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YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK
DEC 15 - 21 2016 / ISSUE 449 • WEEKLY
HERE COME THE HOLIDAYS PLUS!
TOP TIPS ON COPING WITH SEASONAL HOUSEGUESTS
MAKING WAVES
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NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258
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STOCKING FILLERS
44
GRAND TOURING
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HEALTH GUIDE ASK
THE
EDITOR’S
NOTE
EXPERT
Doctor I am having pain, bleeding and swelling in the rectal region? Dear patient, according to the symptoms that you have mentioned it can be either Hemorrhoids, anal fistula or anal fissure. First we have to go through your detailed past medical history and then we have to clinically examine you to proceed with the further treatment. How do I diagnose? When the patients visit the doctor with these kind of hemorrhoid problems, they will be asked about the symptoms and they will be examined, which should consist of a visual supervision and a proctoscopy, which means a small transparent telescope which is usually inserted into the rectum and a thorough examination should be performed. MRI is the gold standard method to diagnose Anal Fissure and Anal Fistula. What are the treatments available in Aster Al Raffah, Muscat for this? Stapler hemorrhoidopexy & Heamorroidal artery ligation with recto-anal repair (HAL-RAR) is the latest surgical technique for treating hemorrhoids, which can be done in our hospital. For Anal Fissure, Botox injection and Lateral internal sphincterotomy. For Anal Fistula Video- Assisted Anal Fistula Treatment (VAAFT) is the gold standard treatment.
Dr. Abhimanyu Singh Rathore MBBS , MS (General Surgery) Specialist Surgeon Aster Al Raffah Hospital, Ghubra
Welcome to Y Magazine – your top guide to the best of Oman every week.
Fast forward
A
s we head into the festive season and the new year, we also find ourselves in houseguest season – a time when our friends and family decide it’s time to escape the miserable cold of the Northern Hemisphere and visit their relatives in Oman. Houseguest season is a quintessential expat experience; living here means that we are magnets for all and sundry wanting to experience the renowned hospitality and stunning landscapes that the Sultanate is famous for. And who would blame them? With thousands of kilometres of pristine coastline, rugged mountains and vast expanses of desert, there’s something for everybody. In our cover story this week, we offer you top tips on how to survive your houseguests but also how to give them the time of their lives and some incredible experiences. We also feature some great “national treasures” based on a recent survey of thousands of Omanis, which will help your visitors make the most of their time here and want to come back, again and again. But at least you will be prepared for future visits with our handy guide! Elsewhere, we head to Ain Al Thawara in Destination, take the Ferrari California T out for a thrilling test drive in our newly named column First Drive and explore the delights of Jeju Island in South Korea for Postcard From. Have a wonderful week!
editor@y-oman.com
EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi MANAGING EDITOR Felicity Glover
ASTER AL RAFFAH HOSPITAL Al Ghobra Roundabout, PO Box: 1262, PC : 133, Gubrah, Sultanate of Oman. Tel : +968 24618900/1/2/3/4 | Fax : +968 24497210 www.asteroman.com
PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi REPORTER Alvin Thomas DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan
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Write to us at Y Magazine, SABCO Media, PO Box 3779, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman. DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
03
contents DEC
Your Oman 08 Voice Of Oman Al Sayyida Mayya Al Said 10 News Oil price rallies
15
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21
2016
12 News India seeks investors
22 Houseguest season Coping with the annual visitor invasion 26 Red-carpet cars Motor Show Oman 2016
This Week 16 ROHM Review Beethoven’s 9th Symphony
26
18 This Week Oud Magic
11 Gallery Team Oman Air
Features
21 Movies Moana
13 Gallery Winter Sounds
12
14 Faces of Oman
15 Hyundai – Driven To Success Obaid al Qartubi
Cars and Adventures
21
Food and Drink 30 Food Feature Peanut power 33 Taste Test Al Arzah
30
40 Destination Ain Al Thawara 42 Postcard From Jeju Island, South Korea
Health and Beauty
44 Y-Fi Christmas ideas
34 Fashion Putting on the glitz
46 First Drive Ferrari California T
36 Beauty Making waves 37 Health Healthy minds
44
34
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Dr Rao Suddapalli has made a significant contribution to me dicine and tells Alvin Thomas why he carries on wo rking to help save and improve people’s lives aving coffee with Dr Rao a cost
H
of INR300,000 (RO1,713) a piec Suddapalli is like having a coffee e, human test subjects and subsequ which was unaffordable to the ave ently, on rage with a member of my family. humans. man . Why? Dr Rao and his wife Usha “In our own hospital, we conduc are two “This project was also the brainch ted of the most dedicated Y readers ild mo re than 10,000 successful surgerie I have of the late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam s. ever come across. (the But the next step was multicentre 11th pre tria side ls nt of India) who was then A while ago, I got a heads-up that [a clinical trial conducted at more Dr the chie than f scie ntifi c adv iser to the Defence one medical cen Rao is an avid marathon runner. tre or clinic], and we So, with Research and Develop ment Organisation. succeeded in that in mind, I was to meet him for that with flying colours. a “W e had people from various quick interview. “Eight institutions, including the field s such All as biomedical engineers, Dr Rao came from humble beginn India Institute of Medical Science ings pathologists, bio-chemists, s administrators, (AIIMS) began – in Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, Ind using our valves,” he says ia – to veterinarians, etc. But, I was given charge with pride. study medicine. of the pro ject ,” he says with a smile on But due to his passion and commit “Our last stage was trials in foreign ment his face. to his chosen field, he took over con cou ntries. And because I was the lead trol of “Our first task was to take various er the local district hospital and enc of the project, I personally contact ountered valves produced by inte ed rnational a few cases that were, to say the leas Dr Denton Cooley – the first doc t, companies and dissect them piec tor to intriguing. e by imp lant a total artificial heart in a hum piec e to lear an n how a prosthetic valve “In a few months of starting wor – to ask for an opportunity to test k, I wor ked our . We wer e all nov ices back then. had to attend to a case in which a valves. lady, Then, for a couple of years, we did with the help of her paramour, had a “He conceded, and we conducted lot of spade work to find what kind the poisoned her husband,” he says s of tria ls in his institution in Houston, Tex indi gen ous as. mat eria ls could be used so that There we “The lady was politically powerfu found out that the valves were l. the hum an hea rt cou ld be sustained,” Dr functioning excelle She was trying to pay people off to buy ntly. Rao explains. her way out of being prosecuted. “By now, the Indian government I was “Th e mat erial is as small as a 100 baisa had convinced that it was a case of acu also signed an intellectual proper te coin, and the cage would be mad ty poisoning, so I prepared the report e of righ ts agreement with the World Trade for met al, bec aus e it has to with court. But the lady was represented stand the Organisation, which allowed inve by a rigour of the blood flow. ntors to The material top lawyer from the neighbouring app ly for patents for their creations. city of was also supposed to be hard and bioChennai and he blew everything “But the patents could only be obt we had compatible. ained to smithereens. by qualified advocates, and unfortunate “Fo r a cou ly, ple of yea rs, we tried “He even questioned my credibili India had no such advocates at that ty. our luck with various materials whi tim e,” But when I placed the evidence on ch he tells. the were available in India but we wer table for the judge to see, there was e So, Dr Rao embarked on a new no unsuccessful,” he says. doubt in the mind of the judge. The jour ney to obtain a patent for his team lady And soon, Dr Rao and his team for was convicted of murder and give had to the newly created device. n life in concede defeat in finding To do this, he a material that studied law at a prison.” leading law college in the could be cheap to buy, as well as This case also served as Dr Rao’s strong country, and eventually obtained entry to withstand the natural forc a patent into government service. In a few es applied by for their work. months, the human body. he voluntarily signed up to becom What’s more amazing is that the ea But as he says, a little luck was just team part-time professor in a women’s sold their invention to the National college around the corner in his state. Research Defence Council (NRDC “Just as I completed my presentatio ) for But, in 1978, he was given the exc n to a mere INR1 (RO 0.0057). lusive the review board, Dr APJ For thei r Abdul Kalam services to the cou opportunity to work with the gov ernment stood up and said: ‘We ntry, the team was also have a string of of India for a medical research pro awarded a National Award for Scie ject mat eria ntific ls ava ilable in the defence industry Res on a deputation basis, in the city earch. of and we get man y was te products so you Trivandrum, Kerala. Today, because of the generosity can have some of those’. One of of Dr “The government only took two the Rao and his team, everybody can people ‘waste products’ was titan obtain ium, which was a heart valve for from other state governments, and a mere INR25,000. I used in aeronautical engineering was lucky to be one of them. The at that Today, the valves, called Chitra Val entire time. He offered us abu ves, ndant supplies of are being man project contained a total of 16 peo ufactured by the TTK ple and titanium for us in our rese arch, and at no Group in India. our goal was to develop a prosthe Dr Rao and his team are tic heart cost. valve for human beings using indi the proud advocates of the heart genous “So valve, on, we found that titanium was materials. The goal was simple: the which is used in many countries and actu ally the has best mat erial to be used in product had to be cost-effective for saved millions of lives already. people the valves. It was a blessing in disguise,” to buy. Have you got a unique story to tell or do explains the doctor. you know “In those days, we were importing someone who has? Contact us to have coffe heart In no time, Dr Rao and e with Y his team had valves from an international com and be featured in Y Magazine. pany at the product ready for testing on nonEmail: editor@y -oman.com
06
DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
THE VOICE OF OMAN AL SAYYIDA MAYYA AL SAID ON SELF-WORTH AND STAYING TRUE TO YOURSELF
correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: New statistics have found that water consumption in Oman has more than doubled over the past five years. What more can be done to save this precious resource?
