kph. All this means that the Sultanate has some of the lowest fines for speeding violations in the entire GCC area. In comparison, the UAE charges AED400 (RO42) for a speeding offence. Apart from speeding, we also caught 14 drivers (both men and women) texting, and two others speaking on the phone while driving down the Sultan Qaboos Highway. We even caught one driver in a white Toyota Camry steering with his knees as he texted with both hands. We kept close to him just to see how far he’d go before he took control of the wheel again. The youngster, a well-dressed man, drove all the way from Muscat International Airport to City Centre Muscat mall before taking control of the steering wheel again. Our list doesn’t end there, either. We spotted at least 12 tailgaters, pulling up close to the vehicles up front in an effort to intimidate the driver into giving way. These drivers, almost always in an SUV, came thundering down the fast lane, flashing their headlights at the vehicle in the front, knowing, or caring very little, of the terror the driver upfront had to endure. Switching lanes without using appropriate indication signals also leads to chaos on the roads. Our eyes couldn’t catch them all but our investigation revealed more than 40 cars switching lanes without applying a proper indication signal. Fortunately, none of the offences caused any harm today. But the 17-year-old youngster who lost control of his vehicle will be held responsible for the five lives he took. The youngster was also alleged to drunk behind the wheel and without a licence, making the offence all the more worrying. Throwing light on the incident, Daryl Hardie, CEO of Safety First, a road safety organisation in Oman, says in an interview: “Obviously obtaining a licence properly is paramount. “There is a law that you should not drive without a licence no matter if you are an Omani or an expat, but I think the largest element is alcohol and as far as I know there is zero tolerance for drink driving in the Sultanate.” 022
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He adds: “The younger the generation, you must teach them that they are responsible for their actions and they are responsible for other people. “If you are in an accident it’s very rarely it’s just you involved.” According to the Traffic Law, Article 50, an individual will face imprisonment for no more than a year and a fine of not more than RO500, or either of these punishments, if that person is caught speeding, negligent, under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, or even if found overtaking a vehicle in a dangerous area or a no overtaking zone. Daily commuters often have to endure a daily battle to get to work on the racetracks of Oman’s roads. People like Abraham, an expatriate engineer who works with a leading telecommunications firm in
Oman, who recounts one story. “Sometime earlier this year, during one of my commutes to a work site in Seeb, I remember being tailgated by a Lexus sports sedan. “I was travelling at a set speed of 120kph while he was substantially quicker. He came roaring at me and flashed his lights. However, I could not move into another lane as there were many other cars travelling at lower speeds than both of us. “I could feel that the driver was restless so I increased my speed to an unsafe 150kph, just so that I could pass the cars in the other lane and switch. However – call it bad luck – a speeding camera was present and I was fined RO20.” According to Abraham, one of the main reasons drivers in the Sultanate don’t heed road rules is because of the lack of awareness campaigns. He said: “I really haven’t seen any road safety campaigns myself except for once in 2011 at the Muscat City Centre. Apart from that, I’ve not seen any road initiatives, no flyers talking about them, and no organisation coming out and speaking about the incidents that happen on the roads in Oman. “I can understand why there’s a lack of safety campaigns. The Government probably isn’t funding them enough, and private bodies really don’t have the time, or money to start something of
such sorts. Abraham ends: “It hurts every time I hear of someone’s death because of an incident on the road. After all, lives matter.” Our drive from Muscat to Seeb was both extremely tiresome and potentially hazardous and that is exactly what driving in Oman has become – an ordeal and riven with accidents waiting to happen. Imagine to under that twice a day just to get to work? A chat with Khadeeja, a nurse at one of the leading private hospitals in Oman, reveals the reality behind the road accident statistics. “Young drivers love to seek the thrills of driving like a racedriver and I understand that,” she tells Y. “However, if you want to know how it feels to lose someone to an accident, or the repercussions of someone’s irrational decision making, then please visit one of the casualty or intensive care wards. “I cannot reveal how many patients we have at the wards as of today. But I can tell you that there are many people ranging from the age groups of 18-40 there, struggling to take their next breath. Many are in a state of coma too, due to serious injuries to the brain and nervous system. “We certainly hope and pray for the best. And we’re sure many will pull through as well. “But my advice to parents would be this: Please monitor your son/daughter’s driving and please buy him a safe vehicle which is well suited for the roads in Oman. “No parent has to go through the pains of seeing someone lose his/her loved child because of somebody’s silly irrational decisions on the road.” “Life is precious; Please drive safe. You won’t be sorry.”
Traffic Fines in Oman: SPEEDING FINES-
- RO10 for exceeding the speed limit by 15kph to 35kph. - RO15 for exceeding the speed limit by 35kph to 50kph. - RO35 for exceeding the speed limit by 50kph to 80kph.
OTHER FINES-
- Jumping red signal: RO500 and/or one year jail term. - Parking at a Mwasalat Bus Stop: RO15 - Causing death or any other loss of property: Fine mandated by court, with possible jail time.
