Y Magazine #466, April 13, 2016

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APR 13 - 19 2017 / ISSUE 466 • WEEKLY

PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

PLUS!

ARE YOU SEEKING A BETTER WORK-LIFE BALANCE?

TRUE TEXAS

36

FUTURISTIC FUN

38

HOP TO IT

40

COMPETITION Have you entered our The Fate of the Furious competition yet? For a chance to win tickets to an exclusive screening of the latest Fast & Furious movie, turn to page 14.

THE BAROMETER GOING UP

TEMPERATURES The cooler months are definitely behind us and now that we are hurtling towards the summer, the temperature is on the rise and our air conditioners are beginning to go into overdrive.

GOING DOWN

UNHYGIENIC SHOPS Food Safety Week kicked off in the Sultanate with a bang this week, with the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources announcing that 1,453 establishments were closed down in 2016 for unsafe food practices.

THIS WEEK… Team Y enjoyed a fantastic road trip to Sur in a classic Mustang, had a wonderful weekend away at Al Bustan Palace and were impressed by the talented youth footballers at the Koooora Wa Bas Talent Hunt awards night.

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EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

Fast forward W

hat is happiness? Some say it is enjoying the simple things in life, while others say it’s about friends and family. Some may say it’s about being wealthy and never having to worry about money again, or perhaps it’s about travel and exploring the world.

Whatever your definition of happiness is, it seems that it is getting a little more difficult to find our nirvana, according to a recent study by Majid Al Futtaim.

In our cover story this week, we discover that many residents in Oman are unhappy because they are not spending enough time with their family for a variety of reasons, from working long hours to their loved ones living in other countries.

The pressure to work long hours is taking its toll on us and we are sacrificing our loved ones for our employers’ bottom line. It’s a vicious circle, one in which many people have to work to support their families, more so during an economic downturn. We are disconnecting less and less and thanks to the internet, are online even after hours for work. In January this year, France ruled that it was illegal to send emails to employees after 6pm in a bid to prevent burnout and protect their private time.

If only the rest of the world would follow suit – and also recognise flexible working hours, such as allowing employees to work from home. In this digital age and the trend for remote workers, it’s not only the companies that would benefit – employees would be happier and more productive, while their families would be grateful. What do you think? In the meantime, have a great week!

editor@y-oman.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi MANAGING EDITOR Felicity Glover SENIOR ONLINE EDITOR Nishad Padiyarath

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PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi REPORTER Alvin Thomas DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan

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APR 13 - 19 / ISSUE 466

03

contents APR

Your Oman

-

19

2017

This Week

06 Coffee With Y

Haitham Rafi

16 Ladies’ Day Out

Enter our Markaz

Al Bahja contest

08 Voice Of Oman

Felicity Glover 10 News

Metered taxi service

launched 11 Gallery

Road Safety Pledge

10

13

18 This Week

Easter market

Features 22 Cover story

The pursuit of happiness 28 Y’s Got Talent

Latest winners revealed

22

21 Movies

Their Finest

12 Gallery

Koooora Wa Bas

Talent Hunt 14 Competition

The Fate of the Furious

Cars and Adventures 32 Destination

Roadtrip to Sur

21 Health and Beauty

34 First Drive

Kia Cadenza 36 Postcard From

San Antonio, Texas 38 Y-Fi

Wave of the future

40 Fashion

Hop to it 42 Beauty

Lip service

Food and Drink 44 Food Feature

Egg-stra fun 46 Taste Test Kosebasi

44

43 Health

Sleep issues

38 40

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m Rafi

Haitha

Alvin Thomas meets the youn g Omani who, like Britain’s Susan Boyle, dreamed a dream and is on th e brink of stardom t’s 10pm on Saturday, Apr

I

il 1, up watching them on TV, and nev er and the citizens of two countries the early rounds due to the intense – did I think I would be standing there Oman and India – are unified in com petition, as thousands of entries and performing in front of them,” their joy. But many are unsure if he poured in from all around the the globe, says. news is true or of it’s just a cruel including the US and even Russia.

April Hai tham has also sign ed up to sing in However, the young Fool’s Day prank.

Omani was Bollywood.

But, a few moments later, photos selected, and was among 400 fina “I lists can not reve al many details now of a young singer holding the trop who then made it to the final aud hy but ition I am alre ady wor king on five or of India’s new talent show, Dil Hai rounds. six songs and a video too. The mu Hindustani, begin circulating on soci sic “Being chosen in the final al will be a collaboration of Ara bic and contestants was a big thin round of media. g for me. I Hindi.

The young vocalist is our very own started singing only when I was 10 “W or hat I am tryi ng to do is make Haitham Rafi, the 23-year-old Om 11, and I don’t have much experie ani something new by adding pur nce . e Arabic In my early days, it was singing sensation who has stolen the my friends who to different languages,” he confess hearts of nearly a billion Indians es, used to tell me that I could sing wel and when I press him for more l. information. “I didn’t even take nearly 4.5 million residents in Om them seriously an.

But Hai tham digr esse s to reveal his then,” he laughs.

Fast forward to today, and Y “But as time went on, lowest point on Dil Hai Hindustani: Magazine is hosting the young star “I I started playing the guitar and then was elim inat ed from the show in one of form in our office in Seeb. It is also his ed a small band. I used to perform first the final rounds – and that was on the at my home, public interview since his win so Haitham spots and even for has very day my mother came to surprise my friends. a lot to talk about. me by visiting the studio.”

But before I delve into his backsto “Back then, I used to tell my parents ry, “She was devastated,” he says, but I ask him the two big questions: how and friends that one day I will go to adds that he got to re-enter the sho he feels about lifting the trophy at w India and sing; that one day, I wou one courtesy of a wild card. ld be of India’s biggest talent shows, and in Bollywood. It was my dream.

“On e of my bigg est cha llen ges has about his three-month odyssey in “But, I also knew how hard it wou the been my diction. I am alw ld ays doing Bollywood capital of Mumbai. be and how talented Indian singers extra practice just to get the words “Wow,” he exclaims. “It’s like a are. Still, I persevered, and now, it right. I try to learn the languages. has dream. When they announced me I can bec ome a reality. as also sing in Malayalam and Kan the winner, I had a flashback to the nada,” “A lot of my success has day laughs Haitham. come I did my first audition. Then, I tho thanks to my fans. A lot of them ught “After getting the wild card have , I worked supported me. They hav I would just sing, be rejected, and e even started take hard with the aim of lifting the trophy. fan pages on Facebo a flight back to Oman. ok, Instagram and And I came to a point where I was “I haven’t even learned to read other platforms. I am here becaus wak e of ing up at 6am and singing into the them music,” he laughs. “All the other , and I will always respect them.” earl y hou rs of the morning.” contestants were taking classes in We end our interview here, but His hard work paid off and his classical music so they did have a befo re he takes leave of our office, I ask very dream of hearing his nam e being good chance to take the title.

Hai tham to sing a few lines for us. And announced on national television The Muttrah-born singer then as the he breaks into a few bars of the new winner of a music show was realised recollects his first audition: “I . song, Channa Mereya from the movie Ae Hai tham goe s on to say: “My mother Dil Hai Mushkil. got standing ovation for my first was the one who was the hap pies performance. I couldn’t believe it. t. But You can catch him singing in a vide But I also must thank my fans, o who have that is when I got the confidence on our Facebook page. Listening to him that I been praying for me and wishing me all sing, I was taken bac could perform well on stage. k in time to when I the success.”

“Singing in front of Karan Johar saw the video, which then went vira The l, in youngster was a personal banker [Indian film director], Badshah which Haitham had the judges and at Bank Muscat when he decided the [rapper], Shekhar Ravjiani [music to audience in the palm of his hand. quit and aud ition for the reality show. director] and Shalmali Kholgade This man is truly special, and he “Everyone was upset by my decisio is [playback singer] was not easy. The n defi nitely going to be a sensation in y bec aus e they kne w how har d it are all big names and legends in thei is to Bollywood. Here at Y, we wish him r get a job. But I told them that all I would the best. respective fields. search for another job if I didn’t get in, “But when they started commenting Have you got a unique story to tell? Cont on my singing, I was so happy. I grew to make them understand. act us to Haitham had a tough path through have coffee with Y and be featu red in Y Magazine.

Email: editor@y-oman.com

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THE VOICE OF OMAN FELICITY GLOVER ON THE HEALTH DANGERS OF SOFT DRINKS

I

had an interesting WhatsApp conversation with a doctor recently, who had sent me a short video of the top nine things that you can do with Coca-Cola.

From removing chewing gum from fabric to using it as silver polish for jewellery, cleaning kitchen surfaces, and even cleaning the toilet; there is a variety of jobs for which the highsugar drink can be deployed to help us out in the home.

The only problem? The video didn’t actually say anything about drinking Coca-Cola, which tells me that my instinct has always been right: never drink anything that can clean a toilet.

According to Coca-Cola, there are 39 grams of sugar in a 330ml can of coke – that’s equivalent to 7.8 teaspoons. I don’t know about you but could you drink a cup of tea or coffee with that much sugar? I know I couldn’t.

And then there are the long-term health concerns of drinking this stuff.

Studies have found that drinking high-sugar soft drinks can cause heart disease, kidney disease, obesity, diabetes, teeth and bone damage; to name but a few.

