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MAR 16 - 22 2017 / ISSUE 462 • WEEKLY
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EDITOR’S
NOTE
Welcome to Y Magazine – your top guide to the best of Oman every week.
Fast forward
F
or the first time in the Sultanate’s history, tourists and residents alike will be able to experience the beauty of Oman from the air. Thanks to the recent opening of a unique flight school, called SkySchool Oman, we can now take to the skies in a paramotor with instructors to view the stunning topography of variety of locations. In our cover story this week, Team Y reports from skies above the beautiful Sharqiyah Sands, in which we fly over areas that had previously been inaccessible to the common man. It was an incredible, exhilarating experience – and one that we will never forget, but we’ll let the pictures speak for themselves! Elsewhere, we head to the popular Wadi Bani Khalid, take the Toyota Prius out for a thrilling ride in First Drive and continue with our important Safety Road Pledge campaign and our Mother’s Day competition, which closes on March 19 – so be quick with your entries! Have a wonderful week!
editor@y-oman.com
EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi MANAGING EDITOR Felicity Glover
PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi REPORTER Alvin Thomas DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan
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03
contents MAR
Your Oman
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22
2017
This Week
06 Coffee With Y Ian Dench
16 Competition Y’s Got Talent
08 Voice Of Oman Alvin Thomas 10 News Consumer protection laws tightened 12 News The Big Show Oman 14 Faces Of Oman
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16
18 This Week Festival of Colours 21 Movies A United Kingdom
Features 22 Cover story Y takes to the skies 26 Take the pledge Join our road safety campaign 28 Say it with love Enter our Mother’s Day competition
22
15 Hyundai – Driven To Success Ammar Askari
Cars and Adventures 32 Destination Wadi Bani Khalid 34 First Drive Toyota Prius 36 Postcard From Exeter, UK 38 Y-Fi Affordable tech
21 Health and Beauty 40 Fashion Mum’s the word 42 Beauty ELT skin treatment
Food and Drink 44 Food Feature Simply seafood 46 Taste Test Bab Idris
44
43 Health Sleep well
38 40
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Ian De
Felicity Glover sits down for coffee with Ian Dench, the ne w chief executive of Ooredoo, and discovers a seasoned ex pat with an extensive depth of experie nce in the global telcos sector t’s just before 11am on a rece
I
nt his Masters at the City University Sunday and I’m waiting in a café you name it – everything is moving Business School (now called CASS) at Muscat Grand Mall to meet in onto the phone. London. Ian Dench, the new chief executi “If you are consumer, you are ve “It is pretty invaluable starting in of Ooredoo. I’m a little early but con suming the services. If you that engineering then moving through gives me time to gather my though are a business, you are trying to ts commercial,” Ian says. “An d BT, like digitise and prepare for our interview. your services and get your a lot of big organisations, particu Ian is right on time – he is friendly larly app onto your customer’s device. then , was very supportive. So they and appears relaxed, despite having So that is where we are trying to put me thro ugh educational all the only moved to Muscat at the end uniq of uely way pos ition ourselves, with data thro ugh to my Ma sters.” January to take up his leading role experience leadership for consum Afte r a thre e-ye ar stin t in ers, at the telecoms provider. But as an making sure they have the best data Singapore, where he was working expat, it seems that Ian is taking it in all a business development role for a BT experience that we can possibly give.” in his stride. subsidiary, Ian had what he calls However, he says that the Ian orders a coffee (a single shot a “for tuit sect ous or’s current focus is on the ” mee ting with a former latte) and I settle for a cup of tea, colleague that eventually led him Telecommunications Regulatory and it’s pretty much straight dow to n to take up a job with Batelco in Bahrain, Authority’s invitation for operators to business. where he stayed for three-and-a-half apply for the Sultanate’s third mo Originally from Essex in bile yea rs. lice nce, which was announced in the UK, Ian started out in the “They were doing this preparator telecommunications industry at y November last year. wor k for competition. I came and “That is something that we are a very young age – 16 years, as a explained all about … this excitin preparing for. It’s a good opportu matter of fact, when he joined Brit g nity ish world of services and data for a company like Ooredoo Om services Telecom (BT, but is now known as an etc, so I met the team in Bahrain and to revisit its pro O2) as an apprentice engineer. ducts, services, its shortly after, the CEO of Batelco customer service – all of the thin “I took an unusual route that gs said: ‘Have you thought about I don’t think is available to many that we’ve developed over recent com ing and working in the region?’ people now, so I joined BT at the years. age “So that’s how I made the of 16,” says Ian. “I was an appren “The other thing I think will be tice transition [to this region]. A little engineer and back then, you spen a big part of our focus is growing ta bit of luck, a fortuitous meeting and full three years of vocational trainin fixed communications for the hom g timing, of course.” e. – on-the-job training, going off to We partner with OBC [Oman In 2006, Ian joined Ooredoo in technical college then back onto Broadband Company] but we the Qatar, which was known as QTel job and so on. see continued growth and good back then. “And that was really exciting opp ortunities for fixed services. “For the last 13 to 14 years, I’ve because you are driving a van, fitti “People will continue to have a ng worked in the GCC so I’ve been in phones, going down manholes, thirst for data and the growth kee Qatar for the past 10 years, working ps jointing cables, going up poles; goin g. That’s not going to stop with Oo red oo Qat ar and for the you are working in the exchanges, any time soon and, of course, with Ooredoo Group for the past year.” working in the field and learning the the use of data comes greater and I ask Ian about the future of business from the ground up.” greater expectations for a service the telecoms sector in Oman and and Ian’s career took a different where he sees it heading. His ans direction when he fell into the wer coverage. is unequivocal: data experience “So, of course, we are going to commercial side of the business at leadership. keep on investing in expanding our BT by “chance” – and it seems that Before you wonder what that’s coverage and capacity to make sure he’s never looked back, climbing the abo ut, Ian exp we lain have that great data experience s: “The thing that corporate ladder with the help of is real ly driv ing lead our ership we want to establish.” cust om ers today BT, which supported him through is their smartphone – whether you his studies. First, he did a Charter ed Have you got a unique story to tell? Cont are a consumer or a business and act Institute of Marketing certificate the us to have digi tisa tion of all serv ices with apps – Magazin coffee with Y and be featured in Y and diploma and then studied for e. banking, food delivery, insurance … Email: editor@y-oman.com
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MAR 16 - 22 / ISSUE 462
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THE VOICE OF OMAN ALVIN THOMAS VOICES OPINION ON ONLINE PRIVACY AND SAFETY
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f you’ve been on social media recently, you would’ve seen the video of Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa, going viral. In the video, the device apparently shuts itself down when asked whether it works for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). And that made me wonder: how safe are our credentials, and more importantly, how safe are we online? True, the chances of you and I falling victim to an intelligence agency are fairly negligent, especially because we live in another country altogether. But if the CIA is logging things about my private life (on a supercomputer or similar) that is situated thousands of kilometres away, I would be quite chuffed by that – at least someone other than my parents care about my Facebook and Instagram posts. But if you were to think about it, aren’t we all signing away our privacy and surrendering our online footprint by upgrading to newer technologies in the first place? Today, I use a “smartphone” that is designed to unlock with my fingerprints, detect my retina, snap quality selfies, and is connected to the internet 24/7. So obviously, if my print shows up at a crime scene, I’m going to be busted. While that is probably a good thing (I guess?), there are still many other implications to logging your information. We live in a world where everything – and by everything, I mean everything – is connected. Google, for instance, logs all the places you’ve been to and all your search queries, Facebook does the same, even when you’re not logged in! What would be a solution to all of this? Well, log off ! And by that, I mean shutting down all your gadgets, social media and bank accounts. It is not easy, but it is possible. What would the intelligence agencies do then? Oh, and before I forget: if I mysteriously disappear after this small article, you know why.
NEXT WEEK: EMILY SHOTTER 08
MAR 16 - 22 / ISSUE 462
correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: Residents are complaining about an increase in stray dogs in certain areas of the capital. What more can be done – humanely – to tackle this issue? PARUL JAIN
Iwao Fujita rightly said: “I believe all animals were created by God to help keep man alive”. Dogs are equally important for our ecosystem. Stray dogs are those that we see around us on roads, running and barking at people and vehicles. They are an utter nuisance. They urinate and defecate on roads and when they end up under a car, the situation worsens. Sometimes they might even bite. They can be categorised into those who were abandoned by owners and those born in streets. There are three solutions: sheltering, killing and neutering. Sheltering is not realistic as money and resources may not be enough. Killing stray dogs is not a sustainable solution. There is no easy, cost-efficient and humane way to kill these many dogs. They are harmful to humans and especially children. Moreover, Oman is a peaceful country and believes on the philosophy of “live and let live”. We are therefore left with the only option of neutering. In this, the dogs are caught or collected and then neutered. They are then vaccinated against rabies, dewormed and ridden of fleas. They are then returned back to their habitat. Because of the pack mentality, they should keep other unneutered dogs from entering their territory. Thus, the number of animals decrease slowly at the rate of natural mortality. People will also become positive towards them when there are fewer of them, and they are healthier.
PRACHI SHARMA
I hope Y Magazine team will help in bringing
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this issue to the notice of the concerned authorities. Stray dogs have become a problem as we can’t go on walks early in the morning as we get scared of dogs and our kids can’t go out to play. The barking noise daily at night is getting worse, with the number of dogs increasing day by day. I am talking about the Ghala area. There should be some solution to this. Let’s provide a safe and clean shelter for stray dogs.
MOHAN ANANDAN
There is indeed a need to control the number of stray dogs since they pose a threat to residents, particularly children. The conventional course of action is sterilisation, which has proved successful in containing the numbers in many societies. However, dogs normally react only when they are threatened or afraid. Throwing stones at them, kicking and shooing them away will only make them more aggressive. Let’s remember, the streets are their homes and we have no right to evict them from their habitat unless we can provide them with an alternative, such as an animal shelter.
