Y Magazine #492, October 26, 2017

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PORTRAIT BY A NATION COMPETITION

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News: MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA 10 PERIOD EXTENDED

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DESTINATION: Wadi Tiwi TASTE TEST: Tea Library

YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

OCT 26 - NOV 01 2017 / ISSUE 492 • WEEKLY

BOUNCING

BACK PLUS!

OMAN’S ECONOMY ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

SYMPHONY OF THE SCHOOLS

01

NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

28

THE MAGIC ISLAND

36

BRAIN MATTERS

43

EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

Fast forward

O

man’s financial situation has shown signs of improvement, thanks to the rise in oil prices in the current year. According to a statement by the Central Bank of Oman, the rise in both oil and non-oil prices along with the government policy of cutting down on public expenditure has contributed significantly towards reducing the budget deficit.

Oman’s average crude oil price stood at $51.6. The deficit was RO2.6 billion as of the end of July this year compared with RO4 billion in the same period last year. This is not it: according to a report published by ICAEW, a global accountancy and finance body, Oman’s economic growth is expected to get a boost next year from increasing gas production at the Khazzan gas project.

The Khazzan gas field comes fully on-stream (boosting gas output by an estimated 25 per cent) and is scheduled to start production in the first quarter of 2018.

Global energy giant BP and the Ministry of Oil and Gas last week announced the commencement of production at the Khazzan gas project, which is operated by BP in partnership with the Oman Oil Company Exploration and Production (OOCEP).

It’s worth noting that an amendment to the salary clause which allows lower-paid expatatriate workers to bring their families to Oman will be a shot in the arm for the economy. The move has led experts to believe that expatriates in Oman will now spend more money locally, thereby having a good overall effect on the economy of the Sultanate. Our cover story this week talks about Oman’s economic reform plan and its impact on the overall GDP. Have a great week!

editor@y-oman.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi SENIOR ONLINE EDITOR Nishad Padiyarath ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

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OCT 26 - NOV 01 / ISSUE 492

03

contents

Features 22 Wave of optimism

Oman’s economy on the

road to recovery

OCT 26 - NOV 01 2017

Your Oman 08 Voice Of Oman

Shishira Sreenivas 10 News

Multiple visa period

extended in Oman 12 News

First water park to open

by year end in Salalah

This Week 18 Highland Games

Join the Caledonian

Society of Oman

and the Oman

Cancer Association

at the Highland Games

Friendly talk In conversation with Garry Friend, GM of Park Hyatt in Zanzibar

28 School symphony

Three schools in Muscat

unite to put on a musical show

19 Movies Dileep’s Ramaleela to

hit theatres in Oman

19

10

26

28 Food and Drink 44 Food Feature Oktoberfest

Cars and Adventures 32 Destination

Wadi Tiwi

46 Taste Test

Tea Library

Health and Beauty

34 First Drive

Audi Q5 36 Postcard From

Stone Town, Zanzibar 38 Y-Fi

A look at the latest headphones

40 Fashion

Forever Blue 42 Health

Brain Matters

44

40 39 NEXT ISSUE...

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

@almazaaroman

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Malicious rum o from doing wh urs or even death threats d o at makes him sleep peacefull n’t stop this simple, humble listens in awe m y : helping the n to the tales of st eedy. Alvin Th an ru g g le omas s and smiles of P. uick question: If you M. Jabir by

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were to find your the person was in deed a valid one. world of trouble self in a means to eat. We caused will try and sort by something yo “I t is th th u is out with their em e m du ay ty or of m an ay not em have done by your ba ss ployer or y to ca ter to th sponsor. In such ca would you do? T own accord what nationals. e needs of their fellow se s, we will also try to get the ” government would differ fromhe answer to that That was the sta bo di person to person es involved.

If you’re a loca . work in the Sulta rt of his welfare “The Omani gove nate. The year w head straight to thl, you would 19 as 87. been incredibly he rnment has expatriate is mos e courts, but an So on so he started gainin rt out any issues lpful, and they do g out help from hist likely to seek that these workers po pu la am rit y face.” ong the Asian or her embassy in Oman. audience in the coand Omani Unfortunately, un That, however But, Jabir not on try. appreciates hard not everyone ly handles the Asian expatriates, is not the case with issues of th the years, Jabir hawork. Over e working comm more often than here. Because, s come acro un ity th in e country but also of the deceased. numerous criticisms, rumours ss that comes to theinot, the first thing “T and ho ev se en death threats days, th are in desperate r mind when they (!) used to approach e embassy ne “S ed uc h of allegatio help is to place a phone ca the transporting me to facilitate behind or shunnens are best left of dead bodies social welfare secrll to P.M. Jabir, the of several expa will be taken to and off. Other cases etary d Social Club in M of the Indian hometowns in ts back to their “No matter what, settled in court.

India,” he tells. us And it doesn’t m cat.

T his made him the family have been my wife and single point of th are Indian, Bang atter if you co nt ac t sid fo r repatriating bo e supporting me. ere by my di Without es even Sri Lankan ladeshi or of de th ce e support, I co ased for years. H uldn’t do it,” thetheir e has helped born welfare wor. The Keralatra ns po hu rt more than 4,000 mble welfare wor bodies help you out. Thi ker is there to back to India.

But how far do peker adds. s ha s ea rn ed him the title Jabi “During the late they have received ople go after 1990s and the help from Jabir? roughly translate r “Ikka”, which ea rly 2000s, ther “Some of them co s to ‘Brother Jabir’. people actively tae weren’t many in touch with me an nstantly keep king part in help d let me kn Jabir’s phone neve se in nd g about how th bodies back hom r stops ey are doing, but ow e. So we had ringing – and it’s to m ak a lot e of su them also forget re thes about me; it’s no someone who is almost always the right send-off e people could get so m t et in hi de ng sperate need fro I really worry ab for help.

All of Jabir’s wor m this world.” out.

Ja bi r’s w or k k ha ha s been As I sit down voluntary. He do prestigious awardss earned him es not take any Rumba Latina, awith him at the m on et ar T y imes Now NRI of, including the rewards. In fact, The Cave, Musca restaurant at he sh el ls out money from R. Ramesh Mem the Year Award, his pocket, or the daily struggles t, I learn about if ne ce ss A ar l Shifa Award an ial Award, the y. through and the that Jabir goes “T here are several pe that recognises hi d several others ople who m to becoming whopath that led him ne ed he ef lp forts to help the nefor his continued he he re. And if it isn’t “I always had a ca is today. fo r fe llo w beings like us, When he is not he edy. lling to help then who will people in need,” he lp th em in sa need, Jabir spendslping someone get out of their m when I was back ys Jabir. “Even ise time ry he ,” as ks. concentrating on his work – he is a Thalasseri in Kerhome in the city of Ja bi r pi ha on s al eer in the insuranc of help for many a, I was the point Pravasalok teamed up with e industry in Oman. pe am – a programm He relocated to Mople there.” e on an In di an “A sa t the tellite “For a few year uscat in 1982.

– that aims to he television channel just say thend of the day, I can lp at I ha pe op le quiet, and didn’t s after that, I was in In dia find their missing of what I can dove done the best do m uc h re w la el tiv fa es re for them. That’s work. But the real in Oman. w “In 10-o when I was at th push came for me friends) ha dd years, we (Jabir and his pehat makes me happy and sleep e ac ve In efully at nigh dian Embassy help and noticed one 80 missing relativ ed find over 70 or we wrap up our t,” he tells, before es in O conversation. m – Dasappan – bepoor expat worker an an d them back to thei r families,” he te fly H an official. I coul ing mistreated by lls T av . he e you got a uniqu emotions couldn’t (sic) handdn’t take that and know someone who e story to tell or do you his voice but Jabiare very evident in le m y em r re ot m io ai ns ns all,” he exclaims. at coffee with Y and behas? Contact us to have strong throughout our in featured in Y Magaz terview. ine.

“I kicked the door When I ask Jabir op en an ab d ou Lo t shouted at the of th g e on iss to ue ex w s pa w w. ts face face today, that everyone ha ficial. I told him to watch award-winbook.com/ytabloid the current marke he explains: “In t, a lo t of equally, and that d to be treated people P.M.Jabir on our C ning social worker are not paid thei the request made r sa la rie s.

T hi s means they cann held at Rumba Lattioffee With Y show ot find even the na and sponsored

by Inifiniti.

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OCT 26 - NOV 01 / ISSUE 492

THE VOICE OF OMAN

HAPPY TO BE BACK TO THE SECOND HOME AND READY TO CONTRIBUTE HER PART, SHISHIRA SREENIVAS SPOTS THE SAMENESS AND THE DIFFERENCES UPON RETURN TO MUSCAT AFTER THREE YEARS

T

he off-white buildings, the narrow stretch of land between the vast blue sea and the dry rocky mountains, and roads immaculately lined with palm trees – this is what comes to mind when I think of Muscat or Oman.

It’s been a little over three years since I last lived and worked in Muscat before I took off to pursue my higher studies in the United States. Even though my parents continued to reside here, work and school kept me busy and I could no longer make the annual trips back home during summer vacations. However, due to a change of circumstance, I decided to move back to the place that has been my second home since 2009.

Besides the plethora of malls that have propped up, at first glance, time felt like it had stood still in the three years I wasn’t here. But at second glance, It’s easy to spot the changes.

The upward curve in the population, both local and expatriate, has led to a significant socio-economic growth, which in turn has led to a noticeable uptick in Oman’s presence on the global platform.

In hindsight, in 2014 when I was still a graduate student and part of the international student organisation, there was an increased inflow of Omani students coming to educate themselves in universities abroad.

The Omanis celebrated their unique cultural identity and established the Sultanate on the map, quite literally. And I would proudly (and nostalgically) attend Oman National Day events and happily stake my claim in the festivities.

It’s always been my home away from home, so I feel happy to be back to contribute my part as Oman makes its way to center stage.

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OCT 26 - NOV 01 / ISSUE 492

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: Rogue driving instructors are taking hundreds of rials from learners and disappearing, prompting a warning from the Royal Oman Police. Have you come across such a situation?

SUJITH K.S.

I have been staying in Oman since 2007. The Sultanate is a wonderful country and people’s hospitality is very much appreciated. Despite all this, I had a very bad experience from a driving instructor. I faced too much difficulty because of this instructor. In 2010, he took from me around RO50 for each driving test. When I asked him about this he somehow convinced me saying things like “in the Ruwi area we had to pay RO20 additional for a test”. I was afraid of him because my learner’s book was with him. For every one hour of class I used to get only 30 to 35 minutes. At last, after two years, I got my book back from him and went to Sumail for driving tests and got it at the third attempt.

GAUTAM GHOSH DASTIDAR

One man’s meat can’t always be another man’s poison. There were a certain number of cases when common men had fallen prey to illusionists around, but they were not necessarily nationals all the time. I came across such a situation about a decade ago when a charlatan ran away with RO60 from one of my relatives on assuring her of getting a driving licence.