W
hen you look in the mirror, how do you feel about the person you see? When you speak to yourself how do you sound? Are you kind or are you cruel? What I am really trying to ask is: “Do you love yourself ?” Take a moment and really think about that. It took me a long time to realise that the way I talked to myself has had a huge impact on my life. From birth we are taught how to talk to others and treat them with respect but very rarely do we get taught on how to take care of ourselves “emotionally”. You matter, and your opinion, your feelings, your ideas and your goals also matter. Simply put; you exist therefore you matter. The challenge is learning to find the strength to love yourself with your imperfections. Additionally, if we consider that no one is perfect it puts everything into perspective. When it comes to dealing with others, never give anyone the power to question or belittle you. No matter how close they are to you, they have no right to treat you any less than you deserve. The beauty of having self-worth is that it determines how others treat you and gives you the strength to speak up for yourself when no one else will. Believe that you are enough and you have the capability to stand up for yourself. Remember that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and that includes you. Take care of how you speak to yourself, because YOU are listening.
NEXT WEEK: KARIMA FARID
08
DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
ANTHONY CARLTON
We all agree that water is precious and especially in Oman where it is costly – economically as well as environmentally – to desalinate and consume water. Efficient use of water and raising awareness through water conservation campaigns and educating our kids will go a long way in this fight to improve savings of water. Besides the standard products, the water authority can suggest procedures that test and stop leaking taps and pipes. Installing low-flow shower heads and reducing unnecessary water pressure, and other used water from washing gardens after filtration will also help in saving water. Other ways to conserve and reduce consumption might include switching to low-flush toilets, using dual flush, using efficient water conservation washing machines, using washing machines only when the drum is full, wearing items of clothing more than once, covering swimming pools to prevent evaporation and using water- efficient sprinklers for irrigation.
NUPOOR PANDYA
Firstly, general awareness needs to be increased among people about the importance of saving water. Simple efforts made by each individual can go a long way in reducing the overuse or misuse of water. For example, regarding daily chores; not keeping the water running while brushing teeth or not using the washing machine for washing just few clothes are just two ways that can be done to reduce water usage. With continual awareness and simple efforts, a positive
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difference can be made in saving water and reducing its misuse.
RASU JOHN
Water is the precious gift to our life on the earth from the God. Water use is reaching extremely high levels, at the very limits of sustainability, but this tendency could be reversed if each of us modified our daily habits. Saving water starts with small efforts which gives a big result just like using condensed water from air conditioners is the main theme. Water dripping from air-conditioners is wasted. This water is pure and full of nutrients favourable for gardens. Instead of letting it run to waste through drains as such, it should be stored for garden use. One small drop can start a ripple. Our one decision to pledge can start a wave of change.
ZAHID SAEED
Much of our water is wasted due to excessive time spent in the bathroom. We should cut down on how much time is spent under the shower and refrain from keeping the tap running when cleaning our teeth, for example. We need to educate our children on water consumption to preserve this most precious resource.
WAFAA EL ANANY
Conserving water is something that we all should be doing. We take water and its supply too much for granted. The reality is that very little of the Earth’s natural water can actually be used for human consumption. Producing water is costly and uses the limited supplies of water available. By conserving it, you can prolong the supply of it.
SYED BOKHARI
Nature has provided us with many blessings, and water is one of them. But water is also a necessity and should not be wasted. It’s our moral duty to co-operate with the Government to restrict its usage if required.
MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT
In my humble opinion, apart from creating awareness about water conservation, the sensor managed water taps which are in fashion nowadays are adding a lot to water wastage and should be avoided. On the other hand, the functioning manual taps in almost all places can be seen all over and drop by drop, a huge amount of water is wasted and
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it goes unnoticed. We must change the functioning taps without wasting time. We can save lot of water in our homes and public places if we just simply take a note of these small measures.
RONNEIL SALES VALIENTE
Water is an essential natural resource for the survival of all living things. It is in our own little ways that we can help to conserve water and not misuse it. Some of these include turning the tap off when you brush your teeth, which can save up to six litres of water; place a cistern displacement device in your toilet to reduce the volume of water used in each flush; take a shorter shower, and always check for leaks in pipes, hoses, and taps. Water conservation comes naturally when everyone in the family is aware of its importance, and parents take the time to teach children some of the simple water-saving methods around the home which can make a big difference.
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MOHAMMED ALI
The city is growing, so naturally the consumption is going to be increasingly high. One of the ways to combat this would be to ban the use of dishwashers, close down car washing centres and fine people for using hose pipes at home. A water bill should not be more than 50 rials so people should be fined if it exceeds this. There should be an alternative recycled water pipeline, which could be used for watering plants and washing houses or pavements. Each resident should make sure there are no water leakages in bathrooms and toilets. People who have swimming pools at home should pay more for their water bills.
ANTONY VETTIYAZHICKAL JOSEPH
Prevention is better than cure so we should think of measures to curtail the wastage of water to save as much of this dwindling resource as we can. With the population in Oman increasing, the wastage of water is going up. Some of the daily domestic instances where I notice waste are when people shave or clean their teeth and keep the tap running or turn on the tap and don’t turn it off while cleaning utensils. Another is when vehicles are cleaned outdoors, and a huge amount of water is used when hosing them down. At the end of the day, changing people’s mindsets with regard to the consumption of water is imperative. Perhaps people might change their habits if they thought that the supply of water was in danger of being rationed.
MOOSA ALI QANBARALI AL AJMI WAS SPOTTED WITH HIS FAVOURITE Y MAGAZINE AT WORK IN QURUM
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USHA DEVI SUDDAPALLI
Having gone through the comments posted by others so far, I do not like to repeat the same suggestions, but having been a keen observer to such, I usually take a look at how careless and untimely corrective steps lead to water shortage, with few places being the public parks where leaking taps are not repaired for days with dribbling water leading to colossal wastage of water for over 24 hours. Likewise is the huge waste of water by those cleaning cars at homes, with water flowing like streams, besides the latest printing units which waste water to take out old labels on vehicles to fix new ones. Last, but not least, is the continued awareness needed that starts at home from young ages onwards by elders, with an emphasis through school education/ curriculum, in madrasas and religious/social congregations, awareness events by government, private organisations and NGOs that includes skits, cultural events to showcase the importance of water conservation, competitions etc.
DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
09
YOUR
NEWS
OMAN O
man will not incur a revenue loss following the decision of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and nonmembers to cut production, say market watchers in the Sultanate. Earlier this week, the Sultanate pledged to cut its oil production by 45,000 barrels per day during the output freeze deal, which was signed by numerous oil-producing countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran, which initially opposed the motion. The output cut also resulted in a surge in oil prices, with the cost of one barrel almost hitting the US$60 mark earlier this week [Monday]. This was also the first time that oil prices neared the US$60 mark in more than 18 months. Local daily Oman Tribune noted that the ninemonth oil price average was US$40 per barrel, which means that daily revenue for Oman would be about US$40m a day at the present production plateau of 1 million barrels. According to analysts, the Sultanate’s decision to cut output by 4.5 per cent will increase the country’s average daily revenue by a hefty US$15 million per day if oil prices remain around the current US$60 mark. “We have seen Opec and non-Opec producers agreeing, which is also boosting reflation expectation around the world,” Chris Weston, an institutional dealer with IG Markets, was quoted as saying by local media. Over the weekend, 11 non-
OPEC countries, including Russia and Oman, agreed to slash output by 558,000 barrels a day, in concert with OPEC’s own pledge to cut 1.2 million barrels a day. The total sum represents almost 2 per cent of global supply. The deal will take effect on January 1 but the reduction is expected to be carried out in multiple phases, and participating countries will meet in six months to evaluate the progress. OPEC’s own calculations forecast that world crude demand will hit 95.5 million barrels a day in 2017, an increase of 1.2 million barrels a day. Cutting production will lift prices, possibly into the target range of US$60-US$70 per barrel, says research firm BMI Research.
NEW ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR ABSCONDING WORKERS
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orkers absconding from their employers will now be recorded by a new electronic notification system in Oman. The Ministry of Manpower will begin implementing the system from this week. 010
DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
The system will be made mandatory with effect from January 2017 in the Governorate of Muscat and February 2017 for the remainder of the other Governorates. The system is part of the e-transformation programmes for labour welfare in the country. It is also a part of the e-government transformation plan, which aims to simplify and facilitate services rendered to the public. The new system allows employers to submit notifications about absconding labourers and even pay the value of the ticket electronically. Employers can also cancel the notification, redeem the value of the ticket and trace the progress of the application. This service also enables expatriates to receive an SMS and email when the employer files an absconding application against their name, enquire about these notifications, review the details of the notification and submit grievances against them if required.
THRILLING FINISH
GALLERY
TEAM OMAN AIR’S YEAR-LONG CAMPAIGN FOR THE FIRST EXTREME SAILING SERIES GC32 TROPHY WAS FOILED AT THE FINAL HURDLE IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, BY A FLAWLESS PERFORMANCE FROM RIVALS ALINGHI, WHO WERE CROWNED 2016 CHAMPIONS. A THRILLING FINAL DAY SAW MORGAN LARSON’S TEAM GATHER VITAL POINTS FROM THREE PODIUM FINISHES TO SECURE A THIRD PLACE, WHICH GUARANTEED TEAM OMAN AIR 2ND PLACE OVERALL FOR THE SEASON.
PHOTOS: JESUS RENEDO
DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
011
YOUR
OMAN Bite Sized OUR WEEKLY SLOT TAKES A LIGHTHEARTED LOOK AT A NEWS ISSUE OF THE WEEK.
PARENT PRANKSTER
This doesn’t sound good! That depends on who you are, we’d have to say. Was it Mum or Dad? In this case, it was the dad pranking his seven-year-old daughter Katie-Ann – and it was pretty convincing. What did he do? Well, dad Richard Holmes thought it would be amusing to tell Katie-Ann that her middle name was “Banana Face”. Did she believe him? Like any seven-year-old kid, they are pretty naïve. So yes, we think it’s safe to say that Katie-Ann believed him. How do you know that? As part of a school homework project, Katie-Ann had to write a few lines about herself and decided to let the cat out of the bag by saying she was very embarrassed about her middle name and that she’d never tell her friends about it. What happened next? Like any good parent, Richard checked his daughter’s homework and discovered that his prank had found its mark. What did he do? After laughing hysterically, he did what most parents do nowadays and posted his daughter’s homework on social media platforms, along with the back story. Oh, that’s a double whammy. It sure is! But Katie-Ann has taken it in her stride and even admits that her dad was pretty funny. She’s also relieved to learn that “Banana Face” is not her middle name. Don’t say: “You’re bananas”. Do say: “Are you winding me up”.
