Y Magazine #467, 20 April, 2017

Y’S GOT TALENT THE AUDITIONS CONTINUE EXPLORING THE DELIGHTS OF SUR BEACH GCC MOBILE ROAMING 10 News: RATES SLASHED

Free!

EVERY THURSDAY NOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR

FIRST DRIVE: Making tracks with the Chevrolet Trax BEAUTY: Flower Power

YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

APR 20 - 26 2017 / ISSUE 467 • WEEKLY

WEB OF FEAR

PLUS!

PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN FROM ONLINE PREDATORS

GORGEOUS GOTHENBURG

36

SAFETY FIRST

38

SUMMER CHIC

40

COMPETITION

EDITOR’S

NOTE

There’s still time to enter our Ladies’ Day Out competition at Markaz Al Bahja mall! Turn to page 16 for details.

THE BAROMETER GOING UP

MEDICAL TRIPS According to local media reports, there’s been a 25 per cent rise in Omanis visiting Thailand for their healthcare needs. Are you one of them?

GOING DOWN

TAXI FARES The recently launched Marhaba Taxi service has announced reduced promotional fares, with a minimum fare for the first 6km dropping to RO3 and 350 baisa thereafter if the trip is below 12km. You’ll have to be quick, though – these fares will last for just one month

THIS WEEK… Team Y enjoyed a couple of quick weekend trips – one to Abu Dhabi and another to India – as well as spending time with family and friends for Easter.

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

Fast forward

P

rotecting our children is vital in this day and age – more so as they are spending so much time surfing the web or hanging out in virtual chat rooms, where they are at risk of cyberbullying or other unsavoury elements.

But with parents so busy, it can be difficult to monitor what our children are doing online or what they are being exposed to. Our cover story this week delves into the issue of online child security – a world in which we have found many threats that could harm our children.

And just because we live in Oman, it doesn’t mean we are immune to these risks. As one of our sources warns: “Children are at a higher risk of being affected by technology than ever before, and children in Oman are just as vulnerable to cybercrimes as kids from other countries are.”

It’s crucial that we are vigilant when it comes to our children and their online activities – it’s an important issue and one that Team Y takes very seriously.

Elsewhere, we head to the beach in Sur in Destination, take the Chevrolet Trax out for a spin in First Drive and check out the latest summer trends in Fashion.

Have a wonderful week!

editor@y-oman.com

Ways to get your Y fix Online: Visit y-oman.com for even more inspiration.

Smart device: Catch up with Y on the go by scanning the QR code below

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

FOLLOW US ON:

@ytabloid /ytabloid

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

/ytabloid ymagazine

www.y-oman.com /ymagazine

Y Magazine is published by SABCO Press, Publishing & Advertising LLC / Y is a SABCO Media product.

CEO Eihab Abutaha We’d love to hear your news and views. For editorial enquiries, please info@y-oman.com email Want to read Y on the go?

Scan our digital issue here: Download any QR reader from iTunes or Google Play to read Y on the go

Write to us at Y Magazine, SABCO Media, PO Box 3779, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman.

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

03

contents APR

Your Oman

-

26

2017

This Week

06 Coffee With Y

Thomas George

16 Ladies’ Day Out

Enter our Markaz

Al Bahja contest

08 Voice Of Oman

Nishad Padiyarath

18 This Week

One Billion Challenge

10 News

Mobile roaming

charges slashed

12 Gallery

GUTech Open Day

22 Cover story

Growing up online 28 Y’s Got Talent

We reveal the latest winners

22

21 Movies

Mine

11 Gallery

Lincoln Continental

10

20

Features

13 News

New development for

Azaiba Beach

Cars and Adventures 32 Destination

Sur Beach

Health and Beauty

34 First Drive

Chevrolet Trax 36 Postcard From

Gothenburg, Sweden 38 Y-Fi

Safety first

21 40 Fashion

Hot looks 42 Beauty

Flower power

Food and Drink 44 Food Feature

Al fresco fun 46 Taste Test

Pizza Italiano

44

43 Health

Fountain of Youth

38 40

NEXT ISSUE...

FEATURES / COFFEE WITH Y / NEWS / MOVIES / EVENTS / BEAUTY / DESTINATION / TRAVEL / FASHION / FIRST DRIVE

ge

s Geor

Thoma

Nishad Padiyarath meets bu sinessman Thomas George, for whom family values govern his bu siness and approach to life

F

ame, according to American in Mechanical Engineering from “I am the convener of the author Erica Jong, “simply Stony Brook University in New school management committee means millions of people York. He wanted to settle down in having the wrong idea of who you and handling the job is not easy. the United States but destiny had are”.

The re are times when you have something else in store for him.

This is exactly what I had to take crucial decisions, and “For me, being in the US was thought of Thomas George, hon estly , my experience dealing paradise but my family always general manager of Hussain with 4,00 0-odd employees at wanted me return. It was during Fadhil and Partners (HFP), until HFP has helped me improve my I that time that my dad had an had a chat with him for more than leadership qualities,” he says. accident and it was a tough time two hours at his office in Al Hail.

“When you’re the general for us. That was when I decided HFP is one of Oman’s largest manager of the company, to leave the US. That was one of construction firms, and has close everyone listens to you even if the toughest decisions I took but I to 4,000 employees. Thomas’s your solution is not the best. But have no regrets,” he says. family also runs On the Rocks when I am dealing with school Thomas joined HFP as deputy Restaurant and Lounge, 360 general manager before he was mat ters, I am not the only leader.

Degree Restaurant and Vachas promoted to his current position.

I nee d to convince everyone in the Hypermarket, all of which have “It was a good transition for man age ment committee and take become household names in me. From New York, which is the their points into con sideration.

Muscat. most advanced place in the world, “A good leader must be a good He says: “When you reach I did not come straight to Oman. listener and I have learnt that from certain heights in life, people I worked in Dubai for about two school. This is the school where always tend to have this years in a construction company.

I studied and being back as a misconception about you that With the experience I gained from manage ment committee member you are not accessible, and there there, I decided to finally come is an honour. For me, this is a thir is a change in attitude. But I have d down to Muscat and take charge shift job. I really enjoy it,” he says always remained humble, thanks . of my family business. The rest, as to my upbringing. I am easily When asked how much time he they say, is history,” he says. accessible to all my employees finds for his family, Thomas smiles Throughout the interview, and friends alike. I took your call broadly, pauses for a moment, Thomas is warm, obliging and without delay,” he says with a and calls his wife Divya on the polite, and speaks softly. smile, as we sit down for our chat. tele pho ne for the definitive answer.

“I love to be in the moment.

Thomas George’s father George He han ds me the phone handset I love to analyse things a bit.

Mathew started HFP in 2006 and she obliges, engagingly, saying: Holding on to pressure during and since then there has been no “He is very passionate about challenging times is the key,” he looking back. “My father inspired everything he does. I often wonder says. me a lot. As a brand, HFP has why he puts so much effort in “I start my daily routine very grown in leaps and it is purely but what I have realised is that early. I hit the gym at 5.30am and because of his hard work,” says he enjoys it. He loves being with that gives me the much-needed Thomas. people. As a person, he is very motivation. I come to work at “Apart from my dad, I am 7.45am and my employees follow driven. He always looks for idea s the only engineer in the family. these strict therapies such as music and inspiration. I think that is why My dad used to take me to and games that is a real stresshe is successful,” she adds. constructions sites to teach me the buster for my team.” nuances of this business. I learnt Have you got a unique story to tell? Cont a Thomas is also on the Indian act lot from him.” us to have coffee with Y and be featured School Darsait management in Y Thomas completed his Masters Magazine. committee.

Ema il: editor@y-oman.com

06

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

THE VOICE OF OMAN NISHAD PADIYARATH ON WHY EXCESSIVE SMARTPHONE USE COULD HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR SOCIETY

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: 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 shortterm work contract?

BASHEER AHMED

W

hat is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? Well, while I am still in bed, I pick up my phone, press the Facebook app and see what’s going on in the world. I will also open WhatsApp and chat with my friends.

It is also the very last thing I do before going to sleep at night.

Yes, I am addicted to my smartphone and I must admit that.

But I am not the only one. Hundreds of people are today addicted to mobile phones. According to a recent survey, an average amount spent online has more than doubled from 9.9 hours a week 10 years ago to 20.5 hours.

Astonishing, isn’t it?

I received a call from my friend last week. His nine-year-old son is a mobile phone addict and he is worried that it has now grown into an “obsession”. As soon as my friend gets back home from work, his son grabs the phone and stays glued to it right up until bedtime, playing games and fiddling with apps. “I am worried if it will affect his memory. He is becoming obsessed with it,” his father says.

Even in families, I hear of husbands and wives these days texting each other at the dinner table instead of indulging in direct face-to-face communication. This has started ruining relationships.

Can you reduce the use of mobile phones apart from using them for a “real cause”? Yes, you can. If you can switch off the mobile phone for a flight journey then you can keep off the device and use it only when required.

NEXT WEEK: ALVIN THOMAS 08

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

Diversifying is indeed the “Need of the Hour”.

I strongly feel the service industry needs to be given prime importance if the economy needs a stable source of revenue. This would help the nation’s prosperity. Short-term contract work involves various risks compared to the advantages it throws up for the completion of a project for the employer, who has to bear the consequences at large. Quality will be compromised if “readyto go-talent” is not acquired. Team-building will suffer a huge disadvantage. The employed will always be on the lookout for new horizons since “everyone wants a stable” job at the end of the day. If diversifying is channelled properly and with the right workforce, it will help both the local and expatriate community grow hand-inhand economically and also culturally.

