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Fast forward A

ny parent wants the best for their children and that should include ensuring they follow a healthy diet. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy. Outside influences and pressures are making it harder to keep kids on track with their eating. And what parent hasn’t given in to pester power at some time or another? In Oman and the rest of the Gulf region, the situation has become a concern, as we discover in our cover story this week. Many children these days are being weaned on a diet of television, computers and fast food. The effects are starting to show. Around nine to 11 per cent of children in the Sultanate are classed as obese, according to research by Sultan Qaboos University. Doctors are seeing overweight children as young as three or four. As a result, cases of diabetes and heart disease in young adults are increasing. It’s proven that your eating habits can be formed as a child. What you learn to eat as a youngster can follow you into adulthood; meaning a junk food diet from a young age could set a person onto the path of unhealthy eating, and the associated health risks, for life. Which is why many believe that it is time to get tough with unhealthy eating among our kids. It is not just the responsibility of parents but schools, the government and society as a whole. This is why we have teamed up with Dovecote Nursery in Muscat for the #DovecoteLunchboxChallenge to encourage healthy eating among children. See p24 for details of how to enter. Team Y Note: Our editor Felicity will be back next week editor@y-oman.com

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Write to us at Y Magazine, SABCO Media, PO Box 3779, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman. AUG 11 - 17 / ISSUE 432

contents AUGUST

Your Oman

11 - 17 2016

16 #FYI

08 Voice Of Oman

10 News Traffic Fines Revised

17 Movies

12 News Meteor Showers to Light

18 This Week Be Happy

Fatin Al Zadjali

Up Oman Skies

20 Food For Thought Oman’s Child Obesity Crisis 24 Competition The #DovecoteLunch BoxChallenge

This Week

06 Coffee With Y Adnan Gabon Al Balushi

Features

Cheapest Countries To Live In

26 The Da Vinci of Oman Meeting artist Shaker Jalal

Bad Moms

13 Faces of Oman

14 Gallery Muscat University Open

Day

15 Hyundai – Driven To Success Noufal Salim Al Khanjari

Cars and Adventures

Food and Drink 28 Food Feature Red Hot Chillis 30 Taste Test Burger Station

38 Destination Jebel Akhdar 40 Outdoors Muscat Gymnastics

Health and Beauty

44 Y-Fi Sports Gadgets

32 Fashion Suit Up

46 Car Of The Week Kia Sorento

34 Beauty Beauty Tools 35 Health Making Babies

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

Restaurant owner, adventur er, fossil and meteorite colle ctor and filmmaker, Adnan Gabol al Balushi might just be one of the most prolific people in Oman, finds Alvin Thomas

et’s get the obvious out of computer shop to working as a fish and dry conditions in certain areas the way: Adnan Gabol aka trader. as there is no water to cause rust and Adnan “Google” is by far “At one point, I was very interested the most fascinating individual I’ve damage to these precious rocks.” in owning a fishing business so I ever spent time with. What sets him Adnan’s solitary journeys in search bought a three-ton truck and went apart, or how he is different from of meteorites are aided by a metal to areas such as Sur, Duqm and other people, is beyond my grasp. dete ctor as well as a “meteorite Sharmiyah in search of fresh fish, But I can assure you this – Adnan is seeker” that he created by combining and then brought them back to extremely knowledgeable, hence the Muscat for Oman Fisheries as well as a steel rod with a rare Grade N52 nickname“Google”. magnet. local markets,” he explains. I was slated to meet “Google” He has stumbled upon some But he closed down the business at the Second Cup coffee outlet at martian (rocks from Mars) and lunar after his partner took another job. Shatti – a spot that Adnan and his (rocks from the moon) too. Following this, Adnan ventured friends have devotedly adopted as “These rocks are extremely rare, into the agriculture business when he their usual hangout spot, meeting took over his father’s unused farm to and cannot be attracted by magnets. there every night for the past ten I am actually willing to present them cultivate vegetables. years. It sounds like an almost Friends to the country if need be,” he says. He still runs his farm. (90s US TV show)-like atmosphere, But delving deeper, I uncover Adnan’s journey as a collector has sipping coffee as they while away the Adnan’s fun side, which spans also landed him rare meteorites from hours into the night. meteorite collection, short Chi na, Russia, Chile and the USA In any case, I barged my way into filmmaking, photography, cooking, that he purc hased online. their little group for the interview. driving, free diving, fishing, reading, He is also the proud owner of Adnan, 36, jokes: “The Second gaming and collecting antiques. various dinosaur bones, as well as Cup is like my second home. As a His love for meteorites comes from a 2.6 million-year -old Megalodon matter of fact, the place is long shut, his fascination for physics. shark tooth (now an extinct species) before we even head back home.” “I absolutely love physics,” he tells that he is mos t effusive about. In the first few moments of our me. When Adnan is not collecting interview, I learn that Adnan’s family “I see it and apply it in everything I meteori runs a restaurant in Oman – the tes and rare bones, he is see around me.” collecting rare watches, gaming Omar Al Khayyam Restaurant , Adnan’s knowledge of meteorites, consoles and movies. which was established in 1973 by his and even the universe, comes from father. As of today, he has 20 watches his love of reading books and Born in Oman, Adnan spent inclu ding three SevenFridays watching documentaries. half his childhood in the United (incl udin g a rare 50-piece limited He tells me: “I cannot lie. I have States, studying at the Riverside many meteorites that I have acquired edition), more than 3,000 film DVDs Military Academy in Gainesville, and consoles ranging from the over the years. Georgia before heading back to the Play Station 1 to the PlayStation 4, “Just today, I found five of them. Sultanate and opting for a course in Nin tend o Wiis, and the Sega consoles “My preliminary examination the Modern College of Business and reveals that they have a fusion crust (a from 1996. Science, from which he dropped out. He has also directed two glass crust that is formed due to the However, he followed up heat when a meteorite blasts through documentaries, Regret (about a drug his education with a degree in addiction) and Jailed Without Crime the atmosphere) with metallic International Travel and Tourism (abo ut old-age homes in Pakistan). elements and chromites. (IATA) and also in fashion and street By the end of our interview, “I haven’t got to carbon dating photography from a French academy . (determining the age) them yet but I conclude that Adnan, with his I Today, Adnan handles all the still believe these pieces are millions multiple-hobbies and ventures, important functions of his family of years old.” is indeed a Google-like mine of business, and is also in the process When asked how he knows where info rmation but also the most of setting up a new restaurant, The to find these meteorites, Adnan inte resti ng person I have ever met! View, in Jebel Sifah. laughs, saying: “I have a good eye However, before taking over the Have you got a unique story to tell or do you for it. prestigious business, Adnan had know someone who has? Contact us to have “Oman’s climate is well-suited for multiple roles – from owning a coffee with Y and be featured in Y Magazine meteorites to thrive. There are arid . mail: editor@y-oman.com

AUG 11 - 17 / ISSUE 432

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re you a college or university student hungry to work with the best magazine in Oman? Y is looking for bright and ambitious interns to join us and learn the journalism ropes. This is very much a handson role with plenty of scope to get your name into print. You won’t just be making the tea – we all take turns doing that on Y – but given exciting chances to get involved on real assignments, write stories

and take photographs. One day you could be attending a press conference and the next, trying out the latest adventure sport. Knowledge of social media is a must, as is a “can do” attitude and willingness to get stuck in. While the position is unpaid, the opportunities are huge. If you are up to the challenge, email your CV and cover letter explaining why you’d be the best intern to editior@y-oman.com

AUG 11 - 17 / ISSUE 432

THE VOICE OF OMAN FATIN AL ZADJALI ON THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A PET

correspondence TIME TO GET TOUGH Dear Editor,

e are in a world where we coincide with Mother Nature. We find beautiful creatures from all walks of life roaming around the city of Muscat, from cats, dogs, birds and tiny ants. Unfortunately, many of these animals are left in the streets with no nutrition and grimy water. As a pet owner, to four energetic cats, I want to tell you about the benefits of having pets. Firstly, you are saving a life. Huge numbers of cats and dogs are put down if they don’t get adopted. In addition, 1,000’s of dogs and cats are left to perish on the streets. Secondly, pets are known to give mental, physical and emotional benefits to us. For example, they help our social skills, they keep us content, and they improve our heart stability. On a personal note, my cats taught me how to be responsible. The same way I wake up every morning and search for breakfast, they’ll knock and scratch my door at 7am craving their fair share of biscuit treats. At the same time, how can you resist those furry paws, charming eyes and feisty attitude that they carry around all day long? Also, do not forget they will provide entertainment every day, from trying to catch outside birds from behind the window pane to getting terrified from mosquitos; these pets will make your phone gallery a viral video. Owning a pet can redefine your lifestyle but can also transform it.

NEXT WEEK:

HEATHER DUNCAN

AUG 11 - 17 / ISSUE 432

‘The Offenders’ (Issue 431) is an eye opener and a clarion call, besides being a grim reminder of the spat of road accidents, as laid bare by the data and statistics presented by Y. The recent Al Khuwair accident was a wake-up call. Now the 21 latest amendments to the original law, which will be in force from September 3, are sure to bring in some radical deterrence as it covers a host of traffic offences by a way fine and/or imprisonment. ‘Better late than never’ used to be the punch line of olden days. Nowadays, it is fast, careless, reckless driving with scant respect to personal life as well as that of others, overtaking as the adage. For some it is a passion while for some others, it is a sadistic pleasure of bullying others, not realising the fact that their own lives can be under peril. If for a split second, they rethink and remember there is a family that awaits them back home; most of these offences can be checked to an extent. Finally it is the mindset, an attitude of indifference if they are fined or in or out of

DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: “Who is responsible for children eating healthily? Is it parents, schools or the government, or all three?” BECCA OLSON

Kids understand a lot more than most people give them credit for. Governments, parents and schools can, and should, work together to educate children about the dangers of processed foods and the problem of overeating. With proper information, most kids will choose to

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jail; though they know it is the family that would be at wit’s end. The Sultanate of Oman like any other country is leaving no stone unturned to bring in required awareness in this direction as well enforce measures to scale down accident rates. Hopefully the new zero tolerance on motoring offences will bring a decrease as the dubious distinction that Oman enjoys on this count is damning, putting the whole country to shame. Regards, Dr Suddapalli Bhaskara Rao, Ruwi *p10 Zero tolerance to bad driving with new laws eat things that make them feel good. And yet, what is available in the house for snacks and meals determines most of what a child will eat. If there’s just bananas, apples, yoghurt or toast to choose from in my house, my son will choose one of those snacks every time. With sugary beverages as a main contributor to obesity and disease, we are considering making water the only drink option in our home other than for special occasions (but that means giving up my own cola addiction!). During the early years (0-5) kids form eating habits for life. Marketers display cartoon characters on every sugary cereal while on television, sports stars and celebrities endorse fizzy and energy drinks. Let’s be good role models to the little ones who are always watching us.