USHA DEVI SUDDAPALLI
Although it is a common phenomenon to see an increasing number of stray dogs or wadi dogs due to an expansion in urban development at the cost of their habitat; the recent downtrend in the economy has added to this issue as many expatriates left for good, abandoning their pet dogs while some dogs simply run away from their homes due to inadequate care and feeding. Merely shooting stray dogs is not a humane solution and will not ultimately solve the problem. Thankfully, Muscat has a good number of voluntary organisations as well as private
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small animal hospitals that are addressing this. There are calls for authorities to draw a well-strategised plan of CNR (Collect, Neuter, Return) or TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return), so that the public can collar the stray dogs and seek the assistance of these organisations. Of course, the government needs to address the issue of prophylactic vaccination and deworm and deflea them before they are neutered. It has been well-documented that like any other animal, stray dogs can attack us (as a form of self-defence) so we can make efforts to be friendly, though with a fair measure of caution. The government and agencies need to take steps to provide shelter, food and health care for these dogs.
RONNEIL SALES VALIENTE
A dog is man’s best friend. They provide companionship and protect their owners’ property against intruders. However, if the stray dog population poses a risk to human life then preventative measures should be taken. In Oman, there are not as many stray dogs as there are in my country of the Philippines and other Third World countries. The following measures or solutions should be undertaken: first, public awareness and the population at large should be educated on how to properly look after dogs. Secondly, laws should be set up to handle dog registration, licensing, and vaccination. Thirdly, a credible “captureneuter-release” strategy could be put in place. With such a programme, stray dogs would be captured, surgically neutered, vaccinated against rabies, and rereleased into the same area from where they were caught. We need to foster a smaller, healthier, more stable street or stray dog population in which the risk of rabies is controlled more effectively. Fourthly, animal welfare organisations and animal lovers should be encouraged to adopt a stray dog and take good care of them. Killing stray dogs should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
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government. Above all, as human beings are on a higher rung of the evolution process than these animals they will take priority when it comes to welfare. Keeping in mind the facts, displacement and abandonment are inevitable and we can only pity these dumb creatures. So I believe welfare funds need not be wasted to maintain these unwanted animals. Instead, these dogs should be humanely put to sleep, as they are just a menace to young and old, and carry harmful diseases like rabies.
New Debate: With the GCC’s Road Safety Week coming to a close, what improvements have you seen on Oman’s roads in terms of drivers following traffic laws – or has it become worse?
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If we set aside inhumanity and the consequential cruelty to the stray dogs, we all realise the welfare of human beings is uppermost in the minds of any
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MAR 16 - 22 / ISSUE 462
09
YOUR
OMAN
NEWS
CONSUMER PROTECTION REGULATIONS TIGHTENED
OMANI I ATHLETES SET FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS
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our talented Omani athletes are vying with some of the world’s best sportspeople in an effort to etch their names into the history books, as they compete in the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 in Austria. The World Winter Games began on Tuesday (March 14), and has been organised by the Special Olympics organisation – which is the world’s largest sporting organisation for people with intellectual disabilities. Representing Oman is 20-yearold Khaled al Farsi, 27-year-old Raya al Husaini, 22-year-old Shatha al Husaini, and 17-year-old Abdulrahman al Ruqadi. The athletes will be competing in the 100m, 200m and 4x100 relay mix snowshoe races. A total of 2,700 athletes from 107 countries are competing in nine sporting events at the 11-day competition. His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Turki al Said, the president of Special Olympics Oman, said the Omani athletes had been working “tirelessly for the opportunity to represent their country in this global event”. “Beyond medals, their participation shines a light on the immense capabilities people with intellectual disabilities possess,” he was quoted by the local media as saying. “The athletes are an inspiration to each and every one who has supported them, and coached them and to those who will be cheering for them in Austria and Oman,” he added.
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n a stern move that aims to protect the rights of consumers and give them the upper hand when purchasing goods, the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) has issued a set of new regulations that tightens the grip on manufacturers and sellers of consumer goods. The new guidelines came into effect on Monday (March 13), two years after the announcement of the Royal Decree of the Consumer Protection Law. The regulations will help patch the loopholes and also address the shortcomings in the Consumer Protection Law. For instance, the new regulation classifies a product as adulterated if it contains any foreign substances that could alter its composition and in turn affect its durability. Such products could also be banned from sale in the country. In an interview with Y, Mubarak al Zadjali, an IT solutions manager, said: “We [the residents of Oman] had been seeking clarity about this law for a while now, and I am glad that the PACP is finally stepping up to answer our questions. “More people need to be aware of this law, as more shops across Oman are using our ignorance to their own benefit,” he added. Under the tightened regulations, the penalties that manufacturers and sellers could face range from a jail term for up to two years, and fines as high as RO2,000. Meanwhile, actions that compromise the safety of consumers will also land the offending party in jail for a minimum of 10 days and a maximum of one
year. The fines in such cases can range anywhere between RO100 and 2,000. According to PACP’s Consumer Protection Law, a product is deemed adulterated if: 1. Foreign substances are found in it that may change its composition and affect its durability. 2. The product is packaged with printed details that do not conform to the specifications set by the concerned authorities. 3. Details about the originality of the product is not provided to the consumer. PACP’s law also states that it will prosecute offenders for malpractice if their product has been sold past its expiration date; if the labels are misleading and marked inappropriately; and if there are any changes to the natural character of the product. In such cases, consumers have been alerted that they have the power to exercise their rights. The sellers will be liable for the sale and will have to replace the faulty goods.
FRENCH EXPLORER BEGINS OMAN EXPEDITION
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t’s the story of a man who fell in love with Oman during a visit to Sharqiyah Sands. Gauthier Toulemonde, the chief executive officer of Timbropresse – a media company in France – may have a serious job to tend to, but he has put aside his commitments and commenced his journey across The Empty Quarter (the largest contiguous desert in the world) and Sharqiyah Sands. The Frenchman, who is also a member of the Society of French Explorers, started his journey in the town of Adam, in Dakhliyah governorate, and plans to cross the two deserts. Toulemonde’s journey will be covered extensively through his social media accounts (Facebook and YouTube). In an interview with Muscat Daily, Toulemonde explained his fascination for Oman, saying: “It had all started when I first visited the Sharqiyah Sands two years ago. I was inspired by the natural Omani landscapes where I found peace of mind. I am looking forward to sharing my unusual experience and get people to live it with me. “My aim is to show the connection
between human beings and nature, how we can live isolated in the wild, facing different kinds of challenges and learn to live peacefully with nature,” he added. Toulemonde is being accompanied by Omani guide Ahmed bin Hareb al Mahrooqi. The second leg of his journey will see him cross to Bidiyah and Sharqiyah Sands before entering the stunning Ras al Ruwais – where the desert meets the sea. For updates on Toulemonde’s journey, visit www. webrobinson.fr.
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NEWS
YOUR
BIG SHOW OMAN 2017 A GRAND SUCCESS BUS ACCIDENT KILLS 1 P
OMAN
One person died and an unspecified number of others suffered minor injuries after a Mwasalat bus collided with a car in Al Khoud last weekend. According to media reports, the bus was hit by the vehicle after its driver overtook another car.
PROSTATE CANCER UP
The Oman National Cancer Registry 2013 has shown a rise in prostate cancer cases in the Sultanate, but a fall in stomach cancer in men thanks to improved food storage and hygiene.
CRUDE DOWN
articipants from 15 countries and 250 companies, showcasing more than 1,000 products have laid the foundation for a successful start to the 14th edition of the Sultanate’s premier landmark building, construction and interior design exhibition – the BIG Show Oman 2017 (Builders International Gathering). The four-day event, which is being hosted in Halls 2, 3, 4 and 5 at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), began on March 13 (Monday) and concludes today (March 16). The annual exhibition – which is organised by Oman Expo – was inaugurated by HE Mohsen bin Mohammed al Shaikh, chairman of the Muscat Municipality. This year’s exhibition also sees exhibitors come from as far afield as Germany, China, Turkey, Iran and India. A dedicated Interior Design Oman pavillion was also introduced at this year’s show. Products that are on display at the exhibition include the latest in interior fittings such as ceramic and marble items, doors and windows, kitchen and bathroom fittings, pumps and valves, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) technology, pool and spa, construction equipment and tools, steel, cement, concrete, elevators and escalators and woodworking machinery. The BIG Show Oman also laid witness to the “Oman Sustainable Design Construction Conference”,
THROUGH YOUR EYES
which was addressed by local and international building, construction and design experts, and policymakers from various organisations and companies such as Omran, Al Mouj Muscat, GUtech, Daikin Middle East & Africa, Atkins and KEO International. In an interview with local media, Holley Chant, the executive director of sustainability at KEO International, said: “Today, we will see how sustained design improves the construction industry, saves the environment and most importantly serves the environment. “We will see it today in the forum and hope we can practise the measures presented.” The speakers also discussed the incorporation of sustainable architecture, LEED accreditation and industry case studies in local projects such as Sandan City (Oman’s first light industry city), Al Mouj Muscat and Madinat al Irfan.
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Oman’s crude oil price fell to a threemonth low earlier this week. The drop was blamed on concerns of a glut in the market as shale production offset price gains made by Opec-member output cuts.
LITTERBUGS WARNED Muscat Municipality has warned residents they will face tough fines if caught littering on the streets of the capital. Speaking to local press, a source from the Municipality said in an effort to keeps the streets clean, offenders could be fined between RO100 and RO1,000.
Traditional dhows grace the waters of the stunning Muttrah Corniche, where Narendran captured this beautiful shot with his Canon 6D.
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.
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PHOTO: Narendran
BIG SHOW BEGINS
GALLERY
THE BIG SHOW OMAN GOT OFF TO A GREAT START THIS WEEK, WITH MORE THAN 250 LOCAL AND GLOBAL COMPANIES TAKING PART IN THE ANNUAL EVENT. CHIEF GUEST HE MOHSEN BIN MOHAMMED AL SHAIKH, THE CHAIRMAN OF MUSCAT MUNICIPALITY, OFFICIALLY OPENED THE EVENT, WHICH WAS ORGANISED BY OMAN EXPO, WHILE OTHER VIP GUESTS INCLUDED KHALID BIN HAMAD BIN HAMOUD AL BUSAIDI, THE CHAIRMAN OF SABCO GROUP. THE BIG SHOW OMAN IS AIMED AT THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND INTERIOR DESIGN SECTORS.