I swore off soft drinks when I was a teenager and have also managed to raise my daughter without her ever tasting Coca-Cola or Pepsi – a major feat in this world of teen peer pressure!

But here’s what I don’t understand – like alcohol and cigarettes, soft drinks are also highly addictive and dangerous to our health.

So why, then, are governments not plastering cans with health warnings (such as are put on packets of cigarettes) and slapping high taxes on them?

Not only would such a move help deter people from drinking soft drinks but it would also help to raise revenue and reduce the cost of public healthcare. For me, it’s a no-brainer.

After all, our health is vital to our happiness and well-being. And to achieve that, I’m happy with water.

NEXT WEEK: NISHAD PADIYARATH 08

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correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: Oman Air’s Deputy CEO has warned that travellers should brace themselves for a rise in airfares. How will this affect your summer plans – or is it safe to say that airfares from Oman were already too high?

MICHAEL RAMIN

It truly depends on how you pre-plan your trip; be it peak or off-peak season. In fairness to Oman Air amidst its forthcoming fare hike, its airfares are very competitive compared to those of other airlines. It usually offers low-fare promotions such as 50 per cent off and the like. As for myself, I usually go home to the Philippines and find that Oman Air is still the best airline to travel with.

Thus, airfare hikes are there but it’s up to us to be wise in managing our trips.

SYED BOKHARI

Well, certainly, air fares in Muscat are already high as compared to other countries for those of us planning to visit either Europe or the USA for their summer holiday. There are very few flights operating from Muscat to these destinations so any booking has to be made well in advance.

The problem could be made easier if more flight options were to come into force for passengers to choose from. Then, greater competition would result in the reduction of the Air Tariff and ease the planning of flights during school holidays.The authorities concerned should serve passengers by taking prompt action to facilitate these changes.

REEM ELASSAL

I’m a travel agent and I understand what’s happening nowadays. The IATA has stopped any commissions to either the travel agent or the airline and the client will lose out as a result. This is in Oman only and the Ministry of Tourism

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needs to get a handle on this, as already many of the airlines have racked up their prices as of a month ago, and that will not help.

MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT

High airfares in the peak travel season in Oman have become commonplace for the past few years, and especially to destinations that are only flown by a couple of airlines. I don’t know whether or not it falls under the jurisdiction of the government to control this practice but many people including myself are very concerned about it. There should be curbs levied on the charging of exorbitant prices during peak holiday times.

RICKY CHERIAN

The higher fuel prices and higher fees have substantially changed the way passengers think of air travel. It’s less a convenient mode of mass transportation and more of a luxury these days.

That said, almost all the airlines are prepared for the sharp increase in airfares, which will result in booking for the summer months in advance due to the limited options in airlines and fares.

NISHA HARVEY

Sometimes airfares from Oman are too high, and other times they appear to be priced fairly. The prices fluctuate so if you are trying to get the cheapest flight then your dates should be flexible. For instance, if you want to travel from Oman to New York, there are no direct flights. There may be a flight that goes there via Dubai but this stopover may push the price up.

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Obviously, juggling flights or stopovers is time-consuming and inconvenient, and passengers shouldn’t pay excessively for flights as a result.

DR RAO BHASKARA SUDDAPALLI

Air fares are too high from Oman. If one takes a cursory look at the fares from Oman to Europe and North America offered by some airlines such as KLM, they are often cheaper than those to destinations in India. The airlines are literally bleeding its less wealthy passengers dry, and those who have little choice but to bear the brunt of it.

Many are blue-collar workers who have no choice but to travel during the peak (and expensive) season while others pay differential fares and air taxes. They are also subject to surcharges as they can only get tickets for destinations such as Karachi, Mumbai or Dhaka etc. Above all, passengers who want to travel during academic breaks or Eid have to put up with the high airfares that are charged during those periods. This state of affairs clearly needs to be reviewed.

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New Debate: Under a plan by Tanfeedh Labs, the Government body tasked with diversifying the economy away from oil and gas, expatriate workers could be hired on shortterm work contracts. Would you be happy with a short-term work contract?

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YOUR

OMAN

NEWS

MARHABA TAXIS TO HIT ROADS SOON

NEW CAMERAS I TO DETER SPEEDSTERS

t is official, folks! The wait has finally come to an end, as you can now easily book a cab and be on your way to your preferred destination in a Marhaba taxi – Oman’s latest entrant in the metered-taxi service – with the simple touch of a button.

The taxis “discreetly” hit the roads in the capital city with its cars this week [Tuesday, April 11] as part of the company’s soft launch.

Currently, 46 cars are reportedly shuttling passengers to their preferred destinations – all with set fares that are dependent on the distance of the travel. The fares start at RO3.5, which will cover the ride for the first 5km. Following that, an additional 500 baisas will be added for every kilometre.

Residents who wish to avail the service can also book a taxi using the Marhaba Taxi Oman application, which can be downloaded via Google Play.

Ingenuity Technologies was reported to be working on the project in cooperation with the

Ministry of Tourism after it received the license to operate taxis from hotels, Port Sultan Qaboos and an on-demand service (mobile application) last year.

The source, who was not named, was quoted in the Oman Observer as saying that this was a “soft opening” and that more details would be announced soon. He added that all regulatory approvals were in place and that they had been waiting for the “appropriate time” to launch.

Two vendors will operate metered-taxis in Oman – Marhaba and Oman National Transport Company (Mwasalat).

Earlier last month, Yousuf al Hooti, project manager for Marhaba Taxi, told local media that 150 taxis were set to hit the roads.

“The taxis have been painted and around 150 drivers have also been trained. Right now, we are testing the applications,” he said.

“As we have finished training 150 taxi drivers, we are thinking of launching these on the road. We will slowly grow our fleet.”

S

peedsters, it is time to clean up your act. If you drive recklessly on the roads and exceed the speed limit, then abruptly slow down to avoid getting caught by traffic cameras, then you should know that the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has launched other forms of deterrents designed to catch you in the act.

“Speed cameras on poles are not the only way we catch speeders,” a senior ROP official was quoted as saying by the local media.

The official declined to specify the latest tools being used by traffic officers but said: “There’s a simple solution – don’t speed.”

We contacted a source who works in tandem with the ROP in setting up cameras across the country. He said: “The ROP is now setting up mobile cameras everywhere. I cannot reveal the number of cameras, but I can tell you that it is enough to cover a huge part of the capital.

“These cameras will be set in discreet locations [between trees, grass and even behind concrete barriers], so that the drivers cannot slow down to avoid them. There will always be an official present at the site to ensure that these cameras are not tampered with or vandalised.

“Average speed cameras [point-topoint cameras] are also set in many locations. It is still in the test phase, but I can tell you that they will cover the whole of Oman soon. In such a scenario, this constant speeding up and slowing down game will not work,” he told Y. The fine for speeding in Oman is set at RO10, and the fine is increased depending on the speed at which the motorist was driving at the time of registering the offence.

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JAYWALKERS WILL NOW INCUR FINES

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hinking of making a quick dash to the other side of the road without making use of a pedestrian crossing? Well, think again, as you could not only be putting yourself and those in the community at risk, but you also face being fined if caught.

For committing jaywalking offences, such as crossing a road unlawfully without regard for approaching traffic, you could face a fine of up to RO10 or even jail time.

A Royal Oman Police (ROP) official, in an interview with local daily Times of Oman, said: “Jaywalking is illegal and a danger to the community.”

Under Royal Decree 38/2016, walking on the road is defined by crossing at places appropriate for pedestrians, including marked pedestrian crossings, squares, corridors, tunnels and bridges.

The ROP official added that repeat offenders faced a jail term of three months.

“It’s not about the fine, it’s about creating unnecessary harm and risk for

everyone around. That should be the reason why pedestrians should not jaywalk.

“Though drivers may identify other cars by their plate numbers, it may be difficult to report a jaywalker. If you can safely have a passenger of the car take a picture, that would be the best way to contact the authorities about this issue,” the ROP official said.

ROAD SAFETY PLEDGE

GALLERY

PRIZES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO THE WINNERS OF Y MAGAZINE’S MY ROAD SAFETY PLEDGE, WHICH WAS PRESENTED BY PANORAMA MALL AND IN ASSOCIATION WITH FAMILIA. WINNERS ISHARAT, FATIMA AL LAWATI AND MUHAMMAD AL KHALIFA RECEIVED CASH PRIZES.

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YOUR

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

OMAN

TALENTED YOUTH FOOTBALLERS CONVERGED ON MUSCAT LAST WEEKEND FOR THE FINALS OF THE KOOOORA WA BAS TALENT HUNT, WHICH WAS PLAYED AT THE SULTAN SCHOOL. A SPECIAL AWARDS CEREMONY WAS LATER HELD AT THE GRAND HYATT MUSCAT HOTEL, WITH CHIEF GUEST HE ENG. ABDULLAH AL BALUSHI, THE SHURA COUNCIL MEMBER FOR MUSSANAH, ALSO ATTENDING.

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NEWS

GALLERY

TALENTED YOUTH FOOTBALLERS RECOGNISED T he third edition of the Koooora Wa Bas Talent Hunt came to a thrilling close last Friday (April 7), when 60 talented youth footballers gathered at The Sultan School in Muscat for the final

play-off. At stake was RO3,500 in cash prizes for the top three winners. But with a total of 1,000 children between the ages of 10 and 16 competing around the Sultanate to reach the final, the rivalry was fierce on the pitch and the stakes were high.