FINES IN UAE:
- AED400 (RO40) for exceeding the speed limit by 10kph. - AED500 (RO50) for exceeding the speed limit by 20kph. - AED600 (RO60) for exceeding the speed limit by 30kph. - AED700 (RO70) for exceeding the speed limit by 40kph. - AED1,000 (RO100) for exceeding the speed limit by 60kph and also 30 days jail time. - Driving dangerously: AED2,000 (RO200), 12 black points and 30 days jail time. - Drunk under the influence: Court decided compensation, 24 black points and 60 days jail time. - Court mandates fines for serious accidents which may or may not involve death of passengers and driver.
FINES IN QATAR:
- Exceeding speed limit: QR500 (RO53), which will be increased by QR100 (RO10.6) for every 10kph to a maximum penalty of QR1,000 (RO100.6).
FINES IN SAUDI ARABIA:
- Exceeding speed limit: SAR300 (RO31) to SAR900 (RO92), depending on the speed.
FINES IN BAHRAIN:
- Exceeding speed limit: BHD50 (RO51) to BHD500 (RO510).
FINES IN KUWAIT:
- Exceeding speed limit: KD40 (RO51) to KD100 (RO128)
Road accident statistics: NCSI Accident rates (Deaths):
- Speeding: 57.9 per cent - Risky Overtaking: 14.7 per cent - Negligent Driving: 11.2 per cent Number of accidents in 2015: 6,279 (4,299 deaths) Number of accidents in 2012: 8,209 Average age group: 20-34 New driving licences issued in 2015: 81,900. AUG 04 - 10 / ISSUE 431
023
Hundreds of Pokémon Go fans were left distraught at the weekend when an update reset their games. Y takes a look at the must-have mobile app
P
oor Pokémon Go fans. After building up a few weeks of Pokémon-catching tallies to impress all their friends, many players were forced to start over. An iOS and Android update of the game started at the weekend. It aims to smooth out a number of glitches, with the new version including warnings such as “don’t drive” and “do not trespass” while playing. The sheer level of despair that ensued shows how the app with an addictive personality has become something of a global phenomenon in less than a month. The Pokémon Go craze has been sweeping the world, from the USA to India and Oman. It broke the record for the most downloaded app in the first week of its release, with 30 million downloads. The average daily use of the app last month outstripped those of Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. But for those of you still in the dark about this latest go-to gaming app, then read on:
What is it?
It’s a free-to-play, downloadable app for iOS and Android devices. It was released last month in selected countries, having been developed by Niantic.
How does it work?
Players use a mobile device’s GPS to find, capture, fight and train virtual creatures, called Pokémon, who appear on the screen as if they were in the same place as the player.
How do you play it?
After setting up an account, the player creates an avatar, by choosing an eye, skin and hair colour, and an outfit. Once set
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up, the avatar is shown on a map showing the player’s geographical location. On the map are Poké Stops, which provide the player with various weapons and implements, such as Poké Balls. When a player comes across a Pokémon, they may view it in AR mode, which uses the camera on the player’s smartphone or tablet to show an image of a Pokémon as if it were in the real world.
How do you win at it? Unlike other, earlier versions of the game, players don’t need to battle Pokémon to capture them. A player can click on a Poké Ball at the bottom of his screen, and flick it up towards the Pokémon. If the player catches the Pokémon, that’s one he owns. The player’s success rate in catching Pokémons will depend on the right force, the
right time and the type of Poké Ball used. If the player can capture a wild Pokémon, he will be awarded two types of currencies: candies and stardust. The ultimate goal is to capture all the original Pokémon characters but not all the characters have the same CP (combat power)!
The Pokémon characters
Too many to mention but some of the stars include: Charmander, Pikachu, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Bulbasaur, Meowth, Gyarados and Golem. The ones to look out for are: Charmander: Has a flame on the tip of its tail, which indicates its emotions; it waves when the Charmander is happy and burns fiercely when he’s angry. The evolved version is Charmeleon, which devours its foes with sharp claws while its tail burns a bluish-white colour. This then evolves into the Charizard, which breathes fire of such great heat that it melts anything. Bulbasaur: Can be seen napping in bright sunlight and has a seed on its back. By soaking up the sun’s rays, the seed grows larger. It evolves into the Ivysaur and Venusaur. Squirtle: A water Pokémon with a rounded shell used for protection and to swim at high speeds. It evolves into Wartortle and Blastoise. Pikachu: The most loved and sought-after Pokémon; it blasts foes with electric jolts and evolves into Raichu. Meowth: Sneaks around stealthily with its sharp claws retracted, and loves shiny coins. But can’t be trusted and has been known to turn on its own master. Vaporeon: Underwent a spontaneous mutation and grew fins and gills that allow it to live underwater. This Pokémon has the ability to freely control water.
Where did Pokémon Go come from?