MAR 16 - 22 / ISSUE 462
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f
aces of
Oman
Welcome to Y’s weekly photo series that profiles the diverse characters who call the Sultanate home Name: Pascal Smets Deville Age: 51 From: Belgium Occupation: Bass tutor for Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra Passion: Speedway karting, bowling, world cuisine, travelling
Photo: Shaquel al Balushi
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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE
DRIVEN TO
SUCCESS
Ammar Askari first entered the banking industry 12 years ago through Habib Bank Limited. After obtaining a degree from Majan College, he was hired by Bank Muscat where he undertook roles in product development, corporate banking and change management. The 33-year-old Omani now works for Bank Dhofar and is heading projects that aim to transform the bank’s corporate identity. Q: What drives you to success? It’s the passion to become something important in life that keeps me going. I have a dream of becoming the CEO of a large organisation in a country, and that is precisely what keeps me going. I have been going from division to division in the companies that I have worked with so my journey has seen every side of banking. And what I like about the journey is that I learn something new every day. Q: Who or what has been your inspiration in your career? There are a couple of people who come to mind. But when people think of drawing inspiration from someone, they look at people like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. I, however, take inspiration from people in senior positions within my organisation. I look at them and observe what they have done so well to reach that position. These big guys have become my inspiration and I think that is what helps me grow professionally. Q: What is your biggest career success to date? One of my biggest career successes to date would have to be when I won the BizPro “Young Omani Business Achiever” award in 2016. It is an annual award, which is presented to an Omani who has done well within his or her organisation.
would be in the banking sector. I always thought that I would be entering the oil and gas sector. But my decision to be in banking has been right, and I stick by my decision to continue being a part of this dynamic industry. Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? I think it will take more than 10 years for me to become a CEO but I do see myself reaching that position one day. I have a long way to go, and there are lots of skills that I have to learn from my leaders, which will make me an eligible and successful CEO one day.
I was chosen from over 200 employees, and had to go through an exam, assessments, and a final judging panel before being judged the winner. Q: What are your career goals? My career goal would be to run a large organisation – preferably a bank. Back when I was studying in college, I never thought that I
Q: What do you like about the Genesis? The Genesis envelops you in an aura of comfort and luxury unlike any other car in this segment. I also think that this is one of the bestlooking full-size sedans currently out there. The vehicle accelerates seamlessly to reach the desired speeds, and settles down on the highway in a very poised manner. Apart from that, there’s a host of cuttingedge safety technology – such as the heads-up-display, blind-spot monitoring and 360-degree camera – for the driver, which makes this car a pleasure to drive around town. MAR 16 - 22 / ISSUE 462
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Y IS ON THE HUNT FOR THE KING AND QUEEN OF COOL OF MUSCAT’S COLLEGE CAMPUSES. IMPRESS OUR JUDGES AND BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING A SHARE OF RO4,500 IN PRIZES
R
egistration is now open to college students to enter our exciting competition, Y’s Got Talent! Whether you are a singer, a dancer, a musician, a poet, a juggler or even a freestyle footballer, you could find yourself appearing in our college campus auditions and heading to the Grand Finale in April. Presented by Nestle, powered by Renault, and in association with VLCC, The Sultan Centre and Pizza Muscat, Y’s Got Talent aims to find the most accomplished university students in Muscat and reward them with exciting prizes. “As we get closer to the audition stage, we are looking forward to witnessing some incredible talents if last year’s competition is
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anything to go by,” says Felicity Glover, the managing editor of Y Magazine. “Y’s Got Talent is a unique opportunity for college students and also give them a chance to build confidence in front of an audience, have fun and be in with a chance of winning great prizes, especially now that Y’s Got Talent has been expanded to include first, second and third-year students.” In the audition phase, which will be held throughout April, our talent-hunting MC and panel of judges will scour each of the participating colleges to assess applicants, based on their two minutes in the spotlight. Once the votes are in, one boy and one girl from each college will go forward to the Grand Finale and compete against winners
from the other colleges taking part. Whoever is named Mr Talented and Ms Talented from each college audition will each receive RO150 worth of vouchers for their efforts, as well as the chance to win even more in the Grand Finale. The winners of each college audition will then face off against each other for the glory of being crowned overall Mr and Ms Talented, as well as the opportunity to lay their hands on a cash prize of RO250 each, plus RO200 worth of vouchers! Registration for Y’s Got Talent is open now – simply go to www.y-oman.com to register online, or fill out one of the forms and drop it in the box on your college campus. Registration closes on March 19. Good luck!
PART ICIPA T
I NG C • Walja OLLE t Coll ege of GES • Middl Appli e East e d Scie Colleg • Caled nces e onian Colleg • Oman e • Scient Tourism Colle • Intern ific College of ge D a
tional e Colleg sign Mana e of En gineer • Nationgement ing an al Hos d • Colleg pitalit y Inst e of B itute ankin • Mode g a • Oman rn College of B nd Financial S tudies usines Colleg s and e of M Techn Finan anage ce ment • GUTe ology a n d • Bayan ch Colleg e
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THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE
To APR
FULL CIRCLE
18
MAR
18-19
Celebrate the strength and creativity of women in Oman, at a stunning new art exhibition at Gallery Sarah, in the Bait Al Zubair Museum complex. The exhibition is called Al Samt (an Arabic Omani word that means “silvery circular disc”, which is found in the centre of the traditional Omani necklaces women still wear today) and aims to commemorate the recent International Women’s Day and the forthcoming Mother’s Day (March 21). Gallery Sarah is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm, Sunday to Thursday. For more information, visit www. gallerysarah.com or call 2208 4747.
WEEK
WHAT TO DO.
M
C
R
WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.
H
MAR
17
Head to the Radisson Blu Hotel tomorrow night to celebrate The Grand Color Fest 2017! Featuring popular Bollywood DJ Akanksha Popli and a host of others spinning the decks to get you in the party mood, it’s promising to be a colourful evening. Other entertainment includes water balloons, a colour shower, a flame show, water guns and a bonfire. Entry for men is RO12 (including a complementary beverage and two pouches of colour), while women and children below 15 enter free. The fun starts at 2pm and for more information and bookings, call 9658 4858.
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A stunning and unique production, The Opera features stars from Plácido Domingo’s Centre of Perfeccionament, who will be singing arias from the great Italian composers. Inspired by the Greek tragedy, Orpheus and Eurydice, The Opera is a Royal Opera House Muscat co-production that showcases beautiful sets, realistic video projection and upand-coming young talent. Music is by the acclaimed PKF – Prague Philharmonia and will be conducted by Steven Mercurio. Curtain up: 7.30pm. For details and bookings, go to www.rohmuscat.org.om
Pop of Colour
THIS A
NIGHT OF NIGHTS
MAR 16 - 22 / ISSUE 462
GIFT TO MY MOTHER Hi5 her with a poem! Express the love and appreciation you have for her by joining the poetry competition with Atana Hotels and win two-nights stay for your family. TERMS AND CONDITIONS ✽ Poem can be written in Arabic or English ✽ Poem theme should be about mothers ✽ Two winners for Arabic poem and two winners for English poem ✽ Each winner will receive a two-night stay for a family of four at Atana hotels, including breakfast and dinner.
Send your entry to rewards@atanahotels.com Last day of submission is on the 26th of March 2017 Winners will be announced on the 30th of March Call: +968 267 30888 Atana Musandam | Call: +968 267 30777 Atana Khasab
Well appointed panoramic view rooms • All-day dining plus our catch of the day • Outdoor swimming pool • Mountain safari • Onsite diving centre • Dhow cruise and dolphin watching • Fishing • City tour • Nearby musem
most expensive private islands
Top
❶ Lisbon Island
❷ Ronde Island
Where: Portugal Price:
Where: Grenada
US$310 million (RO120m)
Price:
US$100 million
❸ Caye Chapel Resort Where: Belize Price:
US$65 million
❹
❺
Hans Lollik Islands
Motu Tane
Where: US Virgin Islands Price: 020
US$45
MAR 16 - 22 / ISSUE 462
Where: Bora Bora, French Polynesia
million
Price: Source: tripbase.com
US$40 million
MOVIES MOVIES FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TIMES, GO TO: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net VOX Cinemas: oman.voxcinemas.com Star Cinema: Tel +968 24791641
The Hollow Point
A United Kingdom
Any film that plunders the UK’s vaults of history-not-so-long-ago will do one of two things: it will either wallow in nauseating (and inaccurate) nostalgia or attempt to convey how things really were. As the UK becomes deeply divided with every passing year (with Brexit and the inevitability of Scottish independence), any film with a take on what it means (or meant) to be British is going to find an audience. It’s 1947 and Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike) is an ordinary, industrious girl earning her living at Lloyd’s of London. But when she meets law student Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo) she has no idea he is really an African king in waiting, in Beucuanaland (later Botswana), the British Protectorate to which he will return on finishing his degree. When Seretse asks for Ruth’s hand, he tells her who he really is, and that’s when
WIN CHANCE TO R U O Y B A R G TS EMA TICKE IN C Y IT C R FOU
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION Who plays Seretse Khama in A United Kingdom? LAST WEEK'S WINNER Maryam Rahman
the problems start. While he assures her they will take them on one step at a time, the impending mixed-marriage causes a political storm in both his county and hers. In a post-war UK that is flat broke, officials are worried about losing trade with apartheid-era South Africa, Botswana’s neighbour. Meantime, Seretse’s uncle fears his people aren’t quite ready for a white queen. But this true story is handled intelligently by director Amma Asante, who tautly interweaves the couple’s romance with the tumultuous political fall-out it causes. The film is a visual feast of an authentic, almost sepia-tinted portrayal of post-war London contrasted by the expansive, lush vistas of the Kalahari desert. See and enjoy. Review by Kevin McIndoe
TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN, just answer a question based on the week’s cinema reviews and send your answer to info@y-oman.com, along with your name and contact information. Tickets must be collected from Y’s Seeb offices in person only. For the rest of the terms and conditions, see voucher. Contact: Movie enquiries 2460 7360
Is it my imagination or has there been a trickle of recent releases set on the USMexico border? No matter, wall or no wall, this is a bit of a hackneyed yarn in which an over-zealous small-town sheriff Wallace (Patrick Wilson) is called in to investigate how a straightforward ammo delivery ended up in an
all-out crossfire. There are more cardboard cutout characters here than in your average box of cereal. And while Ian McShane’s rather OTT performance as the retiring sheriff is wonderful fun, he can’t save this from having straight-to-video written all over it. It’s a good, old-fashioned westernstyle romp to enjoy if you don’t take it too seriously.