Presented by Omantel and powered by Mitsubishi Motors Oman and Areej Vegetable Oils and Derivatives, footballers from as far afield as Sohar, Rustaq, Izki, Sur and Al Mudhaibi entered the Talent Hunt, hoping to impress the judges enough to make it to the capital for the finals and award ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Muscat hotel.

The Talent Hunt kicked off in March, with the judges travelling around the country to handpick the finalists.

But in the end, there could be only three winners.

The RO2,000 first prize was awarded to 12-year-old Mahmood Mohamed al Siyabi, from Rustaq, who picked up the top award for the second year running.

“I am very proud of him,” said Mohamed al Siyabi, Mahmood’s father. “Since he started playing football at the age of six, he has shown me and others his talents.

“I’d like to thank all the sponsors for supporting such a competition and I can’t describe the feelings among the first and second winning.

“This will give him a huge support to carry on – and me as well.”

Muscat’s Nibras Salem al Busaidi, 13, won second prize and RO1,000, while Mohamed Khaled al Qasmi, also 13 and from Muscat, was awarded third prize and picked up RO500 for his impressive efforts.

Congratulations to all the competitors!

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Win tickets to an exclusive screening of the latest Fast & Furious blockbuster starring Vin Diesel and Charlize Theron

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COMPETITION

t’s one of 2017’s most anticipated blockbuster movies and fans of the Fast & Furious franchise will be thrilled to hear that they can win tickets to an exclusive screening of the film, thanks to V-KOOL. Starring Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Charlize Theron and Jason Statham, The Fate of the Furious is the eighth instalment in the Fast & Furious series, picking up the story in New York City, Cuba and a number of other locations.

The Fate of the Furious sees the globetrotting team settling down to a more normal life but when a mystery woman (Charlize Theron) lures Dom (Vin Diesel) back into the crime world, the crew members face an action-packed adventure that will test them to the limits.

Y Magazine has 50 tickets – or 25 pairs – to give away to readers for an exclusive screening of the film at City Cinema Qurum on April 16, 2017.

To enter, all you have to do is answer the following question:

Which paint protection services does V-KOOL offer? a) Paint protection film (PPF) b) Ultramaster Bodyguard c) Nano ceramic d) All of the above

Email your answer, along with your full name and mobile phone number, to editor@y-oman.com for your chance to be a part of this exclusive event, no later than April 13, 2017. Good luck!

About V-Kool

V-KOOL Oman is the undisputed leader in the high-performance premium window film for both automotive and architectural glass.

The V-Kool outlet is located in the Alia Center Building, Way 3329, Al Khuwair (beside Oman Arab Bank & Danube Home) and is among the select few outlets worldwide that have been built as per the new and revised V-KOOL Corporate Identity, which showcases the complete product range.

“What we are offering to Oman motorists is the best car care solutions to keep their vehicle from ageing, from the world’s most technologically advanced heat control film company,” says the company’s K.T. Govindrajan.

V-KOOL film blocks heat causing Infra-Red (IR) rays and harmful Ultra-Violet (UV) rays. The super-premium series of films rejects 99 per cent of UV rays, which is based on research originally related to US aerospace and military use. V-KOOL offers the world’s first wavelength selective window coating that provides a virtually transparent protective barrier against radiation and the sun’s heat.

ULTRAMASTER Paint Protection Film from V-KOOL is truly a marvel for automotive enthusiasts. Its unique TRU-HEAL property of self-healing minor scratches and tears on the ultra-thin 0.5mil film is a relief for many motorists as they encounter minor scratches from crowded parking lots and high traffic roads. Add to its other properties of Stain Shield, Solvent Guard, Dura Coat, Color Protect and Easy Stretch make it one of the most preferred paint protection applications in the industry.

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t u O y a D ’ s e i d MARKAZ AL BAHJA a L L

adies, there’s nothing better than a day out with your girlfriends and female relatives at Markaz Al Bahja Mall, where you can catch one of the latest blockbuster movies, enjoy lunch together and indulge in a spot of retail therapy.

And if you enter Markaz Al Bahja’s Ladies Day Out competition, you could find yourself spending a fun day out with 150 women at the mall on Saturday, April 22, where you will have exclusive access to all the latest make-up and skincare tips, special talks on diet, nutrition and weight loss, as well as 30 per cent discount vouchers and a free movie.

The competition will be running in Y Magazine every Thursday until April 20 and all you have to do is answer a different question each week.

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COMPETITION This week’s question is:

How much shopping space is at Markaz Al Bahja Mall?

Email your entry to editor@y-oman.com for your chance to be a part of this exclusive event no later than Monday, April 17. Good luck!

About Markaz Al Bahja Mall Markaz Al Bahja Shopping Mall, located on Al Mouj Street in Mawaleh, was developed to give Oman a mall of truly international standards. Spread over 34,000m², it consists of three floors of retail outlets and is a dream come true for shoppers.

Many global and well-known local brands can be found here, which makes it an unforgettable experience for the serious as well as the fun shopper.

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THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

SWING TIME

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Head to the Royal Opera House Muscat and treat yourself to a unique vocal performance by five-time Grammy awardwinning a cappella group the Swingle Singers. Innovative and inspiring, the Swingle Singers have been entertaining audiences since their formation in Paris in 1962. Now with new members, the singers will perform their renowned a cappellas, with a nod to pop, classical and jazz. For bookings, go to rohmuscat.org.om.

ROMANCING MUSCAT The Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra will perform Romantic Masterworks, in the majestic Majan Ballroom at Al Bustan Palace, a RitzCarlton Hotel. The conductor is Rodolfo Saglimbeni. Tickets cost RO10, while there is also a pre-concert dinner at Al Khiran Terrace for RO26, which includes a complimentary ticket. Doors open at 7pm and the concert starts at 7.30pm. For reservations or more information, call 2476 4000 or email boxoffice.albustan@ritzcarlton.com.

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THIS

WEEK

WHAT TO DO.

A

I

P

R

WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

Celebrate Easter at The Bank in Qurum, which is hosting a fun family day out on Saturday with an Easter-themed market. There will also be an Easter egg hunt, face-painting, a bouncy castle and other games for the kids, as well as delicious food and music. The market will be hosting a number of local artisans, a minibakery, and more. Call 9361 8537 for details.

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Easter fun

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Top

Biggest Flowers and Plants in the World

❷ Rafflesia Arnoldii Native of: Sumatra and Borneo Flower diameter: 0.9m Blooming time: Nine months

❶ Amorphophalus Titanium

❸

Native of: Western Sumatra Height: More than three metres Blooming time: 7-10 years

Corypha Umbraculifera (talipot palm) Native of: India and Sri Lanka Height: Up to 34 metres Blooming time: once; when it is between 30 and 80 years old

Posidonia Oceanica (Neptune grass) Native to: Mediterranean Sea Height: up to 1.5 metres Blooming: large underwater meadows

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Puya Raymondi

❹

Native to: The Andes (Bolivia and Peru) Height: Up to 10 metres Blooming time: 40 years

❺

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

Begum Jaan

Their Finest Filmmakers finally seem to have sussed that reflecting real life in the UK of today is not going to lure audiences.

That is, unless they go down the irritating road of all those egregious Richard Curtis/Hugh Grant outings.

So there has been a definite trend this year to hark back to eras when Britain really was great (or was it?).

With this, we get another window on the world of yesteryear but this time it’s about the lot of women on the home front during the Second World War. Catrin Cole (Gemma Arterton) is a young copywriter who is offered a job with the Ministry of Information’s Film Division. Her remit is to bring a bit of female perspective to its propaganda shorts.

Catrin really doesn’t fancy the job but her artist husband’s gig isn’t exactly bringing home money.

When asked to work on a piece on

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 Catrin Cole in Their Finest?

LAST WEEK'S WINNER Reji Thomas

the Battle of Dunkirk, Catrin ruffles the feathers of one of her male colleagues, Buckey (Sam Claflin), who doesn’t want to work with a woman.

However, their relationship blossoms and that’s when it becomes complicated, as Catrin is married.

It’s stoic, sharp, substantial and often silly. Very British, in fact. And with Bill Nighy in for good measure, what’s not to like in this comedy-drama?

Director Lone Scherfig helmed the brilliant An Education (2009), which propelled Carey Mulligan to stardom.

Her expert touch in recapturing the sights and sounds of a former era without descending into mawkish nostalgia is well on form.

She has made a movie that truly delivers on what a good film should do: rattle every emotion you have while ensuring you leave happy at the end of it.

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

There was a time when Bollywood was unwilling to film stories with episodes of its turbulent history as the backdrop.

That certainly isn’t the case here, as 11 women in India refuse to part ways with the brothel that employs them as the country tears itself apart over the partition with Pakistan. In this, Begum Jaan (Vidya Balan) is more concerned

about her lot and the plight of other women as the ravages of political turmoil reverberate around her. She intends to be in control of her destiny, and is determined that any change is not going to wreck her life or those she cares about. In Hindi, with English and Arabic subtitles.

Eat Local Surely the vampire movie fad must be due for a stake through the heart? Well, obviously not, as this latest incarnation sees the quiet, unassuming Sebastian Crockett (Billy Cook) onto something with his hot, older girlfriend Vanessa (Eve Myles). Yeh, he’s onto something all right; especially when he meets some of her uninhibited friends. Pretty soon, a motley crue of vampire killers, including Annette Crosbie (pictured) turn up to break up the party, and find they have their work cut out. These young women only get a good girls’ night out every 50 years so they’re not prepared to knock their knees-up on the head just like that. Silly but good fun.