Nobody should be allowed to operate in their individual capacity without adequate training and without adhering to driving schools registered with the ROP. Secondly, and maybe more importantly, driving instructors should be good drivers too who would slow down at the

WRITE TO US AND YOU COULD WIN

crossroads and the crosswalks. Teachers can never forget, learners are the best (?) copycats!

MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT

To be frank, a majority of the driving instructors here are quite nice and honest. However, there are black sheep in all fields of life. Both my sons got their licences in recent years and fortunately they got very good instructors who charged on an hourly basis and were paid weekly. They were quite punctual and gave excellent training. So my opinion about the driving instructors here is very high but if the learners are taken for a ride by the rogue ones then the ROP must keep tabs on them.

YASSER MACKI

All the driving instructors should be under a close watch of the ROP. Instructors do whatever they like and many of them drive recklessly. Some of them use a phone while driving, wear no seatbelt, break the speed limits... and the list goes on. There should be a dedicated phone number so that people could report such bad driving habits and learners could register their complaints about the cheats. Instructors should set an example but, sadly, just the opposite is the case nowadays. The ROP should ask instructors to provide proper receipts to their customers.

SYEDA KABIR

I got my driving licence in 2014 learning under a lady instructor on a contract basis which included six attempts. It was safe and budget friendly. When we are on a contract, the tutors put in their best effort to

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help the students get the licence as soon as possible. On the other hand, when learners opt for hourly basis training, some tutors are least bothered about the number of hours their students put in as they get paid each day. The more the student learns the more they earn. Not everyone takes the contract deal because some are confident that they could get it after a few days of practice. Learners should have the tutor’s teaching licence number so that they could report unfair practices to the authorities.

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MAHNAZ KHAN was spotted with her favourite Y Magazine in Muscat

BENSON CRUZ

I was not a victim of the so-called rogue instructors here as my licence got transferred from Kuwait. If the opportunity exists so will the greed of the people.

It is high time the ROP stepped in and regulated the process and ensured that learners go through registered training institutions. This way any unscrupulous activity can be monitored and appropriate action taken. The training institutions should be responsible to hire instructors who have been certified and registered as trainers with adequate experience.

MUSHTAQ H QAZI

It would have been an extremely devastating situation if this had happened to me.

There are so many people whose careers depend on getting a driving licence. When I arrived in Oman and was not earning much, I saved money for months to get a driving licence. It is a costly process here if you don’t get it on your first try. I think there should be an electronic payment system so that learners do not get cheated.

New Debate: Oman’s financial situation has shown signs of improvement due to a rise in oil prices in the current year, the Central Bank of Oman has said. What are your thoughts?

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OCT 26 - NOV 01 / ISSUE 492

09

YOUR

OMAN

S

NEWS

OVER 60 PER CENT

OF OMAN’S POPULATION

IS OVERWEIGHT

ayyida Dr Noora bint Badr al Busaidiya, president of the Omani Diabetes Association and head of the National Centre for Diabetes and Endocrine, has confirmed that over 60 per cent of the population is now either overweight or obese, a term derived from calculating a person’s body mass index.

Because of a steady rise in the number of overweight people, diabetes, a disease primarily caused by excessive weight, is also on a sharp rise in Oman.

“Latest studies reveal that the rate of diabetes in the country is 12.7 per cent, but from the results of the national screening programme of the Ministry of Health (MoH) in 2012, the pre-diabetic rate is 35 per cent, and this is one of the results of overweight and obesity in the country,” Dr Al Busaidiya said in a statement to Oman Observer during an event to highlight World Obesity Day. Dr Al Busaidiya added: “Alarmingly, obesity among youngsters and adults is rising and it is the prime reason for diabetes. Studies have revealed that more than a 50 per cent increase in diabetes has been recorded among the young population

in recent years.”

World Obesity Day, a global annual campaign to highlight the dangers of obesity and increase awareness of the methods of treatment and intervention, was observed on October 11 at the Omani Women’s Association. Dr Al Busaidiya along with Fatma al Ra’aidhan, director for health education and awareness programmes at the MoH; and Dr Layla Husain Agha, a diabetes specialist and trainer from Kuwait; also spoke at the event.

MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA

PERIOD EXTENDED

A

ccording to the new regulations set by the Royal Oman Police, if you’re on the multiple entry one-year visa, you’re eligible to extend your stay for an extra week.

Previously, under the Foreign Residency Law, tourists on the multiple entry one-year visa were allowed to visit for a period of three weeks at a time.

“The holder is entitled to enter the

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Sultanate more than once during the period of its validity and to stay there for a period not exceeding one month at a time,” the ROP said.

The ROP added that those visiting Oman on the purpose of tourism were also eligible to extend their stay for a similar period of time as long as it was approved by a competent authority in the Sultanate.

SHARE THE POWER

GALLERY

ASTER AL RAFFAH HOSPITALS & CLINICS JOINED HANDS WITH OASIS MALL, IN MUSCAT AND SAFEER MALL, IN SOHAR ON THE OCCASION OF THE WORLD HEART DAY, TO SPREAD AWARENESS ON MAINTAINING A HEART HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

OCT 26 - NOV 01 / ISSUE 492

011

YOUR

OMAN

NEWS

SALALAH’S FIRST WATER PARK

TO OPEN BY YEAR END

soon-to-be world-class facility.

“We were briefed on the most prominent developments in the construction works of the project, which are expected to be completed by the end of this year,” the minister said in a statement to Times of Oman.

The water park will be an addition to the already existing entertainment amenities at Hawana Salalah which includes other tourism attracting projects like the 900 hotel rooms at the luxurious Salalah Rotana Resort, the beachfront Souly Lodge, Fanar Hotel and Residences and the Juweira Boutique Hotel.

In addition to the exquisite lodging facilities, Hawana Salalah is also home to the extravagant 170-berth yacht marina, a variety of restaurants and cafes, water and land activities – all spread along a stretch of 7km of the Indian Ocean coastline. Furthermore, apartments and villas are also available to either own or rent.

R

esidents in Salalah will soon be able to beat the heat and splash about in their first water park, Hawana Aqua Park, by the end of the year.

Spread across 35,000sqm, the water park is built to entertain around 500 people and includes attractions like the wave pool, a toddler pool, giant water slides, tube-slides big enough to fit three to four people per ride and plenty of leisure pools for the visitors to dip and relax in.

The park also boasts a food court, retails stores for shopping and a large parking lot to accommodate the guests.

The water park, managed by Muriya, welcomed the Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Bin Nasser Hamad Al Mahrizi, to tour and review the progress of the

To achieve the state-of-the-art ambitious project, the Ministry of Tourism partnered with the private sector.

“The aqua park is a dynamic addition to the entertainment facilities of Hawana Salalah’s first-class tourism project. The state-of-the-art development highlights the important role ITCs continue to play in attracting investment to Oman, serving as a gateway for domestic and international visitors to enjoy the year-round beauty of the Governorate of Dhofar,” the minister added.

The CEO of Muriya, Ahmed Dabbous, who received the minister during his visit, said: “It was a great privilege to welcome HE onsite to share the progress of Salalah’s first water park.”

The minister of tourism’s visit to the upcoming park signals the government’s commitment to and support for such massive world-class projects that will ultimately benefit real estate and tourism sectors of Oman.

IN A NEW INITIATIVE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY,

5000 HOMES WILL RECIEVE ROOFTOP SOLAR PANELS

I

n a new initiative to push for green energy in the Sultanate, around 30005000 homes in Oman will be the target of a landmark initiative called ‘Sahim’ – the implementation of smallscale grid connected solar PV systems to generate sustainable, renewable energy according to an Oman Observer report.

At a forum hosted by Oman American Business Council (OABC), Executive Director of the Authority for Electricity Regulation Oman, Qais Saud Al Zakwani confirmed that the efforts to launch ‘Sahim’ are already underway.

“We are currently in the phase of defining the first

block of houses, as well as the monitoring mechanisms, which will be embedded into a tender. Investment funds can then compete in the financing of this project. Hopefully, this would expedite the deployment of solar, going forward,” said Al Zakwani.

During the initial rollout of ‘sahim,’ Al Zakwani explained that a number of factors will be taken into consideration when selecting homes for the initiative like: contributions of the homes and building during peak energy demand, geographic deployment of the initiative, current electricity consumption, etc.

“From the customer’s standpoint, he will benefit from

his partial dependence on solar for his energy consumption.

From the nation’s perspective, there will be a larger deployment of solar, which will offset the reliance on gas-based power generation. From the perspective of the funding agencies, there will be an opportunity to sell surplus energy into the grid, as we have done with other producers, which offers a reasonable return on their investment over the lifecycle of the project,” Al Zakwani further added.

The initiative will ultimately be a positive step for the Sultanate to put all the surplus solar energy towards building a sustainable urban future.

EXHIBITION CENTER APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

T

he Oman Convention and Exhibition Center (OCEC) announced the appointment of Ms. Debra Simkiss as the new Director of Operations. She brings to the table more than 25 years of experience in the industry, and her work has spanned from managing gaming lodges, luxurious hotels and high-profile convention

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centers.

Simkiss was also named “Top 40 Women in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events”, in 2016.

Furthermore, OCEC has appointed Ekta Gandhi as the new Marketing and Communications Manager. She joins the company after serving as the youngest head of the pre-joining team at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, in Oman.

LANGUAGE WEEK

GALLERY

THE EMBASSY OF ITALY IN OMAN CELEBRATED THE ‘ITALIAN LANGUAGE WEEK IN THE WORLD’ WITH A SCREENING OF THE MOVIE ‘IL POSTINO’ AT THE VOX CINEMAS, IN QURUM. THE EVENT WAS HELD THIS WEEK.

OCT 19 - 25 / ISSUE 491

013

YOUR

TEE TIME

OMAN

AL NAHDA HOTELS AND RESORTS (ANHR) HOSTED ITS 5TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT, LAST WEEK [20 OCT, 2017], AT THE MUSCAT HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB. THE GAME WAS CONDUCTED IN THE TEXAS SCRAMBLE FORMAT, AND WITNESSED A GREAT TURNOUT OF PLAYERS.

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OCT 26 - NOV 01 / ISSUE 492

GALLERY

SILVER JUBILEE

GALLERY

THE BRITISH BUSINESS FORUM (BBF) CELEBRATED ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY IN OMAN, THIS MONTH, WITH AN EXCLUSIVE CEREMONY AT THE GRAND HYATT MUSCAT HOTEL. THE EVENT WAS HOSTED BY AGGREKO.