Sleepless The good cop/bad cop routine has been done to death. And here is another average effort in that often commendable or occasionally cringeworthy canon. When cop Vincent Downs (Jamie Foxx) is as bent as a threebob note and ends up crossing the Mafia in a drug deal gone wrong, you know he is going to be in a bit of a pickle. After the Mob kidnaps his teenaged son, Vincent is going to have to rescue his son, avoid an internal affairs investigation, and nab the kidnappers. Well, that’s what you get for dipping your hand in the cookie jar. And Foxx’s Oscarwinning turn in Ray seems a very long time ago now.
Long View GOING IN STYLE Three broke pensioners have to resort to desperate measures to leave their loved ones something when they check out. So it seems only fair that they should rip off the bank that ripped them off. The idea all seems fine and dandy until the three realise that none of them has ever handled a firearm. What’s not to like about a film starring the venerable Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin? All of whom are most certainly not poor but have the acting chops to play three elderly gentlemen who are. This is sure to be a delight for all ages while making a not exactly subtle point about what it means to be old and poor in corporate America. Oman Release Date: April 6
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IT’S
HIGH TIME
We weren’t born with wings but the sensation of soaring through the air is something to be sampled and savoured, thanks to a unique flying school in Muscat Photos: SkySchool Oman/Seth Royce
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I
t’s a cool Friday morning, and the sun has just risen over the horizon of the pristine sands of Sharqiyah. The setting is nothing short of picturesque: the dunes highlight the background with a golden hue, and the shadows of the larger dunes overpower the smaller ones in the vicinity. The setting is beautiful; nay, magical. This is probably what Michelangelo meant when he used the term “divine perfection”. And knowing this, numerous people across Oman travel hundreds of kilometres to head to the sands in search of this glorious moment. It may only last for a few minutes but those who have experienced it will tell you that these few minutes will be etched in your memory forever. But those looking at the horizon today are up for more than just the sun and the dunes. They’re looking at two men flying across the horizon, into this very sunrise; savouring this moment closer than one could ever imagine. No, they’re not super-humans. It’s only Bryan Richards and his instructor, taking to the skies for a spot of paramotoring. You heard that right: paramotoring is finally here, and there’s no better location than the Sultanate for giving this a go.
But if you’re new to the term “Paramotoring”, we’ve got Samantha Newman, the spokesperson for SkySchool Oman – the first licensed paramotoring school in the country – to explain it to us. “Paramotoring is essentially the same concept as paragliding, except you have a powered motor attached to a frame to aid in your flight. Think of it as a powered paraglider,” says Samantha. The term was first used by Englishman Mike Byrne in 1980 and was popularised in France in 1986 when the makers of gliding equipment La Mouette began attaching motors to thethen-new paraglider wings. Paramotoring was initially used as a quick and easy mode of transportation from higher to lower grounds and was adopted in various countries. For instance, in Botswana, paramotors are used to fly from one end of the salt pans (Makgadikgadi Pan: more than 16,000 sq km in area) to the other safely. “Paramotoring was initially only reserved for a trained pilot or the military. But today, it is accessible to all and here in Oman, we use it as a form of leisure,” Samantha says. SkySchool, which brings paramotoring to “everyone in Oman”, is based in the UK, and is already Europe’s leading school for motorised paragliding. SkySchool began its operations in the Sultanate in November 2016, and has already catered to many students. “We are the first school in the country to be given a licence to practise and teach paramotoring. As you know, there are restrictions to fly anything across the skies but we have been given the licence to fly at the beach at Al Sawadi and Sharqiyah Sands,” Samantha adds. The school currently has three instructors (from the UK, Turkey and Malta) who have more than 30 years’ experience between them. They use three-wheeled twin seater steel tricycles that are framed to an aircraft with a four-blade propeller. This propeller is further powered by a three-cylinder, four-stroke air-cooled engine that provides the power. These machines are dubbed ParaTrikes, and are used to train those who lack flying experience. The result of using motors in paragliding is the increased range and stability, which essentially translates to more airtime. Paramotoring in Oman is conducted from 90 metres to 150 metres above sea level due to the undulating surfaces, rough uneven terrain and lofty mountain ranges (although the flight path avoids any such terrain). There are no weight limits when it comes to flying either. Samantha says that the instructors at SkySchool recently flew with one enthusiast who weighed more than 145kg. “The response to our school has been amazing, since we only started in November. This is our first season and we already have people visiting us for paramotoring on weekends.” She also didn’t expect the activity to be so popular so soon. Samantha adds: “While we are doing really well we have also catered to some amazing people who have so much passion for flying. “Of late, we have had so many queries and some really good responses from many people in Oman. We also have a lot of Omanis who are opting to fly frequently. Come to think of it, we have sort of started a paramotoring club, with a lot of people who come to us to have some great time out on weekends.” To make sure that paramotoring is as fun as it seems in Oman, Bryan Richards headed to Sharqiyah Sands for a one-on-one session with instructor “Zeb” of SkySchool. Here’s what he thought: MAR 16 - 22 / ISSUE 462
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Bryan Richards is flying high after his exhilarating experience of paramotoring
D
espite a drab delivery, David Tomlinson managed to convey the delight of launching a kite “up through the atmosphere, up where the air is clear” in the musical film Mary Poppins. And the legendary British singer Kate Bush once exhorted us all to “come up and be a kite, and fly a diamond night”. Yes, and to actually fly like a kite instead of staying on the ground gripping a long piece of string is infinitely more fun. Doesn’t every small boy dream of being propelled though the air in some form or another, only to find out that human beings can’t actually fly? Fortunately, that visceral thrill of sweeping through the air has been made easier for us mere mortals in modern times, with pursuits such as parascending, paragliding and tandem sky diving. And paramotoring is even more fun. At the precise moment of take-off, I realised my boyhood dream had come true. But it’s defiantly not a kite. It’s something much, much more. Paramotoring opens an even greater sensation of flying; the exhilaration of soaring high in the sky or low to the ground as well as the unique freedom of being airborne. It was my welcoming first flight experience with SkySchool Oman, and I loved it. I have flown micro-lights (powered hang-gliders) and light helicopters, both of which require a certain level of skill and coordination. However, this was my first time in a paramotor, and micro-lights have nothing on this flying experience. It was absolutely mind-blowing: not too high and not too fast. There is ample time to take in the spectacle, and it offers some pretty sublime views over the deserts of Oman. These include the majesty of the desert, the ridges in the sand dunes, the wadis and dune peaks; none of which you can see from the ground.
The venue
We camped overnight, near the Onyx desert camp in Sharqiyah Sands. We woke up early, just before dawn, at 5am, to prepare all the machines in readiness for take-off.
Why so early?
As the sun peaks over the horizon, you get the sense as you take off that you are flying up to meet the sun as it rises in the heavens. It’s the instructors’ mission to ensure you have (weather permitting) the best possible flying experience that there is to offer.
The experience
This experience is a collection of stunning views 024
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flying over parts of Oman never before seen from the air, some superb flying with experienced pilots and the memory of flying over naked desert and sometime-desert mountains that previously were inaccessible. Anyone who wants to try this should take lessons from qualified instructors, as without proper training it can be somewhat precarious. The instructors and learners work in tandem to check and re-check their equipment. The instructors take their time in explaining the flight plan, and will caution those who might think about NOT following it. Safety is the key word in this sport, and each instructor re-enforces it with a set of instructions continually until it becomes second nature. It takes a reasonable skillset to hold a 20kg engine pack with fuel on your back, and to trot at least 20 metres to inflate the canopy. Once trained, you need to have reasonable hand-eye co-ordination to take off, and it’s not as easy as the instructors make it look. I was to experience the ParaTrike. It’s a threewheel twin-seater steel-framed aircraft with a four-blade propeller, powered by a three-cylinder, four-stroke air-cooled engine, to which the canopy is attached. Preparing this baby took a while but again; safety first, and Zeb my pilot/instructor took his time in explaining how it worked. As we made our run up to take off, the ParaTrike ran over the sandy ridges on the desert floor and then we were suddenly airborne. As this aircraft had a bigger engine than those of my fellow participants, we quickly caught up with the solo flyers almost at their halfway point and about to return to the base camp. Zeb slowed down, bringing up the rear of the flyers and we took in the sights plus a few selfies. This early morning flight lasted almost an hourand-a-half on a 100km round trip. It’s an experience available to anyone who has never flown a canopy before or never flown at all. What totally surprised me was how stable, manoeuvrable and comfortable these trikes are. We hit a little turbulence, which had no effect on the craft. I felt totally safe and secure and I even took control for about 30 minutes. That’s when the selfies started. My day and my weekend were totally awesome. I was well looked after, my safety was ensured and my experience was the best. Would I take a Sky School course to become a solo pilot? Definitely. So where do I sign up?
SkySchool Oman SkySchool Oman is the most recently founded adventure sports company to open its doors in Muscat. It offers specialised air adventures and activities, which also include Paramotoring, Tandem ParaTrike and Paragliding. SkySchool Oman run their courses (weather permitting) from November up until the end of April, flying at several locations around Oman, including Al Sawadi in Seeb, as well as Sharqiyah Sands.