The game was developed in 2014 by Satoru Iwata of Nintendo and Tsunekazu Ishihara of The Pokémon Company as an April Fool’s Day collaboration with Google, called Pokémon Challenge. It was first released on July 6 this year, in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
Any problems? Yes, Pokémon Go has been branded a ‘distraction’ in some countries and has been blamed for a range of accidents and crimes around the world. • In Melbourne, Australia, a 19-year-old man crashed his car into a school while playing the game. Fortunately, no one was injured. • A man was arrested in Las Vegas for trying to rob Pokémon Go players before a shootout left him and a player injured. • Last month, top clerics in Saudi Arabia renewed a religious edict warning against playing any type of Pokémon game, saying it violates Islamic prohibitions. • Traffic accidents are piling up in Japan as drivers and pedestrians are glued to their Pokémon Go screens and not watching where they’re going. • The Japanese government has released a flier with nine safety tips for Pokémon Go players, urging them to be aware of heat stroke and avoiding “dangerous areas”. • In Southern California, two Pokémon Go players fell off an ocean bluff (rounded cliff), suffering moderate injuries. One fell 90ft to the beach. • One very unlucky driver crashed into a police patrol car in Baltimore, American, while playing Pokémon Go on his smartphone. • There have been other reports of people walking off bridges, falling into ponds, breaking into zoos and trespassing into nuclear power plants, all while searching for elusive Pokémon characters. • A local Twitter group @PokemonGoOman has been set up. • Hotspots in Muscat to catch Pokémon include Muttrah Corniche (where a rare Pikachu was reported to be seen), Al Sahwa Parks in Seeb, Qurum Natural Park and Shatti Al Qurum. • Team Y caught two Pokémons in our office: one sitting on the computer monitor of our photographer Shaquel and the other near our conference room.
0 Cost of downloading the game on your phone
151 Number of characters that appear in PokEmon Go
9.5 million The estimated number of daily, active users
75 million The number of people who have downloaded the game
75 million The amount of revenue, in US dollars, already generated by the game through in-game purchases
Why is it so popular?
As the saying goes, there’s no accounting for taste. Pokémon Go has become enormously popular. Celebrities such as singer Justin Bieber have been seen playing the game. However, a few technical glitches have not endeared it to some reviewers, not to mention the fans. AUG 04 - 10 / ISSUE 431
025
OMAN’S HERITAGE
ON SHOW
The National Museum has finally opened its doors to visitors with a treasure trove of exhibits from the Sultanate’s past
W
alking through the doors of the newlyopened The National Museum of Oman is the start of a stroll through the country’s rich history. It’s been a long time opening to the public but the wait is more than worth it. Y took a look this week round the stunning museum in Muttrah, which officially welcomed visitors on Saturday. Spread over 13,700 square metres with 14 permanent display halls, there are more than 7,000 objects on display and 43 digital interactive experiences. Sweeping through time, visitors are taken on an epic journey, from the earliest human settlement on the Oman Peninsula some two million years to the present day.
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Exhibits include a stone flint believed to be two million years old – the oldest man-made object found in Oman – and the first throne of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said from 1970. The museum boasts a number of firsts for Oman including a fully-equipped learning centre, state-of-theart heritage preservation facilities and discovery areas for children. It is also the first museum in the Middle East to have Arabic Braille scripts for the visually impaired. Permanent displays include Maritime History, Arms and Armour, Aflaj, Currency, Splendours of Islam and Land of Frankincense. Photos: Shaquel al Balushi
The National Museum Opposite Al Alam Palace, Muttrah, Muscat Tel: 2208 1500 Opening Hours: Monday 9am–3pm* Tuesday 9am–3pm Wednesday Closed Thursday Closed Friday Closed Saturday 9am–3pm Sunday 9am–3pm
*Ticket desk closes at 2.30pm Cost: RO1 for Omani and GCC nationals,
RO2 for expats, RO5 for non-residents, free for Omani and GCC nationals aged 60 and over and children and students up to the age of 25
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FOOD AND DRINK
SIZZLE SEASON
Get the grill out and rustle up some prime steaks packed with protein and bursting with taste.
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Trend
New Restaurant
Reviews
LICENCE TO GRILL Celebrate the Rio 2016 Games with the delicious flavours of Brazil
W
ith all eyes on Brazil this summer, what better way to celebrate the Olympic Games than to conjure up the flavours of the host country? Create your own backyard Brazilian barbecue with traditional meat skewers that pack a bold flavour punch. “Skewers are an easy food to serve friends and family during a Rio-themed viewing party,” says top American chef Kevan Vetter. “A Brazilian marinade pairs great with steak so grill up both, and let guests choose their own meat and complementary sauce. My favourite is a red chimichurri, which gets fiery flavour from smoked paprika, crushed red pepper and jalapeno.” For more easy tips and recipes to host an award-winning Rio-themed party this summer, visit GrillMates.com and McCormick.com * Family Features
Brazilian Meat Skewers
Red Chimichurri Sauce
Serves: 8
Servings: 12 (2 tbsp each)
Ingredients: § 1 package McCormick Grill Mates Brazilian Steakhouse Marinade § 1/4 cup oil § 1/4 cup water § 1 tbsp red wine vinegar § 1kg boneless New York strip steak, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
Ingredients: § 1 red bell pepper, stemmed and cut into large pieces § 1/2 cup coarsely chopped onion § 1/2 cup packed cilantro leaves § 1/4 cup red wine vinegar § 1 jalapeno pepper, stemmed, seeded and coarsely chopped § 2 tsp chopped fresh garlic § 1 tsp McCormick Ground Cumin § 1 tsp McCormick Oregano Leaves § 1/2 tsp salt § 1/2 tsp McCormick Smoked Paprika § 1/4 tsp McCormick Crushed Red Pepper
Method: § Mix marinade mix, oil, water and vinegar in a small bowl. Reserve two tablespoons for brushing. Place the steak into a large resealable plastic bag or glass dish. Pour the marinade over the steak and turn to coat well. § Refrigerate 15 minutes or longer for extra flavour. Remove the meat from the marinade. Discard any remaining marinade. Thread the steak onto skewers. § Grill skewers over a medium-high heat for eight to 10 minutes or until the meat is done to your preference (rare, medium or welldone) turning occasionally and brushing with reserved marinade. Kitchen Tip: If using wooden skewers, soak them thoroughly in water for at least 30 minutes before threading with meat. This prevents them from burning when on the grill.