KARLA CALAPARDO

The parents, school and government: all of them

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are responsible for the child eating habits. First are the parents because the primary phase of children lives are at home. If the mom teaches her baby to eat vegetable at the early stage of lives then the child will not be disgusted of vegetable like most children are. Second is at school. Teachers are teaching students the benefits of food in our body but it isn’t enough. For example, in school snack time, school principals must make sure that the cafeteria is not selling or serving junk food like soft drinks. Third is the government; advocacy for healthy food eating awareness must be made and done. It helps individuals, parents and teachers to know that this issue is serious, that healthy eating is very important in our lives, so they can tell children that eating the right kind of food are very good for your body.

RODNEY WOODS

Even though this calls for collective responsibility, parents have a major role. The government can do its bit by banning harmful additives in food, imposing a “Fat Tax” on junk food and controlling excessive advertising and promotion of junk food; Schools in turn need to educate kids regarding the detriments of consuming processed foods and foods high in saturated fats and stress the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. Parents will need to walk the talk and practice what they preach to kids whether it is encouraging their kids to exercise, participate in sports and in eating healthy and wellbalanced diets.

GAUTAM GHOSH DASTIDAR

The topic is a very good food for thought. Although the government is the lawmaker, a lawbreaker might always be overlooked! Not only food that has non-natural ingredients but also most of the cooking operations except boiling are equally unhealthy. But at the same time foodaholic people are also consumers. The junk food industry is the highest taxpayer across the modern times. People in close proximity of the child are therefore liable to be called to account. Intake of outside food starts long joining schools. What’s more, most parents give hard cash to the schoolchildren in lieu of homemade refreshments. The sinless Eves and Adams would then obviously prefer anything more eye-catching, aromatic and toothsome to the Eden of nourishment!

DAANISH SYED

Children are the future of any nation. If our children eat healthily they will have overall proper growth. And a healthy body leads to a healthy mind. And a healthy mind has healthy (good) ideas. So, in order to have a strong and healthy nation we should be very careful what our children are eating. Parents and schools (teachers) play a vital role in this in comparison to the government. A government only implements what it thinks is good for the society but it is our duty to give correct assistance and inputs to the government. All three should work in conjunction.

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parents’ efforts to create a healthy environment for their children.

SUNIL JOHN MARTIN

It is a combination of all three. Parents should inculcate in their children a love of healthy food and not junk food. The school and government should create more awareness about the benefits of healthy food.

SYED BOKHARI

No doubt it’s the foremost duty of the parents to look after their children’s eating habit, as they are the one who have brought them up and know exactly about their nourishment. Children are observed annually by the government, which plays a significant role in their eating healthily. So I personally feel it’s the parents who can take real responsibility for their children eating healthily, according to their age and requirement. Companies who prepare food for children of all ages should be obliged to make healthier and fresh food keeping in mind that the children of today are the symbol and future of a healthier nation. Healthy children represent a healthy country.

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the importance of eating healthy foods. Healthy foods and not junk foods must be available at the school cafeteria. The government must have health programs for the proper development of a child with importance given to orphans and abandoned kids. As the lyrics of a famous song states, “I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside...”

ELIZABETH JOSEPH

Charity begins at home. Initial eating habits begin at home. Parents play a vital role in providing healthy food for the children, beginning with breastfeeding. Children need adequate nutrition for their physical and mental wellbeing. Later comes school. Teachers play an important role in student’s life and wellbeing. Public awareness is of great importance. The benefits of healthy eating habits and a healthy lifestyle can made known to the community through public awareness campaigns and more. So parents, schools and the government are all responsible for children eating healthily.

RONNEIL SALES VALIENTE

Parents, schools, and government have their own duties and responsibilities to ensure that the child is eating healthy foods. They must collaborate and help each other in order for a child to eat well and be healthy. However, it is the parents who have the greater responsibility in ensuring that the child is eating healthy foods at home since the family is the first and most important agent of socialisation where the child is exposed from the time he is born until the time he will have his own family. Most of the children today look up for their parents and teachers as their role models. Schools must see to it that they have instilled and created awareness in the mind of a child

New Debate: “How best can society and the government protect migrant workers who come to Oman from being exploited?”

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WAFAA EL ANANY

Not only parents but everyone, including the food and entertainment industries, government, media, schools and local communities, must support

AUG 11 - 17 / ISSUE 432

YOUR

OMAN B

NEWS

NEWS LAWS TO PUT BRAKES ON BAD DRIVING

ad drivers beware. Oman will soon be adopting a zero tolerance approach to motoring offences with heftier fines and prison sentences. Some of the new fines laid out in the Royal Decree 38/2016 issued by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said are almost 10 times that of the previous level. The crackdown comes just a week after Y reported on then Sultanate’s deadly roads (Issue 431, Aug 4). In a single journey, we saw an array of motoring offences, from reckless speeding to using a mobile fine while driver, being committed. The Royal Oman Police (ROP) will enforce the new laws from September 4, giving motorists three weeks to prepare themselves. Punishments range from the lowest jail term of 10 days to a maximum of four years. Fines start from RO100 up to a RO3,000, as the government seeks to hit bad drivers where it hurts – in the wallet. Drivers caught with a mobile phone “in hand” or any other electrical equipment can face 10 days in jail or a fine of up to RO300, in comparison to the previous RO35 fine. Speeding is also on the radar with much tougher measures. Article 50 states that imprisonment of no less than 10 days and not more than two months, and a fine of not less than RO100 and not more than RO500, or either of these punishments, will be inflicted to those who drive fast and recklessly, dangerously, or risks others’ lives or put property in danger.

Overtaking dangerously in a no overtaking zone, or overtaking from the shoulder of the road will also be considered a serious offence. A fine of a maximum of RO3,000 and no less than RO1,000, and a minimum jail term of six months and no more than two years, will be slapped on offenders who have caused an accident, resulting in death or permanent disabling of the victim as a result of negligence, drunk driving or recklessness. Anyone caught driving under the influence of alcohol or any psychotropic substances will face a jail term of between one and six months and a fine between RO400 and RO800. If any offences on the road result in the death of another person, drivers are looking at up to three years in prison and fines up to RO3,000. Negligent driving alone will carry a fine of RO300.

INDIA MOVES TO PROTECT FEMALE WORKERS IN OMAN AND GCC

n an effort to tackle the exploitation of Indian female workers in Oman and other parts of the GCC, any job offer must come through an approved agency, the Indian government has announced. This week, the Indian Government listed at least six manpower agencies as a means of obtaining a legal job and visa to enter Oman to put an end to mistreatment and abuse of Indian female workers after the issue was raised in the Parliament. The Indian ambassador to Oman was also reported to have confirmed that the embassy is working with the Sultanate to implement the new rules. “We have shared the list of agencies with the government of Oman. We will work together with the Oman government for smooth implementation of the decision,” stated Indra

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AUG 11 - 17 / ISSUE 432

Mani Pandey, during an interview with local media. Recently, there had been reports of Indian female workers entering Oman through unofficial channels, after being tricked into jobs by illegal employment agencies.

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AUTOMOTIVE ENTHUSIASTS WITNESSED THE LAUNCH OF THE INFINITI Q30, A PREMIUM COMPACT, AT AN EXCLUSIVE EVENT HELD AT ITS SHOWROOM IN MUSCAT. BUILT WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY MATERIALS AND WITH THE MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, THE Q3 HOPES TO MAKE A BOLD STATEMENT IN THE MARKET.

Photos: Shaquel al Balushi

AUG 11 - 17 / ISSUE 432

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YOUR

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

PIKA-WOOF

Is this just another funny dog story? Possibly, but some might argue that this is against animal rights. We personally feel bad for the dog. Why do we feel bad? Well, it looks like this poor little Pomeranian from Brighton, UK, is victim to the latest Pokémon Go fad that has swept the world. So what happened? A Pokémon Go fan apparently dyed his own pet in yellow, black and red - the colours of the much sought after Pokémon, Pikachu. Other than that, not much is known. People on social media went ballistic after an unknown source uploaded a video of the little dyed dog. What if this isn’t such a bad thing after all? True, this might seem like a cruel prank to some but to be fair, the dog doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, it seems be revelling its new colours, happily hopping and playing with another “normal” dog. Will it be ok? We certainly hope the owner used animal-friendly dyes! But for now, it seems to have had no ruff side effects. Don’t say: “You look a bit yellow”. Do say: “Like your style!” 012

AUG 11 - 17 / ISSUE 432

METEOR SHOWER TO LIGHT UP OMAN SKIES

f you’re out and about at the weekend, look up to the sky. Residents of Oman are set to be treated to a spectacular show put on by Mother Nature when the Perseid meteor shower’ a cosmic display, will leave long multi-coloured streaks of light in the summer night sky. The Perseids shower is an annual phenomenon that is visible from mid-July, with a sharp peak in activity between August 9 and 14. The best chance to witness the shower in the Sultanate will be on August 12 [Friday] at around 11pm and on the 13th at 4.30am. The shower comprises of debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle - a comet that orbits the Sun every 133 years. This debris then hits the Earth’s atmosphere, during which they disintegrate, sketching long flares of light in the sky. Speaking to local media, Ali Amur al Shaibani, a member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, said: “Perseids is the best and biggest shower occurring during summer. “Meteor showers usually last for days or even weeks as in the case of Perseids. These showers, also known

as Barshawiat or Farsawiat, begin in mid-July and continue till August end.” During the peak of activity, more than 80 meteors are expected to grace the atmosphere per hour and at speeds of 60km per second. In this year’s shower, the ‘outburst effect’ is expected to exceed over 200 flares because the conditions are ideal, according to a report from NASA, the US government space agency. Jebel Shams, the highest mountain in the Sultanate with a summit a 3,075m, is being tipped as one of the hotspots to witness the event. “We plan to lie back to watch the peak showers at midnight of August 12,” said local astro enthusiast Sangeetha Sridhar from Muscat. “We can watch it with naked eyes, without even needing a telescope. The half-illuminated moon, cloud cover and precipitation play a major role in the number of meteors you are likely to see.” For the best chanced to see the showers, you will have to position your view towards the northeast section of a clear sky.