OCT 26 - NOV 01 / ISSUE 492

015

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Hottest Peppers in the World

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SHU = Scoville Heat Unit (A measure of spiciness)

Carolina Reaper ■ SHU: 2,200,000

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OCT 26 - NOV 01 / ISSUE 492

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Source: pepperhead.com

OCT 26 - NOV 01 / ISSUE 492

017

Photo: Shaquel Al Balushi

Today’s inspiration: Real heroes aren’t the ones wearing capes and masks, they’re the ones ready to go into battle for us.

In a new series, we look for inspiration from a variety of influences around Oman, including its people, places and wildlife.

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

HIGHLAND GAMES

The Caledonian Society of Oman will be hosting the second-edition of the Mini Highland Games in the gardens of the Intercontinental Hotel. The purpose of the day is to raise funds for Oman Cancer Association, therefore adult visitors will be charged RO2. Entry is free for children. The event will begin at 2pm, and is expected to include a pipes and drums, and a high tempo rock performance.

OCT

28

MUSCAT INTERNATIONAL JEWELLERY EXHIBITION OCT

24-28

Feast your eyes on priceless, glinting magnificent jewels as MIJEX prepares to flaunt its treasure trove of gemstones and precious jewellery from around the world and put it on display. The event will be held till October 28 at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.

MILITARY MUSIC:

THIS

WEEK OCT

OMAN AND THE WORLD

WHAT TO DO. WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

-

NOV

The annual military musical event, Royal Opera House’s most popular event on the calendar, is making a comeback next month to entice and entertain the audience with a flawless, heart-stirring performance. Hundreds of men and women will march to the tune of bagpipes and trumpets with military precision at ROHM’s outdoor courtyard as they put forward their finest military uniforms and musicians on display. Besides the rich Omani culture, the audience will also be treated to first-class musical bands from Europe and Asia as a symbolic gesture of Oman’s growing global presence. For more information, visit: www.rohmuscat.org.om

NOV

2-4

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OCT 26 - NOV 01 / ISSUE 492

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

Suburbicon Starring: Matt Damon, Oscar Isaac and Julianne Moore

Thor: Ragnarok Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban with Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Hopkins The mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth) finds himself imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his precious hammer as he prepares for a gladiator-like fight with his once ally and fellow Avenger, The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). But Thor has to race against time as he worries Ragnarok, the destruction of his homeworld of Asgard at the hands of the super-evil, all-powerful Hela (Cate Blanchett). Director Taika Waititi, a New Zealand filmmaker, brings a different flavour to the Marvel Comics world that’s exciting and funny at the same time. It’s basically an action-packed movie that will leave any hardcore Avenger fan satisfied till the franchise pops out another one.

Directed by George Clooney, Suburbicon is a crime-comedy set in a model 1959 American suburb where families move to raise children in the tranquil community.

The Lodge family is doing just that when abruptly, Gardner Lodge (Matt Damon) finds himself investigating the dark, violent underbelly of the otherwise normal suburbia.

Oman release: 02 November 2017

The Star Starring: Steven Yeun, Kelly Clarkson, Aidy Bryant, Ving Rhames, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry

Bo, a brave yet tiny donkey, wants to break free from his life at the village mill and explore the world beyond. When he finally musters up the courage to do just that, he teams up with a sheep, a dove and three wisecracking camels as they follow the star into a mighty adventure.

Oman release: 09 November 2017

Ramaleela Starring: Dileep, Mukesh, Prayaga Martin, Radhika Sarathkumar, and Siddique

Ittefaq Starring: Sidharth Malhotra, Sonakshi Sinha and Akshaye Khanna

Oman release: 02 November 2017

Dev (Akshaye Khanna) is investigating the prime suspects of a double murder case who also happen to be the only two witnesses for the homicide. Vikram (Sidharth Malhotra), a writer, and Maya (Sonakshi Sinha), a homemaker, both narrate two very different storylines of the horrifying night to Dev. Oman release: 03 November 2017

The film, directed by Arun Gopy, is a gripping political thriller in which a politician (Dileep) whose political career is just about to take off, finds himself kneedeep in the ugly abyss of dirty politics. The movie follows Ramanunni (Dileep) as he struggles to navigate family life and also survive the ruthless politics.

Oman release: 26 October 2017

By Shishira Sreenivas OCT 26 - NOV 01 / ISSUE 492

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WIND OF C HA NG E

GLOBAL EXPERTS AND LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS SAY OMAN’S ECONOMY IS BOUNCING BACK TO BETTER TIMES. ALVIN THOMAS SHARES WITH INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS AND LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS THE FACTS AND FIGURES THAT BRING ON THE NEW WAVE OF CHEER

S

itting solid at the 75th spot – and nestled between Luxembourg and Myanmar – Oman may be considered as a country gradually developing its resources and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over a period of time. It’s a safe bet according to many – neither too developed nor underdeveloped – and this was the case when the Sultanate was placed in the list of countries by economists at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2016.

But what one tends to forget is that our country was one of the many hit by the oil slump of 2014, which saw global oil prices dip below US$30 (RO11.55). This affected the Middle East drastically, with many countries cutting down on their expenditures and others putting largescale projects on hold.

This was especially a problem for Oman, a country that has often been touted as the ‘world’s largest non-OPEC oil producer in the Middle East’.

Slumping oil prices and a global crisis put Oman on the back foot, forcing the government to introduce several reforms, ranging from cutting out subsidies on electricity for businesses to increasing fuel prices.

This begs us to ask the question: Did the GCC bubble burst?

To answer this very question, we contact several experts on the subject, and they all say the same thing: “Things are slowly but steadily starting to shape up” to set in motion the first phase of the country’s ‘economic bounceback’.

Today, oil prices are stabilising – with the Oman crude selling at roughly US$50 (RO19.25) a barrel – and this has brought a wind of

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change along with it. There are more cars on the road, many cranes are towering across the landscape and several new projects are being signed than before.

This has also triggered a wave of optimism across several sectors in Oman, thereby sparking a change in the forecast of growth and development of the GDP and, subsequently, the financial situation of the nation.

But to understand what affects the GDP, we must first learn what the term denotes.

Gross domestic product represents a country’s economy. The GDP is the total value of everything – all the goods – produced by all the people and companies operating within the country.

It doesn’t matter if they are expats, citizens or foreign investments; if they are located within the country’s boundaries, the government counts their production as the GDP. In line with that, reports of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) doubling its contribution to the GDP by 2020 also broke the news. This means companies in Oman would be increasing its contribution by up to 30 per cent in the next three years.

During an interview with the local daily Oman Observer, Khalid Safi al Haraibi, acting CEO of the Public Authority for the Development of SMEs (Riyada), said: “On the back of increasing investments and generation of more jobs, the GDP, which was only 15 per cent in 2014, will more than double.”

Nevertheless, we should always be positive and look forward to a brighter economy in the coming few years

While it may seem like a far stretch, we must note that SMEs have already contributed 23 per cent to Oman’s GDP by the beginning of 2017, as per Al Haraibi.

John Joseph, an Indian expat who coowns a petroleum engineering firm in the Sultanate, says: “Small and mediumscale enterprises are coming of age in Oman. There was a time when most people were shying away from starting up businesses; but that is not the case now. Young Omanis want to dip their toes in the water and see if there are fishes there.

“But one has to realise that setting up a business in this current market scenario is risky. It requires in-depth planning, backing by the employees and also a good leader [owner].

“One reason why most SMEs fail to establish themselves here is due to the stronghold of bigger players in the market.”

But John believes that the mindset is slowly being wiped off.

“That is why you can see the increase in the amount of contributions to the GDP by SMEs. I am sure that it will also strengthen the country’s economy slowly,” he adds.

“The reason for the increase is simple: more SMEs are coming up and more valued goods are being produced. It’s the basic graph of demand and supply, except we’re not sure when we will hit an asymptote,” adds John Joseph.

John’s statement stands true today as Al Haraibi revealed that more than 500 well-dedicated startups registered themselves as SMEs in recent years.

Also impressive is the launch of new investment funds that are aimed to provide these SMEs with a solid backing.

Despite that, however, oil and gas entrepreneur Qais al Khonji believes that SMEs are far from singlehandedly improving Oman’s economy.

“We should move to being industrial,” he says.

“The more we produce and export, the further our GDP would jump. I know it’s easier said than done, but if we have a strategy to move towards that direction, it would improve the nation’s GDP.” Like Qais states, it’s not just the SMEs and new businesses that are having a strong impact on the GDP. Oman is on a mission to develop the tourism sector and transform it to the forefront of leisure and adventure activities in the Middle East.

For instance, Salalah’s first water park – Hawana Aqua Park – is expected to open its doors by the end of this year.

The park can reportedly handle 500 people a day and will feature attractions such as water slides, leisure pools for guests, toddlers’ pool, pool-front cabins, swimming pools, wave pools, a main tower and much more.

Aside from that, the Nizwa Fort is also due to undergo a complete renovation as it aims to become a “world-class tourist destination”.

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These are only two among several other projects that are being undertaken to keep up with the changing face of Oman.

Recently, a meeting was held by the steering committee of the tourism sector for regularising adventure tourism in the Sultanate. The team reportedly reviewed the progress on adventure tourism in the Sultanate.

The team will furthermore develop and publish a manual on wadi adventure tourism.

Just last month, the Sultanate announced its biggest change in its visa rule in over three years that lowered the salary limit of an expatriate to bring his or her family to the Sultanate to RO300. Previously an expat had to earn a minimum salary of RO600 to apply for a family visa.

“This was a great move to keep the remittances within the country,” said Melissa Joan, an economist based in Oman, in an earlier interview with Y. “I personally think this is a smart move. It’s something that should have happened three or four years ago but better late than never.

“This means that the people will spend their money within Oman. This should aid in strengthening our economy and also broaden the prospects of our growth annually.

“Until now, men and women working here had been sending their hard-earned money back to their hometowns in the Philippines, India, Pakistan, etc. But with their families here, I think they would have to increase their local spending, thereby reducing the flux of remittances outside Oman,” she told us.

In another surprise move, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) announced that Indians, Russians and Chinese would be exempted from requiring a

sponsor to visit the country.

Later in the week, it then added 25 more countries – Azerbaijan, Armenia, Albania, Uzbekistan, Iran, Panama, Bhutan, Bosnia, Peru, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Maldives, Georgia, Honduras, Salvador, Tajikistan, Guatemala, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Costa Rica, Laos, Mexico and Nicaragua – to the list.

In 2016, the government approved the National Strategy for Tourism 2040, which aims to bring about a 6 per cent rise in the contribution of tourism to the GDP, and bring in five million visitors to the nation by 2040 – a two-fold increase in the number of people that currently visit Oman.

All of this means that Oman’s economy is expected to stage a “smart recovery” in the coming years.

And as per the revelations made by Dr Khalfan Mohammed Al Barwani, vice president, Financial Services and Operations, at the Central Bank of Oman (CBO), the growth in Oman’s GDP is expected to hit four per cent – according to the growth prediction by the IMF – next year. This was revealed during a panel discussion organised by international mass media company, Thomson Reuters, recently.