SkySchool Oman currently offers two services:
1) A 25-minute flight in tandem with the instructor on a ParaTrike. You can take control of the flight yourself but if you do so with no previous flying experience the cost for this is RO60. 2) Flying lessons for those looking to become a certified APPI (Association of Paragliding Pilots and Instructors) PPG pilot. This translates to a 12day course and includes classroom training, hiring of equipment, ground training and 15 solo flights. This will set you back RO650. Get in touch www.skyschooloman.com Follow SkySchool Oman @ SkySchoolOman on Facebook and Instagram Tel: +968 9786 0115 (also available on whatsapp) Email: info@skyschooloman.com MAR 16 - 22 / ISSUE 462
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COMPETITION
e g d e l P e h T e k a T Help improve safety on Oman’s roads and win a share of cash prizes worth a total of RO150
H
ave you taken the pledge yet? In conjunction with this week’s GCC Road Safety Week, Y Magazine has launched a very special competition to help all children across the Sultanate understand the importance of road safety. And you and your children can play a part in making Oman’s roads safer for all of us. Presented by Panorama Mall and in association with Familia, our Road Safety Pledge is aimed at educating parents and children about the importance of safety on our roads, as well as wearing seatbelts. With road fatalities in the GCC considered some of the highest in the world, this is an important
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initiative that we hope will help to save more lives on the Sultanate’s roads. GCC Road Safety Week, which runs until tomorrow (March 17), is a coordinated effort around the six-member states to highlight issues and raise awareness among road users. In last week’s issue, you would have found a special card inside of Y Magazine, which enables children to make their pledges about road safety – and enter the competition. These could include promising to wear a seatbelt at all times, not jumping around the car unrestrained or even asking mum or dad to put down their mobile phones and stop speeding. There’s lots of ways you can make a difference. This is YOUR pledge so be creative and think
about what you would like to change. And when you have filled out the card, all you have to do is to get your mum or dad to sign it so we know you will be making a huge effort to help you and your family to stay safe while driving. Then all you have to do is take the card to one of the drop boxes located in various SPAR outlets around Muscat. The best three pledges – don’t forget, you can also add your own drawings or other designs to the card – will share in a total cash prize of RO150. The closing date for entries is March 24. Good luck and we look forward to receiving all your entries – and in the meantime, stay safe on the roads!
PRIZES: ● The best three pledges will win a cash reward of RO75 (first place), RO50 (second place) and RO25 (third place). The winners will receive their prizes at a special ceremony on March 30.
DROPBOX LOCATIONS: ① SPAR Darsait ② SPAR MBD ③ SPAR Madinat Sultan Qaboos ④ SPAR Al Hail
Top 6 tips for a safe car ride
ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT A seat belt should be on before the car moves, and should stay on until the engine is turned off at your destination.
USE BOTH LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS While most cars have lap and shoulder belts that buckle as a unit, but some have two separate belts – one lap and one shoulder – or only a lap belt. Make sure your child looks for and fastens both belts.
NEVER SHARE A SEAT BELT Two kids should never buckle up as a pair.
RIDE IN THE BACKSEAT Kids younger than 12 should always ride in the backseat. Passenger-side air bags, designed to protect a person with a much bigger body, can seriously injure a small child.
STAY CALM Kids need to understand the importance of staying calm and low-key in the backseat. If they’re jumping around or yelling, it can distract the driver and put all the passengers at risk.
FOLLOW THESE RULES ALL THE TIME Kids have a tendency to think that rules only apply when they’re with their parents. Instruct your child to always follow the rules for car safety – even if they’re in someone else’s car. For instance, if your child is asked to sit in the front seat of a car, they should tell the driver that they would prefer to sit in the back. Source: American Medical Association
COMPETITION RULES:
● The competition is open to children aged 16 and under ● Cards must be completed by children only and then signed by a parent or guardian ● Entries will be disqualified if there is evidence of parental involvement ● Entries received after the closing date of March 24 will not go forward to the judging stage ● Children of employees of SABCO Media or associated companies are excluded from taking part ● The editor’s decision is final ● Winners will be notified by email or telephone MAR 16 - 22 / ISSUE 462
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COMPETITION
s i h t e v o l h t i w t i Say y a D s ’ r e h Mot
There’s still time to enter our Mother’s Day competition to say thanks for all that your mum does for you
T
here are still a few days left to enter our exciting Mother’s Day competition, which gives children a wonderful opportunity to give their mums the credit they deserve. Sponsored by Puck, this is the third edition of the competition, which celebrates Mother’s Day in the GCC on March 21. But it’s not just the title of Muscat’s Best Mum that is on the line. Thanks to Puck, there will be cash prizes for the top three entries, with RO200 going to first place, RO100 for second and RO50 for third. If this isn’t motivation enough to show your
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love, then we don’t know what is! “The competition deadline closes on March 19,” says Felicity Glover, the managing editor of Y Magazine. “It’s a fun contest for children to get creative and show their mums just how much they love them.” To enter this year, you’ll need to be 16 or under and fill out the special card that was inserted in the March 2 issue of Y Magazine. Remember to be as creative as possible as our judges will be selecting the winners based on content and creativity. Last year, we received poems, drawings, touching words and simple displays of gratitude for mums who mean the world to their children. Good luck!
DROP YOUR ENTRIES INTO THE BOXES PROVIDED AT THE FOLLOWING PIZZA MUSCAT OUTLETS: • MBD • AL HARTHY COMPLEX QURUM • AL KHUWAIR (NEAR RUWASCO) • AL KHOUD SOUQ The top three entries will also be framed and given back to the participants for them to present to their mothers as a keepsake. The competition closes on March 19 and our winners will be awarded their prizes with their mum at a special ceremony on March 23.
COMPETITION RULES: ● The competition is open to children aged 16 and under ● Cards must be decorated and written by children only. Entries will be disqualified if there is evidence of parental involvement ● Entries received after the closing date, March 19, will not go forward to the judging stage ● Children of employees of SABCO Media or associated companies are excluded from taking part ● The editor’s decision is final ● Winners will be notified by email or telephone ● Winners and their mums must be able to attend the prize ceremony in Muscat on March 23
MAR 16 - 22 / ISSUE 462
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• 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 • Chevrolet/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 Al Mouj Muscat • Almouj Golf • Costa Coffee • Oman Sail • Shakespeare & Co. • Al Mouj Muscat 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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FRIST DRIVE
The Toyota Prius is an environmentally friendly car that gives motorists a smooth drive.
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WADI BANI KHALID SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI FINDS IT’S A CASE OF THE MORE, THE MERRIER WHEN VISITING ONE OF OMAN’S MOST SPECTACULAR LOCATIONS 032
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clearest waters in Oman. Next, we all started to hike up the gorgeous brown mountains. I asked everyone to be extra careful as the rocks were very slippery but ironically, it was only me who was slipping and falling down. By the end of the hike, I had a few too many bruises to take home. But in my eyes, each and every one of those bruises was worth it, as I thoroughly enjoyed my hike up the mountains. It’s one of those places that you just cannot get used to – even if you have been there thousands of times. However, as luck would have it, something worse lay in store for me. I had lost my phone somewhere in our previous camp site. I didn’t pay much heed to it, though, as I simply took it as an opportunity to stay disconnected from everyone in the city. As a matter of fact, Imran was worried about my phone, more than I was. But I’m a believer in the saying, “Everything happens for a reason”, and thereby did not let the incident worry me too much. Our destination for the night was the desert that lays towards the far end of Wadi Bani Khalid. It’s quite a serene location to camp, and the temperatures are quite low there – making way for some really cool evenings. It took us an hourand-a-half of driving to reach the location but we immediately huddled around a fire, and started sharing stories. Imran and Bader, however, knew my aversion towards ghosts and spirits, and took that as an opportunity to scare the living lights out of me. I managed to switch the topic, however, and by the end, we were all having a nice time. I even made my special “Omani tacos” – which is essentially cheese and Oman chips, laid between two slices of bread. I started making a few for myself, but soon, everyone wanted one. I also prepared everyone tea to help them stay warm in the cold night. One thing about Wadi Bani Khalid is that you will always find a perfect spot for camping. But I’m different. I enjoy sleeping in my Jeep for some odd reason. I feel that it is better than my tent. So I spent the night in my car on a comfortable bed. This, coupled with the cold winds blowing outside, really helped me catch up on some recent long, sleepless nights of mine. We were all up by the crack of dawn, though, as we had to drop the girls back to Sultan Qaboos University by evening. So we immediately headed for some dune bashing before finally calling off our memorable camping trip. We all had fun, and the most important thing was that everyone had smiles on their faces, which is sort of a Wadi Bani Khalid trademark.
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HOW TO GET THERE
TRAVEL GUIDE
oing places and exploring new territories can be fun when you’re travelling with a trusted friend. And as you all would know, my best friend Imran has been my trusted companion on most of my journeys in search of new destinations. This week, however, things were a tad different. And no! It wasn’t just us this time. Instead, we were travelling with 10 other people. And little did I know that it would end up being 10 times more fun than usual. But I’m jumping the gun here. Let me start with how we drew up the plans in the first place. As always, the plans were for Imran and me to head someplace out of the city. But, a day before our journey, Bader al Ghailani, the head nurse at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, who also happens to be one of my close friends, called me up to say that he had six colleagues visiting from the United States, and that they wanted to explore Oman. So I quickly switched plans and summoned four other friends of mine – Imran, Bader, DJ and Ahmed – better known as the “Second Cup Crew”, and decided to head to Oman’s jewel – Wadi Bani Khalid – with our guests . I couldn’t think of any place better than Wadi Bani Khalid, due to the beautiful wadi and desert that stretches across the picturesque location. If I were to show someone Oman in a day, I would simply take them there. In any case, we started very early, and headed to the location. It lies close to Bidbid, and in all, it took us more than three-and-a-half hours to haul ourselves there. But as soon as we reached the wadi, it became obvious that we were in the midst of some real adventurers – and things soon started to become competitive (in a friendly way). The stunning cliff walls of the wadi soon became launch pads for diving. The girls first started jumping from the middle but soon proceeded all the way to the top once they got accustomed to the jump. I believe that some of the cliffs can be anywhere between 10 and 20 metres in height. We five men could only look at them in awe and clap. They were very active and adventurous. We, however, were indolent or maybe just a tad too comfortable (since this is our home turf). Needless to say: we boys couldn’t even jump from the middle. So, round one: women – 1, men – 0. Following that, we went for a swim in the wadi, and headed deep into the far corners of the wadi for some exploring. It was a lot of exertion on the body but all of the girls were certified in rescue services, and therefore, we knew we were in safe hands. But, I could see that the girls were thoroughly enjoying the swim – the waters of Wadi Bani Khalid are known to possess some of the
From Muscat, take Route 15 and take the turning for Route 23 after Bidbid. Stay on Route 23 until you pass through Bidiyah. Take a left turn after the Oriental Nights Rest House and follow the signs to Wadi Bani Khalid.
