Y Magazine #476, June 22, 2017

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YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

JUN 22 - 28 2017 / ISSUE 476 • WEEKLY

PLUS!

Y WISHES OUR READERS PEACE AND HAPPINESS

MAGICAL MANAH

32

AMAZING AARHUS

36

BOHO BABES

40

COMPETITION

EDITOR’S

NOTE

The Spirit of Ramadan It’s the final week to enter our Spirit of Ramadan competition – and with a Playstation Pro 1TB up for grabs, it’s going to be a popular prize! For details, turn to page 14.

THE BAROMETER GOING UP

EID TRAVEL There’s been a last-minute rush to book airfares and hotels after the Eid Al Fitr holidays were announced this week. Are you taking a vacation?

GOING DOWN

THE TEMPERATURE The heatwave of last week has abated slightly, with temperatures around the country dipping to the high 30s. Let’s hope it continues!

THIS WEEK… Team Y has been getting some exercise with early evening walks on the beach, trying to avoid the tempting Eid sales at the malls to save money, and exploring Muttrah after dark.

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

Fast forward

I

t’s heartbreaking to learn that there has been yet another tragic bus accident in Oman. This one, which occurred just over a week ago near Qarn Al Alam, left seven people dead and 13 injured.

The Royal Oman Police say the horrific accident occurred when a tyre burst on the bus, which was travelling from the UAE to Yemen, causing it to veer into the opposite lane and hit a large lorry. As you may recall, 2016 was an exceptionally bad year for bus accidents and Y Magazine was at the forefront of coverage, pushing for change and tougher road safety regulations.

In our cover story this week, Team Y has been investigating the most recent bus tragedy, speaking to a range of people, such as medical personnel who treated the survivors and witnesses. But while the ROP investigation is ongoing, it is hard to pinpoint exactly what went wrong.

Meanwhile, we’d like to remind our readers that Team Y will be taking a break for Eid Al Fitr and Y Magazine will not be published next Thursday (June 29). But we’ll be back on July 6, bigger and better than ever before!

Eid Mubarak to all of our readers – and drive safely!

editor@y-oman.com

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

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

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

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

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JUN 22 - 28 / ISSUE 476

03

contents JUN

Your Oman

-

28

2017

This Week

06 Coffee With Y

Monique Helou

14 Spirit of Ramadan

Y Gives back with fun competitions

08 Voice Of Oman

Felicity Glover 10 News

Oman prepares for Eid

Al Fitr 12 Gallery

Honda launch

10

22

18 Movies

Pirates of the

Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge

Features 19 Ramadan Car Guide

Top auto deals during

the Holy Month 26 End of the Road

Another fatal bus crash

rocks the Sultanate

19

13 News

New e-visa portal announced

Cars and Adventures 32 Destination

Manah

Health and Beauty

34 First Drive

Toyota Fortuner 36 Postcard From

Aarhus, Denmark 38 Y-Fi

Work gadgets

18 40 Fashion

Boho babes 42 Beauty

Close shave

Food and Drink 44 Food Feature

Healthy kids

44

43 Health

Easy workouts

38 40

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

u

ue Helo

Moniq

Alvin Thomas meets th e multitalented Moniq ue Helou, a fashionista who knows h ow to cut fabric nterviews with fashionistas and Notre

I

Dame University in Louaize, social media “influencers” “So, the two years that I did are Leb ano n, before gaining a master’s commonplace these days. ‘no thing’, I was attracted to the deg ree in international affairs and sheer But there’s nothing commo beauty of Oman. This made nplace dip lom acy . me about this week’s subject. appreciate the essence of life In 2000, after the civil war, , and She is Monique Helou and Monique thereby push me unlike to another dream that headed to the United Arab many social media “influence Emirates I had: to become an artist.” rs”, she as a newlywed. But her firs has extensive experience in t few days “I went to an Indian teache her field. there were “depressing” afte r in Ruwi To put it simply, she knows r the loss of and thenother what she is her father afte teachers, and learned r a medical error by his talking about. how to draw and paint. I wa doctor. s getting Our meeting point is at a bak bet ter, and soon, I did a gallery ery at “H e was young,” she says, “he wa – my City Centre Muscat, where s first – which was sponsored Monique only 56 and ver by a y healthy. This affected Leb is inaugurating a new fashio anese bank here in Oman. n line for me deeply and I wanted to I even her Desigual (yes, the Barce get help to sold 18 painti lona-based recover from ngs in that exhibition!” the shock.” clothing company) franchise.

This was also the time Sayyid So what did she do? She trie a Susan She cuts short her meet-andd to Al Said, the founder of Bait Mu greet analyse what the real proble zna session and approaches me m wit h the Gallery, noticed Mo to say nique and asked her It’s immediately clear that Mo hello. healthcare system was, to work for the to be the gallery’s general manag nique has betterment of the er. a lively, engaging personalit system.

“I y and is a rea lly loved my time there, and Sh e says: “The thing is, is that woman of great character.

I got the chance to meet som people don’t know much abo e am azi ng “Today, everyone wants to ut the ir Omani artists. That was how be a bodies, and the doctors unf I got to fashion designer and when ortunately meet people her they gain e and experience some are n’t becoming teachers of hea a little bit of fame, they lau lth. of the culture and heritage,” nch their “They do not teach you how she says. fashion line. to take But in 2014, Monique wante care of yourself. “Nowadays, d to “But I have a different school you are set up a business of her ow becoming a number; the doc n. And thought. I believe that if I hav of tor doe s being a self-confessed “fashi e to work not have time for onista you. Five minutes is and in fashion, I have to learn and shopaholic” she decided to study all you get with a doctor, right? open fashion.

Vivid Trading. Currently, she “I wanted to change that, and owns the “So, even before I started my so franchises for Desigual and fashion I studied and becam SuperDry. blog [delachique.net] or sty e a Registered “It was a challenge, but afte ling people, Holistic Nutrit r months ionist and Registered I got certified as a fashion blo of work and a lot of meetin gger and Nutritional Consu gs, it professional stylist from the ltant Practitioner happened,” she sighs.

School of from the Canad ian School of Natural Fashion in Milan.

Monique, who is 46, is also Nutrition.” on a “I wanted to enter the world mis sion to spread the word of in a She then worked with VLCC health in professional way. If you are the fashion and beauty indust planning Wellness in Dubai, where she ry. on setting something up, you gave “Nowadays, beauty and fas must give lectures in institu hion go tions and hospitals, your all to it.” han d-in-hand with your health. spr ead ing aw are Back in nes s about general Born in Lebanon during the the days many international period health, eating hab magazines of the civil war – which last its and other issues. endors ed 15 years ed selling supplements, plastic Monique is also an active me – Monique spent her early mber surgeries, etc. to the masses. days wanting of the Intern ational Organisation of to become a counsellor for She then asks me a questio peace and Nutritional Co n: “I nsultants and holds tranquility in the region. bel ieve in healthy natural therap we llness talks in Oman. y “I wanted to be a parliament (healthy eating, natural sup of the “This period helped me ove ple me nts, youth, and an ambassador. rcome etc), and just look at me: do I use some of the depression tha I look like a see so much violence around d to t I had middle-aged woman?” me, I just incurred follow ing the loss of my wanted to propagate peace.

And you know what? She doe ” fath er,” she says. sn’t.

It can’t have been easy for her Fin ally, she says: “Be natural to , as Bu t in 2009, her fortunes changed heal she was barred by her parent your body from within. Th s from again and she moved to Mu is is how entering politics. scat with you connect with your bod her husband, who was startin y. If you are “They were scared that the ga healthy, you will glow and the re was no business with his n will you family. growth in the field. And at look prettier and confident. that point, I “I told my family that I will ” did not stand against their take will.” a break and be with my son By the age of 19, however, Have you got a unique story to tell? , but me Monique being who I am Contact us to , I just couldn’t take a have coffee with Y and be featured got a degree in Computer Sci in Y Magazine. ence from break,” laughs Mo Email: editor@y-oman.com nique.

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THE VOICE OF OMAN FELICITY GLOVER ON RECKLESS DRIVING DURING RAMADAN

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED:

I

s it just me or has there been an increase in frightening behaviour on our roads in Muscat since the start of Ramadan? Of course, dangerous driving is something many of us experience pretty much on a daily basis here – but it appears to worsen during the Holy Month.

Driving to work on a recent weekday morning got me thinking about just how ignorant and selfish some drivers can be, when, in the space of five minutes or so, I had three near misses.

If it were not for my quick thinking and cautious driving, I’d hate to think what the outcome could have been. Would I have been involved in a life-changing situation because a driver couldn’t be bothered to give way to oncoming traffic? Or another motorist thought a stop sign didn’t apply to him because he was chatting away on his mobile phone and everybody else should give way to him?

Nobody is above the law and we have road rules for a reason: to ensure the safety of drivers and their families as they make their way about their business in Oman.

But what if you are involved in a tragic accident through no fault of your own? What if there were injuries or – worse – a fatality and somebody didn’t make it home to their loved ones because another person didn’t care enough about their fellow man to drive safely?

It’s about respect for Oman’s road rules and respect for the safety and well-being of others.

Driving recklessly shows enormous disrespect, not only during Ramadan, but also throughout the year.