ALI SAIF AL RAHBI

Short-term work contracts are only good for blue-collar workers; such as plumbers, cleaners, carpenters and construction workers etc but they are not a good idea for white-collar professions. However, it also depends upon the goal and personal satisfaction of the person.

Some people are satisfied with short-term goals while some people harbour long-term goals. If you are a person who thinks about job stability and the future of your family then a short-term work contract is not a good choice for you. On the other hand, it will help jobless people from other countries to earn a decent living albeit for

WRITE TO US AND YOU COULD WIN

a shorter period of time. However, I hope it will not add to the number of undocumented expatriate workers who have finished their working contracts and who have run away from their employers but are still currently staying in Oman.

MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT

Short-term work contracts might be good for the employers as they will ease out their liability but will not be attractive for the employees as no one would like to dislocate himself over the short term unless he is unemployed.

JASON FELIX NORONHA

The point of debate here is whether or not to accept a short-term work contract. As an individual settled abroad, the primary reason for me being here is the comfort and sustainability of my family.

A short-term work contract would add discomfort and doubts about the future in the long run. I do not think anyone would like to have the blade of uncertainty hanging over one’s head. For those desperate enough, short-term contracts may be a solution but on a personal level an absolute nonstarter.

GAUTAM GHOSH DASTIDAR

“When people flirt with despair about the future, they are less likely to take the actions necessary to safeguard it, focusing instead on the short-term”, says none other than Al Gore. Hence, age and experience are what matter in the end. If you want more rice, you have got to use old grains. So better not kill the goose that is laying the golden eggs!

Dinner for two at Le Jardin restaurant

ebHotel /GoldenTulipSe eb @GoldenTulipSe

SEND US YOUR letters, photos, news and views to info@y-oman.com / /ytabloid. The winning correspondent will receive a voucher for dinner at the Golden Tulip.

Vouchers must be collected from Y’s Seeb office in person. Only one winner per week; editor’s decision is final. For other terms and conditions, see the Golden Tulip voucher.

SCAN THESE QR CODES &

FOLLOW US SYED BOKHARI

I think short-term work contracts are better, to some extent, as they help to ease people’s financial situations and problems. Bearing in mind the Two-Year employment ban on expatriates, it will enable them to earn some extra money while gaining experience during their contracts that will benefit them in their permanent jobs too.

MOHAN ANANDAN

The idea of short-term work contracts could be attractive as long as no restrictions or timelines are placed on taking up subsequent contracts with different employers. This will also provide diverse work opportunities and help people to gain various skills, work culture and experience. In other words, the initiative will produce a competent workforce to meet the objectives of Tanfeedh – thus successfully accomplishing the diversification process.

/YTABLOID

WWW.Y-OMAN.COM

away from their homeland for two years. But I think the fixed tenure of two years for job visas may be dispensed with in the case of white- collar and specialist jobs. This would allow the employer and employee to decide on the tenure, which should suit both the organisation and the job seeker.

New Debate:

Should health and safety regulations be toughened to protect workers in Oman?

Share your view with us on Facebook and you could be in with a chance of winning dinner for two.

USHA DEVI SUDDAPALLI

In a way, it is a good idea to hire hands for short-term work in Oman as there could be many areas like offshore and onshore drilling where staff are not needed for the entire year.

It could also help those unable to get two-year employment visas and those who cannot be

RISHAAN AND HIMANSHU V. MANDALIA were spotted with their favourite Y Magazine in Muscat

SAVE

AGATA BED

Size : 180 cms x 200 cms

BEFORE : 399RO

NOW : 299RO THIS IS YOUR SPOT! Just send us your picture with Y Magazine or pose with our photographer and we will publish it on this page

Send it to: info@y-oman.com

www.iddesign.om APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

09

YOUR

OMAN

G

NEWS

ROAMING MOBILE CHARGES SLASHED IN OMAN

ood news, folks! You will now be paying 35 per cent less for roaming charges when travelling to other GCC countries, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) announced this week.

This reflects a 27 baisa drop in the charges for receiving calls anywhere in the GCC region. You will now only be charged 108 baisas, as opposed to 135 baisas per minute.

Meanwhile, outgoing calls to other GCC countries – including the home country – is now set at 238 baisas, down from 246 baisas per minute.

The cost of mobile data per megabyte has also been brought down to 327 baisas from 500 baisas.

In a statement released to media, the TRA said: “This is in line with the initiative of GCC regulators, under the umbrella of the GCC General Secretariat, to regulate the prices of roaming services within the Gulf countries.”

The new price caps came into effect on April 1, 2017.

The TRA added that the reduction was a part of previous initiatives towards facilitating the availability of roaming services for GCC nationals

and residents within reasonable and affordable price levels.

Abel Sam, an Omani resident, who is also an investor in Dubai, said: “I wholeheartedly welcome this decision. It may not be a big drop, but I use my internet a lot while travelling around Dubai, and this will save me a substantial amount of money. However, the young investor believes that roaming should be made “completely free”, and that the TRA should address the more pressing issue of “reducing the call rates and internet package rates” in Oman.

ISRA’A WAL MIRAJ HOLIDAY ANNOUNCED

M

ark your diaries: the Government has arises, as well as compensating employees whose declared that next Tuesday (April 25) weekly holiday coincides with the mentioned will be a holiday for all private and occasion,” the Minister of Manpower added. public sector employees to mark Al Isra’a Wal Miraj.

HE Sayyid Khalid Bin Hilal al Busaidi, the Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, issued a ministerial decision on Monday (April 17) to announce the holiday for the public sector.

Shortly after the announcement, HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser al Bakri, the Minister of Manpower, confirmed that private sector employees would also enjoy the holiday.

Al Isra’a Wal Miraj means “Night Journey and Ascension” and refers to the miraculous one-night journey the Prophet Muhammad made from his home in Mecca to Jerusalem, followed by his ascent to heaven.

“The decision allowed employers and employees to agree on compensating this holiday if necessity

010

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

LINCOLN LAUNCH

GALLERY

LINCOLN PULLED THE COVERS OFF ITS ALL-NEW FLAGSHIP SEDAN, THE CONTINENTAL, EARLIER THIS WEEK AT AN EXCLUSIVE LAUNCH EVENT AT THE LINCOLN SHOWROOM, IN WATTAYAH. THE LATEST MODEL SEDAN WAS UNVEILED TO THE MEDIA BY DIRECTOR OF LINCOLN MIDDLE EAST, ALEX SCHAEFFER, AND SALIM MOHAMED BAHWAN, FROM THE CHAIRMAN’S OFFICE OF THE SAUD BAHWAN GROUP.

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

011

YOUR

A FUN DAY AT GUTECH

OMAN

THE GERMAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (GUTECH) RECENTLY OPENED ITS DOORS TO THE COMMUNITY FOR AN INFORMATIVE OPEN DAY. GUTECH STAFF MEMBERS AND STUDENTS SHOWCASED THE UNIVERSITY’S BACHELOR PROGRAMMES, THE GERMAN LANGUAGE, AS WELL AS HIGHLIGHTING THEIR SPORT AND THEATRE ACTIVITIES.

012

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

NEWS

GALLERY

MULTIMILLION-RIAL PROJECT PLANNED FOR AZAIBA T he beachfront at Azaiba is to undergo an exciting multimillion-rial development to encompass apartments, offices, and shops.

It comes as part of a RO38.5 million project partnered by the Al Khalili Group and property investment company Tibiaan Properties.

Both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday.

The Al Athaiba development is part of a massive project that will also include the construction of 67 villas with private pools.

This will be followed by a boutique shopping mall offering a range of retail outlets.

Sheikh Qais al Khalili, chairman of Al Khalili Group, said: “We are inspired by the tremendous possibilities of this collaboration; our first buildto-sell venture.

“The magnitude of the multi-faceted portfolio we have created with Tibiaan is a sign of our confidence in the real estate market’s unlocked potential, its strong prospects for growth and, of course, Oman’s immense appeal as an investment destination.”

Tibiaan CEO Fahad al Ismaili said: “It is with tremendous pleasure that Tibiaan joins its real estate expertise with the trading prowess of Al

Khalili Group. “With this agreement we have forged a relationship founded on a joint and unwavering commitment to excellence, and to the development and progress of our nation.”

The Al Athaiba beach villas will be available for off-plan purchase later this year.

Options to buy or lease further residential, tourism and commercial properties will also be made available later in the year.

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

013

YOUR

FATE OF THE FURIOUS

OMAN

THE WINNERS OF Y MAGAZINE’S FAST & FURIOUS COMPETITION GATHERED AT VOX CINEMA AT CITY CENTRE QURUM LAST WEEKEND FOR AN EXCLUSIVE SCREENING OF THE LATEST BLOCKBUSTER IN THE POPULAR FRANCHISE THAT STARS DWAYNE JOHNSON AND VIN DIESEL. MANY OF THE 50 WINNERS DECLARED THE MOVIE A THRILLING ACTION ADVENTURE FILM, WHICH WAS SHOT AROUND THE WORLD.

014

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

GALLERY

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 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 today (April 20) and all you have to do is answer a simple question to enter. But hurry! It’s the final day to enter this great competition.

016

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

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 close of business today, April 20. 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.