Long View SPARK Spark is a teenage monkey living on an abandoned planet with his high-spirited friends Chunk, a battlehardened fox; and Vix, a tech-savvy pig. However their carefree days are about to come to an end when they learn of the dastardly General Zhong’s plans to wipe out the entire universe. Zhong has captured the deadly space monster Kraken, a beast that has the power to create black holes. If Zhong makes use of it, he will blow the universe to smithereens, and it’s left to Spark and Co to stop him. Actionpacked, full of fun; the kids will love it. With voices provided

by Susan Sarandon, Jessica Biel and Patrick Stewart.

Release Date: May 4

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THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS 022

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We spend our lives trying to find it, grab it and keep it.

But what constitutes contentment in a world that constantly reminds us that we are what we earn or what we have? Alvin Thomas attempts to make sense of it all

P

harrell Williams was certainly onto something when he wrote and recorded Happy.

The song has lived up to its name for the American singer by winning him an Oscar, making him mega-rich and crediting him for arguably creating the most-played song of the past 10 years.

And if listening to it doesn’t make you feel good about yourself, we don’t know what will.

This brings us to the big question: what is happiness? And what happens if, as Pharrell says, you feel like a “room without a roof ”?

Our findings reveal many answers to that. For instance, a young woman says that “happiness is what you experience when you have a few days off from work”; an engineer tells us that “happiness is when you have had a good night’s sleep”, while a new mother says that “happiness is when I look at my newborn son”.

So, three people; three different answers. And that’s what makes evaluating the word very difficult. There seems to be no specific definition of the word “happiness”.

As a matter of fact, it could be a state of mind, a physical response or simply a feeling. In short then, as a concept, happiness is the state of being happy – at least according to the Oxford English Dictionary. * Story continues on page 26 APR 13 - 19 / ISSUE 466

023

From 13th April until 22nd April 2017

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But Aaron Prince, a life coach who works with the armed forces and many other individuals in need of support, thinks “there could be more to happiness than just being happy”.

“The key to happiness lies in you prioritising your passions ahead of your routines,” he says.

“It lies in you creating great moments for yourself; and above all, it only happens when you are past being happy, and are surrounded by the people you love.

“You can be happy right now. Let’s take an example: you buy yourself a new phone.

Let’s take the new Samsung Galaxy S8 or and iPhone7, for instance. You purchase the spanking new phone from a vendor, and are completely content by it. You could even say that you are happy with your decision. But – and here lies my

ancestors were happier than us: they used to share everything. You and I need to start communicating… you and I, we need to change,” he says.

Aaron’s strong words are proved correct by a recent survey carried out in Oman, by shopping conglomerate Majid Al Futtaim.

The campaign is based on findings confirmed by research commissioned by the company across the region. It reveals that people in the Middle East feel that spending quality time with friends and family is key to their happiness but they don’t prioritise it enough.

Entitled Create Great Moments Together , the report states that nearly one-third (30 per cent) of Oman’s residents spend, on average, less than five hours a week with their family or loved ones.

The survey also shows that nearly 94 per cent of people are at the peak of their happiness when they spend quality time with their loved ones.

To learn more about this, and perhaps shed some light on the subject, we asked two individuals and one family for their take on the report and their feedback based on their own experience.

Bushra, a 23-year-old travel agent, says: “I cannot lie. I live alone and I am not happy with the way I am proceeding with my life here in Oman.

“My family used to reside here but have since moved back to India. So my life has become quite monotonous, even though I have friends here.

“The problem is that I spend a lot of time at work [nearly 10 hours a day], and forget to reach out to my family or friends. I end up going back home and relaxing. Of course, I do interact with a lot of my old friends through Facebook and Instagram. Otherwise, there’s very little interaction.

“I think the report is right when it says that people are happiest when they spend time with their loved ones. As a matter of fact, I am heading home for a short vacation soon. So, I should be connecting with everyone then. Just the thought of that makes me happy,” she tells us.

Meanwhile, Mark Sanchez, an expatriate who

PEOPLE NEED TO START SPENDING TIME WITH REAL PEOPLE. BY SHARING OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR TIME WITH THE PEOPLE WE KNOW AND LOVE, WE SHARE THE HAPPINESS TOO question – how long do you think you will you remain happy by it?

“Undeniably, most people of today – me included – have somehow come to a point wherein we seek instant gratification. You and I want to have that instant pleasure or sense of relief.

“Of course, there is no denying that seeking instant pleasure can be an important factor in boosting one’s mood. It will make you happy… temporarily.

“But this love for materialistic pleasures has taken over humanity, and that is what has caused a sense of disconnection among us humans, thus resulting in our loss of happiness.

“People need to start spending time with real people. By sharing our thoughts and our time with the people we know and love, we share the happiness too.

“That way, we remain happier for longer; we create an emotional bond. That is why our 026

APR 13 - 19 / ISSUE 466

works in the petroleum industry, and lives with his wife and daughter replicates Bushra’s thoughts, saying: “I don’t think I could live in Oman without my family. I really do sympathise with Bushra. It is true that I cannot spend as much time with them as I used to before, but that isn’t because I don’t love them. I just have to work harder, especially after my firm has sacked a few of my colleagues.

“I am really at my peak when I go home and spend some time chatting with them.

“My daughter is currently going to school so she has to go to bed at around 9pm. And it is hard because I only get home by 7.30pm. That means we have very little time to spend talking to each other. But we have made it a rule to sit down, talk and have supper together.

“Is it fun? I cannot say yes to that. But what I can tell you is that I somehow feel more human. I can sort of replenish myself by opening up to my family. I can say that I am happy.

“After my little one goes to sleep, I make it a point to talk to my wife [who is a stay-at- home mum] and share things about work.

“This way, I can let her be involved in what I do, and not feel left alone. Both of us can feel that the stress has increased, and she understands that I have to spend a lot of time away from her at work. But, we still do little things; like watch a movie or do the dishes together later at night so that we bond.

“I personally think that everyone must have that special someone to go home to. It can be a wife, a mother or father, a girlfriend, or even just friends. Otherwise, I think that the person will be consumed by work and other daily pressures. I, for one, would have broken down emotionally if it weren’t for my lovely family,” he says.

Our third interviewee is Zubair, a 22-year-old engineer, who lives with his mother in Muscat.

“I don’t think I prioritise my time with friends and my mum effectively. I can always hear complaints from her about it,” he says.

“My mother practically raised me alone, and I know that I do not give her a lot of attention. But of course, at my age, I am also looking to head out and have adventures of my own with my mates.

“I cannot lie. I do feel guilty when I am out with my friends, and have left my mother alone at home. She has her own circle of friends but I think she enjoys it more when she is with me.

“I read the survey I was sent, and I think that a lot of it is true. I am genuinely happy when I am with my mum or friends. I just wish I could do both.”

The report further highlights that almost 46 per cent of people who took part in the survey

The World’s 15 Happiest Countries 1. Norway 2. Denmark 3. Iceland 4. Switzerland 5. Finland 6. Netherlands 7. Canada

8. New Zealand 9. Australia 10. Sweden 11. Israel 12. Costa Rica 13. Austria 14. United States 15. Ireland

Source: World Happiness Report 2017 (The report does not include Oman because it was not surveyed between 2014 and 2016) feel they currently waste at least two weekends per month by not spending time with family and friends and above all, 40 per cent turn down offers to meet loved ones at least twice per month.

On the plus side, though, 77 per cent of those surveyed recognise the need to prioritise and spend more quality time with those they love.

Adding to his earlier points, Aaron says, “We all know what is needed of us. The report even states that nearly four-fifths of the people in Oman

“Where our society takes a hit is when people start spending more time at work and doing other activities, and not having a work-life balance,” Aaron explains.

“Recently, there was a report that stated that happy nations don’t focus much on growth, and that is true to a huge extent. But, I think the right way to phrase this would be that growth is interdependent on the happiness of the people.

WHERE OUR SOCIETY TAKES A HIT IS WHEN PEOPLE START SPENDING MORE TIME AT WORK AND DOING OTHER ACTIVITIES, AND NOT HAVING A WORK-LIFE BALANCE

“The vice-versa, however, isn’t a huge factor when it comes to living and working in the country.”

Vino el Khatib, chief marketing officer at Majid Al Futtaim, says: “The greatest moments in life come from experiencing, sharing and discovering life together, and that is what happiness is made of.

“We were inspired to conduct our study into the drivers of happiness, an emotion that is a fundamental pursuit of all people across countries and cultures.

“When we received the findings, they highlighted a clear need to encourage people to devote more time to doing what they enjoy the most – spending quality time with friends and family – as in today’s fast-paced, hyperconnected world this all too often takes a back seat.”

understand the consequences of putting off loved ones for work or other purposes.

“Understanding is key when it comes to selfgrowth. I feel that people need to educate each other about the purpose of spending time with family and friends and how something as simple as that can make a difference in their lives.

Over the past few years, happiness and the need for human interaction have been touted as prime factors in the growth and development of a country.

And according to the World Happiness Report 2017, the key factors to happiness include economic variables (such as income and employment), health (mental and physical) and, above all, social factors (such as education and family life).