Method: § Place all ingredients in food processor or blender; cover. Process until finely chopped. § Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to blend flavours.
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FOOD AND DRINK
Tr e n d
New Restaurant
REVIEWS
t
ge d u B
Info Box
CHARLEYS PHILLY STEAKS
The Walk, Al Mouj Muscat Open: 8.30am-12.45pm, seven days a week Facebook: CharleysOman Twitter: CharleysOman Instagram: CharleysOman Dinner for one with a drink: R2.94
QUICK CHARLEYS
IF YOU’RE IN NEED OF SOME FAST SATISFACTION, THIS PHILLY STEAK PLACE FITS THE BILL, FINDS KATE GINN
Y
ou know the feeling. It’s late, you’ve just finished work and you’re starving hungry, so ravenous that you can’t think about anything else but food. This was the scenario for me this week after I finished a long day working at Y and stumbled out into the humid night around 9pm with a rumbling stomach. I had no desire to cook (I’m not one for kitchens) and didn’t want a heavy dinner. There was one thing for it, then, it had to be fast food of some description. As I was dashing to Al Mouj Muscat to pick up some cat food, I decided to drop into Charleys Philly Steaks, a sort of upmarket Subway (an outlet of which, coincidently, is opposite this Charleys), on the ground floor food court area. Charleys originates in the USA and claims to serve the best “Philly Steaks on the planet”, which is a tall order, but with franchises all over the world (including six in Oman), there’s plenty of chance for different people to test this out. Sadly, I’ve never been to Philadelphia so can’t judge how the Omani offering compares to “the real McCoy” but I do like my food, which sort of qualifies me to have an opinion. Anyway, the premise of Charleys is simple: you order your size of roll from small, medium or large, whether you want brown or white, and then choose a filing. There’s a long list that includes
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anything from BBQ beef strips to Buffalo Chicken. Breakfast is served until 11.30am when you can have an omelette roll to kick start your morning. Being a traditionalist, I thought it best to stick to the classic Philly cheese steak (thin sliced pieces of beefsteak and melted cheese) on a small brown roll with cheese chips, and strawberry lemonade to wash it all down. Each order is made fresh and it turned out that the grill chef is from Tanzania, a place we had featured in Y Magazine just last week with the adventures of three Muscateers who were attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. He was delighted that I knew about his country and after a nice chat, he got down to the business of making my sandwich. It was quite busy in The Walk, so I settled down in a front table to do some people watching. I had just seen a little Arabic girl escape the clutches of her exasperated Filipino maid and make a break for the exit door, when my order was brought over. It took less than five minutes to prepare, which is much appreciated when you’re hungry. I bit into the Philly sandwich and liked the combination of hot meat with creamy melting cheese. It was well cooked and the roll was fresh and soft. My chips were smothered in melted cheese – the kind of bright yellow cheese that you imagine might glow in the dark, which I enjoy,
Verdict : 8 / 10 Service 7.5/10 Food 7.5/10 Ambience Value for money and service with a smile. Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals
but might not be everyone’s liking. The first chip was a little hard but thankfully proved to be a rogue one. In between sipping the super sweet strawberry lemonade – sugar rush anyone? – I polished off the meal in no time at all. I was just finishing off the last chip when I saw the maid from before walk past holding on tightly to her errant charge who had earlier bolted for freedom. Incidentally, there are kid’s meals too. I didn’t see any desserts but I’d had my sweet fill from the lemonade. I like Charleys. It’s inoffensive, quick, easy and relatively tasty. The staff are friendly and engage with customers, service is straightforward and stress-free, and the environment is clean, if a little noisy at times. It’s not fine dining or offering earthshattering taste but if you want that, then I suggest you go somewhere else. But when you need a fast food fix or good, honest, unpretentious fare on a budget, it does the job. Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com
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HEALTH& BEAUTY
BOHEMIAN RAP
Boho-chic embroidered jeans, along with bright and breezy off-the-shoulder tops, are here for the summer and it looks like they’re going to be here a while. Jazzing up your collection of denims has never been easier. 032
FEB 1104- -1710/ /ISSUE AUG ISSUE407 431
Health
Beauty
FASHION
k o o L e h
n nter i Y , reet he look t s gh tt e hi to ge h t u o nd t elps yo e h h g e hi sahan h t From rleen O Ha Embroidered with pink
T t Ge
A fun addition to your wardrobe, this grey cropped graphic tee from New Look screams style! From RO4.05
and yellow flowers, this pair of straight fit jeans from Glamorous is a must-have this season. From RO20.30
A yellow off-shoulder top from New Look is simple but versatile, and would look great paired with embroidered denims. From RO6.59