He also thanked the “economic diversification and prudent policies” of the government for this positive forecast.

Dr Khalfan was quoted as saying: “In 2017, we are seeing a little dip in terms of economic growth due to two reasons – a fall in oil production since Oman agreed to cut output along with OPEC and non-OPEC producers, and a decline in government spending.”

You only come to terms with the latter when you realise that the government has cut a staggering 6.1 per cent of its total spending in the

Supply is currently trumping demand.

And this will be the case until we have more young Omanis making a switch to the city limits with their families, or more expats fill in the flats that are left unoccupied

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first seven months (January to July) of this year when compared with the period of 2016.

While the news of a recovering economy may come as a pleasant surprise to the residents of Oman, several people are feeling the pinch in the advent of increased fuel prices and reduced subsidies.

Today, people are shelling out as much as 205 baisas (M95) and 186 baisas (M91) for a litre of petrol, and 211 baisas for a litre of diesel fuel.

But, businesses are taking the heat, as companies must now pay off unsubsidised electricity bills and higher fees for procuring new visas for their expat recruits.

This has also resulted in a decline in the budget deficit, according to the CBO. The deficit as registered by the CBO stood at RO2.6 billion in the end of July this year compared with RO4 billion in the same period of last year.

The statistics also tell that the total expenditure in the first eight months of this year stood at RO8.1 billion while the total revenues stood at RO5.4 billion.

But what does all this translate to the common woman and man?

“Those cuttings have only resulted in a tougher life for the normal consumers. I think the government should focus on attracting foreign investments as well as building specialised cities and, above all, focus on creating new jobs,” says Qais.

Financial analyst Bennett, however, believes that Oman is trying to lever itself from the “darker” times, and that the decline in the deficit is the signalling of “better times”.

“Once the funds start flowing in and the budget deficit is cut down further – by the next year or so – we can forecast that things will begin to settle down. This means that the fuel prices would stop fluctuating and the inflation would be even lower than what it is now.”

The inflation rate in Oman last month stood at 1.6 per cent – one of the lowest in the region. The major cause of the inflation was a 3.45 per cent rise in furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance groups.

“Still, the rate of buildings that are going up is quite high. Quite a lot of landlords have constructed new buildings with the hopes of finding more tenants. But as more expats leave the country, that hopes go into jeopardy.

“I know that the word on the street is that the young Omanis will fill in the gaps, but I don’t think that would be the case. Most of them would prefer to live with their families, or in economical flats, if they are within the city.

This – as per Bennett – is the reason for a drop in rents paid by tenants across various parts of Oman.

“Supply is currently trumping demand. And this will be the case until we have more young Omanis making a switch to the city limits with their families, or more expats fill in the flats that are left unoccupied,” he tells Y. There are rumours that flats in the central business district (CBD) are now sealing deals for 50 per cent of its original value. Although, this can be attributed to the strategic shift of the National Bank of Oman (NBO) and the Bank Muscat (BM) to new offices, and in different locations.

But there is no better time to sign a house contract in the CBD than now, says Phillip M, an Indian expat working in the area.

“We had to move to Wadi Al Kabir last year because the rent in CBD was too high.

But now, I am seriously considering breaking my contract and moving there.

“The houses that were going for RO500 and RO550are now going for RO375,” he points out.

On the other hand, retail outlets are optimistic about the forecast for the next fiscal year.

“Once the oil price stabilises, people will be paying marginally lesser for household commodities and other goods and services. Of course, this is in a scenario wherein the Value-Added Tax (VAT) isn’t implemented,” Bennett says.

“The tax system will definitely drive in funds to the government, thereby helping cap or stop a hemorrhage in the deficit.

“But it will also adversely affect the lifestyle of the people. If the taxes are raised even higher on the food and beverages, then people will most likely avoid dining out or reduce their spending on eating out, and so on. Certain luxury goods will also be priced higher; we should wait and see what happens,” he adds.

Another prospect for Oman’s economy is the growth in foreign investment. Chinese firms have already committed to a US$10 billion investment in Duqm, while a Kuwaitbased firm is investing in the Duqm Refinery.

“So far the only real indicator is the oil prices. Yes, there is a slight increase but it gives us nothing major to say. We won’t see the figures of oil prices touching US$100 for the next eight to 10 years,” Qais exclaims.

“But, in general, I’m very positive about the economy. As I stated earlier, the oil prices will take a while to recover, and I wish diversification would have taken place at good times rather than the bad times. Nevertheless, we should always be positive and look forward to a brighter economy in the coming few years,” the entrepreneur adds. ■ OCT 26 - NOV 01 / ISSUE 492

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Y B T I A R T R O P

T A N A DAY L A ION ART T A TH N BEING P EST 7 4 S AN’ IDE BY ’S BIGG M O ,Y PR TE G N A R O N R U I B U T O E O A Y CEL SHOW A N VING Y ARE A 0 Y B I H AND RTRAIT VENT, G CE TO S F RO3,15 O OF P NUAL E S A CHAN PRIZE O AN IST L CASH T R A TOTA

Associate Sponsor

Powered by

47 Electronics Partner

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A

fter the fantastic success of last year’s first-of-its-kind art event, Portrait By A Nation is back, bringing the children of the Sultanate together to mark 47 glorious years under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.

Building on the historical inaugural event, this year’s instalment is set to be a much bigger competition, taking place in cities across the country, including Sur, Nizwa, Sohar, Salalah, as well as the capital. Children from all regions in Oman will be given the opportunity to display their creativity as they paint or decorate a printed canvas of His Majesty in any way they wish as they compete for huge cash prizes.

The event will be powered by FRiENDi in association with sponsors Muscat Grand Mall, PUCK, IDdesign and Finland Eye Center. Meanwhile, eXtra will be the electronics sponsor for the event.

It will be held on November 4 and 5 in the interior regions, and on

N O I T November 10 and 11 in Muscat.

National Day is a special time in the Sultanate when everybody joins hands to commemorate the years of Renaissance and the road of evolution Oman has taken to become a nation that can proudly hold its own on the world stage.

The progress and prosperity of the past 47 years has been achieved under the guidance of His Majesty The Sultan, who continues to lead the country with a steady, inspirational hand, and there is no better way to celebrate National Day than by creating a lasting tribute to our visionary leader. Last year’s competition attracted more than 2,200 entries from children across the country, who came together under one designated banner to create their portrait. Now in its fourth year, this year’s Portrait By A Nation could see numbers double as we celebrate this momentous milestone together.

This year’s event will again be open to three age categories, each with prizes for first place, runner-up and second runner-up, giving children more chances to win. The age categories will be five to nine years old, 10 to 13 and 14 to 17. We will also be including a new category this year for children with special needs.

“Once again, we are very proud to present Y’s the fourth edition of our annual competition, Portrait By A Nation. The past three years of the competition have been a huge success and

HOW TO TAKE PART 1) Online at y-oman.com/register 2) Pick up registration forms from Y magazine’s office in Seeb, the IDdesign store in Markaz Al Bahja, Finland Eye Center, and Muscat Grand Mall.

3) You can also Whatsapp (Name of the children, Age, Gender, Contact no., Email Id, School, Age Category) us on 9715 8499

we believe that the 47th National Day will be even more special we have received an overwhelming response from many children across the Sultanate, all of them inspired by the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said,” says Nishad Padiyarath, editorial head of Y Magazine.

“And we believe that the 47th National Day will be even more special.”

At the end of the painting events, 47 finalists will be chosen by a panel of judges that includes representatives from our sponsors and Nishad.

The finalists will then be invited to a special ceremony on November 18 to reveal the winners.

The final 47 portraits will also be collated and

spread onto a larger canvas that will act as a collage of the many faces of His Majesty, as seen through the eyes of the nation’s children. This larger piece of art will then be on public display for the duration of the country’s National Day celebrations.

The art competition is a great chance for children to show their pride in the nation they call home and Y is encouraging as many children and parents as possible to get involved and support the initiative.

Portrait By A Nation is a fantastic opportunity for children to display their creative prowess on a wide platform and to also show their love for the nation and express their gratitude to His Majesty The Sultan.

Talking about the event, a spokesperson for Muscat Grand Mall says: “We are proud to be a part of Y’s Portrait By A Nation event, this year.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to showcase their talents and also nab some lucrative prizes.

“We feel this will make way for some healthy competition but also some really striking art,” he adds.

To take part, children need to register their interest and select the correct age category they will be entering. Entrants will be invited to take part in the event hosted by SABCO Media, Y Magazine’s parent company, at a designated venue depending on where they live. ■

OCT 26 - NOV 01 / ISSUE 492

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encounter

GETTING TO MEET SOMEONE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BUT NEVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE IS PURE DELIGHT. HASAN AL LAWATI STRAYS INTO A PLEASANT SURPRISE IN STONE TOWN

T

hree years ago when I just started my journalism career, I met Garry Friend at a business event.

Then the general manager of Grand Hyatt Muscat, Friend introduced me to a group of influential people and helped me in covering a major B2B (Back to Business) event.

Friend is a soft-spoken, free-handed and quick-witted man. He was well known in the hospitality sector in the region.

I wanted to meet him later to thank him, but he was gone by then.

I never had the chance to say goodbye to him, until last week in Zanzibar.

I was staying at Park Hyatt Zanzibar in Stone Town when I met Julia Gimadyeva, the director of sales of the hotel. She asked me if I would like to interview their general manager.

I did not see any reason to do the interview until she mentioned his name. Garry Friend is the general manager of Park Hyatt Zanzibar, and he was on his way to the hotel.

“Oh destiny,” I thought.

Again, after three years, I interviewed Garry Friend, but on a different continent. The first thing I asked was: “Do you miss Oman?”

“Yes, especially the Opera House,” he said. Friend was known to be a regular at the Royal Opera House Muscat.

Asked about the difference between Oman and Zanzibar when it came to tourism, he said: “There is a really big difference between Oman and Zanzibar. You really can’t compare them. Oman is a big city, it is like New York compared to Zanzibar which is very isolated.

The only deluxe hotel in Stone Town is Park Hyatt and there is no other international branded luxury hotel here.

“Muscat is really progressive, you have the Opera House, luxury and business hotels and many international events take place there while Zanzibar, as they say in Egypt, is very ‘baladi’.

“It is a developing third world country where many of its people survive on handouts and many of them live below the poverty line.”

But Zanzibar is well recognised as one of the safest areas in Africa. “Zanzibar is very safe even compared to Dar Es Salaam. Women can walk at night here,” Friend said.

In Zanzibar, there are no private beaches by law. A fact that made me ask Friend about how beneficial this rule could be to tourism.

“In most parts of the world, you can’t have private beaches. Even in Australia where I am from, no hotels or houses are allowed to have private beaches. We are lucky here because local people use the beach next to our hotel to play football and do yoga in the morning,” he said.