The report also states that jobs that inhibit giving time to family members or a partner have been known to negatively affect life satisfaction, job satisfaction and ultimately happiness.

APR 13 - 19 / ISSUE 466

027

OUR AUDITIONS CONTINUE AS Y GOES ON THE HUNT FOR THE KING AND QUEEN OF COOL OF MUSCAT’S COLLEGE CAMPUSES. IMPRESS OUR JUDGES AND YOU COULD WIN A SHARE OF RO4,500 IN PRIZES

C

ongratulations to Kevin Jacob Thomas and Aishwarya Vinaya Sekhar, who were this week crowned Mr and Ms Talented of Waljat College of Applied Sciences!

Performing in front of a packed audience, Kevin’s skill as a pianist impressed our judges, while Aishwarya thrilled them with her Bollywood dance routine.

Our second audition this week saw our judges head to the Scientific College of Design, where dancers Priyanka Bobby and Yousef al Kitani were crowned deserving winners.

All four college students now move on to the Grand Finale, where they stand a chance of winning even more prizes!

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APR 13 - 19 / ISSUE 466

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 talented university students in Muscat and reward them with exciting prizes.

“The auditions are well under way for Y’s Got Talent,” says Felicity Glover, the managing editor of Y Magazine. “And with six winners already moving on to the Grand Finale to represent their college, we are looking forward to seeing the rest of the contestants.”

In the audition phase, which will be held throughout this month, our talenthunting 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 receive each 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!

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 for Bnd Financial S tudies Colleg usines s and e of M Techn Scienc anage e ment • GUTe ology a n d • Bayan ch Colleg e

APR 13 - 19 / ISSUE 466

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GRAB IT BEFORE IT’S GONE GET YOUR FREE COPY OF Y AT THE FOLLOWING DISTRIBUTION POINTS… Capital Region Azaiba • Amara

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& Deli • Mood Café • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Papa John’s Pizza • Pizza Hut

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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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LIP SERVICE

We check out the latest summer colours and trends for lipsticks in Beauty this week – P42.

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

D E S T I N AT I O N C a r s

P o s t c a r d s Fr o m

Y- F i

Gaming

Destination

ROAD TRIP:

MUSCAT TO SUR IT MIGHT NOT BE ROUTE 66 BUT ALVIN THOMAS HITS THE HIGHWAY IN A CONVOY OF FORD MUSTANGS TO KEEP HIS AMERICAN DREAM ALIVE

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APR 13 - 19 / ISSUE 466

Photos: Alvin Thomas

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commanding mountains of Al Amerat. It is a brilliant stretch of tarmac – one that is designed to put your vehicle to the test. As expected, the noise resonating from the beautiful hills set the tone for the day that lay ahead.

We proceeded across Route 17, capturing as many images of the stunning scenery as we could. Even the temperature was on our side, marking itself at a very tolerant 28 degrees Celsius.

But as soon as we hit the hilltops near the village of Al Hajar (which we featured in Issue 464), we stopped to capture a few photos of the cars. We parked along the side of the road to snap some of the breathtaking shots of the mountain range. From up here, the buildings looked like small skittles. The mountains themselves were breathtaking to look at. I quickly scaled a small hill in the vicinity to click a picture of the setting. Of course, coming down was no easy task.

Next, we gathered and had a briefing from our team leader –Sami al Habsi – who advised us not to rev our engines unnecessarily and to adhere to the speed limit.

After our 30-minute stopover, we headed back onto Route 17 and proceeded along the splendid highway.

While on the road, there is a lot to see. There are small, remote villages in between every valley. I was told by my co-passengers that there is one that exists en route to Sur that is covered in black sand. I will certainly be visiting the area soon.

In any case, I concentrated on what I could see, and snapped a few photos of the scenery from my Mustang (no, I wasn’t driving when I clicked the shutter).

Thanks to the shade of the hills, the temperature was still quite low. Some of the team members also took that as an opportunity to put their convertible roofs down.

This is when it struck me: this long drive has all the makings of a road trip across Route 66 in the United States. Drop-top cars in the background and the bellows of the V8 muscle cars made the scene more authentic. I cannot lie: I really felt like I was driving through the US. It felt amazing, and above all, like a dream come true.

Soon, however, we hit the Sur highway (which was very secluded), and went for it.

There would be no stops or interruptions; just miles of driving. On the road, I saw what looked like the remains of a toll-booth. My co-passengers told me that motorists were supposed to pay for using the roads they drove on but the Government decided not to levy tolls.

In an hour-and-a-half, we had reached our final destination: the Ford showroom in Sur. This was signified by the Mustang owners revving their engines at full blast to grab the attention of the people nearby. And there, they (Ford) revealed to us the all-new Ford Mustang California Special.

In the coming issue of Y, look out for some more of my adventures in Sur, which include me meeting some of the local kids and also exploring the beautiful suspension bridge in the city.

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

here’s something oddly satisfying about going on a road trip. It has to be one of the least complicated methods of escape from your daily travails: you pack a bag and take your car (and maybe some loved ones) and hit the road. There are no pesky flight schedules or train tickets to worry about, and everything is done at your own pace.

With that in mind, I had been thinking about taking a road trip across Oman into the UAE for a while now. However, the unpredictable nature of my work meant that I had been putting it off for a long time.

So I was surprised and delighted when I got a call from the boffins at Ford (Arabian Car Marketing Co) asking me if I wanted to head out for a road trip to Sur… in a Mustang!

Naturally, I jumped at it. And last Friday (April 7), I joined the crew from Ford, and 40 other Ford Mustang owners from the Muscat Stangs club, for a road trip from Muscat all the way to the beautiful city of Sur. My car for the day was the same “Ecoboost” Mustang that I reviewed a while back. The only difference was that this time I was travelling with a veteran motoring journalist and an industry-leading photographer, and was therefore not alone.

The starting point of our journey was the beautiful park at Al Sahwa. It has been known to be one of the few parks from which you can observe flights coming in to land. It is a perfect park for photographers, as you can get some close-up shots of the airplanes.

We began our journey at 10am (on the dot), and our start was nothing short of momentous. Mustangs are known to be loud muscle cars; imagine 40 cars starting their engines at the same time.

We were escorted out of the park grounds by Royal Oman Police, and proceeded along the main highway until we took the turn-off to head to the twisty roads of Al Amerat. The initial part of the drive was quite mellow, as we did not want to disrupt the normal traffic.

But things started to change as we headed into the

You have two highway options to get to Sur, however, the drive through Route 17 is more scenic.

To enter Route 17 from Seeb, take the ramp that heads to Muscat Expressway, before taking the exit to Baushar. Follow the road to Al Amerat and head straight

through route 17 for the next 200km. En route you will pass through Tiwi, Wadi Shab and even the village of Qalhat.

GPS coordinates: N22°33’54.5” E59°’30’23.5”

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CARS ADVENTURES

Photos: Alvin Thomas

With this model’s makeover, the Korean car giant offers a saloon that aims to survive the SUV revolution. Alvin Thomas reports

T

he car industry has seen some drastic changes over the past decade or so.

Brands like Jaguar and Maserati have started producing SUVs, Swedish brands like Volvo and Saab are now linked to the Chinese (the latter is now non-existent); Volkswagen has taken over as the world’s largest automaker (Dieselgate?

What Dieselgate?); Alfa Romeo cars can now run without breaking down every five metres (!) and more recently, the South Koreans have somehow kicked dust on its rivals from the other end of the pond (Nippon).

While all of that is intriguing, it is the last point that I want to stress, this week.

It wasn’t very long ago (possibly a decade or two) that the Koreans were actually fluxing out millions of below-average cars worldwide.

While many bought into the idea of owning some cheap, fairly reliable and insipid cars, others shied away from these brands citing the Japan’s superior use of technology and above all, design language.

But the late noughties saw a shift in momentum, and one that had the Japanese right on the edge of their seats. Kia had just bagged one of the world’s most influential designers: Peter Schreyer – the designer of the iconic Audi TT. The results? Well, they speak for themselves. Kia has since become a design-conscious brand with great, if not some of the best designs on passenger cars, making it a very desirable brand overall. As a matter of fact, I would go as far as to say that Kia is among the top 10 manufacturers for car design and aesthetics.

And much of that design-language has eked its way into my test car – the Kia Cadenza.

For starters: it looks rather attractive. Agreed, the

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design isn’t what I would call avant-garde but it is still bold and intrepid. Adding to its character are the large quad-LED headlamps and the “diamond butterfly” grille. There’s plenty of chrome on the grille and the lower portions of the front bumper.

The turn signals have a sort of zig-zag pattern, which is quite unique.

The rear of the car takes a low-profile but unlike the tail lights found on the Sorento, the ones on the Cadenza actually suit the overall shape of the car.

Adding to the likeable exterior are the dual-exhaust tips (which are finished in chrome), the 49cm alloys and additional chrome elements on the sides – enough to keep the average American rapper happy.

Sitting atop the marginally smaller Optima and the much larger (and expensive!) Quoris, the Cadenza slots into a market that is losing its share to mid-size SUVs, and thus lacks visibility. But it more than makes up for this shortcoming with myriad standard on-board tech and interior real estate –and I’m not pulling a fast one when I say that.

The interior fit and finish is excellent and the placement of the buttons is a little more thoughtful when compared to its direct competitors. Most players in the market still cram in a host of unnecessary buttons and unresponsive touchscreens.