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

017

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

BIG DAY OUT

APR

21

Head to the Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club for its Family Fun Day for a great afternoon filled with a host of activities for both adults and children. There will be a bouncy castle, face painting and live music from 4pm while there will also be a variety of food stalls available. And don’t forget your picnic blanket and chairs to chill away the afternoon! Adults pay RO2 to enter. For more information or to enquire about having a stall at the event, call 7152 1835 or email events@ muscathills.com

26

THIS

WEEK

WHAT TO DO.

A

I

P

WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

R

L

Are you up for the One Billion Challenge? Yes, it’s that time of the year when Buffalo Wings & Rings Oman launches its annual challenge, in which contestants have to eat 10 buffalo wings dipped in the world’s hottest sauce in two minutes or less! Registration is free but you have to be 18 years or over to enter. If you win, you pick up RO150 in cash while second place pays RO100 and third, RO50. For details and to register, go to http:// buffalowingsandrings.om/1billion-challenge/

018

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

20

PIPE UP

The Royal Opera House Muscat’s annual concert showcasing the “King of Instruments” (the pipe organ) will feature music from four genres: Baroque, classical, romantic and modern. Works by the likes of Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart and Elgar will be backed by an orchestra, chamber groups, a second organ, pianos and drums while the powerful pipe organ, with 4,542 pipes, will be the star. For bookings, go to www. rohmuscat.org.om

The heat is on

APR

APR

STAY CONNECTED With

24/7 /yTaBLoID

www.y-oman.com

/ymaGaZInE

@yTaBLoID

/yTaBLoID

sCaN Our Qr CODEs WITH aNY Qr rEaDEr aPP

Top

❶

Location: Central and South America Toxin group: Ctenitoxin

id

sp

❸

❷

Brazilian wandering spider

er

Location: Australia Toxin group: Hexatoxin

ic ex ,M

da

❹

❺ Redback spider

Brown recluse spider (violin spider)

Location: Australia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Caledonia Toxin group: Theriditoxin

Location: United States Toxin group: Sicaritoxin

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

Sydney funnel web spider

o,

a an ,C a s w e c idoed StatAmerin w i t ck Uni outh itox Bla ation:dies, S: Therid c Lo st In roup We in g Tox

020

Deadliest Spiders in the World

Source: top5ofanything.com

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

Noor

Mine For those of you who aren’t of a mind to heed the advice of Y’s Shaquel al Balushi, then this is the film for you.

Our Shaquel knows all about surviving in the wild, especially when the SUV breaks down.

In this, US Marine sniper Mike (Armie Hammer) finds himself stranded in the North African desert after false intel leads to a botched mission.

After being forced to leg it across some rocky terrain, Mike is left miles from base camp, and then some rather taciturn radio support tells him a passing convoy can only be deployed in 52 hours.

Exposed to the very worst elements the desert can throw at him, Mike must survive its dangers, which happen to include 33 million landmines.

Now, every breath he takes, and every move he makes could be his last.

We follow Mike’s every painstaking step as he attempts to cope with blinding

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

In which country was the movie Mine shot?

LAST WEEK'S WINNER Nafisa Lunawadi

sunshine, dehydration, hallucinations, vicious night desert dogs and his own demons. And it’s during his ordeal that the mindset of the melancholy marine becomes clearer.

The first half of the film doesn’t stint on the suspense, with some taut camera work capturing both the harshness and beauty of its sweeping vistas.

However, the premise of the film is a little bit flawed. The US Army doesn’t just abandon soldiers, does it? Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been Saving Private Ryan, it would have been called Leaving Private Ryan To Fend For Himself.

Nonetheless, Armie Hammer’s committed performance is very watchable, and he grabs our sympathy as he copes with his despair and disorientation.

It’s a slick, well-shot (in the Canary Islands) production that’s worth a look.

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

Noor (Sonaksi Sinha) is a journalist who juggles work and life on a day-today basis, and feels that life is passing her by. What’s more, she is concerned her editor and colleagues aren’t taking her seriously. When she gets a lead on an eye-popping story, she sees the chance to give her career a rocket boost in the process. Let’s hope she wraps her story up in an afternoon because, in the real

world, she wouldn’t get much more time than that, these days! Still, Bollywood should be applauded for attempting to portray the life of a journalist, which has almost never been portrayed accurately on screen.

The Void When police officer Carter discovers a blood-soaked man limping down the road, he immediately rushes him to the nearest hospital. But when a strange load of white cloaked figures (looking a bit like the KKK) start surrounding the building, some of the nightshift medical staff and the patients begin to go insane. When it’s clear that some demonic force is afoot and infecting those inside the hospital, Carter must marshal all his leadership skills to get the uninfected to safety, while taking out the ghouls for whom gall bladder trouble is just an occupational hazard. Oh well, they do say that statistically we’re more likely to die in hospital than anywhere else.

Long View KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD For those of you unfamiliar with the Excalibur legend, Arthur (Charlie Hunnam) has to prove his birthright by pulling the sword out of a stone.

This, despite the fact that he is positively weedy compared to some of the men-mountains who have tried and failed. His dastardly uncle Vortigern (Jude Law) stole the crown after the suspicious murder of Arthur’s father, and he has made sure his nephew has had a wretched upbringing. Cue a showdown, and with Guy Ritchie directing this big-budget effort, it’s bound to be good. There’s also a cameo from David Beckham. Let’s hope he has little dialogue; I’m sure he’s no Eric Cantona (in the acting stakes).

Release Date: May 11

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

021

GROW

As news of an 11-year-old boy’s suicide a cyber prank, Alvin Thomas aims to children are online, and what you c 022

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

WING UP

e shocked the world after o find out how safe your can do to protect them

M

arch 14, 2017: It’s a cold evening in the American state of Michigan, and Katrina Goss’s 11-year-old son, Tysen Benz, has just come home after his tutoring class.

Today is a special day in the life of the youngster: he managed his way from home to the class and back, all by himself.

Tysen is proud of what he has achieved.

After all, not many youngsters of his age head out without the supervision of an adult.

Surely then, a treat is in order. So Tysen and his mother spend the next few hours baking brownies for himself and his brothers.

After dinner, the youngster races upstairs to his room, as usual. Tysen usually spends his time watching television or playing on his smartphone, so this is nothing out of the ordinary for Katrina.

Katrina spends the next few minutes chatting with her other two sons and doing the dishes. The young mother is completely unaware of what her son is up to; but even more oblivious of the pain he is experiencing, and what he is plotting in his mind.

But little does Katrina know about the lifealtering event that is about to occur.

Cut to Tysen’s room: the youngster is on his smartphone, and has found out that he has received a bunch of disturbing text messages on his Facebook, Snapchat and other social media accounts. According to the messages, his 13-year-old girlfriend has just committed suicide.

Messages about her apparent suicide begin pouring in from his friends and, as any sane individual would, Tysen panicked.

But what he did next completely changes the course of events: an hour after he starts receiving the messages, Tysen takes a piece of cloth and hangs himself from the ceiling, not knowing that all of this is, in essence, a prank; a prank that was plotted and executed by the girlfriend and his friends.

Meanwhile, Katrina heads to her son’s room to kiss him goodnight. And to her horror, she finds her son hanging from the ceiling, motionless.

She immediately helps him off the makeshift noose, and tries to resuscitate him.

Meanwhile, her sons have also called for an ambulance. The paramedics arrive, but are still unable to revive him so Tysen is taken to a nearby hospital, but is declared brain-dead by doctors. The youngster is kept alive by machines for three weeks, before breathing his last on April 4, 2017.

In an interview with international media, Katrina is quoted as saying: “We had to let APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

023

There are numerous sides to online security and pornography is one of those that we take very seriously.

Oman blocks all explicit websites and makes sure that they remain out of the hands of the young children.

But there is a way around everything. Nowadays, we find that kids – mostly teenagers – use VPN to access these websites.

But let me tell you, we have a bigger problem on our hands today: criminals on the internet [cybercriminals].

him pass on. He was severely brain damaged and the doctors told us he would never recuperate, that it wasn’t even really him anymore. I was at his bedside for three weeks. We are utterly devastated and we will never get over it.

“He was amazing – an amazing athlete who was super fun and had a great sense of humour. He was extremely social; the whole community is upset.

“She [the girlfriend] did nothing to contact me or the authorities. I truly don’t know what the point of this prank was. I don’t even know how that’s supposed to be funny, especially if she cared about him at all. I am not sure how that could be a joke.

“He was 11. Little kids don’t need to worry about that stuff.

These kids don’t even think what they’re doing online is real.

They don’t comprehend the magnitude of their words and how their actions can impact other people.”

In another interview with CNN, Katrina says: “Parents need to monitor their children’s online activities so things like this don’t happen.

“Monitor who they are conversing with; how long they are on their devices; force parental settings, and most of all, not to be afraid to take them away. You are the parent, and you should have complete control over the technology they use.”

With Tysen gone, and his “girlfriend” charged with “telecommunication services-malicious use and using a computer to commit a crime”, which carries a maximum punishment of one year in jail, Katrina says: “I do not want to have any contact or anything to do with her.”

Tysen’s story can be termed as a tragic case of cyberbullying.

However, recent reports show that it isn’t just cyberbullying 024

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

that we have to be concerned about, but rather the rising number of cybercrimes committed against children around the world.

“Children are at a higher risk of being affected by technology than ever before, and children in Oman are just as vulnerable to cybercrimes as kids from other countries are,” says Melanie, the operations manager of a leading cyber security firm in Oman, who did not want her surname published for privacy reasons.