Commenting on the law, Friend said: “It is very good. I am very happy about this and hope they stick to that. Everybody should be free to use the beaches.”

To me, Zanzibar felt different. It is not your regular island escape. It is nothing like Hawaii or the Maldives.

“When you come to Zanzibar, you want to feel African culture and the history of Omani and Portuguese design and cultural influence,” said Friend “..but when if you come to Stone Town, you can really feel the richness of culture and its unexplored history.”

While Friend said Zanzibar “is way more touristic than Oman” he explained that Oman is a lot more successful financially.

“Although the labour is much cheaper here, Zanzibar is not seen as a high-end location,” he said.

Many people here are surviving on $150 a month, according to Friend.

Friend has visited Oman three times since he left it three years ago.

“The first thing I miss about Muscat is shopping, you cannot buy anything brand new here, I miss the Opera House and the fabulous restaurants,” he said.

“Plus, Muscat is closer to Europe and other international destinations and Omanis are better educated and enjoy better medical care. You are miles away,” he added.

Friend is managing two hotels in Tanzania: one in its mainland in Dar Es Salaam and the other is Zanzibar island.

“I think Omanis will enjoy it. The place here is designed to walk around, it is a safe place where women can walk safely at night. Oman Air, flydubai and Qatar Airways fly daily to Zanzibar.” Friend has a very interesting career. He has spent 27 years managing the Hyatt brand. From Australia to Greece, Jordan and Egypt, where he spent more than six years, he moved to South Africa, Doha and Muscat, before landing in Zanzibar.

Among his friends, he is known to be an avid volunteer and major contributor to local communities.

He is also known for his trust-based policy. “If you are managing people, you have to trust them. I think being able to trust people is very important. Staff need to grow and make decisions and also learn to be friendly and learn from their mistakes,” he said.

Park Hyatt Hotel currently funds a home for the elderly and sponsors a football team in Zanzibar. It also promotes artists by giving them free space in the hotel to display their works.

“We work to give something back to the community,” Friend said, adding that 95 per cent of the hotel staff are locals.

Following the interview, Garry Friend introduced me to Othman, a 26-year-old painter. Othman is one the very common Arabic names on the island.

He generously took me on a short tour to see art workshops in Stone Town.

“Since hotels started opening in Zanzibar, many artists found opportunities to sell painting to the tourists,” he said, adding that there are many full-time painters in Zanzibar.”

“We get to display our work to tourists. The Americans are the best buyers. We make good sales during holiday seasons,” he said.

The two gentlemen, Friend and Othman, confidently show us how the hospitality industry can contribute to the development of countries and curb unemployment. ■

When you come to Zanzibar, you want to feel African culture and the history of Omani and Portuguese design and cultural influence

OCT 26 - NOV 01 / ISSUE 492

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Symphon y of

THE SCHOOLS STUDENTS FROM THREE TOP SCHOOLS IN MUSCAT PUT THEIR HEADS AND HANDS TOGETHER TO BELT OUT MUSIC THAT MELTED MANY HEARTS. ALVIN THOMAS STRIKES A CHORD WITH THE BRAINS BEHIND THE BEATS

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W

hat happens when three of Oman’s top schools unite together to put on a show?

The answer is simple: they create a symphony – and one that transcends all perceivable levels.

The balmy evening of October 7th came to life when 55 students – all united by their love for music – from The American International School of Muscat (TAISM), the British School Muscat (BSM) and the American British Academy (ABA) got together to indulge their audience in an evening of harmony at the Donald and Eloise Bosch Center at TAISM. And you know what? They shone, much to the bliss and delight of all the visitors present at the arena to listen to the young hands orchestrate their tunes.

It had to be seen to be believed; the students performing on the day came together as a unit only a few hours ago.

What this essentially means is that the young students – who range all the way from middle school to seniors in high school – mustered the confidence to synchronise themselves with one other during their short practice sessions.

But that’s not all: they mastered the ability to keep the unity alive by maintaining a keen eye on the notes that lay in front of them and by putting on a can-do attitude to put up a majestic show.

They really hit all the right notes – literally and figuratively.

Some of the music played during the concert included pieces like Hans Zimmer’s Backdraft (from the 90s); some tunes from Star Wars series; and original compositions such as the Spitfire and the Pride of Youth by Darryl Barry.

Darryl who? We’re talking about the ranger for the Royal Guard and the Royal Oman Symphony – Darryl Barry.

He has been touted as a public figure among the musical community in the Sultanate.

“I just think that it is important to emphasise the collaborative nature of this festival and the fact that we are breaking down barriers between schools, nationalities, cultures and age groups,” said Dillan, the band director at TAISM. “Another amazing fact about the festival – in my view – is that the professionals who play for the Muscat

Brass have worked with the students in preparation for the concert in their sections. But that’s not all: they are also sitting alongside them and playing during the concert so that they get an idea of what an incredible sound brass is,” he added.

Fellow instrument teacher from the BSM, Dan Anthony, shared the same opinion as Dillan.

“This is a big collaborative project,” Dan said.

“I’ve asked all my friends to come and help out. We are very lucky to have Darryl Barry conducting and writing all the music for the event, so it is definitely a big team effort between the three schools.

“This is also something I am trying to get more of – the collaboration between big schools in Muscat. We have got a variety of collaborative projects set up for the whole year.

“I think music is coming of age in Muscat. All these three school have got instrumental programmes in place that are emerging, and we are seeing the dawn of a new age for the kids, which is fantastic.

“The standards are coming up, and this is what this weekend is all about. It’s getting children who don’t know each other, feeding off each other and raising everybody’s game.”

There’s no lying: the weekend was a great success and another feather on the hat for the three schools that put forward their second brass night. And Dillan optimistically said all of this was only a start of things to come.

“There’s a possibility of having a wind band festival here in January and some other musical projects too. We’re working to bring it to a wide audience,” he tells me, with a wide smile on his face. ■ OCT 26 - NOV 01 / ISSUE 492

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

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

• 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

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Adventures

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Gaming

CARS AND ADVENTURES

BEAU SABREUR

The Audi Q5 is quintessentially bonny. But don’t let the looks fool you; the SUV can conquer lands and explore new enclaves without breaking a sweat. -P34

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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

Destination

WADI TIWI

THE TALLEST ROCK AT WADI TIWI IS A PUZZLING FASCINATION FOR VISITORS BUT IT COULD GET QUITE PUNISHING, AS IT HAPPENED IN THE CASE OF THE COUSIN WHO ACCOMPANIED SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI ON HIS LATEST EXPEDITION 032

OCT 26 - NOV 01 / ISSUE 492

Gaming

L

TRAVEL GUIDE

et me start by asking you a quick question: how frustrated do you get when someone ruins all your plans? While the answer to that may vary depending on the person, I tend to take such instances very seriously; it annoys me when such things happen.

I came across one such dilemma this week when I decided to head to the wadi of Tiwi for a quick stopover. As most of you readers will know, I like starting my journey early in the morning.

The temperatures are usually low and the colours of the sky soft; it’s the perfect time to head out for a road trip. But things didn’t go as

planned this time around as Hanif – my cousin – who had agreed to join me on my escapade simply failed to wake up… until 7:30am.

Remember, I usually begin my day at 5:30am, as it is the best time to capture the morning skies. Oh, and the roads are also (usually) deserted at that hour. In any case, it was 8:30am by the time Hanif prepared himself and lumbered towards my home.

I still decided to make the best of the situation by devising a plan – an evil one. But I’ll save that for the later part of the story.

As expected, we came across some traffic on our way to Tiwi.

It is a destination that beckons

visitors from all over the Sultanate.

The wadi is easily accessible for people living within the capital but is also only a few hours’ ride away for those staying in farther parts of Muscat.

Nevertheless, it was 10am by the time we reached the location.

Wadi Tiwi never fails to call out to me: it is always gushing with crystalclear waters and is also a place to test out your fitness levels – which as you know is what I like.

So, I did what any adventurist would do – I parked my car in the foot of the wadi and decided to trek across with my camera equipment.

This came as an inconvenience for Hanif who loves being nestled in his car. It took us a good 30 minutes to truly enter the wadi, upon which we could only think of splashing and cooling down in the waters of the wadi.

The waters were quite cool as the sun hadn’t done its job of heating up the rocks as well as I had thought it would.

After a quick Roman-style bath, I decided to teach Hanif a lesson for having kept me waiting at home.

I asked him to climb on top of the tallest rock formation in the wadi – “the challenging rock” – as it is dearly dubbed, by visitors. As you can see here, it is fairly towering.

Granted, it is a risky climb but it isn’t something one should be too bothered about if they have been

HOW TO GET THERE From Muscat, take Route 17 until you pass Wadi Shab. Take the turn-off for Tiwi a few kilometres further on, driving back on yourself along the coast and through the village until you see the overpass. The path into Wadi Tiwi starts under this bridge.

GPS location of Wadi Tiwi: N22º 47’ 34.577”; E59º 13’ 49.694”

rock climbing before.

Hanif rejected my request at first but then (hesitantly) obliged when I told him that I would be clicking photos of him atop the rock.

The climb is fairly easy: you grab on to the most stable rock and lunge upwards; it is the descend that is terrifying. Thankfully – and I say this with an evil smile – Hanif didn’t think too much before starting his climb.

So, it was only once he looked down from the top when he realised that he was pretty much trapped there for eternity.

I carried on clicking pics of a mystified Hanif while bursting out in a fit of laughter like never before. I also took a video of the incident for my archives.

But soon I could see that he was remorseful for what he had done to me. Therefore, I (eventually) instructed him as he lowered his body downwards.

I must be honest, I was regretting sending him up there, as a fall would have proven fatal.

Nonetheless, it took a whole 20 minutes for him to get down; it was nerve-wracking and hysterical at the same time.

We then proceeded deeper into the wadi, and stumbled upon large boulders of rocks, surrounded by water.

Some of the inclines are so steep that you will require professional equipment to keep yourself safe – do keep that in mind.

Fearing we would get lost, we decided to head back to our Jeep, but not before a final session of reminiscing – with Hanif – at the foothill of one of the mountains.

We talked about how we would pull each other’s legs for a laugh when we were young boys.

And you know what? We realised that 30 years later, we were still the same.

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FIRST DRIVE

CARS ADVENTURES

AU D I Q 5

Squint hard before you step in if they are parked together but as you step on it the confusion melts away. Alvin Thomas figures out the all-new Audi Q5 from the SQ5 after taking the beauties for a back-to-back spin

H

old your horses, folks. Before you accuse me of reviewing the same car this week, I must point out that what you are looking at here is not an SQ5, but a crossover that could very well be the German manufacturer’s trump card in the segment for the next five years or so. It’s the toned down and mellow variant of the SQ5 – the Audi Q5 – or in short, the form factor that the car was originally imagined to be fashioned in.