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DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
NEWS
PERMANENT RESIDENCY FOR OMANI INVESTORS IN INDIA
I
n a bid to encourage foreign investments from Oman, India is now offering permanent residency status to Omani investors for a period of 10 years, with an option to extend for another 10 years. The announcement was made by Indra Mani Pandey, the Indian ambassador to Oman, during a seminar that was organised to attract foreign investments to the country. Speaking at the seminar, the Indian ambassador was quoted by local media as saying: “Investors from Oman will be granted permanent residency status if he or she invests RO600,000 within 18 months or RO1.44 million in 36 months, and create 20 jobs for Indians every year. “Apart from free entry and no restrictions on the duration of stay, foreign investors are allowed to purchase one residential property in India for residential purposes. The spouses and dependents of investors will be allowed to work or study in India. The Ambassador added: “To promote visits by Omani businessmen to India, the Indian Embassy has also streamlined business visa processes and issues multiple entry visas with a minimum sixmonth validity. For high-level management of Omani companies, the embassy is also issuing visas valid for one to five years.” During the seminar, the ambassador also pointed out the drastic decline in bilateral trade between the two countries – from US$5.7 billion (RO2.19bn) ending March 2014 to US$3.8bn
THROUGH YOUR EYES
ending March 2016 – and took the opportunity to invite the business communities of Oman and India to expand their mutual trade and investments. In retrospect, however, the recent improvements in the business and trade laws in India has reflected on a record amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country, at US$44bn from April 2015 to March 2016 and US$29bn from April to September this year. “India, as always, is keen to work with the government and business community of Oman to achieve the goal of diversification of Oman’s economy, with focus on sectors identified through Tanfeedh,” the ambassador asserted.
SHARE YOUR PHOTO WITH Y TO BE FEATURED IN OUR NEW READER SECTION The stunning Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque dominates the skyline of Muscat, its golden glow captured by Jerson Agbay recently.
Send your photo to editor@y-oman.com to be featured in our new section, Through Your Eyes. Include where it was taken, your name and a few details about your photograph, such as the camera used.
PHOTO: Jerson Agbay
FOR A SONG
GALLERY
THE MUSCAT SINGERS AND MUSCAT BRASS THRILLED THE AUDIENCE AT THEIR RECENT WINTER CONCERT AT THE BOSCH CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS AT THE AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IN MUSCAT (TAISM). THE CHOIR GROUP SANG A RANGE OF POPULAR FESTIVE CAROLS AS WELL AS CONTEMPORARY NUMBERS, ACCOMPANIED BY THE 20-MEMBER MUSCAT BRASS, WHICH ALSO PLAYED A MEDLEY OF THEIR OWN FAVOURITE SONGS.
PHOTOS: NICOLE BRADBURY-BECX
DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
013
f
aces of
Oman
Welcome to Y’s weekly photo series that profiles the diverse characters who call the Sultanate home Name: Salha al Ismaili Age: 32 From: Oman Occupation: Quality, health, safety and environment coordinator Passion: Travelling and exploring new places
Photo: Shaquel al Balushi
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DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
ADVERTORIAL FEATURE
DRIVEN TO
SUCCESS
With plenty of years of experience under his belt, Obaid al Qartubi, has been working hard to redefine the corporate identity of Oman Arab Bank (OAB) since he joined the team. Today, he holds the position of communications specialist in the corporate communications department and is working to digitalise services with a mobile application for the bank Q: What drives you to success? I don’t like to settle just for the success I have achieved so far, and I think that is what drives me. My goal is to seek and find more opportunities in life and become more successful in what I do. I also want to exceed the targets that have been set at work so
that I can set an example to the youth who are coming up. Q: Who or what has been your inspiration? Throughout my career, I have worked in tandem with various agencies creating advertisements as well as strategies for OAB. And through that, I meet various people, who I meet for two to three hours daily. I draw inspiration from each person I meet, and learn from the people who impart knowledge to me. This is what has opened my mind to the concept of digitalisation too. Looking around us, I notice that people are relying less on print media, and are switching to digital and social media, and that, I believe is the way forward. Q: What is your biggest career success to date? I have two big success stories with OAB. The first one is to create a completely new signboard for the brand to give us a new image as we need a modern image – one that would show society about our presence and our vision. The second one would be my upcoming project, which involves a new phone application that will be launched soon. People are so advanced nowadays, and nobody wants to stand in queues or enquire about loans. The application would definitely be useful to many. Q: What are your career goals? Right now, we are working to take a huge step with OAB. As I mentioned before, we
THE GENESIS IS A DRIVER'S DELIGHT – IT CORNERS PERFECTLY, HAS LOADS OF POWER AND MATCHES IT WITH SOPHISTICATION AND VISUAL APPEAL are launching a new signboard to reflect our new corporate fascia and have come up with a digitisation plan too. It will happen soon, and that is a number one priority for me. Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? My dream is to become the CEO of an established company in Oman. I think my experience should pave the way for me to become a good leader and show my company the right path. I am also a person with the vision to guide a company towards success so I think that would be what I would want to do in the near future. Q: What do you like about the Genesis, the premium series of Hyundai Motor Company? I am amazed and impressed by the feature laden Genesis. It envelops you in a cushion of comfort as the cabin becomes a personal zone – quiet, luxurious and exclusive. The features of the car leave you with nothing more to be desired. Apart from that, the build quality of the sedan is top notch. The Genesis is a driver's delight – it corners perfectly, has loads of power and matches it with sophistication and visual appeal. It's really a very impressive car to drive. DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
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STILL IMMORTA STILL BELOVE Photos: Khalid al Busaidi, ROHM
Georgina Benison attends an engaging performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at Royal Opera House Muscat
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redicting whether or not a production will sell out is not a job for a pundit without a crystal ball. And surmising what is going to be a season’s hot ticket is not an exact science either. But the programmes at Royal Opera House Muscat this season have nearly all been sold out, and that is great for the opera house. However, I was very surprised to hear that tickets for a performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony last Thursday became like gold dust some days beforehand. It was delightful to see the full breadth of the stage in the auditorium open to the carved wooden panels; the majestic pipe organ looking down upon the 92 members (I counted them) of the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale Della Rai from Turin in Italy. This was no ordinary performance of Beethoven’s last, and landmark Choral Symphony. Under the baton of the experienced American conductor James Conlon, and with the much-praised Swedish Radio Choir, it was superbly flawless. But its popularity made me realise that Muscat’s music lovers are interested in pure symphonic form as well as dramatic works – and the pin-drop silence during the 80-minute symphony reflected an engaged audience, the members of which knew their repertoire. Or is it that choirs touch a special place in the human psyche, and people thronged to hear the huge, choral Finale? The concert opened, as all good concerts should, with an Overture – the ever-popular and familiar, Leonora No 3 (from Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio). After a short break when the full complement of the RAI National Symphony Orchestra and the 47 singers of the Swedish Radio Choir filled the stage, the focal piece of the concert was set to start. The symphony is in four substantial movements, with the last choral movement being almost a full symphony in itself. Its opening was as dramatic and assertive as it should be, ending triumphantly. The second movement was deliciously familiar and exciting, a demonic Scherzo – or joke in triple time – with almost fugal imitations. The third movement, Adagio molto e cantabile was perhaps not slow enough to contrast with the pace and energy of the second and what was to come. Without pause, the Finale began with a “terror” fanfare. Then suddenly and mysteriously, that tune we had all been waiting to hear appeared oh, so, softly, spine-tinglingly, in the double-basses: the sublime Ode to Joy, which gradually repeated louder and higher throughout the whole orchestra. It is debatable how much of Ode to Joy Beethoven actually wrote. It is a simple folk melody to a 1785 text written by Friedrich Schiller. I was astounded at the mileage Beethoven made out of that 16-bar tune throughout the last movement. It was heard in every place, timbre and register, from orchestra to massive choir, to the four soloists. Special mention should go to the outstanding Polish soprano, Aga Mikolaj. Her range and accuracy was breathtaking and she shone as a bright star. She was joined by the brilliant international tenor, Brandon Jovanovich, the Russian mezzo Elena Manistina and the French bass-baritone Paul Gay. As I left the theatre after a 100-minute concert, which had been perfectly executed and engaging throughout, an interesting thought crossed my mind: if ROHM can present a night of Beethoven’s in 2016, dare we hope for a performance of Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand in Muscat for 2017?
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THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE
DEC
NEW YEAR BUZZ
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OUD MAGIC
Head to On The Rocks Restaurant and Lounge for a Bollywood-themed New Year’s Eve night that should see you ring in 2017 in style. With Oman’s favourite DJ Pulse (above) spinning the decks, and a live Punjabi dhol player performance, it’s shaping up to be a memorable New Year celebration. Couples pay RO30 for entry, including a buffet dinner; singles pay RO20 and kids below 12 enter for free. For tickets and reservations, call 9521 8066.
WEEK
Oud player, vocalist and composer Dhafer Youssef is set to wow audiences with his unique style that combines world music with jazz and Arabic lyricism. With six albums to his credit, Youssef, who grew up in Tunisia, is an award-winning star on the world music scene. Curtain up at 7pm. For bookings and more information, go to www. rohmuscat.org.om.
WHAT TO DO. WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.
D E C E M B E R Ring in New Year at the Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club’s outdoor All White party. Live entertainment includes international deck spinner Djane – Da Queen, as well as local band The Electric Street Band. There will be spot prizes, raffles, live cooking stations, a huge dance floor and, of course, an all-white theme. Tickets cost RO55 per person and includes a buffet dinner, entry and unlimited beverages. The VIP tickets cost RO98 inclusive of entry to the VIP lounge, snacks, an exclusive buffet dinner and unlimited beverages. For bookings and enquiries, call 2451 4082 or email events@muscatgolf.com.