“Everything is accessible. And technology is evolving by the day, so I have to say that parents of today cannot keep track of what their child is doing.

“There are numerous platforms with which children can access the internet.

Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, etc. are all social media platforms that are dominated by children under the age of 18.

“And as a parent, keeping track of all this can be overwhelming. But there is one very good reason as to why you should keep an eye out on what your child does: it is because there is a difference in the internet you use and the one your child uses.

“You may use social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to keep track of your friends and family. A large chunk of adults also have a specific trusted websites he or she will visit. So the risk of falling

prey is substantially less. But your child isn’t like that. The child is on the internet to find something interesting to do or watch, and that opens up the possibility of stumbling upon something very vulgar… or illegal. And the internet is designed by people who look to entrap such young minds.”

According to a recent global survey conducted by InternetSafey101, more than 30 per cent of the entire internet is pornographic material, and 90 per cent of boys and 60 per cent of girls are exposed to some element of this by the age of 18.

Guardchild, an organisation that aims to create awareness among parents and teenagers against cybercrimes, also recently published a global report, which revealed that more than 70 per cent of children aged between seven and 18 have stumbled upon explicit content while surfing the web.

They also reveal that more than 56 per cent of children aged from eight to 12 have a mobile phone, of which 44 per cent of them claim to have watched content online that their parents wouldn’t approve of, while just 28 per cent of parents were made aware by their children about the content they watched.

“There are numerous sides to online security and pornography is one of those that we take very seriously,” says a source at the Royal Oman Police (ROP), who requested that we not publish his name.

“Oman blocks all explicit websites and makes sure that they remain out of the hands of the young children.

“But there is a way around everything. Nowadays, we find that kids – mostly teenagers – use VPN to access these websites.

“But let me tell you, we have a bigger problem on our hands today: criminals on the internet [cybercriminals].

“We hear so many incidents about online bullying in other countries and think that we are safe from that here. But the truth is that it is our kids who are the victims. There is no Oman, UAE, UK or US when it comes to the internet; the whole internet is one.

The ROP source says that it is very easy for a criminal based in the US to contact an Omani thanks to the likes of encrypted chats, forums and online games. “We don’t get a lot of complaints, because most of the bullying or sexual advances happen in online chat rooms,” he says. “They are extremely private and you and I cannot easily obtain information that is

shared there. The only way would be to stand behind the child and see how they are conversing.”

He also points out that the kids of today are afraid to come clean to their parents because they fear being punished, grounded or shouted at.

During our investigation, we also contacted a former Omani victim (who was willing to speak to Y anonymously) who was asked for compromising photographs of himself. He says: “It all started when I was playing the game Clash of Clans on my smartphone. I met a very nice girl, who claimed that she was 19 years old at that time, in the chat room of the game.

“We got very close, and for me that was my first such experience. I was only 15 years old at that time. It was all very innocent at first, but as time went by, I was asked to send compromising photos of myself. At first, I didn’t. But as time went by, I slowly started opening up to her, and then out of pressure, and my budding interest in her, sent some photos.”

He says that she immediately responded to his messages, but in a different tone.

“It was like she was waiting for it,” he says, adding that the person then began threatening him.

“She comes back to say that she would send my photos to all my friends. She then said that I had to pay her in online currency if she were to delete the photos.”

The youth then breaks down and cries, saying that he had to stop seeing his friends, fearing the worst.

“I couldn’t even face anyone. It went on like this for a week.

“But then I couldn’t take it any more and so I decided to come clean with my father. I told him everything, and he took my phone, and sent the Clash of Clans developers, Supercell, a screenshot of all the chats. And surprisingly, they came back to us saying that they had removed the user from the game, and that I would have to report to Google directly, since I sent all my photos via Gmail.

The youth says that they then contacted Gmail through support. google.com, whose team immediately came to their rescue.

“There’s a form that we filled out and in a few days’ time, they made sure to send us another form for us to register a complaint with the US authorities as that was where the felon was from.

“I haven’t heard from her since. It has been three years now and I believe that

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

025

TIPS FOR CHILDREN TO STAY SAFE ONLINE • •

she has been put behind bars.

While the youth can now breath easy, he has learned a valuable lesson about internet stranger danger. Unfortunately, however, there has been a sharp increase in reports of children coming close to meeting online predators – through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat or chat-based websites such as Omegle, 4Chan and Reddit; and even video sharing websites such as YouTube.

Another report published by Guardchild states that 20 per cent of children aged between 13 and 18 have been the target of unwanted solicitation requests.

It also revealed that more than 17 per cent of tweens surveyed reported that they had received an email or online message with photos or words that

026

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

made them uncomfortable, and that 89 per cent of all solicitation requests were made in chat rooms or through instant messaging applications, such as WhatsApp, IMO and Kik. Raed Dawood, Ooredoo Oman’s director of government relations and corporate affairs, says: “Apps, social media and other digital sources are both educational and fun but they do have risks. While Ooredoo invests in the latest security and protection technology to combat threats, parents also have to play their part in keeping their children safe.”

He says there are a range of simple steps that parents can take to keep their children safe and out of trouble while surfing the web.

“Firstly, mums and dads must make sure their child does not

• • • • • • • •

Don’t post any personal information online – like your address, email address or mobile number.

Think carefully before posting pictures or videos of yourself. Once you’ve put a picture of yourself online most people can see it and may be able to download it, it’s not just yours any more.

Keep your privacy settings as high as possible.

Never give out your passwords.

Don’t befriend people you don’t know.

Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online. Speak to your parent or carer about people suggesting you do.

Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are.

Think carefully about what you say before you post something online.

Respect other people’s views, even if you don’t agree with someone else’s views doesn’t mean you need to be rude.

If you see something online that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried: leave the website, turn off your computer if you want to and tell a trusted adult immediately.

Source: safetynetkids.org

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN SAFE? Step into their cyberworld It may be hard to keep your eyes open after visiting what seems like the 100th website devoted to Barbie or cars, but playing co-pilot to your child is the best way to make sure he or she gets a smooth ride. By the time he or she is seven, you won’t need to be glued to their side, but you should be somewhere in the room or checking in frequently.

Set house rules Decide how much time you’re comfortable with your children being online and which sites they may go to.

give out personal information, such as phone numbers, email addresses and passwords to anyone when they are messaging through WhatsApp or social media.

“Secondly, we advise parents to make it clear that children should only chat with real world friends and family, and should not accept friend requests from people they don’t actually know,” he advises, adding that youngsters should also avoid meeting anyone they have been in touch with online.

“This can be extremely dangerous.”

He then highlights the importance of keeping a watch out for signs of cyberbullying. “Look for changes in behaviour, not wanting to be with friends or go out and above all, let them know they can come and talk to you if they ever feel worried or uncomfortable about someone or something they have come across online.”

Dawood adds that parents should set internet filters to limit sites children can visit, and to ask for help from friends, colleagues or teachers if they do not know how to do this. He also reminds parents of the dangers of messaging groups and advises them to beware of their child connecting with strangers during gaming or interactive group apps.

One Muscat-based parent, Abu Baqar, says: “I have two children [aged five and eight], and they both have their own iPads. But I have installed an application called YouTube Kids from iTunes for them. So they can only view videos that are safe enough for them to watch.

So every night, I sit down with my son and daughter and we discuss what they did online. Thankfully, I have not come across any suspicious links, but if I do, I will confront them peacefully.

But he says he understands that no one is completely safe online. However, Abu Baqar’s worry is real: the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently revealed that at any given time there are at least 50,000 sexual predators lurking for children online. And given that 96 per cent of today’s teens use social networking applications (according to Child Exploitation and Online Protection), the chances of one

stumbling upon a predator is at an all-time high.

An estimated 725,000 children (surveyed from 20 countries) had been “aggressively exploited” online in 2016 alone.

The ROP source confirms that there are cases being registered in Oman of children being exploited, but he declines to share statistics or details of the cases with us. However, he adds: “We have to often work with authorities abroad in order to catch the felons. This takes time as we do not receive full cooperation from the authorities sometimes.

“But we do our best, you should know,” he says, adding that “safety should begin at home”.

Susan, another Muscat-based parent of three children [aged three, nine and 12], says: “There is only so much shouting and confiscating a device can do. Sometimes, the best thing is to sit down with them and talk to them about what they did online.”

“I personally check the internet search history and also encroach into their field of view to keep an eye on what they are doing.

“Going all out CIA or FBI on them doesn’t work,” she laughs.

There are a host of applications that can be downloaded onto a child’s smartphone to keep a tab on your child’s online activities, as well as their whereabouts. Norton by Symantec, PhoneSheriff and ESET Parental Control are all applications with excellent ratings. However, most smartphones of today now come with safe modes: both Samsung and Apple iPhones have “Kid Mode” built into the phone’s settings for locking down certain functionalities.

Other Android users can opt for third-party applications like Norton Family Parental Control, Net Nanny and Mobicip.

Meanwhile, personal computers can be configured by installing anti-virus applications that can track every move of your child online.

“It isn’t too late for you to track your child’s activities online. It isn’t an invasion of their privacy; it is looking after them; it is safeguarding their life and, above all, it is making sure that you are always there to protect them from the evils of the society,” Melanie advises.

Teach them to protect their privacy While they won’t fully understand the consequences of revealing personal information online, you should still make sure your children know: • Never to give their name, phone number, e-mail address, password, postal address, school, or picture without your permission; • Not to open e-mail from people they don’t know; • Not to respond to hurtful or disturbing messages; • Not to get together with anyone they “meet” online.