If bright florals aren’t your thing, these subtle jeans from New Look are perfect for a lazy weekend in. From RO15.22
This gorgeous pair of high-waisted shorts from Glamorous is a beautiful way to incorporate florals into your wardrobe. From RO5.22
Great for carrying your things when heading for a day out, this black bag with adorable patches from New Look, is a favourite. From RO11.67
To complete your look, pair your denims with Stecy from Steve Madden. From RO35.01
AUG 04 - 10 / ISSUE 431
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&
BEAUTY H e a l t h
Fashion
TAKING
SHAPE
The shape of your face can make or break a hairstyle, says celebrity hairstylist Asgar Saboo Oval Face Shape
A
n oval face has long been known as the most desirable face shape in the beauty industry and it is probably the most versatile when choosing a haircut to complement it. An oval face is longer than it is wide, with little jutting definition around the cheekbones and a slightly wider forehead than chin. How to wear your hair: A centre parting on the crown of the head is a great look for the oval shape as it keeps the face symmetrical. Adding texture using layers and waves helps to prevent long hair adding too much length to the face. This big, beautiful hair is a winning combination, and all you have to do is to keep the hair looking super-glossy and shiny. Volume to the hair can be added by also using a good stronghold hairspray or salt spray to give extra texture.
Long Face Shape
When it comes to haircuts for long face shapes, the aim is to balance out proportions. This is to soften the angles and make the face look rounder and more oval in shape. A long face shouldn’t go for hairstyles that are overly harsh. How to wear your hair: Fringes are great at shortening face length, with soft curls and waves in longer hair also helping to lift facial features. Upping the volume of the hair at the sides will give the illusion of a shorter face shape. The grown-out fringe look is the most on-trend this summer and the most flattering cut for a long face. Having long fringe sections cut to hang just below the cheeks will really balance out features. By flicking them away from your face with straighteners to give them a slight wave, this will soften the finished look even more. Tip: Avoid adding volume at the crown of the head as the last thing you want to do for a long face is to add extra height.
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Round Face
The characteristics of a round face is that it’s just about the same in width as it is in length with no major corners at the jaw. The perfect hairstyle for a round face should make your face appear longer and more oval-shaped, which is exactly what chest-length hair does. How to wear your hair: Long layers, highlights, side fringes, partings and a bit of texture will help to break up the width of a round face. Even up dos can make your face look longer, and by keeping some face-framing strands around the face will help to soften any up do.. Tip: Avoid blunt fringes and onelength cuts as these styles will only accentuate the width of the face and make it look rounder. By keeping a little hair out in front of the ear on one side of the face and not tucking it back will make the face asymmetrical, which will also help break the shape of the face up.
Heart Face Shape
The characteristics of a heart shape face is that it is widest in the middle where the cheeks are along with a pointed chin. A heart shape face could also be a broad forehead that narrows at the bottom where the chin and jawline are. How to wear your hair: Choosing a style that will create volume around the bottom of the face will balance out features. The cut should not be too long as this will drag the facial features down. Creating loose waves around the bottom of the face will help to create the volume and not look overly styled for an everyday style. Much like the long face shape, the heart shape face needs to avoid adding height to the hair as this will give the appearance of a longer and narrower chin. A heart shape face is one of the most desired shapes as cheek bones are more prominent, which should be emphasised
FITNESS FIRST V
Gym-free workout ideas anyone can do
isiting a gym to lift weights or take a class is great for your health. However, busy schedules, tight budgets and simply not feeling like the gym environment is for you are reasons that frequently cause people to stop going. Fortunately, being fit doesn’t necessarily require visiting the gym! Tavis Piattoly, a well-known American sports dietitian and expert nutritionist, offers some nofrills ideas for staying healthy without going to the gym..
Inside the home
Stuck inside? No problem. Try some squats or, if mobility is an issue, squat to a chair. Press-ups are another classic, highly effective option. If regular press-ups aren’t an option, do them from your knees or against the wall. Other amazing exercises are: lunges around the house, shoulder presses with dumbbells, jumping rope, jumping jacks, running in place, planks and sit-ups..
Outside in nature
The cooler months in Oman are perfect for being out in the fresh air – a great escape that
offers loads of fitness possibilities. Try hiking, paddle boarding, kayaking, skiing, fishing, mountain biking or whatever else peaks your curiosity. Simply taking a walk around the garden or block is beneficial, too.