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All White on the night
THIS
DEC
Gallery
Movies
DEC 20
SWEET SALSA
SOME LIKE IT HOT Are you up for the 1 Million Challenge? The Buffalo Wings and Rings competition is heating up, with contestants who enter the food challenge expected to eat 15 chicken wings dipped in the restaurant’s famous hot and spicy sauce in just two minutes or less. In return, the first prize winner scoops a 12-month complete subscription with a set-up box from beiN; second place earns a oneyear entertainment subscription with set-up box from beiN while the third placed entrant wins free wings for a year. To register, go to http://buffalowingsandrings.om/1-million-challenge/
DEC
16 -17
Put a spring in your step and dance the night away at a Danc-A-Ton salsa party at The Oak Japanese restaurant in the Cave Complex. Beginners can enjoy two free workshops to help build their confidence – Salsa Rueda from 8pm-8.45pm, and Bachata from 9pm-9.45pm – before the party kicks off at 10pm. For reservations, call 9933 6078 and don’t forget your dancing shoes!
DEC 31
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS Join in the fun of a French-themed New Year’s Eve party at Laval Restaurant Lounge. Two options are available to revellers: a seated dinner for RO65 per person that starts at 7pm or a glamorous rooftop party for RO35 per person, which kicks off at 10pm. Guests will be entertained by the French band Oriana & The Charmers while French DJ Kristof Tigran will keep the party going until the early hours of the morning. For reservations, call 9655 4365 or email cyntia@nbsoman.com.
SULTRY SOUNDS
DEC 20
It’s not too late to book your tickets to see popular Tunisian songstress Dorsaf Hamdani perform for the first time in Oman as part of the Muscat Chamber Music Series Opening Concert at Al Bustan Palace. Fans will know Hamdani through her best-selling album Barbara & Fairouz, which has sold more than four million copies in Europe alone. Tickets are available at Moka & More Café or Arabesque’s head office in Azaiba. Prices start from RO15, but for RO50, you will also enjoy a sumptuous dinner
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Top
largest fish in the world
❶ Whale Shark
Scientific name: Rhincodon typus Maximum length: 16 metres Maximum weight: 34 tonnes
❷ Giant Manta
Scientific name: Manta birostris Maximum length: 9.1 metres Maximum weight: 3 tonnes
❸ Basking shark
Scientific name: Cetorhinus maximus Maximum length: 9 metres Maximum weight: 4 tonnes
❹ Beluga sturgeon Scientific name: Huso huso Maximum length: 8 metres Maximum weight: 3.2 tonnes
❺ King of herrings
Scientific name: Regalecus glesne Maximum length: 8 metres Maximum weight: 272kg
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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
Collateral Beauty
Moana This month’s feel-good movie has to be Moana, the story of a brave teenager who crosses the Pacific Ocean to find the shape-shifting demigod Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) to help save her people. Moana Waialiki, voiced by newcomer Auli'i Cravalho, is the daughter of the chief of Motunui, a small island in Polynesia. As a child, she was chosen by the ocean to find the heart of Te Fiti, an island goddess, which was lost 1,000 years ago by – you guessed it – the rogue but loveable Maui. Te Fiti’s heart has the power to create life and is vital for the survival of Moana’s beloved island and people. And as they begin to suffer, this is when Moana sets out on her adventure, along with her pet rooster Heihei, to find Maui and set the world right again. Of course, there are many adventures and threats along the way, as well as a
WIN CHANCE TO R U O Y B A R G TS EMA TICKE IN C Y IT C R FOU
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION Who voices Maui in Moana? LAST WEEK'S WINNER D.Vijay
moment when she almost gives up. But at the end of the day, this is a Disney film and the heroine always wins. Kudos must go to Moana’s directors, John Musker and Ron Clements (who also directed 2009’s The Princess and the Frog), both of whom spent time in Fiji, Samoa and Tahiti on research trips to fully understand the culture and traditions of the people of the South Pacific. Their efforts are evident in the film, and it comes across beautifully. The latest blockbuster from Walt Disney Pictures, Moana is a rollicking, 3D-animated ride that stays true to its Polynesian roots and keeps the audience entertained with its snappy jokes, fun storyline and foot-tapping songs. Definitely a must-see movie for all ages. Review by Felicity Glover
TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN, just answer a question based on the week’s cinema reviews and send your answer to editor@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
After suffering the tragic loss of his young daughter, New York advertising executive Howard (Will Smith) retreats from the world to grieve and begins writing letters to Death, Time and Love. Deeply worried, his friends and colleagues try to come up with a plan to help Howard reconnect with life. But when Howard begins to receive
responses to his letters, it is only then that he begins to understand how they connect. Smith heads a brilliant ensemble cast that includes Helen Mirren, Edward Norton, Kate Winslet and Keira Knightley – and at the time of shooting the film, learned that his own father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and only had weeks to live. Another must-see, but bring some tissues.
Miss Sloane Elizabeth Sloane, played by a steely Jessica Chastain, is a ruthless political lobbyist who will stop at nothing to win at all costs. But this time, the stakes are much higher when she decides to represent a client backing a government bill that imposes regulations on firearms, despite being asked to lobby for the opposition. However, her determination to win makes her the target of some powerful new enemies that put at risk both her career and those she cares about. An intriguing thriller that also stars Gugu MbathaRaw, John Lithgow and Michael Stuhlbarg.
Long View THE WINDMILL MASSACRE Brutal and gory, The Windmill Massacre is not for the faint-hearted so be warned! However, it’s not your typical slasher horror film, thanks to a clever plotline that keeps the audience guessing. We begin with Jennifer (Charlotte Beaumont), an Australian on the run in Amsterdam. In a bid to avoid the authorities she joins a bus load of tourists exploring the country’s famous windmills but the bus breaks down in front of an old mill and this is where the horror begins. If you are a fan of horror films, you’ll no doubt love this. It also stars Australian journeyman actor Noah Taylor. Oman release date: January 12
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HOUSEGUESTS:
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND TH
It’s that time of year again, when friends and family decide to descend on their relatives in Oman. Tina Squires offers her top tips for surviving the invasion and ensuring that everybody has a good time
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hances are that living in this wonderful country, with kilometres of long white beaches, picturesque fishing villages, exquisite mosques, breathtaking coastline, stunning mountains, beautiful deserts and all-year-round sunshine, you occasionally find yourself kneedeep in houseguest season. An attractive location and good weather are two key factors when deciding on a holiday venue for most people – and if we add to that the bonus of a friend or relative living in said location – that translates to a sure-fire great holiday for many of our friends and relatives living in other parts of the world. As most of us expats have left friends and family in our home countries to come and live in Oman, having visitors also allows us to re-connect
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with our roots and spend valuable moments with people we care about. Sharing our home allows us to spend true quality time together in a comfortable environment, and that’s worth treasuring. Some of my fondest memories since my time in Oman have come from having houseguests. My family and I love the conviviality, the constant chatter and showing our friends and family this wonderful country that we call home. The kids love playing in the pool with our guests, looking for sand dollars and crabs on Azaiba beach and the excitement that comes with taking visitors to Wadi Shab for a trek and a swim in truly stunning surroundings. In principle of course, most of us are all for an open-door policy. I certainly love the idea of running a warm and inviting house, a jolly destination of warmth and friendship. But
often the idea is very different from the reality. Benjamin Franklin once famously said that houseguests, like fish, begin to smell after three days and while we don’t want to, many of us are inclined to agree. At the heart of the matter is that houseguests temporarily set up their personal shop in another person’s territory. For most of us, this territory is a secure environment, where we as the householders have total control over the way we run our lives. Step forward the houseguest, an occasionally charming and entertaining figure who, unwittingly, adds stress to our lives to the extent that they disrupt our routines and the high levels of control that we normally enjoy in this personal territory. Unless our guests are visiting during school holidays, I’m normally on the school run at 6.40am, coming back to entertain our younger
So, here are my top tips for enjoying your houseguests, and giving them a wonderful holiday as well:
1. Remember that you are not their personal tour operator
HE UGLY
Most likely, your friends or family are staying with you because they want to spend time with you. Don’t make plans for every second they’re with you. Leave lots of time for chilling, and if you’re planning a long day out, leave the next day for relaxing. And remember that if they’re coming from a cooler climate, they’ll be looking for some time in the sun as well.
2. Ask in advance about food preferences and allergies.
An obvious one but it saves so much time and effort if you know in advance that little Johnny is gluten-intolerant. As you’ll be shopping in advance of them arriving, ask if there are any particular things they like to eat. I also like to freeze a few meals so after a long day out, we have a meal ready to eat.
3. Display your Wi-Fi password prominently.
Need I say more? A 21st-century requirement nowadays. Stick it on the fridge or somewhere obvious as you’ll be asked about this 100 times during their stay.
4. Show guests where your cutlery, crockery and glasses are – together with tea and coffee
If your guests are able to, show them where you keep the items they’ll need to get breakfast or a snack for themselves. They’ll also appreciate the ability to be independent, and you won’t have to wait on them on hand and on foot. Most importantly for me as a Brit, show them where the tea and coffee are so they can make their own (and, occasionally, yours)!
5. Accept the offer of help!
If someone offers to lay the table or clear away the dishes, take up the offer of help! Don’t feel you have to do it all yourself. Ask the kids to get involved as well – they can fill a water jug or bring in the glasses.
6. Privacy
You’ll need it, and your guests will want some privacy too. If they want to read a book or watch some TV, don’t feel you have to fill that space with an activity, a walk or a chat. And ensure that you have your own opportunities to rest and retreat as well.
7. Communicate your schedule to your guests
Let your guests know what your commitments are during their time with you. If you’re working, or doing the school run, let them know roughly when you’ll be busy, and allow them to plan their own activities. Give them a few recommended taxi numbers, or offer to hire them a car. It’s thoughtful to accommodate our visitors but we don’t need to move heaven and earth, especially when some plans can’t be changed. Guests will be more than understanding and accommodating.