Although, from where I was standing, I couldn’t figure out why anyone would opt for the SQ5, because there is not much differentiating the duo.

But before I call out the nattier SQ5, let me talk about the preceding variants of the Q5.

The Q5 may be beating sales records all over the world – in fact, it is VW’s top-selling model worldwide – but let’s be honest here; it has not been the most popular crossover in Oman, or even in the GCC; even though a fair share of cars have trickled down to ardent fans of the brand.

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With its oddball nine-year-old design, people were inclined towards the more relevant Volkswagen Tiguan, or even the posher and newer BMW X3 and the Mercedes GLC (previously known as the GLK).

Albeit, for 2018, things have taken a turn for the better… and gosh, this is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Gone is the bloodless design: the new Q5 keeps in line with the brand’s new design language, and resembles the larger Audi Q7 SUV and (from some angles) the pretty A5.

I am not going too deep into the looks of the Q5; you can refer to Issue 490 (October 12, 2017) for a deeper outlook on the vehicle. On a general note, however, it looks splendid with its colossal hexagonal chrome grille and the sharp “Matrix” LED headlamps.

The overall profile is subdued in comparison with its brawnier sibling. The alloys are smaller, but the tyre profile is larger, meaning, there’s more rubber to absorb all the imperfections on the road. This should also allow you to do some light off-roading without fretting about curbing or scuffing your precious alloys against sharp stones.

The Q5 deletes the ear studs – the brushed aluminium shell on the side mirrors – although I feel that it is not something you will dearly miss. On the upside, you still get a “Quattro” badge upfront and “S-Line” badges on the sides, depending on the grade of vehicle you opt for.

Still, the curves and the sharp edges on the Q5 is far from conservative – it’s quite sporty, even without the meaty alloys and the angular rear spoiler. The SUV gets the same striking tail lamps that that cuts

Destination

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

Y- F i

the lines on the C-pillar. It’s typical of Audi, but still looks of the dashboard. fresh nonetheless.

Other optional extras include a Bang & Olufsen The vehicle is also longer for the 2018 model year. sound system and a Qi wireless charging holder for your The wheelbase is longer by 3.3cm and there’s a 10-litre compatible smartphone. There’s also Apple CarPlay for increase in the boot space when compared to its all you iPhone lovers. predecessor. It’s a small change but one that will fare well Now let’s move over to the powertrain of the vehicle. with the buyer audience, too.

This is where things start to vary: the Q5 packs a smaller Contrastingly, the unladen weight of the vehicle has but powerful 2.0-litre “TFSI” turbocharged four-cylinder been dropped by 90kg, thanks to the use of high-strength pot-banger, which is carried over from the previous steel and aluminium. generation.

All of this means that there’s more space in the interior It offers more power and torque than last year – 22hp for passengers. Knee and head room in the rear is and 20Nm more – to be precise. This translates to an splendid and up to standard with the best in class. This is output of 252hp and 379Nm of torque. As expected, also the case in the front. there’s a performance rise; zero to 100kph is now The seats are comfortable and cushy, but surprisingly achieved in about 6.3 seconds – a whole 0.6 seconds faster supportive (in an Audi way). There’s plenty of lumbar than the model it replaces. support and side and hip bolstering, While the numbers may not seem like although not overly uncomfortable as much, I found the acceleration to be apt; it is in the SQ5. it’s not a slouch by any means. Heck, it’s There’s plenty of tech in the interior that faster than its own sister – the four-cylinder you can play with: you can – and should Porsche Macan (!)

– opt for the large 32cm wide instrument On the tarmac, I found the acceleration to cluster that sports the gorgeous ‘Audi be brisk, and the turbo-lag minimum. The A NEWFOUND seven-speed dual-clutch automatic has been Virtual Cockpit’.

CHARACTER AND tuned for economy, but it doesn’t hesitate to This gives you a completely digital and PERSONALITY kick down (unless set in “Economy” mode) a customisable cluster, although it’s not as gimmicky as it was when it first came out. couple of gears, when you need more power The graphics are crisp and the interface is slick, with no for a quick overtake. hint of lag.

The gear shifts are instantaneous and smooth, thereby If that wasn’t all, my tester also came with a 22cm keeping the engine in the power band at any given time, wide infotainment screen running during hard throttling.

Audi’s MMI touch system. It’s The torque is available on tap from a mere 1,500rpm. quite useful and easy to use This makes it very easy and brisk to drive in the city. I also when driving, courtesy found the low-end torque to be quite useful while out in the large knob and the rough roads and beach sand in Salalah. trackpad in My full-optioned “Quattro” tester also features the new the middle “Ultra Technology” package, which allows the all-wheeldrive system to completely disengage the rear axle – and become front-wheel-drive – based on the driving style and the conditions of the road surface.

The system, as per Audi, is intuitive and should take less than half a second to assess the situation, and another 0.2 seconds to engage or disengage the rear axle.

Apparently, it’s working all the time, and I could tell that only from the light shudder when the clutches coupled, when I had lost traction in one of the sandy pits. It’s inaudible and virtually instantaneous, and wouldn’t be of notice to the average driver.

In the corners, the Q5 is mighty composed, hitting the desired lines with ease. Of course, there was a bit of tyre squeal when I pushed the vehicle past its tipping point. This was also when I uncovered a fair bit of

Gaming

CARS

Audi Q5 Specifications: Engine: 2.0-litre “TFSI” turbocharged four-cylinder Transmission: Seven-speed dualclutch automatic Horsepower: 252hp Torque: 379Nm Top speed: 206kph “Quattro”all-wheel drive Matrix LED headlights Hill descent assist Power tailgate Dynamic Power Steering Audi Virtual Cockpit Bang & Olufsen audio MMI control 22cms touchscreen infotainment screen Selective drive modes Panoramic sunroof Leather upholstery Collision avoidance assist

understeer, as is characteristic of vehicles with such complicated allwheel-drive layouts. But the drive didn’t feel unnatural or dictated at any point.

Dare I say the drive train was quite communicative and responsive than the four-cylinder Macan and even the Tiguan.

Where the Q5 loses out, though, is in steering feel. The dynamic electric steering helps make driving easier in the city but the constant alteration of the steering ratios (depending on your speed) needs some getting used to. Still, I cannot pass any further judgment on the same without taking control of the car for a longer period of time.

The adaptive air suspension with damper control was available on my car, and it made the ride smooth; even over the harshest of terrain. There is a fair bit of lateral movement when the going gets tough. Still, the ride is smoother than any of its American competitors.

There’s also an “Off-road” mode that lifts the car by 45mm.

At the end of the day, it’s not hard to predict that the Audi Q5 will (successfully) continue to carry on its nameplate and legacy created by its predecessor into the distant future. But there’s something more to the new Q5 than what the previous iteration brought to the table: a newfound character and personality. And that alone is a unique selling point.

It’s time for Mercedes-Benz and BMW to catch up – and that, folks, is not a joke.

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CARS ADVENTURES ZEALOUS ZANZIBAR

Gifted with white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, aromatic spices and ornate Arabic architecture, Zanzibar is considered the cultural pot of Africa.

1. Stroll through Forodhani Gardens, a popular street food market 2. Visit Changu Island and take a selfie with giant tortoises 3. Stop by the former slave market 4. Buy colorful paintings at throwaway prices at the Souq 5. Snorkel off the beach and explore the turquoise waters

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Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Hasan al Lawati recommends

STONE TOWN, ZANZIBAR W

e arrived in Zanzibar in the afternoon and were greeted by its warm tropical air as we left the airport. You smell history and feel its rich culture the moment you step on land.

Over the last 2,000 years, the island has been in contact with Persia, India, Arabia and the coast of East Africa, resulting in nothing short of an impassioned history.

“Zanzibar is African, yet different from Africa. It is Arabian and Persian, yet different from Arabia and Persia; and Indian, yet different from India,” Ismail Jussa, a Zanzibari friend of author Robert D. Kaplan, was quoted in the American’s book Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power. I found that to be very true. There is no “ethnic theme” in Zanzibar, it is an organised cultural chaos. However, the Omani cultural influence is visible in Stone Town, a historic business hub. Here, you see many locals sporting Omani headdress and dishdashas.

Stone Town is the old part of Zanzibar, and it got its name from its ancient stone-made buildings.

The tropical paradise is gifted with white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, aromatic spices and ornate Arabic architecture. I visited the breathtaking Changu Island (prison island), which is home to giant tortoises that can live up to more than 200 years. Their ages are written in blue paint on their shells. Later, I snorkelled off the coast. The cold water felt good with the baking summer heat. There are very few branded hotels in Stone Town and poverty has taken its toll on the outskirts of the ancient city. It is hard to recognise the car brands they use and the roads, AN ALD ABRA including the double-lane highway, are damaged in most places. The airport is worn and the city G IA N T T OUT FR O R T O IS O M IT S lacks shopping destinations or malls. Despite all this, Zanzibaris live by ‘Hakuna matata’, a E LOO SHELL IS L O N P R IS K S AND OF Swahili phrase that means ‘no worries’. People smile at strangers and respect tourists. I met a F ZAN ON Z IB A R bunch of Zanzibaris who said tourism was really helping the country to curb unemployment.

Later in the evening, I strolled through Forodhani Gardens, a popular street food market that attracts thousands of picnickers in the evenings, and saw teens jumping off the corniche to hit the cold, dark waters of the Indian Ocean as spectators cheered to every loud splash. As we walked past the gardens along the seafront, we saw the House of Wonders, which was built by the former Omani government. The century-old building was the first in East Africa to have electricity. The House of Wonders is a cultural museum now. Adjacent to it is the Old Fort. Now a cultural centre, it was once an Omani fort built to protect the town from European invasions.

Stone Town is simply made of tall buildings with narrow allies snaking through markets on the ground floors and residents in the upper stories.

Painting is very popular in Zanzibar. Colourful, original works are sold at cheap prices, in addition to wooden frames and accessories. You could take home paintings of African animals and tribal people at really cheap prices. The bananas, star fruits and oranges tasted quite different from the ones we have in Muscat. The market’s similarity to Souq Muttrah is remarkable. The tall buildings protect shoppers from the baking heat and their shadows keep the market dark through day time. My blood ties with Muttrah made me love the Souq more than any other place on the island.

There is one place that is impossible to love: the former slave market which displays the dark history of slave trade. The tiny low-ceiling rooms that were meant to keep slaves chained inside remind us of the horrible tales of the eerie past. The rooms that housed 50 or more starving men provided not even enough oxygen for them to breathe in and they had no toilet. According to our D guide, the slaves were used to carry ivory and many died during long trips from sickness or harsh U Z I IS L A N B E A C H IN D IL W weather. It doesn’t rain much in Zanzibar, but when it does, it is between March and May. Weekend holidays here are on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Zanzibari economy depends mainly on tourism and spice trade but it faces major economic challenges. Many government buildings are poorly maintained and the streets are too narrow. While the Omani influence is part of Zanzibar’s history, Indian influence is part of its present.