At the office
Overcome the sedentary office lifestyle by making time for fitness. Try taking the stairs every day and park far away so you can walk to the door. Then, use a 5-minute break every hour to do something active such as chair squats or seated leg raises. Set an automated alert so you don’t forget.
Group fitness
Fitness can be more fun when you do it with friends or family. Play tag, organise relay races or create an obstacle course outside. Other enjoyable group fitness activities include hiking, swimming, basketball, soccer, Frisbee and bike rides.
When out and about
A busy schedule packed with errands still presents the opportunity for fitness. For example, walk or run in the car park while kids are taking
dance or music classes rather than passing the time on your smartphone.
Nutrients
A healthy balance of nutrients keeps blood sugar levels from crashing and will give you a steady source of energy. Tavis especially recommends taking a Nordic Naturals supplement daily to get the Omega-3s you need for optimal health. Extensive research has documented the health benefits of the two main Omega-3s (EPA and DHA), which include not only support for a healthy heart but also brain and cognitive function, joint mobility, eye health, pregnancy and lactation, healthy skin and hair, and a normally functioning immune response.
Balanced meals
To support fitness efforts, it’s important to eat well and regularly. The best foods for sustained energy are balanced meals of complex fibre carbohydrates, healthy fats and lean protein. Tavis suggests eating every three to four hours. Some ideas to include in balanced meals: wholegrain breads and crackers, chicken breast, legumes and fresh fruit and vegetables. AUG 04 - 10 / ISSUE 431
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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
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• •
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
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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
Outdoors
Y- F i
Cars
CARS AND ADVENTURES
BEACH LIFE
Stunning soft sands and clear blue sea are waiting for you a short boat trip away from the port at Quriyat.
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CARS AND ADVENTURES
D E S T I N AT I O N P o s t c a r d s f r o m
Y- F i
Outdoors
Destination
RAS ABU DAUD SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI TAKES TO THE SEA WITH SOME NEW FRIENDS AFTER A CANCELLED TRIP
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Cars
TRAVEL GUIDE
T
he best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry, as the Scottish proverb goes, and I know the feeling this week. I had everything mapped out for my Destination. We were heading by boat to an area around the Daymaniyat Islands, 18km off the Muscat coast and 40 minutes by sea. With stunning beaches, rocky cliffs and varied marine life, I had packed a Go-Pro in anticipation of getting some underwater shots. Then it all changed. Our transport, a yacht being repaired by a friend, was not going to be ready on time, and our plans fell apart. My Destination buddy, Imran, was back with me this time and we spent a day ruminating on where to go that offered a similar diversity for my camera lens. We finally settled on a place called Ras Abu Daud, near Quiriyat, a haunt of some of my gang of friends who had always urged me to visit. One sticking point: we needed a boat. A friend suggested calling his friend, Araf, who worked at the Al Bustan Palace hotel and owned a family boat. Perhaps he could help? Araf was more than happy to oblige, giving us access to a small boat with an outboard motor. He even offered to come with us.
And so it was that Imran and I found ourselves in a traditional wooden blueand-white Omani fishing boat heading out into the water from the port, with three strangers: Araf and two of his cousins. It was a beautiful day for exploring, cooler and with a thin blanket of cloud covering the sky. Not such a good day for photography, however, as cloud makes everything flat and kills shadows. Still, I was excited as we skimmed across the waves. We passed a brick watchtower, on a rocky outcrop guarding the entrance to the port, with an Omani flag perched on top, fluttering in the breeze before hitting open water. Our first stop took just 15 minutes to get to. It was a beautiful, secluded beach with fine sand speckled with peebles and clear blue water, like a picture-perfect postcard scene. I was annoyed, however, to spot bits of rubbish on the sand, a blue plastic bag and food wrappers, all of which had been left by previous visitors. Why can’t people realise such beauty needs to be preserved and respected? I snapped away and turned around to see that Imran had gone ‘walkabout’, something he likes to do. I could see that he had clambered up and was striding across the cliffs towards the end. I followed him up and captured some panoramic views looking down the coastline towards other
small coves and inlets, making colourful inroads into the dark, brown rocks. Back at the shore, I found some crabs sunbathing on the sand. They’re funny creatures, pretending to be dead, but when we gently pushed them, they scuttled off at speed. I also found the remains of a dead, rotten tree trunk on the shore, the roots going deep into the sand. It looked like a piece of marine art, a tangled ode to the sea.
I looked up and noticed an eagle circling above us; the same bird that had followed our boat as we travelled from the port. Araf told me that the water around here is also teeming with life, including squid and lobsters. I also saw a turtle. Imran eventually returned from his solo travels and we jumped back into the boat for the next stop. Our ‘captain’ tried to land on another incredible-looking beach with the bluest of water and white sand but the waves were too strong. I did manage to photograph a ramshackle, wooden hut that had been constructed on the beach, a makeshift shelter. Another beach we passed had much darker, harder sand with interesting layers of rock in the cliffs. Overall, Ras Abu Daud is the full package; you can go on a day trip, snorkelling, sunbathing and swimming, crab hunting, or simply chilling on the shore. It’s also great for camping overnight. Any of the local fishermen will be happy to take you to one of the beaches and pick you up before sunset for RO15-RO20. You’ll find the fishermen on the shore by the port. We were exhausted when we got back to shore but agreed our new friends’ invitation to go to a farm with them. When someone has showed hospitality, it is polite to accept. At the farm, we found a freshwater pool, bubbling away like a cold hot tub to cool down our aching muscles while we ate halwa and other sweet Arabic delicacies. As the sun began to set, it felt like the perfect end to a perfect day. Sometimes, it’s better when your day doesn’t go to plan.