8. Prepare your home in advance
In addition to planning a welcoming space, get your home ready to avoid anxiety and distraction. You want to be able to sit down and enjoy your guests, not feel flustered because your fridge is empty or you’re running out of toilet paper. Hosting visitors can be a demanding but highly rewarding experience for you and your family. By ensuring you and your home are ready before your guests step through the door, you set yourself up for an enjoyable time for everyone involved. Savour the sweetness of showing hospitality – after all, that is what Oman is renowned for!
visitors who don’t enjoy lie-ins, making breakfast for our guests, walking the dogs, grabbing a quick shower, taking them to Muttrah/dolphin watching/Grand Mosque, running back to school for the school run at 2pm, going back to Muttrah/the Marina/ Grand Mosque to pick up our visitors and possibly take them to the next tourist hotspot, dropping into Al Fair (daily) to replace milk and bread, going home to make dinner for everyone and then staying up until midnight entertaining and attempting to be the perfect host. And the next day, we go through the same routine. At the end of the week, I’m a wreck. My children and I have done a rough tot up, and we reckon that in our six years in the Middle East, we’ve had about 50 sets of visitors. Some of these are repeat visitors such as parents and siblings, others are entire families and some are lone visitors such as a girlfriend desperate for a week in the sun, or a friend on a business trip. Through experience and practice, I’ve come up with steps to ensure our time hosting family and friends is sweet and not the “fishy” experience that Benjamin Franklin referred to, and as a result we’ve had some incredibly happy times with every guest who has stepped through our door. DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
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NATIONAL TREASURES
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verybody has their favourite places to visit in Oman, from secluded beaches to outof-the-way wadis and even the best place to try the country’s famous karak tea or shuwa. These are our best-kept secrets and helping our houseguests to experience Oman in all its quintessential beauty only serves to make their
visit that much more memorable. A recent survey by Omela milk has revealed the top 10 “symbols” of Oman. As expected, there were quite a few destinations included in the top 10 list, such as Wadi Shab, Nizwa Fort and Sultan Qaboos
Grand Mosque. But because this survey was about our national treasures, respondents also named karak tea, the renowned spiced Omani milk tea, and harees laham (lamb with wheat in cow ghee) and shuwa (spiced slow-roasted meat wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in an earth oven over charcoal) as worthy inclusions in the list. The survey was part of Omela’s “I Love Oman” campaign, in which it surveyed thousands of Omanis to give them an opportunity to vote on a selection of destinations and activities as part of the Sultantate’s 46th National Day celebrations last month. “From areas of natural beauty to historical monuments and traditional food to outdoor adventure, their responses not only highlighted the diversity of the country, but also showcased the lust for life of its proud nationals,” says Hein Raijmakers, the marketing director for the Omela brand. “It is fantastic to see Oman’s rich cultural heritage, diverse natural wonders and its outstanding achievements in art and architecture all represented in this list of national treasures.”
THE TOP 10 LIST OF OMANI NATIONAL TREASURES: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque – Oman’s central mosque is a beautiful piece of modern Islamic architecture. The mosque was a gift to the nation from Sultan Qaboos to mark the 30th year of his reign.
Wadi Shab – a picturesque canyon with caves, waterfalls and pools. A must-see for all visitors to the Sultanate.
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Omani Fjords – The breathtakingly beautiful khors, as they are known locally, which lie among the stunning Musandam peninsula.
Photo Credit: Kargeen Caffe
Jebel Akhdar – one of Oman’s most spectacular areas within Al Hajar Mountain range, known for its greenery and agriculture, as well as Jebel Shams (Mountain of the Sun), the highest mountain in the country that rises up to 3,000 metres in the sky. It is a popular sightseeing area.
Turtle Hatching – watching the turtles’ night dash to the sea at Turtle Beach in Ras Al Hadd is among the most popular outdoor activities in Oman, more so as the Sultanate is home to five out of the seven species of sea turtles in the world.
Harees Laham – lamb with wheat in cow ghee; and Shuwa, slow-roasted meat strongly spiced, wrapped in banana leaves and laid in an earth oven over charcoal.
Spiced Omani Milk Tea – a traditional chai karak recipe from Oman which is served hot and made with sweetened condensed milk, cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon.
Dolphin watching – a must-do experience for visitors in a traditional Omani dhow.
Nizwa Fort and Jabrin Fort – Oman’s most visited monuments. Built in the 17th century, these forts are examples of Omani’s rich heritage. Jabrin Fort during its heyday was an important centre of learning for astrology, medicine and Islamic law. Royal Opera House Muscat – Oman’s premier venue for music and culture, ROHM was officially opened in 2011 and has played host to some of the world’s most famous opera stars, ballet companies and orchestras.
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SHOW STOPPE Motor Show Oman 2016 was the perfect showcase for viewing the vanguard of today’s vehicles. Alvin Thomas joined the buyers and dealers at the OCEC last weekend 026
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t’s not an everyday sight for everyone but then again, this isn’t an average day for anyone present at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC). For many, this is simply an opportunity to experience the newly opened megastructure in Oman; others, however, are here to catch a glimpse of the very best from the world of cars. Toyota, for instance, is showing off its all-new Corolla, which has gathered quite a crowd around it. But why a crowd has coalesced around the Corolla is what makes this Motor Show Oman 2016 special. With its new sharp design and flowing headlights, the Corolla may be a cut above the rest of its competition in terms of design, but there’s more to it than just that. Toyota, has taken the opportunity to launch its latest incarnation of the Corolla at Oman – something that has rarely, if ever, been done before. Also stealing the limelight are the TRD variants of the Land Cruiser, Fortuner and the Hilux from the same nameplate. Jacked up on a stilt-like suspension, the trio evokes an excellent response from the many spectators at the event. Many are in a frenzy, clicking selfies alongside the cars. But, calling out to the crowd from the other side of the showroom are the Germans, with their wide range of stylish Bavarian cars. The star of this section is, without a doubt, the BMW i8 – a hybrid sportscar – with a reputation for taking down other supercars from Europe. The sound of cameras going off fills the entire room once the scissor doors of the BMW i8 are lifted – and why not? It’s gorgeous.
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“The i8 is like a car from the future,” says one young enthusiast, Mudhasir. “I like the i8, and I have kept posters of it on my wall in my home. But it is the first time I am getting to see it in real life,” he adds before posing for a selfie with his favourite motor. But little do the Germans know about what the Americans have in store for them. Behind BMW is the stall that houses the cars from Dodge. To many, Dodge is a nameplate that invokes muscle car heritage. But waiting to pounce on the i8 is the monstrous Viper. With its 8.4-litre V10 pumping out 640hp, the Viper is quite the show-stopper, with many trying to scurry in and out of the car. Meanwhile, a huge crowd is seen roaring outside: it’s the Brits with the “Land Rover Experience”. To woo the audience, the team has built a small off-road course at the parking grounds of the OCEC. The aim is to navigate the Land Rover Discovery Sport through everything from traditional boulders to sheer 30 degree drops.
There’s no other way to say this: the crowd is thrilled. Apart from that, there is also a host of other exhibitors who are showing off their souped-up cars and bikes. Everything from an R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R to a Chevrolet Camaro are present. Oman Riders are also showcasing their bikes, which includes various Yamahas, Harley-Davidsons and Hondas. In total, there are more than 100 cars from various automotive marquees as well as exhibitors who are looking to show off the best of what they have to offer to the many thousands who are walking into the large exhibition hall. Also showcasing cars are brands like Nissan, MG, BAIC, Honda, Hyundai, Lexus, Triumph, Harley-Davidson and even MINI. “This is the most amazing car show that has ever happened in Oman,” says Kevin James, a spectator. “I visited the previous car show [in 2014], and comparing the two, I would have to say that everything has been done in a more systematic fashion. I absolutely love the new convention centre and I think it is extremely well designed. In all, three cheers for the team behind the Motor Show Oman,” he adds.
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FOOD AND DRINK
GOING NUTS
Not only do peanuts pack a healthy protein punch to any meal, they also add a fun flavour and crunchy texture.
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Trend
New Restaurant
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PEANUT POWER
Go nuts and add fun and flavour to your family meals
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f you’re looking for a fresh way to pack more nutritious protein into your family’s meals, consider cooking with a plant-based protein such as peanuts or peanut butter. You may think of peanuts as a tasty and convenient snack food – and they are – but peanuts and peanut butter are actually part of the protein food group. In fact, peanuts and peanut butter have more protein than any other nut and are rich in healthy oils, fibre, vitamins, minerals and phyto-nutrients. Dietary guidelines have suggested at least two servings of peanuts a week as part of a healthy diet. The family can enjoy these easy dishes that show how simple it is to create delicious meals using peanuts, in everything from sides to main dishes to desserts. You can also find more recipes featuring protein-rich peanuts and peanut butter at gapeanuts.com.
Peach Peanut Salsa Ingredients: § 85g lightly salted dry§ 1454g can of ripe firm roasted peanuts peaches, pitted and cut § 1/3 cup chopped white into 1.5cm pieces onion § 2 medium plum § 1/2 jalapeno pepper, tomatoes, seeded and seeded and finely chopped chopped
– Family Features
Asian Peanut Slaw Method: Ingredients: § Drain the juice from § 1 can (397g) the mandarin oranges mandarin oranges into a mixing bowl § 1/4 cup Asian sesame and put the oranges dressing aside for later. § 2 tbsp creamy peanut § Add the dressing, butter peanut butter and red § 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper, and whisk pepper until well-blended. § 1/2 cup coarsely Add the peanuts, chopped dry-roasted oranges and coleslaw peanuts mix, and toss until § 1 bag (170g) threethey are thoroughly colour deli slaw mix coated. Garnish with chow mein noodles chow mein noodles before serving.