As we approach the Eid Al Fitr holidays, I hope this time will bring joy and peace to everybody – as well to the motorists on our roads.

08

JUN 22 - 28 / ISSUE 476

Are you planning to go away for the Eid break?

If so, have you found that airfares are too expensive?

CHARLIE SY BULFANGO

Even if I have a plan this Eid, it’s never going to happen. As I work in a psychiatric hospital, getting a good schedule for a vacation is just too unrealistic in our workplace. That is why I will just spend my Eid taking care of the less fortunate. As for airfares, I think they are moderately high so better just to spend your vacation within the outskirts of Oman. Our country has lots of enchanting and serene places waiting to be discovered.

ALI SAIF AL RAHBI

Airfares are definitely expensive during peak seasons and holidays such as Eid, Christmas and summer etc, especially to well-known tourist destinations. As Eid holidays are announced, they will soar again. In order to save money, I have no plans to go outside Oman for the Eid break.

Instead, my family and I can will just go and drive to Salalah for the khareef season or enjoy the cool weather in the beautiful nature and surroundings of Jabal Akhdar or Jabal Shams.

The most important thing is that you spend the Eid break with your family, relatives, and significant others.

USHA DEVI SUDDAPALLI

Certainly, airfares are too prohibitive unless one has planned the itinerary well and booked the tickets well in advance. I have heard that the most sought-after destinations; in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Phillipines etc

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are fully booked. So are popular tourist destinations like Malaysia, the Maldives, Thailand and Italy etc.

Now, one has to look for alternative destinations in Europe and North America etc. As far as we are concerned, we have a few unused tickets still valid for destinations in Europe and the USA that we would like to use but only after the Eid holidays are announced.

ALI AL-RAHMA

It depends on the destination you choose. If it’s a destination in demand, yes, airfares will be high. It also depends on the length of the holiday but yes, airfares are starting to increase.

JASON FELIX NORONHA

We always welcome the Eid break in Oman as it gives us some respite from our hectic office routines and offers an opportunity to spend quality time with our families. Traditionally, it has been the norm that airfares shoot up during the Eid week as companies try to make a quick buck and take advantage of the situation. If one has to be fair to all, there has to be a regulatory policy in place to control the price hike as everyone looks forward to meeting their loved ones and celebrating the festivities together. That said, we will be in Oman as the weather is hot and we have travel plans later this year, so we will save some money by not going away.

VENU G NAYER

Volume plays a big game in business but, sorry to say, in times of high demand airlines wield sharp

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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.

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swords to kill every chance of sharing good times with one’s nearest and dearest from your home country.

Thank God I am in Oman as there are lots of vacation opportunities in this beautiful country.

SYED BOKHARI

Well, it has become a habit for airlines to increase fares during holidays and festivals. Unless the fares are regulated, I feel that it’s better to save money and cherish spending the time at home with your family.

What matters is being with your loved ones. So if it has to be at home then stay home and save the money for another occasion.

MOHAN ANANDAN

It is expensive by all means, particularly for Indian sectors. During Eid and summer and winter vacations, airlines tend to hike prices exorbitantly, ostensibly to meet the surge in “demand”. This will remain so unless some drastic measures are enforced by regulators, which appear to be a distant dream. Till then, we can only beat the price conundrum, to a certain extent, by planning our trips and booking well in advance as much as possible.

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nothing for us poor passengers.

MOHAMMED ALI

Yes, I was planning to go to India for the holiday but due to the high fares I took a mid- July fare which was much cheaper. The fares should be the same throughout the year, though. The cost of air tickets has become a bit like a vegetable market where the prices fluctuate every day. There is

HASNA HAJRI

No, I’m not planning to travel during the Eid holidays but I assume the airfares will be higher than usual. I imagine airlines get maximum profits from cashing in on special occasions.

New Debate: In light of the recent fatal accident between a truck and an Emirati tour bus near Qarn Al Alam, what more can be done to improve road safety in the Sultanate?

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

DR RAO BHASKARA SUDDAPALLI

It’s not uncommon for airfares to become too expensive around this time of the Holy month of Ramadan, when most expatriates would like to join their families back home to observe Eid festivities.

Those serious about doing so would have already booked their air tickets well in advance thus beating these expensive fares. This time around, while it is clear that the Eid holidays will start on July 23 there is uncertainty over when work will resume. Thus, only those who have not decided and are waiting to take a call on when to go and where will surely have a tough time in getting confirmed seats, even if they are ready to pay more. So we have decided to wait until the formal declaration of the holiday comes through.

RITA NORONHA was spotted with her favourite Y Magazine in Muscat THIS IS YOUR SPOT!

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Send it to: info@y-oman.com

ZAHID SAEED

Airline fares are much too high during Eid. There should be some kind of regulatory system in place to prevent airlines from taking advantage of customers during the holiday season. As a result, many people will simply opt for a “staycation” and enjoy being with their families at one of the many beautiful spots in Oman.

ANTONY VETTIYAZHICKAL JOSEPH

Whether expensive or not, the cost of airfares has never had much of an effect on my friends and me as we are just blue-collar workers. We can’t enjoy overseas vacations for obvious reasons but we are lucky that we can enjoy spending our leisure time with colleagues and friends and join the Eid celebrations. We get this chance twice a year and it’s worth enjoying. It’s a reprieve from slogging away, unless we are roped in for work on holidays too, for which we get paid extra and that is also a satisfaction of sorts.

NADEEM NOOR

Eid Al Fitr is a joyous time during which families travel back to their home countries and many of them have a tough time doing so because of how expensive it is to buy an airline ticket. It’s disappointing for us in that while we plan to go back to our home country we can’t do so.

At this time of the year airfares should be set within an affordable limit as a way of showing love to mark the end of Ramadan.

JUN 22 - 28 / ISSUE 476

09

YOUR

OMAN

NEWS

OMAN ALL SET FOR EID AL FITR

SUHAR AIRPORT H TO GAIN INTERNATIONAL STATUS

R

esidents of Oman will soon be able to take international flights from Suhar Airport.

This is good news for those having to drive hundreds to kilometres to Muscat International Airport in Seeb to catch their flights.

The Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) has said that it was working with the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and Oman Airport Management Company (OAMC) to commence international services from Suhar.

PACA has already granted the UAEbased airline Air Arabia to operate direct flights between Suhar and Sharjah three times a week, the dates for which will be announced soon.

The authority said that Qatar Airways had also expressed interest to start international flights from Suhar.

PACA this week granted a license to SalamAir to start operations from Suhar to Salalah during the Khareef season, from June 28 to September 15, to cope with the summer rush.

In addition, Suhar Airport will serve as an emergency alternative to Muscat Airport for passengers and cargo coming into the Sultanate.

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olidays announced and shopping sprees over, Omanis and other residents across the Sultanate are set to observe Eid Al Fitr.

The first day of Eid al Fitr is based on the sighting of the moon – in the shape of a thin crescent – but is expected to be announced this weekend.

Meanwhile, workers of both government and private sector institutions have been given a long break – from Saturday, June 24, to Thursday, June 29 – as a part of the Eid celebrations.

Work will resume on July 2, translating to a nineday break.

The extended break has resulted in a rush in people booking to travel abroad for “mini-vacations”, while it has been reported that all airlines operating to India are booked out until June 25.

“My phone has not stopped ringing ever since the holidays were announced on Sunday afternoon,” said Arun Aravind, a retail sales employee at a local travel agency.

“It’s difficult now to get seats reserved because all flights are packed. Nine days of holidays have prompted people to celebrate Eid back home.”

Another travel agent told Y that the top destinations of choice include India, the UAE, Qatar, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, many Omanis have been reported to be opting for cities like London, Paris and Madrid to spend their holidays.

Regardless, airline officials are

advising all passengers to reach the airport at least three hours before departure to avoid cancellation or delays.

Pre-Eid preparations have also translated to packed malls and shopping centres across Oman.

A spokesperson for Markaz Al Bahja mall in Seeb said: “For the past two weeks we have been witnessing a rise in our footfall. This is because people like to stay back home for the weekend prior to Eid, as it is a time for prayer and devotion.”

Y Magazine would like to extend a hearty Eid Mubarak to all of our readers, and wish everyone peace and prosperity.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH TO REPLACE EXPAT PHARMACISTS WITH OMANIS

A

s part of its efforts to boost Omanisation around the country, the Ministry of Health (MoH) announced this week that 42 expatriate pharmacy sector workers will be replaced

by Omanis.

The MoH has already issued a list of Omanis who will replace the expats in these positions, and the jobs include 26 pharmacist positions and 16 assistant pharmacist positions in various health centres and hospitals.

“The Omani pharmacists chosen must have bachelors’ degrees, and have an 8th degree within ministry ranking,” read the statement that was released to the media.

“The Omani assistant pharmacists chosen must have a diploma, and have a 9th degree within ministry ranking.

The individuals must also undergo an interview before being confirmed for the positions,” it added.

According to the MoH, official assignments will be handed over to the individuals listed for the positions

within two weeks. However, it must be noted that individuals listed will not be eligible if they work for any of the country’s administrative units, whether they are civil, military or security agencies.

The Omanisation programme was set in motion in 1988 and it aims to provide skilled Omanis better career opportunities within the country.