HOW TO GET THERE From Muscat, take Route 17 until you see the sign for Quriyat. Turn off and make your way to the port area. The local fishermen can be found on the coastline stretching right along. Haggle a price but expect to pay around RO15RO2O for a boat ride to one of the
beaches. Remember to take the boatman’s phone number, so you can contact him at any time.
GPS location of the port: N23°19’01.2” E58°54’55.7”
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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES
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D
uring summer, Oman comes out to play when darkness falls and the temperature drops. Naturally one of Oman’s national games, football, is a popular pastime for the evening. Floodlit pitches, like these ones pictured in Al Khuwair and Amerat, can be found all over Muscat, and in cities and towns across the country. Players pay around RO1 each to take part in friendly six-a-side games, often meeting at the same time each week. You’ll even find spectators enjoying the match and chance to socialise in the cool night air.
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041
-FI THE TECH IN YOU
Outdoors
D e s t i n at i o n
Y-FI
CAR TECH
These days, drivers want their car gadgets to look as flashy as their motors. Alvin Thomas takes a look at the best way to to transform even the most modest of vehicles
HEADS UP Needing to check your phone or navigation screen while driving could mean taking your eyes off the road. However, it only takes a few seconds for disaster to strike. Garmin’s HUD+ eliminates this risk by providing you with the perfect solution. To aid attentive driving, this smart device provides the driver with information such as navigation, turn-by-turn indicators, current speed and speed limits; on the windscreen of the car. Available at amazon.com from RO82.2
DASH CAM On-board cameras have sort of become a must-have for drivers in Oman, and the PapaGoGS330 ticks all the right boxes. The PapaGo contains a 5-megapixel camera that can record at 1080p HD resolutions and at a wide-142 degree field of view. Footage can be saved in Micro SD cards, and viewed through the 5cm LCD screen. The device also sports a bunch of driver alert features that will make life easier. Available at papagoin.com, from RO52
POWER UP No! The PowerCup is not a coffee mug. However, this brilliant-looking gadget is designed to power all of your electronics, on the go. The PowerCup provides 200 Watts of continuous charge and 400 Watts of peak power via its two 120 Volt AC outlets and 500 mA of power to its USB charging port, all from its 12 Volt source from your car. Just to put things into perspective, the PowerCup can charge everything from your smartphones, iPads and even laptops. From RO10.8 at amazon.com
EDITOR’S PICK
CAR PLAY
044
IPHONE USERS, REJOICE! CAR AUDIO EXPERTS PIONEER HAVE COME UP WITH THE NEX CARPLAY RECEIVER – A DEVICE THAT WILL INSTANTANEOUSLY CONNECT YOUR APPLE IPHONE VIA THE CARPLAY CONNECTION TO GIVE YOU ACCESS TO YOUR PHONE’S APPLICATIONS, PHONEBOOK, APPLE MAPS, AUDIO PLAYER AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, SIRI ON THE 18CM COLOUR SCREEN. THE NEX SHOULD BE COMPATIBLE WITH MOST CARS AND REQUIRES ONLY A LIGHTNING PLUG TO TETHER. THIS SHOULD COME IN HANDY FOR DRIVERS WHO DID NOT RECEIVE OUT-OF-THE-BOX CARPLAY SUPPORT IN THEIR CARS. AVAILABLE AT AMAZON.COM FROM RO200 JULY AUG 0403 -- 1009/ /ISSUE ISSUE431 327
FIND ME
NEW
If you’re anything like me, then chances are that you’ll forget where you parked your car too. However, with the YAB, your days searching for your car in the mall are over. All you need to do is simply plug in the YAB to a USB port or a car charger and pair it with the YAB app. The device will sync your location to the app. It is also programmed to remind you when your parking meter is about to go off. Available at indiegogo.com from RO11.2
XPRESS-OH
App of the Week
EYE ON ROAD iOnRoad is an intuitive application that gives drivers information such as Advanced Collision Warning System, Off-Road alert (lane departure warning), Headway distance monitoring (distance between cars), Speeding Alert, Car locator as well as SMS and Notification Narrator, as seen in luxury vehicles. The app is available for download from both play.google.com and iTunes.apple.com for RO0.381
This Handpresso Auto machine is all every coffee lover needs. This on-the-go coffee maker plugs into the 12 Volt socket in your car and brews coffee while you’re driving. It is even compatible with Easy Serving Espresso (ESE) pods for that added flavour. Additionally, the machine also comes with a Ground Coffee Adapter and a ground coffee case if you’re in the mood for some freshly-ground coffee. Grab your espresso machine from handpresso.com at RO57
BRAINIAC The Brainiac is essentially the Godfather of all the car-analysis systems out there today. The gadget neatly fits into the centre console of your car, in place of your traditional audio system. The Brainiac is built with Android, and makes use of sensors and OCDII diagnostics of your vehicle to help you track your vehicle’s metrics, such as its performance and fuel efficiency and various other parameters. The entire head-unit is packaged in a standard 18cm universal touchscreen display unit complete with a built-in audio player. Available at www. thegadgetflow.com from RO538.8 JULY AUG 0304 - - 0910 / ISSUE 327 431