GPS coordinates: N22°37’7.214” E59°5’35.56”
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CARS ADVENTURES
Are low emissions vehicles the future of motoring? Y’s Alvin Thomas finds out if this hybrid is the harbinger it’s claimed to be
L
et’s face it: we’re not going to be driving petrol-powered cars for much longer. And with fuel prices in Oman going through the roof, people have already started feeling the pinch, so much so that they’ve started driving more carefully to save money on fuel. Even then, I have always been under the impression that electric (and the more practical hybrid) cars were still years – if not decades – away from hitting the roads of the GCC. In fact, I was so confident in my theory that I actually went on to take delivery of a V6-powered sedan a few months back. Needless to say, I’ve been penniless ever since. But as an avid petrolhead, I could never imagine the day that I would be parking my car and hopping into a Toyota Prius – a car that has donned the title of being a “petrol car-killer”(even though the car uses a petrol engine alongside the electric motor) – of late. And while Oman is only witnessing the Prius for the first time on its roads, the nameplate has been available on the international market from as early as 1997. And if you didn’t know, this is also the first mass-produced hybrid car in the world, so think of this as the modern equivalent of Ford’s Model T (the first affordable mass-production car) – sort of like a modern 21st-century adaptation of the former. The car has since become the most sold electric-petrol hybrid hatchback to date, thereby also making it the “real-world” definition of a modern hybrid car. But, let’s glance over all of that and since this is the first Prius to enter the country, let’s treat it how we would treat a
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newcomer; let’s give this one a sporting chance. But first, the design: the Toyota Prius certainly looks unlike anything else on the market. The design language is unique, if a tad controversial. But it’s one that grew on me as I spent more time with it. I did receive a lot of attention while navigating the highways here, but I cannot be sure if it’s because people like it or because they think it looks unlike anything they have ever seen. The Prius is quite tall for a compact hatchback, and it rides on fairly low-resistant 38cm wheels. This makes the car look like it’s tip-toeing while toddling along the roads. But there are some unique styling elements, which I grew to love over the course of my drive. For instance, the sculpted head, fog and taillights; and the glowing-blue Toyota logo give the car a quirky persona while the raised dualwindow rear hatch recalls the days (1983, if I’m not mistaken) of the beautiful Honda CRX – which also had a similar rear hatch. The side profile, however, is generic Toyota. But, I still would like to commend the designers for going all avant-garde on the
Prius. Here at Y, we like driving cars that stand out. The interior is very much in tone with that quirky exterior. It’s unlike any interior we have seen in a car – and we’re glad it is different. I, for one, completely detested the interior in previous generation Priuses. This one, however, raises the bar a notch. They’ve kept things simple inside: the steering is thick-rimmed and meaty (almost like it belongs in a Toyota 86 sports car), while the dashboard is neatly laid out. A responsive “floating” 18cm touchscreen unit dominates the dash and takes control of all entertainment functions, but they’ve also placed the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) buttons underneath. I’m also glad that they are buttons and not light-sensitive controls like you would find in many “modern” cars of today. There’s a second screen on top of the dashboard that shows you important functions of the car – the battery range, whether you’re running on the petrol engine or electric motor, and even your gear status. My “E+TH” tester also came with 10-speaker JBL audio, and other goodies like blind-spot monitoring and lane change assist. Cabin space is excellent for its class, and the front seats are
Destination
P o s t c a r d s Fr o m
well-bolstered and supportive. The cabin felt really airy and nonclaustrophobic, offering more than adequate space for five adults. The hatch-style rear also makes way for ample space while storing luggage. But the most interesting feature about the interior is the gear stick. Why? Just look at the tiny little blue-coloured gear stick; it’s not what you see every day. The shift-by-wire (a gearbox, which shifts transmission modes via electric signals) is quite tricky to use initially but the learning curve isn’t that tall. It only took me a couple of minutes to figure it out and before I knew it, I was out on the road. But let’s talk about the core of the Prius: the hybrid system. The car houses a 1.8-litre four-cylinder “Atkinson Cycle” petrol engine, that pumps out 97hp and 142Nm of torque, and is backed up by an electric motor/generator system that buzzes out 71hp and 163Nm of torque. Somehow, the combined efforts only add up to a total of 121hp, though (probably because the load on the petrol engine reduces while the electric motor is running). The performance is spritely, as opposed to what the media has portrayed about the Prius of late. The car runs solely on the electric motor up to 30kph before the petrol engine kicks in. But that’s just how the “Hybrid Synergy Drive” system works, and I think that’s how it manages to keep things very efficient. Power is sent to the front-wheels through a CVT gearbox. The latter doesn’t “drone” or possess the feeling of a slipping clutch like some of its other counterparts from Asia do. I could hit the 100kph mark in a little over 10 seconds, upon hard acceleration. There’s a nice mid-range kick, and the car picks up speed steadily. There are also minimal vibrations entering the cabin while you’re driving at high speeds, although there’s a slight tendency for wind noise to creep in at those speeds. The ride, however, is pristine, and much better than that of other cars in this price and size segment. It takes bumps effortlessly, and with a great deal of composure. There are four driver modes to choose from: Eco, Power, Normal and EV. Normal mode takes care of things efficiently but I saw myself driving in Eco mode for the most part of the journey to make up for all the fuel I have been wasting on cars recently.
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The biggest surprise, however, was how the Prius handled corners. I found the handling to be neutral, with no understeer (although I didn’t push it to its limits), and limited body roll. It definitely handles better than its cousins – the Corolla and Yaris – despite the light and unassuming steering. I presume this is because the batteries reside under the rear seats, offering a lower centre of gravity. The Prius is no doubt Toyota’s answer to the fuel-price crisis we’re currently facing here in the GCC. And while we all have accepted that electric cars are the future, the world is yet to see one that is affordable and practical at the same time. So in the meantime, why not put the past and the future together and take forward a proven technology to make the most of our resources, right?
Toyota Prius
Specifications: Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder “Atkinson Cycle” engine and electric motor Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) Horsepower: 121hp Torque: 163Nm Top speed: 180kph 10-speaker JBL audio Regenerative braking Blind spot monitoring (BSM) Nickel Metal Hydride battery Daytime running lamps (DRL) EV, Normal, Power and Eco drive modes Energy monitor Six-way adjustable driver seat 11cm multi-information display
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EXCITING EXETER
1. Gaze in wonder at the magnificent Exeter Cathedral 2. Stroll around, chill out and relax at Exeter Quayside 3. Wander the city’s medieval underground passages 4. Take a (free) walking tour with a uniformed city guide 5. Delve into history at Northernhay Gardens around Rougemont Castle
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The city of Exeter boasts a rich history and gorgeous architecture.
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David Hughes recommends
EXETER, UK A
few weeks ago this page featured Dresden, which was bombed out of sight by the British Royal Air Force in 1945. Actually, the Brits were getting their own back on the German Luftwaffe for taking some fair-sized chunks out of Exeter three years earlier. The city in the English county of Devon had raised eyebrows in Berlin as one of the UK’s most enchanting and historical cities, and was duly targeted despite having posed no strategic importance in the course of the Second World War. The dogged Devonians went on to rebuild their city, and notwithstanding a small degree of some rather bland 1960s architecture, have succeeded. Exeter, which lies on the River Exe, is one of the UK’s most attractive cities in which to live and work, and its proximity to Dartmoor (an Area of Outstanding Beauty), nautical Dartmouth and traditional seaside resorts such as Torquay (the birthplace of Agatha Christie), Sidmouth and Exmouth all make it a particularly British gem. The University of Exeter is one of the UK’s most prestigious, and the presence of youth helps to give this compact city of 120,000 inhabitants a vibrancy as attractive as that of any of its larger and better-known rivals. While tourists might be in a tearing rush to drive down the M5 to sample the rugged scenery and resplendent beaches of Cornwall - Devon’s neighbouring county to the south - there’s an array of stately homes, castles, museums and churches within and just outside Exeter to keep the adults entertained after the kids have had their turn at Crealy Great Adventure Parks, in nearby Clyst St Mary. And let’s not forget the delights of the traditional Devon Cream Tea. That’s a couple of huge scones smeared with strawberry jam and topped with lashings of clotted cream, along with a pot of tea.
THE CA THEDR AL CH ST PET URCH ER AT OF EXETE R
My favourite place
Exeter Cathedral, which is unquestionably one of the finest in England. With its towers (built in the Norman era) and built in the Gothic style, this wonderful edifice presides over the city and its benign presence extends to surrounding gardens and a delightful market square. The cathedral’s 90-metre unvaulted ceiling is the largest in the world, and construction began on it in the 12th century. Outside, its splendid facade features sculptures of the English kings Alfred, Athelstan, Canute and William the Conqueror all sitting down, as if they’re about to enjoy a cream tea, which, if you fancy one, they are there to enjoy at a smashing little café underneath a quite wonderful vaulted stone ceiling.
Q U A Y S ID E
D E V ON , EXETER,
Highlights Exeter Quayside is about five minutes’ walk down some steps and cobbled lanes from behind the cathedral.
Here, old 18th-century warehouses have been converted into an eclectic array of shops, cafes and night spots. This is where Exonians will come to relax after work at the weekend or will simply chill out. The Custom House Visitor Centre lifts the lid on the city’s noble (and less than noble) maritime history and is itself housed in a building that was erected in 1860 on profits made from the city’s wool industry. Despite the Luftwaffe’s best efforts, Exeter held on to Gandy Street, a cobbled thoroughfare steeped in history and where you can find some of the city’s funkiest shops, as well as its grand Georgian crescents and Tudor black-and-white timbered buildings. Rougemont Castle, with its adjoining Northernhay Gardens (the oldest public space in England) is a relaxing place for a walk, and offers an insight into some of the city’s glorious and occasionally grisly past.