Recruitment agencies in the Sultanate report that more than 80 per cent of all job vacancies currently posted are for Omanis only.

HANDSOME HONDA

GALLERY

OMASCO, THE LOCAL HONDA DISTRIBUTOR IN THE SULTANATE, RECENTLY LAUNCHED THE ALL-NEW 2017 CR-V. VIP GUESTS WERE TREATED TO AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK OF THE FIFTHGENERATION CR-V AT THE HONDA SHOWROOM IN WATTAYA.

JUN 22 - 28 / ISSUE 476

011

YOUR

STRONG SUPPORT

OMAN

HORIZON FITNESS RECENTLY SIGNED A ONE-YEAR SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH THE OMAN SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAM. VIP GUESTS AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY INCLUDED HH SAYYID FAISAL BIN TURKI AL SAID, THE PATRON OF THE OMAN SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAM, AND ADNAN MUBARAK KHALFAN AL AWIDI, THE TEAM’S SPORTS DIRECTOR. THE DEAL INCLUDES FULL SPONSORSHIP OF THE ATHLETES’ GENERAL GYM ADMISSION, AS WELL AS FOR SPECIALISED CLASSES THAT WILL BE DEVELOPED BASED ON THE ATHLETES’ NEEDS.

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NEWS

GALLERY

E-VISA SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE FOR TOURISTS VISITING OMAN

I

n what is good news for tourists planning trips to Oman, getting a visa will now be simpler thanks to a new e-visa portal that was launched by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) this week (June 19).

The online visa portal was launched in the presence of His Excellency Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, the Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs.

The online system is expected to help cut down the time required to obtain a visa, allowing tourists to apply for visas online in a matter of minutes.

“This is going to be a major change in the way visas have been processed,” Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah said after launching the e-visa portal.

Currently, people from 67 countries can apply online for a visa through the website at a cost of RO20.

In a statement released to the media, the ROP said: “You can apply from anywhere in the world and receive the visa in five minutes. All it takes is three steps.

“We hope to increase online visa procedures to greatly exceed those who

apply otherwise, from two per cent online as it currently stands, to 98 per cent online,” it added.

ROP officials tested the new and streamlined system for more than 12 months before finally

THROUGH YOUR EYES

deciding to implement it.

Meanwhile, the portal is also comprehensive: companies can process residence visas for 116 professions through the system.

SHARE YOUR PHOTO WITH Y TO BE FEATURED IN OUR NEW READER SECTION

As the sun sets over Muttrah Corniche, Prajeesh AP was able to capture the renowned “blue hour” as it cast its soft light over the port. Prajeesh used a Canon 600D to take this stunning photo.

PHOTO: Prajeesh AP

Send your photo to editor@y-oman.com to be featured in our new section, Through Your Eyes. Include where it was taken, your name and a few details about your photograph, such as the camera used.

JUN 22 - 28 / ISSUE 476

013

5 k e We

The Spirit of

THE HOLY MONTH IS ABOUT SHARING THE SPIRIT OF RAMADAN, AND Y HAS SOME SPECIAL TREATS LINED UP FOR THE FINAL WEEK OF OUR MONTH-LONG COMPETITION

Grand Prize

Win a Sony PlayStation Pro!

W

e’ve got a supercharged PS4 Pro 1TB to give away as our final grand prize this week! Offering spectacular graphics and enhanced gameplay, the PS4 Pro is one of the coolest gaming consoles on the market today. With up to 4K streaming, the faster frame delivers sharp action and it’s also compatible with every PS4 game, while you can also test your skills with other

Mountain Getaway

players on PlayStation Plus. To enter, all you have to do is create a “10 Seconds of Summer” video of you or your family and friends at your favourite hangout in Oman. But remember, the video can only be 10 seconds long and you will need to be as creative as you can! Email your video, including your name and phone number, to editor@y-oman. com no later than Monday, July 3. Good luck!

There’s no better time than now to escape the heat of the city and head up to Jebel Akhdar, where the temperatures are at least 15 degrees Celsius cooler. Perched 2,000 metres above sea level in the Hajar Mountains, Alila Jabal Akhdar is the perfect escape for adventure travellers, nature lovers and those seeking a retreat from the desert heat. Best of all, Alila Jabal Akhdar is giving away one night’s stay for two people, inclusive of breakfast and dinner.

To enter, all you have to do is post a picture on either Facebook, Instagram or Twitter (or all three!) of yourself or your surroundings showing us the temperature. The post with the most likes, comments and shares will be declared the winner. And don’t forget to include all of the following hashtags in your post:

• #15DegreesCooler • #AlilaJabalAkhdar • #YMagazine Competition closes: Monday, July 3.

Retail Therapy

THE HEART OF TOWN SINCE 1985

The first mall in the Sultanate of Oman, SABCO Centre is where pleasure and convenience meets luxury shopping. Its original blend of traditional and modern décor radiates a quiet elegance that adds to the shopping experience. With 80 prestigious outlets in addition to the Souk shops, SABCO Centre is one of the most popular malls in Oman.

It’s a must-visit destination for residents and tourists who frequent it for top-of-the-line products from a variety of international brands.

In addition, the Souk at SABCO Centre provides an offering of handmade brocades, copperware, hand-woven carpets, silver crafts, silks and kaftans from Oman and around the world. To win a RO40 SABCO V8_ALL LOGOS OF SABCO.Ai SABCO.AO Centre shopping voucher, simply tell us: What is the name of the French restaurant opening in SABCO Centre?

Email your answer, including your name and phone number, to editor@y-oman.com no later than Monday, July 3. Good luck!

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JUN 22 - 28 / ISSUE 476

Ramadan

Powered by

Dine in Style Nestled between the mountains and the sea, the Ibis Muscat hotel, which is owned by Accor Hotels, is conveniently located in Al Khuwair. With 171 rooms, the three-star hotel also features a range of modern, well-equipped meeting rooms and complimentary Wi-Fi. Offering a delicious all-day dining option at its Oopen Pasta & Grill Restaurant, it’s a great place to chill with friends in the evening or to host a business lunch or dinner. During Ramadan, Ibis Muscat will be offering Iftar for RO9.5 per person. And we have an Iftar voucher for two people to dine at the hotel this month. To enter, simply answer the following question: How many Ibis hotels exist worldwide?

Email your answer, including your name and phone number, to editor@y-oman.com no later than Monday, July 3. Good luck!

Street style Inspired by food trucks, Sauce Street Kitchen is a street-style restaurant founded by Omanis. The restaurant specialises in burgers, steaks, healthy food, a variety of sweet delights and refreshing drinks, including the bestselling Orange-Passion Juice. Located on Saih Al Malih Street in Qurum, the goal of the restaurant is to make every guest experience a great and an exciting one, and to serve good-quality food. We have a Sauce Street Kitchen voucher worth RO25 to give away to one lucky reader this week.

To enter, answer the following question: What hours is Sauce Street Kitchen open during Ramadan?

Email your answer, including your name and phone number, to editor@y-oman.com no later than Monday, July 3. Good luck!

Part-time or full-time studies

BSc(Hons) or Diploma in: Event Management

l al s! to itie n al pe n O tio na

w w w .o tc .e du .o m

STUDY THE FUTURE STUDY TOURISM

Tourism Marketing Tourism & Hospitality Management

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Relaxing break Nestled between the dramatic backdrop of rugged mountains and the pristine waters of the Gulf of Oman, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah is a family and leisure-focused destination resort just 20 minutes’ drive from downtown Muscat. With a total of 640 rooms and suites, six swimming pools, a private beach and 500-metre lazy river, it is the place to keep calm and beat the heat this summer. To be in with a chance to win a one night stay for two people at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, inclusive of breakfast, simply answer the following question: How long does it take to drive from downtown Muscat to the Shangri-La Barr al Jissah Resort & Spa? Email your answer, including your name and phone number, to editor@y-oman.com no later than Monday, July 3. Good luck!

*Stunning Suhar

Are you looking for a short weekend break away from the city? Then base yourself at the Mercure Sohar hotel and explore all the delights that Suhar has to offer. Just 200km from Muscat, it’s an easy drive for that well-earned weekend break. Offering 152 stylish rooms and an outdoor temperaturecontrolled swimming pool, it’s the second hotel in Oman to be opened by AccorHotels.

For a chance to win a one-night stay for two people at the Mercure Sohar hotel, simply answer the following question: What is the brand colour of Mercure Hotels?

Email your answer, including your name and phone number, to editor@y-oman.com no later than Monday, July 3. Good luck!

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SABCO COMMERCIAL CENTRE: Syed Ali MH IBIS MUSCAT IFTAR VOUCHER: Jensen John SAUCE STREET KITCHEN: Stuti Kumar MERCURE SOHAR: Karima al Kharusi

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Tubelight

Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge For some reason, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise appears to have passed me by. There are some things so well marketed that while one has heard of them, you don’t feel drawn to them – like Instagram, Adele or the Atkins diet.

Still, I have now seen my first Pirates flick, the fifth in the series.

In this, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) hooks up with two youngsters Henry and Carina to find Poseidon’s Trident, a curse that can control all of the sea’s curses. If they succeed, Jack can shake off an undead crew that is after him and Henry can find his father.