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CARS AND ADVENTURES
Destination
Postcards from
Outdoors
The Nissan Maxima is seriously quick and sporty with looks that edge it into super-saloon territory. Alvin Thomas shares his experience of his new wheels
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any say that buying a car can be one of the hardest decisions for an individual. But it wasn’t taxing for me at all! Sure, I too had prepared a list, with a number of saloons and ‘hot’ hatchbacks I wanted to roar across Oman’s roads in. It contained everything from the mighty Volkswagen Golf GTi, to the long and comfy Chevrolet Impala, and everything in between – like the Honda Civic RS, Ford Focus ST, Subaru WRX, Mazda 6 and so on. However, my relationship with the Nissan Maxima bloomed the moment I set eyes on her. Somehow, I knew I wanted it, ridiculing my months of painstaking armchair researching. You could call it love at first sight! The Maxima I first laid saw was painted “Coulis Red” – a fairly appealing colour – especially among the plethora of white cars that pepper the roads of Oman today. This was followed by hours of simply sitting inside the car, appreciating the interior and the features. At one point, I remember spending an entire hour inside a customer’s vehicle just because there was no test car! It didn’t take me long before I had made up my mind to book this beast, though. And in less than two weeks, the Nissan Maxima was in my car parking space. The only difference was that I had opted for a “Gun Metal” paint job due to the lack of availability of darker shades. Still, I was a proud 22-year-old; I had my own Maxima now (even though I hadn’t even test-driven the vehicle). Even the interior came as a surprise to me;
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resplendent in a dual-tone beige and black, finished in cashmere premium Ascot leather and metal accents around the wraparounds. The interior is spacious too, with adequate space for a family of five. But it didn’t take me long to realise that the driver got most of the creature comforts. At my fingertips lay a 20cm touchscreen headunit and a 17cm gauge cluster showing vehicle information, including a ‘Power’ meter to measure the amount of throttle and even a turn-by-turn navigation screen. While I’m at it, I must say that the Maxima’s head unit is one of the best touchscreen systems available on the market today, second only to BMW’s iDrive that I first used in the M5, and perhaps also the UConnect system in the Chrysler 300. The fit and finish is also supreme. The doors close with the sort of “thump” you’d expect only from a RO30,000 saloon. But if I were to nitpick, I’d have to say that I felt a little let down by the stock horn that I found to be cheap sounding, similar to those of the early Toyota Echo days. In any case, let’s move on to the powertrain - the engine and gearbox - the most interesting part of the saloon. Before anything else, I must make it known that Nissan markets the Maxima as a “4-Door Sports Car”, which I felt was a bit of a stretch, when compared to its rear-wheel drive rivals such as the Dodge Charger and the brand’s own Infiniti Q50. I was a bit circumspect about the “4DSC” badges
Y- F i C A R S
Nissan Maxima SV Specifications: Engine: 3.5-litre 6 cylinder 24-valve Transmission: Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission Horsepower: 300 hp Torque: 354 Nm Acceleration 0-100kph in 6.2 seconds Maximum Speed: 221 kph (Limited) 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels Power-adjusted front seats with driver lumbar support Panoramic moonroof Nissan Smart Key and push button start system Nissan NConnect System 11-speaker BOSE audio system 7-inch Multi-function display Active Sound Enhancement
around the vehicle and it took me a while to get the point. The Maxima is mind-blowingly quick! Underneath the pretty frock lies the legendary VQ-series 3.5-litre V6 engine, waiting to breath out a mind-boggling 300 horsepower and 354 Nm of torque. Power is almost instantaneous, as is the throttle response. And with a chunk of the torque lying in the 4400rpm band, the initial kick in acceleration is real, and in my case, addictive. It took me a mere 6.5 seconds to hit the 100 kph mark from standstill, although I can expect better figures after I’ve broken in the engine (after hitting 1,000km). It also sounds menacing, making a loud growl upon hard acceleration. If anything bothers me right now, it has to be the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) gearbox fitted to the Maxima. For those who don’t know, a CVT is an automatic gearbox with a single gear, set with fixed ratios to imitate real gears. Earlier CVTs have been known to suffer from the “rubber band” effect, as the vehicle maintained a set rpm – essentially making a lot of noise rather than speed. And while the engineers in Nissan have overcome the horrors of the early CVTs, the Maxima – while mimicking gearshifts and all – still has that whiff of that CVT-ish engine drone. Apart from that, there’s very little to dislike about the Maxima, and I don’t say that because it’s my car. It really is that good.