Lowlights I can’t think of any. Souvenirs Most of the souvenir shops can be found on the quay but Insideout at the Princesshay shopping mall, in
the centre of the city, is a hard place to leave empty-handed.
Getting there Fly from Muscat to London’s Heathrow. By train, Exeter is about three hours and 20 minutes from London’s Paddington station. Where to stay For hotel options, check out Trivago, Expedia, Kayak, Hotels.com, Booking.com and the others. However, for a real Devonian experience there are some delightfully quaint but very comfortable little hotels in nearby Topsham, a little town about four miles from the centre of Exeter. It’s wonderfully atmospheric, and has a maritime history all of its own. Now, it’s a favourite mooring ground for today’s modern yachtsmen.
CREA
M TEA
MAR 16 - 22 / ISSUE 462
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-FI THE TECH IN YOU
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Y-FI
AFFORDABLE TECH At Y, we like value for money so Alvin Thomas tests some gadgets that won’t empty your pocket TICK-TOCK Not sold on the idea of having a smartwatch? I mean, why have an expensive “digital” watch when you can have a real analog watch, right? Well, the Ticwatch 2 is here to change your views. Mind you, it’s still very much a smartwatch but what it does is pack a lot of features into an affordable package (when compared with the Samsung Gear and Apple Watch). It does everything its competitors do but also comes with voice, touch, tickle (!), flip, knock and palm control. It also has its own health and fitness tracker, quick cards and notifications. Like every other smartwatch, you can also download numerous watch faces to customise the device. Oh, and before we forget: it’s one of the few devices that you can use to connect to both iOS and Android products. All of this is yours for RO77 from amazon.com
BOOMBOX Bluetooth speakers are the modern equivalent of the boomboxes of old. However, these Bluetooth speakers don’t produce rich tones like their counterpart. Of course, you can make up for that by going grand with your money. But we’re all about saving you that dough. And that’s where the Boombotix Boombot Bass Station Bluetooth Wireless Speaker comes in. You know things will be a tad “amateur” when the product’s name is that long, but, surprisingly, the device is actually very punchy. It’s got great (and by great, we mean excellent) base, and is also waterproof. The speaker comes with its own amplifier and built-in flash drive. Yours for RO15 from amazon.com
There’s no denying that gadgets are getting more expensive by the hour. A well-equipped touchscreen laptop can set you back anywhere between RO700 and RO1,500. However, what if you want to have one but happen to be tight-fisted? Well then, we have the perfect solution for you; it’s the Air Bar. Like its name suggests, it’s a bar. But it is designed to reside near the bezel of your laptop’s screen, and can be converted into a touchscreen device. A couple of magnets secure the bar in place, and it connects straight into a USB slot. It is compatible with all devices running Windows 10, and with a minimum screen size of 40cm. You also receive the option to use gestures, and the ability to use a stylus, paintbrush, or even a glove. Yours for RO30.4 from amazon.com
CAST AWAY
EDITOR’S PICK 038
TOUCHSCREEN MAGIC
THE GOOGLE CHROMECAST IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED GADGETS ON THE MARKET TODAY. IT DOES WHAT THE APPLE TV DOES (STREAM CONTENT ONTO YOUR TELEVISION), AND AT A FRACTION OF THE PRICE. THE DEVICE IS ROUGHLY THE SIZE OF A HOCKEY PUCK, AND IS EXTREMELY LIGHT. IT PLUGS STRAIGHT INTO YOUR TV’S HDMI PORT, AND LETS YOU STREAM CONTENT FROM STREAMING SERVICE PROVIDERS SUCH AS NETFLIX, YOUTUBE AND HULU, USING YOUR ANDROID-POWERED SMARTPHONE. YOUR SMARTPHONE ALSO ACTS AS THE REMOTE CONTROL OF THE DEVICE SO EVERYTHING IS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS AT ALL TIMES. THE CHROMECAST IS YOURS FOR RO19 FROM LULU ELECTRONICS
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SNAKE
ome things in life are better left alone than modified. And if I were to prepare a list of things that shouldn’t be modified, Snake – the beloved game that first hit the streets as an arcade game in 1976 – would be first on the list. Why? Well, for starters, it is the perfect testament to how beautiful and engaging simple games can be. Secondly, it happens to be among the most significant games of the 21st century (thanks to its presence in early Nokia phones), and it probably deserves to be placed in a gaming museum (if there exists such a place). So, has Gameloft’s new attempt at the game worked? Does it capture the true essence of Snake? And more importantly, does it feel nostalgic? To find out, I had to check out a few videos of people playing the game on the newly released Nokia 3310 phones online. Sadly, the device has still not hit the market yet, and a release date has not been discussed for the Asian market. My initial impressions are that Gameloft has modified the game in every possible way. While Snake is still two-dimensional, the game now allows diagonal movement, meaning there’s more flexibility in manoeuvering the Snake. It isn’t in line with the original game but it still is a welcome addition. Just like the original game, however, you still have levels. As you progress, the speed and the level of difficulty rises so you’ll find yourself dabbing the buttons (yes, buttons!) harder than ever before. The game is in colour although Nokia did have a colour version of the game in its devices a decade ago. Oddly enough, though, this time around, it seems unpolished. I remember playing a colour version of the game (in 3D!), in 2010, and it was fantastic. I’m not sure if Gameloft is still working to polish the game before the official release of the 3310. If not, I’m sure people are going to notice that Snake has taken a huge step backwards. But the underlying fact is this: I really cannot hate Snake, no matter what. At the end of the day, it is still the game that gave life to gaming on your mobile phone. Without it, we would probably still be using our phones to communicate with people. Blasphemy! Who uses their phone for making calls anymore, right?
App of the Week
SNAPSEED If Photoshop is the best professional photo editing software, then Snapseed is arguably the best amateur-photo editing application you can download today. We’ve grown to love the app for its slick interface, easy-to-use functions and even its huge range of filters. The app also lets you stack layers, which means that you can jump into edited photos and delete your tweaks. Yours for free from Google Play and iTunes
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HEALTH& BEAUTY
FLOWER POWER Say it with love on Mother’s Day with a floral theme to thank your mum for all that she does for you! She’ll have a spring in her step and beautiful keepsakes that she will cherish forever, such as this look from Betty Barclay.
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Health
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, reet ok. t s lo gh e hi get the h t d to ou to n e igh helps y h e th ver From ity Glo c Feli
It’s still chilly enough in the evenings to throw a jacket over your shoulders and this funky, embroidered denim jacket from Matalan will keep your mum on trend. From RO13.1
This chic, floral dress from New Look is not only pretty but also a perfect look to celebrate Mother’s Day. From RO16.4
Treat your mum to this bold blue, floral embroidered dress from Next. The classic cut means it will never go out of style – and will last a lot longer than a bunch of flowers! From RO39.8
This wild rose scarf from Monsoon is another great gift idea for your mum, promising to raise the style stakes for many different outfits. From RO11.7
Spoil your mum with this stunning necklace from Damas. Featuring the famous “Ommi” (mother) design and set in gold and diamond lattice work, this necklace is for keeps. Price on request
A pair of fun, strappy sandals is a great look for Mother’s Day brunches and lunches, such as these pink pom-pom heels from Dorothy Perkins. From RO16.4
Still stuck for a gift for your mum? What about this cute embroidered twistlock bag from M&S? Fun and fresh, it’s sure to be an all-time favourite accessory. From RO12.8
MAR 16 - 22 / ISSUE 462
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HEALTH& BEAUTY
BEAUTY
Health Fashion
ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER Treat your mum to a Mother’s Day gift that will help keep her look great, feel good and forget her age, says Christine Karan
I
t’s almost Mother’s Day and I was thinking about what present I should get my dear mum this year. Shoes? I just bought her two new pairs for Christmas. Jewellery? Tick, for a few New Year’s, at least. Clothes then? Been there, done
that. However, a chat with a friend gave me another idea: a beauty treatment studio that uses Energising Light Therapy (ELT) Beauty Angel Treatment – an innovative light-based skin treatment that has just been introduced to Oman. After all, your skin tells the world how healthy you look and how old you look. So I was convinced this would be the right gift for my mum. However, to make your look shine and glow, you can’t take risks with your skin. So before taking my mother in for the treatment, I wanted to make sure I knew more about it. The experts at Simia Medi Spa, located in Azaiba, explained that ELT uses non-UV light, a patented procedure – Beauty Angel ELT – that regenerates skin cells 150-200 per cent faster than other existing light therapies available. They showed me a futuristic-looking ELT Machine and answered all my questions. They also examined my mother’s skin and suggested a collagen mask treatment. The next day we went in for the treatment and the entire process took about 20 to 30 minutes, which included cleansing and massaging, by using natural products from June Jacobs and its patented Beauty Angel ELT Treatment. The result? My mother’s face had a visible glow and she said her skin felt plumper and more hydrated. The wrinkles had diminished a little and her skin had been refreshed. She loved the treatment so much that she’s now interested in returning for a second appointment. Besides the collagen mask treatment, Simia Medi Spa offers an array of treatments depending on skin types and client preferences. The most common treatments they provide are 042
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for reducing wrinkles; pigmentation, and increasing collagen in the skin that results in a faster glow and a more hydrated look. Suitable for all ages and skin types, the treatment can be used all over the body but is ideal for the face, neck and decolletage. Eliminating the need for lasers, injections, or surgery, Beauty Angel ELT stimulates the skin cells by activating the body’s own production of collagen, elastin and hyaluron thus enabling a significant reduction in the major signs of visible ageing. Small wrinkles are reduced and the skin becomes visibly tauter and smoother. Depending on your skin type and condition, the treatment you opt for and the number of sessions you need can all be discussed. For more information, call Simia Medi Spa on 2449 2333 or 9764 6850. Follow Christine on Instagram Hearmyshoestory
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AND DREAM OF SHEEP Photo credit: Courtesy of Getty Images
W
Get a great night’s sleep with these eight tips to ensure tomorrow starts right and stays that way
hile a healthy lifestyle requires a balanced diet and exercise, sleep is another pillar of overall wellness that is both essential to your health and success, and often overlooked. By simply making small changes to your daily routine you can improve your quality of sleep. Follow these tips from Dr Sujay Kansagra, Mattress Firm’s sleep health consultant and director of Duke University’s Paediatric Neurology Sleep Medicine Programme, and get on your way to better night’s rest and a healthier life.