For good measure, he encounters old buddy Captain Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), and venal villain Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem) with whom he has a history.

However, I can’t see what all the fuss is about, on the strength of this.

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This movie made for the second dullest evening I’ve had this month, and was only marginally more entertaining than a Melodic Death Metal gig (don’t ask) that I was dragged along to last week.

I’m just not getting it. It’s awash with swashbuckling action, fight scenes and CGI wizardry but the pace is a bit, well, pedestrian, Sparrow is just completely OTT, and it all seems like a rip-roaring romp that’s a comedy masquerading as an action movie.

However, acting titans Rush and Bardem stop Depp from doing a Dick Turpin with the whole picture.

Mind you, maybe playing the famous 18th-century English highwayman would be another (and highly lucrative) vehicle for Depp to camp it up some more. This effort fails to stand, and deliver.

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.

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Contact: Movie enquiries 2460 7360

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There’s nothing like a good, oldfashioned family drama to remind us what’s important in life. In a small town in northern India, Laxman (Salman Khan) lives with his brother Bharat (Sohail Khan). Neither is married or has kids so the brothers are close. When war breaks out, Bharat is drafted into the army and Laxman gets left behind. As the number of casualties rises and the war takes a turn for the

worse, Laxman realises he has to do something. Simply waiting for his beloved bro to come home in a body bag and be handed a very neatly folded up flag is not on his agenda.

Vanamagen I’m not exactly sure whether this is meant to be a reboot of Tarzan or Crocodile Dundee but set in a different stratosphere.

A denizen of the densest of jungles soon finds himself in a modern city.

Still, our hero (Jeyem Ravi) is up to the challenge of being airlifted to the city from his remote island along the Indian coast, the lifestyle of which hasn’t changed in hundreds of years.

Aha, but when he falls in love then that’s when the trouble starts (doesn’t it always?!) If you can overlook an unsubtle hint of how empty our world of plenty really is, then sit back and enjoy.

Long View THE BEGUILED When an injured Union soldier in the American Civil War (Colin Farrell) is taken in to a posh allgirls’ school in Virginia, you know there’s going to be a tinderbox of tension more combustible than a mountain-sized portion of fried green tomatoes.

Headmistress Nicole Kidman runs a tight ship, and an injured Yankee is not about to threaten it.

However, as she attempts to tend his injuries, she uncovers some feelings in her that have lain dormant for years.

Trouble is, her colleague Kirsten Dunst has not been immune to the soldier’s charms either. There’s more to these girls than starched, pearl-white petticoats; you can count on it. Sofia Coppola directs.

Oman Release Date: July 29

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Photos: Alvin Thomas

After the deaths of eight people in last week’s horrific bus crash, Route 15’s reputation as ‘the most dangerous road in Oman’ is under the spotlight yet again. Alvin Thomas reports

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ednesday, June 14, 2017: it is 6.30pm and the mood of the 34 passengers on a bus travelling along Oman’s Route 15 highway is slowly lifting as the clock ticks towards 6.54pm, the time for Maghrib.

It’s been a long journey already, with the passengers originally boarding the bus in Dubai, in the UAE, to travel to their home city of Sana’a, Yemen, via Salalah.

Many passengers have already started preparing for Iftar as the next stopover will be Al Ghaba – a city two hours away – where the bus will refuel with diesel and the passengers can buy some much-needed sustenance for the long journey ahead.

But in the next few moments their lives will change forever.

And just past 6.30pm, as the bus is cruising along the Qarn Al Alam corridor, 40km from the village of Qarn Al Alam, the unexpected happens: the cabin is filled with the earsplitting and unmistakeable sound of an exploding tyre; the fully loaded, luxury blue coach has just popped its front-left-side tyre, and the driver has lost control of the bus.

On the other side of the road is an oncoming truck, hauling a trailer carrying a large load – a JCB generator used to power electrical units at a road construction site.

Suddenly, the bus slams into the rear of the truck, sheering off the rear axle before taking out the green trailer and its load.

The front of the bus is completely exposed. The

impact has caused young children and women too. The third patient was talking normally and sitting at the front of the bus to be hurled onto the narrating the incident to us like anyone would but road. when we put him under observation, I noticed Their screams echo around the area, according that he had blood in his lungs and severe internal to a witness on the scene. And as expected, the bleeding.” extent of the incident is “catastrophic”.

The man soon collapsed and was rushed to Twisted metal, luggage, blankets, personal items Nizwa Hospital for emergency surgery. However, and food have been scattered over the area, as the he died the next day. first of the rescue members from the Royal Oman “Most of the cases that I tended to were head Police (ROP) arrive at the scene of the crash. injuries and severe fractures,” says the doctor.

However, the distance of Qarn Al Alam from “This is characteristic of accidents that happen at any nearby hospitals and medical centres mean high speeds and are very difficult to treat without rescue teams take up to an hour-and-a-half to the proper surgery facilities.” reach the scene.

The fatalities are confirmed the next day: eight Sadly, however, it is too late for some of the 34 people were killed and 12 were critically injured. passengers who died at the scene. The casualty Further investigations reveal that it appears to be rate is already two even before rescue services hot weather conditions and a weakened tyre that arrive. caused the blow-out that resulted in the horrific The news breaks via the social media platform incident.

WhatsApp almost instantly, with many people “Initial details of the collision between a trailer sharing images of the mangled wreckage. truck and an Emirati bus on June 14 indicate that Meanwhile, far away in the wilayats of Adam the bus veered to the opposite lane, incoming and Nizwa, doctors are preparing to take the first from Dhofar, due to a burst front left tyre,” says of those injured into their intensive care units. the ROP in an online statement to the media.

One of the on-call doctors (who wishes to be The ROP further states: “The road is level and unnamed), who tends to the first of the patients, INITIAL DETAILS OF THE tells Y: “I was on duty at the time.

COLLISION BETWEEN A TRAILER “Two of the four patients that were rushed to us were bleeding heavily and there was nothing TRUCK AND AN EMIRATI BUS ON JUNE we could really do to save their lives.

14 INDICATE THAT THE BUS VEERED “One of the patients was a seven-year-old TO THE OPPOSITE LANE, INCOMING child, and he breathed his last moments after he FROM DHOFAR, DUE TO A BURST reached our hospital.

FRONT LEFT TYRE “Soon after, we lost another male patient, JUN 22 - 28 / ISSUE 476

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We begin our journey before sunrise to get a head start on the trip and before the worst of the traffic kicks in. The drive from Muscat to Manah is fairly straightforward with very little in the way of diversions, damaged roads and straight, and is clear of any hurdles or traffic. road diversions. The speed limit on the However, the road is set at 120km. The white arrows dual-carriageway in the picture [that was tweeted with the narrows in size to a statement] show the marks on the road as single carriageway. the bus veered to the opposite lane.”

This means we are Out of the eight dead, six were Yemeni exposed to traffic from the other side, and also the while the other two were Emirati. numerous vehicles that overtake each other.

A spokesperson for Yemen’s Ambassador to We also notice that there are no cameras (not Oman says: “It causes us great pain to see the loss even mobile-units) to monitor the traffic on the of the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters.

“Most of the people who took the bus were those road. All of this means we see numerous cars who were living and working in the UAE, and were skyrocketing past us at implausible speeds.

This, coupled with uneven surfaces and simply travelling back home for Eid. “Eid was another 10 days away, but many may have seen it as an opportunity to spend some extra time with their families. It is very tragic, this incident.”

The road to Yemen crosses the capital city of Muscat and then connects to Route 15, which ends with the cities of Salalah and Al Mazyunah, before finally entering the border crossing of Yemen.

Route 15 has been deemed the “most dangerous road in Oman” and a “highway of horror” by several safety experts, as it lays witness to several fatal accidents every month.

Just a month ago, on May 18, two buses collided on the Qarn Al Alam corridor, resulting in two deaths and 34 injuries. And on April 28, two people were killed and seven left in intensive care potholes make for a perilous journey. Also note after a Salalah Line Transport bus and a private that there are no fuel stations until the village of truck collided near Haima.

A road-safety expert, who declined to be named, Al Ghaba, which is 100km away from Manah.

Cellular connectivity is extremely patchy and told Y: “The cases [of accidents] have only for the most part, we have to rely on our onbeen rising and gaining in frequency, and this is board GPS to get to our desired location. worrying.

En route, we find wealth of abandoned tyres “The road to Salalah has grown old but the Government is building roads in the area that will and car parts, such as bumpers, side-skirts, wheels, nuts and bolts, air suspension units make travel to Salalah safer. But, right now, the buses and trucks still have to drive across this road. from high-end buses and even engine gaskets, littering the side of the road. We spot the remains “This means that there will be a chance for of a Lexus SUV near Al Ghaba, which has accidents involving these vehicles. Right now, abandoned its bumper on the side of the road. the biggest problem is that there is no divider in The vehicle – based on the marks on the bumper between each track, and that means people resort – was clearly hit from the front. to dangerous overtaking.

Later in the evening, our source at Adam “The Government is moving in the right Hospital reports that two vehicles had been in direction when it comes to road safety. Lots of campaigns have been done over the past few years a head-on collision only moments before us.

The victims faced injuries ranging from minor to reduce severe fatalities.”