TWINKLE’S A LITTLE STAR CAN YOU BE HER NEW OWNER?

edraggled, afraid and exhausted, the stray dark grey dog seen running around near Al Mouj Muscat looked to be facing a very uncertain future. Her luck was about to change, though. Spotted by a local resident Emma Agnew, who took pity on the poor creature, her fortunes were on the up. “I had seen her around for a few months and I felt sorry for her,” said Emma. “I just couldn’t bear for her to be on the streets.” Emma managed to catch the pooch. “She was worn out, dehydrated and basically had given up. When I caught her, she didn’t put up any resistance as she was so weak. “I took her home with the help of my daughter and her friend. We bathed her, gave her some food and water and settled her down for the night.” The next day, Emma took her to PetCare Veterinary Clinic in Al Mouj Muscat for a check up. The staff immediately recognised the dog as Twinkle, a regular to the clinic with her owner. Underneath all that matted fur it turned out that Twinkle is actually a pedigree Schnauzer, a type of terrier that originated in Germany. A good bath and cut soon revealed the true Twinkle. Twinkle was found to have anemia and ehrlichiosis (an

illness transmitted by ticks) and the vet wasn’t sure if she would make it but she pulled through. “She is a survivor, you cannot believe it,” said Dr Svetlana Egorova, who treated Twinkle. “After they brought her here, I did not think she would survive but after two days, she was barking and lively. “She is a very sweet and smart dog.” When the vets contacted the previous owner, it turned out Twinkle had been rehomed a few months before in Mawaleh. Either she was turned out or ran away. Emma is looking after Twinkle, who will be two in October, for now but with two dogs of her own is looking for a forever home for her. Twinkle would benefit from some training and would be better in a home with no other animals with owners who can give her the time, love and attention that she needs. She would love going on adventures at the weekends in wadis and mountains, so an outdoor person would be perfect. She seems to be frightened of men but this can be overcome with time. “She loves kids and is a beautiful dog,” says Emma. “Once she trusts you, she is a wonderful pet.” Can you offer Twinkle a happy ending to her tail? Contact Y at editor@y-oman.com or call Emma Agnew on 9225 3884.

aces of

Oman

Welcome to Yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weekly photo series that profiles the diverse characters who call the Sultanate home Name: Lamya Saif al Mawali Age: 32 From: Oman Occupation: Makeup artist

Photo: Shaquel al Balushi

AUG 11 - 17 / ISSUE 432

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OMAN

OMAN’S NEW HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION, MUSCAT UNIVERSITY, WHICH IS DUE TO START OFFERING COURSES FROM SEPTEMBER, IS HOLDING OPEN DAYS FOR WOULDBE STUDENTS AT THE CHILDREN’S PUBLIC LIBRARY IN QURUM

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THIS MONTH.

OMANI PHOTOGRAPHER MOHAMED ALBADAAI WAS AWARDED SECOND PLACE IN THE 6TH EDITION OF THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ABU DHABI’S PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITON “MOMENTS AWARDS 2016” FOR THIS STUNNING IMAGE DEPICTING THE MAKING OF MAQADID, A TRADITIONAL MEAT DELICACY, MADE BY ARTISANS IN THE DHOFAR REGION.

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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

DRIVEN TO

SUCCESS

After graduating from Oman Tourism College and Aberdeen Business School in the UK, Noufal Salim al Khanjari, 37, began his career in 1997 as a front office manager at Novotel. He then worked for Al Tayer Group as a store manager and also for Salam Stores, as a divisional manager for L’Oreal Professional products, before moving onto the position of country retail manager and then as the country manager for the entire company. Today, he is the general manager of Oman Luxury, which operates Paris Gallery in Oman. Paris Gallery is one of the largest luxury retailers in the entire Middle East. Q: What drives you to success? It has to be the passion and being open to taking up new challenges that drives me to attaining success. Looking at my work history, you can understand that I shifted from the hospitality and hotel management sector to retail and distribution. They were extremely hard challenges but I worked extremely hard and that’s how I reached where I am today. Q: Who or what has been your inspiration? One person who inspires me a lot in my

current job is Mohamad Jaber, the group marketing and communications manager at Paris Gallery. I worked very closely with him and I remember he had to undertake a lot of responsibilities around the globe. However, any time I call him, even now, he responds and is always ready to help. This is a person who never says no. Q: What is your biggest career success to date? Becoming the general manager of Oman Luxury has to the biggest career success for me to date. It was a dream come true and I hope to use my skills and experience to satisfy everyone from the top to the lower level staff. I go by the saying: “Retail is detail” so keeping the customer satisfied is key, and to do that I keep an eye on every single detail, from the choice of brands, to the overall ambience, atmosphere and hospitality we provide. Q: What are your career goals? I am on a mission to make Paris Gallery the number one retail store for luxury goods in Oman. Paris Gallery is certainly the number one store in the entire GCC but we have yet to capitalise fully the Omani market. To achieve that, I give my staff training to the highest standards possible, and also give them technical knowledge on the various products we offer. Keeping our staff happy is also one

THE RIDE IS QUIET, AND THE SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT LEVELS ARE UNMATCHED. ALL IN ALL, IT IS A GREAT DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND UNQUESTIONABLY A CAR TO TRANSPORT YOU IN STYLE AND LUXURY. of the ways we can give our customers a positive feeling while shopping. Whenever people think of visiting a luxury retail store, they must think of Paris Gallery. Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? I can see myself as the chief operations officer of Oman Luxury, with no fewer than 400 employees in the next 10 years. Maybe by that time, I will also be handling a group of companies, and not just Paris Gallery. We are aiming to bring brands like the Ferrari Store, Etro and Salvatore Ferragamo to the Omani market. Q: What do you like about the Genesis, the premium series of Hyundai Motor Company? The Genesis drive was an amazing experience for me. The car looks great from the front and back and has a beautiful side profile too. I like the luxurious feeling the cabin offers the driver and passengers with its rich upholstery and fittings. The ride is quiet, and the safety and equipment levels are unmatched. All in all, it is a great driving experience and unquestionably a car to transport you in style and luxury. AUG 11 - 17 / ISSUE 432

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Top 10 most cheapest cities to live in ❶ Windhoek, Namibia

❷ Cape Town, South Africa

❸ Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

❹ Blantyre, Malawi

❺ Johannesburg, South Africa

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Tunis, Tunisia ❼

Karachi, Pakistan ❽

Gaborone, Botswana ❾

Lusaka, Zambia ❿ Source: Mercer's annual 2016 Cost of Living Rankings

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Minsk, Belarus ❻

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

Suicide Squad

Bad Moms What happens when a working mom tries to make her kid’s life ‘amazing and magical’? She loses the status of being a perfect mom, and turns into a bad mom! And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, considering how hard it must be juggling work and motherhood. So when Amy (Mila Kunis, who has recently become a mom), Carla (Kathryn Hahn) and Kiki (Kristen Bell) turn into seemingly bad, yet cool moms, we look at them in awe. Sure, Amy is living a dream: she’s a beautiful woman with a perfect life, a successful marriage, well-behaved kids, a beautiful home and a blitzing career but somehow, she’s got it all tangled up. And that’s what makes this movie interesting. Directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore – the same guys who co-wrote The Hangover – the movie is certainly a cut

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 What is the name of Amy's mom nemesis in Bad Moms? LAST WEEK'S WINNER Gazar Khalid

over the other chick-flicks (Mother’s Day) of this year – providing both humour and a warts-and-all take on motherhood. Mila Kunis’s portrayal of a stressed mother-of-two is fairly solid, and Hahn and Bell excel in the angst-ridden roles of two women balancing their personal lives with their suburban lifestyles. Even Gwendolyn (Christina Applegate), an uptight PTA president who is also Amy’s biggest roadblock, is quite likeable, given the scenario of the flick. It’s a cliché role, but Applegate plays it with absolute wickedness. This may not be the funniest comedy flick of the year but it is certainly up there. Bad Moms is for all the mothers out there who don’t have nannies to mind the kids, and who turn multi-tasking into an art-form. Review by Alvin Thomas.

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

When secret service hawk Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) has a job that’s downright dangerous, who better to take it on than a bunch of supervillains in the slammer? The group, led by fasttalking hitman Deadshot (Will Smith) must take down the evil Enchantress (Cara Delevingne) who has an unusual way of recruiting men as her slaves.

However, giving this lot a load of lethal government weapons is not going to end well. This is the latest, if lesser-known incarnation from the DC Comics stable. Still, with familiar oddballs such as The Joker (Jared Leto) around, it’s worth a look.

Ice Age: Collision Course Manny, Diego and Sid and their pals are all living happily when an impending disaster looms to disrupt their Ice Age idyll. An asteroid will soon hit a nearby mountain and cause their extinction, as a result of an accident caused by Scrat the squirrel over where to store his acorn. This all means it’s time for a sharp exit, with another adventure packed with battles with pirates, myriad colourful sea creatures and thrills and spills a-plenty. Kids ten and under will love this one. As for adults, eat your popcorn and grin and bear it.

Bollywatch JAGGA JASOOS Jagga (Ranbir Kapoor) turns detective to find his missing father and ropes in his lovelorn girlfriend (Katrina Kaif) who is more than happy to lend a hand. The sassy but smart couple could possibly be construed as India’s answer to Agatha Christie’s Tommy and Tuppence. However, Kaif’s martial arts skills bring back memories of Diana Rigg’s Mrs Peel in the 60s TV series The Avengers. This is a feel-good, comedy drama, the release of which was delayed but is no less welcome for all that. Great fun! Written and directed by Anurag Basu. In Hindi, with Arabic subtitles.