§ 2 tbsp lime juice § 2 tbsp chopped cilantro § 1/4 tsp salt Method: § In a bowl, combine the peaches, tomatoes, peanuts, onion, jalapeno, lime juice, cilantro and salt. Mix well and let the mixture stand for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Beef Kebabs with Peanut Sauce Cover and beef cubes and toss to Ingredients: remove from evenly coat. § 2 tsp curry powder the heat but § Cover and leave in the § 2 tsp dark sesame oil keep warm. fridge to marinate for § 1 tbsp lime juice § Thread the beef cubes on at least 30 minutes, or § 1 tbsp light brown sugar the skewers. Add your overnight. § 1 tsp chili powder, favourite vegetables to § Soak the skewers in the divided skewers before cooking, water and heat the grill § 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce, if desired. Grill the to a medium-high heat. divided kebabs on a medium§ 1 454g beef fillet, cut into § Before cooking the beef, high heat for about 7-10 mix the remaining chili 2.5cm cubes minutes. Serve with a powder, the rest of the § 1/2 small onion, grated warm peanut dipping soy sauce, two teaspoons § 1 cup coconut milk sauce. of brown sugar, the § 8 tbsp crunchy peanut onion, the butter coconut § 8 skewers milk and assorted vegetables the peanut (optional) butter in the Method: saucepan. § In a bowl, mix the curry Stir the powder, sesame oil, lime sauce juice, one tablespoon frequently of brown sugar, 1/2 a over a teaspoon of chili powder medium and one tablespoon of heat until soy sauce. Add in the it simmers.
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FOOD AND DRINK
Tr e n d
te g Budendly fri
New Restaurant
REVIEWS
Info Box AL ARZAH
Al Mouj Road, Al Hail North Tel: 2454 1438 Opening hours: 4pm-1am daily Lunch for six: RO36.3
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Verdict : 8/10 SERVICE 7/10 FOOD 8/10 AMBIENCE A casual, cosy restaurant that shows promise Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals
ORDERS CAN BE ONEROUS WITHOUT A MENU, BUT ONCE ESTABLISHED, THIS NEW EATERIE WILL BE WELL WORTH ANOTHER VISIT, SAYS FELICITY GLOVER
I
t’s seems that I am developing a terrible habit: turning up at new restaurants days after they’ve opened their doors to the public. This means they are usually still in their “soft” opening stage, which means limited menus – or in my latest case, the menu hadn’t yet come back from the printer. And so it was at a recent visit to Al Arzah, a cosy, funky little Lebanese restaurant that opened its doors a little over two weeks ago now. It’s hard to spot from Al Mouj Road, but it has joined the likes of Italiano, Subway and the soon-to-beopened Golden Spoon on the right-hand side of the road as you drive towards Markaz Al Bahja mall. Once again, we were there with our friends the P Family. I’m not sure if they are getting used to the fact that I am inadvertently choosing restaurants in their soft opening stage but I do know they’d like to see a full menu sometime soon. Unfortunately, it was too late for us to leave and try somewhere else as we’d already been seated and the table set before we found out from the friendly waiter that there were no menus available yet. It turns out that they had only opened their doors the day before our visit. But the lack of a menu didn’t deter the waiter, who recited the limited choice of meals available
mixed grill, which was sizzling away on the grill top. But finally it arrived – three dishes rather than one to share. Again, it came on a wooden board, along with the small basket of French fries, a small salad and the same garlic dipping sauce. Sitting on a flatbread, the mixed grill came with a lamb skewer, chicken kofka and two types of chicken kebab. The kofta was juicy and had a small kick of spice while Mr and Mrs P said the lamb had a nice flavour and was very tender. Mr P’s favourite was the lamb, followed closely by the kofka while to us: cheese rolls, chicken shawarma, mixed grill Mrs P said the star of her show was the chicken and the usual line-up of hummus, moutabel, tikka skewer, followed by the lamb. tabbouleh and a few other salads. I am not a big meat eater and didn’t try the It didn’t take long for us to decide what to order. lamb at all, but the kofka was juicy and married My daughter Cia opted for the cheese rolls and well with the hummus. The tabbouleh was chicken shawarma, as did Miss Teen and Miss very tangy while the moutabel was smoky and Pre-teen. The adults decided to share a mixed delicious. grill, tabbouleh, hummus and moutabel. We didn’t ask about dessert but what we all And here’s where it comes in handy to order agreed on was that Al Arzah would definitely be from a menu: we didn’t realise it at the time but worth another visit, particularly when they have a the waiter thought we wanted three mixed grills, full menu in place. rather than just one, which took a very long Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see time to prep and cook. Oh, and not to mention reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com knowing how much each dish costs! The dining space is small at Al Arzah – there are a few booths and tables and chairs – but it’s nicely designed, taking on a mix of wooden warmth and industrial-type touches. It also has a small terrace, which should be popular now that the cooler weather has taken hold. In the meantime, the girl’s orders arrived relatively quickly, followed by the hummus, tabbouleh and moutabel. Nicely presented, the shawarmas were served on a wooden board and came with a cute basket of French fries and a strong garlic dipping sauce. The girls gave their shawarmas the thumbs up, saying they loved the thin, crisp bread. The only downside, they added, was that they were a little too oily. The cheese rolls were crispy and hot and oozed of melted cheese but were drizzled with a sticky, sweet chilli sauce, which wasn’t such a hit. Perhaps it might have been better to have served it as an optional dipping sauce, especially for kids. Meantime, the adults were still awaiting the DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
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HEALTH& BEAUTY
GLITZ & GLAMOUR Stand out in this season of glitz and glamour with bold and festive hues from the House of Fraser. Combine your jacket with nude colours or enhance a classic skirt with rebellious-looking boots.
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DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
Health
Beauty
FASHION
k o o L e h
nya a r a Dh
e istin r h ry ,C esto reet t o s h s gh rmy a e hi e h t @H d to ook. n e m l e ra gh e hi get th Instag h t o From s you t tine on is help w Chr o Foll
T t Ge
This embroidered faux-leather jacket is something you MUST have. This embellished floral number is a definite statement piece that will give any outfit some ‘oomph’. Get this fabulous jacket at New Look, from RO29.
Thinking of going bold this Christmas? We recommend this mint pencil skirt from River Island. From RO18.5
Keep up with the holiday spirit with this stunning, bright red ruffle blouse from Very. Get those ruffles dancing! From RO14
Love matte lipsticks? Why not try the new The Only 1 Matte Lipstick by Rimmel London? This vibrant colour, aptly named Run the Show #800 is something you will want to wear to get the party started. Buy this bold colour from RO5
You are not like others; you hate shiny dresses. You are the cool type but still want to radiate the holiday spirit in your attire. It’s time to don this red crop quote hoodie. From River Island from RO14
The Calvin Klein Graphic Watch is the perfect accessory to reflect any personality. The minimalistic design and prominent dial lines give the watch a contemporary feel and looks sleek on the wrist. Price on request. We really love these furry pom-pom earrings from Primark. They are playful, joyous and just perfect to put on when hanging out with your family or friends during the festive season. Buy them from RO1
DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
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HEALTH& BEAUTY
MAKING WAVES T
he festive season is so nearly upon us and no doubt you are prepared! Killer dress? Check Statement heels? Check. Amazing hair? Fear not. Here, we have the perfect guide on how to achieve this season’s hottest hair trend for all hair lengths: curls.
Short hair – subtle but sophisticated To achieve this look you can dampen your hair and apply a lightweight mousse. Spread it evenly through your hair by using a brush or a thin comb. Start to “rough” dry your hair and apply the nozzle directly to your roots. This will create more volume for your hair, which will make your curls stand out more. Once your hair is thoroughly dry apply a curling tong. When using this ensure you roll it inwards towards your scalp for 25 seconds then slowly unroll to create a bouncy curl. Repeat this process until your hair is completely curled. To loosen the curls, slowly run your fingers in between each part of your hair or leave as styled. Apply some hairspray then you’re good to go.
Mid length – make a wave For mid-hair styles, loose curls/ waves are the most flattering as the style combines the two. To achieve this look, start off with towel-dry hair and then add some gel to help tame the flyaway and frizz. The styling gel/spray will also help set your curls later on. Again, use a hairbrush or thin comb to ensure that the product is spread evenly through your hair. For drying, flip your hair until it is around 85 per cent dry as you still want some moisture left so that it is easier to
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DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
BEAUTY
Health Fashion
The biggest hair trend this party season has to be curls. Celebrity hairdresser Asgar Saboo offers his tips to keep you on message style with. Try to avoid touching your hair when drying as this will create more frizz. Once drying is complete, section your hair into 5cm squares all over your head, using zigzag lines to part. This will help produce a more imperfect finish. With each section, apply a small amount of mousse through it and twist the strand to wind it into a tight mini bun then secure with a hair clip and repeat this process all over your head. Blast each mini bun with your hair dryer until your hair is dry and the bobby pins feel hot. This should take around 15-20 minutes. When done, wrap small sections of your hair around your curling tong and curl as normal. Finally, use a small amount of gel to tame the frizz and define the waves. Tousle as you apply for that effortless look.
Long hair – luscious locks
The evergreen Hollywood glamour look never goes out of style and is perfect for making a statement at your office Christmas party. To achieve this, start off by applying some volumising mousse directly to your roots and repeat this process throughout your hair. To apply more speedily, use a hairbrush or thin comb to ensure even distribution and leave your hair in a side parting. Blow-dry your hair and direct the nozzle to your roots. This will also create more volume and add more bounce to your curls. Set hair into a centre parting and pin the two side sections out of the way. Spray the remaining hair with a holding spray and split into two. Curl each section with a curling iron. Once this is done, hold each curl for six to eight seconds before releasing and clipping to the head to help them set. Release the hair from the sides and continue to curl 10cm sections, working from the back to the front. Once the curls have cooled, release the clips and brush through to soften the curls into a gentle wave. To complete the look apply a shine spray and position one part of your hair over your shoulder. Leave the rest to sit on your back or pull all of your hair to one side and let it sit loosely.