He advises drivers to remain extra cautious while concussion to shock and neck pains.

We stop by the petrol station to enquire about driving on this stretch of road. Drive easy, drive what the villagers are saying about the accidents slowly and drive cautiously, he says. that have afflicted the area.

“Take regular breaks and share the driving if Suleiman Akdhar, a truck driver who frequently possible. And always make sure to check your tyres travels from Salalah to Muscat in his goods lorry, before setting off. It wouldn’t be the end of the says: “I have been driving on these roads for 20 world if you actually did it every 200km.” years now.

As the Eid holidays approach, more people “I haven’t seen any drastic change to this road are expected to travel to Salalah and other areas except for police patrols in the area. The main around the Wilayat of Nizwa. problem with this road is the width: it isn’t good So, before that we felt obliged to take a drive to the village of Qarn Al Alam to assess the situation enough for overtaking, and is certainly not fit for speeding on.” and report on the road’s conditions.

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JUN 22 - 28 / ISSUE 476

Interrupting Suleiman, a furious truck driver from India, Jamal Singh, adds: “The biggest problem we have on this road is buses. They drive recklessly and overtake at will. Just today, I had to stop on a yellow divider to avoid being hit by a transport bus taking tourists to Salalah.

“Things only get worse at night, as there are no street lights. These buses blind us with their high beams. They also zoom at very high speeds at night. I think they do close to 160kph then, as the police patrol is very scarce at that time of the day.”

Suleiman then adds: “You cannot also make sudden changes to your direction. It is a straight road and you have to make sure that you have enough space between every vehicle if you are to overtake a vehicle.”

En route, we also spoke to a labourer, who was one of the first on the scene of the accident. He is initially hesitant to speak to us, stating that he was only doing his duty to report to the police.

He also directs us to the crash site, but not before warning us that the vehicle is still parked by the side of the road and that there is blood.

He recalls [roughly translated from Hindi]: “The sight of blood and the noise of the screams will never leave me. I will carry it with me for the rest of my life.

But I feel that the people who were travelling on the road and the ROP were collectively able to help at least a few of them survive.”

The number of road accidents in the Sultanate fell by 28.8 per cent during the first quarter of 2017. In the second quarter of this year, they fell by 10 per cent.

While this is progress, it must be noted that Oman has seen a total of 895 accidents in the first quarter of this year alone, of which the number of deaths stood at 150. This is a drop from the previously recorded 1,257 accidents in the first quarter of 2016. Road accidents in January, February and March this year were reported to be 318, 287 and 290, respectively. Meanwhile, the number of injuries fell to 691, a drop of 16.3 per cent.

But the chief executive of Oman Road Safety Association (ORSA), Ali al Barwani, thinks otherwise: “This drop in the number of accidents and deaths may be an achievement for the ROP. And to an extent, it is commendable. However, we need to aim for an accident-free country. We are such an advanced country and yet we force

ourselves to make mistakes on the road.”

As a matter of fact, recent statistics reveal that Oman had the most number of road accidents in 2016 in the entire Gulf region.

According to statistics from the GCC Stastical Centre’s website, Oman recorded a total of 4,721 accidents in 2016, closely followed by Saudi Arabia with 4,609 and Qatar with 4,322.

The number of accidents in Oman is 8.89 per 100,000 people in 2016 compared with 8.71 per 100,000 people in 2015, according to the ROP. However, a source at Nizwa Hospital, says the reason for the higher road fatalities in Oman compared with other GCC countries is the lack of world-class healthcare facilities outside of the capital, Muscat.

Citing the recent accident at Qarn al Alam, he says: “It took roughly an hour and 30 minutes for us to get the patients to the hospital. We even had to channel a few serious cases to Adam Hospital to get a head start on the medical procedures.

“But as you know, we did lose a total of eight people. It could have been reduced if we could have had an ambulance on standby somewhere close by. Usually, we do get air assistance in situations like this. But this time around we had to rely on ROP vehicles to transport the victims.

“We lost one patient due to internal bleeding [the patient that our source from the Adam Hospital referred to] because of the time that was taken to transport him to the location.

“Thankfully, Adam Hospital had reserve blood from our blood bank at the time the patients came in but it must be noted that there is no blood bank anywhere close to that hospital.”

He adds that the hospital relies on Nizwa Hospital for reserve blood. There is a distance of 57km between the two hospitals, or a journey of about 50 minutes.

“That is why, we have to make sure after an accident who goes where.

“I feel very sorry for all the people who have lost their lives on this stretch of road. Of course, a number of the cases of accidents are due to human error and not of mechanical malfunctions.

“So it is also up to the drivers to take into consideration the lives of the people they transport.”

Mwasalat, Oman’s road transport company, also runs services between Muscat and Salalah and return.

Taha al Busaidy, the health, safety and environment manager (HSE) of Mwasalat, says his company takes various steps to keep their buses safe during these long journeys, which other private bus companies do not always follow.

1) The first thing is that we have with us a dedicated journey management team.

We follow strict procedures to keep our drivers and passengers safe. For instance, we instruct our drivers to take a 15-minute break every two hours or a 30-minute break every four hours. This ensures that the drivers are fit, fresh and ready to take on the roads.

2) Secondly, we roster on two drivers per trip. In such a case, if one gets fatigued, the other will take over. We also have a duty officer who will call up our drivers (or co-drivers) before the estimated time of arrival and instruct them to take strict breaks.

3) Our drivers are trained at a comprehensive driving course that takes roughly three weeks to complete.

4) Every bus goes through an in-depth check. We also have inspectors on locations across the route map of the bus to inspect the bus.

5) All drivers go through a pre-medical check-up to ensure that they are ready for the journey that lays ahead.

6) All our buses are fitted with speed governors that restrict the bus to 100kph.

7) All buses are fitted with top-class safety features such as anti-lock braking system (ABS), engine bay extinguisher (to retard a fire should the engine catch fire) and many other features.

8) The most important factor is tyres. I know I am saying this last but we put the tyres of the bus through three steps of checking before every trip. First, they are inspected by our engineering team, the mechanics and then the drivers themselves. The bus will only be sanctioned for the journey if they pass this test. – Taha al Busaidy “Following the recent incident at Qarn al Alam, we have instructed our drivers on the driving situation en route to Salalah… again. We are also doing an awareness campaign with SMSs and posters.

“Whatever happened at Qarn al Alam is unfortunate and should never happen again. I certainly hope that we will act together – be it Mwasalat or any other company or private entity – to make our roads safer and a kinder place to commute on. Why? Because all of those who we have lost aren’t going to come back… ever.”

1. Check your tyre pressure monthly.

Tyres can lose approximately one pound per square inch of air (PSI) per month.

2. Inspect tyres regularly, especially before long road trips. At the time you’re checking tyre pressure or washing your car, do a physical inspection of your tyres. Don’t be afraid to get down on your hands and knees to do your inspection.

3. Rotate, rotate, rotate. To maintain even tread wear and to get the maximum life out of your tyres, it’s recommended that you rotate your tyres every 10,000km.

4. Don’t overload your vehicle. Located on the placard on your door frame is information on how much weight your vehicle can safely handle. Overloading

a vehicle can also cause tyre failure.

5. Don’t wait until your tyres are on their last legs before you replace them.

6. Don’t install mismatched tyres.

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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

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Adventures

Fa s h i o n

Health

Fo o d

LIFE STYLE

NATURE’S WAY

Good nutrition is vital for kids.

Check out our top tips in the Food section – P44.

JUN 22 - 28 / ISSUE 476

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

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

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

Y- F i

Gaming

Destination

MANAH

Photos: Alvin Thomas

ALVIN THOMAS ENCOUNTERS AN IDYLLIC SPOT THAT HELPS TO LIFT HIS MOOD

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that looked like they were being watered on a daily basis. But that seemed a bit odd to us.

As we continued exploring, we realised that the area may have been a valley at some point, harbouring much vegetation and trees. But the recent developments in the region mean that the water flowing down has been re-routed to other parts of the valley.

Walking on, we also noticed some wildlife… well, we came across one scorpion crawling about the foot of the mountain. We maintained a safe distance from it, dare it be threatened by us and try to sting us. Because of that, I didn’t bother taking a photo of it either.

But after a while, it went about its way and crept under a rock.

Once the coast was clear, we proceeded to sit down on one of the makeshift brick chairs (that was already made) and snack on our crisps.

Strangely, despite spending a lot of time in the car, it was here that we decided to talk about the journey we had undertaken: the long drive and the accident we were investigating that had taken so many lives.

The mood was grim but we spent a while looking into the mountains as the sun dug deeper and deeper into the horizon before finally setting behind the rocks. It was sublime, and frankly the saving grace of an otherwise despondent day.

But by the end, it had taught me one very important lesson: all of us here on earth will have to bid our goodbyes to each other and leave one day. We don’t know when that day will be, or how we will depart from here. But, for now, we have to pick up ourselves, be kind to each other, and admire everything and everyone around us.

All of this contemplation seemed fitting, as the name “Manah” roughly translates to “the giver”. Thank you Mother Nature; thank you Manah, for I now have a deeper respect and understanding of life.