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THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

DIVING FOR ALL

AUG

Scuba diving offers a special experience for everyone, regardless of age and physical ability. Euro-Divers Oman is offering entry-level courses especially developed for people with physical or mental disabilities who have little or no experience in the underwater world. Learning to dive can give a sense of freedom and adventure, which comes with weightlessness. All ‘Diving for Disabled’ courses are free and held in association with the Oman Disabled Divers Associaton (ODDA) and the International Association for Handicapped Divers (IAHD). This next event is at Marina Bandar al Rowdha from 8am. Contact Euro-Divers Oman on 9819 4444, tweet @EuroDivers_OMN or search Euro-Divers Oman on Facebook.

REGGAE TIME

WEEK

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

A U G U S T

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Last month’s Reggae Party at On the Rocks bar and restaurant in Muscat was so popular that they’re laying on another one. This time, it’s being taken to another level with a live bongo player appearing with the DJs. Back are the top DJ team of DJ Teddy Jam and Capital F. If you don’t want to sit outside and ask others how the party went, we strongly suggest you arrive early, as the last party was almost full by midnight. You’ll find On The Rocks next to the Golden Tulip Seeb Hotel. Doors open 10pm. Entry is free for ladies, with RO10 on the door for guys.

SMILE!

THIS

AUG

If you’re in need of an injection of positivity or want to get your happiness quotient up, then write the details down for this event. The Art of Living Oman is holding a ‘Think Happy, Be Happy’ workshop to bring out the best in you. Enjoy light yoga and meditation as you discover tools and techniques for a happier life and the power of breathing. The venue is the Al Ain Ballroom at City Seasons Hotel in Al Khuwair. It’s on from 7pm-9pm, with doors opening at 6.30pm. Event fee is RO3. Entry is by preregistration only at artofliving.org/om-en. Contact 9493 4617/4618 for more details, or email aoloman@gmail.com

AUG 24

Gallery

Movies It’s been described as the ultimate feel-good summer song to get you into the sunshine groove, just what you need living in Oman. We’re talking Can’t Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake, the first new song he has released since 2013. The American singer recorded it for the soundtrack to the upcoming film Trolls, for which he is executive music producer. It’s still in the current Top 10 Official Singles Downloaded list. Check it out. We bet you’ll be dancing within seconds!

READ THIS This book could change your life. Two million copies of the international bestseller The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art Of Decluttering and Organizing have been sold so far this year – making it one of the best selling books on Amazon in 2016. Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo gives you a simple step-by-step guide to banish clutter forever and simplify your life.

JOIN THE GUILD

LISTEN TO THIS AUG

If you’re a woman who has just arrived in Muscat and want to make some new friends or if you’ve always planned to joined the Women’s Guild in Oman (WGO) but have never got round to it, here’s your chance. There’s a membership registration evening going on at More Café in Al Mouj, Muscat, from 6pm-7pm. Pop along and sign on the dotted line. For more info about the WGO, take a look at womensguildoman.com

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SUPER SIZE ME

CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS FOUR ARE BEING CLASSED AS OBESE, AND DIABETES IN OMAN’S YOUNG IS AT ALARMING LEVELS. IS IT TIME TO GET TOUGH ON THE YOUNG JUNK FOOD GENERATION? KATE GINN REPORTS

eated in a high chair, a toddler reaches out his chubby little fingers for the chip being proffered by his mother. His older sister aged around five is tucking enthusiastically into a small burger, sipping on a fizzy drink in between bites. A stroll around one of the mall food courts in Muscat is quite an eye-opener on the eating habits of some of Oman’s younger residents. On the same evening, Y saw small children being fed or eating every conceivable type of fast food. Some were too young to make their own choices. It’s not hard to see why the numbers of overweight children in the Sultanate over the past few years is growing like an expanding waistline. The poor diets and sedentary lifestyles of the iPad generation have been blamed for this explosion. Y spoke to one health worker who says children as young as three or four are being seen with signs of obesity – a shocking statistic in

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any country. “Unfortunately, we are facing a lot of childhood obesity in this country. It is a serious concern,” says Monika Seth, a nutritionist and weight loss consultant at Aster Al Raffah Hospital in Muscat. “My patients are from six to seven years onwards but I did see a girl who was in Class I (age five). “Some children will grow up to continue unhealthy eating habits as adults and be at risk of the diseases that are associated with that.” Oman is not alone. High levels of obesity among youngsters in the Middle East region are higher than the global average, leaving them open to develop diabetes and other health conditions. Around nine to 11 per cent of children in Oman are classed as obese, according to the College of Medicine And Health Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University. The knock-on effect is that high cholesterol and heart disease,

usually found in the middle-aged, are being seen in people in their early 20s in the Sultanate. Obese adolescents also have a higher risk of developing prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels suggest the future development of diabetes. In the week a zero tolerance approach to bad driving was announced with a Royal Decree bringing in tough new laws for motoring offences, perhaps the government should consider doing the same for unhealthy eating habits in children. A “fast food tax” being considered by some countries might be a step too far for Oman right now but who knows in the future. Imagine what positive effects that might have on the health of our children and future adults? “Childhood obesity has become a big problem in the Gulf and Middle East,” agrees Dr Mohammed Jassim, who works in special paediatrics at Burjeel Medical Centre in Azaiba, Muscat. “And we can expect it to become more serious in the next 10 to 20 years unless it is corrected. “It needs public awareness so that more people notice and understand this problem.” Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as taking junk food off the menu. Tackling the issue needs to focus on finding the root cause and establishing where the responsibility lies. Parents are, of course, the first place to start, as children absorb and learn habits from those around them. “Parents should play a very important role model for healthy eating habits,” agrees Monika Seth. “Children definitely tend to follow their parents’ lead. It is up to parents to give them a balanced diet and nutrition. In my experience, if the parents are eating a lot of junk food, skipping meals or generally eating unhealthily, the children will do the same.” She also believes schools could be more proactive in encouraging good eating habits in their pupils. “Schools and groups can play a very important role. Teachers can be given training in healthy weight and risk factors. If there is a problem, then the parents can be called for counselling. “But in my view this is also a problem for wider society. The whole community should unite together and do something.” She has a point. Placing all the responsibility on the shoulders of parents is perhaps an unfair burden. Speak to any parent and most will tell you of a battle of wills with their toddlers, small children and tweens to get them to eat healthily. It can be an exhausting battle of wills. Never underestimate the children’s trump card: pester power. What parent hasn’t at some time given in to the child’s demands for a quieter life? It’s something that Emma Agnew, a Muscat mum with

two daughters, knows only too well. “I do try to be strict with my girls,” says Emma, who has Jazmin, 15, and 11-year-old Samika. “My oldest is pretty good. She loves any type of fruit but my youngest has to be pushed a bit more although she’s now eating watermelon. “Did I give in to pester power when they were younger? Yes absolutely. They do say that you should never let them have things like fizzy drinks from a young age and it’s true. If they never have them from the start, they don’t know what they’re missing. My mum was really, really strict with me. “My advice to parents would be never to give them anything like that. “I do feel a pressure as it’s pushed down our throats that our children need to be eating healthily and I do think it’s really important.” Where possible, the family tries to go for the healthy option. “My husband tends to eat really healthily and I have been making smoothies with vegetable and fruit,” says Emma. “My youngest one would drink cola all day if she could but I now limit her to one a day. “When we first moved here it was a real fight at first to get the girls to drink water but they’re very good now. “I never make chips or anything like that and we eat fresh fish. I also make food, like chicken or pasta, for the youngest to take to school for her lunch. “I let the girls have a McDonald’s once a week after school as a treat.” Other parents find it harder to resist their children. One local mum in a mall food court with her children seems exasperated by their constant demands for junk food and tells Y that it is easier to let them have their way. “They want this food and ask for it all the time so what can I do?” she says. “I don’t like them to have it all the time but they do not like to eat anything else. When I come to shop, it is here and they want it.” It doesn’t help, of course, that the mall is planned so the children’s arcade and play areas are often placed next to or near the food court. In many cases, parents have to walk through the food court with all the smells, sights and sounds calling out to the small ones, to get to the play zone.

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However, if parents knew the potential damage that their children could suffer as a result of the junk food diet they might not be so quick to acquiesce to their little ones’ demands. “Childhood obesity can lead to diabetes and it can cause stunting in growth and short stature,” says Dr Jassim. “We also see respiratory problems, joint problems and children with morbid obesity can even have cardiovascular problems. “If it goes uncontrolled it becomes more and more severe. “Problems like fatty change in the liver (fatty liver disease, a build up of extra fat in the liver) is common in the West but it is seen more and now in the Gulf due to the fast food diet.” Being overweight can also have a psychological, as well as physical, effect on a child. Problems such as bullying and low self-esteem can cause tremendous anguish to a child, who may not be able to articulate what is happening to parents and teachers. “An overweight child can stand out in a group and it can be a source of fun for other children,” says Monika Seth. “It can affect a child’s morale and their confidence. “They also might not be able to take part in school sports or activities, which again makes them stand out as different. It can have a negative impact in many ways.” Peer pressure, a strong influence in the playground, and the need to fit in can have an adverse effect too. Emma Agnew has noticed that her youngest daughter and friends are very body aware. “They know about nutrition and talk about their weight. These are 11-year-olds taking about their weight. “That’s how society is now. I feel it’s really scary.” Bringing about a change in eating habits in Oman will mean a huge shift in cultural

attitudes, which takes time. In the meantime, the health workers on the front line continue to fight the battle of the bulge with their young patients. “Kids are more difficult to manage than adults but we work with the parents to make changes,” says Dr Jassim. “We encourage the children to be more active, playing more outdoors, and increasing play inside. “You have to look at the family’s eating habits too. Sometimes when you have an overweight child of three or four years old, it is because of the nutritional habits of the mother and sometimes they want their children to look plump. “We follow up with the family and child. By doing these things, we can control it to an extent.” Monika Seth believes a more strident approach by the government to the issue should be on the menu. “The Ministry of Health has done some initiatives in schools (such as weighing children every six months) but in my view, it needs to be more aggressive. “Something to discourage junk food would also be beneficial, as well as looking at ways to make the food courts less attractive.” Some might argue that parents need to learn a lesson on how to be tougher on healthy eating too, by adopting a zero tolerance policy of their own – pester power or no pester power. As mum Emma Agnew says: “You just have to stick to your guns. Otherwise they (the kids) will just walk all over you. “You have to a make a decision and stick with it.”