1. Manage your sleep time
Rather than trying to accomplish everything on your to-do list at the expense of sleep, reverse your approach. As the average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep each night, make sure to set aside the time needed for a full night of rest.
2. Stay on schedule
Try to keep your bedtime and wake time consistent on both weekdays and weekends. With time, your brain and body will adjust to these set times, but until then, rely on an alarm – not only to wake in the morning but to keep you from staying up too late at night, too.
3. Find a routine
A routine performed 20-30 minutes before bedtime every night can subconsciously ease your brain into sleep. Unwinding with a book, taking a warm bath or meditating are all ways to slow your mind and induce some peaceful rest.
4. Brighten up the morning
Getting plenty of bright light in the morning helps keep your sleep timing on track, particularly if you wake up early. Make opening the curtains and blinds your first task each morning.
5. Ditch the clock
Fixating on the time can create stress and keep you up at night. Instead, set your alarm, turn your clock around and forget about the time.
6. Get moving
Research shows that exercise can act as a natural sleep remedy, often leading to a more sound slumber. However, if you exercise late and have difficulty falling asleep, consider moving your workout earlier in the day. The increase in body temperature from exercise tends to be prolonged, sometimes making it hard to fall asleep.
7. Kick the caffeine habit
Morning caffeine can linger in your system until it’s time to sleep. Coffee, tea, dark sodas and dark chocolate are the main offenders for most people.
8. Pay back debt
If you are chronically deprived of sleep, allow your body extra sleep time to make up for the loss. In these cases, even eight to nine hours each night may not be enough. Allow your body to catch up then commit to more consistent sleep patterns in the future. Find more resources to help improve your sleep, including tips on how to buy a new mattress, at DailyDoze.com. * Family Features MAR 16 - 22 / ISSUE 462
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Reviews FRESH CATCH
A healthy choice for family meals, seafood can be cooked in a variety of ways and pairs well with many flavours.
DON’T SKIMP ON THE SHRIMP S
Easy to prepare, nutritious and nice to look at. What’s not to like about seafood?
eafood pairs well with all sorts of flavours – from chilli seasoning to lime extract – and bakes quickly, with minimal clean-up. Follow these simple tips from Dr Wendy Bazilian, an American health adviser and dietitian, to get your family asking for good-for-you proteins like salmon and shrimp all year long:
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While lemon is a great complement to seafood, think about pairing it with other citrus flavours like orange and lime. Try marinating shrimp in a mixture of light coconut milk, lime extract, ginger and red pepper.
Coconut Lime Shrimp with Zoodles
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Add colourful vegetables like zoodles (noodle shapes cut from courgette) or asparagus to your baking tray to boost both seafood and vegetable servings. You don’t need a spiraliser to make zoodles because many grocery stores offer them ready-made. Keep shrimp in your freezer to pull out for stir fries, pastas or this Coconut Lime Shrimp with Zoodles recipe.
Explore more recipes for spring and beyond at McCormick.com. * Family Features
Orange Chili Sheet Pan Salmon
Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Servings: 4
§ 1/4 tsp McCormick Ground Black Pepper Heat oven to 190 C
Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 8
Ingredients: § 1/4 cup Thai Kitchen Coconut Milk (regular or light) § 1 tsp McCormick Ground Ginger § 1/2 tsp McCormick Garlic Powder § 1/4 tsp McCormick Crushed Red Pepper § 1/4 tsp McCormick Pure Lime Extract § 450g large shrimp, peeled and de-veined § 1 small courgette, cut into thin noodles with spiraliser § 1 medium yellow squash, cut into thin noodles with spiraliser § 1 medium carrot, cut into thin noodles with spiraliser § 2 tbsp oil § 1/2 tsp salt
Method: § In a large, re-sealable plastic bag, mix together coconut milk, ginger, garlic powder, crushed red pepper and lime extract. Add shrimp; turn to coat well. § Refrigerate for 15-30 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the marinade. Discard any remaining marinade. In the centre of a large, shallow, foil-lined baking pan, arrange shrimp in a single layer. § In a large bowl, toss the vegetable noodles and oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat well. Spread the noodles around the shrimp in the pan. § Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the shrimp is cooked through (will turn pink) and the noodles are tender. Serve the shrimp over vegetable noodles.
Ingredients: § Nonstick cooking spray § 2 tbsp olive oil § 2 tsp McCormick Pure Orange Extract § 900g salmon fillets, skin removed § 450g asparagus, ends trimmed § 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into strips § 1 package McCormick Original Chili Seasoning Mix § 2 tbsp packed brown sugar
Heat the oven to 190 C. Spray a foillined, 33cm-by- 22cm baking tray with the nonstick cooking spray. Method: § In a small bowl, mix together the oil and orange extract. Place the salmon and vegetables on separate sides of the baking tray. Brush the vegetables with one teaspoon of extract mixture. Brush both sides of salmon with the remaining mixture. § In a small bowl, mix together the seasoning mix and brown sugar. Sprinkle two tablespoons of seasoning mixture over the vegetables. Sprinkle both sides of salmon evenly with the remaining seasoning mixture. § Bake for 20 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the vegetables are tender.
MAR 16 - 22 / ISSUE 462
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FOOD DRINK
get d u B ndly frie
BAB IDRIS
Tr e n d
New Restaurant
REVIEWS
Info Box BAB IDRIS
Third Floor, Oman Avenues Mall, Baushar Opening hours: 9am-12am daily Tel: 2206 0075 Lunch for two: RO14.5 Verdict : 8/10 SERVICE 7/10 FOOD 8/10 AMBIENCE Authentic Lebanese cuisine with the ambience and service to match Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals
A LEBANESE EATERY THAT CAN DO VEGETARIAN WITH VERVE AND VERACITY WAS A PROSPECT ALVIN THOMAS FOUND HARD TO RESIST.
W
hen I think of Bab Idris, my mind immediately wanders back to the pictures I had once seen of the beautiful city centre of Beirut in my history books during my school days. Back then (if I recollect correctly), it was the cultural hub of Lebanon, and was dubbed the “western gateway to Beirut’s historic core”. Sadly, the square was torn down during the civil war and the glorious days of the once-magnificent square remains documented in pictures, and in the hearts of millions of people who took pride in their heritage. Of course, times have changed, and I cannot help but wonder if the Bab Idris restaurant in Oman Avenues Mall is a tribute to the oncebeautiful square. Well, if it is, then this Lebanese restaurant has really done a great job in capturing the true essence of the same. For starters, the restaurant – which is on the third floor of the mall – looks very welcoming. There’s a water feature at the entrance, and it is further complemented by very soothing-looking interior décor. My waiter, who hails from Lebanon, was very charming and showed me to my seat before explaining about the restaurant’s own shisha bar. I didn’t opt for it, though. The menu is beautiful to look at, and has everything from the traditional grills and salads
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MAR 16 - 22 / ISSUE 462
contains chick peas drenched in a creamy layer of hummus, tahini and fresh yoghurt, and garnished with crispy bread – was absolutely scrumptious. EVEN THEN, BAB IDRIS WAS The bread wasn’t as crispy as I was expecting but DEFINITELY WORTH MY TIME: the dish still tasted divine. THE FOOD WAS SPLENDID; THE The plate of hummus that I had ordered, WAITERS, FRIENDLY; AND THE however, remained untouched, and I had to have AURA, VERY LEBANESE. it packed for later. But as they say: you’re never too full for pudding. And so, I ordered a bowl of Bab to special Lebanese dishes such as the fatte and Idris’ fresh chocolate and strawberry ice cream. fekhar. But, because I am on a mission to phase out meat for a month, I only opted for vegetarian Surprisingly, it took the most time to arrive (almost 10 minutes!), when compared with the other dishes during my outing. To start things off, I opted for the fruit mocktail, dishes. The wait was worth it, though, as the ice cream French fries and a serving of hummus; and for was simply marvellous. It wasn’t too creamy, as I main course, I decided to go simple and order had expected it would be. That’s probably because hummus fatte (yes, more hummus!). it is aimed at a health-conscious crowd. My mocktail was first to arrive. The chef had I’m guessing that meat-lovers will probably also sent me a selection of freshly-baked pita (Arabic bread), along with a side of olives, tomato enjoy this place even further. Even then, Bab Idris was definitely worth my time: the food was salad and spicy moutabel (probably because I ordered so much hummus). splendid; the waiters, friendly; and the aura, very The mocktail was fantastic. It was fresh, smooth Lebanese. And that’s why you should give this and very well-balanced. I knew it had been freshly restaurant a try. But, don’t forget to take some prepared because I could see the chef slicing the company along with you as you probably will fruit and throwing it into the blender. I was also struggle to get through their generous portions of glad that he didn’t add any artificial flavours and dishes, like I did. colouring into it. Most restaurants around town add artificial flavouring, and the juice ends up Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see tasting like sweet syrup (ugh!). reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com Meanwhile, the bread was thick but soft and well-baked, and the spicy moutabel was very flavoursome (and thankfully, not very spicy). Needless to say, it didn’t last too long on my plate. And before I even finished my starters, the waiter brought me my French fries. The French fries were also exquisite. They had just the right amount of crunch, and were served with a side of garlic paste and freshly prepared tomato ketchup. Next to arrive were my hummus and hummus fatte (both in big portions). By now, I had also started to feel the strain of all the starters. One serving of fatte could have fed nearly three adults! But I still had a go at the hummus fatte. It was heavenly, to say the least. The dish – which
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