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

I

f you were to think of some of the hidden gems of Oman, the setting that would first pop into your mind would be the gorgeous mountainous area of Jebel Akdhar. If you took time to think a little more, the lush greenery at Salalah, the forts of Nizwa and the valleys of Al Amerat would make it to that list of beautiful places to visit in the Sultanate.

However, hidden away in A’Dhakhiliya (yes, the governorate) is a humble town called Manah. And you know what? This may very well be among the most serene and tranquil places that I have ever been to.

It all started when Nishad (Y’s senior online editor) and I embarked on a journey to the village of Qarn al Alam to investigate the horrific bus-truck accident that took place last week.

We had travelled roughly 600km to reach the crash site, carried out our research, and then driven another 400km in our sprint back home. But it was 6.45pm and we knew we had to stop for a spot of nosh (after Iftar, obviously).

So I asked Nishad to stop by the village of Manah before heading any farther. Our initial plans were to head to the nearby fortress of Fiqain, which is a tourist destination. But, a mishap in feeding in the co-ordinates to our car’s on-board GPS, coupled with a mismarked board pointing towards the fort resulted in us ditching our plans to head there.

Just as we were giving up, though, we heard the evening prayer from a nearby mosque.

And before we knew it, the road had clogged up. So, we decided to stop on the side of the road, observe the prayer, and then break our fast with a bag of crisps that we had bought from one of the convenience stores at a fuel station.

Initially, we sat in the car while breaking our fast but soon, I looked out of the window into what can only be described as nirvana. We hadn’t realised it at first: we had parked next to a camp site.

It didn’t take us long to realise why this area had been adopted as a camp site. The tall mountains that flank the region means that the winds are quite strong, and the rocky but clean rocks mean it was perfect for those looking to set up and perhaps indulge in a spot of cooking out here.

We noticed a bit of vegetation, too. There were shrubs dried out from the sun, and some fresh ones

From Nizwa, take the road to Adam (direction Salalah). Just a few kilometres from Nizwa is a turn-off to Karsha and Manah. The road leads straight to Manah. You will see the mountain span over kilometres. You can park safely in the valley and camp there.

GPS location to the foot of the mountain: N22°49’22.8” E57°’33’57.7”

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FIRST DRIVE

CARS ADVENTURES

Photos: Alvin Thomas

I

Alvin Thomas tests a workman-like SUV with a little finesse for the faithful, no-frills customer

f the term “workhorse”could be applied to a car, it would have to be the Toyota Fortuner.

They’re practically everywhere you look around – the roads, the dunes, the mountains and even those deep, overflowing wadis. Truly, it wouldn’t be surprising if there were more of these SUVs active as desert-wanders than actual camels nowadays.

Fallacious statement? I think not.

Just ask any engineer in Oman if what I say is true, and he will most likely agree. You see, the Fortuner, since its inception in 2006, has been adopted as an “engineer’s best friend”. The vehicle was considered proficient at everything that was asked of it. Case in point: the Fortuner remains one of the most rented vehicles today.

Two of my closest friends even rent Fortuners when they go off-road. However, it must be noted that for long – despite its capabilities and practicality (and love affair with engineers) – the Fortuner wasn’t perceived as a vehicle of choice for families and other off-road enthusiasts thanks to its drubbing behind the shadows of its more capable brothers – the Land Cruiser and Land Cruiser Prado.

But why? Well, that solely boiled down to its design cues and, in my opinion, cut-rate looks: it really didn’t look like something that would appeal to families and adventurists. But come the successor, things have taken a turn (thankfully) for the better.

The all-new (second-generation) Toyota Fortuner looks nothing like any other Toyota in the line-up, not even the Hilux pick-up that it is originally based on. What it does look like, though, is a very athletic and brawny SUV; possibly even the coolest looking off-roader to hail from the “Land of the Rising Sun” (granted, the Fortuner is put together in Indonesia, but you get my drift).

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But before we proceed any further, let us stress that new look: the Fortuner adorns Toyota’s new “keen look” corporate design, which is smart and sharp.

The lights are sleek and almost eagle wing-shaped with daytime running LED lamps embedded in them, and the front grille swoops down to the air intake cover for the radiator in the bumper.

The bumper itself is muscular and well-toned.

Rounding up the rear end, you get thin, chiselled tail lamps that are separated by a large chrome strip in the middle, and a spoiler atop the liftgate but nothing much else.

Still, the new design-language is scores ahead of its drab predecessor and, frankly, incredibly easy on the eye. Looks may be subjective but I think most people will agree that the Fortuner actually looks nice this time around. Kudos, Toyota.

Inside, I was glad to see Toyota replace its old plasticky interior in favour of neatly padded leatherette surfaces. You get soft-touch materials on the arm rests, parts of the dashboard and even the centre console. As with any Toyota, I found the fit and finish to be bang on, with really no panel gaps or annoying squeaks.

However, I did come across a slight hitch when the third-row seats kept getting deployed from their resting position while off-roading.

Apart from that, the Fortuner’s interior is absolutely sublime: you even get a glovebox cooler, a responsive 20.3cm touchscreen with extremely finicky light sensitive controls around it, and a decent-sounding six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth streaming and AUX support. Thankfully, Toyota

does chuck in physical buttons and knobs for the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) controls.

There’s adequate space in the second row, although third-row seating should be reserved for children and small-sized adults. Surprisingly, luggage capacity in the back is excellent, even with all the seats deployed.

On the contrary, getting in and out of the SUV is quite a task, thanks to its raised ride height. But this translates to excellent off-roading capabilities, and that’s what the Fortuner is all about.

Powering the Fortuner is a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated V6 engine, pumping out a rather measly 235hp at 5,200rpm and 376Nm of torque at 3,800rpm. While the numbers may not be classleading, it is definitely good enough to power the 1,800kg body to 100kph from zero in nine seconds flat.

But what the Fortuner lacks in power, it makes up for in pure blue-blooded torque. The twist is available (as expected) low down in the rev range, and that amounts to excellent pull from a standstill. This

Destination

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

particularly came in handy when I took the vehicle off-road at the Seeb dunes and the beach.

The six-speed gearbox is potent, and shifts gears smoothly but I did encounter the odd hiccup here and there – particularly when smashing the pedal to the metal. You could still take control of the gear shifts via the steering-mounted paddle-shifters. However, the reaction times are painstakingly dawdling, and I would rather you leave things to the gearbox itself.

One of the biggest changes in the new Fortuner is the fact that now you only have part-time all-wheel-drive, meaning, you can now only stroll around in the city in two-wheel-drive. Of course, when heading off-road, you can opt for four-wheel-drive and even low-range gears. Thanks to this, your fuel readouts should improve considerably.

Ride quality is another area where the new Fortuner scores over its predecessor. Granted – given that this is still a body-on-frame SUV – it still rides like a truck but the end result is a much more refined SUV. Still, body roll is existent (ever so moderately) in corners and road imperfections – like any other SUV in this class – can be felt within the cabin. The 46cm alloys wrapped around 265/60 off-road rubber does help things, though.

The steering is quite heavy and damped but lacks any form of feedback. Handling is decent, though, and the brakes are incredibly

Y- F i

Gaming

CARS

powerful even if the brake pedal doesn’t particularly translate any form of feel to the driver.

Meanwhile, the road noise is kept to a minimum with effective sound deadening materials but the wind noise is evident after 120kph.

But things take a turn for the better once you head off the highway and into the deserts. The differential on the Fortuner is unbelievable – a bargain even – considering it is nearly as good off-road as the king: the Toyota Land Cruiser.

Steep inclines and undulations do not affect the stability of the vehicle by much, even though it has a live real-axle. The ladder-frame construction, however, gives the SUV unbelievable approach and departure angles. This means you can head right into the mountains without dinging your vehicle’s nose and hind – something that certain Asian and American SUVs don’t quite seem to get right nowadays.

At no point during my test did I feel the Fortuner struggle to gain traction. The dunes didn’t upset the engine, gearbox or even the differential by much although my idiocy did let me down when I misjudged a steep dune.

Still, I could lock the differential, pop it into the low-range gear and haul myself upwards. It was incredibly fun, too.

Toyota Fortuner Specifications: Engine: 4.0-litre V6 Transmission: 6-speed automatic Horsepower: 235hp Torque: 376Nm Top speed: 187kph Four-wheel drive w/low-range gearing Sport and Eco drive modes Leatherette seats and interior 20.3cm touchscreen Six-speaker audio system Navigation Power liftgate Third-row seating Locking differential Daytime running LED lights Push-button start Paddle shifters Cruise Control Multi-information display

As a matter of fact, I became so confident with the vehicle, I kept trying steeper dunes and smoother surfaces just to try to push the Fortuner to its limits.

Of course, each and every time, the vehicle only came out strong and victorious.

The Fortuner may only seem like your run-of-themill pick-up-turned-SUV, but you mustn’t forget that this has more to it than just looks and grunt. It’s got the character of a spirited off-roader and underneath all that that skin, the heart of a Toyota SUV. It’s mighty brilliant, this SUV.

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CARS ADVENTURES

1. Visit the magnificent royal Marselisborg Palace 2. Ogle the medieval frescoes of Aarhus Cathedral 3. Channel your inner warrior at the Viking Museum 4. Treat the kids to Tivoli Friheden amusement park 5. Stroll around Renaissance-era Gammel Estrup manor

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AMAZING AARHUS

There’s a wealth of culture and history to explore in Denmark’s second-largest city.

Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Pal Eriksen recommends

AARHUS, DENMARK D

enmark’s profile has never been higher than it is now. Its inhabitants are the happiest people on earth or so we keep being told by global surveys; its TV crime dramas are the best in the world, and Aarhus has been named (jointly with Paphos in Greece) as the European Capital of Culture 2017.

With a sizeable number of students included in the 330,000 population, Aarhus is a laid-back, fun-filled city that also has enough historical and cultural gems to satisfy any tourist. And some of that Danish design for life is welcoming no matter what time of year you come.

And here is a haven for smorrebrod (open sandwiches) of buttered rye bread topped with meat, fish, vegetables and boiled eggs; frikadeller (fried meatballs) or the ubiquitious hot dog, the street food of choice and which can even come in an organic version.

Scandinavians like to eat meat; it’s centuries of coping in a cold climate that made us ardent carnivores. And strictly speaking, the “Danish” pastry originated in Vienna but those irresistible swirls of flaky pastry, cinnamon, butter and sugar are the best way to start your day, along with a formidably strong coffee.

As in my home country of Norway, cool weather need not preclude you from outdoor dining, as many eateries have canopies with mounted heaters and even sturdy blankets to drape over yourselves as you eat. Actually, if you have enjoyed a sumptuous supper in the desert in a Bedouin tent, you’ll feel right at home.

Are Danes really the happiest people in Earth? Well, they certainly have a solid grip on life. Something is most certainly not rotten in the state of Denmark.

DEN GA MLE

B Y IS A D E L IG H T

My favourite place

One thing Scandinavia does well is the open-air museum, which offers an odyssey through the ages by replicating the residences of bygone eras, and Den Gamle By (Old Town) reminds me of Folkenparken in Oslo, and is a delight. Den Gamle By delivers a time-travel through the eras of the 1800s, 1920s and 1970s, respectively.

You can take a ride in a quaint (but solid) horse-drawn carriage across the cobble-stoned lanes and wonder at some wonderfully preserved cottages that look like they have been lifted from the pages of a Hans Christian Andersen novel. Be advised, though, it’s a warts-and-all window on the world of yesteryear and a couple of the exhibits might be a bit, well, lavatorial (quite literally) but don’t let that put you off.

Highlights

Aarhus does museums well and covers the whole spectrum; from the mind-blowing ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum to the atmospheric Occupation Museum.

ARoS pushes the boundaries of what a museum visit can be. Start off in the black-walled basement and make your way up a spiral staircase where a striking 16ft sculpture – Boy, by Ron Mueck, will stop you in your tracks. Wonderful works by artists such as Andy Warhol and Wim Wenders are also here. Then, climb up to a circular skywalk where you’ll be treated to a resplendent, rainbow-tinted view of the city.

At the more traditional end, in the Latin Quarter (the oldest part of the city) lies the Occupation Museum (the former HQ of the Gestapo). Here, the Nazis’ occupation of Denmark from 1940 to 1945 is well-documented. Some of the exhibits include dusty, dog-eared old propaganda leaflets and British paratrooper uniforms.

After spending all that time indoors, take some time out to stroll around the Botanical Gardens, which cover 75 acres, two lakes and plenty of open, green spaces to enjoy.

R OS A R T N S P IR IN G A T H E A W E -I MUSEUM

Lowlights This is Denmark so it’s not going to be cheap. Also, banking here is very advanced; the card is king even for minor purchases. You might get a strange look if you attempt to buy a small item and want cash back from a 100 krone note. The vendor might not have enough change in his till!

Souvenirs Despite a plethora of shops offering ceramics, jewellery, and glassware, the best place to bag a memento is at Den Gamle By, which can be a fun part of your visit. At the shop at the 1864 Merchant’s House (where peasants came to sell butter and vegetables), you can buy things you really won’t find anywhere else, such as fine porcelain.

Getting there

Oman Air and Emirates offer flights from Muscat to Aarhus but there will be two shops on the way (Frankfurt and Copenhagen (Oman Air) and Dubai and Copenhagen [Emirates]).

Where to stay

SAVOUR

SOME D A N IS H SMORR EBROD

Most of the major hotel chains here have a presence and there are grand hotels and boutique options to choose from. Hotel websites such as Booking.com or Kayak.co.uk will give you an overview.

JUN 22 - 28 / ISSUE 476

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Destination

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

WORK IT Alvin Thomas tests some of the latest devices for working on the go QUIET AND COMFY Coffee outlets can be very practical places to work: you get free Wi-Fi and the freedom to sip on your favorite mocha while you do so. However, these areas can get quite noisy, and that is why you need to invest in a pair of these Bose Quiet Comfort Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones.

The over-the-ear headphones not only cup your ears efficiently but also prevent noise bleed, and have effective noise-cancellation technology that can isolate you from your surroundings.

Oh, the quality of the audio is unmatchable.

Available at amazon.com for RO134.3

PROJECT IT BE SHURE

Gone are the days when you had to hook up a heavy projector to your computer and the power supply to give presentations. Now, you can do it efficiently with your smartphone. All you really need is this Mille Power HI-P60 Pico Projector. The device can project the content (videos, pictures, and PowerPoint, Word and Excel files) from your phone screen directly to the public. The device also comes with its own hands-free stand. Buy it from amazon.com for RO130.4

Tired of carrying multiple audio recorders along with you while you’re working? If that’s the case, you need to invest in Shure MV88. The recording device hooks straight up to your Apple iPhone or iPad and will provide you with superior audio quality and clarity.

Moreover, it comes with a cardioid and bi-directional microphone, which makes it perfect for securing group interviews. For best results, download Shure’s application from iTunes. Yours for RO57.3 from amazon.com

CHROMEBOOK

EDITOR’S PICK

VERSATILITY IS KEY WHEN WORKING OUT OF THE OFFICE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU NEED TO JOT DOWN KEY POINTS OR CREATE SKETCHES AS YOU GO ABOUT YOUR DAILY TASKS. THIS CAN BE DIFFICULT WHEN YOU’RE ON THE GO. AND THAT’S WHERE THE SAMSUNG CHROMEBOOK PLUS COMES IN HANDY. THE LAPTOP COMES WITH AN IMPRESSIVE 360-DEGREE TOUCHSCREEN, AN S-PEN STYLUS FOR WHEN YOU WANT TO SCRIBBLE SOMETHING ON THE SCREEN AND, BEST OF ALL, GOOGLE PLAY COMPATIBILITY. APART FROM THAT, THE DEVICE BARELY TIPS THE SCALES AT 1.08KG, BUT STILL MANAGES TO ROCK A 30CM DISPLAY, AN OCTA-CORE PROCESSOR AND EVEN TWO USB TYPE-C PORTS. GET IT FROM SAMSUNG. COM FOR RO173.2

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American Truck Simulator

App of the Week

T

here’s something oddly satisfying about hitching Info Box your trailer, getting into your truck and driving Developer: for thousands of kilometres to deliver the goods.

SCS SOFTWARE And if you agree, then American Truck Simulator is the Publisher: game for you.

SCS SOFTWARE The game, as its title suggests, lets you try out longPlatform: distance lorry driving. You get a choice of four trucks, OSX, MICROSOFT but real manufacturers such as Volvo and International WINDOWS, LINUX have been working to get accurate versions of its trucks Genre: ready for the game.

VEHICLE SIMULATION The game revolves around you – a small-time truck Mode: driver – and your business skills. You start with a small SINGLE PLAYER pool of money with which you invest in a small truck, a load carrier and goods, before setting off on a long journey to the ends of the US. The farther you drive, the more money you make; mistakes will be punished.

Slamming into vehicles, speeding and even jumping red lights are punishable, and you will lose money per offence. Think of it as training for real-world trucking.

The graphics are sublime and the world details are awe-inspiring. You get to see various US landmarks like the Grand Canyon and can drive through California, Nevada, and Arizona.

Unfortunately, much like real life, the distance between two states is lengthy.

I approve that the makers of the game (SCS Software) are keeping its originality but, come to think of it, driving thousands of kilometres on a computer using your keyboard is just a bit too much. Despite that, however, the game has millions of fans.

Generally, I approve of the American Truck Simulator. All it really needs is a bit more polishing on the realism (truck physics, for one), some more states and above all, a fast-forward button of some sorts. Overall, it’s a fun game.

EDITORIAL Not all writers have copy editors to check their work for errors. In such cases, it is best to make use of what technology has to offer. Editorial is an application that enables users to create workflows such as spell-checking your text, Googling synonyms for a word, and finding and replacing text. It even offers a built-in browser for quick research, eliminating the need to leave the app. Of course, it is no real copy editor but you can still get it for RO1.92 from iTunes

JULY JUN 03 22 - 09 28 / ISSUE 476 327

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

BOHO BABES The boho look will never go out of style. Relaxed and flowing, it’s been a favourite look for women on a range of budgets for years now. It’s also a great style for summer, such as this outfit from Monsoon.

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

T t Ge

k o o L e h

gh e hi h t d to ook. n e igh t the l h e th to ge m o r F you s p l he

r love G licity e F , et stre

Bright and light, this “Falmer” boho maxi dress from Matalan is a fun look for summer that will help you to keep your cool.