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9-11% children in Oman classed as obese 3-4 years, youngest age of overweight children in Oman 7,000 cases of diabetes registered in Oman every year 30.0% of Oman’s population classified as obese 37.7% of Oman’s female residents tip the obesity scales 27.7% of Oman’s male residents are obese 1,400 deaths from cardiovascular disease in Oman every year 1,000 lives lost to diabetes-related illnesses in Oman every year

u Eat t Yo ha

You Are

TIPS TO GET YOUR KIDS EATING HEALTHILY

or weight, should consult a doctor or professional, such as a nutritionist, who can offer advice. “Children sometimes don’t listen to their parents and will be more cooperative with someone from outside the family,” says Monika. “A professional can offer counselling, awareness and nutritional support. We do see positive developments in children over a period of time.”

*So urc e: i nfo ple as

e.co m/ calo riek ing .com

anning fast food completely is not always the best way, according to Monika Seth, nutritionist at Aster Al Raffah Hospital in Muscat. “I won’t say it’s a complete no-no when it comes to fast food. I have nothing against it in moderation, say once a week.” Her trick for coping with pester power is to allow children a little leeway but make sure you, as the parent, keeps control. For example, if your little one pesters for a McDonald’s, allow them to have a burger but replace the fries with a salad or nothing at all. One thing Monika is very strict on, however, is fizzy drinks. “These are a big no-no,” she stresses. One way to get your child gently introduced to the idea of healthy eating is the 80/20 method, suggests Monika. This is where healthy food is given during the week but on weekends, a “cheat’s day” is allowed where the child can indulge in a treat, such as a burger, sweeties or having popcorn on a trip to the cinema. “I meet many parents who want to prohibit their child from having any kind of unhealthy food. It’s not required to be that strict,” says Monika. “Some dark or nutty chocolate, for instance, can be a good sweet treat. It’s about balance. Completing banning certain foods can lead to pester power and a sense from the child that they are missing out.” Tasty replacements are also a good idea. For sweet treats, swap your child’s bag of sweeties for a plate of fresh fruit, with natural sweeteners. Making shapes or faces with pieces of fruit will make it fun and interesting for little ones. Any parents concerned about their child’s eating habits

O fizzy drink hnasaverage a sugar in a 330m more than six teaspoon s of l serving! Junk foods hig h in fat: • Crisps • Biscuits • Cakes • Pastries and • Ice creams doughnuts • Milkshakes • French Fries • Hot Dogs • Cof fee drink s made with w hole milk Junk foods hig h • Soda, sweet in sugar: tea and fr uit fl drinks avoured • Sweets • Biscuits • Cakes • Ice cream • Sweetened co ffee drinks Junk foods hig h in salt: • Chips • Crackers • Cheese puff • Hot dogs s • French Fries

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH

The #DovecoteLunchboxChallenge

COMPETITION Every parent wants their child to grow up healthy and strong. One of the most important things a parent can do is to make sure their child eats a varied, balanced diet packed with all the nutrients needed for a healthy development.

Research shows that what children

eat and drink during their early years can affect their health and eating habits for many years to come and well into adulthood.

TO TAKE PART IN #DOVECOTELUNCHBOXCHALLENGE COMPETITION PARENTS NEED TO:

Eating habits are formed in the first few years of life. It is essential to encourage children to eat good, healthy, nutritional food from a young age. Dovecote Nursery in Muscat, a top childcare facility offering a premium, British Early Years Foundation School (EYFS) curriculum, values the benefits of healthy eating for little ones in Oman. And, with the new academic year around the corner, wants to help others see value in healthy eating, too. This is why the nursery, based in Shatti Al Qurum, is launching the #DovecoteLunchboxChallenge, an initiative to motivate the Sultanate’s youngsters into eating healthy food.

TAKE A PICTURE OF YOUR CHILD AGED 4 AND UNDER WITH A HEALTHY SNACK

UPLOAD YOUR PHOTO ON ytabloid

USE THE HASHTAG #DOVECOTELUNCHBOXCHALLENGE

@ymagazine @ytabloid

WINNERS

WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN OUR SEPTEMBER 8 ISSUE

Let your imagination and that of your child’s shine!

Dovecote Muscat believes in nurturing children into confident and independent pupils. This includes reinforcing healthy eating and fostering a positive association with food from the early years.

“Here at Dovecote, we see children’s health and well-being as an important part of their learning and development. Education around food and healthy eating forms a part of our curriculum and daily routine. We provide healthy snacks each day eaten in groups, strengthening the relationship between staff and children. We often cook together or taste different foods together. It is really important for us to encourage children and families to cook and eat together using healthy food and fresh, nutritious ingredients.” Helen Cairns - Manager of Dovecote Nursery

“I’m really looking forward to seeing some amazing entries in the competition,” - says Helen. “We encourage children to enjoy their favourite snacks. The more creative and imaginative the better. Why not try making your favourite animal or cartoon character out of fruit and veggies or some healthy cereal bars using fresh ingredients? We’re looking forward to seeing all the entries!”

The judges – a panel of school practitioners and senior leadership staff of Dovecote Nursery and its stakeholders - will choose three winners.

THERE ARE GREAT PRIZES UP FOR GRABS, SO DON’T MISS OUT!

PRIZES

1 +2

Taster week at Dovecote Nursery + Lunchbox & Toy

OTHER WINNERS (Prizes to be announced soon)

Dovecote Nursery Muscat Villa No. 3422 & 3422A, Way № 3044 Shatti Al Qurum, Muscat, Oman T: +968 24 604041 E: infomuscat@dovecotenursery.org W: www.dovecotenursery.org

OMAN

Shaker Jalal, the ‘Da Vinci of Oman’, sits down with Alvin Thomas to discuss his paintings and his plans to revolutionise art in Oman

eonardo Da Vinci once said: “Painting is poetry which is seen and not heard, and poetry is a painting which is heard but not seen”. And Omani surrealist and classical painter Shaker Jalal seeks to achieve the same as he hopes to instill life into his paintings and portray his stories. Hence, his original works taking classics and giving them an Omani twist have earned him the nickname: ‘Da Vinci of Oman’. While he may very well be the Da Vinci of Oman in terms of skillset and capabilities, Shaker Jalal is certainly en route to creating a legacy of his own in the Sultanate. But spending time with the 35-year-old artist, I realise that there is no sense of ego or haughtiness, not even in the way he dresses. Clad in a traditional dishdasha and sporting a well-groomed, clean-cut look, Shaker is quite the charming gentleman.

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“Being modest yet classy is a part of being a banker,” he says. That’s right. The Da Vinci of Oman isn’t just an artist but also a development manager at an international bank in the Sultanate. Shaker grew up fulfilling his passion for art while still managing his time productively. “My father was in the police, and hence there was a certain amount of discipline at home and I personally think that is what made me the person I am today,” Shaker says. “From there, I learned the preciousness of time as well as how to prioritise things.” Shaker remembers lifting the brush for the first time at the age of five but remembers spending quite a lot of time observing various elements (the trees, grass, people, etc.) around him.

Shaker Jalal with his prize winning painting of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said

“People, including my wife, used to tell me that I used to look elsewhere or look distracted while having conversations with them. “But that’s just me looking at the surroundings, trying to observe the shadows, the lights and the details of it all,” he laughs. In all, Shaker has given life to more than 200 paintings, of which he particularly takes pride in the painting of His Majesty, which he shows me keenly. “This painting was presented for an art competition where all the best artists in Oman would get together and showcase their paintings of His Majesty. “I won the first prize in that competition too. The painting was done on a 120cm x 100cm canvas.” But it was the painting of the New Generation Mona Lisa, a 21st century rendering of Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting of subject Lisa del Giocondo that earned him the Da Vinci of Oman moniker Shaker’s version of the painting features a beautiful, size-zero model posing with a pout, in an almost Arabesque style. “It took me a year to complete this painting, solely because I wanted to do this when I was in a peaceful state of mind. “Attention to the shadows, lines and details were also very important as it was to capture one of the most beautiful portraits the world has ever seen,” he says. However, it is shocking that Shaker’s version of the Mona Lisa contains no muse (a woman as a source of inspiration), meaning that the portrait contains no real subject – a stunning feat in itself – looking like a life-like image captured by nothing less than a DSLR camera. Furthermore, Shaker has been prevalent on an international level, representing the nation in Brazil for an art exhibition in 2014. He repeated this accomplishment in 2015 when he participated in an art competition in the UAE in 2015. But Shaker says that despite his frequent appearances on international levels he will be concentrating his future works within Oman for the “budding generation” to take inspiration from. “I love Oman, and as a dedication for my country, I will be organising my first solo exhibition here. It will be in December, as a final goodbye to the year. “It will also be something for the country, and not for myself. I am particular that this event should be held in Muscat and that it should be in a place accessible by anyone and everyone. “I want everyone from the young to the old and also people of different nationalities to attend this

exhibition,” he exclaims. On his agenda is also an academy, specialising in art, in the Sultanate. “I have seen various talented individuals here in Oman and I feel that it would only be fair if we gave them an opportunity to hone their skills as artists on their own home ground. “I am currently in the planning stages of this project and I have an outline that will be able to be the groundwork for the project.” But Shaker says that all that is lacking is the funding for the project. “I am a believer in the artistic talents that are slowly coming out of the limelight in Oman. However, without the training, a lot of them simply lose their way. “And as Shaker Jalal, I want to be the one who is able to not only train them but also to guide them towards the right path so that they can gain the confidence to become some of the best artists in the world. “I know there are a lot of hurdles to cross before we can achieve our goals of establishing ourselves as an artistic nation,” Shaker says. “But I believe that in the next ten years – with the right amount of exposure – a lot more of the next generation’s talents will carry forward the paintbrush and palette.” AUG 11 - 17 / ISSUE 432

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FOOD AND DRINK

RED HOT CHILLIS

Heat up your meals with the versatile vegetable that can add some spice to sweet or savoury.