The 21cm touchscreen on the Cadenza is incredibly easy to navigate, and is also quite responsive; only falling short to the newer screen found in the Nissan Maxima. Otherwise, it has everything beat. For the audiophiles, there’s also a voluminous-sounding 12-speaker Harman/Kardon system on board.

The interior is wrapped in leather, with hard plastics only taking up the lower portions. But, the places you would touch are all well-padded. There’s also fake wood grain that goes across the sides of the

dashboard. The seats are incredibly comfortable, and surprisingly well-bolstered. But where the Cadenza stands out is in rear passenger comfort: there’s adequate space in the back (both head room and leg room) for three full-size adults (if you’re OK cramming a third person between the exhaust passthrough hump in the middle). The cabin is also airy, and feels very upscale. It actually feels German (if you ignore the quality of some of the plastics).

Underneath the hood lies a 3.3-litre V6 engine pumping out an admirable 290hp and 336Nm of torque. The power is sent to the front wheels only, via a six-speed automatic gearbox. The engine is spritely, with a lot of low-end torque. Power delivery is also linear across the rev-range, which is characteristic of Kia’s engines.

All this power translates to a 0-100kph time of roughly eight seconds but I have to say that it can do a lot better if the conditions are right. I, for one, had to do the run in the midday heat, which meant there

Destination

P o s t c a r d s Fr o m

was a substantial drop in performance (as with every car).

As is the case with the most powerful front-wheel drive cars, the Cadenza also suffers from wheel spin when you floor the throttle from a standstill. Even the exhaust is rather muffled, with only a bit of the gruff V6 noise entering the cabin. But I do admire Kia for not attempting any trickery: like playing the exhaust note through the speakers.

The car takes corners in a very neutral manner, with no real drama whatsoever. I could take corners at relatively high speeds with understeer only kicking in after I flirted with the limits of the available grip from the front tyres. But, snap (or unexpected) understeer isn’t something you would have to deal with if you drive sensibly.

The chassis is quite rigid, thanks to the addition of high strength steel. That can sometimes result in the back end stepping out ever so slightly midway in a corner. But, it will be brought back into control with ease by the on-board nannies (stability and traction control), and is quite fun.

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Gaming

CARS

The ride is fairly compliant, though (despite the wide tyres), as the suspension is tuned for comfort than sport. Switching the ride from “Normal” to “Sport” doesn’t affect the ride either, as it only sharpens the throttle response, gearshifts and the feel of the steering wheel.

Despite the weight, there’s not much feedback from the steering, but it is precise in changing direction. I wouldn’t go as far as saying that it is the best electric-steering system installed in a car but it certainly is up among the better ones. In retrospect, the Nissan Maxima’s steering provides no real feel either, and fails to communicate with the driver.

Wind noise is down to a minimum too, with noise only creeping in (marginally) after the 100kph mark.

The Kia Cadenza is a vehicle that sits in a niche segment, only hampered by cars from the same brand – the Optima and the Quoris – both of which provide similar spacing and value for money.

But, after a day with the car, I have come to the conclusion that the Cadenza isn’t designed to cater to everyone; it is designed to take on the segment-pioneering Toyota Avalon. And you know what? I think it will cut the mustard.

Kia Cadenza Specifications: Engine: 3.3-litre “GDI” V6 Transmission: Eight-speed automatic Horsepower: 290hp Torque: 336Nm Top speed: 250kph LED headlights Transmission w/driver selectable modes Intelligent Keyless Entry Dual-zone automatic A/C Reverse parking sensors Rear-view camera Stability Control Traction Control Steering-wheel mounted controls 12-speaker Harman/Kardon system 21cms touchscreen headunit Eight airbags

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CARS ADVENTURES

1. Step back in time and appreciate the Alamo 2. Stroll the River Walk and take a boat trip 3. Chill out in the Japanese Tea Garden 4. Sample some traditional Texan chili 5. Chill out in the Botanical Garden

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TEXAS TIME

San Antonio is the home of The Alamo and an exciting city to explore.

Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Michael Smith recommends

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, USA E

veryone has heard of the Alamo, and not least after British rock star Ozzy Osbourne infamously did something there that he shouldn’t have. Still, San Antonio’s most famous landmark has survived way, way more than rock’s Prince of Darkness and most notably, the onslaught of a huge army of Mexicans who were distinctly unimpressed by the doughty Texans’ bid for independence in 1836. Yes, this deeply historical, multicultural and vibrant city in south central Texas has seen a fair bit of life, and then some. Here, the sights and sounds of old Mexico, Native America and the Wild West all merge in a modern metropolis that is home to 1.4 million people. And it’s easy to navigate. The wonderful River Walk runs for several miles throughout the city and is replete with some of the best burger joints in the world, cafes, restaurants, shops, and simply places to hang out. In a city this size, you would expect myriad cultural attractions, which it delivers with gusto. There is also no shortage of wide, open places to chill, such as the Botanical Garden and the San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium. This being Texas, you’d expect a ranch or two, and the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is a safari park you can drive through safely and gaze in wonder at the more than 50 species of animals roaming the park. Yup, they like things big in Texas. And so the amusement parks don’t do things by halves. Six Flags Fiesta Texas is a water park set in a former quarry, and if you’re up for roller coaster rides then you’ve come to the right place. Alternatively, Splashtown San Antonio, which, with its 50-odd rides has some of the best waterslides you’ll find anywhere. Although it’s a bustling metropolis, San Antonio actually feels like Texas as you always knew it would be: Houston (too spread out), Austin (too compact), Dallas (too associated with JR and JFK) or El Paso (too far away). You’ve come to the right place for real, tastebud-tantalising tacos, enchiladas and burritos. And don’t forget the sweet potato fries. Sample them for their sweet/salty balance, and bite into that crispy exterior and fluffy interior and drench with one of the many spicy mayonnaises. Do remember that chili originated here, not in Mexico, and is the “state food of Texas”.

And it really is the best chili ever. You can’t make this with flavouring from a sachet.

Also, the portions here are BIG. My other half asked for fried green tomatoes (as in the Kathy Bates film of the same name). She was expecting a sideplate, and got a platter piled with them so high she could barely see me across the table.

THE FA MOUS

R IV E R WALK IN S A N A N T O N IO

My favourite place

The Alamo. It’s easily the most revered building in Texas and one of America’s most famous. It was built in 1718 as one of five Spanish mission stations in the city and converted into a fort in 1836. Then, a small army of 187 that included Davy Crockett bunkered themselves in and refused to buckle against a marauding Mexican army of thousands. Although Crockett and Co were slaughtered, the Alamo became an icon of Texan independence (despite the then Republic of Texas joining the United States nine years later). It’s a wonderfully atmospheric place; one that doesn’t pull in 2.5 million tourists a year for nothing. While much of it was destroyed or has crumbled away, its imposing front elevation seems to just growl: “Don’t mess with Texas.”

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Highlights

Those gutsy warriors of the Alamo ended up being buried at the site of the San Fernando Cathedral, which is one of the oldest in the United States. It’s as grand as anything you’d find in Spain, and it also played a part in the Alamo siege as it was here the Mexican forces swore that “no quarter” would be given. Within walking distance (or you can take one of the many delightful Victorian streetcars there), you will come across the Military Plaza, which houses the Spanish Governor’s Palace. Built in 1749, it’s technically a rather grand, white-washed bungalow but has 10 utterly fascinating rooms packed with furniture, paintings and rugs of the era. The courtyard is a delight as well.

If you fancy another helping of history coupled with art while meandering the River Walk, then the San Antonio Museum of Art should satisfy your cultural appetite.

But San Antonio can be nearly as hot as Muscat, so the city’s Japanese Tea Garden offers some respite, with lush gardens, lily ponds, a waterfall, and easily navigable tree-lined walkways.

Lowlights None Souvenirs How can you not find something to take home here, either on the River Walk or at Market Square?

Crockery, buckskin caps, rifle pens, Mexican hats, and T-shirts.

Getting there

Oman Air operates flights from Muscat to Houston. From there, you can take a connecting Delta flight to San Antonio. Alternatively, most major airlines run flights from Dubai to San Antonio. There will be at least one stop on the way.

TEA GA RDEN

IN S A N A N T O N IO

Where to stay

All the main hotel chains have a presence here to suit all budgets but choose one near the city’s River Walk. Check out TripAdvisor, Trivago and Booking.com for options.

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Destination

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Gaming

Y-FI

WAVE OF THE FUTURE Tomorrow’s world is today, as Y’s Alvin Thomas finds a few devices to direct your day, and then some SMART ASSISTANT If you’re in the market for a digital personal assistant, you only have two options: the Google Home and the Amazon Echo – both of which are splendid devices. However, starting in May, there is a new contender on the market: the Lenovo Smart Assistant.

This device has a few extra tricks up its sleeve that makes it stand out from the other two. For starters, it has eight microphones that can pick up your speech from five metres away, and also comes in a range of colours. But what’s most impressive is that you will gain access to Amazon’s personal assistant Alexa so shopping, marking tasks and playing music will be quite easy. Yours for RO70 from shop.lenovo.com

DIGITAL LAVA LAMP Well, let me be upfront about one thing: this is more than just a lava lamp. As a matter of fact, the JBL Pulse 3 is one of the most stylish and capable Bluetooth speakers available on the market today. With this device, you can easily connect two phones or even connect many (more than 100!) JBL Connect+ enabled speakers to amplify the listening experience. The device also comes with 360-degree stereo sound, a larger li-ion battery that allows up to 12 hours of music, and also a noise and echo-cancelling microphone that lets you take calls from your speaker.