Beauty
E
Five smart steps to preserving brain health
veryone knows aerobic exercise gets the heart pumping, and lifting weights keeps muscles strong. But when it comes to keeping the brain healthy most people are unsure what to do. As you age, brain health and memory functions become a top concern, and issues with both may begin sooner than you think. “We tend to think about memory decline as an older person’s issue but that’s not the case at all,” says Aimee Gould Shunney, a doctor who specialises in women’s health and family medicine in the United States. “There was a study published in 2012 in the British Medical Journal that examined cognitive function in people age 45 to 70. The researchers did not expect it but they found evidence of cognitive decline in the 45-year-old participants as well as the older participants.” She notes there are two basic pathological processes that cause degeneration of the brain: oxidative stress and inflammation. Basically, a poor diet and inactive lifestyle contribute to those processes and this is an issue for men and women of all ages. No matter what your age is, you can take charge of your cerebral health by following these five smart steps, as recommended by Dr Shunney:
Healthy eating
“A Mediterranean-type diet that focuses on whole foods, good fats and foods high in antioxidants is a great place to start,” says Dr Shunney. She encourages her patients to focus on getting
HEALTHY MINDS
Omega-3 fats from fish and mono-unsaturated fats from olives, olive oil, nuts and seeds. She also recommends upping your consumption of fruits (especially berries) and beans (packed with antioxidants). Research also shows a little cocoa, coffee and red wine can act as antioxidants and are beneficial in low to moderate amounts.
Supplements
In addition to a quality multivitamin, Dr Shunney recommends an Omega-3 supplement. She says: “Getting enough Omega-3s is one of the most important measures we can take. DHA is the dominant Omega-3 in the brain. Just as we need to make sure babies have enough DHA to develop their brain, we need to make sure older people get enough DHA to keep their brains healthy.” Dr Shunney suggests Omega Memory by Nordic Naturals. It’s a DHA-dominant Omega-3 formula that also includes other brain healthy ingredients: curcumin, phosphatidylcholine and huperzine A. Learn more at www.nordicnaturals. com.
Regular sleep
Poor sleep is a risk factor for cognitive decline. “Studies show both sleep deprivation and sleeping too much impact cognitive
Fashion
HEALTH
performance,” Dr Shunney says. “A good goal is to go to bed around the same time each night, sleep for seven to eight hours, and get up around the same time every morning.”
Thinking activities
“I recommend anything that keeps your mind working,” says Dr Shunney. “Activities that require things to be arranged or puzzles that have to be put together. Crossword puzzles, word games and board games are all great.” She also notes some activities to avoid: “It's important to limit certain activities. The constant scanning of social media and newsfeeds eliminates creativity and keeps us on edge. Limit the time you spend doing that and instead do things that cause you to explore and think and put ideas together on your own.”
Socialise
“Social isolation has been linked with cognitive decline,” says Dr Shunney. “In one study, people who were lonely experienced cognitive decline at a 20 per cent faster rate than people who were not lonely.” Make time to take a foreign language class, join a Toastmaster’s Club or take a watercolour class – anything that connects you regularly to other people. – BPT DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
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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 AND ADVENTURES
WELCOME SHADE
The verdant Ain Al Thawara wadi in Nakhal is a beautiful oasis with crystal-clear waters.
DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES
D E S T I N AT I O N P o s t c a r d s f r o m
Y- F i
Outdoors
Destination
AIN AL THAWARA
Shaquel al Belushi finds a wadi to wash away the stress of getting lost 040
DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
either as everyone gave us different directions, causing us to go through the same route repeatedly. Two hours into the search, however, we decided to give up and head someplace else. And that’s when I realised something: I had been having a tingling sensation in my head that had been telling me to visit the Nakhal region. The last time I had visited Nakhal was early in 2014 when I had just started with Y. Therefore, I decided that it was the best place for us to head to. Armed with the coordinates for Nakhal, we headed back onto the dust-soaked highways of Barka. Our trip only took a few minutes and we were excited to finally be making some progress. However, upon reaching the fort, we opted to go farther than where tourists usually stop during the winter season. And in no time, we had seemingly entered a completely different environment – sort of like Narnia. We found ourselves at what we can only describe as the most pristine wadi in Oman. There weren’t many people here but the wadi, locally known as the Ain Al Thawara, was surrounded by several old houses – almost like guards on sentry duty protecting hidden treasure. The wadi was crystal-clear, and it extended up to the far end of the rocks, making it seem like an infinity pool from one of the five-star resorts in Oman. And boy, it was absolutely stunning. I quickly thought to myself how popular this wadi would be with tourists, especially if it became known to the public. After all, who would say no to a free dip in an infinity pool? I found myself going deep into the corners of the pool to capture a few pictures. Dipping into the cool waters of the wadi , however, completely
washed away our stress from our earlier falaj fiasco and revitalised our drained energy. That’s the power of nature: it can heal you from all your troubles at any
given moment. People must learn to submit themselves to the feet of Mother Nature in times of distress. After all, it is the basis of everything that we call “life”.
HOW TO GET THERE
TRAVEL GUIDE
I
f you caught my Destination on Harat Safala last week, you will have remembered how I professed my love for Oman and counted my lucky stars to be living in our wonderful country. It is this feeling of pride that I always want to bask in, and to add to with each adventure I take on. With this week’s outing, I started out with good intentions; wanting to continue exploring the aspects of our heritage, topography and scenery that make our country stand out among its neighbours. Joining me on my latest trip was, once again, my best friend Imran. This week, he suggested that we concentrated on finding a few falaj sites (ancient agriculture irrigation systems that date back to 500 AD). On our recent trip to Birkat Al Mouz, we had found a running falaj that was still trickling underneath one of the ancient houses in that deserted and fascinating village. To find another, we called up one of our close friends. Much to our surprise, he told us that there was a falaj right next to the castle of Harat Safala. So, without any delay, we hopped into my trusty Jeep and hit the road. Yet again, we found ourselves driving down the highway towards Barka. The drive was tiring, to say the least, but in less than two hours, we were at the whereabouts of the castle. Our initial excitement, however, was shortlived as we failed to find a falaj. After an hour of driving, we couldn’t even find the castle where we had started out from. But Imran had mapped out our route in his head, and quickly alerted me that we were going around in circles and were not making any progress whatsoever. Our last resort of asking passersby for directions didn’t help us much
From Muscat, head towards Barka via the Muscat Expressway. When you reach Route 13 take the exit to Nakhal Road.
GPS coordinates: N23°27’26.6” E57°48’28.2”
DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
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CARS AND ADVENTURES
TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
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Climb a volcano Experience Jeju Island’s Natural Wonders Take a walk on the ‘Olle’ side Sunset on Hyeopjae Beach Visit Seongup Folk Village
DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
UP ABOVE
Seongsan Ilchulbong, or Sunrise Peak, is a famous landmark and popular tourist attraction on Jeju Island.
Destination
Outdoors
Y-Fi
Cars
POSTCARDS FROM
Jeevan Blesson recommends
JEJU ISLAND, SOUTH KOREA
G
lobally known for rapid technological advances and increasing urbanisation, South Korea embraces the new while proudly retaining much of its heritage. It’s a
spectacular, diverse country bursting with exciting cities and tranquil rural locations, with myriad cultural attractions to be found in both.
As a result, South Korea is becoming an increasingly sought-after travel
destination.
There are more than 3,000 islands off the coast of South Korea. More than
30 of these have drawn visitors to their enchanting scenery. One of the most popular is Jeju Island.
Jeju, known locally as Jejudo, can be found in the southwest of the Korean
Peninsula. It’s a volcanic island that is dominated by the Hallasan Mountain (with a height of 1,950 metres, the highest mountain in South Korea). The
JEJU F O L K V IL LAGE
MUSEU
M
island is about an hour from the capital city of Seoul by plane and is the
country’s biggest island. Here, tourists can savour pristine, white, sandy
beaches; cascading waterfalls and an atmosphere that can be as laid-back as you will find anywhere.
My favourite place
Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, also known as the Sunrise Peak, in Jeju. It was formed by a volcanic eruption under the sea more than 10,000 years ago. Located on the eastern end of Jejudo Island, there is a huge crater atop Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak which is about 600m in diameter and 90m high! It looks like a gigantic crown with 99 sharp rocks surrounding the crater. While the southeastern and northern sides are cliffs, the northwestern side is a verdant grassy hill connected to the Seongsan Village. The ridge provides an ideal spot for walks and for horse-riding. The sunrise from the crater is magnificent. Moreover, the Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, particularly when surrounded by bright yellow coloured canola flowers in spring, is a sight to behold. IL OL L E T R A
Highlights
For those wishing to truly understand what the island and its people are all about, check out the Jeju Folk Village Museum. Within walking distance of Pyoseon Haevichi Beach and near the Haevichi hotel and resort itself, this is a must-see for anyone looking for a hands-on historical and cultural experience. Founded in February 1987, around 100 structures were carefully brought, rock-by-rock, from across the province to replicate traditional structures representative of the Joseon era (1392-1910). Everything you see within the open-air village museum typifies life as it was lived long ago. Within this 4,500-hectare-wide museum are authentic replicas of a traditional mountain village, a fishing village, a marketplace, a botanical garden, old government buildings and a holy place where actual religious rites were performed. The village was constructed after some years of research on how Korea and Jeju Island looked like in the 1890s, how the people lived, and how their homes were built until the end of the Joseon Dynasty, just before the Japanese came. Although this is a constructed village for the sake of tourism, it was aimed at coming as close as possible to the real thing.
Lowlights Frankly, nothing I can think of. Everything about this place is exceptional. Souvenirs Jeju Underground Shopping Street is the perfect place for shopping in Jeju as there are more than 377 outlets. An underground shopping street takes you away from the city traffic and you can stroll around hunting for bargains. This is the best place to look for clothes, footwear, accessories and crafts. As this street is covered, you can shield yourself from the sun during the daytime and, of course, you can shop here when it’s raining outside. There’s so much on offer that you will need an entire day to browse through it all. Where to stay As you would expect, there are hotels to suit all budgets. The closer the hotel is to the seafront the more expensive it will be. You can easily find them on websites.