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HOT STUFF I

Chillis can add a kick to any meal and blow the tastebuds away

f you want to liven up a dish or put a bit of fire in your belly, reach for the chillis. A type of capsicum, they can be green, yellow, orange, red or black and there are more than 200 known varieties. All differ in levels of hotness so you need to choose your chilli wisely. Make a mistake and you could be in for a long night. As a rule of thumb, the smaller the chilli, the more potent it is. Capsaicin is the ingredient that gives a chilli its heat. There’s even an official scale to measure the pungency (spicy heat) of chillis, known as The Scoville scale. At one end is the sweet pepper, which scores 0 on the scale while at the other end you have the blow-your-head-off Habanero (used in sauces and for basting), which can score more than 350,000! India is the world’s biggest producer, consumer and exporter of chillis. Guntur in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is the hot chilli centre, producing 30 per cent of all the fiery vegetables grown in India. Chillis are also widely used in Mexican and Jamaican cooking. Versatile, they can be used to spice up salads, meat dishes, fish and even drinks. Chillis also work well in sweet dishes too: a little chilli helps to cut through the richness of chocolate, for instance. Add to this the health benefits – they’re loaded with Vitamin C, can fight inflammation, help lower blood pressure and help you burn fat and lose weight – and there’s every reason to put chillis in your shopping basket each week. To showcase how a bit of chilli can add some spice to your life, Chef Manoj Radi, executive chef of The Yellow Chilli Oman, shares with Y

readers his recipe for a gastronomic delight of a Three Chilli Potato Salad. Chef Manoj says: “The recipe highlights how simplistic yet innovative food preparation can be and can stand out in this ever-evolving culinary world. This is something we are trying to capture in The Yellow Chilli restaurant.” Try this delicious recipe from Chef Manoj and let the chillis do the talking: * Family Features

Three Chilli Potato Salad Ingredients § 16-18 baby potatoes 16-18 § 1 tbsp chilli flakes § 2 tbsp lemon juice § 1 tsp sugar § Salt, to taste § 2 tsps red chilli flakes § 2-3 green chillis, finely chopped § Coloured pepper cubes, 1/3 of medium size § 1 tbsp tomato ketchup § 4 tbsp Fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped Method: Step 1 § Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Scrub and wash the baby potatoes well, prick with a fork, apply the oil. Roast the potatoes in a preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until done. Step 2 § In a bowl, put in the lemon juice, sugar, salt, red chilli flakes, green chillis, coloured pepper and tomato ketchup. Step 3 Mix well. Add the potatoes and toss. Serve the salad garnished with coriander leaves.

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FOOD AND DRINK

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

REVIEWS t e g ud

Info Box

BURGER STATON

Food Court, Oman Avenues Mall, Ghubra Tel: 2461 5057 Open: 10am-11pm Mon-Sun Facebook: Burgerstation burgerstation.me Meal for two with drinks: RO14

MONSTER MUNCH

MERGE 104.8’S NEAL BOWDEN TRIES OUT BURGER STATION FOR SIZE AND GETS STUCK INTO SOME BIG HELPINGS

ast weekend I found myself at Oman Avenues Mall with my colleague Tom Green from Merge 104.8. We were there to do a little shopping and fancied a bite to eat. I’ve always said that calories don’t count on the weekend and seeing as we both felt like some comfort food we went looking for a burger restaurant. Our search took us to Burger Station in the food court area. They claim to “combine the best of both worlds” with “gourmet-type burgers for the price and convenience” associated with fast-food type restaurants. It was early Friday afternoon so it was still fairly quiet. We were straight up to the counter to look at the menu and were greeted with a pleasant smile. This looked promising! They were off to a good start already. As we were a little hungry we both decided to have appetisers. The buffalo wings looked mighty tasty and they have always been a favourite of mine. Sadly, they weren’t available, which surprised us. The lady behind the counter suggested the “appetiser combo”, which consisted of nachos, coleslaw and mashed potato so we went with her suggestion. As there were two of us we also ordered some “Fire Fries”, which looked nice and spicy. We then decided on what burger to have and from the menu we were spoilt for choice. I’d heard about something called a “monster burger” and I was very happy to see it was on the menu and available. They claim it’s “the largest burger anywhere in town. 300 grammes of juicy beef and recommended for 2-3 people” Certainly from the picture it looked huge! Tom went with something called “Rings of Jupiter” 030

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which is an all-beef patty in between two ring doughnuts. The thought of a beef patty wedged in between two doughnuts didn’t really do it for me but apparently Tom had had it before and said it was so good he would order it again. Next, we ordered drinks and, once again, we were let down when we were told no milkshakes were available. We opted for soft drinks instead. The appetisers arrived within five minutes and had been freshly prepared. The mashed potato was smooth and creamy with a small helping of peppercorn sauce. The nachos were presented, as you would expect, with cheese sauce and jalepenos. The fire fries were yummy but not quite what I expected. They should have lived up to their name and been a bit spicier. They were topped with a cheese sauce and what I can only describe as bolognese and jalepenos. Tasty, but lacking in any sort of heat/spice. A few moments later the burgers arrived. Again, these were freshly prepared and straight off the grill. As expected, the Monster Burger was indeed huge. One person would struggle to eat this alone! It was dressed with mayonnaise, sliced tomato, lettuce, grilled onions and cheese. The

Verdict : 5 / 10 Service 6/10 Food 7/10 Ambience Promising but service needs improvement. Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

moment I took a bite I could tell this was freshlyground beef and not something picked out of the freezer. The burger was juicy, and this was re-enforced by the moist, dense bun. The lettuce was fresh and crisp and the tomato slice was juicy, ripe, and flavoursome. It was also surprisingly easy to eat, given the size. Tom’s “Rings of Jupiter” was smaller but much taller thanks to the doughnuts on the top and bottom instead of a bun! This was dressed with mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, cheese, several onion rings and lettuce. It’s virtually impossible to eat with your hands so luckily it came with a knife and fork. Doughnuts and burgers shouldn’t work but we found it to be surprisingly delicious! The barbecue sauce had a nice, tangy flavour to it and the beef patty was juicy. At this point we were now starting to fill up but we had some room to sample the dessert. The “Alaskan Choco Fudge” caught my attention as it consisted of two things I love; ice cream and chocolate! Sadly, I was left disappointed again as this wasn’t available either. In fact, NONE of the deserts was available. The obviously embarrassed counter lady apologised and suggested we go to their other branch if I wanted to have dessert! We declined the offer, said thank you and headed off. While the food was tasty, we were let down three times, with the appetiser, milk shakes and desserts being unavailable despite being listed on the menu. We left with full tummies but disappointed. To have so many items unavailable as advertised is disconcerting and, based on that, I probably wouldn’t return until the menu serves everything it lists. 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

Health

Beauty

FASHION

SUITS YOU, MADAM

Keep it cool and fresh this summer by making a jumpsuit an essential wardrobe staple. By adding accessories and matching shoes, it can be versatile enough for you to wear from day to evening.

Designer & Stylist: Sayyida Daliya Fakhri Al Said Model: Rania Tawk Photographer: Salem Afifi RO45

032

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k o o L e h

, reet k t s oo gh e hi et the l h t o nd t ou to g e h hig helps y e h t ali From l Zadj na Fati

T t Ge

The last gem to your outfit is a cute tote bag from Aldo. It could sparkle your day from day to night. In addition, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spacious for mini products and completes the final look. Also it has tassels and a strap. RO25

This all-purpose jumpsuit is extremely comfy for the heat. You can add pumps or high heels depending on your preference. You can find this piece at Bershka for RO15.5

Chokers are all over fashion blogs and High Street stores. They make an easy way to lift any piece youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re wearing. This rose-gold flower beauty is from New Look, RO4.5

A monochromatic jumpsuit can give you the opportunity to add layers and change your style depending on the occasion. This one is from Bershka, RO10.5

These Retro Round Rim Sunglasses from New Look will protect your eyes from UV rays but will give your summer outfit an extra edge. RO4.5

Your jumpsuit can be dressed down with a pair of white sneakers that elevates your outfit. These white pumps are from Office, RO10 A pair of high heels from River Island can add the spice for the evening. At the same time it has the denim, cool, blue texture for the summer. RO24

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BEAUTY H e a l t h

h s e ty r F eau B

Top 10 beauty tools to beat the summer heat

t’s summertime in Muscat and even though the sun pretty much shines all year round, at this time of year its rays are extra strong. Here, Fatin al Zadjali offers some top tips to help beat the heat and maintain a healthy and glowing skin.

❶

Waterproof foundation is essential for the summer. The benefit is that it’s light on the skin and provides a radiant glow. Moreover, it won’t leave a heavy residue and will last up to 24 hours. So no touchups are needed. Mac Cosmetics RO19.75

❷

Oil absorbing sheets can be a foolproof way to get rid of excess oil and perspiration. It’s an easy way to keep your makeup intact, and the sheets are refreshing on the skin and can be popped into your handbag. Top tip: our hair is more exposed to the sun and creates its own natural oils so dab a paper along the hairline to keep it refreshed. Clean & Clear sheets RO2.5

❸ Our lips are the most vulnerable part of our body. The

sunrays cause dryness to our lips, and this won’t look good. So the best way to beat the burn is by adding a little dab of a cooling lip tint and you can find the best shade to suit your skin tone. Neutrogena Lip Soother Cooling Hydragel RO2.7

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Fashion

❹

This is one of my favourite products. Firstly, the formula has the scent of rose water. Rose water is known to be kept in households in Muscat after guests finish their meals and freshen up. It is applied on the cheeks for a pop of colour and can also be added on the lips. Benefit Cosmetics Benetint RO6

❺

Let’s add a little sparkle to our eyes. Keep a handy eye-shadow pencil. It’s easy, fresh and doesn’t require any special techniques. During the summer, your face should be a fresh canvas as heavy makeup will unfortunately peel off.