All of that, alongside that animated light show, makes for a very versatile device. Yours for RO77 from Lulu

Electronics

OVERKILL Have you ever looked at your expensive gaming laptop and said: “Hey! I wish I had a larger screen”? If so, we have good news. It is the Razer Project Valerie, and it is here to solve all your worries (well, not all but you get our drift). What the laptop (?) does is that it comes with two extra 40cm 4K resolution-capable screens to give you a total of three screens. Of course, underneath all this, you’re getting a Blade Pro, which in itself is a very capable laptop. The added screens, however, will translate to a vast unit when you are gaming or editing photos or videos. It is expected to be priced at RO2,310 and should be available at razerone.com after release.

THIS IS 8

EDITOR’S PICK

APPLE AND SAMSUNG HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE FOR NEARLY A DECADE NOW. AND THERE’S NO DENYING: THE IPHONE HAS ALWAYS HAD AN EDGE (NOT LITERALLY) OVER THE KOREAN CONGLOMERATE. WITH THE S8 AND THE S8+, HOWEVER, SAMSUNG HAS TAKEN A SWING AT APPLE’S IPHONE 7 AND IN THE PROCESS HAS MANAGED TO BLOW IT OUT OF THE WATER. BOTH DEVICES COME WITH ULTRA-GORGEOUS “INFINITY” AMOLED DISPLAYS (S8: 15CM AND S8+:16CM), AN ALL-NEW EXYNOS OCTA-CORE PROCESSOR, 4GB RAM, 3D TOUCH DISPLAY (HOME BUTTON ONLY), BIXBY – SAMSUNG’S NEW PERSONAL ASSISTANT, AND A REFRESHED 12-MEGAPIXEL FRONT AND 8-MEGAPIXEL REAR-SHOOTERS THAT CAN PRODUCE STUNNING SHOTS. THE DEVICE WILL DEBUT IN OMAN IN MAY, AND YOU CAN PRE-ORDER YOURS FOR RO300 FROM LULUWEBSTORE.COM

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INSIDE

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f there’s an adventure game that I would have to suggest to my friends, it would have to be this one.

Released late last year, I only got my hands on Inside a few days back. However, I have to confess Info Box INSIDE that the wait was worth it.

Developer: The game is, in essence, based on a 2D puzzlePLAYDEAD platform – arguably one that has run out of steam Director: over the past few years or so. But Inside manages ARNT JENSEN to remain incredibly unique with its very detailed Engine: storyline and beautiful yet eerie graphics.

UNITY I’m not going to be talking much about the storyline, Platform(s): as the more I reveal, the more chances there are to XBOX ONE, PS4, spoil the gameplay for you. But what I can tell you is MICROSOFT that Inside has been scripted ever-so-meticulously, Genre: PUZZLE-PLATFORMER, with no room for loose ends from start to finish.

ADVENTURE The game opens with a boy (the main character) in a forest, who is clearly on the run from the authorities. As expected, there are dogs and other people chasing you. Your only aim is to escape them by running from left to right, and jumping when there’s no other way out.

Each and every frame seems to have been crafted and polished many times over to avoid any hiccups during gameplay. If you look carefully you can even see minute dust particles or a smoky hue from the sunlight illuminating the nearby surroundings. Mind you, the game is still dark-themed and there’s a lot of emphasis on shadows and lighting so you will have to get used to the ever-altering moody atmosphere although that only adds to the eerie feel.

Inside is loosely based on the game Limbo (created by the same developers), and I wouldn’t be surprised if you were to think that the gameplay hasn’t moved on quite as much.

But at the end of the day, Inside has already taken a spot in my top 10 favourite games of all time.

App of the Week

GOOGLE TRANSLATE Google’s Translate may very well be the most underestimated application of all time. Yes, millions (if not billions) of people use the feature on their computers and phones daily. However, not many appreciate what it has become today. For instance, the app allows you to snap a picture and instantly translate the foreign text for your understanding. You can download the languages of your choice onto your smartphone to access the app without the need of an internet connection or access the whole library of languages online. Yours for free (!) from Google Play and iTunes

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

HOP TO IT Easter is just around the corner and we hope you have started planning the egg hunt parties for your friends and family. Doll up your kids in Easter-themed fashion, as with this happy toddler’s style from M&Co.

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

k o o L e h

aran K e tin hris C , t ry tree esto s o h h g s e hi rmy h a t e o t H end e look. ram h g Let kids be kids, but dress them in e hi get th Instag h styles they like with lots of colours, t o designs and patterns, such as these From s you t tine on s i bright, green butterfly patterned p r l he w Ch trousers from H&M. From RO5 o l Fol

T t Ge

For all those tiny tots experiencing Easter for the first time, Mothercare has some fun themed looks. This playsuit is embossed with Easter egg embroidery and is perfect for an “egg-citing” party.

Price unavailable

We are sure your child is still reeling from all the fun they had at the Easter party. Why not put them to bed with the same joy in these M&Co bunny pajamas?

From RO4

A bunny-ear headband is a musthave accessory at Easter. Take your look up a notch with this flowerdecorated headband from Claire’s.

From RO4

The party is on, the kids are running around but how can they carry the eggs they find? Why not sling them into this shiny shell purse from H&M? From RO2.5

Step out in style with these yellow lace-up flats from Next.

Chic and comfortable, they’ll see you finish your egg hunt in style.

From RO8

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

LIP SYNC Liven up your lips for summer with these handy tips, from Christine Karan

L

ipstick is a beauty essential that is the basic of any woman’s vanity kit. Lipstick and lipgloss should be the first items to find a spot on your beauty shelf whether or not you’re a make-up addict.

However, with the hotter weather on the way, we should all explore some “summer” colours to liven up our lips.

Some of this year’s spring fashion weeks have seen some intriguing lipstick colours; from bright red to vivid orange to futuristic pale blue to gothic browns. But can you pull off these shades? We think you can and that you can remain on budget, too.

Matte lip colours are topping today’s beauty trends.

Thanks to Kylie Jenner, who has revolutionised the whole matte lipstick game, there is a variety of colours you can choose from and in every brand.

For those of you who would avoid “unusual” colours, we recommend soft hues in shades of pink such as fuchsia, rose or coral pink; or browns like mocha, soft brown and pale brown, which can also alternate as a nude with the lightest tint.

For others who want to level up and yet stay within their comfort zone, we recommend a few shades of purple, which when “mattified”, become more neutral than shiny.

Brands like Revlon and Maybelline have come out with matte colour varieties that suit every skin for every occasion. We are in love with the Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color, which is on the market at just RO6.30. You can also sample some very soft colours that can be used for everyday wear.

For those of you who would give the whole matte trend a miss, L’Oreal’s Infallible 24hr Lip Colour is the perfect choice. Although the liquid mattifies after 30 seconds, you can apply a moisturising balm, which comes together as a Follow Christine on Instagram

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single stick. It will gloss up the lips giving them a sheen and vibrancy they have never had before. Lip glosses from Korean brands such as Tony Moly and The Face Shop offer lip tints that are bright, shiny, glossy and, of course, kind on your purse.

If you fancy splashing out and enjoy primping with some premium brands, Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Kiss & Blush is for you, and costs RO19. This formula morphs into a lipstick and cream blusher and is just right for a night out with friends.

Lancome has introduced Matt Shaker (RO12), which feels thinner yet pigments your lips effectively. This cushion applicator glides well on the lips without dehydrating them. Lancome has also come up with some delectable shades of pink.

If you are ready to be a bit jazzy and want to experiment with some funky, futuristic colours, why not try brands like Kat Von D and Sephora?

Both offer some offbeat shades like matt neon blues and black.

Although many brands have introduced bright, as well as soft colours for summer, classics like MAC Rubywoo and Urban Decay 1993 are still in vogue.

No matter what the season is, choose a lip colour that defines you and your style.

Hearmyshoestory

Beauty

HEALTH

Fashion

REST ASSURED Are you overtired all the time? Do you find yourself nodding off during the day? Here are five symptoms you shouldn’t ignore

I

s exhaustion part of your everyday life? If the urge to sleep is overwhelming and irresistible, it may be a sleep disorder called narcolepsy, a condition affecting approximately one in 2,000 people in the United States.

Narcolepsy is one of the most frequently diagnosed primary sleep disorders. However, it’s not always easy to recognise.

There are five major symptoms of narcolepsy, says Dr Raj Dasgupta, pulmonary and sleep specialist at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine.

“Many can be confused with other medical conditions such as depression or epilepsy, making a narcolepsy diagnosis somewhat tricky,” says the doctor.

“Approximately half of the people affected by narcolepsy remain undiagnosed. A diagnosis can take up to 10 years to receive. We need greater awareness of narcolepsy to help expedite the diagnosis process for patients.”

Anyone with narcolepsy has excessive daytime sleepiness. That’s when you feel tired all the time, making it hard to stay awake and alert throughout the day. It can be described as feeling fatigued or irritable, having difficulty concentrating, poor memory, or mood changes. Patients say it comes in waves, like a “sleep attack”. These can happen during unusual situations, such as in the middle of a meal, a conversation or a bike ride.

There are five major symptoms but you don’t need to experience them all to have narcolepsy.