Know that location is key Keep the computer in a central spot, where it’s easy to monitor its use.

Be their go-to girl/guy Instruct your child to come straight to you when they see anything that makes them uncomfortable, and assure them that you won’t overreact, blame them, or immediately rescind his or her online privileges.

Make your browser work double-time If your ISP lacks that capability, you still have some safe-surfing options at hand on your browser (the program that enables you to view web pages). Internet Explorer has Content Advisor (under Tools/Internet Options/Content), which filters out explicit content on a 0 to 4 scale.

Tune-up your search engine Your search engine can be pressed into service for free. (But be aware: a savvy child could switch the settings back.) Once you set restrictions, Google will block sites with explicit material (Preferences/SafeSearch Filtering).

Source: parenting.com

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

027

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 Amur Mohamed al Wahaibi and Amjaad al Shukaili, who have been crowned Mr and Ms Talented of GUTech!

Actor Mohamed did a great job with his hilarious comedy skit, while Amjaad’s beautiful Arabic song wowed the judges and audience.

Our second audition this week saw students from Oman Tourism College take to the stage in a bid to impress our judges.

Mohammed Salim Khamis al Adhali enthralled the spectators with his rendition of Inshaad, an Arabic song, while Ruqaiya al Badi was declared Ms Talented with her poem about the Prophet Muhammed.

All four college students now move on to

028

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

the Grand Finale, where they stand a chance of winning even more prizes!

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.

“We are witnessing many talented college students,” says Felicity Glover, the managing editor of Y Magazine. “And this is making it extremely hard for the Y’s Got Talent judges as the auditions move into the third week of the competition.”

In the audition phase, which will be held throughout this month, 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 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 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

029

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

Dermatology Clinic • Audi Showroom • Bentley Showroom • Costa Coffee • Al Fair • Jaguar Showroom • Jeep Showroom • Al Maha Petrol Station • Mazda Showroom • McDonald’s • Mitsubishi Showroom • Oman Arab Bank • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Peugeot Showroom • Range Rover Showroom • Sayarti Auto Care • Shell Select • Skoda Showroom • The Sultan Center • Volkswagen Showroom • Volvo Showroom • Yamaha Showroom Bawshar • College of Banking

and Financial Studies • Dolphin Village • Modern College

of Business and Science • Muscat College • Muscat Private Hospital

(Emergency and Outpatients) • Oman Medical College CBD • Al Maya Hypermarket • Alizz Islamic Bank • Bahwan Travel Agencies • Bank Sohar • Copper Chimney Restaurant • Costa Coffee • HSBC • Lama Polyclinic • NBO • Oman Arab Bank • Standard

Chartered Bank • Woodlands Restaurant Darsait • Indian Social Club • SPAR

• KIMS Oman Hospital • LuLu Hypermarket • Muscat Bakery • Shell Petrol Station

Al Falaj/Rex Road • Al Falaj Hotel • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Golden Oryx Restaurant • Kamat Restaurant • Toshiba Showroom Ghala • National Mineral Water Ghubra • Al Hayat International Hospital • Al Maya Hypermarket • Bank of Beirut • Costa Coffee • Crêpe Café • GMC Showroom • LuLu Hypermarket • Moka & More • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Park Inn • Porsche Showroom • Al Raffah Hospital • Stationery Hut • The Chedi Muscat Al Hail • Burger King • Caledonian College

of Engineering • Markaz Al Bahja Mall • McDonald’s • Omantel • Starcare Hospital Al Khoudh • Al Fair • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Pizza Hut Al Khuwair • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Bait Al Reem Mall • Caffè Vergnano • Centrepoint (Splash) • Diplomatic Club • Grand Hyatt Muscat • Harley-Davidson Showroom • HSBC • KFC • SPAR • Khimji’s Watches • KM Trading • Landmark Group

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

Skincare Centre • Kargeen Caffe • KFC • MacKenzies Café

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

• Saharz Beauty Salon • Starbucks Al Murtafa’a • Bank Muscat • KFC • Muscat Hills Golf &

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

Muscat-4 (ITA) • Middle East College • Omantel • Waljat College of

Applied Sciences Ruwi • Apollo Medical Centre • Kamat Restaurant • KFC • Khimji’s Mega

Store – Swarovski Showroom • Khimji’s Watches • KM Trading • Oman Air • Oman UAE Exchange • Oman Trading Establishment • Saravana Bhavan Sarooj • Al Fair • Al Masa Mall • City Cinema • Ayana Spa • Cosmeclic • Emirates Medical Center • McDonald’s • Shell Petrol Station • VLCC Wellness Sawadi • Al Sawadi Beach Resort Seeb • Golden Tulip Hotel • McDonald’s Shatti Al Qurum • Bareeq Al Shatti Complex • Caribou Coffee • D’Arcy’s Kitchen • German Eye Centre • The Indus Restaurant • InterContinental

Hotel Muscat • Jawharat Al Shatti Complex • Kaya Skin Clinic • Muscat Eye Laser Center • Oasis By The Sea • Second Cup • Starbucks • VLCC Wellness Sifah • Sifawy Boutique Hotel SQU • Diplomatic Club • College of

Economics and

Political Science

• Students Banking Area • Reception/ Canteen Wadi Kabir • Al Maya Hypermarket • LuLu Hypermarket • Muscat Pharmacy • National Hospitality Institute • Pizza Hut • Shell Petrol Station Wattayah • Ahli Bank • Best Cars • BLS International Services • 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

TOO LATE? DON’T WORRY. GET Y INSTANTLY ONLINE USING YOUR MOBILE DEVICES & PC

Visit www.y-oman.com/current-issue/ No downloading required FOLLOW US ON:

@ytabloid

/ytabloid

www.y-oman.com

/ytabloid

ymagazine

/ymagazine

&

Adventures

Fa s h i o n

Health

Fo o d

LIFE STYLE

FOREVER YOUNG

We check out the latest trends for anti-ageing in our Health section this week – P43.

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

031

&

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

Photos: Alvin Thomas

SUR BEACH

ALVIN THOMAS FINDS THE NATURAL AND MAN-MADE WONDERS OF THIS IMPRESSIVE CITY IRRESISTIBLE, AND HIS CAMERA SURVIVED A STRAY FOOTBALL 032

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

around the city. The rocks, however, look stunning too. The rocks look comparatively polished – probably because of water erosion. It makes walking on them harder but both of us manage to avoid slipping into the water.

Closer to shore, I also notice a beached dhow. It looks like it has been recently painted, so I deduce that it hasn’t been abandoned. The bow also has designs etched onto it, to make it stand out from other dhows sailing around the area.

From down here, there is a clearer view of the stunning suspension bridge. It doesn’t look too big (or even elongated) from the top but it is only when I get to the bottom that I begin to appreciate the true magnificence the engineers have pulled off.

The sheer effort that has gone into the metal works is evident; the tension in the metal cables that hold the road intact even in the toughest of times deserves to be applauded.

By now, kids have descended on the area to play in the water. They use the rocks as a makeshift dive board and begin jumping into the water. Some even use it as an opportunity to pull off some crazy summersaults.

The kids also begin jokingly taunting some locals on jet skis. I cannot make out what they are saying but the jet skiers come close to the rocks and splash water on the young kids. They take it as an opportunity to taunt them further – setting a game of cat and mouse, where the kids run away from the shore to avoid being splashed by water.

It is a hilarious sight.

The game goes on for a few minutes before the jet skiers decide to retreat. By now, the sun has gone down and an orange hue dominates the sky. And before I know it, I find myself staring into a state of oblivion. And it is only when one of the young kids throws a football onto me that I come back to reality.

And before we create any more of a ruckus we retreat back to our car for our long trip back to Muscat.

Oh, and of course, the kid isn’t getting his football back.

T

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

here’s something oddly satisfying about gawking at two marvellous creations – one handcrafted by Mother Nature herself and one engineered by man. It’s a contrast, yet one that is fitting. And somehow, this juxtaposition manages to define the exquisite skyline of this gorgeous city. I’m not talking the mystical city of Atlantis. I’m talking about Sur; its beach and the suspension bridge that sits atop the dazzling waters.

As is evident, this is my first visit to the city, so please excuse my enthusiasm. But I cannot imagine anyone coming here and not taking back a memorable tale to tell: there really is so much to love about this city.

I start my adventure in Sur after the long but relaxing road trip from Muscat to Sur with members of the Muscat Stangs Club and Ford Oman (which you can catch in last week’s Y, if you haven’t already).

My comrade for the day is my mate Elvis, who is a former resident of Sur. We split from the crowd to head towards the beach in the hope of catching a glimpse of some traditional dhows and even some modern watersport activities.

It doesn’t take us long to reach the Corniche road but there’s definitely a lot of hustle and bustle between families visiting the packed beach. To avoid the rush, we take the road that leads to the Khor Al Batah suspension bridge that lies next to the beach. It is also an opportunity to click a few pictures so, without any further ado, I grab my camera, get out of the car, and start snapping.

The setting sun makes the suspension bridge stand out like a silhouette portrait but the camera really cannot do justice to the setting – it has to be seen to be believed.

We get closer to the bridge in the hope of taking some more dramatic sunset shots. We avoid the packed beach and make our way towards the bottom of the bridge by sticking to the abandoned rocky terrain on the side of the beach. I would not suggest anyone takes this path, though, as it is filled with boisterous kids who will take every opportunity to start a fight. I know my way around pesky youngsters (you know, being one myself) so the road ahead is smooth for me.