❽

Our face is the main focal point. Vichy has a mattifying sunscreen that keeps the skin dry and protected from unwanted UV rays. It’s a product I highly recommend for men and women. Vichy Mattifying Face Fluid Dry Touch SPF 50 RO10.5

❾

Lush Eau Roma Water formula has rose and lavender accents that give a refreshing touch to the skin after a shower, swim or gym session. Top tip: Use this product before you sleep as the lavender has a very nifty snooze tool to put you to sleep. Lush Eau Roma Water RO9.5

❿ Drink water! We tend to forget the ❻ This one is perfect for both benefits of water and, as humans, we are men and women. After a cold shower, composed of 65% of water. So to beat the heat, NYX Jumbo Eye Shadow RO2

spray this sea-salt infused hair spray on your hair to keep it hydrated. It will also give a luscious look to your hair.

keep hydrated and replenished. In addition, add slices of lemon or cucumber to your water bottle for extra hydrating benefits.

Bumble and South Surf Spray RO10.5

❼ Deodorant is already a part of our daily routine. But during

the summer we should avoid any musky scents. Keep cool, and buy scents like cucumber, which has a cooling agent, and spring water. You can also keep them handy and they work better than roll-on deodorants. Dove Deodorant RO0.9

* Y Magazine found all these products available in Muscat.

BECOMING MUM (OR DAD) Fertility can be affected by many factors, including lifestyle. So read on to find out how to maximise your chance of having a baby

aving children is often taken for granted by couples as a natural progression of their lives. But becoming a mum or a dad is not always straightforward. Dr Vinita Tyagi, a gynaecologist at Al Hayat International Hospital in Muscat, has a Diploma in Reproductive Medicine. Here, she discusses how prospective parents can improve their chances of having a baby: A personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifestyle can affect his or her life in many respects, including fertility. However, by modifying habits, a couple can conceive without undergoing therapy. I have seen many couples conceiving simply by adopting a better lifestyle and following the laws of nature. Some patients are unaware of the effects that advancing age can have on their fertility, and often start planning a pregnancy in their late 30s. Age is a biological phenomenon that definitely affects females but does not spare males either. When a man passes 40, there is a risk of an impaired quality of sperm due to damage to DNA. Through various lifestyle modifications and artificial reproductive techniques, this can be overcome. Hormone production also changes as a man ages. The children of older fathers can show a high prevalence of genetic abnormalities, childhood cancers and several neuropsychiatric disorders. Women are born with a fixed set of ova in their ovaries. As they ovulate these ova are lost and in their early 40s their reserve is limited and the eggs produced are of poor quality. Advanced maternal age is associated with Downâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Syndrome and birth defects along with many obstetrics

complications. These ageing women can often be diagnosed with fibroids and endometriosis. Obesity affects fertility in several ways and is associated with increased complications during pregnancy and during delivery. A high BMI is associated with polycystic disease, which is a cause of infertility. Such women do not ovulate regularly and they show signs of androgen excess such as increased hair growth on the face and body, acne and obesity. Their fatty tissue starts producing extra estrogen, which can be converted to testosterone, a male hormone. They have insulin insensitivity, which can cause hyperglycaemia and eventually, diabetes. Diabetes is a known cause of chromosomal anomalies so women are counselled to control diabetes at least six months before getting pregnant. They should start folic acid supplements and normalise their BMI. There are many medical reports that high BMI is associated with congenital malformations in the baby. Too much caffeine is associated with infertility. Certain environmental toxins such as lead, certain radiations like industrial microwave, pesticides, and carbon monoxide from vehicle exhausts all have negative effects on fertility. Psychological stress can also be a factor. Certain hormones produced during stress can affect the quality of sperms and ova.

What to do

a) For patients - do not defer child bearing b) For doctors - do not defer fertility treatment Advice for assisted reproduction to those who are over 38 years old and want to conceive: *Stop smoking and avoid passive smoking *Lose weight, *Regular moderate exercise and meditation for stress reduction, * Adopt a healthy diet, rich in Vitamin C, folic acid and Omega 3 fatty acid and DHA. * Al Hayat International Hospital, Gynaecology departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OPD is open from 9am-9pm, Seven days a week (all 365 days). For appointments, 2200 4000.

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

•

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

• • •

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

• •

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

•

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

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

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

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Postcards from

Outdoors

Y- F i

Cars

CARS AND ADVENTURES

GO GREEN

A visit to the Green Mountain, Jebel Akdhar, will transport you to a cool and lush, verdant world.

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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

JEBEL AKHDAR Yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INTERN FATIN AL ZADJALI JOINS PHOTOGRAPHER SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI FOR HER FIRST TRIP TO JEBEL AKHDAR

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Cars

’m disappointed that I haven’t explored my own country as often as I would have liked, particularly as there are so many hidden scenic treasures in Oman. So therefore, it was with some relief and excitement that I embarked on my first trip to Jebel Akhdar, with Y photographer, Shaquel Al Balushi. We set off from Muscat at 9am, and not being a morning person, I had to kickstart my brain with some lethal music. Our first, crucial stop was to a corner shop to fill our cooler with ice, fruit juices, water and snacks. The ride to Jebel Akhdar is a two-and-half-hour road trip, but do remember not to miss the scenery on the way. You will find men herding sheep, women holding water pots, goats on mountain cliffs, and children on small bikes. It’s a completely different feeling from the urban sprawl of Muscat; the road to Nizwa made me appreciate our ancestors and how their descendants continue to follow a completely different (and satisfying) life away from the city. After a few kilometres, we approached the checkpoint that monitors car registrations and licences. This point is a border before the incline to the mountain. Also, the officers check that

your vehicle is a four-wheel drive and capable of tackling the gradient of the mountain. The incline is extremely taxing; you must make sure that you have a skilled off-road driver who understands the pathways. Over the years, the roads have been improved and every few kilometres there are mountain speed breaks used for emergencies if the driver loses control. By the time we reached our destination we weren’t disappointed. Jebel Akhdar is a jawdropping spectacle of scenic wonder, with its long and undulating pathways, hidden forts and a falaj that brings up cooling water from the stream. What amazed me was the hike. Firstly, if you are a fitness guru this place has your name on it. There are approximately 500 steps within a rocky terrain and it is quite a test of endurance. Despite this, you will find venerable old men attacking the mountains with great relish and redoubtable stamina. If you veer towards anything verdant, and Mother Nature fascinates you, Jebel Akhdar, the Green Mountain, is the place to be. Trickling streams drizzle the mountains and all the trees are scented, from which you can pick mangoes. Also, do bear in mind that this location can be extremely cold during winter, with temperatures dropping below 0. At the bottom of the mountain, there are men selling refreshments and ghi (freshly made butter that is used to create tasty bread and dishes). Secondly, Jebel Akhdar makes you appreciate all that is both enchanting and

enduring from a historical point of view. The forts, huts, and caves that nestle between the mountains were once lived in. One can only applaud the denizens of these dwellings for the rigorous yet refreshing lifestyle they led. Finally, our hike back up the mountain was as demanding as a dawn session at a sports boot camp. The incline is extremely high, the heat can be oppressive, and maintaining one’s hydration levels is a must. On the way back to Muscat, a cloud-spattered sky and the cool breeze put me in a most relaxed frame of mind after the arduous climb. However, the setting’s serenity and the sense of achievement from the day’s efforts was pretty satisfying. The most rewarding aspect was the feeling of having encountered one of the most monumental spectacles of my own, beautiful country.

Travelling Tips:

TRAVEL GUIDE

- Keep hydrated and do not forget to take a mixture of healthy snacks - Wear sturdy shoes with solid ankle support, and light clothing - Have a camera in hand; it has a greater capacity for capturing images than those of smartphones. - 4WD vehicle; the officers will stop you if you’re driving a saloon - Be in good company; it’s always better to go with friends especially, if (let’s hope not) you twist an ankle

HOW TO GET THERE From Muscat take the road to Nizwa on the fast, modern Highway 15. Go past Izki and take the exit to Izki and follow the road. There are signs to Jebel Akhdar. When you reach the police security check, you will need to stop. You will not

be allowed up the mountain if you are not driving a 4x4. It is compulsory.

GPS location to foot of mountain: 23°11’08.6”N 57°22’17.3”E

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

It’s an exciting sport to take part in and just as thrilling to watch. Former gymnast and Y intern Fatin al Zadjali meets the team behind Muscat Gymnastics

orty years ago, Nadia Comaneci swept the Olympic Games in Montreal, winning three gold medals. The petite Romanian teenager also became the first competitor to be awarded a perfect ten, setting the standard for others to follow. However, while Comaneci is a sporting legend, your children can still enjoy the sport even if they don’t have her ability. While the discipline is new to Oman, it’s already growing thanks to Muscat Gymnastics, in Al Mazoon Street, Seeb. Here, managed by expert coaches, the sport is one of the best activities around to get children moving and in tune with their bodies. Affiliated with the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic programme, Muscat Gymnastics has certified gymnastics equipment for pre-school, recreational and competitive gymnastics. As a former gymnast, I’m now working on my coaching badges so I was thrilled to hear about its launch. Gymnastics is an active sport that develops children’s strength, coordination, agility and flexibility. It gives a child a sense of sportsmanship and the value of team work. Muscat Gymnastics offers a family-based arena, with coaches who offer comprehensive but accessible tips that can only improve the wannabe gymnast’s abilities. Moreover, gymnastics is not well-known in Oman, so the opportunities at Muscat Gymnastics demonstrate that the country is gaining a toehold in different sports at competitive levels.