Excessive daytime sleepiness

This is when you have an irresistible urge to sleep during the day.

Cataplexy

The weakening of muscles when you feel strong emotions like embarrassment, laughter, surprise or anger. Cataplexy can cause your head

to drop, your face to droop, your jaw to weaken or make your knees give way.

Sleep disruption

When you often fall asleep quickly but wake up frequently throughout the night.

Sleep paralysis

Feeling unable to move or speak for a short time when falling asleep or waking up. You may also feel like you can’t breathe.

Vivid dreaming

Often frightening dream-like experiences that seem real, and occur as you fall asleep or when you wake up. You may experience hearing sounds or words when drifting off to sleep or have unwanted visions. Sleep paralysis often accompanies vivid dreams.

Narcolepsy occurs equally in men and women, and as often for both sexes. The symptoms often start between the ages of 10 and 25 but they can take up to 12 years for narcolepsy to fully develop. It is a debilitating disease, as it can cause difficulties at work, have a negative impact on social interactions, lower one’s self-esteem and create challenges in performing everyday tasks. Contrary to popular belief, people with narcolepsy do not spend more time sleeping than the average person.

“It’s normal to feel tired sometimes,” says Dr Dasgupta. “But if the urge to fall asleep is interfering with your job or personal life, it might be time to talk to a sleep specialist.”

For more information about narcolepsy and to take a symptom screener, visit MoreThanTired.com.

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Trend

New Restaurant

Reviews EGG-CITING!

Easter is a great time to host friends and family for a simple yet delicious brunch after the egg hunt, of course!

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EASTER PARADE S

Try these sweet ideas for a bright, seasonal spread

pring is blooming on your Easter table. From yellow chick cupcakes to blueberry French-toast eatables, there are plenty of ways to wow your brunch guests with simple, seasonal recipes.

“Between hiding eggs and preparing baskets, you may be tempted to fall back on brunch basics like pancakes and scrambled eggs but that’s no fun,” says McCormick executive chef Kevan Vetter.

Baby Chick Cupcakes Prep time: 30 minutes Servings: 24

0.5cm thick. Refrigerate for about Ingredients: 10 minutes or until firm. Break into § 1 packet (340g) white small, irregular pieces. Set aside. confectionery coating wafers § In a large bowl, beat the butter with § 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened an electric mixer on a medium speed § 2 tsp McCormick Pure Vanilla until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla Extract and mix well. Gradually beat in the § 1 box (450g) confectioners’ confectioner’s sugar, beating until sugar well blended after each addition, § 1 jar (200g) marshmallow frequently scraping the sides and creme the bottom of the bowl. Beat in the § 1 tsp Sunflower colour from marshmallow creme until well McCormick Color from Nature blended. In a small bowl, stir the food Food Colors colour into the milk until dissolved. § 2 tbsp milk, plus additional Add coloured milk to the frosting (optional) and beat until light and fluffy. Stir in § 48 unfrosted mini yellow additional milk, as needed, to reach cupcakes, baked in white paper the desired consistency. liners § To decorate the cupcakes: spoon sprinkles (optional) the frosting into a large pastry bag additional McCormick Color fitted with a large round tip. Pipe from Nature Food Colors two dollops of frosting on top of each (optional) other to form a baby chick. If desired, insert sprinkles into a face for eyes Method: and beak. Or tint any remaining § To make the broken egg shell frosting with food colours to pipe out pieces: melt the coating wafers the eyes and the beak. as directed on the packet. § Place the coating wafer pieces around Spread onto a large foil-lined the bottom of the baby chick to baking tray that is at least resemble a broken egg shell.

“With simple pantry staples – like food colour – and a little planning the night before, you can enjoy a fun and a tasty holiday brunch.”

For more recipes and tips, check out McCormick.com and visit McCormick Spice on Facebook and Pinterest.

– Family Features

Overnight Lemon Blueberry Muffin Casserole Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Servings: 12

Method: § To make the Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour Ingredients: and cinnamon. Cover. Set aside until ready § Streusel Topping: to assemble in the morning. § 1/2 cup firmly packed light § To make the casserole: in a large bowl, mix brown sugar together the eggs, one cup of milk, 1/4 cup § 1/2 cup flour granulated sugar and cinnamon with a wire § 2 tsp McCormick whisk until well blended. Add the bread Cinnamon, ground cubes and toss gently to coat. Pour evenly § 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold into a 33-by-22cm baking dish sprayed butter, cut into chunks with a nonstick cooking spray.

Casserole: § In a medium bowl, mix together the cream § 6 eggs cheese, remaining milk and sugar, and § 1 cup, plus 2 tbsp milk, lemon extract until well blended. Gently divided stir in one cup of blueberries. Spread § 1/4 cup, plus 2 tbsp evenly on top of the bread cubes. Top with granulated sugar, divided remaining blueberries. Cover. Refrigerate § 1 tsp McCormick overnight.

Cinnamon, Ground Heat oven to 180C § 1 loaf French bread, cut § Remove the casserole from the refrigerator. into 2.5cm cubes Let stand for 10-15 minutes. § nonstick cooking spray § Cut the butter into a Streusel Topping § 1 package (225g) cream mixture with a pastry blender or two knives cheese, softened until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. § 1 tbsp McCormick Pure Sprinkle over the casserole. Bake for 30 Lemon Extract minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for § 2 cups blueberries, divided five minutes before serving.

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Info Box

KOSEBASI RESTAURANT

City Centre Muscat – Seeb Tel: 2455 8522 Dinner and juices for three: RO30.66

KOSEBASI KUDOS

Verdict : 6/10 SERVICE 6/10 FOOD 7/10 AMBIENCE A great place for a perfect Turkish dining experience Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

KOSEBASI HAS WON PLAUDITS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, AND DESERVEDLY SO, SAYS NISHAD PADIYARATH, WHO SAMPLES ITS MUSCAT RESTAURANT

W

e all know where to go for good, cheap Turkish shawarmas in Muscat but do you know where to get a perfect Turkish grill in the city? Go to City Centre Muscat in Seeb and walk towards Kosebasi, which is right opposite Tim Hortons, and you’ll find a slice of Turkey in Muscat.

Kosebasi is one of the most popular restaurants in Oman. On a Thursday evening (just before making plans for the weekend), I, along with two of my friends, decided to visit the popular eatery.

It has a warm and elegant ambience, and its decor has been inspired by its Eastern Mediterranean origins. The casual atmosphere aims to ensure that all diners feel at home.

As our amiable waiter greets us, he says: “Kosebasi has passionately served time-preserved dishes that are true to Turkey since its opening in 1995.”

He brings us the menu and it has an extensive selection, with pictures to help you if you’re not too familiar with Turkish cuisine. Kosebasi is more expensive than some of the other Turkish restaurants in the city but it certainly offers a huge range of dishes.

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chicken cubes, marinated beef slices and special lamb kebab. The chicken cubes are tender, and encourage me to tuck in with some gusto while TURKISH FOOD AT ITS the beef slices taste heavenly and the lamb is just about perfect.

BEST HAS AN UNCOMMON “Turkish food at its best has an uncommon zest ZEST AND VIBRANCY. ITS and vibrancy. Its culinary tradition is built around CULINARY TRADITION IS making ingredients taste the best they can,” says BUILT AROUND MAKING my friend, who is relishing his Izgara Kofte. “It INGREDIENTS TASTE THE tastes good except that the beef is a bit salty.”

BEST THEY CAN Make sure you stay for dessert. In fact, that’s the main reason we are here! I choose Cilek Jelli Muhallebi ( a traditional milk custard topped According to the menu’s notes, Kosebasi with fresh strawberry and jelly). It’s lovely to was listed in the “World’s Top Restaurants” in look at, and even yummier to eat. It lures you 2010 by Zagat. The restaurant chain has also in to finish the whole thing. My friend chooses been designated one of the “World’s 50 Best profiteroles, which he finds absolutely scrummy.

Restaurants” by the 14,000 members of Traveller magazine. The prestigious US magazine Time also My other companion chooses Meghli (caraway crowned Kosebasi the “Best Kebab Restaurant” in spice pudding). Kosebasi is expensive but is surely among the most sought-after Turkish restaurants Istanbul.

The cold appetisers include hummus, and Cacik in the country and we shall definitely be going (diced cucumber, crushed garlic and mint in fresh back for seconds… and more. yoghurt). Its signature dishes include Kisir (soaked bulgur wheat mixed with capsicum, parsley Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see and green onion, served with Turkish spices reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com and pomegranate sauce) and Mercimek Koftesi (traditional vegetarian kebbi with a mixture of lentil and bulgur).

Kosebasi also offers a wide range of salads that includes Hellimli Salata (lettuce served with cherry tomatoes and Halloumi cheese with lemonmayonnaise dressing) and Gavurdagi Salata (cubed tomatoes with finely-chopped onions and Turkish herbs; served with lemon juice, walnuts and pomegranate sauce).

We go straight into the main courses. I choose Karisik Kebab (mixed grill). While one friend orders Izgara Kofte (minced beef seasoned with Turkish spices, cumin, and grated onion; grilled, laid on homemade Turkish bread and served with French fries, a light tomato sauce and bulgur pilaf). My other friend is content to simply order hummus. We all order fresh juices: a mint lemonade, an orange juice and a carrot juice.

In less than 10 minutes, our food comes to the table. Karsik Kebab is a blend of tender

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