While near the rocks, I notice a small watch tower atop a slight hill.

I quickly snap a few pictures of it.

Elvis tells me that it is one of the many watchtowers that exist in and

From Muscat take the road that leads to the Muscat Expressway, before making an exit to Baushar. Follow the road to Al Amerat and head straight through route 17 for the next 200km. Once at Sur, take a left from the second roundabout and

keep heading straight. In a few metres you will be able to find the Khor Al Batah suspension bridge and Sur beach.

GPS coordinates: N22°33’49.7” E59°’32’22.0”

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

033

&

FIRST DRIVE

CARS ADVENTURES

T

Photos: Alvin Thomas

Alvin Thomas tests a well-groomed SUV that offers value for money with a taste for adventure

he automotive industry is evolving: there was a time when car manufacturers created cars solely on the basis of their passion and interest in a market segment.

For instance, if a manufacturer only wanted to serve a specific target audience, such as small families, then they would only manufacture sedans. Today, however, if you aren’t on top of your game and serving the needs of a wider audience, then you are as good as dead.

This shift has also given birth to a new segment of car: the sub-compact SUV. As the name suggests, these are small SUVs that are here to bridge the gap between compact sedans and the compact SUV. And what is even better is that you can avail yourself of that extra metal for roughly the price of a small sedan – at least in the current market scenario.

And why would anyone in their right mind purchase a small sedan when they can have a larger, taller and better-equipped SUV for the same price, right? Well, if you agree, and if you feel that sedans are a thing of the past, then you should be happy to welcome to the party the all-new Chevrolet Trax.

Raised ride height: check. Roomy interior: check.

Value for money: check. Bragging rights for owning an SUV: well… that is what we’re here to find out.

At first glance, the Chevrolet Trax (which is now in its second generation) seems – at least in this guise – like an off-road ready SUV. Don’t believe me? It has moderately flared wheel arches, a raised chassis, faux skid-plates and a tall almost SUV-like body.

Of course, underneath, the Chevrolet Trax is based on the underpinnings of the Chevrolet Aveo. Despite that, however, the Trax still overshadows the Mazda CX-3 in ride height, and is only a few millimetres shorter than the Jeep Renegade that we tested a while

034

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

ago. Unlike its predecessor, the new Trax actually looks good. The thin headlights stretch wide to give the car a seemingly wider track, and the 10-spoke alloys blend well with the gawky proportions of the car: it is almost as tall as it is wide.

There’s a dash of chrome on the grille, air intakes and even the door handles for that added bling but it is not at all unattractive to look at like some other SUVs that hail from the “land of the free”. I wouldn’t mind saying that the Trax is actually quite a handsome car.

The tall proportions of the exterior, however, made sense once I stepped inside the cabin. There’s a generous amount of head and leg room up front, and the cabin is very airy. Much of that carries over to the rear, however, the leg room was anything but lavish after I set the seat to my position (I tend to give myself ample space when I drive). Irrespective of that, the Trax will still seat four adults in comfort, and even a fifth passenger without taking away his or her dignity.

The interior is very simple and well laid out: there’s a beautiful 18cm touchscreen in the middle, followed by three knobs to control the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning). The only other buttons on the centre console are the ones for toggling the “traction control”, switching tracks and controlling the volume of the audio.

The touchscreen is extremely simple to use, and also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen itself is receptive to touch, and has to be one of the more responsive head units out there on the market today.

Much of the interior is covered in hard plastic, as with most vehicles in this class. But the Trax definitely scores points for offering soft-touch surfaces

on the doors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and – as an added treat – a leatherette-wrapped dashboard with real stitching on the surface.

What is also commendable is that the panels in the SUV are put together very well. There aren’t any panel gaps or protruding plastics anywhere in the cabin. In restrospect, my Nissan Maxima – which cost twice as much as the Trax – has a massive panel gap in the passenger size footwell.

Underneath the hood of the Trax lies a small 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine (carried over from the Chevrolet Cruze) producing a sizeable 138hp and 175Nm of torque. The power is sent only to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, with manual override.

The acceleration, well… it isn’t what I would call mind-boggling. As a matter of fact, let’s not beat around the bush: the Trax is not a very quick SUV. Its performance is definitely much better than those of its rivals from Detroit and South Korea but those looking for a little more performance will find it in the Mazda CX-3.

Still, there’s plenty of grunt from a standstill. The

Destination

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

car hits 60kph effortlessly, in lower gears, but loses steam thereafter as it suffers from longer gear ratios (in fourth, fifth and sixth gears); leading to a slow 0-100kph time.

Mind you, the longer gear ratios mean that you will get excellent fuel economy.

But if you’re looking for a quick manoeuvre you can put the gearbox in “S” and shift using the “+” and “-“ buttons mounted on the gear shifter.

The gearshifts are smooth for the most part, making it a very comfortable car for city driving but surprisingly, the Trax is one of those rare SUVs that holds gears at the redline when you take control of the gearshifts yourself.

Where the Trax overshadows its rivals is in ride comfort. The SUV soaks up bumps with ease, making it a very enjoyable experience for passengers. There’s none of that floaty feeling either – a common trait of tall vehicles.

The seating position is elevated but it is as comfortable

Y- F i

Gaming

CARS

as driving a hatchback. I also found the steering weight to be moderate (too light) at high speeds, with a decent amount of communication with the driver (something most cars lack today).

During the course of my test, I also took the Trax off-road to click a few pictures. I can safely report that the SUV manages light off-roading very well. Ground clearance is more than adequate to handle moderately rocky and sandy terrain. Of course, I wouldn’t suggest you go on loose sand (because the Trax is only front-wheel drive), but thanks to the light weight footprint, the SUV is pretty nippy on loose surfaces.

Even on the road, the Trax is well-behaved. It takes corners with ease, and only a moderate amount of body-roll. I didn’t push the Chevy to its limits but I can report that understeer only kicks in when you push the throttle hard into the corner. Even then, the power isn’t overwhelming enough to upset the balance of the car.

After a day with the Chevy Trax, I can safely say that it should definitely be worth your consideration if you are looking for a small, affordable and easy-to-drive SUV to take on the daily city runabouts.

Chevrolet Trax Specifications: Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder Transmission: Six-speed automatic Horsepower: 138hp Torque: 175Nm Top speed: 180kph Power mirrors 18cm touchscreen headunit w/ MyLink Keyless entry Remote start Reverse parking sensors Rear-view camera Traction control Stability control Anti-Lock Braking System Steering-wheel mounted controls Android Auto and Apple CarPlay Electronic fuel injection

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

035

&

CARS ADVENTURES

1. Sample takeaway shrimp at Feskekorka 2. Catch a ferry around the archipelago 3. Stroll, and shop, in the Haga area 4. Glare at some sharks in the Universeum 5. Take a boat trip to the Alvsborg Fortress

036

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

SIMPLY SWEDEN

Gothenburg is a fun and funky city, where you’ll find a rich seafaring heritage.

Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Chris Gallagher recommends

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN

G

rowing up in the UK, Sweden always seemed like a magical place: full of everlasting sun-kissed days in summer; translucent snowy pistes in winter; beautiful blonde-haired girls, and marauding Vikings.

Of course, we hadn’t been there and were only familiar with Abba, Bjorn Borg, Britt Ekland, Volvo cars and meatballs (usually from a tin).

But sometimes the best way to get a more authentic inkling of a nation is by visiting its second-biggest city. Gothenburg is a compact, pristine urban delight of elegant architecture, lovely waterways and plenty of lush, green spaces.

Sweden’s westernmost city also boasts some commanding historical buildings, world-class restaurants, a stunning archipelago, some of the best seafood in the world, and a rollercoaster.

This former shipbuilding city is easy to get around, and its quaint cobbled streets and town squares can be easily enjoyed on foot. If you are not a fan of IKEA and H&M don’t worry, because here you’ll find some of the funkiest, most original clothing and home interior boutiques around.

FAMOU S F IS H MARK GOTHE E T IN NBURG C IT Y D OWNTOW N

My favourite place

I’m a bit of a petrol head (or a diesel head, these days) so it’s the Volvo Museum. It’s a little out of town as you have to take a bus to an industrial estate but well worth it, especially if Volvos have some resonance for you (my mum had a Volvo 66, then a 145 Estate). Here, you can enjoy an odyssey of Sweden’s history through the cars, buses and trucks of its largest car manufacturer. It’s all been superbly done so if you simply want to sit in all those wonderful models of yesteryear and reminisce or catch some of the excellent AV displays, you’re in the right place.

Highlights

That Scandinavian outdoor lifestyle mentality is infectious, even though you’re in the city. Whether it’s Slottskogen (the main park), the Gothenburg Botanical Garden or simply relaxing on a boat trip along one of the many canals, you can’t escape it. If you want to go farther afield in a boat, catch a ferry from the Saltholmen port and visit one of the many islets in the archipelago where you can swim, fish and watch seals at play.

Then, there’s the seafood. Here, it’s a serious business, and the venerable Feskekorka (fish church) is where you can witness an intoxicating mélange of fish traders, restaurateurs and takeaway vendors all vying for your custom. Why not sample some of the catch of the day as streetfood in the form of prawns or shrimp?