Free and flowing, this Monsoon “Sunni” dress is a stylish summer number that will take you to a festival or to the beach with little effort.

Pair this chic, white embroidered kimono from New Look with your favourite statement T-shirt and jeans for a classic look that will always be in style.

Boho and wanderlust go handin-hand, and this bag from Accessorize is big enough for all those essentials for a weekend away.

Try these “Riley” rimless round sunglasses from Accessorize on for size – perfect for the boho babe who wants to protect her peeps!

These cute tassel sliders from Next are on trend for the Boho style, especially with the fun beading and embroidered floral pattern.

This “Boho” necklace from M&S is a colourful accessory that will brighten any outfit.

JUN 22 - 28 / ISSUE 476

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

THE CUTTING EDGE

F

ace care is very important to a man’s character, or so I’ve been told.

And in recent years, the likes of Ronaldo and David Beckham have made it acceptable to do more than splash a bit of soap on. A case of moisturiser maketh the man, perhaps?

So with a scruffy beard that had seen better days, I had to visit 1847, an exclusive grooming salon for men on a recent visit to Dubai, which plans to open a branch in Muscat later this year.

It is so exclusive you even have to push a (very ornate) button on the door to be welcomed inside.

Once in, a beauty expert from Syria looked me up and down a bit, and I sensed he was thinking I was clearly going to be a challenge.

However, he promptly suggested I opt for a Traditional Shave and a Detox Facial to completely “revitalise” my face. He even asked: “Do you not love your face?”

And that wrought my response: “What exactly can a man do to keep his face presentable?”

In a very systematic way, he gave me the lowdown:

• Start with a shave

Shaving must be an essential component of your daily grooming routine. Firstly, it does the obvious by making you look clean, smart and confident. But it does more than just that: by shaving, you get rid of all unwanted dirt particles and the possibility of more accumulating on your face.

Think of it as a quick self-treatment and you will see yourself doing it daily.

You start by moistening your face with a warm towel to open the pores

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and soften the hair follicles. After that, apply a pre-shave oil. This helps avoid any form of cuts and bruises while shaving, and also lets your facial hair cut evenly.

Make sure to shave in a single direction. Do not start shaving downwards and then proceed to move upwards. This will cause the hair to grow unevenly and in different directions over a period of time. This can also cause irritation to the face.

Following this, apply an after-shave balm to help neutralise the bacteria on your face. This also helps calm and revive the skin.

Alvin Thomas gets a lesson in male skin care from a salon that aims to groom guys for their busy days ahead

of your skin. If possible, head to a professional beauty salon. If you do, you should ask for a head, neck and shoulder deep cleanse. There are numerous products out there, from natural products made up of lemongrass to other cleansing agents.

Next, exfoliate with a vitamin facial buffer scrub. This allows your dead skin cells to be shed off your face, thus giving you a very fresh and rejuvenated skin tone.

Follow that with an anti-oxidant peel.

This ensures the pores on your face are unblocked and open to allow for a deep extraction of dirt Tips: Make sure you sterilise your blade, particles. This will help you replenish newer brushes and towels before use again. clearer and calmer skin.

Try the “Pre-Shave Oil”, “Traditional Shaving If you still have time, try an eliminator mask.

Cream” and “Soothing Aftershave Balm” by This is made specifically for removing blackheads Gentlemen’s Tonic for best results. Buy from and revitalising your face. But, avoid areas where gentlemenstonic.com you have facial hair as it can pull out thin strands of beard and eyebrows.

• Do a detox facial on a weekly basis Finish up with an eye cream and moisturising Most men think that they don’t need facials. lotion to refresh and balance your skin. Many Some see it as a waste of time and others think people (both men and women) work late. This that it is reserved solely for women but that’s not creates dark patches around the eyes. An eye true. cream is must if you have to balance your skin A detox facial tone, and the moisturising lotion should hydrate is perfect for your skin, keeping it fresh during the summer replenishing skin that days. But do opt for the right kind of lotions as no is prone to spots. It two people have the same types of skin. helps to improve Try the “Daily Foaming Cleanser” and the tone, clarity and “Moisturiser” for best results. Buy from overall complexion gentlemenstonic.com.

Beauty

HEALTH

Fashion

THE LABOUR MOVEMENT Include fitness in your daily work routine with these simple tips

G

etting fitter doesn’t have to mean spending valuable time down at your local gym.

Finding a spare hour in the day to do so is a bit of a chore for those of us with mega-busy routines.

Happily, your daily routine is a fitness resource you can make use of, and it can deliver big payoffs when it comes to increasing your activity level.

Including fitness into your everyday activities will help you burn calories, and it doesn’t have to take much time or effort.

Danielle Johnson, a physical therapist for the Mayo Clinic, based in Minnesota, USA; acknowledges that people have a problem finding time for fitness.

“For many people, the biggest obstacle to getting more exercise is time,” says Danielle.

“People feel stretched between their career, child-care demands and family commitments.

Thinking of spending an hour extra at the gym may feel overwhelming.”

If you don’t have time to fit in a scheduled

workout, try using daily tasks to incorporate fitness, she says.

“You can still reap the benefits of exercise by using small bouts of movement throughout the day. Two 10-minute walks, a few sets of stairs and some five-minute intervals of bodyweight squats, lunges or push-ups can add up to big health benefits.”

Here are some tips to get moving throughout the day:

• Turn household cleaning into a mini-workout.

“For example, mopping floors gives your shoulders and back a workout, and can burn more than 100 calories in just 30 minutes,” says Danielle.

• Instead of going out for dinner with friends, do something physical, like taking a walk, going for a bike ride or engaging in a physical activity like tennis or bowling.

• Join or start a sports team with your friends.

Whether it’s basketball, football or a simple game of beach volleyball, taking part in a sport you enjoy will improve both your physical and

mental well-being. Stay curious and improve upon what you’re already doing.

• Do you already walk daily? Try walking faster or choose a challenging route with hills.

• Take up a new summer outdoor sport, such as canoeing, paddle boarding or swimming.

• If there’s a cause you feel passionate about, try training to participate in a run or walk to raise funds.

• If you play golf, walk the course and carry your own clubs instead of using a cart and caddy.

“Every little bit counts,” says Danielle.

“Research suggests that as little as 10 minutes of cardiovascular activity can make a big difference in your health and fitness measures.

“I often equate health to putting away money for retirement. Putting away savings, even in small amounts, will add up big over time.

"The same can be said for your health.

Investing in opportunities to be active, even for short periods of time, adds up. The key is to be consistent.” * BPT JUN 22 - 28 / ISSUE 476

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HEALTHY KIDS

Throw the junk food away and try these great tips to get your children on the right track when it comes to nutrition.

SWEET INSPIRATION B

ringing up your children to be happy and healthy requires more than the “carrot and stick” approach.

Parents also know that encouragement and praise are only half the equation.

And when it comes to healthy eating, it means ensuring that solid habits are formed as early as possible for lifelong health and nutrition.

Kids, as we all know, tend to prefer fast or junk food. Getting them to eat fruit and vegetables can be a challenge.

However, by following a few of these tips you can make healthy meals that will get them to the table in a hurry without busting your weekly budget.

One smart cookie: This is one cookie you can feel good about giving your kids. Cut an apple to create round slices then slather the slices with their favourite nut butter (peanut, almond or cashew) and top with raisins, yoghurt bites or chocolate chips.

Junk the sugary snacks and sodas and keep your kids healthy with these tasty treats Grilled Balsamic Vegetable Pops Recipe courtesy of Chef Alyssa, ALDI Test Kitchen Ingredients: § 4 wooden skewers § 1 zucchini, cut into rounds § 1 yellow pepper, chopped § 4 mushrooms, halved § 4 cherry tomatoes § 1 ear sweetcorn, cut into rounds § 2 tablespoons Carlini Pure Olive Oil § 1 teaspoon Stonemill Iodised Salt § 1 teaspoon Stonemill Ground Black Pepper § 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Method: § Soak the wooden skewers in water for 10 minutes before grilling. Heat grill to mediumhigh (200 C.) § Pierce the vegetables with skewers, and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and place on a hot grill. § Turn frequently to prevent burning.

Vegetables should be golden and tender after 10-15 minutes. Remove from the heat and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Fresh and fruity: Swap sugary drinks for fresh, fruit-infused water. Let kids pick their favourite flavour combinations each evening and refrigerate water to infuse overnight so it’s ready to enjoy the following day.

Icy sweet treats: Make your own frozen pops using ingredients like fresh fruit, yoghurt or milk. Use store-bought molds, or substitute small paper cups covered with plastic wrap. Just poke sticks through the plastic to hold them in place until the mixture freezes.

Hands-on helpers: Getting kids in on the action is a great way to encourage healthier eating habits. After all, if they helped make it, it has to be good. Once all the ingredients have been sliced and diced, a recipe like these Grilled Balsamic Vegetable Pops is easy for kids to assemble. Just ask them to thread the skewers in their favorite colour and flavour combinations.

Find more tips to encourage the little eaters in your family to enjoy the nutritious bounties of summer at aldi.us. * Family Features JUN 22 - 28 / ISSUE 476

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