Our driver was talking passionately about Bollywood, saying it is more popular than Hollywood here.

“I love Shah Rukh Khan, he is my favourite star, Indian films have nice romantic stories and really beautiful music,” he said. “I have a cable connection that allows me to watch 180 channels, majority of them are Indian,” he said. He explained that many Zanzibaris are unemployed and many of them left to Qatar for better job opportunities.

My favourite place Prison Island. For less than US$10 you can explore this rare tortoise sanctuary. Visitors can get close to the majestic animals and feed them, or take a cool selfie. There is a small resort in the island which was never actually used as a prison, but rather as a quarantine before it was turned into a tourist attraction.

Highlights

The Souq! The cheapest and most colourful market I have ever been to. The merchants sell vibrant paintings at really low prices that you would not think of bargaining.

Lowlights a day.

Poverty. It is visible around every corner. People live on handouts and many do not make more than $2

Souvenirs Traditional African handicrafts are easy to find anywhere in Stone Town. Men and women sell African clothing and kummas, yes the Omani kummas and animal teeth (fake ones, but cool to have).

Getting there Oman Air, flydubai and Qatar Airways fly daily to Zanzibar. It is around four hours from Muscat to the island.

Where to stay

STREE

T FOOD FOROD WATER HANI ON FRONT, THE STONE TOWN

Park Hyatt, the one and only luxury hotel in Zanzibar, which is located by the sea side.

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Destination

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

SOUNDS GOOD

Easy connectivity and great looks, the latest headphones make you spoilt for choice, in-ear or over-ear. Alvin Thomas checks out the sound systems

SOUND OVER MATTER There was a time when AKG was touted as the “poor man’s Bose”, but not anymore. The Austrian brand – which is powered by Harman from the US and (currently) owned by the Koreans from Samsung Electronics – is far more superior to most high-end acoustic companies today. The AKG K92 is a prime example of how far the brand has come in the last two decades. The device comes with a superior sound driver, which helps reproduce heavy bass with adequate oomph while maintaining the consistency of the mid-tones and vibratos.

It’s not studio-ready but is very well up there with the best, to say the least. Sadly, the only letdown is the construction: the audio cups are plastic-y and the two-prong headband is overly flexible. But, can you really complain about that when the device is priced at a meagre RO19?

Probably not. Buy it from amazon.com

STYLE STATEMENT There’s a fine line between style and function, and in the acoustics world the line is a Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear headphone. Not only is it capable of producing some great sounds, but it is also quite the looker. The Momentum comes in various colours; our favourite being the candy apple with the intricate brushed aluminium detailing. Of course, as is the case with most Sennheisers, the Momentum suffers from a short fuse for deep bass and keeps true to the sharper notes, although I’m nitpicking here. This is definitely the best headphones you can purchase for your smartphone today. And yes, there’s a different version for each flavour of OS. Buy it for RO36.5 from amazon.com

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU Optoma are a relatively new acoustics manufacturer, but that hasn’t stopped them from breaking into the scene with some stunning audio devices. They have quite a fan base in Asia.

However, it is their latest offering, the Optoma Nuforce BE6i, that we are interested in. These Bluetooth in-ear wireless headphones reproduce superior acoustics as well as provide excellent battery life of up to eight hours (!) The device will also connect with your audio player at a distance of 98 feet. The headphone isn’t feature packed like some of its competitors, but the build-quality is excellent and it will not break on you every three weeks (take a note Yamaha). Yours for RO30.4 from amazon.com

QUIET AND COMFORTABLE

EDITOR’S PICK

OH, WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD WE LIVE IN. WE HAVE COME TO A POINT WHEREIN WE CAN DIAL DOWN ALL THE VOICES AROUND US – AND WITH THE SIMPLE PUSH OF A BUTTON. IT’S UNCANNY. IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A PAIR OF HEADPHONES THAT CAN DO THE JOB WELL, LOOK NO FURTHER – THE BOSE QUIETCOMFORT 35 IS THE ONE FOR YOU. NOT ONLY DOES IT SECLUDE YOU FROM THE SURROUNDINGS BUT IS ALSO WIRELESS, WHICH MEANS YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SNAPPING THE WIRE. AS EXPECTED, THE AUDIO QUALITY IS CRISP AND THERE’S VERY LITTLE – NEGLIGIBLE TO BE SPECIFIC – WHITE NOISE INTERFERING WITH THE AUDIO YOU ARE PLAYING. GET IT FOR RO135 FROM AMAZON.COM

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JULY SEP 1403- -2009/ /ISSUE ISSUE486 327

Top games to look forward to this month App of the Week

One of the top two games set to release this month is about guns and lots of blood, but the other is expected to take you to more leisurely settings

MIXX IT Music lovers in Oman (and much of Asia) are left out by major streaming applications such as Spotify and Pandora; it’s inequitable.

But, fret not, for Mixxlist is here to the rescue. The app lets you stream all your favourite music – from various online sources – through the app. It also lets you create your own playlist and share it with the world, or indulge in someone else’s playlist, if need be. Just make sure you stash your Backstreet Boys and NSYNC songs elsewhere before you go public, though. Download it for free from Google Play or iTunes

WOLFENSTEIN II: THE NEW COLOSSUS The Americans clearly haven’t got past the whole Nazi thingamajig. One would have expected the Jews to hold a deep grudge, but that doesn’t seem to be the case today. The Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is the sequel to the successful Wolfenstein: New Order game from 2014. Like its predecessor, the new game also revolves around Polish protagonist B.J. Blazkowicz and his skirmish to overpower and overthrow the Nazi regime. We hear that he is relying on a newly formed militant group of resistance fighters to do the job. Whatever be the case, I feel it’s going to be a gory affair. Expect heavy gun action and lots of blood. This isn’t for the faint hearted.

Initial release date: October 27 Engine: id Tech 6 Developer: MachineGames Series: Wolfenstein

SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY Not every game release this month features blood and gore: The Super Mario Odyssey is one clear example. The much-loved game will see Mario continuing his run – now with a host of extravagant moves and jumps – to save his beloved Princess Peach from Bowser. After all these years, one would expect her to be a bit more vigilant; but no. Thankfully, Mario, in this new game, will receive a new sidekick – Cappy – who can throw at certain objects or enemies to temporarily obtain their unique abilities. The game will be in 3-D but the physics engine will continue to be cartoonish. I’m not complaining, though.

After all, I did grow up playing Mario on Sega.

Initial release date: October 27 Director(s): Kenta Motokura Series: Mario Series Platform: Nintendo Switch Developers: Nintendo, Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development JULY SEP 03 14 - 20 09 / ISSUE 486 327

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

Beauty

FASHION

FOREVER BLUE

A well-tailored suit for old-timey cowboys to the fashion-forward hipsters; denim has survived as a timeless piece of trendy clothing both men and women have worn to flaunt a rugged attitude with a hint of formal. The strudy, reliable material is ebbing back into the fashion world.

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a ishir h S , t tree s h g e hi h t o t end e look. h g hi th the to get m Fro s you help

T t Ge

ivas n e Sre Skirts are a must-have for every trendy girl, and this authentically reconstructed denim skirt with pockets makes the cut. Pair it with your favourite text t-shirt for a cool kid-on-theblock look. Available at Next for RO16.

Keep up with the times with this classic light blue denim button-down shirt from Next and match it with your favourite pair of dark-coloured skinny jeans and beige ankle boots. Buy it for RO14.

Add a feminine touch to your casual look with this round neck denim blouse with long puffy sleeves, ruffled elastic cuffs and a buckled belt in the front. It’s available at Zara for RO14.9.

The ‘70s are all the rage again and nothing screams denim more than these mom jeans from H&M with five pockets, tapered legs and seamless edges. It’s all yours for RO17.9.

This cute denim backpack from Zara with frayed seams and add-on pins with bold embroidery will catapult you into the hipster fashion world. The zip-top bag with adjustable shoulder straps is perfect for a day out in the sun. Buy it for RO14.9.

Nothing looks more cool, chic and sporty than a cap. This denim cap with a visor and an ombre-like faded effect will help you master the casual look. Shop for it at Zara for RO 7.9.

This simple, chic denim dress is perfect for a weekend day out. The lightweight knee-length dress will help you stay cool throughout the day. Pick up this easy-to-slip-on dress from Next for just RO15.

Ditch the jeans and shirts, and opt for this hassle-free slip-on denim sneakers for a casual Friday look around town. Shop these at Zara at for RO18.9.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Glam up your

GLORY LOOK

Get spooky with lipsticks and flutter some scare around with fake eyelashes — it’s that time of year to shop for cosmetics to look alien

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alloween is coming and it is the only day when beauty products are not used for beauty, but to look scary. It is also the only day men adventure into the beauty vanity in search of yourbright lipsticks and dark eyeliners to enhance their most basic, ‘vampire’ look.

For you ladies, here are a few products you can use to ‘Halloween-up’ your look.

• Fenty Beauty-Galaxy Collection: This is probably one of the most-talked about brands on social media. It has definitely made itself on the ‘must’ list of every beauty lover’s kit and every beauty blogger and vlogger is going ga-ga over it. With unique colours tightly packed in the holographic galaxy representing case, the Fenty Beauty Galaxy eye shadow pallet has some absolutely bright and distinctive colours that will not just glam you up, but will surly boost your ‘alien’ look.

• Fake eyelashes: Not a big fan of the super expensive fake lashes?

How about some super fun Halloween-themed eyelashes? Designed as a spider web or the burial ground coming to life, add these super scary yet super fun eyelashes to your Halloween costume and flutter some scare around. Daiso Japan has them stocked. Go grab them!

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• Kat Von D lipsticks: Dressing up as a witch this Halloween?

Looking for the right shade of lip colour to bring out the ‘wickedness’ in you? Kat Von D’s Everlasting Liquid Lipstick has some unique shades to choose from like Echo-Satin Navy Blue — the deepest blue lip colour you can find; Roxy — a bright purple shade; Dagger — a blunt grey/purpleish shade or a the one that is rightly named, Witches-Black Pitch — darkest of dark black lipstick. Go out, have fun with unique colours and get spooky with lipsticks.

• Highlighter: We, at Y Office (beauty division, of course), are all about high beam highlighters and this Halloween we are absolutely getting the Tarte Make Believe in Yourself Eye and Cheek Pallet. This ‘unicorn– kaleidoscope’ inspired eye and cheek pallet has some well-pigmented and shimmery colours that will make your cheekbone shine high and bright.

This Halloween, have fun with make-up, get creative and get crazy!

Beauty

HEALTH

Fashion

BRAIN

MATTERS Specialised epilepsy care at KIMS Oman Hospital

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pilepsy is a neurological disorder and research indicates that at least one in every ten people experiences a minimum of one seizure during a lifetime. It is, however, important to note that a single seizure is not epilepsy, which is a condition more aptly defined by multiple seizures.