On the west side of the city, the Haga neighbourhood dates from the 17th century. Presided over by the historical Skansen Fortress, which was built in 1697 to protect the city from the Danes, it’s a terrific place to enjoy a stroll, relax, shop and recharge your batteries. They like their coffee and buns in Gothenburg, and you’ll find no shortage of cafes here offering you your caffeine rush complete with a kanelbulle (a sugary, cinnamon-flavoured wheat bun).

While you will want your museum day at the Gothenburg Museum of Art, the Design Museum or the Universeum (science centre) if you tell the kids about the rollercoaster, that’s where you’ll end up. Still, the Liseberg Amusement Park is something of an institution so you will get to tick a box as they drag you round the rides, games stalls, food stands, and the Big Wheel.

A A R C H IP E L B E A U T IF U L G R U B N G OT H E

G O OF

Lowlights It’s Sweden so it can be expensive.

Souvenirs For wares that you can’t usually find elsewhere, head to the city centre streets of Magasinsgaten (good for

retro gear) or Vallgaten. The city’s biggest flea market can also be found at Forsta Langgaten but be prepared to browse for a bargain.

Getting there

British Airways, KLM and Swiss Air offer flights from Muscat to Stockholm, where you can catch a connecting flight to Gothenburg. It takes around five hours by train. Alternatively, you can catch a flight to Oslo (Norway) and take an extremely scenic four-hour train ride.

Where to stay All the world’s top hotel chains have a presence here so check out the websites Booking.com, Trivago, Expedia or Kayak.

L IS E B E RG AM USEME W IT H C NT PAR H R IS T M A S IL K L U M IN A T IO N

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

037

-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Destination

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

SAFETY FIRST Keep an eye on the kids while they are entertained with these gadgets. Alvin Thomas tries them out.

R2-D2 The Rogue One: A Star Wars Story movie may be aging quite rapidly but R2-D2 – the trusty droid from the movie – has since taken the gadget world by storm. Of course, this one will not sacrifice itself for the sake of its master (you) but what it will do is pair up with your Android or iOS-powered smartphone and let you take complete control of it. Once connected you can drive it around, let it unleash a series of bleeps and bloops, dance or even set it on “Guard” mode. It's a bit educational too: there is a series of “mission” minigames that will help you learn how to programme routes. Yours for RO38.1 from argos.co.uk

FIRE IT UP

LEAP FOR IT

We’re all for keeping children away from smartphones but there comes a time when every parent has to concede to his or her child’s interests. That’s where the VTech DigiGo comes into the picture: it may look like a cruel prank (in terms of design) but the smartphone can actually send and receive messages, voice notes, and create pictures and drawings – all in a very safe and monitored environment.

The phone only connects with approved devices – meaning you can control who sends your child messages, pictures, etc. The device also comes with a 10cm LCD and a 2-megapixel camera.

Yours for a reasonable RO38.5 from argos.com

It may not sound like the most sophisticated gadget out there today but the Leapfrog Leapband may very well be an alternative to the Fitbit Charge for kids. Whether this is a watch or a toy is very much debatable but we can assure you that the device is an excellent wristband activity tracker. It has a built-in pedometer and a workout mode with set challenges, which are aimed at getting your child off the sofa and into the playground. The more time your child spends outside playing, the more “joules” (get the idea?) he or she earns. These joules can then be used to feed the virtual pet that is preprogrammed into the device. Yours for RO10 from amazon.com

DO IT YOURSELF

EDITOR’S PICK

WHO SAID THAT ADULTS MUST HAVE ALL THE FUN? WELL, BY FUN, WE MEAN CREATING YOUR OWN COMPUTERS (DUH!). IF THAT’S THE CASE, YOUR CHILD CAN NOW HAVE A GO AT MAKING HIS OR HER OWN PERSONAL COMPUTER WITH THE KANO KIT. THE DEVICE COMBINES A RASPBERRY PI 3 (AN OPEN-SOURCE CHIPSET) WITH A SELECTION OF CHUNKY, ATTRACTIVE (AND VERY ORANGE!) PERIPHERALS. ONCE UP AND RUNNING, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF HOURS WORTH OF GAMES AND EXERCISES DESIGNED TO HELP YOUR CHILD CODE, CREATE ART AND BUILD APPS AND GAMES. ALL YOURS FOR RO53.52 FROM AMAZON.COM

038

JULY APR 2003 -- 2609 // ISSUE ISSUE 467 327

BEST UPCOMING VIRTUAL REALITY GAMES

App of the Week

Info Box STATIK

Developer:

TARSIER STUDIOS

Genre:

PUZZLE

Platform:

PLAYSTATION 4

Release Date: Q4 2017

STATIK

V

R games are getting more exciting and challenging by the day, and Statik is one of the few games that has actually caught our interest. We have only seen the trailer so far but we like what we saw and think that the game fits right into the ever-growing puzzle/thriller genre. It revolves around players who have to help Dr Ingen solve various complexities of the hidden mind. The players wake up with a new puzzle contraption attached to their hands and have to solve the puzzle to be set free. Dr Ingen has a pixelated face, and that invokes an aura of wariness when dealing with the puzzles but for most parts, he seems to be an ally.

FARPOINT

H

ow far would you go with the PlayStation VR? Well, if you’re willing to travel to alien worlds then Farpoint should be the game to look forward to this year. Survival and exploration will be the main themes of the game, and you will be pitted against multitudes of aliens (of course, you are the actual alien here). The developers, Impulse Gear have also announced that they will be releasing a PSVR Aim controller – a gun-shaped accessory – specifically for the game. In any case, be prepared for some next-level action gaming, and we suggest you work on honing your reflexes because if the trailer is anything to go by, you’ll be surrounded by alien warriors… figuratively, of course.

STAY CONNECTED If you’re paranoid about your child’s whereabouts, then we suggest you download the Sygic Family Locator application. The app can tell you the real-time location and the battery levels of your family members’ smartphones, and also check-in periodically with you to let you know where they are and if they have arrived at their destination safely.

There’s also a built-in messaging system which lets you send messages for free – like WhatsApp or IMO, and also a feature to set “safe” and “unsafe” zones. Yours for free from Google Play and iTunes

Info Box FARPOINT

Developer:

IMPULSE GEAR

Genre:

ACTION/ADVENTURE

Platform:

PLAYSTATION 4

Release Date: Q4 2017

JULY APR 03 20 - 09 26 / ISSUE 467 327

039

HEALTH& BEAUTY

SUMMER CHIC! Summer is the time of year when you can experiment with various styles and create something that defines you; like this chic and fun maxi summer dress from M&Co.

040

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

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 This dress by H&M radiates summer g e hi get th Instag h with its warm, blue hue. Whether you’re t o heading to the beach or to a family From s you t tine on s i brunch, this nifty little number will be a p r l he w Ch summer show-stopper. From RO33 o l Fol

T t Ge

Did you girlfriends call you for a shopping spree and you don’t know what to wear to impress them? How about this gorgeous navy and white leaf print dress from Evans? It’s stylish and casual; just perfect for a day out. From RO24

There’s nothing like palm tree leaves to remind you of sunshine and beaches.

Though you might not be on holiday, you can feel as if you are when you wear this Zara palm leaf print midi-dress. From RO33

Dermatologists swear by lip balms rather than lipsticks for going out in the sun. This lip balm from H&M is an essential to keep your lips soft, smooth and hydrated. From RO4.5

While we love chunky jewellery, we want to keep it simple yet fun and fabulous for a casual, summer look.

These pink threaded hoop earrings from Zara make a perfect accessory for summer. From RO6

This is the bag you need for your summer holiday. Just like fashion models have their “off-duty” look, you can have one too and your bag can state your mood. Buy this chic bag at River Island from RO17

Who said rhinestones are only for earrings and T-shirts? These dazzling sandals from Accessorize will level up your outfit from ordinary to stylish! From RO17

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

041

HEALTH& BEAUTY

THE FLOWER OF MY SECRET W

Look to nature for some of the most effective skin care regimes around

hen it comes to healthier skin, flower power isn’t such a ridiculous idea. Haberlea rhodopensis, a rare Resurrection Flower, might just be the key to smoother, younger-looking skin.

Indigenous to the harsh, arid Rhodopes Mountain range in Bulgaria, the flower has adapted in extremely arid conditions and can survive periods of dryness in a suspended state for up to 31 months.

Even after drying out completely, a few drops of moisture are enough for the plant to return to normal growth. It will resume its usual functions in a matter of hours and achieve full recovery in one to two days. For this reason, it is sometimes called a “Resurrection Flower”.

The plant’s unique ability to revitalise its own cells allows it to create visibly healthier, younger-looking skin in humans.

In young women, skin replaces its cells every 28 days. Some studies show that by the age of 40, skin takes 40 days to replenish itself. This contributes to changes in the skin’s appearance that most women dislike, including a rougher texture, less elasticity, and more fine lines and wrinkles.

However, Haberlea rhodopensis may have both a protective and a vitality-stimulating effect on skin. One company, Kiehl’s, has added a high

042

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

concentration of the Resurrection Flower to a new advanced anti-ageing cream. Called Rosa Arctica Youth Regenerating Cream, its active complex has been shown to increase cell vitality, and to protect skin cells from future ageing in-vitro.

After using the cream, 91 per cent of consumers said that their skin looked rejuvenated, while 93 per cent reported that their skin felt denser and thicker. Most people felt they looked five years younger after using Rosa Arctica.