JEJU-D
O SEON GSAN IL C H U LBONG
DEC 15 - 21 / ISSUE 449
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-FI THE TECH IN YOU
Outdoors
D e s t i n at i o n
Y-FI
TECH THE HALLS Wondering what to give family and friends for Christmas this year? Felicity Glover looks at some cool gadgets that she’d like to find under her tree MEET COZMO The Anki Cozmo has to be the coolest little robot we’ve seen in a long time – and also the smartest. He’s got personality, sophisticated artificial intelligence and even reminds you of Wall-E – just a lot sleeker. Cozmo can recognise its owner, express feelings, greet your pets and play games. The more you interact with him, the more he develops and gets to know you, which could be a little eerie for some. But still, he’s a pint-sized cute bot with huge potential – and we want him. At www.anki.com from RO69
POCKET PRINTER
QUIET COMFORT
Ever since we saw British vlogger and YouTube queen Zoella plugging the HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer a few weeks ago, we’ve been secretly hoping to find this in our Christmas stocking on December 25. The Sprocket is a fabulous little device that lets you print out copies of your best Instagram selfies and other smartphone photos. Just connect it to the free app via your iPhone or Android smartphone and you’ve got printing on the go. Best of all, it utilises zero ink photo paper. At www.amazon.co.uk from RO81.8
Sit back, relax, pump up the volume and tune out from the world with these sleek Bose Quiet Comfort QC35 Wireless Headphones. Described as the best on the market today, they are a comfortable fit, have a long battery life and highquality noise cancellation. With 20 hours of battery life per charge and up to 40 hours in wired mode, these are the perfect gift for music fans. At www.amazon.co.uk from RO135
GAMERS UNITE
EDITOR’S PICK
IF THERE’S ONE COMPLAINT WE’D HAVE ABOUT THE XBOX SERIES, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF THE XBOX 360 AND XBOX ONE – ESPECIALLY IF SANTA HAS DELIVERED BOTH OVER THE PAST TWO CHRISTMASES. BUT THAT’S NOT AN ISSUE ANYMORE THANKS TO MICROSOFT’S XBOX ONE'S GAMING CONSOLE. SLIMMER AND BETTER-LOOKING THAN THE XBOX ONE, ITS HARDWARE HAS UNDERGONE A SERIOUS UPGRADE WHILE YOU CAN ALSO PLAY 4K BLU-RAY MOVIES AND STREAM 4K VIDEO ON AMAZON INSTANT VIDEO. GAME PLAY IS RICHER AND MORE COLOURFUL AND BEST OF ALL, YOU CAN STILL PLAY YOUR XBOX 360 GAMES WITH THE ADVANCED FEATURES OF XBOX ONE. FROM WWW.AMAZON.CO.UK FROM RO120
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GOOGLE SANTA TRACKER
H
o, ho, ho folks! As you all know, we’re on the verge of Christmas. And for many, it is a time for going back to their roots: setting up a Christmas tree, sharing gifts and spending Info Box time with family. Most children, however, take this time Genre: (a month or so before Christmas) to be good – and earn INTERACTIVE LEARNING gifts. Platform (s): PC (ONLINE ONLY) AND The rule is simple: the better behaved you are, the ANDROID more gifts you get. Little kids also take this time to Developer: compose wish lists for Santa Claus – the beloved GOOGLE superhero who delivers gifts to millions of kids around Rating: the world. The deal is easy too: you leave a glass of milk EVERYONE and a mince pie in your house, and he’ll be there. But have you ever tried sneaking up on him? If not, here’s a game by Google that will give you the perfect opportunity to do so. Google’s Santa Tracker is an annual Christmas-themed “entertainment” program that allows users to track Santa during Christmas Eve. However, before that, the app, which is available via a simple search on Google for the same, allows users to play games and take part in simple activities. As the game is actually a part of Google, you would have to use a web browser to play the game. There are no particular restrictions for the same, so you could use Google Chrome or even Mozilla Firefox to play the game. Opening the game, there are a few games to choose from. Currently, “Santa Search” is first on the list. As the title suggests, you search for Santa Claus in various locations and among large crowds but it is fairly easy to play. Other games include the “Code Boogie”, which allows users to code (simply drag and drop elements) elves to dance. There’s also a mini-Wikipediaesque page called “Holiday Traditions”, which gives players an idea as to how Christmas is celebrated in various parts of the world. There are a few other games to choose from too. The graphics are extremely slick and gameplay should be smooth if you’re running a system with more than two gigs of RAM (Random Access Memory). However, if you’re desperate to play the game on the go, you can download the Google Santa Tracker app on the Google Play Store. Just remember: don’t startle Santa when he’s busy leaving gifts for you. Review by Alvin Thomas
App of the Week
PRISMA Have you discovered Prisma yet? It’s one of the most popular photo-editing apps on the market today, allowing you to turn your smartphone pictures into realistic paintings using a combination of “neural networks” and artificial intelligence. For both photos and videos, you literally turn them into works of art using the styles of artists such as Van Gogh and Picasso. A great way to turn your memorable moments into timeless works of art. Free at iTunes and Google Play.
JULY DEC 0315 -- 09 21 / ISSUE 449 327
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CARS AND ADVENTURES
Destination
Postcards from
Outdoors
FIRST DRIVE The ‘holy grail’ of grand tourers now comes in a newer and even grander incarnation. Alvin Thomas takes it for a spin
I
t was in late 2014 when I took the keys to a Ferrari for the first time. It was the 458 Italia, in Rosso Corsa – better known as Ferrari red – the perfect colour for a Ferrari. I even remember looking at it for hours before climbing into the driver’s seat (I’m not exaggerating). As expected, the car drove extremely well, and there was nothing to complain about. It became my favourite car in the entire world. Fast forward to today and it’s the same feeling. I’m standing outside the Ferrari showroom, staring at the California T. It’s not finished in the traditional Rosso Corsa but my word, this car is a looker! It’s funny how a car can make me, a grown man, act like a five-year-old kid. Everything from the stretched-headlights (almost F12-inspired) and the sculpted air intakes, to the raised rear-end and the high mounted circular tail-lights shouts out exclusivity. But it’s the curves that get me: starting all the way from the A-pillar up front and extending all the way to the rear arches, the curves on the Ferrari put supermodels to shame. It’s all very poetic and all very Italian. The California T is now in its second generation. But for those of you who aren’t aware, the “California” nameplate was first used on a Ferrari 250GT– a car I consider to be the holy grail of all grand tourers. So, this new California T has a lot to live up to, but so far things are shaping up very nicely. Climbing into the car isn’t a tedious process, unlike many other sports cars. The interior is “inspired” from that of a 458 Italia that I drove a while back but it still keeps the practicality of the previous generation California. Everything is wrapped and stitched in genuine leather and you also receive an entertainment screen upfront. The
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interior colour contrasts with that of the exterior, and it definitely stands out. It really is a nice place to be; everything is laid out perfectly and is well within reach of the driver. Ferrari’s new steering wheel has been carried forward into the California T too. It can be a bit baffling for first-time drivers to understand but once you figure out everything, it is easy to use. Everything from the indicator switches, pass-light function, wiper modes, drive modes and even engine-start buttons are on the wheel. But now that I’ve wasted your precious time by banging on about the car’s interior and exterior, let me jump into the main aspect of the Ferrari – the drive. Even switching the car on is a special process: you have to first put the key in and turn it to the “on” position, and then hit the red “ENGINE START” button on the wheel. On doing that, you’re greeted with a sweet yet aggressive-soundtrack, typical with most Ferraris. But the characteristics of the exhaust note are definitely different here. Most Ferraris produce highpitched soundtracks – almost like Formula One cars. Despite this, the exhaust note of the California is low-pitched and more throaty. The sound is unique and unmistakeably Ferrari, I must point out. Creating all the ruckus is a 3.9-litre turbocharged (“T” standing for turbocharged) V8 motor, pumping out an astonishing 560hp and even more unbelievable 755Nm of torque. The engine is mated to Ferrari’s seven-speed dual clutch automanual gearbox that sends all the power to the rear wheels. All that power to the rear wheels only means one thing: tonnes of oversteer (perfect for powersliding). Of course, pumping the throttle in the “Sport” mode lets you play around with the rear end a bit but the traction control kicks in to save you from
Y- F i C A R S
Ferrari California T Specifications: Engine: 3.9-litre turbocharged V8 Transmission: seven-speed dualclutch transmission Horsepower: 560hp Torque: 755Nm Rear-wheel drive F1-Trac ABS and Driveline Traction Control Infotainment System w/ Navigation & Bluetooth Transmission w/ driver selectable modes Sequential Shift Control Ceramic disk brakes Side impact beams Folding metal roof
going into an embarrassing spin. Also, I must point out that the traction control isn’t very intrusive like many found in its German rivals. Therefore, you can definitely play around before hitting the limit. The raw torque from the engine also means that there’s plenty of power in any given gear. Even more astonishing is the fact that there’s absolutely no turbo-lag. The acceleration is instantaneous, and the car is kick-you-in-the-back quick. The gearbox is quick to respond too so you’ll find the rear squirming for grip upon hard acceleration. Despite the fight for grip, I still managed to hit the 100kph mark from a standstill at a mere 4.2 seconds. However, that number drops to 3.6 if you opt to shift into manual mode and with the “Launch Control” engaged. But at no point did the California T feel dangerous to drive. I was so confident with the car; I pushed it around the twists and turns at Al Amerat at quite high (and still legal) speeds. There’s plenty of grip from the tyres, and the steering is extremely responsive, with exceptional amounts of feedback and weight to it. The carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes are reassuring and also very linear. Overall, the California T is extremely comfortable to drive. The suspension is very forgiving and, weirdly, takes speed bumps with ease. The 360-degree visibility is quite impressive, if not the best (it is a low-slung sportscar after all). But it’s a lot better if you take the top down. Driving a low-slung sports car can be quite a tedious task. But the California T takes away all the pains of driving one. It blends in the best of both worlds: you get supercar acceleration and speed, and GT-car comfort. The Italians have got this right. Now, it’s your turn, Germans!
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Photograph courtesy of Gavin Newman
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