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The sport originated in Ancient Greece as a means of exercising soldiers in preparation for war. The current format being performed in Rio with such superlative artistry and technique comprises six events for men (Floor exercise, Pommel Horse, Still Rings, Vault, Parallel Bars and Horizontal Bar) and four for women (Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam and Floor Exercise). My visit to Muscat Gymnastics has brought back so many childhood memories. Here, a combination of energetic students, supportive parents, and inspirational instructors engenders a recreational atmosphere that is both industrious and convivial. Every gymnast (male and female) is nurtured and motivated to think that he or she can achieve the best cartwheels and somersaults. All are taught that they can pursue their athletic goals, regardless of ability. Gymnastics is a pre-operational sport. From my own experience,

it can develop into a liking or aspiration for other athletic pursuits or even ballet. This is because it’s an unbeatable foundation course to stretching, jumping and keeping the joint muscles elastic. The benefit all around is that the student can work independently. So far, the gymnasts here have taken part in GCC competitions alongside other GCC gymnastics clubs and have won more than 30 medals. One of our own, Sara Al Jabri, obtained the All Around title (bars, beam, floor and vault.) in the Level 1 Under 10 category in Dubai. Romanian head coach Lonela Yammine, who started gymnastics at the age of six, set up Muscat Gymnastics through her own love of the sport. and later brought over fellow Romanian Alexandra Gheorghica to help coach. Lonela says: “After attending a gymnastics congress in Canada I decided to open Muscat Gymnastics. Soon after the preparations we opened our doors in January 2015 and here we are today teaching gymnastics for children aged two and above. “There are many girls doing gymnastics at our club at different levels and age groups who are very talented. Our target this year is to participate in Level 3 gymnastics competition in Chicago in February 2017.” Alexandra says coaching in the Sultanate is not dissimilar from what is available in her homeland. “There is a small difference. In Romania, most of the programmes are competitive while in Oman we offer

pre-school and recreational programmes as well. What I like about the programme in Oman is that we believe all children can do gymnastics, and we encourage them to participate.” Her experience in Oman has so far been positive. “I feel like we are working as a family. I always get support from the other coaches. The atmosphere is always a good one. We try to involve the children as much as possible in their classes as our aim is to get the best out of every student, keeping things interesting for them during the whole season.”

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Outdoors

D e s t i n at i o n

Y-FI

SPORTS TECH

With Olympic fever spreading all across town, there’s a high demand for sports-related gadgets for geeks who just want to have fun. Alvin Thomas checks them out

FUELBAND The Nike+ FuelBand stands out among the crowd of your usual sports-watches due to its sleek styling and fitness features. The watch has an accelerometer-based movement sensor that tracks all your exercise, translating it into “NikeFuel”, filling up a daily target counter and changing an LED meter from red to green as you proceed. You can also measure steps, time and calories burned and can be hooked up to your smartphone for additional features. Available at amazon.com, from RO77

CAMELBAK

KEEP PLAYING This Sennheiser PMX 680I Sports is the perfect tool for listening to some music while running. Unlike earphones that simply slide out when jerked, these plugs stay put in your ears, thanks to a locking shell. They’re also sweat and rain resistant, making them ideal for some extreme outdoor action. And being a Sennheiser, expect music quality to be winsome too. Grab yours at www.sennheiser.com/shop at RO26.8 a pop.

GET AMPY

EDITOR’S PICK 044

While the CamelBak bottle may look like your average water bottle, it does possess some unique military-grade features, which may come in handy if you’re trekking or taking long walks. Fill the bottle up with polluted water and simply switch on the Ultra Violet light to neutralise the bacteria or viruses present in the water. It has hi-tech activators to help purify the water and only takes a minute. Each charge should help you purify a whooping 61 litres of water. Available at camelbak.com from RO38.1

THE AMPY IS A REVOLUTION, NOT JUST FOR BEING A PORTABLE DEVICE FOR WHEN YOU NEED TO ZAP IN SOME QUICK JUICE FOR YOUR SMARTPHONE, BUT ALSO FOR IMPLEMENTING TECHNOLOGY THAT TURNS IT INTO AN IDEAL DAILY WORK-OUT/OUTDOOR BUDDY. THIS SLICK DEVICE USES KINETIC ENERGY FROM YOUR MOTION AND TURNS IT INTO POTENTIAL ENERGY BY STORING THE CHARGE IN THE BUILT-IN BATTERY PACK, WHICH YOU CAN THEN USE FOR CHARGING YOUR OWN DEVICES. THINK OF IT AS A PERPETUAL ENERGY SOLUTION FOR YOUR SMARTPHONE NEEDS. ONE HOUR OF WORKOUT GIVES YOU AN HOUR OF CHARGE TIME FOR A MODERN, HIGH-END SMARTPHONE. AVAILABLE AT SHOP.GETAMPY.COM FROM RO28.8 JULY AUG 1103- 17- 09/ ISSUE / ISSUE432327

MILITARY-GRADE

NEW

Are you sloppy with your iPhone? Don’t worry! This LifeProof case for iPhones is the very best of the best protection covers out there. This surprising accessory only weighs 28g and adds 1.5mm to the edges and still manages to offer militarygrade levels of protection – with a fall withstand and water-resistance threshold of two metres. You can obtain covers for almost any Apple handheld device, including the enormous 6S. Available at www.lifeproof.com at RO30.8

SMART SCALE

App of the Week

IN THE SWING Trying for that perfect swing? Why don’t you let Tiger Woods help you out? The app, Tiger Woods: My Swing uses your device’s camera to analyse your swing and also compare yours with the maestro’s himself. The app also gives you tips to help you with your game. Download the app from www.itunes.apple.com. And at RO1.53 it seems like a steal.

No smartwatch or mobile application can help you make do with your traditional bathroom scales. However, what the makers of the FitBit watch have done is get us one step closer to monitoring our bodies with more efficiency. This new digital FitBit Aria WiFi Smart Scale is capable of hooking itself to your Wi-Fi to upload vital information such as weight, body-mass index and body fat percentage. Up to seven users can use this machine, and the data is uploaded online or in a free iPhone app for you to keep track of. Available at amazon.com from RO44.

THE REAL HERO The GoPro Hero4 Session is the smallest and lightest GoPro camera out there, and should come in handy for cyclists, runners and other sports enthusiasts to shoot high-definition videos on the go. Its light profile allows users to attach the GoPro onto their helmets or training gear without too much hassle. It also packs an eight-megapixel sensor for some quality video. Grab yours from amazon.com for RO94.5

JULY AUG0311 -- 09 17 / ISSUE 432 327

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CARS AND ADVENTURES

Destination

Postcards from

Outdoors

Y- F i C A R S

Kia Sorento EX Special Specifications: Engine: 3.3-litre V6 Transmission: 6-speed Automatic Horsepower: 267 Torque: 317.7Nm Price: RO12,600 (for EX Special) Panoramic sunroof 45cm alloy wheels Leather seats Front, side and curtain airbags with rollover sensor Smart (hands-free) power in this car to boot cushion everyone Xenon head lamps with auto in the event of levelling and washer any mishap. Smart key with button start Mine came Electronic Stability Control with a reversing Brake Assistant System camera – very Front sensor Rear camera handy for 3rd row manual air manoeuvring conditioner out of spaces on Cruise control the school run. Radio CD MP3 player with The top-of-theUSB, iPod connectivity and range model also AUX with six speakers

It’s got acres of space for the family and packs quite a punch in the engine department too. Kate Ginn tries out the Kia Sorento

’ve always associated the Kia Sorento with the yummy mummy brigade; the glossy mums zipping to and from the school run in their SUVs. The Sorento, a crossover SUV, seems to be among the list of approved vehicles used by this group to ferry their offspring around Muscat in safety, with a dash of glamour thrown in. As I don’t have children, the Sorento was never really on my radar as a potential car for me but a couple of days in the company of the all-new 2016 version changed my mind. For a start, the Sorento looks very nice indeed. The 2016 Sorento has been completely redesigned for ultimate comfort and performance, and it shows. My test car was a sort of burnished brown colour (looking at the brochure, I think it was called ‘Imperial Bronze’), which changed hue depending on the time of day, becoming almost purple as the afternoon sun started to dip in the sky. The metallic radiator grille and newly-elevated headlamps (Xenon in the EX Special model that I was driving) with stylish fog lights, which blend seamlessly with the glossy black intake grille, lend it a bold, sporty and elegant air. It’s quite a curvaceous and sleek vehicle. I also liked the roof rails and long panoramic sunroof that seemed to stretch the length of the car. Climbing into the driver’s seat, I was immediately impressed by the sense of space. The Sorento is a big car and feels it. I’m tall but there was plenty of legroom and headroom for me with inches to spare. I found the seats very comfortable, offering a commanding view of the road from an elevated position.

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The leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearstick are nice touches. I wouldn’t say the interior of the Sorento is superluxurious but then, I don’t think parents necessarily place that particularly highly on their wish list for a car. When you’ve got the precious cargo of children in the back, it’s more about being solid, practical and safe. And on those points, the Sorento scores highly. The cabin feels chunky and very stable. My model, the EX Special, did come loaded with a few more treats, such as that great panoramic sunroof, which slid open for that ‘wind-in-your-hair’ feeling, and mood lamps and chrome outside handles. This is a true parent wagon with three rows of spacious accommodation. The third row (which comes with cup holders for the little ones to keep their drinks safe, and manual air conditioning) can be folded back to allow the already monstrous boot to open up for a cavernous space to store anything from prams and assorted toys to a fridge. In my case, I loaded up the back with lots of shopping bags from a retail splurge. This flexibility of seating with numerous combinations means the Sorento can transform quickly from a seven-seater to a miniature removal truck or an adventurer’s dream. There’s a decent stereo and CD player but I felt the 4.3-inch LCD info screen was a touch on the small side. Controls are on the steering wheel for driver ease. Parents will be reassured that the designers of the Sorento have worked hard on the safety side, with features such as Electronic Stability Control and Brake Assistant System, and Vehicle Stability Management and Hill-start Assist. There are also enough airbags

has blind spot detection with rear cross alert. There’s also a hands-free power boot for mums and dads struggling with school bags, lunchboxes and books. One thing that did surprise me was the ride. I wasn’t expecting the Sorento to be fast but the 3.3-litre engine was very responsive, producing quite a turn of speed. A few times on the Sultan Qaboos Highway, this acceleration got me out of some potentially tricky situations. It’s good to know you can rely on this when needed. After a while, helped by a light steering and suspension, you don’t feel like you’re driving a big car. My version was All Wheel Drive so it should be capable of handling a trip to the beach or a little offroading too (although I wouldn’t recommend taking it dune-bashing or anything too extreme). I have to say that I got quite attached to my Sorento. The only thing missing was children in the back – it felt a bit empty and vast with just me in the car. Still, I am tempted to swap my sporty little saloon for one. Who says you need kids to own a Sorento?.