The high concentration of the Resurrection Flower in Rosa Arctica helps skin retain moisture for smoother, healthier skin while increasing cell vitality and triggering the skin’s natural ability to create elastin and collagen.

For more information, visit www.kiehls.com.

– NewsUSA

Beauty

HEALTH

Fashion

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH Four simple steps to be your best at any age

T

hey say you’re only as young as you feel, and if you’re older, the ability to feel young a little while longer is always appealing. Having a youthful state of mind goes a long way towards accomplishing this goal but you can’t ignore the importance of solid physical health.

To improve your physical and mental health and to prove that age really is just a number, apply these tips from the US-based Mayo Clinic today.

Find the perfect interval

If you’ve never participated in highintensity interval training before, here’s a compelling reason to start. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic found high-intensity aerobic exercise actually reversed some cellular aspects of ageing. The research also found that exercise improved muscle proteins, enlarged muscles and increased energy levels.

completely replace whole food offerings but they may offer you real health value as well. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, supplements may be ideal for vegans and vegetarians or those who consume fewer than 1,600 calories per day.

People with a condition affecting the way their body absorbs nutrients and those who have had surgery on their digestive tract should also speak to their doctor about supplements that may improve their overall health.

The importance of sleep

A good night’s sleep offers health benefits at any age but getting enough rest can be more difficult as you get older. To get a better night’s sleep, review your medications with your doctor to see if anything is having an impact on your rest. You should also try to limit your daytime napping (just 10 to 20 minutes per day is best) and avoid alcohol, The benefit of brain games caffeine or even water within a couple hours A sharp mind is every bit as important as a before bedtime. healthy body, and exercising your brain can be With ageing comes fresh challenges and a lot of fun. Spend some time learning things the need to be more vigilant in maintaining on the internet, enrol in a class for that craft your overall well-being. By incorporating you’ve always wanted to master, go out with some of the tips above from the experts at friends or sit down and play a board game.

Mayo Clinic, you’ll make sure the best years All of these activities can greatly improve of your life are still to come. You can learn your mental health. For example, a Mayo more about improving your health at any age Clinic study found playing games decreased through the advice offered in Mayo Clinic on a person’s risk of mild cognitive impairment Healthy Aging, or visit http://www.mayoclinic. by 22 per cent, making this enjoyable activity org/healthy-lifestyle for more healthy lifestyle healthy as well. ideas.

Supplementing your health

Health supplements should never

– BPT

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

043

&

FOOD DRINK

Trend

New Restaurant

Reviews

LIGHT & SIMPLE

Now that the warm weather has arrived, it’s time to tuck into refreshing salads to cool down.

044

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

§

AL FRESCO FINESSE Make your salad days shine with these tasty recipes ideal for outdoor suppers

A

s the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, take your meal outdoors for some tasty al fresco dining featuring a fresh and easy-to-prepare salad.

With minimal ingredients and maximum flavour, this combination of radicchio, California green ripe olives, chickpeas and Parmesan cheese is sure to find its way into your seasonal meal occasions, from at-home suppers to garden parties.

Boasting vibrant purple hues, radicchio not only looks great on the plate but also packs a unique and pleasing flavour that is complemented by the texture added to each bite by toasted sunflower seeds and chickpeas.

Completing the salad are California ripe olives, which are grown by farming families across California.

The California green ripe olive is similar to the black ripe olive but features a more mild and buttery flavour profile.

Find more tasty recipes at calolive.org.

Radicchio Salad with Olives, Chickpeas and Parmesan Recipe courtesy of the Simply Recipes blog Prep time: 15 minutes Resting time: 10 minutes Serves: 4-6 Ingredients: § 1/4 cup sunflower seeds § 1 large head radicchio (300320g) § 1 can (450g) California green ripe olives, drained, rinsed and roughly chopped § 1 can (450g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed § 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided § 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar § 4 tablespoons olive oil § 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus additional, to taste § 1/8 teaspoon freshground black pepper, plus additional, to taste

§ Add olives, chickpeas and 3/4 cup cheese to the bowl with the radicchio. § Whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper.

Pour over the salad and toss gently until the ingredients are evenly coated. If the cheese clumps together, break apart with a spatula and stir in. § Let the salad stand for at least 10 minutes, or up to an hour. § Add extra salt and pepper, if desired. Serve the salad on individual plates or one shared platter. Top with remaining cheese and toasted sunflower seeds.

Substitution: If radicchio is unavailable, try frisee, endive or another similar green.

Note: Salad is best served within one hour of preparation but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for several days.

Method: § Add the sunflower seeds to a small, dry frying pan. Toast over a medium heat, stirring occasionally until the seeds are toasted around the edges and smell fragrant. § Transfer the seeds to a bowl to cool. § Peel away and discard a layer or two of outer radicchio leaves if they look wilted or battered. Cut the head of radicchio into quarters through the root.

Trim away the root. § Cut each quarter crosswise into strips, 2.5cm to 3cm thick. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.

– Family Features APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

045

&

FOOD DRINK

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

REVIEWS

t

rke a m -

Mid

Info Box

PIZZA ITALIANO

November 18th Street, Azaiba Tel: 2412 5624 Opening hours: 12pm11.30pm Dinner for two: RO19.5

BELLA ITALIANO

Verdict : 7/10 SERVICE 8/10 FOOD 6/10 AMBIENCE Authentic Italian pizzas and a service to match Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

ALLEN THOMAS FINDS AN ITALIAN EATERY WHERE THE FARE LEAVES HIM AND HIS BROTHER REPLETE, RELAXED AND READY FOR A NEW WORKING WEEK

I

t was a busy Saturday evening crammed with religious obligations (Easter mass) and sometimes we just can’t be bothered to take the trouble to make something to eat.

Well, in my case, I don’t have to worry about that thanks to my mum’s commendable cooking.

But there comes a point when you just have to call it quits and head out.

And I had been craving some authentic Italian cuisine for a while. So, along with my brother Alvin, I headed to Pizza Italiano in Azaiba.

The restaurant is quite easy to find: situated on November 18th Street, Pizza Italiano sits in an ideal spot making it easy for passers-by to stop by and have a quick bite. From the inside, the restaurant is minimalist in style but classy.

Unfortunately, my brother and I were the only customers. But that could have had something to do with the time of our arrival: it was about 10pm when we walked in. But to my surprise, the waiters were still very welcoming and even took the time and effort to explain what their restaurant was about.

Skimming through the menu (which is only a thin takeaway card), I noticed that they have a wide variety of dishes ranging from appetisers to desserts – and I’m not kidding when I say that they have “delicious” written all over them (and there are pictures accompanying every dish).

Since we’d had a rather busy day, we decided to dive into something cold and refreshing to begin with. And there is nothing more energising than a Virgin Mojito – which was my first pick – while my brother opted for a Lemon Mint.

046

APR 20 - 26 / ISSUE 467

While I thought nothing could top the California Crush, my brother and I stormed through to the Carne Picante, and suddenly my IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO HAVE perceptions of an excellent pepperoni pizza (at DINNER WITH FRIENDS AND least ones that I had eaten before heading here) completely changed.

FAMILY WITHOUT BURNING Flavours burst with every bite we took.

A HOLE IN YOUR POCKET. Garnished with beef, this pizza changes gear on your palate, making your taste buds cry for more. The joy was real, folks. I had never tasted a But then we found a drink that seemed rather intriguing – the Italian Smooch. For appetisers we pepperoni pizza as good as this.

Unlike the Carne Picante and the California ordered a plate of garlic bread with Mozzarella rush, the pasta didn’t seem to stand out and leave cheese on top while our entree comprised California Crush pizza, Carne Picante Beef pizza an impression on me. It tasted just like any regular Penne Alfredo. The white sauce was cooked a little and a Penne Alfredo pasta. longer than it should have been and the chicken Our drinks came in a jiffy. The Virgin Mojito was a little oily, making it heavier than I would was a generous size in a tall glass (although not in a traditional mojito glass). One initial sip and I have expected. Despite the flaws, the flavours of experienced nothing less than a refreshing punch the Penne Alfredo came from generous portions of pasta, mushrooms and chicken. of flavours from the mint leaves and the lemon.

Following these succulent courses, my brother It held a beautiful balance and there was a fine consistency to it. Meanwhile, my brother seemed and I suddenly found ourselves thirsty again.

Hence, we ordered one final drink – the Plantter to enjoy his choice.

Cooler – a drink with a mix of orange and And then came the Italian Smooch. It tasted pineapple juices, strawberry syrup at the base, really good. The drink was a combination sugar syrup, and garnished with fresh ginger slices. of mango juice, orange juice and kiwi crush, Overall, it was a fine dining experience. The garnished with fresh ginger to give the otherwise pizzas and the drinks at Pizza Italiano are unique sweet treat a slight zing. and worth every penny. It is a great place to have Then came the garlic bread with Mozzarella dinner with friends and family without burning a cheese. It was appetising but not something that would make you want to go for more. There was hole in your pocket. a very generous amount of cheese on the bread – Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see and the chef deserves applause for that alone.

From what seemed to be an encouraging start, reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com we moved on to the entree. And as usual, my brother took a minute to click a few pictures while I impatiently jumped in. I started off with the California Crush as visually, it seemed more appealing. And boy, what a delight it was! The taste of hot sautéed mushrooms with the cream sauce mixed with Mozzarella cheese searing through your mouth with generous portions of chicken simply shouts “heaven in a bite”. After my very first bite, I thought this restaurant was one that had been understated and deserved an exceptional review.