So how do seizures happen? Scientists suggest that nerve cells or neurons in the human brain communicate through electrical and chemical signals. A seizure usually results when there is a sudden extreme electrical discharge, disrupting the regular activity of nerve cells. While seizures may tend to cause a functional change, they may assume different forms, including a blank stare, muscle spasms, uncontrolled movements, altered awareness, odd sensations or a convulsion.

Epilepsy, the most common chronic neurological disorder, is a major public health problem in many countries. In the Middle East and Gulf region, epilepsy is known by the names such as Al Sara, Zaif, Abilipsya, etc. The prevalence of lifetime and active epilepsy in Arab countries is 7.5/1000 and 4.4/1000 respectively, and the incidence is 56/100,000.

The cause of epilepsy is at times genetic or acquired but mostly both genetic and acquired. Thus, a correct diagnosis of epilepsy is of utmost importance as there are many conditions which may mimic a seizure disorder. The most important for diagnosis is clinical history from an eyewitness of the episode. Similar to ECG for heart-related problems, there is a painless, non-invasive test called electroencephalogram (EEG) that can detect abnormalities in the brain’s electrical activity.

Dr Santosh Kumar Balagopal, senior consultant neurologist (epileptologist) at KIMS Oman Hospital, says it is important for a patient suffering from epilepsy to establish a positive relationship with his or

her doctor with whom they can share and discuss their condition openly.

Dr Santosh had served earlier as a senior consultant at The Royal Hospital and Sohar Hospital, Ministry of Health, for several years.

He specialised in Epilepsy and Stroke Medicine from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. He also holds Specialty Certification in Neurology from the Royal College of Physicians (UK) and the British Association of Neurologists.

KIMS Oman Hospital has a well-equipped epilepsy clinic with the right choice of doctors who could help diagnose and manage epilepsy.

With a correct diagnosis and right choice of medications, people with epilepsy can now expect to be better integrated into home, working and community life, and ultimately lead more independent and more active lives than previously thought possible.

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SEASONAL BITES

Oktoberfest is not just for binging on spirits; it’s also the perfect time to indulge in some classy German dishes. Also try out our exclusive recipe.

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Braised Beef with Mustard

Ggrandeour erman InterContinental Muscat is ready to dish out German taste blended with an Arabian touch at Oktoberfest.

Alvin Thomas takes a peek into what’s cooking

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Ingredients: § 2 tbsp vegetable oil § 1.3 kg piece beef rib eye § 6 shallots (150g), chopped finely § 1 stalk celery (150g), trimmed, chopped finely § 1 medium piece carrot (120g), chopped finely § 2 garlic, crushed § 2 sprigs fresh thyme § 1 cup beef stock § 2 tbsp plain flour § 2 tbsp water § 400g button mushrooms, halved § 1/3 cup pouring cream § 2 tsp wholegrain mustard Method: § Heat half the oil in large frying pan; cook beef until browned all over.

t’s that time of year, folks! Several world festivals have come to an end. Just this week, the Indian festival of lights, Diwali, came to a close, and several people around the Sultanate are now looking for a means to celebrate.

But, fret not, for the Germans are here to the rescue with what is arguably their largest and most prominent festival: Oktoberfest. Of course, the words “October” and “fest” might sound all too literal, but there’s more to it than just celebrating horse races and reaping the benefits of their lands – as was the case with the festival back in the days.

Today it aims to bring people closer to one another and showcase German traditions. People – along with their counterparts – also indulge in a lot of… err… hydration, good food and music.

And as part of InterContinental Muscat’s ongoing tradition of celebrating this momentous festival on their grounds, we were given a sneak peek into the good stuff – the food that is going to be on show at the festival slated to take place on the 26th of October.

During our taste test, the Chef, Thusitha, not only gave us a chance to indulge in some of the finest foods, but also a peek into what goes into the makings of these delicious chows.

The first on the menu was the Bavarian meatballs, followed by chicken marinated with Arabian spices, and rib-eye roast beef with mushroom sauce. All of the dishes were served with a side of sauerkraut and mashed potatoes.

I found the Bavarian meatballs to be authentically coarse and tremendously flavoursome. The ground beef still retained its moisture, which made the meatballs naturally aromatic and soft on the inside,

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Transfer to a 4.5-litre (18-cup) slow cooker.

Heat remaining oil in same pan. Cook shallot, celery and carrot, stirring until softened. Add garlic and thyme; cook, stirring, until fragrant. Transfer to cooker with stock; mix well.

Cook, covered, on low for 2 hours.

Remove beef from cooker; cover with foil. Stand 15 minutes before slicing.

Meanwhile, strain liquid into large jug; discard solids. Blend flour with the water in small bowl until smooth.

Return cooking liquid to cooker with flour mixture and mushrooms.

Cook, uncovered, on high, about 30 minutes or until sauce thickens. Stir in cream and mustard; season to taste.

Serve sliced beef with sauce.

albeit the sauce gave it a tangy, but moderately spicy palate. Arguably, this had to be the most sought-after dish during the course of my dinner.

Next in my line of favourites was the roast beef garnished with mushroom sauce. My oh my! It was splendid. My opinion may stem from my love for mushroom sauce, but the overall aura and presentation of the dish is sufficient to bowl anyone over.

The rib-eye – which is often touted as the ‘tastiest cut on the cow’ – was done well. Since, it was slow roasted, the beef had also adsorbed (not absorb) the mushroom sauce, ever so slightly. The dryness of the skin was definitely not evident in the dish. The insides were still juicy and the beef appetising to the touch of my fork and knife.

Last but not the least, we had the chicken marinated with Arabian spices. It was the first time I had ever indulged in Arabian chicken as much as I had on the day.

It seemed to be slow-cooked, which meant the meat was soft to the touch, and the steam from the natural oils locked within the outer crust of the chicken.

The spices, again, were gleefully garnished over the chicken; but it was the side dishes that gave the chicken its life – the mashed potatoes were smoother and softer than butter, and the light essence of olive oil and other spices were evident in every bite.

If you want to experience what I just did, you can register yourself for the Oktoberfest at the InterContinental Muscat. But if you cannot make it, we’re giving you an exclusive recipe of a dish you can replicate at home. Try this braised beef with mustard, and let us know of your thoughts.

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Info Box

TEA LIBRARY

Ground floor, Sheraton Oman Hotel Opening hours: 10am to 11pm Contact: 2237 7777 Dinner for four: RO27.5 Verdict : 9/10 SERVICE 9/10 FOOD 10/10 AMBIENCE

THE TEA LIBRARY

Excellent variety of tea served with a smile. The ambience is perfect, too.

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

SIPPING FROM A POT OF TEA AND MUNCHING ON THE JUICY, TENDER CORNED LAMB SHOULDER, ALVIN THOMAS GETS TRANSPORTED TO A COZY TEA ROOM IN THE UK SITTING RIGHT HERE IN MUSCAT — DREAM BLENDS WITH REALITY SEAMLESSLY

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ave you ever imagined joining the Queen of England for tea and scones at the renowned Buckingham Palace? My current outing at the Tea Library could be the closest to that dream.

No, this is not a story of sipping tea and chatting about pet dogs with Queen Elizabeth II but rather a quick snacking session with Y’s editor Nishad Padiyarath.

Close enough? Maybe not, but I’ll tell you why it is nearly up there. The Tea Library at the Sheraton Oman is the closest you can ever be to drinking traditional tea in the UK – I’m serious.

For starters, the interior décor of the Tea Library is reminiscent to that of Britain’s finest architecture; it’s simply superb.

Sure, it may be a far stretch from most tea or coffee lounges in Oman, but the way the decorators have captured the essence of the tealoving nation is truly commendable.

It’s unlike anything I had ever seen. Upon entering the lounge, you are greeted by tall glass tubes with tea leaves in them.

It reminded me of those tall pipes from the organs that they usually have in churches in Europe. Truly, all of this must be seen to be believed.

The waiter handed us the menu. We quickly opted for a serving of the Delicious Meatwich On Caraway Rye (yes, that’s what it’s called) and a Lamb Chipwich.

It took them 10-odd minutes to prepare, but I didn’t sense the time flying as I was constantly clicking photos and sharing them on Facebook.

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orange lily petals and a tower of Jasmine flowers.

The presentation was an art in itself; the chef brought us the tea buds before setting it in our glass pot.

The hot water then extracted every ounce of flavour, aroma and natural colour from the bud, IT GIVES VISITORS AN thereby creating a very fragrant tea. The bud OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND TIME slowly spread apart to form a flower, as it began IN ABSOLUTE COMFORT WHILE diffusing its flavour slowly.

SIPPING ON THEIR FAVOURITE A simple compliment wouldn’t do justice; it was TEAS AND MUNCHING ON that great. Every sip evoked a different response SAVOURIES from my taste buds. The essences were distinct – There is a group of envious friends who do not there was the delicate flavour of lily, accompanied follow my social feeds anymore.

The sandwich Nishad ordered contained corned by the aromatic jasmine strains, and then the beef brisket, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian bitterness of the green tea.

Of course, as the tea cooled down, the bitterness dressing; it was all neatly packed in two crispy of the tea also dissipated. But I could easily swig slices of thick Rye bread. down more servings of the tea with no haste.

While the sandwich was fresh and delightful, Soon, Nishad and I also found ourselves indulging Nishad said it wasn’t too fancy to write in a light-hearted conversation about tea, which home about. slowly trickled down to other aspects of life: My Lamb Chipwich, however, told a different politics, televisions and then music. tale. Finished in a pile of crispy chips, harissa Without knowing, we had already passed the corned lamb shoulder, mint-rucola and garlic cream, it was the best sandwich I had ever tasted! two-hour mark.

This is probably where the Tea Library scores It felt like it was a touch above the gourmet points: it gives visitors an opportunity to spend sandwiches that you can usually order from time in absolute comfort while sipping on their expensive restaurants across the capital. The favourite teas and munching on savouries. corned lamb shoulder was juicy and tender, and Never again will I question the people who love the blend of garlic cream gave the sandwich its distinct flavour. Still, the flavour didn’t overpower spending hours over a cup of tea or coffee as they chat away with their friends. the lamb and the rye.

The vegetables were garden-fresh but cheese lovers may want to opt for an additional serving of Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com Feta cheese on the side.

Next, we chose to have a serving of cake. I decided to go for the Chocoholic Treat, while Nishad went for his favourite – Red Velvet cake.

While my cake stood out with its various shades of chocolate (and different palates), Nishad’s cake took the cherry (figuratively) with its melt-in-themouth red velvety sponge. I had to concede that he had made the right choice.

We were then ready for the ‘Signature Tea’ – the Flowering Lily & Jasmine – which was a broad base of green tea buds topped with crown of

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